Bill, tough to say really, as I have never seen him have to show that he can take several real, true, top level BOMBS from any of his opponents. Part of that is due to his movement, part due to his defence, which is geared primarily towards rolling his shoulders to protect his chin.He has fought some big punchers in his career and never been knocked out, so that, to me, says something towards the legitimacy of his chin. As we have read here, there’s a Manny fan to refute everything I have said and basically fill you in on boxing as I clearly have never watched it in my life according to some of these posts.

I say he has at very least a reasonable chin, but if anyone is going to test that, it’s Manny! I agree with you wholeheartedly, This is going to be one hell of a fight!

The writer, that being Me, is a fan of both fighters, and boxing in general. Yes, I feel Floyd will win the fight, but if you read the article it clearly states my respect for Manny also. Not sure what I have to gain by kissing the ass of a boxer that’ll never read anything I have to say. Everyone has an opinion on the fight, it’s what you would expect for a fight of this magnitude. Does this make us all ass-kissers as you put it?

Thanks PF, I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, or anyone to be honest. Just the fight from the perspective of a sports fan, for better or worse. Thanks for reading!

I’m on it Butch, I’ll jump straight on my ‘Floyd Phone’ and hook it up….I am more than happy to swallow my words if ‘My’ Floyd loses by any means, including a devastating KO. Will you do the same if the unthinkable happens and I am right in any way?

There’ll be plenty of ‘fools’ paying to watch this fight Steve. I’ll have plenty of company. I never said Floyd was my role model, only that I am a fan of his as a boxer. While coming in against Marquez overweight wasn’t his classiest move, I’ll grant that, if you think that being 2lbs overweight is what won him the fight, I guess I’m not the only naive one in this discussion?

George, I am a fan of both guys, I have just followed Floyd’s career more closely over a longer period of time is all. There is no doubt in my mind that Manny has every tool to put any opponent to sleep, and he will go down in history.Chances are, a lot of that history, good, bad or indifferent, could be written in this fight. Can’t wait!

All great points, and I’m not sure either of us is going to be right. With the talent of both fighters, it could go a totally different way than either has shown before. That’s what has me most excited about the fight. Let’s hope it lives up to the hype eh?

I’d agree that Carney holds the keys, but will Brian Smith change the locks? Getting both the impeccably talented youngsters and seasoned, well decorated veterans to mesh with Smith will determine the Roosters’ fortunes. When I heard that my beloved Tigers were chasing Carney, I was ecstatic (but perhaps in the minority of Tigers fans thinking like that), he would have run riot in that backline playing at #7. I was disappointed when I heard he wasn’t coming. Good luck to him, as much as it will pain me to see the Roosters winning, I won’t mind seeing Carney take a few positive steps on his football redemption.

Nice read…Thanks

Was Sonny really THAT bad for the Barbarians? I heard conflicting reports that he was either horrible or aquitted himself well, given his lack of experience? To the untrained eye (mine) he didn’t seem to be that far out of his comfort zone, but I am happy for you to rebutt this…politely of course haha.

I really like the concept. The more interest and in turn, ratings from developing, non heartland areas, the better the next TV rights deal will be, to the benefit of all involved with the code. Taking the top level of the sport to the Country areas, where interest is already high, and grass roots level support even higher, is important also. Maybe a Back to the Bush Round or something….At least try some ideas out of the box. As Super Rugby and AFL expand into areas, the competiton for viewers and fans increases, the effort needs to be increased by the NRL to keep existing market share, and grow further into other areas.

Ideas are great, but at the moment, it’s all we have. We need action from the Governing Body…Good read.

Mr Sports….you have seen the best and the worst of The Roar here. The best part is that a bunch of people get to read what you write,and having a sense of humour I thought it was quite funny, the worst is that there are some who take things, and themselves, far too seriously and therefore see fit to tell you how stupid/un-funny/childish you are….how sad that we can’t take a piece like this for what it is…Anyways, I liked it. Good job, you’re a Guru in my eyes!

