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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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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.
Before the start of the 2017 season, I declared that the Indigenous All Stars match – in its form at the time – was a “careless misuse of players and borders on being insulting to the very Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians that it is meant to be celebrating.”
The Canberra Raiders have had some superb captains; Dean Lance, Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Alan Tongue and Jarrod Croker. You can now add Josh Hodgson to that list.
Sometimes I feel like if I ever see another Haka again it will be too soon.
There have been lots of NRL supporters who’ve been gleefully watching the steaming excrement sandwich that has been unfolding on the northern beaches over the past five seasons.
This Saturday evening the Kangaroos will clash with the Kiwis in a rugby league Test match. In seasons past I’ve really looked forward to these clashes as they were heated and intense affairs.
Somehow the NRL Match Review Committee managed to only charge Cameron Munster with ‘Contrary Conduct’ for kicking Joseph Manu in the head in the dying moments of the NRL grand final.
So here we are at the final game of the season. I’m not feeling a lot of love for either of these sides out there. However, both are very deserving participants.
Nothing from 1997 is recognised as it was a split competition.
It was a wasted year. No one won. Everyone lost.
There was no good and evil.
It was just two very rich men arguing over tv rights and using us all as pawns.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is still deluded.
The NRL quarter season report card
Just calling it as I see it. The Eels attack is better.
The NRL quarter season report card
Not an error. 1997 counts for nothing. It was a waste year.
The NRL quarter season report card
They’ll improve for sure. But the loss to the Dragons said a lot for mine.
The NRL quarter season report card
It was a sub editor error. In that the sub editor failed to rectify my error…
The NRL quarter season report card
You mean for his alleged behaviour
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
Or have the confidence to invest with a CEO who adopts these sort of legal strategies…
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
we have how they’ve conducted the defence. Do you reckon it’s been good? Competent? Effective?
And they are the ones in charge. The buck stops with them.
Who they got the advice from was up to them as they run the place and were selected for their supposed suitability and skills.
But you are right in one thing: I bet someone else gets thrown under the bus
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
But you just don’t get it. If you are going to do it then it must be based on logic that can get through the courts! And you should have people making that strategy who are capable of making it.
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
He has been financially penalised : $90,000 for no origin games.
Just because he’s been charged doesn’t mean he is guilty. Just because they are police doesn’t mean they are right.
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
Again, just because they are charged doesn’t mean they are guilty!
What part of that don’t you understand?
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
BAZ, you can’t stand someone down over allegations for which – as made clear – there are no established facts. Just hearsay.
I refuse to castigate someone on the basis of hearsay.
You only truly understand the paramount importance of innocent until proven guilty when you are innocent of the crime of which you have been accused and people are assuming you aren’t and trying to punish you based on their presumptions, with no due and proper process.
If De Belin is found guilty his punishment will far outweigh anything the NRL can do. But if he’s found not guilty he will sue the NRL until they bleed and he’ll be right to do it.
Populist, knee jerk actions can not be the hallmark of a professional administration.
I had assumed we’d see a half decent defence of their actions. I’m stunned by what they’ve dished up. Who even thought going to court with these arguments was a proper and reasonable course?
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
You know what the worst thing about this is? My University opus was on the House of Un-American Activities Commission…
I feel great shame…
'It's Mabo. It's the vibe': The NRL's Federal Court defence
Like I said: simple
The 2019 Brisbane Broncos are struggling and it won't get any better
I’m a huge McCullough fan.
The 2019 Brisbane Broncos are struggling and it won't get any better
With travel included, over last five years, it’s one in ten win. Huge huge difference. Almost a guaranteed loss.
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
The actual win loss records
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
Are you actually saying it makes no difference about five day turn arounds?!? All of the data indicates it makes a huge difference. It massively disadvantages the side with the short break and equally advantages the side receiving them. Innthis years farce the Rabbitohs and Panthers get MASSIVE advantage.
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
A good point. Melbourne to Sydney I classify as significant. Maybe I shouldn’t…
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
But it’s a different audience too.
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
I thought I’d made that point. Obviously not clearly enough GH.
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
But they have lots of 6pm Friday spots which translate to 8pm in their market.
The 2019 NRL draw analysed: Sydney clubs easily get the best deal
Panthers maybe
The NRL quarter season report card