Roar Guru
Joined February 2012
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Live on the front foot! Greatest match? Australia v Great Britain, 2nd Test, 1990- Meninga scoring in the last minute to keep hope alive of winning the series.
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One of the things that makes rugby league different from other mainstream sports is the willingness on the part of its administrators to adjust…
It's a been a while since I've penned an article on The Roar. I'm actually writing this from an NRL bunker, as I recently…
Yes, it's a punch to the stomach. James Tedesco has left the Wests Tigers for the Canberra Raiders. James Tedesco showed the kind of…
Shaun Johnson, meet Jarrod Mullen. Both these men live in the second tier of halves in the NRL behind the elite: Cooper Cronk, Johnathan…
This headline isn't just because I tipped the Titans and therefore fell further behind in my tipping comp. The Warriors deserved their win. They…
2013 has seen a gigantic influx of resources flooding rugby league, which demand proactivity and clarity from our new administrators. We need no more…
I've been upset the past few weeks. I really thought Dave Smith and the ARL Commission's goal of 20,000 average attendance within five years…
There have been several decisions made by Laurie Daley and his selectors during this Origin series that can be called into question. I slice…
Wests Tigers must do the right thing and let Benji Marshall leave, especially given the optimism surrounding the club's halfback-in-waiting, Luke Brooks. Ian Schubert's…
I've often stated here that the only difference between NSW and Queensland over the last seven series has been class. Forget motivation, “spirit” or…
I'm not a proponent of corporal punishment but I do believe it's time for the public paddling to be a feature of match days…
From acerbic, ruthless senator in The Contender to salt-of-the-earth cop in Batman to psychotic street thug in State of Grace, you gotta love Gary…
Ray Warren cannot be replaced, in the sense that his background and history are unique, rising out of the primordial murk of 1970s midweek…
If one had to pick the opening three games of a round that might encapsulate where league is headed, we've just been given them.…
Let me preface this article by saying that rugby league remains an outstanding spectacle. The standard of games continues to be at a high…
With the ANZAC Test coming up on Friday night, I thought I would reminisce about some (not so) recent Test series and wonder why…
If we ever needed Exhibit A in the case against the “attack” being employed by many of the teams in season 2013, last night’s…
Dear readers, some impressions from Friday night's "grudge" match between the Roosters and Canterbury, in no particular order. People have been bemoaning the predictability…
After viewing his performances in the Indigenous All-Star game and Round 1, I actually came away optimistic about Jarryd Hayne’s prospects of returning to…
Wayne Bennett and Phil Gould are both vehemently protesting the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's report on the possible corruption of our sports through the…
Um… Brisbane are no threat to win the comp every year. They haven’t won in 7 years and will be lucky to make the playoffs.
But you are right- Brisbane are a juggernaut and that is why we need another team there. Which is why I’M FOR CUTTING TWO TEAMS FROM SYDNEY. What about that don’t you get Oikee? Whether it’s Manly or another club, I agree we must cut down in Sydney but Manly are a glamour club, a successful club and a club that has been superior to the Broncos for several years now so slow down Oikee on getting rid of the Sea Eagles. That would be a dumb move.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Oikee, you destroy your credibility by suggesting Manly should go. I’m assuming you’re joking. I’m not a Manly fan, by the way.
You say “plonk”. Swans fans didn’t seem to mind the “plonking” once they had a competitive team. Neither did Brisbane fans with the Lions. Remember, the Storm have very little nursery in Melbourne and they’re doing… okay. As long as we keep the comp at 16 there is talent to go round.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Agreed, Turbo. I’m with Gus Gould on this one- time should be stopped any time the ball is dead: out of play, scrum resets, line dropouts, goal kicks.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Cwrigh, it makes no sense to only have footy in Brisbane every second week. This is a city of almost 2 million with a rabid fan base. The Broncos need a rival. But I do agree, a second NZ team in Wellington or the dome in Dunedin is a must as well. Forget Gosford- the greater Sydney area is already packed- we need less, not more.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Peeeko, they are financially very strong, have a popular brand and have a long history of success. Souths, Balmain and Norths have all moved out of the inner city area. We need the Roosters.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Balmain and Wests would not fund it- they would continue to fund their NSW Cup team with increased grants from the NRL to be a feeder club. This way the tradition of those clubs would be retained, albeit in a lower competition. Better that than nothing.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Not enough talent Kebab. Remember the 90s when we had 20+? Ridiculous. Must stay at 16.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
We had 23 teams during Super League. TWENTY THREE. Expansion never stood a chance. Keep it at 16 and make the hard decisions.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Nothing to prove that is the case, Enrico. This is what people have said about every relocation since the beginning of time and the facts simply don’t support it. The AFL has relocated both South Melbourne and Fitzroy with HUGE success- we didn’t see the game hurting in Melbourne. New York lost two legendary teams in baseball, and that town (I have lived there) is baseball MAD. The NBA relocated Charlotte to New Orleans, has since put a new team in Charlotte and that team has a good fan base!
Now onto Perth. We “imposed” a team on Melbourne. Hmm.. average crowd this year: 17000. Perth has a huge expat NSW and QLD community. The Reds were well supported the first year but were not backed up by the NSWRL; they had weak teams and no extra funding. Dave Smith has already stated that funding should be on a case-by-case basis- CLEARLY a Perth team would be supported by the NRL to ensure it would be competitive.