I don’t get the two hooker thing that seems to be sweeping the NRL the past season or so. Hooker is one position that you should get 80mins from, no point in using an interchange on replacing what should be the fittest player in your team when you need that for other forwards. For this reason the fact that Luke and Wing seem to be wrestling for time and trying to play the same position (granted they have differing strengths) seems a little skew-if to me. Wing can play half or 5/8, Sutton can play lock, which wouldn’t be a whole lot different to the role he is currently playing in the team. Souths look a much better team when Sandow, Luke, Wing and Sutton are all on the field at once. The longer that can be in effect, surely the better the team should go in theory….they look good the Bunnies, shame about Asotasi’s injury, they will lose a lot of go forward, direction, and leadership with his absence.

All in all, this really is moot, as surely you can attest Alan, as we both know the Tigers will be making the eight, now don’t we?

I think Elliot might be using the ‘cannon fodder’ tactic to give his side the impression they aren’t in that category yet, which in reality they aren’t, but as we have seen with young teams, they get up for such challenges and can at times pull off an improbably victory. Should the Panthers get up here, their confidence will be sky high, and a top four finish seems much more realistic. Could be a master stroke from Elliot, time will tell. Remember in 2005 when Sheens said the Tigers forwards weren’t big enough to get over their bigger opponents, and would normally be dominated? They spent the back half of the season busting their guts trying to prove this perception wrong, laying the platform for the teams far superior backline to rack up points at a rapid rate…Elliot played for Sheensy, right? Maybe he learned something….

You’re right, as always Mr McKay….50 is laughable, but I was trying to err on the side of conservatism. 60 it is!

If you’ve ever read Bill Simmons’ work as ESPN’s ‘Sports Guy’, you’ll have heard of his ‘Tankapalooza’ theory for the NBA….Adopting that system won’t eliminate tanking unfortunately…

Ah, yes, the 2005 Preliminary Final….what a night for us Tigers!

I have actually wondered if the ghosts of seasons past were haunting Dragons fans, and it would seem they are.

In my opinion, a side would have to play out of their skin for one game to knock your boys off, which isn’t impossible. But with the belief Bennett has instilled in that side, I really can’t see anyone being able to maintain that intensity for 80 minutes in both their defensive and attacking structures.

I think they are in the same boat as every side, succeptible to that one golden day where their opposition turns it on and they have to sit and say ‘Too Good’, but I think the things they have in their favour would have other Teams far more concerned about the Dragons, than the Dragons should be about any other side.

Now, if I can put my Tigers hat back on….We both know the Tigers will have their number in the Finals, right? haha

Was it just me, or was anyone else disgusted to see Vodafone announce the changing of manufacturer IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON? What does that show their fans who are loyal to Ford, and let’s not kid ourselves, fan’s a loyal to the make before the team, so they are going to lose some following in the crossover. How could they get away with that? As Peter says, what about the fans that shell out big bucks on their merch? I was gobsmacked, but maybe I’m in the minority…

For all the talk of loyalty to the NRL, or any professional sport, think for a second about what offers Karmichael would be receiving after two hypothetical knee reconstructions and a slow comeback to something near his old form. Not everyone is Scott Prince and makes it back past their previous peak of power after significant injuries. The NRL and it’s clubs wouldn’t pay anything near where he is earning now, and he would have no opportunity to earn the big bucks elsewhere as ‘damaged goods’ in a lot of people’s eyes. The lack of loyalty cuts both ways, however I think we tend to see more of the governing body and it’s clubs’ perspective in situations such as K’s….He’d be on the scrapheap in no time without a second thought, faded into obscurity for good when it suited the game or his employing club. Where would his loyalty to his first pro gig have gotten him then?

