Roar Guru
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One of those irritating people that consistently rants to anyone about rugby league despite the fact that they do not care.
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The Queensland Cup goes on the line on Sunday afternoon when the Redcliffe Dolphins and Easts Tigers battle it out in the grand final. Join The Roar for lives scores and a blog of the match, starting at 3pm (AEST).
The Sydney Roosters have held South Sydney tryless 12-4 on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium to book a grand final showdown with the Melbourne Storm next Sunday night.
Another chapter will be added to rugby league’s oldest rivalry on Saturday night when the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs battle it out for a spot in the 2018 NRL Grand Final. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:40pm (AEST).
Cast your mind back to 2014. Ivan Cleary’s band of young misfits and unwanted journeymen had just fallen 18-12 to Canterbury in the preliminary finals.
Three Adam Reynolds field goals have seen the Rabbitohs sink the Dragons 13-12 in an absolute classic at ANZ Stadium in front of over 49,000 fans.
A preliminary final berth awaits as the South Sydney Rabbitohs look to put last week’s one-point loss behind them against the rejuvenated St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:40pm (AEST).
The St George Illawarra Dragons have stunned the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, racing away 30-point winners and overcome a host of injuries to key players including five-eighth Gareth Widdop.
After surging into the finals off the back of three-straight wins, the Brisbane Broncos will look to keep their premiership hopes alive in a do-or-die clash with the heavily criticised St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:10pm (AEST).
It’s just another manic Monday. Or for some so-called ‘journalists’, another chance to bring our game into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The 2018 finals series may shape as the closest in recent history but there is far more to it than that.
No matter what the NRL does, they can’t please everyone.
After back-to-back wins over premiership contenders, the Brisbane Broncos are looking to maintain their momentum heading into the finals when they take on the under-siege Manly Sea Eagles. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4:10pm (AEST).
The New Zealand Warriors are looking to celebrate Simon Mannerring’s 300th game for the club in style when they take on the in-form Canberra Raiders. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 6pm (AEST).
Rugby league is a contact sport. But some things can be prevented. And the NRL would be setting a dangerous precedent if they don’t suspend Dylan Napa.
The Sydney Roosters’ minor premiership hopes appear dashed after a disappointing 22-8 loss to a faultless Broncos outfit on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
Match result: The Sydney Roosters’ minor premiership hopes appear dashed after a disappointing 22-8 loss to a faultless Broncos outfit on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
The Gold Coast Titans are looking to build confidence for 2019 as the injury-hit Melbourne Storm desperately try to keep their minor premiership hopes alive. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 5:30pm (AEST).
Bravo, Todd Greenberg. You’ve finally got something right.
The Raiders have proved that this year’s competition is more open than any other in recent history, stunning the table-topping Roosters 14-12 on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium.
Match result: The Raiders have proved that this year’s competition is more open than any other in recent history, stunning the table-topping Roosters 14-12 on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium.
Have to agree again Rene. Teams started to finally work out how to stop Souths in attack and they couldn’t come up with anything else tonight. Disappointing end but a great season nonetheless given they were not even expected to be in the eight.
Cronk injured as Sydney sink Souths to join Storm in grand final
You can apply the same logic to Penrith Rene. More experience for a lot of their players and they haven’t lost anyone too important. Saints could be better for the run too and again haven’t really lost anyone.
Brisbane is an interesting one – I feel they may be due to slide given they have made the finals every time in the past five years. It depends on the coaching issue and possible player movements as a result. But they could still rise.
I think the Warriors will make the top four next year personally. They could go either way.
It’s another fairly unpredictable year coming up in 2019 so I certainly don’t think Cronulla are locks for the top four. There’s no point predicting now given so much can change in the next six months though.
Seven talking points from Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks NRL preliminary final
To be fair Renegade, off memory Saints had all their Origin players out that night, but still your point stands. Storm this week vs Souths last week in terms of quality of opposition is completely different when considering the respective performances.
Seven talking points from Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks NRL preliminary final
I think Cronulla need someone like Fitzgibbon in the pack – young, fast and mobile. They should still make the eight next year but it’ll be a major concern if they lose Holmes.
Seven talking points from Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks NRL preliminary final
To be fair Cronulla gave it a serious crack. You can’t knock their efforts – they were throwing as much as they could at them but nothing was working. Their attack was pretty poor but Melbourne’s defence was brilliant and gave the Sharks close to nothing. Cronulla scrambled pretty well in defence too on a number of occasions but were outclassed by a far better team in the end. They tried just as hard as Saints but came up against a far tougher opponent, Souths were nowhere near their best last week. Not taking anything away from the Dragons but Cronulla may not have played well but they certainly tried hard to spark something.
Seven talking points from Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks NRL preliminary final
IF it is ruled a shoulder charge, the NRL needs to ban Slater. I am empathetic with the fact it is his last game, but based on tonight’s performance, he could be the difference next week and that could really tarnish the title if he gets off.
Pure clinic from Melbourne in defence tonight. Cronulla threw all they had at them but just couldn’t break through except for the Lewis try.
Storm smash Sharks to gain grand final berth, but is Slater in trouble?
Really wish he’d stayed at Penrith – love the bloke. Sad to see him go.
Storm smash Sharks to gain grand final berth, but is Slater in trouble?
