An opportunity awaits the NRL
This year opened the door for scrutiny over various aspects of the competition, including player welfare, maintaining interest, expansion and development.
Join The Roar
Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
Oops! You must provide an email address to create a Roar account
When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address
By joining The Roar you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
Login and get Roaring
Oops! You must provide an email address to create a Roar account
When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address
Roar Rookie
Joined May 2017
3.9k
Views
9
Published
7k
Comments
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away' [Henry David Thoreau]. I'm a bit of a sports addict, love competition.
Published
Comments
This year opened the door for scrutiny over various aspects of the competition, including player welfare, maintaining interest, expansion and development.
With the top eight settled for 2020, there are eight other teams for whom dreams of a better 2021 beckon.
A prolonged disenchantment with officiating dynamics has driven me to consider and explore some radical system changes.
In my youth I had several epiphanies that could have made me rich if I had been more of a doer than a thinker back then, so you’ll understand that nowadays I put my random musings to paper.
When all is said and done with this world, and there is just Heaven and Hades, cricket will still be played.
After a difficult series with India, a series against Sri Lanka and a coming Ashes series, there is a wealth of articles providing guidance for our troubled and apparently confused selectors.
This is a short and light article, nothing to challenge Dr Sheldon Cooper or the like. I didn’t set the world on fire in my physics classes.
The NRL draw is a shambles and opens the door for unwelcome suspicion that favouritism exists.
Mitchell Peace is returning to the State of Origin arena, sparking further division and debate about his impact and success.
My comment didn’t include the obligatory silly face… Actually shows just how low the bar is for allrounders.
There is really only 4 serious allrounders in the world ATM.
Will Pucovski ruled out of Gabba Test as Australia confirm XI
Nice pick up, for me things look even better for Souths in 2021.. as long as Latrell Mitchell doesn’t go down, Allan was a better than decent back-up.
Mansour inks two-year deal with South Sydney
According to the ICC rankings, Starc is one of the best all-rounders in the world (#6) and best in Australia….
Will Pucovski ruled out of Gabba Test as Australia confirm XI
Rats.. bad luck to Puc, but he’ll be back soon.
Harris??… I remain less than enthusiastic, but good luck to him. All focus on Wade.
Will Pucovski ruled out of Gabba Test as Australia confirm XI
Looking for ward to this, but the weather outlook isn’t promising with potentially 3 days of rain.
Brisbane decider is biggest Test in Australia for 17 years
Moises is a good call, in at #6 and see what he makes of his chance. And I’m also happy for Green to get a long rope. My point is that sooner rather than later he needs to be threatening with the ball or move him to #5. I wouldn’t take Starc out though, he is a weapon. Needs to be handled better by Paine.
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
Happy to stick with Green a while. But if he isn’t posing a threat with his bowling ultimately he needs to be considered as a batsman #5.
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
good point, but he could also bat better than the guys on the batting list…
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
Fair point. But we did throw Puc in at #1 and Green is hardly an allrounder atm.
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
With who?? I’m happy to consider all comers.. my point is that Green would be almost as good as any batter you could pick at the moment and Neser is possibly then next best allrounder ATM.
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
True, but are you seriously calling Green an allrounder at the moment? He can’t buy a wicket
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
Think outside the box. Middle order batsmen aren’t getting runs, Neser could get just as many and strengthen the bowling options.
Warner, Pucovksi/Wade, Labu, Smith, Wade/Head/Green, Green/Neser, Paine, Starc, Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood.
Australia's fourth Test selection headaches
As an advocate of Neser, why not promote Green to #5, Neser to #6 (he’ll make as many runs as Wade or Head) and keep Starc….
