The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

Tom Rock

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Joined February 2016

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As a full-time pharmacist, part-time Roarer and fair-weather Newcastle Knights fan, Tom doesn’t leave anything on the field. He always gives 110% and never forgets to give full credit to the boys. But in a game of two halves, it’s important not to look too far ahead, so Tom’s just taking it one week at a time. Follow Tom on Twitter @_TomRock_

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The reality of club politics and fan fanaticism went out the window for this exercise Paul. Just a bit of Blue Sky fun.

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

Morning Nat. I’m still not sold on the Perth idea. I get that there are some fans over there and that they have existing infrastructure, but I would double down on rugby league strongholds before I put another team in Perth. But that’s just me.

And I’m really keen to see Harry Grant get a run somewhere. I’ve heard so many good things, but not seen him play. He’ll certainly have a lot to live up to. No pressure!

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

I take your point Albo. Had to draw the line somewhere, and Western Sydney was probably the hardest hit by my brave new world.

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

Perth and Adelaide are both AFL strongholds. Why beat a dead horse when we could instead claim areas which the AFL have yet to claim?

And mark my word, the AFL are pushing hard for country NSW. AFL posts are replacing rugby league posts all over the place, and they run such successful school programs. If the NRL don’t do something to halt their progress, they could lose a traditional heartland.

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

Having 2 teams in NZ would be about growing the game in that region, which I believe has more overall potential than Perth.

Super Rugby has proven that multiple sporting franchises can survive in New Zealand, and that there is enough fans to support them. Perhaps splitting them into North and South is not the best way, but the overall concept is feasible.

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

All perfectly reasonable questions. And I purposely didn’t include them when writing this as there is just too much uncertainty to know where to start. Plus it would have spoiled my fun.

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

Atrocious? Really? Terrible yes, awful maybe. But atrocious??

Give it to me Max – what would be your list. I’m here to learn,

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

They miss the cut. I didn’t think they had a better claim than any other side on my list. Maybe they can be included in the next round of expansion in 2075?

What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?

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1w

Yeah I take your point. The Storm were definitely below their best. But they just seem to be able to do what’s necessary to get the win where a lot of other teams fall short.

Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights

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3w

I don’t think the game would survive the cancellation of Origin from a financial perspective.

Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights

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3w

Pearce or Ponga for Dally M? I reckon they give it to both of them.

Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights

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3w

Just flying under the radar

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

Thanks for the comment Jim. I’ll head straight for my rock.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

So that’s why the New Zealand roster looks so thin – Coronavirus! Here was me thinking it was poor recruitment decisions, but it all makes sense now.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

I was tempted to put Levi as buy of the year. He could have a special year at Manly.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

Mmmm, I remember that. If I remember correctly, it was just the editor who messed things up. I actually wrote that the Storm would blitz the Dragons based on an amazing performance from their back 5. Simple mistake.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

That hurts…..I think

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

Morning Geoff.

A Storm v Raiders GF would be a cracking game, although the NRL marketing team probably wouldn’t agree.

I know people are all in on the Raiders this year, but I just worry about their ability to back up the success of last year. They haven’t been strong in that regard over the last decade.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

Cheers Walter. And you are probably wise not to agree with many or any of my predictions!

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

Good to be back KK. Bring on the footy.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

Morning Baz.

The Broncos injuries rattled my confidence in them a bit as well, but they have some ridiculous young talent across the whole squad. Especially the forwards. If they can just focus and buy in to Siebold’s plan, they could be anything this year.

Agree about the Knights. Just too reliant on Pearce remaining healthy and Ponga remaining interested. Makes me nervous.

I love the Shark’s roster, particularly some of their young forwards, but their best 17 on paper is always vastly different to the team they put on the park. Injuries are already impacting Fifita, Moylan and Dugan, and Wade Graham and Shaun Johnson are always good for a few hamstring tears every year. I reckon this could be the year it all comes undone for Cronulla.

2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season

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3w

I actually like this team. It’s stronger than the one we fielded at Suncorp Stadium.

And while people are freaking out about wholesale changes and panicked selections, keep in mind that 3 of the 7 changes were forced through injury, another (Latrell) seems like it was forced through other factors, and Tom Turbo was only omitted from Game 1 through injury. So really, we traded out a half who was ineffective in Brisbane (Walker) for a proven winner in Maloney, and we jettison Angus Crichton for a forward with more mongrel (Sims) or more talent (Graham).

Queensland took a similar approach in 2017 after losing Game 1, and they ended up winning the series. What’s to say we can’t do the same??

Mitchell axed, seven changes for NSW Blues Origin 2 team

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Jun

Fair call. He won’t get picked anyway. Cleary will probably get a run, not perform, get dropped and shatter his confidence. It’s tradition

Mitchell Pearce deserves his shot at Origin redemption

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May

So Barry, which of Cronk, Slater, Thurston, Smith and Inglis won’t be an Immortal?

Mitchell Pearce deserves his shot at Origin redemption

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May

Queensland had 5

Mitchell Pearce deserves his shot at Origin redemption

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May
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