Expert
Joined February 2011
1.69m
Views
457
Published
7.5k
Comments
"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words, it is war minus the shooting." - George Orwell
Published
Comments
With stories circulating that Carmelo Anthony’s time with the Houston Rockets will “soon be ending”, and few – if any – teams in need of his services, it’s an appropriate time to look back on the career and legacy of the man they call ‘Melo’.
The first week of the 2018-19 NBA season has been completed, and it’s always hard to not overreact to what you’ve witnessed after just three or four games played by each team.
This annual tradition – where I revisit my pre-season rugby league predictions – is both my most dreaded piece to write each year, yet also the one I most look forward to.
After Penrith’s crushing, one-point loss to the Sharks on Friday night, there was footage of Ivan Cleary consoling his son, Nathan, in a show of family support.
There is no real way to prove it, but there is an undeniable feeling that 2018 is the year a large portion of the rugby league community said “enough” to News Corp journalist Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield.
In the battle for the attention of rugby league fans, there’s a sure-fire way to appeal to as many of them as possible: bash the refs.
With six rounds to go in the 2018 NRL season, the Telstra Premiership is well and truly up for grabs.
Yesterday, NBA superstar LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year deal worth $153.3 million.
Given LeBron James’ epic performances in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, the debate about who is the greatest basketball player of all time has really heated up of late.
For roughly the last decade, this is the period of State of Origin football where New South Wales and their fans have traditionally felt the most optimistic: before the series. Before that pesky thing we call ‘reality’ kicks in.
It’s hard to believe we’re already over a third of the way through the 2018 NRL season, but as they say, time flies when you’re having fun.
In the wake of the ball-tampering fiasco involving the Australian cricket team, it’s become popular to talk about what type of athletes we want representing us on the national stage.
Last week, I ticked off a major bucket item in my life: sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
Australian opener David Warner was involved in a couple of ugly incidents in the first Test against South Africa, which have once again called into question his temperament and behaviour.
With the 2018 NRL season kicking off this Thursday, it’s time for the most unforgiving article I write all year. The one that regularly makes me look foolish come October – and quite often, a lot sooner!
In NBA circles, it’s become trendy to pick anyone but the Golden State Warriors to win this year’s NBA Championship.
A few weeks ago, I wrote that the real battle this summer might be between the Australian selectors and ‘armchair critics’.
The lead-up to this summer’s Ashes series was relatively subdued compared to previous encounters, when the sledging, mind games and banter have usually began well in advance of the opening Test of the series.
While Australians shouldn’t get too cocky after the convincing win in the first Test – it’s a long series after all – it does appear as though the battle between ‘armchair critics’ and the Australian selectors may just be the spicier clash this summer.
In light of the reports that a hybrid game of rugby league and rugby union might be in the works again – this time between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand All Blacks – I’d like to remind those behind the push for that game that they don’t have a mortgage on bad ideas.
Well, he was an elite-level player – based on his scoring – to be fair.
I have no issue with him being in the Hall of Fame; especially when you include his college and international accomplishments.
The not-so-complicated legacy of Carmelo Anthony
Totally. He was somewhat impatient with what he wanted. Some would even say blind selfish or myopic.
The not-so-complicated legacy of Carmelo Anthony
I think he accepted his role with the Rockets, and knew he wasn’t going to be the focal point. He just literally can’t even play that reduced role anymore, because his D is so bad, and his scoring not efficient enough.
The not-so-complicated legacy of Carmelo Anthony
That’s not exactly accurate. I said it was “anyone’s premiership”.
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
Thank you, mate – don’t mind if I do!
*smug font
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
Sadly, I didn’t bet on any of those predictions. I’ll have to be happy with the gloating instead.
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
I had the Sharks missing the 8 last year!
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
I know the judge – he’s a good bloke.
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
Yes I know – very cheeky. Haha!
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
There’s a recent precedent too. Again, in basketball:
https://sports.yahoo.com/report-favoritism-austin-rivers-led-194049049.html
A warning for Nathan Cleary: Playing under your dad isn’t much fun
Sure, but how do we know those things (venting about the coach, dressing room harmony and perceived bias) didn’t happen at the Sharks?
