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…
Sylvester, you raise a good alternative view. I don’t think it’s a good look switching often. I feel as though the switches are usually based on form, e.g. Kiwi’s pick player = Ok he’ll play for them. Misses selection = Hello 2nd tier.
More needs to be done to equal the payments around the nations.
Or perhaps a scheme could be developed where players are ranked each year across the major domestic competitions in an all-encompassing top 100 or 200 international player list, and if a player is included in that list and decides to play for a 2nd tier nation, he is rewarded with a similar payment to those of AUS, KIWI & ENG players.
Those players who do decide to play for the 2nd tier would then maybe remain more consistent. Indeed, they would then be helping grow the interest in those teams, leading their countrymen and encouraging future growth of those teams and in the sport in those countries.
Thoughts?
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
You’re right big daddy,
Much more could have been done to make these things clearer, but it appears they are both last minute decisions, and as they say – any publicity is good publicity.
As for Keary and Luke wanting to play for Ireland, that would be a stretch.
I think Australia should still be able to pick examples like Napa, but Semi playing for Australia after only spending a few years here having grown up in Fiji was laughable.
If Fiji had a midyear test and close to the 20K on offer for the Australian jersey, there’s no way he would wore green and gold.
Cheers.
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Great thoughts Bearfax.
Can’t believe the dilly-dallying around or indeed, stuff all, that is being done to explore expansion – especially in the Perth market.
Another team in QLD is also a must in next ten years. The game has no long-term vision though. It’s actually quite de-motivating as a fan and lover of the sport.
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Like you Hayne example.
Two switch idea is good. I can’t see players chopping and changing too much really.
If they improve the player payments and shoot for equal payments at the World Cup at least, than players would be able to make clearer and more consistent choices.
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
I’d love to see some research or stats showing how many rugby league fans in Australia hold a genuine interest in the Super League.
Personally, I love it.
Just hard to find the time to watch…
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Love the enthusiasm Birdy,
Including the Indigenous All Stars would be difficult given so many play in SOO, but great plan.
Off topic – but I’ve always thought a cracking set of exhibition games would be NZ vs. QLD & ENG vs. NSW…
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Cheers Justin,
Mate couldn’t agree more. Earlier talk during the NRL season about possible strike action against the World Cup worried me. It was nuts anyway as the NRL doesn’t even control or profit form the tournament directly I believe.
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
You present a fair and quite possibly realistic assessment there Terry, but with 8 years to plan for it. Surely that’s enough time to develop a strategic set of actions that can help fill stands for a month-long tournament.
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Great insights there Sleiman Azizi,
Have to say I’m surprised the NRL hasn’t fast-tracked a Fiji team into the NSW Cup, given the National Rugby Competition has just installed a Fijian team.
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Thanks Go Warriors,
Love your thoughts on the big six. I know its so far away but I can’t help but think of the exciting possibilities it could bring.
Cheers
Stage set for RLWC 2017 to help brew growth
Hey Dean,
Thanks for the reply champion. Been busy working in the real world since posting.
If I’m correct, any story is ‘made up’ otherwise it would be a copy of someone else’s right?
My point regarding those two players was to emphasize how both of them have come into their respective sides so quickly, and how they would cope in the pressure of a Grand Final.
Both did themselves proud.
Thanks for the feedback,
Cheers.
Cowboys can do what history shows '09 Eels should have
It was more to emphasize a point. Full credit to Asiata for doing what he has done. Has just come onto the scene and developed quickly. Good on him
Cowboys can do what history shows '09 Eels should have
Have a look at the two sides Peeeeko, this one has no Greg Inglis, Ryan Hoffman, Adam Blair or Dallas Johnson? That side was quality right across the park.
Cowboys can do what history shows '09 Eels should have
I would say the 3 ‘big’ players are able to dominate a game more in 2017, thus their minor premiership this season. In 2009, there was more competitive teams on a week-to-week basis: St. George-Illawarra, Canterbury-Bankstown & Gold Coast. However if you look at Melbourne’s line-up across the park in 2009, I reckon it had more players already in the developed stage of their career than in 2017. This year’s Storm are quite young except for the experienced veterans.
