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Roar Guru
Joined June 2014
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Twitter: @louismcintyre
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Last pre-season, I had a go at picking five signings that while not being touted as the big off-season recruits were ones I saw as having potential to not only be cost effective, but also fill a hole in their team’s roster and have a positive impact.
With the 2021 season fast approaching and prediction articles about to come in thick and fast, I thought I’d get in ahead of the trend and take a punt on who I believe will be the most astute signings of the upcoming season.
Desperate for some league articles that don’t revolve around Latrell Mitchell, I’ve decided to have a go at predicting which teams will jump up into this year’s top eight – and at the expense of who.
It’s clear to all who watched Wednesday night’s Origin opener that NSW lacked attacking structure in their defeat.
The season is essentially over for some NRL clubs, who must now look ahead to 2019 when preparing for their final seven games.
When I first heard that Macklemore had been named as the NRL grand final entertainment, I was a little disappointed. I find his music quite tedious, especially ‘Thrift Shop’ and the song about the moped.
In Round 26, all eight NRL games should be played at the same time. With one match to play, top four and top eight positions are still on the line, as is the wooden spoon, meaning simultaneous games is the fairest way to finish the season.
Manly’s push up the premiership ladder has been unexpected in 2017, even for a Manly fan like myself.
After all the backlash that came from both clubs and fans regarding Monday night football, I am surprised that the solution was a 6pm Friday game.
The St George Illawarra Dragons’ six-million-dollar deal with Ben Hunt is a clear indication of how far behind the eight-ball the team is ahead of the 2017 season.
The success of the Raiders’ season relies solely on the outcome of their game this weekend. Win, move on to the Storm the following week and go into the game with nothing to lose.
Up until this week, I thought Parramatta were unlikely to make the finals this year. The signing of Michael Jennings has changed my opinion.
Martin Taupau from Tigers to Manly, Matt Ballin doing the reverse trip, Tim Lafai to the Dragons, Will Hopoate to the Dogs, Dylan Walker to Manly, Sam Burgess back to the Bunnies. These transfers kept the NRL in the headlines this off-season.
Johnathan Thurston’s position as potentially the game’s greatest ever player all depends on the result this Sunday.
How good was the spectacle of Monday night football between the Bulldogs and Storm at Belmore Oval? What a way to bring life back to what was fast becoming a boring concept.
Daly Cherry-Evans is copping flak about how he is handling his negotiations for next year, but we should all just lay off him – he is not breaking any rules and is just looking out for his best interests.
It looks like it’s a case of another year, same old Warriors. While it is only Round 6, the boys from New Zealand are already showing the indifferent form to which we have become accustomed.
There are several ways the NRL can maximise their crowd potential, the prime being improving crowd numbers for Monday night games.
As a fifteen year old boy in 2005, all I wanted was for my team to play finals footy.
Finally! After years of complaining, my biggest pet peeve in regards to rugby league has been corrected. Sunday arvo football will now be shown live!
At first I thought this was satire, but I am astounded that Cleary getting picked for origin seems to be the hill you want to die on. Regardless of past performances, who would you pick at halfback ahead of him this year? If it is no-one then what is the point of the article? He is leading the Dally M’s and is widely considered a top 4 player with Teddy, Turbo and Munster.
I won’t touch Klemmer as I haven’t been taking a great interest in his form this year and can’t be bothered looking into his numbers against those picked.
Where's Klemmer and why Cleary: Two of my greatest gripes ahead of Origin
I agree, credit where it’s due. I was quick to bemoan Hadley and also had private intentions to boycott the show. Alas, I couldn’t help myself and ended up watching. I found Hadley quite measured with some well thought out discussion.
Fox League's decision to hire Ray Hadley is baffling
I like your idea about country footy, although there has been a bunch of games played regionally this year without forcing the clubs.
I don’t see any glaring issues with magic round concept at all. Plenty of teams move home games to neutral venues every year. I dare say teams probably nominate to be the home side to take their share of the ticket sales.
The NRL must even up the magic round disadvantage
Didn’t it more evolve from copying the UK Super League concept?
The NRL must even up the magic round disadvantage
What draw are you looking at? Manly only have 3 games left against the top 5 this season.
There final 10 games include the Bulldogs and Raiders twice, Tigers, Sharks, Cowboys and the Dragons.
A tale of two rebuilds: Dragons versus Bulldogs
It does make the draw fairer as to make the finals you are only judged against the teams that had the same draw as you.
Conference system reportedly back on the NRL's radar
I would like to mention that DCE had the 4th most try assists and 3rd most linebreak assists totally 37 last year. Is is definitely a misconception that he has nothing ‘left in the tank.’ While a very disappointing year for the club, he was consistently the teams best player and can’t do it all on his own.
