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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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I’ve got a confession to make – I’m not excited about the NRL finals.
This has historically been a dangerous time of year to be a New South Wales supporter.
As an NRL coach, you’re only as good as your reputation. When you agree to mentor a side, you’re staking that reputation on the performance of your team.
Manly playmaker Jackson Hastings will likely see out the remainder of the 2018 season playing for the Blacktown Workers.
The NSW government’s decision to invest over two billion taxpayer dollars into stadium redevelopment was met with a tidal wave of criticism.
Like a snowflake or a Blake Austin haircut, no two NRL seasons are the same. After three rounds of the 2018 Premiership, let’s take a look at what’s trending this season.
What a magical start to the season for the Newcastle Knights.
Mercifully, another torturous preseason is almost over. And although every team has been training the house down all summer, it’s about this time each year that optimism begins to wane.
There’s something special about a new coach. Like a freshly painted room or the upholstery of a new car, they have the intoxicating aroma of change.
Ever wondered what it feels like to support Everton in the English Premier League? To watch your team try hard, play well, but with no real prospect of winning anything? Well, for the fans of four NRL teams, you’re about to find out.
The waiting is the hardest part. Like many of you, I find this time of year particularly challenging.
The regular season is done and dusted for another year, but the outcome feels strangely familiar. Almost like history repeating itself.
What’s more important to a football team – a great coach or great players? A team of great players can be successful with a mediocre coach, but a great coach won’t be successful with a team of mediocre players.
Rugby league in Australia is dying. Interest in the code is waning, participation is dropping, and the on-field product has become dull and predictable. At its current rate, the game has only 50 years left to live.
With 23 rounds of NRL action in the books and only three rounds of the regular season remaining, it’s the perfect time to take stock. So whose future is looking rosy and who’s going the way of Patinack Farm? Here’s three of each.
How good was rugby league in the 1980s!? The jerseys, the hairstyles, the characters, the fights – it truly was a glorious time to be alive. But was the game better ‘back in the day’ than it is today? Here are three arguments for and against:
Another week, another painful loss for the Canterbury Bulldogs, and another fresh round of speculation over Des Hasler’s future.
The administration of third party agreements (TPAs) is the single most critical challenge currently facing rugby league in Australia.
State of Origin is mercifully over for another year, so it’s time to shift the focus back to where it belongs – club footy. With only seven rounds left until the finals, here are the top eight storylines that I’ll keeping an eye on.
Win or lose, I think this will be Laurie Daley’s last game in charge of New South Wales.
Morning Jordan. Thanks for posting mate. All feedback is always welcomed.
The deterioration in NRL 360 has been a bit sad. I really liked the “Journo” segment a couple of years back when they had Andrew Webster (SMH) and Brent Read (Australian) to balance out Paul Kent. Webster in particular was never afraid to argue with PK, which added credibility to the broadcast.
But now, all the journos on the show work at the same paper. All they do is agree with each other on the terrible state of the game. It’s as depressing as it is exhausting. I am happy for them to cover off-field stuff and controversy, but do it in a balanced, factual way, not just wild speculation. Fans deserve better.
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
Morning Matt. The list of players you mention, apart from JT13 and Sam Burgess, all have plenty left to prove in my opinion. I agree that they are the next generation of superstars, but they have plenty left to achieve over a long period of time before they can be considered as greats of the game. My point was more that normally there isn’t such a gap between waves of great players. The next generation are all around 20-23 years old, so what happened to the guys who are now aged 23-33???
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
Yeah I wouldn’t be overly upset with a reduction in rounds. Alternatively, I also wouldn’t mind pausing the season for Origin and Internationals, then re-starting it after a break. This year more than ever those players involved in Origin have looked both emotionally and physically drained. And it’s having an effect on the quality of the games
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
Personally, I am outraged by it. I mean it looks great and runs much more smoothly. But still…outraged.
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
I agree mate. I was actually in favour of the crackdown. I was happy to live with the short-term pain if it achieved long-term gain. But now I don’t really know where we sit. If we do the same thing again next year, the clubs will simply assume that they only need to ride out the storm before the league eventually backs down. And you can’t blame them. Seems to happen every other year…
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
Morning Don. I noticed it most during the soccer World Cup. I found myself more looking forward to games between two random nations I knew nothing about rather than Friday night footy.