If Cronulla had earned the week off, they’d be a serious chance here. But they look battered and bruised while Melbourne are full of energy. It may be pretty close during the first half but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Storm run away with this by 20+
Storm vs Sharks: The ultra definitive NRL preliminary final stats preview
Thanks Rory, appreciate it. Penrith’s premiership window is closing quickly, despite the fact their side is still relatively young. With Maloney there, they have the experience needed. When he leaves, however, it will be interesting to see how the team operates as a whole. Melbourne have built a dynasty off Smith, Slater, Cronk etc. and they were crafted into true professionals. Penrith have the same chance if they can hold onto the bulk of their current roster but they don’t fill me with as much hope given their unpredictability.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
Great ideas there Riley. Ponga in particular could work a gem. Great behind the camera and with the ball in hand.
The smaller NRL crowds confirm the AFL is the superior code? Rubbish!
I understand the system Renegade. But I just thought the NRL would intervene to ensure they maximise the crowd they can get. As I said back in 2014 Penrith played Canterbury at ANZ in the prelim despite having the home advantage. In 2016, however, they played at Allianz Stadium because the crowd wasn’t going to be as big. My only ‘outrage’ will be if people are locked out. Although, Mick Ennis did say earlier today that perhaps locking people out is the best way to make people scramble to go to games. Interesting point.
The smaller NRL crowds confirm the AFL is the superior code? Rubbish!
Yes that’s true but I doubt Melbourne would crack a crowd of 30k at AAMI Park in a final anyway.
The smaller NRL crowds confirm the AFL is the superior code? Rubbish!
Yes, a particularly good one… hope you enjoy the time I posted this comment too.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
I agree there won’t be 65k Riley but how have the Roosters earned the right? I didn’t know they had the right anymore – teams don’t in week one because of the fear that fans will be locked out and the same applies here (even if only 5-10,000 or so as that would be the same amount supposedly locked out if week one games were held at suburban grounds).
The smaller NRL crowds confirm the AFL is the superior code? Rubbish!
Yeah the pass from Fifita was a 50/50. I’ll have a look back at it but I almost don’t want to as a Penrith fan because I’m slowly getting over that loss.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
There should be no home prelim advantage though. No such thing exists. Penrith had their prelim moved back in 2014 to ANZ despite playing the Dogs. And it wasn’t because it’s closer to Western Sydney because in 2016 they played the Dogs in Week 1 and held it at Allianz. Rather, they moved to accommodate for a larger crowd. The same should be done here.
The smaller NRL crowds confirm the AFL is the superior code? Rubbish!
What was wrong with the Holmes try BA? I saw some people saying Capewell (I think) obstructed someone in the air but it didn’t look too bad.
Agree about the need for a coach who places defence as the priority and I loved seeing Ciraldo’s reaction to that try – completely unfiltered and just pure passion.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
All great points Albo. Edwards is a great support runner, DWZ still provides plenty of strong running. Maloney and Cleary should only get better and if they don’t, Luai will be waiting in the wings. Hooker is certainly the contentious spot. Katoa arguably has more upside but with that comes risks. I would say potentially try get Egan to play 80 but perhaps bring on Katoa when opposition forwards are tiring.
In saying that, Penrith have plenty of brilliant players so I think they need a simple, effective number nine and that’s why Wallace was a good fit.
Their outside backs are fine in my opinion. The issue is the lack of set plays/direction in attack stifles their opportunities.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
I definitely agree it all happened pretty quickly. I guess the Cartwright one is tough given it is mental health we are talking about and perhaps the signs weren’t there.
I think they thought giving Moylan the captaincy would make him mature more but it didn’t work out in the end so perhaps they could have handled that better.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
Their defence is inconsistent at best, definitely. It showed against Cronulla, particularly in the try to Lewis, they need to find more grunt and determination defending their line. Although it obviously becomes much harder if they continually drop the ball and put themselves under continual pressure.
I think Ciraldo needs to stay involved with the club due to his relationship with the boys but for the reasons you give, I believe the assistant role is better suited.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
Morning 420,
If Penrith go for a rookie coach, Ciraldo is the man. They would want someone the club has already had contact with, who already has the players respect. Otherwise it’s a step backwards.
Similarly, an experienced coach would demand similar respect, hence my argument there. But certainly Seibold and Robinson did very well in their first years coaching in the NRL.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
Gould’s focus on bringing through young talent has been fantastic but now it really needs to be about developing them into premiership winners rather than first graders. Penrith’s depth is brilliant too and a testament to that but again, the focus should still be on making sure the best seventeen players are out there and can fulfil their potential.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
Most certainly the players are the ones making the mistakes. But one thing Penrith have lacked in the past three years is a successful plan in attack. They look clueless at times in the opposition twenty and struggle to break through without resorting to offloads. They then also resort to doing so in their own half and often go sideways instead of simplifying things and just running hard to build pressure.
That’s where the correct coach comes in.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
I would argue though that both the Moylan and Cartwright decisions were correct. Moylan’s position at the club was compromised by his off-field attitude while Carty was struggling to get his head in the game.
Agree though that the thinking needs to shift away from ‘this player looks promising for the future’ to what will win them a title. Only real change to the roster needed next year is the possible injection of Jarome Luai along with a couple of forwards to fill the void left by CHN and possibly Merrin.
Will the Panthers ever be true premiership contenders?
I’d say that there’s enough reasons to get on the Melbourne bandwagon, particularly if Slater gets off and plays. And even if he doesn’t it’d be nice to see his teammates win the game for him. One of the players may even give up their premiership ring for him – will be interesting to see.
Although, I’d also like the Roosters to win because I have a feeling that if they don’t, they’ll be more determined then ever to win next year and I’m hoping for someone different in 2019.
Cronk injured as Sydney sink Souths to join Storm in grand final