Hunt becomes the Hunted: Dragons fall prey to desperation
I'm not sure who would have been more concerned by the performance of Ben Hunt on Thursday evening; the Dragons or the Broncos. While…
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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'm not sure who would have been more concerned by the performance of Ben Hunt on Thursday evening; the Dragons or the Broncos. While…
In the final edition of my season preview series, I take a look at four sides whose struggles this year could well send their…
In the third instalment of my season preview series, I delve into four ascending teams whose best football is still another 12 months away.…
In this era of talent and salary-cap clarity, what goes up must come down. In the second of my NRL season previews, I take…
Which teams are poised to step it up this season, and improve on their performance from 2016? With only a month to go until…
The regular season is done and dusted. As we prepare ourselves for the rigours of finals football, let's take a moment to look back…
With the 2016 NRL season drawing to a close, it's the perfect time to take a look back at some of the key points…
Culture is such a hollow, overused term in rugby league these days. Listening to a coach trying to explain team culture is like overhearing…
With recent media reports detailing allegations of match fixing, rugby league has been quick to point the finger of blame at the usual suspects.…
With Round 22 drawing to a close, there are still 12 teams capable of making the top eight in 2016. But who cares, right?…
I just don't know what to make of the Bulldogs in 2016. After 21 rounds of the competition, the Canterbury Bulldogs are well positioned…
Rugby league has tried (and failed) with a player draft in the past. With the concept such a massive success in the NFL, is…
Making predictions without the benefit of form, injury and players' scheduled court appearances is fraught with foolishness, but let's give it a crack anyway.…
The Australian pubic have spoken, and it seems that we have no faith in any particular political party to run our great country. With…
The recent signing of James Tamou to the Penrith Panthers on a deal worth around $800k a season was shocking. That's a massive amount…
It wasn't supposed to be this way. Not again. The Queensland team was supposed to be too old and slow. Adam Reynolds' kicking game…
There's something seriously wrong in Redfern, and I'm not just talking about the ibis infestation in the palm trees along Chalmers Street. On the…
With half a season of football now under our belts, One Week takes a closer look at how some of the new recruits are…
Round 13 concludes this evening, which means we have officially reached the halfway point of the 2016 NRL season. Instead of reminiscing on what…
With precious little in the way of club rugby league to discuss this weekend, and with State of Origin coverage reaching saturation point, I…
Hard to disagree with any of those. Especially your Origin prediction.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
It’s true. I am a hack. Panthers for the spoon.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
Canberra will slide, but you can’t honestly say that the St George Illawarra roster is stronger that the Raiders??
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
I wish the Panthers nothing but ill. I hope they are battling the Roosters for 8th spot, and then neither of them make it.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
I’d take Munster, Grant, Hughes and Paps over any other combo. Without hesitation.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
Raiders look set for a slide. Their spine is a chiropractor’s wet dream. They’ll be lucky to avoid the bottom 3.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
Who else?
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
Sorry Jimmy. If it makes you feel better, I tipped big things for the Roosters, so they should slide. Helps me sleep at night
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
I prefer to go with the Mark Howard approach and refer to anyone over 6’0 as The Big Fella
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
Best spine in the comp, quality backline and a solid pack of forwards. That’s more than enough for Bellamy
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
It’s probably relative to other people’s expectations for him. Just like his whole career. Brooks will be just ok at Manly, when plenty are viewing him as the missing piece of their premiership puzzle.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure
But then who will coach the coaches to make sure they’ll are aligned???
Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity
I’m modern Origin, you can’t play centres in the centres. Just doesn’t work. If fullbacks aren’t available, conventional wisdom suggests beach sprinters or hobbled second rowers who have previously spent time in the centres ‘coming through the grades’.
Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity
I was going to suggest Rick Stone for the job but this scenario feels more plausible
Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity
Don’t rush him Muzz, he’s got a plan
Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity
Has anyone got Wayne’s number?
Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity
I’m not arguing that he’s not a good player. I’m arguing that being in that Penrith system is a major contributing factor to him performing at that level.
Will his defence have the same urgency if those around him aren’t as committed as his former teammates? Will his attacking skills look as sharp if the service from dummy half and halfback isn’t as sublime as he’s used to? And if he’s playing longer minutes (have you seen Canterbury’s bench?) will his runs have the same venom??
Just asking….I’ve occasionally been proven wrong before (see Cowboys, North Queensland).
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
I really hope you’re right about the Roosters! Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to see them underachieve and miss the 8….
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
Comparing any team to Pearce is a bit rough to be honest….I really hope he comes back for a Rooster swansong so I can go back to hating him and that club in peace.
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
Morning Barry. Always love your feedback mate.
Regarding Kikau, I could have pecked out a thesis on the things he did well at Penrith. An edge back rower that call tally 10 tries and 10 try assists in the same season is a rare beast. I highlighted his defence on kick chase as this was something that stood out to me every time I watched Penrith play. They control field position like no other side I have seen, and Kikau was the primary driver of that. Not sure why that’s odd, but to each their own. And in terms of him being a dud buy but still ravaging Penrith’s roster, I just feel he holds much more value to the Panthers than to the Dogs. He will be a bigger loss to Penrith than a gain to Canterbury.
And I think the Origin logic holds up. Talent trumps spirit. I agree that it won’t be as lopsided this year than the dynasty v Pearce years, but the best of NSW is far better this year than the best of QLD. Just my opinion, but I’ll put a case of beer on it if you like?
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
It’s a long season. That bloke who couldn’t crack the Dogs team is being replaced next week by the current Golden Boot winner and arguably one of the best players in the comp
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
Injury luck……but I hope all those things you listed happen as well! Except maybe Tino. I don’t mind the mullet.
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
Twice the amount of tears
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
I really wish I could spend more time in QLD, but honestly I can’t afford it. All of that extra toothpaste, multiple hats, tubes and tubes of sunscreen. Having two heads must be expensive, especially with the cost of living these days.
The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check
If you make enough predictions, one of them is bound to be correct.
Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure