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The Roar

The Roar

ScottWoodward.me

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Joined November 2009

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Radio SEN League Analyst, The Jimmy Smith Show. Recruitment & List Analyst at Canterbury Bulldogs since 2022, previously Performance Analytics Consultant - Melbourne Storm (4 years)...WARNING! I don't get splinters when I sit down, and if you disagree with my view that's OK, just keep talking to me.

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NSWRL could have scarcely selected a coach with better credentials or in form. To win Grand Finals in 2 continents and just defeated World Cup Finalists Samoa (50 to nil) and Australia (30 to nil) Madge takes over the Blues at the top of his game.

Madge is an outstanding choice for the Blues – but only if he embraces the difference of rep footy

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3d

Let’s not let logic impinge an astute decision!
* Madge will spend hundreds of hours plotting how to defeat the Maroons which make up 11 of the Kangaroos.
* The remainder of the Kangaroos will come from the NSW Blues who Madge will be Coaching this year.
Will there be any other coach who would know how to defeat the Kangaroos better than Madge?

Kiwis were right to punt Maguire over Blues conflict of interest - now it’s time to ring Uncle Wayne

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1w

It REALLY is a Cairns team with a PNG name.
Anyone who thinks a PNG team will not run last in the NRL has no comprehension of the game, or for that matter intellect.

Using the NRL as a political football for your Pacific solution is a dumb idea, Albo - and a waste of taxpayers' money

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2w

Geoff
Hamilton was the big Final mate.
In melb NZ were only 1 try behind with 3 mins to go.
Just saying……

Maguire proves his coaching pedigree by smashing both World Cup finalists to the merry tune of 80-0

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4w

Redcap, I neglected to say THIS CENTURY

Maguire proves his coaching pedigree by smashing both World Cup finalists to the merry tune of 80-0

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4w

U are a hard man souvalis,
* THE ONLY coach to win a P’ship in 2 continents.
* Won a Challenge Cup Grand Final
* Won a P’ship with Souths after a 43-year drought
* Took the Kiwis to World #1
* Just defeated the WC Finalists 80 to nil in the sudden death matches.
* The Wests Tigers have gone backward with a better list since he left.

Maguire proves his coaching pedigree by smashing both World Cup finalists to the merry tune of 80-0

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4w

To coin Gus: “Thats a coach”

Maguire proves his coaching pedigree by smashing both World Cup finalists to the merry tune of 80-0

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4w

This is a results-driven business. Every coach is a “part-time” coach, it is just some are part-time longer.
Madge has improved the Kiwis out of sight since he took them over taking them to number one in the world. He has an 88% win rate from his last eight matches which includes a very unlucky 2 point defeat against the Kangaroos.
If the Kiwis have a good Pacific Championship and the Blues keep winning then Madge will hold both clipboards until that changes.
I’m backing him to make that happen.

Dual coachability: Maguire won't take Blues job unless he can remain Kiwi Test mentor: 'I'm going to the World Cup'

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Oct

Geez Paul tough calls on Madge,
Ask Sam Burgess what he thinks of Madge. Matty Johns said today on the radio that Madge was the right choice: “It’s just the nature of the man he is. He is the most organized and professional coach I have seen”, said Matty.
Some more.
“Madge has been a huge mentor. I got to know him when I was 16 or 17 when I was playing Harold Matts and SG Ball, and he’s always said, ‘age is irrelevant. If you’re ready, you’re ready.”, Cameron Murray.
Harry Grant said that he would not be the player he is today without Madge.
I can go on.
In terms of his record as the Kiwi coach who was a rabble when he took them over. He has won his last 9 from 11 and was very unlucky against Australia in the RLWC (14 to 16). Prior to that match, Madge had taken the Kiwis to the number-one-ranked team in the world.
You haven’t seen any improvement, Paul?
Do you recall what a mess both Wigan and the Rabbitohs were in before Madge arrived? He is the only coach this century to win a Grand Final in two continents and was awarded as the World’s Best Coach in 2014 by the RLWF.
Btw, there were many options on the table for the prestigious gig that were not reported, and what makes you think that if he is appointed it is only for one year? Oh, that’s right, you read in the media so it must be right.

Maguire should knock back Blues unless they bump up paltry Origin offer to put his head on the chopping block

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Oct

Hi mushi,
he is a brilliant thinker mate, both tactically and strategically plus he is very good and putting talented people around him. Have faith mate.

Blues make controversial call on next Origin coach: Maguire handed NSW mission for 2024

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Oct

“Maguire’s intensity as a coach at club level”
Why does this keep getting mentioned?
There is very little in terms of intensity among all NRL coaches. I have seen up close Craig Bellamy, Michael Maguire, and Cameron Ciraldo. They all train as hard as each other and are all as passionate.
This article with no name says that Madge is set to give up his Kiwi job.
Is this just an uneducated guess or does the writer know something that has not been decided yet?

Blues make controversial call on next Origin coach: Maguire handed NSW mission for 2024

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Oct

Baby

Kiwis scratching around for rakes with quartet missing, Taumalolo out of Tonga tour as Frizell represents THIRD nation

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Oct

Max the names are well documented in Google if you search. NSW has to go head-to-head with Bill Slater. I cannot think of a more formidable combination of Madge and Matty J who are great mates and would bring a lot to the party.

