Roar Rookie
Joined July 2019
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Brit living in Sydney. Football and Cricket tragic by nature, League convert by nurture.
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“Entitled”, said Phil Rothfield in the Daily Telegraph. “Insulted” and “miffed”, suggested Danny Weidler. “In limbo”, claimed the Mole. All is not well with…
Grand final week has brought its fair share of standout narratives this year. We have the Roosters bidding to be the first modern-era back-to-back…
England’s build-up to the all-important second Ashes Test at Lord’s has been dominated by two storylines - the near-certain inclusion of paceman Jofra Archer…
Last week I wrote a piece discussing why Aaron Mooy was stuck at Huddersfield, despite being one of very few Terriers players who had…
The new Premier League season is almost upon us. Ahead lies ten months of top-class football, endless off-field drama and - for Australia-based fans…
It’s 2:40 pm at a raucous Edgbaston and the Australian captain is fresh out in the middle. Having won the toss and elected to…
With around a week to go until the summer transfer window for English clubs slams shut, Socceroos star Aaron Mooy remains at relegated Huddersfield…
A number of valid reasons have been given for the Roosters’ shaky title defence, which has seen them drift out of minor premiership contention…
Yes exactly that. With a keeper that contributes consistent runs, you either have depth in the middle order, or can shift him up to six and accommodate another bowling option (which would have been useful on day 2). If he doesn’t get runs it skews the balance of the side.
Who knows, Paine could still be that guy in this series – drawing definitive conclusions after one sketchy innings is, admittedly, a bit premature. We’ll see!
Steve Smith’s leadership provides Tim Paine relief
I’m thinking primarily about his batting because it’s not enough to be a non-batting non-bowling all-rounder at number seven – it puts too much pressure on others. He’s a decent captain for sure, but will need some runs to justify his place longer term.
You make a good point about Smith / Warner deserving equal captaincy bans though.
Steve Smith’s leadership provides Tim Paine relief
Specialist keepers are a luxury in the modern game – it’s pretty rare that a side picks its best gloveman over a keeper-batsman – that’s pretty much been the case since Gilly changed the way we all see that role. Otherwise you’re losing a place that could strengthen a brittle batting lineup or provide extra seam support.
I’m not saying he can’t or won’t score runs in this series – it’s very early days after all – but if he doesn’t I fully expect the scrutiny of his place to continue.
Steve Smith’s leadership provides Tim Paine relief
I can see the argument of leaving the burden of captaincy to someone else going forward, but don’t agree that he was a poor captain or that it showed any sign of affecting his form – his stats were incredible while in the role.
Paine is owed a debt of gratitude for taking it on and fronting up at such a difficult time, but I don’t think he’s worth his place in the side long term. A couple of gritty 50s aside, he’s essentially playing as a specialist captain.
Steve Smith’s leadership provides Tim Paine relief
Haha cheers Pete. As a Pom living in these altogether sunnier surrounds I can attest to that. The boos were a shame – regardless of loyalty, special innings like that deserve to be recognised.
Steve Smith’s leadership provides Tim Paine relief
This really boils down to one thing and one thing only – would you have written this piece if England had been on the other end of the result in the same circumstances?
Five reasons why England's win leaves a bitter taste
Thanks Paul, much appreciated. Completely agree that there’s more nuance to this than the headline suggests!
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
Completely agree and I’ve nodded to all of those reasons in the piece – other than Cronk being down in last year, which is also very valid. The headline sounds unequivocal, but all of the factors in combination have led to the
shaky run – Fergo’s departure included.
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
I haven’t criticised Tupou at all – he’s been great all year, and is largely unheralded for his work. But the threat down both wings last year was so dangerous. I hope Hall keeps improving and he deserves time for sure. And we can all agree on Superspud’s point re Cronk.
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
You’ll see that I’ve acknowledged that at the beginning. Despite the headline, it’s been a combination of things – but I felt the Fergo absence had been overlooked.
Losing five from seven is stuttering by any measure. But I’ve said they still have a great chance of going on a run from here.
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
I hope you’re right about Ryan Hall, particularly as a fellow Pom. You can already see he’s a real effort player, his metres are on the rise and he’s definitely feeling his way into things. Recovering from ACL surgery and stepping up a level into NRL at the same time can’t be easy. He’s got a similar frame to Fergo – built like a forward on the wing – but looks less of an aerial threat so far. Maybe that will come with form/confidence.
Those teams within the team were so important last year – the Fergo/Manu partnership being one of those. With the left side so disrupted by injuries and positional shifts this year, they’ve missed a right-sided threat all the more.
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
Agree that both of those reasons have been significant, but that there’s also been a reluctance to acknowledge how important Fergo was to the club last year. Taking his contribution in both defence and attack out of any team would weaken it considerably.
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
I agree with much of what you’ve said. The point about Cooper isn’t one that I’d thought of but you’re right – he is definitely down on last year and even with Keary back on Sunday he was a little exposed. Being the pro he is I’m sure he’ll put in everything to try to lift again before he retires – expect he may get a rest or two as well.
While there are multiple factors at work, I felt that Fergo’s departure had been largely overlooked – and until last week, many had been reluctant to give him credit for how he’s turned himself around.
You’re right about how good Tupou has been on the left, but the Roosters definitely miss having that kind of presence down both wings. Hall isn’t necessarily shaky under the high ball but he doesn’t have the same leap – to be fair most players would be damned by comparison to Fergo on top form. Also agree with you about defence being down, but would argue that’s another area where he is missed – both out on the wing and drifting infield, as he does so effectively.
Fergo is the reason why the Roosters' title defence is stuttering
Agree, brilliantly-made doco that packs real emotional punch. The claustrophobia of the adulation in Naples is clearly portrayed and makes you understand why he needed to let loose, albeit in all of the wrong ways. I was left with overriding sadness but a much better understanding of the man beneath the legend.
Diego Maradona documentary an insight into a flawed genius