Roar Guru
Joined May 2012
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Massive sports fan especially Rugby League & Football. Eels 2009 run to the finals - Unforgettable. Canberra DH mountain bike World Champs 2009 - My greatest sporting event. Blues State of Origin Win & Australia vs. Netherlands 2014 - Best night ever. Leicester City triumph - The world's best sport's story
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State of Origin is where the makeup of the Australian Kangaroos side is cemented, with a few players who go deep into the NRL…
In December 2015, I wrote Anthony Griffin's appointment at the Penrith Panthers may have perhaps only been a short-term solution, a stop-gap until someone…
Make no mistake, the clandestine decisions of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita to defect from their countries of origin to play for their countries…
With a new coach, new CEO, new roster and new style of play, could the Newcastle Jets be ready to end a finals’ hiatus…
Eight years after crestfallen Parramatta lost a grand final to the formidable Melbourne Storm, North Queensland have an opportunity to claim the legitimate title…
The idea that Penrith skipper Matt Moylan could be on the way out of the Panthers organisation has the potential to irreversibly damage the…
With three games left to play in the NRL regular season and just six points separating the sides between fourth and tenth, the run…
Andrew Johns was peppered with questions from Paul Vautin during the State of Origin post-match review about coaching New South Wales, but Vautin should…
At the start of the 2017 NRL season, Stephen Kearney made a left-field call to select Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as captain of the New Zealand…
Newcastle backliner Nathan Ross has put himself in a promulgating position to push for an upgraded contract as he lines-up at fullback again for…
Newcastle Jets will open their 2017/18 A-League campaign against arch-rivals Central Coast Mariners in a headline Saturday night derby at Central Coast Stadium. Adding…
If anything's to be taken out of Queensland's triumphant win on Wednesday night over New South Wales, it's that champions know how to get…
As the NRL season begins to enter to its disjointed but highly important ‘middle-third', a number of NRL teams will look to either capitalise…
Incoming Newcastle Knights' signing Kalyn Ponga is looming as one of the red and blue's most vital recruitments in their 30-year history. But his…
With the Western Force likely to be sensationally dumped from Super Rugby at season's end, the NRL must take advantage of the hole the…
Twelve months ago a 49er, eight months ago a Fijian Olympic hopeful, six months ago settling down as a Gold Coast Titan. Aside from…
I am not a Leicester City Football Club fan, but I have followed their run from relegation survivors to Premier League champions like a…
Leicester City Football Club are again on the verge of creating world sporting history. This time it will be for the most amazing fall from grace ever.…
Historically, the New Zealand Warriors' seasons of success have been followed by prolonged periods of disappointing underachievement. In recent years, they have set the…
The explosive success of the Big Bash League can be attributed to a number of reasons, but would its success have been driven so…
Brilliant piece, well done. I have become a fan of the feeder competitions over the last few years. So true about the free-flowing footy and getting to celebrate a try properly because there is no video ref.
Why NSW Cup is better than the NRL
Brilliant piece, well done. I have become a fan of the feeder competitions over the last few years. So true about the free-flowing footy and getting to be able to celebrate a try properly because there is no video ref.
Why NSW Cup is better than the NRL
Unfortunately you are off the money here mate.
A game in Perth with a brand-new stadium will put rugby league’s showpiece into a new market and in front of a whole new audience.
Perth is surely next on the list for expansion, it’s a no brainer given TV timeslots, corporate support and the amount of ex-pats over there.
State of Origin in Perth makes zero sense
Have to agree. Can’t see why they wouldn’t roll the dice on that combination when they’ve brought Hardaker over here. Obviously need to play him in his best position to see if he can cut it in the NRL.
I can only suggest Griffin must be hanging out for the return of Te Maire Martin. But even he had some trouble with the physicality of first grade.
Cartwright set to stay at six
Great read Xavier and a brilliant idea.
As a NSW-based League fan, I’d be quite interested in such a concept. I think it would allow League fans north of The Murray to relate to AFL a little more.
I can’t say I watch much of the club competition but these prime-time games would capture my attention. They’d just need a big event-style build up like Origin recieves.
After another cracking State of Origin series, can the AFL please revive the concept
Have to nearly agree Alex, Penrith see light on in the halves now. Could get easier when Te-Maire Martin returns, but even then they’ll be highly inexperienced.
Parramatta will begin to fade off now, especially with Corey Norman out this week.
A shame because both sides are exciting to watch, would be great to see them in September.
Eels and Panthers fight to save their seasons in western Sydney derby
Don, thanks for the comments and support.
Full agree with you there, but I wasn’t trying to put the players of today on the same level or standing as those of the past. I was simply trying to say they fill a similar type of ‘role’ in the Brisbane team.
Blair and McGuire are the ‘enforcers’, much like ‘Tallis’ was back in the day. While, Milford is a tricky, small, fast-running half similar to how Alfy played the game. Very different, but a similar type of role within the team.
Brisbane's weakness exposed
The prices just continue to go up and up. It’s good to see some freezing of prices around the league but it’s popularity is so great that the clubs are able to increase prices without losing customers. While the hardcore English fans might protest or kick up a stink, many of the top clubs have tourists ready and willing to buy tickets.
Huge popularity around the league this year with the diversity at the top of the table, and obviously a new winner for the first time in a longtime.
