What did Bill Harrigan say to Tallis when questioned. “Go away “ , don’t talk go”. And by meaning go he was sent off?

Nah the arm waving and challenging of officials was happening well before CC. Maybe officials talking candidly on a first name basis should have been hit on the head. This “I’ve made my decision and not continuing to discuss it with you James (Tedesco). I’m not changing my decision as I’ve told you the way I saw it, I’m not changing my decision James you need to walk away please I’ve made the call on what I saw. I’m not changing my decision James” Maybe the official should just say “i made a call. You continue arguing then you can have a rest number”1” is the best approach?

I have a similar interpretation of the touching a kicker in the air or making contact with his foot. If a player dives or jumps into contact at the kicker’s legs 100% penalty. If however the defender has his hands up or attempting to knock the ball down standing on his feet when contact is made then it’s on the kicker for running to close to the defensive line.

AJ a few weeks ago you found Gutho was misunderstood and couldn’t understand the negative to his toddler tantrums in the officials face annoying opposition fans. It was after the Cowboys had 3 tries disallowed and a couple of 50/50 calls changing on field decisions giving possession to the Eels. Ref bashing is ingrained in the sporting culture. No different to political bashing or media bashing of government, laws or taxes. NRL has intensified the bashing with their miss interpretation and complete inconsistency with rules in an attempt to manipulate momentum and entertainment. It comes across as bias. Look at the May and Tago illegal play punishments in reflection to others handed out? It’s viewed as special treatment for those winning consistently. Anyway like the Bulldogs coach said “the game isn’t for everyone”. Officiating is a tough gig. Stay consistent and don’t show favouritism and it’s a much easier job IMO.

They put Kaufusi for a majority of last season for tackling people to hard.

Tago committed 2 high shots last weekend and got zip. It would appear some are treated differently.

The issues are consistency, errors and the inability to defend. Who’s the worst offender and who has been chosen as central to this team’s success? Drinkwater was brought to the club by Green. Payton identified Hammer as his first choice fullback until a hamstring injury where Drinkwater got a chance. In some ridiculous sliding doors moment he strung a couple of good games against average opposition together. The rest is history as Todd got swept away in short term success.

As a Cowboys supporter this outfit is probably one of if not the most frustrating to watch. Outside of Dearden and Cotter they zero consistency? Rocks or diamonds for 80min. Last year they lost 66-18 to Tigers then a month later they defeat the Tigers 76-0? This sum this lot up IMO. I can’t come to any conclusion other than mindset (commitment, desire, attention to detail and execution). They aren’t devoid of skill or ability but motivation and determination are something this lot struggle with. Payton is a good skills coach but compared to Bennett he’s got a lot to learn about what gets players motivated and what builds consistency. Drinkwater is the player Payton has centred the team around. He leads the errors and I can assure everyone Drinkwater would also lead error assist most weeks? This resonates throughout the entire team? You can’t coach blokes to drop the ball in the ruck while attempting to play the ball. Can you? 3 times last night. Throwing passes to opponents without looking? WTF. This is problems between the ears and a lot of supporter are becoming head cases just watching this rubbish. Time to harden up coach and stop accepting stupidity. Drop the culprits.

In the Tigers v Dolphins game, Tiger’s centre Faataape clearly looses his grip on the ball but the Bunker rules his torso makes downward pressure as he hits the in goal? Under the Api interpretation he clearly doesn’t retain possession with the hands before grounding? Anywhere in the field of play it would be a simple knock on but the Bunker takes the liberty of contorting the grounding interception to award a try? Probably because the Dolphins were leading 14-6 and it’s an opportunity of evening up the contest?

Personally I’d say many years ago when I was playing competitive team sports a punishment of extras would have been expected. My view of someone not willing to conform would have been rather poor at that time. Now after having children and experiencing the difference between abuse punishment and reward type mentoring has on their development I’m seeing things differently. The introvert is very different to the extrovert and not everyone responds to the same thing. Some people swear by physical punishment to get results? Others see the best results by punishing mistakes others encourage mistakes so the fear of learning isn’t suppressed. That’s how generations have changed. Probably left field thinking but players that are encouraged to think outside the box even if things don’t work are players not used to or preform best when the fear of mistakes are for most in their mind either? Would punish Sam Walker or Reece Walsh like you would Goose McGuire?

I’m thinking someone willingly saying they’re wanting to do something uncomfortable is very different to someone being subjected to something not of their choosing? That’s the trick in workplace offending. What I say to one person might be received very differently to another which is really difficult unless you understand the personality of individuals. I find Topine case interesting because I can sort of understand the intimidation and isolation he may have felt, in that circumstance. A young player, away from home being singled out by a group he had newly met and also possibly not wanting to be a target of social torment by peers. These are situations different for someone’s normal perception of team building? Bennett is gifted at man management and I can’t see him allowing this to happen without understanding the individual. Bennett is incredible gifted in understanding an individuals personality as well as the team’s disciplinary standards. Who’s to say Bennett wouldn’t have identified Topine as not comfortable and changed the direction of the moment?

This sort of contradicts the Leniu defence?

