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Tim has been an NRL statistician for ABC Radio Grandstand since 1999, primarily as part of their Canberra coverage. Tim has loved rugby league since Sterlo was a kid with lots of hair but was cursed with having no personal sporting ability whatsoever. He couldn't take a hit in footy, was a third division soccer player making up numbers, plays off 41 in golf and is possibly the worlds worst cricketer ever. He has always been good at arguing the point though and he has a great memory of what happened. Follow Tim on Twitter @GorskiOPork
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The brazen inequity in the polar treatments of Queensland forward Josh McGuire and Canberra Raiders rookie Hudson Young shouldn’t anger or confound supporters of the various teams that play under the banner of the National Rugby League.
Once more the Queensland Maroons have shown the NSW Blues just what it takes to win an Origin match: game smarts and relentless effort.
There are a few things in the rugby league world that you can set your clock by.
“You do know I used to have a… problem… with trying to kill people…”
It’s only the end of Round 9 and already 13 of the NRL sides can pretty much be written off.
If history is a guide – and it is – this ‘Magic Round’ will need to be really magic if sides outside the current top eight are any chance of September appearances, let alone glory.
There is no question the players in each NRL side are a vital part of the rich tapestry that makes up our beloved game.
We are now a quarter way into season 2019. The form is starting to sort itself out. So how does each team look so far?
“Rugby league is a professional game run by amateurs”.
This is now the Brisbane Broncos’ equal second-worst start to a season ever and, barring a miracle, I cannot see it getting any better.
Before I begin, let me say this: the 2019 NRL draw is an improvement on last year’s.
There has been a lot of talk recently about relocating a team from Sydney to either greater Brisbane or Perth.
Just a month ago I predicted that the 2019 NRL premier would come from the usual suspects, with my tip being the Roosters to be the first side to go back to back since the Broncos in 1992-1993.
Cam Smith is right. There. I said it.
While I thoroughly support Todd Greenberg’s line in the sand in regard to player behaviour, I am very worried that it could have the consequence of attacking the civil liberties and rights of players.
The game of rugby league is littered with tales of players who were the next big thing but somehow failed to live up to the hype.
With three weeks until the 2019 NRL season starts, many of us are filled with hope that our team will do really well. Maybe they’ll even challenge for the premiership.
When juxtaposed against the NRL’s release of each club’s relative third-party sponsorship amounts, the deregistration of Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe and the accompanying massive fine of the club last year shows just how deep the divide is between the NRLs haves and have-nots.
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you will always be victorious” – Sun Tzu.
Nice to see we agree on something 40/20
McGuire escaping suspension shows the NRL doesn't care what you think
So He is a repeat offender. A recidivist. Yet you and Annesley want to argue who the person is should be removed from the evaluation?!?!
that is totally illogical. That is bizarre.
We have weighting’s for previous offenders, yet they and you are trying to remove that logic from this case???
WTF?
McGuire escaping suspension shows the NRL doesn't care what you think
The difference in opinion is they barely punish a clear recidivist while massively punish another.
You can quibble all you want – like Annesley does – about the nuances of those deliberately interfering with an opponents face of you like. I won’t. He’s continually doing it. They aren’t stopping it. They clearly aren’t consistent either. It’s appalling. But go ahead and quibble.
McGuire escaping suspension shows the NRL doesn't care what you think
I’ve got no issue with Hudson Young’s suspension. Nor do I say any such thing. Further, as you’ll see from my articles, I’m a bit of a QLD fan.
What I have an issue with is one bloke getting five weeks and another – with multiple priors – some very recent – getting nothing whatsoever.
That’s a pretty reasonable position.
What isn’t a reasonable position is defending the non suspension of a recidivist grub on technicalities like you are doing.
He is clearly not concerned about contrary conduct fines at all. He’s still acting like a total grub, putting his hands where they have absolutely no business being. Suspension might get through to him though.
And as for my historical and continuing objection to players deliberately attacking the genitals of their opponents, I most certainly am vocally against it and disgusted by it.
The question here Nat is why aren’t you? You a fan of the squirrel grip champ? You reckon it’s got a place in the game? That’s pretty poor pal.
McGuire escaping suspension shows the NRL doesn't care what you think
So you’ve got no issue with it being the 5th documented time he has interfered with a player’s face? The second this season. You reckon it’s all ok because it wasn’t a deep gouge and in spite of his clear recidivist ways?