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
Nice article Scott, but I can’t agree. No doubt Starc wasn’t at his best but the conditions weren’t the best for him and he was used poorly with poor tactics/instructions. He bowled quite well at times without luck. If the captain could catch as well as he sledges Starc could have made the breakthrough that could have won the game. On his day he is a weapon and needs to be there, hence the additional value of having an bowling allrounder in the squad. Who BTW, even with a much vaunted reputation for being a wicket taker has failed to even create a decent chance in three tests. The Sydney test showed more about Paine’s deficiencies than Starc’s so CA, coach and selectors need to be addressing other areas first. It was almost Headingly all over. The other question is would they really consider an untried Neser in a crucial test? That would be foolish IMO, unless they want to promote Green to #5 as a batter (he’s not taking wickets anyway) and put Neser in at #6 (considering he’d get as many runs as Head or Wade have in the middle order). Get Paine using his bowlers better and smart as well as telling Green he needs to lift with his bowling is a better path than dropping Starc. We’ve done that before only to be crying out for his return.
Mitchell Starc should be dropped for Brisbane
I don’t like Cleary’s chances this year. Some disharmony? with regulars pushed out and others on the way, opposition knowing their game better and no Barrett. Penrith, thought they did well, seem very predicable. A lot of get close and kick. They’ll be out of the top 4 in 2021, likely 5 and no banana.
Ivan Cleary is under a unique pressure to win an NRL comp
True, there was always glimpses to keep the selectors justified. I seem to recall a couple of 90’s that were very impressive, one at the WACCA against the Windies?? or was that after his first ton?? can’t remember and not pressing enough to research.
Don't dare drop them – Cameron Green and Will Pucovski deserve long Test stints
I hope not. True allrounders should embrace their gifts and apply themselves to develop each discipline to the highest level.
Don't dare drop them – Cameron Green and Will Pucovski deserve long Test stints
And so they should. I’m a huge fan of the allrounder – the true allrounder – not and ODI quasi-allrounder. A guy who can hold his own with two of the major 3 ‘disciplines’. A team should have 6 batsmen, 5 bowlers (for variety, exploit all conditions, cover) and a keeper.
Don't dare drop them – Cameron Green and Will Pucovski deserve long Test stints
Agreed. Steve Waugh got the longest rope I have ever experienced, some 20 or so tests before his first ton?? That seemed to pay off. I would say that I’d like to have seen Green a bit more threatening with his bowling by now, but I’m sure that will come.
Don't dare drop them – Cameron Green and Will Pucovski deserve long Test stints
Stating the obvious, but the first session will be critical. Australia need to be back well in the drivers seat by day’s end, possibly even batting again if a result is to be achieved, so early wickets will be crucial. Let these two (Rahane and Pujara) get some form and runs and they can turn the game.
Aussies leave door ajar but remain in driver's seat at SCG
Totally agree. I think the selection discussion (who made way for WP) did go to a toss up between Head and Wade, with Wade winning because he did a decent job opening and it gave the selectors an option of introducing WP in at #5. Also I think Head has disappointed more (and it’s not unrealistic to have expected more from him) as he is more the specialist bat (than Wade) and touted as a future captain. Regardless, Wade is now in the hot seat and only due to the lack of options, bubble and time frame could find himself safe regardless of his second innings whatever. Personally – though I was vocal in supporting the dropping of Head – I would prefer to see him in there (as long as he makes the necessary adjustments to his game). If Wade stuffs up again though, it may not hurt to bring in Head for the last test. Also in the spotlight is Green, who needs to take some wickets soon otherwise he is just another underperforming batsman.
Matthew Wade's latest shocking shot might be the end of the line
Hi BB. Didn’t Vidot spend some time with the Dragons??
The forgotten players: Gold Coast Titans
You’re squabbled out, no problem – will answer and not invite continuance.
The lack of a clear alternative indicates a problem in the club.’ – A misunderstanding between us, ‘Problem in the club’ doesn’t mean poor club off-field behaviour relating to the club, it was supposed to mean that there is a lack of players who stand out as leader/captains. In building around Pearce the club has obviously seen him as the long term leader (right or wrong) and not developed/acquired guys who are standout captaincy material – they obviously didn’t think they needed that. That is the problem, lack of standout alternatives – not behaviour.
Peace
Who should succeed Mitchell Pearce as Knights captain?
Manus has been a revelation and a pleasing one. I enjoy it a bit if someone climbs up from the pedestal against expectations. Well done. We need Puc and Green to establish themselves and find one more. I actually hope Head makes a comeback.
Marnus Labuschagne to the rescue as Australia's opening woes worsen