I agree with Luki being a centre option along with Taulagi ( who has very good hands passing and kicking behind the line. Both he and Feldt could play centre also. Valemei has limited ability other than being a powerful runner from what I’ve seen. Centres with limited ball play limit your winger’s ability to score. There are plenty of combinations Todd could come up with. Maybe Drinkwater off the bench and Val at starting fullback. 20min in swap Drinkwater into fullback and Val to centre. A bigger, stronger more defensive team for the opening 20min.

Let’s be honest there wouldn’t be a player ( forward, half or back) in the competition that wouldn’t lick their lips seeing Drinkwater in defence. He wants nothing to do with that part of the game.

Edwards is fantastic footballer. I’m total NQ and QLD but I’ve been impressed by this bloke since he started. He’s constantly thinking and 100% committed. He’s more than happy to do the hard stuff and never overplays his hand. That stop on Nanai was massive. He makes plenty of critical plays that don’t get much attention. Drinkwater however makes little effort on defence and also loves the glory play. These interceptions are easily read IMO because Drinkwater is looking to be a hero with the ball? He throws numerous passes that result in errors because they’re dumb pressure balls also. Edwards doesn’t give you any dumb stuff but plenty of quality.

The difference was the fullbacks. Edwards was terrific. Drinkwater just has that error in him that makes the difference against quality opponents. The thing that was worse than the interception was his effort to stand still 20m away when Valemie drops the ball for Martin to pick up and run away. Mate you have to get over to where the kick is in case there’s a loss ball, not switch off.

Come on mate, what brain? You’ve over estimated Milne IMO.

They did and it became ridiculous when attackers fell into contact. If the NRL don’t want to send blokes off or to the bin leaping into contact like Klemmer, Chase Stewart or May they aren’t interested in having tacklers lower their aim.

I really don’t know how the league could address the head contact without making it clear any contact with the head is to be avoided. That includes head on head accidental excuses. Both attackers and defenders have to take equal responsibility also. The tendency for players ducking and falling before contact is also a factor that used to be addressed with voluntary tackle penalties. The kick off are a bigger collision simply because of the speed and size of players. Maybe running straight at a defender and leaning into contact is dangerous play? Maybe the game is physical dangerous? I’d have no problem if my team varied the kickoff just to try and secure possession early? Field position is a bigger priority as players tire IMO. So a deep kick off is really hear nor there. Tackling techniques have changed but so has jerseys jerseys and the players wearing them. Anyone suggesting that a player charging back with intent at that speed got tackled low in previous generations is suffering amnesia. They got a coat hanger or flipped on their head Ray Price style. Remember Harrigan, Carroll, Morley.

I’m so happy NSW have had their pin up boy at fullback. Hope it continues and Edwards doesn’t get to stop another Maroon victory.

Real character of the 90’s era. RIP Terry Hill. One of the iconic Origin images of him and Tallis nose to nose.

So are you suggesting Chase Stewart was deemed no longer a rookie when he clipped Walsh? LOL. They sent Dom Young after May got let off Scott free. Big whinge from Robinson so they don’t send Klemmer. Typical NRL telling officials how they want things managed. Rule get bent manipulated and reinterpreted. Resulting in total ineptitude by the officials under pressure IMO.

They don’t take concussions and player safety seriously. Walsh hit his against the Panthers and it was classed accidental even though the offender accelerated and jumped into the contact. Last weekend Walsh was clipped across the chin at speed by a fullback leaping of the ground? You put a player in the bin for a professional foul holding onto a player legs to long FFS. You can’t even put Kemmer of the field for jumping and clocking a player in the head twice in 5min. Dearden gets cut high effectively bringing him to ground and you allow another player to deliberately drop an elbow on his head as he’s lying on the ground? Next minute Tedesco dives into contact and gets a penalty because he deliberately tries to get to ground and avoid a defenders ability to tackle him properly.

Albo I do remember you didn’t have high expectations for young Panthers back at the start of 2020. Many doubted the hype by some about Nathan’s ability also. No team has transitioned to 6 again better than the skill and talent of Penrith it would appear. Ivan was quick to adjust and well ahead of many rival coaches with adapting to new interpretations. That’s smart coaching and well done by him and the coaching staff involved. What say, knowledge and influence did Gould have during this time? I’ll admit the Panthers have a great nursery and currently the crop of talent is very strong. I’ll admit jealousy and frustration at my mob not being good enough at identifying, nurturing and their own talent either. Cowboys signed a couple of forwards Taumalolo, McGuire, Molo and McClean that weren’t suited to 6again. Even keeping Kikau and Taumo instead of loading up on Taumalolo would have been great if we were intuitive enough to see 6 again coming? Perhaps Ponga would have been a priority also. I’m feeling a bit bitter and twisted that Gould pushed unlimited interchange and also got together with a few rival coaches when the Tigers and Cowboys were running hot and suggested the game was to quick. It was becoming touch football and the big men were losing their place in the game. So the league decided slowing the ruck was the way to go back in mid 2006. Now I wish 6again existed in 2007 with the Cowboys squad.

I admit to jealous with the Panthers success but I also have been frustrated by the methods they have employed along the way. When was Alf or Thurston afforded protection from the officials? They worked 6again with penalties brilliantly for 2 years before the league realised they were receiving lopsided penalties coming out of trouble. Only Souths picked up on the tactic in the first season of 6again.