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Joined September 2015
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After looking at the clubs that defected to Super League and those that remained loyal to the ARL, this time, I want to review the fates and fortunes of the representative teams as well as Super League’s World Club Championship.
Following Part 1, which focused on the clubs aligned to the Super League, I’m now going to look back on the ARL and their clubs, including the joint ventures that followed the Super League war.
Due to COVID-19, the 25th anniversary of the last great disruption to the game – the Super League war – has passed with little comment.
Michael Lamonato penned a recent article about the excessive Formula One schedule.
On the week before the AFL finals six teams must travel interstate for their clashes. Facing a potential elimination match the following week against an opponent who may have had a much more restful preparation, it is an unfair situation that must be rectified.
So, given that there was a Newcastle side in 1908-1909, and the Knights wore their uniform in heritage round in 2008, are Newcastle a heritage club that had a long break?
September footy and the battle for the wooden spoon
If you’re going to count both St George and St George Illawarra, then you can’t ignore Illawarra. Most recent spoon : 1989.
September footy and the battle for the wooden spoon
Probably a good thing if those emails are from Tyrone May
NRL Round 13 teams: Mass changes for Tigers, Fifita back for Broncos
I wouldn’t replace either of them. Vettel is arguably the sport’s greatest ever front-runner, but bog-average when going toe to toe with other drivers. Still, bad luck for Perez.
Perez or Stroll? The obvious sometimes isn't what eventuates
The team getting caned would surely still want to improve their points tally in this system. It’s still an opportunity for them.
Why it's time to ditch percentage from the AFL ladder
When I saw the headline, I was worried that I wasn’t allowed to laugh. Crisis averted.
The Broncos' decline is no laughing matter
Are all of those series part of the Championship? I thought it was only three home and three away series?
Cricket Australia's treatment of Bangladesh is an insult
A five point win isn’t exactly a blowout.
Michael Maguire says blowouts are due to fitness, not rules
I imagine Wigan must’ve been seen as a threat pre-tournament, and they did win their first game, creating a bit of false hope.
Super League revisited: Rep teams and World Club Championship
I felt like I only scratched the surface too.
Super League revisited: Rep teams and World Club Championship
Couldn’t catch, couldn’t tackle. And Warren Ryan had already worked with him,so he had no excuse.
Super League revisited: Rep teams and World Club Championship
But what has happened season after season with trainers is not a loophole, rather rules limiting their presence simply not being enforced. The specific rules are listed on every second Tim Gore article. 😉
Roosters coach urges NRL to rethink rule changes
Wouldn’t John Hopoate-era Wests Tigers be a better ‘fit’?
Tool's company: Why the Knights are a progressive rock band from California
I associate John Hopoate-era Wests Tigers with Tool.
Relax, turn around, and take my…
Tool's company: Why the Knights are a progressive rock band from California
The end of three grades in a day completely kills it from happening again.
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
You’ve given me an idea for another article. When (if) I ever finish this series, I want to do an article called ‘Why Your Side is the Best (and Worst) Ever’, with each team’s claim to fame (and shame). I don’t mind if someone uses the idea first. For Manly, you could point to the longest ever run without a wooden spoon, and making at least one grand final every decade. St George would focus on 11 straight premierships, Souths on 21 premierships, Gold Coast on having the best theme parks within an hour of their stadium… I’ll keep quiet on my team until then.
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
You’re right; there has to be a balance, and Canberra went way too far in the size category, sacrificing agility. For NSW, there were just too many times that the starting side and bench would be stuffed with 80 minute second rowers who just didn’t have the explosiveness required as a collective for SOO. For Manly, I am likely being harsh on Fulton, given that they were probably getting squeezed by the salary cap, but it seems strange to sacrifice the front row so much as opposed to spreading the pain across all of the positions. If you look at Wayne Bennett’s career, he has a similar blind spot (Civonoceva, Lazarus, and Webcke notwithstanding).
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
Thanks. Honestly, I didn’t follow the Crushers saga enough to provide any more detail. Maybe the podcast at the top of the comments sheds further light on them.
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
And I can’t name a NSW side as good as the Qld sides, because Fulton kept selecting inferior teams… I know that’s not what you meant.
It was common for the Blues , under Fulton and others, to go with a “mobile forward pack” despite Origin history not supporting that approach. I can’t be bothered to go through the talent pool during those seasons and highlight props who should have been in the 17, but I stand by my remark.
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
Fact: Manly won 15 straight games.
Fact: Sydney Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos won 20 team comps.
Fact: I didn’t romanticize the Tigers, Wests, Illawarra and Norths.
Fact: Manly were damn good and had many admirable players (in particular, Daniel Gartner was massively underrated), but I had a lot of fun writing their section.
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
Quality post, and I’m going to cover a few of the topics in upcoming articles. I almost feel like copying and pasting your remarks.
Super League revisited: The ARL clubs
Yeah, that’s not going to happen.
Who should replace the Mariners?