Expert
Joined February 2016
228k
Views
98
Published
1.6k
Comments
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_
Published
Comments
Rugby league kicking off in Las Vegas. The New Zealand Warriors finishing in the top four. Luke Brooks lining up for the Manly Sea…
State of Origin was created for Queensland. For decades before, the interstate contests had been horribly lopsided, as those currently playing in the Sydney…
Nothing signals the start of a new NRL season quite like a wave of tepid takes and ill-informed opinions. For fear of being left…
There have been almost 70 coaches sacked since the start of the NRL era, which averages out to around three each year. Heading into…
Being an NRL coach is a tough gig. We’re only three rounds into the season and the job security of multiple coaches is already…
Ricky’s building up a head of steamAnd Parra’s title hopes are but a dreamGus and Buzz are bluingTigers fans are spewingAnd Kenty’s bagging every…
I feel like we say this every year, but the 2022 NRL season feels like the most anticipated in recent memory. While the off-season…
The salary cap was designed to bring parity to the National Rugby League. By limiting the amount of money clubs could spent on their…
The Melbourne Storm host the South Sydney Rabbitohs as season 2021 of the National Rugby League finally gets underway. But first, Part 4 of…
The rugby league season is so close that you can almost smell the deep heat and taste the bitter disappointment awaiting fans of the…
In Part 2 of my season preview series, we’ll look at the NRL clubs that have already written off the upcoming season and are…
With the 2021 NRL season almost upon us, it’s time to take a look at how each team is faring. In Part 1 of…
Part 1 of this series looked at the unique way each of the top four sides were constructed. Below is a closer examination of…
The NRL is a copycat league. Rivals clubs watch how the top sides conduct their business, and then scramble to replicate their success. It’s…
Putting aside the crippling financial pain being felt across the great game of rugby league, it’s clear that some players and clubs will fare…
Here are a few things I think about Round 2 of the NRL season. What would the NRL look like if we hit the…
Here are a few things I think about Round 1 of the NRL season. Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights That was an…
The footy is back! And nothing signals the start of a new NRL season quite like preseason predictions. So strap yourself in because we’re…
I’d like to believe that New South Wales were narrowly edged out by Queensland in Game 1. That the Blues dominated the run of…
Half of you may be wiping tears of laughter from your eyes right now while the other half are probably screaming abuse at their…
I think my worst ever prediction was that bands with stupid sounding names are never any good. The Red Hot Chili Peppers put that to bed pretty quick. Not to mention Limp Bizkit…
Stay tuned for my season predictions next week. They are sure to disappoint.
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023
It’s good to be back!
Kevy’s list this year is close to Top 4 material. Outside of a quality dummy half, I rate only the Panthers, Chooks and Sharks in terms of a better overall roster. If he can’t make the 8 with that squad, watch out!
Honestly, I reckon Rick Stone could do a better job with this current side. Is big Mal still kicking?? Maybe the Knights will make him an offer to come back…
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023
Distracting click bait is the biggest compliment an article of mine has ever received
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023
As a Newcastle fan, I certainly won’t be shedding any tears if and when O’Brien gets the sack.
I like Kevy and I really hope he keeps his job. But with the amount of off-field drama associated with that club over the last few years, and again this year, he could be in trouble. If they fail to make the 8, I reckon he’ll get canned and Ikin will assume more control.
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023
At the risk of sounding like Gordon Tallis, I think BA did a pretty solid job last year. Parramatta probably overachieved based on the strength of their roster. The fact that the Eels finished above the likes of Melbourne and the Roosters is a testament to Arthur getting that team up every week. He’s a keeper. But no doubt he’ll face the usual barrage of criticism if they don’t win the comp.
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023
Wayne does it better. He creates the issue, leaks it to the media, then denies it when the media bring it up and blames them for spreading rubbish. A true master.
The coaches’ companion: Six steps to surviving life in the NRL
You need to flag in the post-game press conference that you’ll be making ‘sweeping changes’ and then drop the winger on Team List Tuesday.
The coaches’ companion: Six steps to surviving life in the NRL
Maybe this forms part of Step 5? Strip the captaincy from your star player and make every other player in the team a captain. If you can have 5, why not 12?
The coaches’ companion: Six steps to surviving life in the NRL
Cheers Womblat. Bring on the footy!
Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season
Reckon they’d give me a start??
Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season
I checked his Wikipedia page but it hasn’t been updated to include his pre-season fitness.
Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season
You reckon they will go one further than the prelim? Make the GF? You’re probably right. Quality side.
Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season
If you were questioning me, your judgement is obviously quite sound.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
Cody Walker is certainly the exception rather than the rule. But best of luck to Fogarty. I hope he has a ripper season and the Raiders make the finals. It’s just my opinion, which history suggests is incorrect most of the time.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
Being better than Sam Williams doesn’t make you a good player. And I’m not sure why you’re so determined to die on the Fogarty hill. This is a 28 year old player with less than 50 top grade games to his name. With the dearth of good halfback options going around in the NRL, if Fogarty ‘can play’ as you suggest, why hasn’t he? Where has he been for the last 7-8 years?
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
Love the passion. I haven’t seen someone so ‘milk drunk’ since my baby stopped breastfeeding.
Your spine looks good….in theory. In theory, [Insert Simpsons quote]. I know you were thinking it.
But what if Jamal Fogarty isn’t much good, as has been the case for the majority of his career? If he can’t manage the game and take the pressure off of Wighton, then we could see a replication of last season. And what if Josh Hodgson’s 2021 season wasn’t an aberration, but rather he’s an aging and declining hooker? Wiser men than yourself have bet and lost on older superstars reclaiming their former greatness, only to see them continue to fade.
And then we get to the fullback spot. CNK was an amazing revelation a couple of seasons ago. Injury last season robbed him of the chance to demonstrate that he’s still that player, and maybe he is. Or maybe he isn’t. So why not put Savage back there? He’s electric on his feet and amazing to watch. But I wonder what he’s like under the high ball? Or how he goes at lining up his defenders? Or how his positional play is like when the opposition is attacking?
Lots of questions. Consider Canberra written off!!!!
Looking forward to reading your Thursday rant again this year mate. Best of luck for the year ahead.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
Oh yeah I forgot about that Broncos prediction. I was only 16 places on the ladder off the mark with that one. If this were the Premier League, that’s not half bad.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
This is always the time of year for Canberra fans to sprint out of the line and lead with the chin. Gotta love it. Enjoy a 10th place finish and a few moral victories.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
Hi Geoff. I agree that Parramatta did have a couple of good wins against the Storm last season. But had they won just a few more of those games against the big boys, then they might have finished inside the Top 4. And history shows that finishing just a few spots higher has a massive impact on your chances of winning the comp.
In terms of the spine for the Raiders, I think the issue is that we are a couple of weeks out from the season, and there is still plenty of doubt about what combinations might be used. They could end up gelling nicely and having a good season, I just can’t see it at this stage.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
That was a smoke and mirrors extension. They just didn’t want to head into the season with Hook going into the final year of his deal. By extending him now, they take some of the pressure and focus off of him. But if they really had faith in him as their long-term coach, why give him just a 1 year extenstion?
If the Dragons are wretched again this season, Griffin will be out the door.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
You honestly think the Dragons might go alright?? I see them hitting rock bottom at the end of this year, punting Hook and getting in someone else to bring this crop of kids through.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
I take your point about McInness. But when the Storm allow a player of that caliber to walk out the door, they usually have 2 or 3 blokes lined up ready to take his spot. Andrew McCullough is likely to be St George Illawarra’s first choice hooker this season, and he is a major downgrade from McInness.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
I still haven’t forgiven them for MMMBop
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
I’ve heard Reece Walsh isn’t exactly the most popular bloke at Red Hill after the way he left the joint. Not sure they’d have him back.
High anxiety: 8 things making me nervous ahead of NRL 2022
Hi Paul. I agree with everything you said. The recruitment, retention and development at Newcastle has been on the nose for years. They are paying the wrong players, and as a result the team sucks on the field. When they do finally luck into a good player like Dom Young, he doesn’t want to saddle his future to the Knights. Hard to blame him. It’s a vicious cycle…
I would have preferred for Newcastle to let Ponga walk. Spend the money in other areas and focus on the next generation. The Knights are multiple seasons away from being competitive, so why waste that much cash on a bloke who gives a poor account of himself both on and off the field.
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023