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Editor
Joined March 2012
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A couple of years ago, following his promotion to the top job in the Shire following Shane Flanagan’s sacking, I penned a piece here on The Roar asking the question: “Is John Morris too nice to coach the Sharks?”
Coming into Round 5 of the 2021 NRL season, I was all fired up and ready to write a column about how the new rules needed to be ditched.
“Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.”
Jason Taumalolo can’t play Origin. It really is that simple. But it’s not because he plays for Tonga.
After two full rounds of the 2021 NRL season, I have increasing concerns about the six-again rule.
I don’t know the ins and outs of Corey Norman and Victor Radley being suspended. I’ve read of street fights, protestations of innocence and liberal dashings of people acting like dickheads throughout.
Having spent last week putting forward the argument that Brisbane are too good to come dead last again in 2021, perhaps it’s time to be a bit more positive in what is essentially a negative discussion.
Despite being the incumbent wooden spooners, it’s crazy to me that the Brisbane Broncos are being tipped by many to again be at the bottom of the ladder at the end of the 2021 NRL season.
The Roar’s co-founder and former publisher, Zolton Zavos, liked to tell us subs the story of how Van Halen would request a bowl of M&Ms with all the brown ones removed be in their dressing room before a gig.
When it comes to the punishment of off-field issues in the NRL, the lack of consistency can be confusing and frustrating.
After a months-long process of submissions and appeals, it was announced last Friday that Isaac Moses had officially had his accreditation as a player agent cancelled.
It’s always a blow when an amazing rugby league player decides to switch codes, if only because it means our days watching them play the game we love are over.
Too sloppy with his keeping, too predictable in his strategies, too boring with his bowling changes. Too old.
In a game that’s often accused of giving second (and third, fourth, fifth…) chances to the wrong people, it warms my cold, cynical heart to see Jarrod Mullen back playing rugby league.
When you think of the coaches under pressure this coming NRL season, it seems silly to even mention the man who took the Panthers to the grand final a few short months ago.
I awoke to a text message yesterday morning from one of my spies that there was a “notable absence” as the Knights returned to training ahead of the 2021 NRL season.
A few years back, three very grown-up things happened to me over a week-long stretch: I turned 30, got married and realised I had become rather fat.
Was there ever a human better made to be punched in the face than Paul Gallen?
The Australian Rugby League Commission naming a Kangaroos merit team yesterday seemed to confirm the current trend of the position of centre having become an afterthought.
I like Andrew Voss. No, you know what, that doesn’t go far enough. I bloody love Vossy.
“Life ain’t fair” is like “it’s a free country” or “Karma’s a bitch” – sayings people wheel out when they’re being jerks.
I’ve acknowledged the NRL is an uneven playing field, but it doesn’t need to be any more unfair to exist in these admittedly extraordinary times.
The fundamental flaw in NRL conferences: Blatant unfairness
There’s an entire committee dedicated solely to getting the comp started again. That they try to make it as fair as possible needs to be part of their remit.
The fundamental flaw in NRL conferences: Blatant unfairness
“It is most favoured to have all teams playing out of the same venue and being isolated from the rest of society including families.”
Max, that’s a hypothetical solution to get the season started.
Because they’re all hypothetical solutions at this stage. Nothing is confirmed. The restart date is being debated at Government level, bubbles have been suggested, everyone may play each other once or we could play the full season going until Christmas.
And NRL.com is still reporting that the conference system is being looked at.
I’m not going to call your comment a waste of time, because it’s great that you engage, but try not to be a dickhead.
Also, direct quote from my piece: “Obviously, the NRL is an uneven playing field”
The fundamental flaw in NRL conferences: Blatant unfairness
I appreciate you providing the antithesis to my long-windedness, but you’ll have to be a little more expansive.
The fundamental flaw in NRL conferences: Blatant unfairness
I reckon you’re right! And don’t ever apologise for being a nark on matters such as this.
Has been amended.
Curse of the Buderus: Knights' hooking hoodoo continues
https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/909991-futurama
An early reason for Panthers and Knights fans to celebrate the 2020 NRL season
Oh John, look at you adding comments and clicks. And constantly mentioning Greta Thunberg so as to get me more comments and clicks.
It’s almost – almost – as though I’m pulling your strings.
No need to play the anthem before the NRL All Stars game
I didn’t realise it was your money to take away.
No need to play the anthem before the NRL All Stars game
The song was written in 1878, so federation isn’t when people became “Australian”.
As for the Afghan Cameleers who first turned up in the 1860s? They were here before most of my (white, English) ancestors. It’s their song as much as mine.
But ignoring the people who were here for 60,000 years? They’re not “a group of people within the population”, they’re the traditional owners.
A government doesn’t create a nation. Australia is not young.
No need to play the anthem before the NRL All Stars game
The song was written in 1878. There was no nation then.
A little embarrassing for you.
No need to play the anthem before the NRL All Stars game
“I’m buggered if I’ve ever heard or seen anything of him before here at the ROAR.”
Dude, I met you in person at the Roar Christmas drinks a few years ago.
I’m not going to pretend I particularly matter, but I’ve worked here for the better part of a decade.
Part of the furniture, me.
Raelene Castle's tenure has been a failure – what else did RA expect?
Belittle posters?
“I thought this was a serious article until I read this line.”
Maybe when that’s the depth of your initial contribution to the discussion, you should have a think about what constitutes belittlement.
To continue that line of thought, if a quote from the SCG Trust is what you consider being belittled, well Jim, that’s on you.
In the meantime, I’ll take the SCG’s line about their attractions over your anecdotal suggestions as to what people may like. The people who run one of the world’s greatest sporting venues know what they’re talking about. And seeking to replicate what they consider a star attraction is, therefore, a completely worthwhile endeavour.
Apologies if all this logic has once again made you feel small.
Newcastle deserve a statue of Andrew Johns at McDonald Jones Stadium
Nah, we should name the bar after Mark ‘Booze’ Hughes.
Newcastle deserve a statue of Andrew Johns at McDonald Jones Stadium
In the salary cap? For a statue of a player who retired more than a decade ago?
Think that one through.
Newcastle deserve a statue of Andrew Johns at McDonald Jones Stadium
From the SCG Trust: “The Basil Sellers Sports Sculptures Project is one of the most popular attractions within the SCG precinct.”
Newcastle deserve a statue of Andrew Johns at McDonald Jones Stadium
Oh, Colombia. Because cocaine is made there. And Andrew Johns admitted to using drugs.
I see what you did there.
Bravo.
Newcastle deserve a statue of Andrew Johns at McDonald Jones Stadium
Blake was at a different club (and a Kiwi international played centre in his place), D Brown had played a grand total of three first-grade games, and Evans didn’t play because he’d been dropped to reggies. The Storm didn’t beat an undermanned side, they flogged the best Parra had to throw at them (sans N Brown). Don’t kid yourself with false equivalence.
Win or lose today, Parramatta are the NRL's walking dead
Where the coach chooses to play them doesn’t change the fact the choice of troops from Round 9 is essentially the same as this afternoon. The team that lost to the Storm were not viciously understrength.
Win or lose today, Parramatta are the NRL's walking dead
Right you are, that’s my bad. Story has been updated.
Win or lose today, Parramatta are the NRL's walking dead
You take “factionalised gang of old white men” wearing robes and come up with a guy born in Nazareth, who died at a young age, and his closest mates?
Israel, please shut up about God – oh, and happy Easter!
Cool, enjoy watching them not make the finals again.
Hey Waratahs, welcome to NSW (you probably won't be back, hey?)
Thanks for reading it all the way to the end and then commenting. 👍
Points must stand at NRL resumption – because nobody plays to lose