Also, as I mentioned, the media landscape has changed since then. It would crazy to think these narratives wouldn’t arise in this era or ‘over-reporting’ and un-informed opinion.
“I don’t think it’s an issue as players can separate a father and a coach and likewise a coach can separate a son from a player” – I’m sorry, but I just don’t think this is true.
A warning for Nathan Cleary: Playing under your dad isn’t much fun
(Bellamy at Melbourne is the longest serving coach; been there since 2003.)
A warning for Nathan Cleary: Playing under your dad isn’t much fun
Very true, and a very valid point, Greg.
I’d only add two small comments, that might be irrelevant, but perhaps worth raising:
1. The media landscape has changed since then, along with the introduction of social media, which has increased the scrutiny and pressure coaches and players are under. In a related point, there is also a lot more ‘BS’ and made-up narratives/agendas now.
2. Lang played prop, while Cleary plays halfback, which I actually think that does make a difference. I played point guard, for which the role is vaguely the same as that of halfback in rugby league: it’s your responsibility to organise the team, and colloquially be the “coach on the court/field”. That means the point guard/halfback and coach need to be completely in-sync with each other from a tactics, style of play, decision-making and leadership perspective. If they’re not, it can cause issues for the entire team, so there is always immense pressure on those individuals to be completely aligned. That pressure is naturally only amplified when the two are father and son.
A warning for Nathan Cleary: Playing under your dad isn’t much fun
What annoys me most about Kent is that he used to be an excellent writer, and when he sticks to the footy, he’s got a good brain. He’s also articulate. Rugby League needs more of ‘Good Kents’, but sadly, he’s mostly ‘Bad Kent’ these days.
It’s a shame, he knows his stuff, but his ego is out of control.
2018: The year rugby league turned on Buzz Rothfield
That ref crackdown/crisis was actually my exact tipping point. That’s when I’d had enough and couldn’t stomach a lot of those guys – especially Buzz – anymore.
2018: The year rugby league turned on Buzz Rothfield
Hey Neil.
I never applauded him for not taking onboard criticism; I credited him for being prepared to write/say unpopular things. I stand by the notion that its brave to express a view you know you’re going to take criticism for, but I also think you should be more aware of why it might be unpopular in the first place (or after). They are seperate points, for mine.
2018: The year rugby league turned on Buzz Rothfield
That’s part of the problem – I don’t think it would! Buzz admits that he never attends press conferences. He just throws stones from the sidelines, using his contacts. The only way to negate his power is to take it away from him: not paying any attention to his negative stuff.
2018: The year rugby league turned on Buzz Rothfield
I could be wrong, but I assume by “media partners”, Beattie actually means Channel 9 and Fox, as extra teams have an impact on the broadcasts they deliver. (Extra travel and costs, plus an extra game per round, etc.)
2018: The year rugby league turned on Buzz Rothfield
Haha! I’d love Ronan to write a rugby league piece!
(But thank you)
2018: The year rugby league turned on Buzz Rothfield
Nice one, AJ.
I’m really hoping the Bulldogs come out and say “We’ve got nothing to apologise for, so we won’t be.” And I hope their sponsors say they’re upping their contributions. And I hope club memberships increase, or are at least maintained.
That’s a lot of hoping, but it would be nice if any “black eye” talk was actually refuted by numbers, data and facts.
What a waste of a front page
Nice one, Mary!
(Although, perhaps don’t have Buzz on your pod anymore?! And if you do, make him read this?!)
Referee basher? Get out and don't come back
That’s a different (better?!) definition than I’ve ever come across!
Ref bashing, the low-hanging fruit of rugby league journalism
Do you acknowledge one, if not both, of the two following things?
1. The referees are always going to make mistakes.
2. There is a difference between ‘incompetence’ and ‘mistakes’.
Ref bashing, the low-hanging fruit of rugby league journalism
Nailed it, mate.
Sydney is the most embarrassing city in Australia