The Football (all sorts) Thread

[Bartrim]

Looks like the 'professional athletes' of Rugby League have outdone themselves this time. Well done Joel Monaghan!
Joel's puppy-lovin' antics will definitely have to be added to the 2010 version of NRL Hall of Shame Gallery (http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/nrl/photos/nrl-hall-of-shame-2009?selectedImage=13) on Triple M.

Remember we try to focus on the positive aspects or what we like from the various football codes not talk about the bad things.

[SamLoi888]

Remember we try to focus on the positive aspects or what we like from the various football codes not talk about the bad things.


I thought those PNG players looked awesome and mean in their uniforms. Intimidating fellas! :)

This is one for the wtf? book though....

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/rooster-jake-friend-caught-with-nursing-home-patients-valium-pills/story-e6frewt0-1225948806128

[Bartrim]

Benji Marshall is the greatest rugby league player in the world!!!!!!

[Fungal Infection]

Great effort by the Kiwis, if only Benji could do that on a more consistent basis. Maybe now it might force the Aussie selectors to pick on form rather than reputations (and that applies to the Aussie cricket selectors too).

[Bartrim]

I think Benji showed a lot of maturity in that game by not trying to win it with every touch of ball. Just tried to get NZ in good field position and then strike when he saw the chance.

[Sharky]

it was a crap game.. both teams where just dour....refereeing was lousy as usual
why wasnt the pommy ref in charge.....


.... aussie try not a try
two kiwi tries not a try... how can you miss a three metre forward pass that you score a try off.....

benji is good.. not the greatest.. he is way to inconsistant (not his fault, teams rely on him to much) at club level he manages to rise to certain occaisions...

disapointing game for a final...

[i_amtrunks]

disapointing game for a final...

I concur. The game was very poor for a final, the reffing even poorer, but that is what we have come to expect from NRL level refs.

That being said, the Kiwi's deserved their victory, Australia were flat, and we keep picking thugs and cheats, glad to see a side with Gallen, Bird, Myles, Leahroyd Lars etc get beaten.

Benji again was brilliant, one of the best players in broken play, he really needs to improve his consistency with his in game kicking and goal kicking.

[Sharky]

Benji again was brilliant, one of the best players in broken play, he really needs to improve his consistency with his in game kicking and goal kicking.

this i also agree with, i would even suggest taking the goal kicking off him, its too much next he will be running the water and coaching at the same time...

dont get me wrong i am not a benji hater, i just think the poor guy is depended on way to much then he should be, they expect his brilliance every time he touches a ball... any team he is in needs a quality support ball player that will take the pressure off him. he needs to be able to play a natural game and not try for majic every golden touch.. let him raom. inject himself when he wants to he will be a far more deadly player...

even at club level i belive farah and whoever the decide on no 7 next season needs to take more ball time... but then farrah is just as inconsistant as benji....

[Bartrim]

even at club level i belive farah and whoever the decide on no 7 next season needs to take more ball time... but then farrah is just as inconsistant as benji....

As a die-hard Tigers fan I agree that they need a more dominant 7. Thats why I think Moltzen is the answer over Lui. The Tigers problem is Marshall wants to go one way and Farah wants to go the other. They need a 7 that is confident enough to tell them both what way to go. Plus stats don't lie. 8 wins from 8 games with Marshall at 6 and Molten at 7

[i_amtrunks]

Totally agree Bobby, Moltzen is the tigers best option at 7, only problem is he such a junior player, would he really be able to command Farrah and Benji around the park?

And surely the Tigers can find a winger/centre who can kick halfway decent... most of them need something to do since they do so little in games! :p

[dirge]

Perhaps Benji is the _most talented_ player, with potential to be the best, if he maintain himself at his peak?

(Not advocating this POV by the way)

...Awesome win by Sunderland. Especially the goal by Onuoha.... great to watch over and over, that one.

[griffin]

What a turnaround in the A-league... one team went from top of last season's table (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_A-League#League_table) to the bottom this season (http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_ladder) (so far), while the two bottom teams from last season are currently the two top teams this season.

[Bartrim]

Who thinks Kevin Muscat could be in trouble... or should be in trouble.

I've always thought that when someone does something like that, then they should be suspended for as long as it takes the injured player to heal.

[Sharky]

Who thinks Kevin Muscat could be in trouble... or should be in trouble.

I've always thought that when someone does something like that, then they should be suspended for as long as it takes the injured player to heal.

yeah i believe that as well but odds on it wont happen..in his statement, he said it was mistimed.. very mistimed... i think that is still an understatement...

[Vector Prime]

NY Jets - Super Bowl's your destiny! :D

[5FDP]

NY Jets - Super Bowl's your destiny! :D

Ahhh, cool. Another NFL fan :D

Packers are through (my prediction came true) and I'm going for the Jets against the Steelers (game to start shortly) however the Steelers are favourites to make it through to the SB.

