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Joined August 2020

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Rugby League. History. Culture. @themessengerrl on Instagram and Twitter.

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I think you’re only looking at this from a narrow perspective, taking Gould’s arguments and turning it into a “what if” discussion point.
Where the core of the idea is, why should an organisation or business invest in development and profile of an asset that will benefit your main competitor. If you’re talking about professionalism and sport as a business this is a key consideration. Using the argument that Gould went from club to club is limited, because it’s remaining in the same eco-system, rather than to go sign against an industry competitor.
I don’t have an issue with the young bloke leaving to be paid more, as is his right to do the best deal for himself, but the Sport is also within its rights to look after its own interests. At the end of the day no-one wants to be someone else’s doormat or stepping stone.

Wallabies should take their pick of the Bulldogs litter if Gus will tell rugby code-hoppers to ‘go now’

I suspect Lyon would’ve fared better against Inglis than some of the others NSW picked, but I don’t think it would’ve derailed Queensland’s dominance. So even if he put his hand up for selection, he would’ve been on a hiding to nothing.

Definitely looked better carving up opponents in a Manly jumper than licking wounds in a NSW one.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Thanks for reading! Appreciate it.

What was the best NRL rookie class of the 2000s?

Great question.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Fair call — a lot of love for Morris in particular.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Gasnier and Hodges seem like the crowd’s addition to the three-quarter line, for sure.

Hodges off the bench is a thought — tireless dummy-half runner too.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Parker in 2015 was probably the best forward in excellent Queensland and Brisbane teams. Very unlucky to miss. Eighteenth man for sure!

I love that back row you’ve posed — skill and mongrel. Glenn Stewart was a favourite.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

My initial thought was the ’80s, but I think that’s coloured by fabled old Origin highlights and Tina Turner commercials and all that. But then like you say, guys like Lewis and Mal Meninga too sneak into the ’70s.

Then I can’t claim to have anywhere near enough knowledge to stretch further back than that.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Yeah I agree that Hodges and Parker are the big exclusions (personal bias preferred Lyon and Graham on the bench).
Also I’m definitely not claiming this to be the best decade ever — simply that these are the best players to have made their debut within this decade.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Good read — I love the approach to finance.

Reggies, expansion, the conference system and the Amco Cup

That’s true, but he formed a potent combination with Inglis at his peak. Brett Morris and Brent Tate are the unlucky ones to miss.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

I think you’re on the money with both — the two keeping them out (Lyon and Graham) are shameless personal favourites. A less biased selector would adopt your recommendations.

I’m weighing up 2010s or 1980s next. Each have their own challenges (2010s because careers haven’t fully formed; 1980s because eligibility is muddy and my memory doesn’t stretch back far enough).

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

Winger was one of the weaker positions for depth — I had Brett Morris and Manu Vatuvei as the next two specialists who played a full career on the wing.

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

One of my favourites… possibly for different reasons 😂

The best rugby league rookies of the 2000s

It would be a classic match to watch — the teams ooze rep quality. Class of 2000 is certainly the stronger team across the park but I agree that Bellamy is an integral factor.

What was the best NRL rookie class of the 2000s?

That’s fair — 2000 is certainly the strongest team one to 17, especially with those established combinations taken into account. Personally though I’d find it too hard to bet against any side with the three huge names 2002 boasts.

What was the best NRL rookie class of the 2000s?

I might — this series started as a lockdown project, and seven weeks later that doesn’t show any signs of letting up, so I might just keep going!

I’m also tempted to go back to the ’80s but that might be stretching my knowledge too thin.

What was the best NRL rookie class of the 2000s?

Yeah I really like this team too — solid.

Rugby league rookie cup: The class of 2009

😂 😂 I forgot to take tongue-twisters into account!!

What was the best NRL rookie class of the 2000s?

In the ’90s, I backed the more even class of ’92 (with monster forwards right through the bench) over the Andrew Johns-led class of ’93 — but the two future Immortals in the 2002 team convinced me to flip that logic this decade.

Love the Glenn Stewart comment 😂 and I agree, ’03 is definitely the first team I’m buying a ticket to watch.

What was the best NRL rookie class of the 2000s?

Thanks for the kind words! Really appreciate the positive feedback.

Rugby league rookie cup: The class of 2009

Is a suplex a sinbin-worthy offence in 2021?

Rugby league rookie cup: The class of 2009

I’m referring to McGuire — he’s had the reverse Midas touch in 2021.

I’m with you on Ah Mau, very dependable player for a long time.

Rugby league rookie cup: The class of 2009

Given his win-loss record this season, he’d be lucky to get a start in the 17!

Rugby league rookie cup: The class of 2009

At least the coach isn’t responsible for recruitment here!!

Rugby league rookie cup: The class of 2008

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