Roar Guru
Joined February 2012
98.2k
Views
68
Published
534
Comments
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.
Published
Comments
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…
Myles, Perth will absolutely be one of the expansion teams in 2017. There is a solid league fan base there, strong corporate support and a geographical location allowing for an extra stand-alone game on TV. They’ll be there and with good reason.
Huge risk in just promoting an established club. Do we expect fans of every other club in the region to ditch their allegiances and follow the promoted team just because it’s in the NRL? Brisbane is not a town of Bronco-haters. No, we need a competing brand new Brisbane club that has the chance to attract new followers.
I hope the NRL puts together a South Island kiwi franchise sooner rather than later. League’s biggest successes come through high TV ratings first and crowds second. Someone on this stream said Melbourne’s crowds haven’t been good. On the contrary- to average around 13,000 in Melbourne is fantastic and look how that team has contributed to the NRL’s success in recent years. But a second Melbourne team is at least 20 years away.
How rugby league should expand
Yeah Renegade, not sure what Spectator means- is he suggesting Brett Stewart is one of the 3 best ever fullbacks? Stewart is a fine player but not even in the top tier of fullback in any era. Certainly doesn’t compare to the greatest pre-Slater: Minichello, Brasher, Belcher, Jack.
Billy Slater is league's Gary Oldman
Glad you agree Meesta although I think Inglis is way beyond needing to learn anything. He’s playing at a level only reached by the absolute greatest in the sport.
Billy Slater is league's Gary Oldman
You’re right, Blood. If NSW are to win, they have to dominate in the middle and this year presents its greatest chance to do that. Though I’m not sure Ben Hannant is past his prime just yet and I am a HUGE Matt Scott fan- a truly dominant yardage man in the mould of a Martin Bella or Shane Webcke. Te’o and Gillett are damaging on the edges and then you have Thaiday. In other words, I think Queensland’s doing okay with its pack.
Billy Slater is league's Gary Oldman
Thanks for the feedback solly. The article would have been half-finished if I’d cut it there.
Billy Slater is league's Gary Oldman
Oikee, you have lost the plot. England has some of the most dull and boring humourless commentary I’ve ever heard. Thank god you’re not making the decisions at the networks.
The future of rugby league commentating
First up- the info I have comes from simple common sense Maroon- at some stage there will be a Perth team. Not if, but when. I never gave a timeline.
I’m glad you’re not running the game- no one new to rugby league would prefer 18,000 at Leichhardt to 36,000 at ANZ. And that’s who we need to attract- new fans.
NRL Round 7 starts with a bang
Bravo, Jaiden. The Wiz seems like a good guy (and was a very good player) but some of these articles need a little more thought.
Not a bad idea to have an exemption for a few older players but in general, the under-20s is an outstanding innovation for the game. It’s also worth noting that attack and creative skill SHOULD be the priority in these games- people don’t come to the ground to see 0-0 scorelines. Defence is generally the last piece of a player’s toolkit and that is hardened when they reach the top level. I don’t see former under-20s players having too big a problem with defence when they hit first grade.
Ultimately the gameday experience is cemented by the MAIN GAME. It’s obselete to want reserves and under-23s back- the new generation couldn’t care less. Look at the US: huge crowds and no leadup games at all. But yes, we need to ensure the 20s and the NSW Cup are solid competitions and from all reports they are. Big scorelines are not a big deal.
WIZ: Dave Smith, U20s Cup needs an overhaul
Leave him on radio and ratings don’t reflect quality- if that were the case, Home and Away and Neighbours would have died long ago.
The future of rugby league commentating
It’s called humour, Stormgirl, and not taking the game too seriously. More please.
The future of rugby league commentating
Bravo Luke. Couldn’t have put it better myself. Smith has not passed the buck- he has simply installed the very best people to do specific jobs for our game. Had David Gallop, a former lawyer, had someone like Greenberg by his side he would have been a far superior administrator.
Mr Smith shows he's no generic CEO
How could you say Melbourne rely too much on their primary guys? They WON THE TITLE last year and are UNDEFEATED this year. What more do you want from them? Based on those results I’d say their balance is probably fine. Take Foran, Cherry-Evans and Lyon out of Manly and see how they do. All teams base their attack around 3 or 4 spine players.
Is the Top Four already set in stone?
Lou, this doesn’t make any sense. I’d love to hear a real contribution to this discussion.
It is time for the NRL to tinker with the rules
Turbo, you need to reread the article. Nobody’s grubbering from 40m out, nor are they cross-kicking from that distance. I love the attacking kicks close to the line but the midfield bomb is monotonous and adds nothing to the game.
Did you see the Raiders player who will need plastic surgery for a shoulder charge to his head? The only way to stop these is to outlaw the tackle altogether, otherwise these “accidents” will keep occurring. Yes, there will be less big collisions but if it means more kids play league instead of soccer than we must do it.
Officiating is ok, it goes up and down and is not the major problem people make it out to be.
It is time for the NRL to tinker with the rules
Oikee, I love your comments but the game is not perfect- it can always be improved. Watch a game from 1983 and tell me it hasn’t been improved by rule changes- 10 metres, crackdown on head-highs, 40/20, cleaning up the ruck, 20m restart for bomb diffuses, the list goes on… we should entertain anything which may make the game even better.
It is time for the NRL to tinker with the rules
Haha Oikee. Yes, Fonua has come a long way in a few games. His courage and strength with the ball is sensational. For all those imbeciles who said it wasn’t worth the trouble having a Melbourne team, his emergence should silence that.
Impressions from the Roosters-Bulldogs game
Irrelevant question, Collo. Agree or disagree with the points I’m making – they stand on their own.
Why Jarryd Hayne just doesn't cut it anymore
You are correct, Barry. I appreciate the effort that went into writing this article, but very little of it is accurate or even makes sense.
The perfect NRL season proposition
In a heartbeat, and here’s why: if Cronulla were to go, Sydney would still be covered for rugby league, with EIGHT remaining teams. You get rid of the Gold Coast, now you find yourself unrepresented across an enormous area when it comes to elite level rugby league. This is what people (especially Sydney club supporters) don’t understand. We need representation in major metropolitan areas, especially areas that are not league strongholds. That is the only way to grow the game outside of Sydney and Brisbane.
Should the NRL be limited to 16 teams?
Fonz, you either didn’t watch league post-1995 or are ignoring reality. 20 teams? Are you saying with, say, SEVEN sydney teams we still wouldn’t have “saturation coverage”, not to mention the other games being televised? This is a nonsense. I’m glad you’re not running the game, otherwise we’d be back to 20 and then watch our code slowly becoming the fourth most popular.
Should the NRL be limited to 16 teams?
I agree with your sentiment Luke, but Manly and the Roosters are brands that need to stay in Sydney. Cronulla and Penrith, clubs that do not attract much interest outside of their own fan base, are vulnerable to relocation for sure, especially the Sharkies, whose catchment area can be taken by the Dragons and South Sydney. If one (or more) of these clubs move, the NRL must fund them to retain their identity, at least in the NSW cup. I don’t care if they lose money- we need to make sure their fans still have a team to follow until the next generation of kids latch onto one of the other Sydney NRL teams, which they will.
Should the NRL be limited to 16 teams?
No Gaz, viability is not enough, unless by viable you mean a team that plays attractive, exciting football with a chance of winning most games they play.
Should the NRL be limited to 16 teams?
I’m not in agreement with everything here, Turbo. The NRL is actually doing very well- if it weren’t, that TV rights deal you may have heard of ($1 billion and counting??) wouldn’t have materialised. Crowds are heading upward and, with the right scheduling and grounds for big games, will reach the 20,000 threshold. The marketing isn’t terrible but could be better. Melbourne’s crowds have remained pretty steady over the last few years and will head up if the marketing improves. Canberra’s crowds are not “horrific”, considering that the team has only recently begun to be appealing again and the fact that the Brumbies took a lot of fans during their emergence at the time of the Super League war.
You can’t compare our sport with the UFC, which is a sport coming into its golden age and is brand new and GLOBAL.
But yes, Sydney clubs and too much focus on Sydney will hamper growth.
Should the NRL be limited to 16 teams?
The knockout system in the US leagues are a nonsense. Top teams should ABSOLUTELY get a second chance, otherwise what is the reward for finishing higher up the ladder?
No, the finals should not be shortened- they do not “drag on”. 4 weeks is not a long time. What we need to do is shorten the season- you don’t short-change fans of the best games of the year (finals) for a few extra weeks of the regular season.
If you are “worn out” by the time the last 4 weeks are upon us, stop watching so many games during the year. To also suggest that teams don’t “try as hard” because they have a second chance is absurd. No one wants to have to play an extra game in the finals, especially when the alternative is a week off to recover from the long season you’ve spoken of.
NRL and NFL: key differences
Bravo on all counts Luke.
Was the grass really greener for the NRL?