All good with you, Nat?
McGuire escaping suspension shows the NRL doesn't care what you think
Which bit is trolling Dennis?
I’ve provided logical arguments to back up my position.
How is it trolling?
What is your definition of trolling?
Of course Queensland will win Origin. They always do
Of course Queensland will win Origin. They always do
I agree, and I’ve said it before: https://www.theroar.com.au/2017/05/25/state-of-origin-belongs-to-queensland/
Of course Queensland will win Origin. They always do
I clearly wasn’t saying that one group replaced the other…
And apologies to Thurston for his glaring absence
Of course Queensland will win Origin. They always do
Yes they are. So they are technically well up this list.
NRL free-to-air time: How does your team fare?
Oh, I watched the whole thing.
This is what Annesley said:
“I don’t want to see more penalties. I don’t want to see more players in the sin bin. There’s been no instruction to the referees to blow more penalties or send more players to the sin bin. But this is an emerging trend, and if the trend continues to emerge, then you would expect that the referees would have to adjust accordingly. That’s in their hands on a game-by-game basis.”
Last night the Eels gave away four consecutive penalties in their red zone and there was no Sin Bin.
Usually the use of the pseudonym would be relevant, but you and you’re mate are supporting the Moore Park HQ line, while trashing my argument and not backing it with any counter argument. I think it is fair to ask who you actually are. It’s quite relevant.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
I think that does make a big difference.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
I mean, I’ve only been closely monitoring these statistics for a decade Don.
Your one example – if true – is very nit picky. At best it is using an outlier to try and disprove the prevailing logic.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
You are preaching to the choir Rossi!
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
But what happens when the attacking sides makes an error?
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
I do not look forward to writing this year’s Christmas letter…
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
Oh, I don’t take it to heart Baz.
Just calling them out for being the anonymous spanner throwers they are, who run a line closely congruent with the attitude that NRL HQ would like adopted by the fans (sit down, shut up, everything is awesome!) and hacking on me as if my having an agenda of wanting the rules of the game actually enforced is a bad thing.
Calling fake news from behind a pseudonym is a very effective tactic these days. I simply want them to put up or shut up.
Oh, and maybe tell us who they actually are too. Until that point paying any attention whatsoever that comes from these two is very low on my agenda.
I view it as low rent trolling.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
Interesting story Adam. I’m a Brumbies season ticket holder for two decades.
I must admit the rules and the culture are a bit of a mystery still to me.
Back in 2013 I got a call while at a game from my ABC boss saying he needed me to do the sideline for the super rugby match the next weekend.
The member next to me asked why I was so concerned about that. to which I replied “All I know about rugby is how to drink beer and yell incoherently. I’m not sure that’s going to go well in that role…”
No surprise that our own Brett McKay does that gig now!
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
Well go ahead argue away!
and yes, I am saying that makes a difference.
clearly I am.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
what papi smurf said.
its just the way the game is being policed.
don’t hate the player. hate the game.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
It can’t just be that Randy. It’s because they played a good brand of footy.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
I’m not sure why I bother. Probably because I’d been drinking…
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
Absolutely. You don’t come 16th in that count without playing a really great brand of footy. The Broncs are regularly low conceders and should be rewarded and praised for that.
Spare us this 'emerging trend' rubbish, Annesley. Deliberate cheating is entrenched
As above Champ, What?
Of course it’s emotive! If you tell a kid not to do something because it’s bad and he does it again, you are more strident the second time. By the fifth occasion, when he has continued to do it unabated and previous measures clearly haven’t stopped the actions, if you don’t a) view the recidivist behavior subjectively and b) impose a greater punishment that takes into account that the previous ones didn’t amend the behavior then you are a rank idiot.
To have the temerity, the gall, to suggest that each incident should be viewed in isolation of each other is pathetic.
There is no loading or carry over for fines for contrary conduct. Annesley is using pathetic and flimsy spin to try and explain away the NRLs inconsistent, ineffective and pathetic handling of the matter. And your sucking it all up.
And then trying to claim I’m only saying all this through my supporter bias…
With all due respect, I question both your intelligence and integrity.
McGuire escaping suspension shows the NRL doesn't care what you think