Closing time: The NRL clubs watching their premiership window slam shut
Author is a 13 year old Broncos fan from the bio Paul, go easy. While I don’t agree with my Sea Eagles coming 14th its all a bit of fun at this stage of the year. Good to see a young fella having a go and putting a few article together. Looking forward to seeing the rest of them!
My NRL ladder prediction: Part 1 (16-14)
I love how much Saints fans want Saab to fail 😂 But he is exactly what Manly needed- height and speed.
Suli will start at centre, Morgan Harper would probably be above Parker in the pecking order too.
Potential NRL breakout stars: Manly Sea Eagles
Dragons fans sure are bitter at Saab and don’t want to see him succeed (and probably rightfully so). This is a prediction article, let’s come back to it at the end of the year and see how he went.
Sign me up: The five most astute signings of 2021
An astute signing is a smart signing (synonyms) and can apply to anyone who adds more value to their club than what they are paid. Ben Kennedy came to Manly on big money but the way he changed the culture made him an excellent signing.
This is a prediction article, let’s judge it at the end of the year. I also disagree about Bird, he’s on big money but that doesn’t apply to the Dragons as Brisbane is paying a large chunk of it.
Sign me up: The five most astute signings of 2021
I agree with Sironen as a good signing but have a few question marks over the others. McIntyre was impressive last season but I can’t see him offering much other than a few minutes off the bench in that Titans pack. Souths already have one of the comps best locks- so where does Arrow fit in? And the Roosters rarely let a good one go- Flanagan might fall into that category.
Sign me up: The five most astute signings of 2021
Great article and good team. For what it’s worth I would have picked Brett Stewart at fullback. Remarkable football player that just happened to be around the same time as Slater.
Rugby league's one-Test wonders
Totally agree that we don’t sweat over the kick chase and their is barely controversy. Then is you look at VAR in the soccer and they are ruling players off side due to the position of their arm pits, which is in turn causing arguments over matter of opinion (and mm).
30 second shot clock to come to a decision is worth a gamble on.
I hate the Bunker
The borders are open and NSW tourists can enter Queensland without getting a flu shot, so therefore AFB will be able to as well.
2020 NRL season: Round 11 preview
Don’t agree with changing the headline to something much more emotional (and possibly not true of your thoughts on your team). But it got me with the click.
I am disgusted and ashamed to be a Broncos fan
Pubs and clubs were still open until March 23, so Latrell playing basketball in early March was in no way against social distancing. In fact, he played for the Rabbitohs on March 21st so it is doubtful he was in Taree at that time.
Players partying and going camping risk blowing it for all of us
Great story mate, thanks for sharing. As a kid in the late 90’s I was in the middle of a three way tug of war from Family members who were North Sydney, Balmain and Souths supporters. Bribery and ladder position saw me choose Norths, but a (failed) merger not long after has seen me a Manly fan ever since.
Everybody has their own rugby league journey
Right in the feels. 😢
Alex Johnston's brilliant TikTok on missing rugby league is all of us right now
As a Manly fan, I used to think Williame was bang average when he played for us. Hopefully for your sake he has improved in the Super league.
NRL Round 1 teams: Latrell begins Souths career at fullback, no Cordner for Roosters
Big Manly fan so obviously I have a touch of bias, but how is Addin Fonua-Blake not in the top 50!? Was our most important forward last year and won games off his own back. I rate him much higher than NAS, TPJ, Josh McGuire and Paul Vaughan.
I actually rate him higher than Mary Taupau as well who was in the top 30. AFB’s minutes and post contact metres are phenomenal.
The Roar's NRL top 50 players: 20-11
Minor Premiers or the 9s 😂 ! I love the rose coloured glasses but they won two games before getting knocked out.
Are the Newcastle Knights a one-man team?
I think Cust, Docker-Clay and Croker all have merits to be in the 17. I presume Des will give them all a shot in the trials and then pick the best two for round 1. Will certainly be a shared job in 2020.
Also, when did Cust play for Avalon? I thought he was Scone born until coming to play for Manly’s 20s.
Fainu uncertainty should compel Sea Eagles to trust in Cust
Super stiff on DCE who was man of the match in game 1 last year and led ‘the worst Queensland team in history’ to a series win.
And why are Gagai (who has played 17 origins not 11 and won the Wally Lewis Medal) and DCE being compared with Prince and Bowen? That isn’t really explained.
Is Daly Cherry-Evans Queensland's version of Mitchell Pearce?