Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season
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.
Ryan O'Connell
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Joined February 2011
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"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
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A warning for Nathan Cleary: Playing under your dad isn’t much fun
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.
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Revisiting my five fearless predictions for the 2017 NRL season
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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
I’d be happy with one unified, clearly communicated (and consistent) ‘way’ the game should be refereed. Then people can have an issue about the ‘way’, but not the refs – who I feel are thrown under the bus, left, right and centre.
Ref bashing, the low-hanging fruit of rugby league journalism
As long as the fans respond, engage and even ‘enjoy’ click bait, it will continue. And if that’s honestly what people want, then so be it. Far be it from me to push onto other people what they should find engaging. I guess I’m hoping people want a little bit more.
Ref bashing, the low-hanging fruit of rugby league journalism
Great piece, AJ. A lot to like about it.
I actually wasn’t that plussed about the actual mistake. It happens. And I even understand the confusion and bewilderment afterwards. I honestly don’t know what the right thing to do was.
However, it’s the communication and lack of transparency afterwards that have been very dicey.
This does not look good, Todd
And you’d say Kodi Nikorima has been “consistently convincing”, or an “elite-level half”?
The 2018 NRL premiership is headed to...
That’s not exactly accurate. I said it was “anyone’s premiership”.
Revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2018 NRL season