Fittler's abrupt resignation leaves Blues in state of disrepair with no coach keen to take on poisoned chalice

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Sep

Paul your heading “leaves Blues in state of disrepair” suggests that the incumbent had won his last two Origin Series.
He didn’t.
The “no coach keen to take on poisoned chalice”.
Trust me, Paul, there will be a plethora of coaches putting their hands up.
It is a great time for someone to take over as Freddy had no luck with injuries especially losing his two champion centres in Tom Turbo and Latrell which was a real distinctive competence that the Blues had.

Fittler's abrupt resignation leaves Blues in state of disrepair with no coach keen to take on poisoned chalice

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Sep

For Ron Griffiths to get the Knights into the Grand Final again via the Minor Premiership is the “Coach of the Year” performance.
How does a team lose ten players of the caliber of Millie Boyle (Roosters), Bobbi Law (Dragons), Romy Teitzel (Broncos), Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Kiana Takairangi (Sharks), Makenzie Weale (Cowboys), Jakiya Whitfeld (Wests Tigers), Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly (Cowboys), Kyra Simon (Eels) and still be MPs and GF favorites.
Take a bow Ronnie, an NRL Coach in waiting.

NRLW Grand Final Preview: Junkyard dog Titans have enough mongrel to put the bite on Knights

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Sep

Hi Paul,
It is not that difficult.
The three best credentialled NSW Coaches are Bellamy, Cleary, and Robinson – all three work around the clock as Head Coach of their respective clubs and cannot possibly be available, or from a NSWRL perspective eligible.
Next is clear cut.
Michael Maguire is THE only Coach to win a Premiership this century in both the U.K. and Australia. He also won the prestigious Challenge Cup. As the current Head Coach of the Kiwis, he took them to the number one rated team in the world by defeating Tonga and Australia and was unluckily defeated by the Kangaroos in the recent RLWC. The success of the Kiwis and their current high standing is testimony that “Madge” knows how to get the best out of players from a short preparation.

Fittler's abrupt resignation leaves Blues in state of disrepair with no coach keen to take on poisoned chalice

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Sep

Hi Paul,
There is very little between the 2 teams, the difference in Game 1 was the Maroons had superior tactics and bench rotation management.
I rated Luai the Blues most effective player in offence who always looked like something would happen around him. His 2 Try Assists were both top-class. So you want him sacked? Ok, interesting.
Given this crucial sudden death match is at Suncorp, I will be shocked if Freddy and Brandy blood any Rookies which eliminates Graham and Leniu.
First Round winners and Suncorp data say that NSW only has a 25% chance to win but with some astute massaging with the starting 13 and enhanced bench rotation management the Blues can take this to a Sydney decider.
THE ONLY change I would advise would be a Latrell in.

The changes in selections - and interchange rotations - Fittler must make to save his bacon in Origin II

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Jun

Any player that comes to the new-look Gus/Ciraldo Bulldogs will want to stay and extend.
“I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else.”, Burto said, who is a former Panther.
This massive extension by Burton is a huge endorsement for the Bulldogs and where they are heading.
#proudtobeaBulldog

NRL Transfer Centre: Roosters make call on Tedesco, Eels release Origin star, Dragons lock in talented twins

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Mar

Hi Paul,
Interesting that you do not have a single player in the current Kiwi 17, who is the highest-rated NZ team ever to play.
Why do you need to retire to make the best 10?

25 in 25: Best Kiwi player in NRL era - Benji, SBW, RTS, Stacey, Taumalolo, Bromwich, JWH?

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Jan

I find it hilarious that so many people have made negative comments based on the “Predicated Team” by an unknown Roar source.
What happens if this source has got it wrong?

Round 1 Predicted Teams - Bulldogs: Ciraldo set to pull selection shock at fullback in first part of kennel rebuild

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Feb

The Panthers have won the last two titles largely based on relentless intensity in defence and their champion halfback Nathan Cleary. They still have Nathan but have lost their architect in defence, Cameron Ciraldo, perhaps their greatest out.

Round 1 Predicted Teams - Panthers: Salary cap takes another chunk out of premiers but three-peat beckons

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Feb

Interesting comments Mike,
With the high deck chair movements, the Bulldogs will inherit a low cohesiveness which can only be enhanced through games over time.

The full benefit of having a “clean salary cap” will not happen until 2024 when every one of the Top 30 will either be at their peak or approaching it.

The player list and the support staff has been consciously constructed to give the Bulldogs a bright future and not overspend to win Round 1, 2023.

Smart Signings: New coach, new rosters, but the same old Canterbury Bulldogs?

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Dec

Hi Paul,
16th Semi Radradra ?
Your article lost credibility with this uninformed opinion.
Not only is Semi #1, but by a margin.

25 in 25: Best winger of NRL era - Morris, Foxx, Sailor, Hazem, Blacklock, Folau, Johnston, Tuqiri?

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2022

I had issues with previous management getting my articles published. Not sure what their definition of an “expert” is

Dual in the crown: Why Origin players should also be able to represent Kiwis and England

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2022

Hi Daddy ( I feel like Luai saying that)
Firstly the NRL should buy Super League. Things will not fly until that happens. The game is poorly run, basically by the clubs, in the UK.
The IRL means well, but are lightweights
. E.g. The Final is shown at 3am when it was always going to be either Aust or NZ.

Dual in the crown: Why Origin players should also be able to represent Kiwis and England

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2022
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