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
Jason Taumalolo is certainly on track to go down as a great player, but I want to see more. He has had a couple of amazing years, and then a couple of quiet ones. I want to see consistent brilliance. Is that so much to ask?
I would put Sam Burgess ahead of JT in terms of their respective careers. He had been a better and more consistent player over a longer period
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
Morning Barry. Yeah maybe a little click-baity. Or a lot.
But click bait aside, I still stand firm to my original point that the game just hasn’t been as engaging this year. I have watched less, listened to less and read less about rugby league than I have in years. Maybe it’s just me…
What happened to rugby league in 2018?
There is a reason I am coming last…
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 17
That should be enough of a hint for you to change your tips Joe
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 15
Braith has enough on his plate. He only started learning three syllable words this year. You can’t expect the man to learn the rules in addition to his already bulging workload
In defence of referees
Thanks KK. Will amend my thought process accordingly.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 14
Never in doubt (breathes epic sigh of relief)
State of Origin scores: NSW vs QLD - Game 1 live blog, highlights
How good is Frizell looking Barry?
State of Origin scores: NSW vs QLD - Game 1 live blog, highlights
That’ll be by halftime.
Origin 1 final predictions: Our experts tell you who'll win, what the margin will be and much more
8:17 for mine. Gus will be as excited as we are to get the game started.
State of Origin 2018 kick-off bingo: What time will Game 1 actually start?
Do you think Queensland will be as strong a team without Thurston, Smith, Slater, Cronk, Scott, Gillet and Boyd?
State of Origin 1 expert tips and predictions: NSW Blues vs Queensland Maroons – Game 1, 2018
Barry, I know you love to throw a big bucket of reality on any discussion around New South Wales dominating this game. I get it. The Blues are untested and have no experience at this level. Expecting them to replicate club form at Origin level, and on debut to boot, is a massive ask.
But mate, seriously, if you can’t get excited about our prospects this year, you really need to seek medical attention. And I mean urgently.
Sure the Blues talk themselves up every year. And for the past decade this has resulted in an ostrich sized egg on our face, mine included. But I really can’t understand why you don’t see this year as different.
The Maroons have lost a generation’s worth of experience, skill and football smarts overnight. Their spine, the source of most of our discomfort over the last 10 years, is completely different. And untried at Origin level.
And even a rampant pessimist like yourself has to agree that our pack is more talented, in better form, and more Origin ready than their Queensland counterparts.
Don’t get me wrong, the Maroons have a good side. But ours is better. All we lack is experience, but so did Queensland in 2006.
Please, for my sake, tell me what it will take for you to show a little passion and support your team?
State of Origin 1 expert tips and predictions: NSW Blues vs Queensland Maroons – Game 1, 2018
All of this amazing Blue talent on display, and you’re focusing on a fanta pants firebrand?!? Unbelievable. If he is your best hope, Cordner may as well take the trophy home now.
New South Wales will annihilate Queensland on Wednesday night
Sorry Rabs. Was just copying Barry. Until now I assumed he was incapable of fault. But it seems even the great ones are human after all
New South Wales will annihilate Queensland on Wednesday night
Wow. I am struggling with this comment. They call the Queenslanders the banana benders, but my Lady Finger just drooped a little after reading this. Come on AJL!!!! Climb aboard the Blue bandwagon!!
New South Wales will annihilate Queensland on Wednesday night
I posted a photo on Facebook of Andrew Johns holding up the shield during halftime of Game 2 last year. Lightening doesn’t strike twice Stu. The Blues have it in the bag. Take it to the bank my friend.
New South Wales will annihilate Queensland on Wednesday night
Make sure you boys multi those wagers into the Blues winning game two and three. May as well fill your boots while the going is good. Will email you the deed to my house so we can go in together.
New South Wales will annihilate Queensland on Wednesday night
Morning FT. As I said in the article, the halves that we all expected to really start dominating the NRL just haven’t stepped up. Mitchell Pearce has stagnated as a very good club player, Ben Hunt is much too inconsistent, Corey Norman has completely fallen away, and James Maloney remains a liability in defence. Lucky for us, there is a vastly talented crop of players emerging.
What happened to rugby league in 2018?