Sydney has FOUR MILLION people and is a League town. Cities like Perth will never develop properly without an incentive to do so- and that incentive is called an NRL CLUB. We should have rationalized years ago.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?
Scott, look at Canberra post Daley-Clyde-Stuart-Meninga, Parramatta post Kenny-Sterling-Price-Ella, Canterbury post Lamb-Mortimers-Dunn-Gilllespie, Brisbane post-Lockyer… history tells us it’s all but impossible to continue dynasties when your once-in-a-generation players retire. Your assertion that the Storm will be “bigger and better” is absurd. Yes, they may be well-run but it is impossible to replace future Immortals like Smith and Slater, not to mention the game’s best 7 in Cronk. Melbourne may remain competitive but they will go through a lean rebuilding phase like every other premiership-winning club.
Are Melbourne Storm’s days at the top numbered?
You’re half-right Johnno. Yes, reduce interchange as I said to 6.
But that won’t stop the wrestle- it will exaggerate it if refs don’t act. Much easier to lie on a man and press down than to get up quickly and retreat.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
You’re right Matt- but one way the weaker sides can challenge is to win the fitness battle, which would once again be waged if we reduced interchange and disallowed players from slowing down the game. Beyond that, the salary cap needs to be loosened or drastically reworked to allow teams to build up strength and stay strong.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
Peeeko, no players or coaches are going to stop the wrestle out of generosity or because they don’t feel they “need” it anymore- they are going to continue to do EVERYTHING to gain an advantage and it is up to the game’s administrators and lawmakers to counteract that.
Yes, overly-quick play-the-balls produce too much dummy half running, you’re right- there is a balance. But men lying on top of other men, pushing them into the dirt with no action must be eliminated either way.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
I never said anywhere in my article that I prefer League from the 80s. I’m focusing on this ONE aspect of the game. Yes, crowds are up but they could be much better, as could our game if we fix this.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
Wrong, BA, they ARE continuing to wrestle AFTER the refs are calling held. The NRL needs to give Daniel Anderson permission to blow the crap out of the whistle to stop this. After a few rounds it will settle down.
I agree that the play-the-ball can also be too fast- but we don’t have that problem right now. The balance changes every year and it’s something we constantly should be adjusting to.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
Spot on Shrek. The Storm are good to watch because of their Big Three but you are absolutely right about the 8m. Who cares what the corridor is as long as we get more attacking and broken play.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
Structure is fine (I love set pieces) but we need broken play footy too and that is what has all but disappeared- and it is largely due to the wrestle and too much interchange.
Parramatta aren’t bad because of structure- they are bad because they have a TERRIBLE team, barely above NSW cup level. Hopoate, Peats and Norman will improve that team markedly.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
Also, players were getting back the 10 without the wrestle from the early 90s until the early 2000s- there was no issue and the game was much better for it.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
And one more point Silver- modern-day players clearly have TOO MUCH time to get back and reset- which is why we have less line breaks, more kicks and more nil scorelines. Not good for the game.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
EXACTLY Silver- if players can’t get back then they can’t get involved in the tackle, which means more gaps, broken play and attacking football.
Wrestle in the tackle is NRL's biggest issue
I’m not talking about ‘heart size’ Eye, I’m talking about talent. Look at most successful Origin players- they usually debuted at a young age. He’s ready and that’s all that counts.
Blues will be better in Origin decider without Paul Gallen
Woods was brought in to replace TAMOU. Sorry eagle. Also, I don’t know what ‘clean up the ruck’ means. We need power runners who can take NSW forward. Gallen is no longer the best player for that. We also need subs who can come on and threaten the line or feed off our playmakers. Neither Gallen nor Woods can do that, but Cordner can. I would have sacked both Gallen AND Woods to keep Reynolds or include a bolter that can break the game open, like Albert Kelly. But I know that’s way outside the very small box of most people.
Blues will be better in Origin decider without Paul Gallen
Steve, I don’t know what ‘leading from the front’ means. Nor do I know what ‘leader of men’ means. ‘Work rate’ makes some sense but at this level work rate is not nearly enough.
Corder is stronger, faster, more elusive, a better hole hitter. Gallen will not be missed and I expect Cordner to make a meaningful contribution.
Blues will be better in Origin decider without Paul Gallen
Knight, leadership is an empty term. What teams need is TALENT and a superior playing roster. Gallen has been an outstanding player (although not “the best forward of his generation” – absurd) but he is past his best and Cordner will provide far more in attack and athleticism. Wally Lewis wasn’t a great player because of his “leadership”- he was great because he was consistently the BEST player on the field. Same with Daley, Joey, Fittler and Cameron Smith.
Blues will be better in Origin decider without Paul Gallen
Wow- the AFL has massive average crowds at the MCG and Etihad but I guess you don’t want that.
Yes, the community feeling is nice- but crowds of 7,000 ARE NOT. You are stuck in the 70s and 80s.
People continue to say how “soulless” ANZ is. I couldn’t care less if there’s 20,000 in there instead of 10,000. Or more- Canterbury and Souths got 50,000 earlier this year. Belmore couldn’t have gotten more than 25 for that game.
Goodbye Wests Tigers, hello West Coast Tigers?