Bill, Bill, Bill….I doubt Manly would have needed another 5 minutes Mate, I think 80.5mins would have been enough. The Tigers were like little ducks at a shooting gallery, just waiting to be popped off! Make no mistake, they had more than their share of luck to get the win, but having said that, after losing four games this season by two points or less, we were due our share of the rub of the green.

Rick, the move from Lidcombe Oval to Campbelltown worked well both ways, as my Father managed a pub near Lidcombe for many years, and I spent the vast majority of my childhood living in Campbelltown. Every Sunday we would go and watch the Mapies wherever possible, Canberra in the middle of Winter was an experience, but these times punctuated my childhood and, despite the wooden spoon-a-thon, I wouldn’t change a thing. I guess if it weren’t so indoctrinated, it would have been easy to walk away from the merger or the tough times and support some other club, but I still love seeing the Magpie on the shoulders of the Tigers’ strip, and the retro strip games are always a highlight. Call me a life-long fan, I’m guilty as charged!

Skull, you are right on the money Mate, and I have to say, the details of those years, being so early on or even before I was bought into my black and white world, are clouded by the haze of my anti-Manly sentiment haha! Still, it worked it’s way into the column, and I appreciate you paying enough attention to my ramblings to pick that up. Cheers.

Alan, I wanted to say that I won’t dignify your pro-Chook ramblings with a response, but that’s just not me. Let’s just say, if the Tigers can’t get over the Poultry Foul this weekend, they don’t deserve to make the Finals. I’m holding you personally responsible if those Tigers don’t get up!!!! Feel my wrath…feel my wrath you will!

Have to say Alan, as much as I am partial to a little Tigers love, it is a bit of a stretch to say they played consistently for the full 80. Defensively, I would agree, their heads were right in it throughout. However in attack they were nowhere near their best. Some of that was to do with the conditions, some of it had to do with them wanting to play ‘flashy’ when the score got to 25-0, leading to errors (exectedly, given the weather). There is no bigger Tigers supporter than myself, but I am keeping my cards close to my chest until this Monday’s game against the Eagles. That’s the litmus test for the boys….Canberra were woeful, and the game amounted to nothing more than a cold, wet, training run in the final 25mins. Manly are a much better gauge of where the Tigers are at in any charge to the Finals.

I feel sick in my stomach from nerves already, and the game is a week away!

Keep those Tigers posts coming My Good Man!

I’m torn between being excited about building some momentum and the chance that it’ll come crashing down around me once I get excited! Canberra in Canberra this weekend will answer some questions about consistency and how focussed the Tigers are. I’m betting they’ll come through, but you no doubt expected that from me hehe….

Why Thankyou Mr Nicolea, a wrap from The Highest Ranking Roar Guru-swami of them all is welcome indeed.

Mate, for years people have been wondering where I come up with the useless information and generally inappropriate piss takes, and to be honest, I don’t know where it comes from. It’s just in me, like gas….it comes out at the worst possible times! The Roar family is only just catching on…but we’re getting there.

Seriously, really appreciate the praise, if the Daily Telegraph need a replacement for dear old Reggie, I’d be honoured to help them out….I’ll drop your name as a reference! Sorry about your Chooks in ’09, it’s not too late to jump on the Tigers’ bandwagon you know!!!

C’Mon Chop, you’ve read my work…I’m rarely wrong! HA!

Oh dear God, so Robbie Farah’s Mum is about to receive wall to wall media coverage?

Mate, as big a Tiger as I am, I can’t shake the feelings of seasons post ’05 where we have crumbled as the challenges of a run to the Finals present themselves. So whilst I am happy with the progress they are making, and they are showing some semblence of consistency, without being at their best in my opinion, I remember all too well clutching a pillow and rocking back and forth to the point my Wife had serious concerns for my mental state (I’m not making this up!) when Newcastle dusted us in the last Round of ’07…consistency can be fleeting for the Tigers, let’s hope it lasts for 10 weeks or so!?!?!