The Premier League has entered an era of greed
Mitch, Great read mate. Love the parallels you’ve been able to draw through the article.
Chelsea are in a really bad place at the moment, and it’s hard to see them climbing out of it. They really need to reconnect as a team first and foremost I believe, before any results can be achieved. If anyone could turn things around its Jose, but you have to really question his desire to want to do so.
Such an intriguing EPL season!
No place for Mourinho's blame game at Chelsea
Absolutely agree and as I’ve suggested, he needs to do all those things you’ve suggested, on and off the field.
Maybe I should have worded it as the ‘leader he needs to be’.
Bird the NRL player with biggest point to prove in 2016
Cahill is an Australian legend.
I nearly agree with the spot you provide him behind the great Sir Don.
Any new stadium in Sydney should be named the Tim Cahill Arena or give reference to him in some way.
Is Tim Cahill second to Don Bradman?
Cheers for all the discussion everyone!
Love writing a piece that gets people talking.
I am most definitely aware that my 3 reasons aren’t concrete indicators for why the numbers at the gates are down, but I just wanted to see if anyone else shared some of my opinions and observations. A few of you can relate to the concept of the product changing over the last few years, and the impact that’s had on the live atmosphere.
I’m also not just a fan keen on biffo & blokes bashing each other, I still love Rugby League!
Yeeow. Happy writing!
Three reasons NRL crowds have dwindled
It really is. Jason Taylor is a dead-man walking in my opinion. The bloke has no personality and I can’t see the players responding to him week-in, week-out over the long term. It will be a shame if he doesn’t get the best out of Brooks & Co. in their growing years.
Something’s a miss if Tapou wants out a year in advance.
Wests Tigers undergo coaching makeover
They are one of the best stories in Rugby League in 2015.
I am loving the second-tier state leagues. Hopefully they raise the NSW Cup up to what the QLD Cup has become.
Brilliant read mate.
How Ipswich made my rugby league dreams come true
This would be sad for Football fans in Australia who may not have had the opportunity to see the great man play on our shores.
I’d throw the book at him for 2016/17 season if I was running a club. Would bring huge interest, the blokes a living legend.
Any new stadium in Sydney should consider naming a stand after him.
A-League stint highly unlikely: Cahill
Great Idea, but Wembley is a lot closer for people to get to then say Perth to Sydney, or even Brisbane to Sydney. Who would buy a ticket 12 months in advance if their team wasn’t going to be involved? In years to come the FFA cup might reach that level, but I don’t think its there yet. Personally, I didn’t think the FFA cup would take off. But it’s been great.
Australia's newest iconic cup deserves a permanent home
Hodgson a great pick up by Sticky as well. Brilliant player
Congratulations to Blake Austin, but he's not the buy of the year
Just a concept rather than an official award with a set criteria… Ennis’ fits my pick. He’s what the Sharks needed… It’s also hard to confirm what a player is actually on, which can affect who you would select with a value for money mindset.
Congratulations to Blake Austin, but he's not the buy of the year
Justified and sound selections Ryan.
I agree with Blake Austin at five-eighth, he has been on fire for the Raiders and deserves a start. Big frame, not afraid to have a crack, strong ball runner.
Dugan has to be the no. 1. He is a match-winner and is able to bust the line on his kick returns, which means valuable metres in origin.
Klemmer selection questionable.
My NSW Blues team for 2015 State of Origin Game 1
They Knights need to shift Kurt Gidley to the bench, or send him off to the Super League now. Whilst a loyal servant to the Knights, he is slowing them down. They need to start Jake Mamo and Matauita somewhere in the run-on team. Mullen is they key to their team, but there’s only so much he can do. The forward back needs to start being ruthless and taking no prisoners, with Smith, Scott, Snowden and the Sims’ brothers, they should be ripping teams apart.
Knights lack mental Stone
Stoked for the amount of discussion this article prompted, a wide range of comments but most people seem to agree the FFA stuffed up, a bigger stadium would be ideal but not possible, members will be rewarded this year and the A-League has an interesting GF scenario as it can be played anywhere around the country!
A-League must learn from Gallop's NRL mistakes
Understand your point here about members being rewarded, they should be. Also without having been there, I agree AAMI looks to be one of the best stadiums in the country.
I was trying to make the point that the spectacle that a code’s grand final should be, should have the ability to cater for those who would go to an ‘event’. While the football die-hards like yourself will get a ticket, there’s so many who will miss out.
Last year’s final in Brisbane had 51,153 in attendance, the FFA should be looking at them numbers and more considering the two biggest teams are involved.
A-League must learn from Gallop's NRL mistakes
I think Gallop’s insistence on a salary cap will make Football into the biggest code in the country in the long-run. The sport is different in Australia to overseas, we don’t have the depth of players, money and resources to fund a relegation and promotion type of competition. Australia sports fans also love being able to turn up on the day and have a genuine belief their team can win, letting clubs run wild and spend whatever they want would diminish this, and ultimately turn fans off. The EPL is one of the best sporting competitions in the world, but seeing the same team win, week-in, week-out and year after year becomes boring.
A-League must learn from Gallop's NRL mistakes
Ah so they did. Good pick up there thanks!
2016's best make it to the final four