Can’t see how the Dragons or Dogs would have made the GF in ’09? Eels knocked off Dragons first week, Brisbane sent them packing in week two, and then the Eels took care of the Dogs in the preliminary. How would Storm not being in that comp have meant either of those two making the GF?
Cowboys can do what history shows '09 Eels should have
Can’t agree with that, I reckon forwards are probably better suited to the captain role because they have less to worry about then a half.
As with any playmaker position, you’re naturally going to have to be a leader and good communicator anyway, so leave the captain role and everything that comes with it off the field to a player who doesn’t have as much going on.
E.g. Beau Scott, Tim Mannah, Matt Scott…
One interesting skipper choice that appears to work reasonably well is Jarrod Croker at the Raiders from the centre position. Seem ti dispell the myth that the captain should be in and around the middle of the park.
Captains from the fullback position are a bad idea IMO. The only one i can recall having much success is Anthony Minichello, but he had quite a solid leadership group during that time. E.g. Williams, Pearce, JWH, Friend etc.
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
Really good summation of Moylan there Albo, he does have that X-factor that is quite rare in the game.
Cleary is a master in the making, but Edwards and May still have a LOT of development still to do.
Wayde Egan does seem to be coming on in leaps and bounds in the lower grades, but he will still be a year or two away, and should learn quite a bit from Peter Wallace.
I’m quite surprised Penrith haven’t used Mitch Rein more, I reckon he’s been impressive when given an opportunity.
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
I have to agree and said that in my original article when he was first appointed. He has helped all the youngsters come into first grade and made them quality footballers, but I’m not sold on whether he can take a side all the way.
Do you think Des survives for 2018?
I reckon its hard to see, but he might just hold on.
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
Huge load to carry for a still relatively young man and obviously not that experienced with all the media and commitments you’ve just mentioned.
I think they made a mistake handing him the captaincy, but I can see why they did it. He was the first of the big crop of juniors to really come through in the Gould-era, so handing it to him and allowing the others to following his evolution and lead had merit.
Mark Geyer raised a potential for the captaincy next season I hadn’t really thought of in Reagan Campbell-Gillard. He hasn’t really been mentioned until now, but he has come on in leaps and bounds. Has outperformed James Tamou most of the year.
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
It’s all smoke and mirrors a bit isn’t it. Hopefully Gould is true to his word and there’s 100% commitment from both sides.
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
I hope he stays as well. He is still fairly early-on in his career development, but this will be a point in it for him either way.
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
Have to agree BleakCity, I hope he gets the help and can finds his place in them team again.
That’s just where he was born, I have no idea where he exactly grew up. But he did come through Penrith juniors if I’m correct.
Cheers
The Panthers' revival would feel hollow if Matt Moylan leaves
Have to agree Terry. I thought Hayne was poor game 2, and he failed to have the injection from centre in game 3.
I’d like to see him or Dugan shift to fullback, as unfortunately Tedesco didn’t have the impact many thought he would.
Pearce won’t be back, and they missed a player like Josh Reynolds intensity and enthusiasm. I don’t care if he’s playing shithouse at club level, even as a no. 17 he offers more than 1/3 of the Blues did on Wednesday night.
(Realise your talking about A. Reynolds for half)
Gus Gould must finally answer Blues' SOS
For Joey, I think the would bring more ‘tactical nous’ than Gould, as his brother pointed out today in the Telegraph. But with Gould, he brings aura, presence, passion and great motivational know-how. At Origin level, you’re coaching the elite, it’s surely more just about man-management and mere guidance for how the team should play. There were some NSW players out there on Wednesday night who just didn’t really seem up for the task. It’s disappointing.
Gus Gould must finally answer Blues' SOS
Steve,
Would you ever consider working for the RLIF…?
Surely a role where you would be absolutely invaluable to them given your passion.
How I made the final leap from journalist to activist