I would prefer a Jets v Packers SB over a Steelers v Packers game. Actually, I would prefer a Packers v 49ers SB mostly because I have been supporting the 49ers for over 17 years. I used to be a volunteer writer for the 49erswebzone (http://www.49erswebzone.com/commentary/46-salary-cap-49ers-toughest-opponent/) back in the early 2000's.

J-E-T Jets!

[Skullcruncher]

yeah i believe that as well but odds on it wont happen..in his statement, he said it was mistimed.. very mistimed... i think that is still an understatement...

Typical play from a Melbourne Victory player

[Vector Prime]

Ahhh, cool. Another NFL fan :D

Only a passing interest mate... but yeah, NY Jets are my team atm! :D

Back quite a few years ago when I used to follow the NFL, I was a Philly Eagles fan :o

Don't follow the NFL that closely anymore but still make an effort to follow some of it come play off time. :p

[i_amtrunks]

yeah i believe that as well but odds on it wont happen..in his statement, he said it was mistimed.. very mistimed... i think that is still an understatement...

Mistimed, as in he meant to hit him in the groin or chest instead?

Disgusting tackle from an angry, past his prime player.

On an unrelated note, is anyone heading to the Origin league game for QLD flood aid this week? It's a great line up for each team,. QLD look the far better team... as always! :p

[Sharky]

Mistimed, as in he meant to hit him in the groin or chest instead?

Disgusting tackle from an angry, past his prime player.

On an unrelated note, is anyone heading to the Origin league game for QLD flood aid this week? It's a great line up for each team,. QLD look the far better team... as always! :p

Believe it or not he hasnt changed any in the 20 odd years he has played.. i do remember he never liked to be tackled either.....ahh the good old days...

is that the legends origin match at parra stadium .??

i was thinking of heading out to that..

[Bartrim]

Ahhh, cool. Another NFL fan :D


L.A/St Louis Rams fan since 92. Even managed to score one of Jim Everett's training shirts as he is a friend of my dad's friend.

[5FDP]

Only a passing interest mate... but yeah, NY Jets are my team atm! :D

Cool :)

It's not looking too good for the Jets right now. 24 to 3 at halftime. Could have easily been 24 zip if it hadn't been for that field goal with 14 secs left in the half.

It's looking like a Packers / Steelers Superbowl :cool:


L.A/St Louis Rams fan since 92. Even managed to score one of Jim Everett's training shirts as he is a friend of my dad's friend.

Nooooice. Sorry about being a Rams fan though :p They did have a nice run with Warner as their QB. All good things...

[Vector Prime]

It's not looking too good for the Jets right now. 24 to 3 at halftime. Could have easily been 24 zip if it hadn't been for that field goal with 14 secs left in the half.
It's looking like a Packers / Steelers Superbowl :cool:


I know... :(

[Sleeve]

Ahhh, cool. Another NFL fan :D

Packers are through (my prediction came true) and I'm going for the Jets against the Steelers (game to start shortly) however the Steelers are favourites to make it through to the SB.

Freaking Packers........:mad: My Bears were so close.

[5FDP]

Freaking Packers........:mad: My Bears were so close.

If it wasn't for Cutler and his 'mysterious' injury that forced him from the game, they probably would've won. They only lost by a touchdown and that was with their third-string QB.

If I were Cutler, I'd get out of dodge real fast as the lynch mob is coming.

So.... it's a Packers / Steelers SB. Should be a good game.

[Bartrim]

Cool :)

Nooooice. Sorry about being a Rams fan though :p They did have a nice run with Warner as their QB. All good things...

Ha Ha:p. Actually going by the numbers Bulger was a better QB then Warner. Warner was at helm at the peak though. Him, Faulk, Bruce, Hakim, Holt, Proehl in offence. Mike Jones, London Fletcher, Aneas Williams, Dexter Mcleon and co on defence and Mike Martz leading the offence and the greates coach of all time in Dick Vermeil as the head it truly was "The Greatest Show on Turf". I used to love Warner's stats. After a quarter he'd have 12 completed passes to 8 receivers. Because he didn't favour anyone and they used to have so many players in motion noone knew who was getting the ball.:D

Ah the glory days, how I miss them:(

[dirge]

Typical Muscat. A very dirty player. This will probably be the end of his career, too.

[i_amtrunks]

Well I think the Legends of Origin match surprised everyone (especially the players), that was just like an official Origin match, QLD came out harder and faster, got out to a decent lead then ran out of puff in the alst quarter, allowing NSW to make it look closer than it was!

Nice to see Harrigan still refs the same too! :D

Ignoring the guys who just retired, Tallis, Lam, Blacklock and Peachy could still cut it in the NRL, funny to see how bad Fitler and Girdler have become in comparison to some of the older blokes who played tonight.

[optimus1]

I was also impressed at how good the Legends game turned out, after the initial run and giggle moat of the players got stuck in. QLD were the 1st off the blocks and NSW were on catch up.

Was good to see Tallis with his trademark hitups, Kerrod Walter's darts up the field, Campion and Spud's tackles :)

Andy Symonds showed he could cut it on the footy field, imagine him with the Broncos!

[Bartrim]

Ignoring the guys who just retired, Tallis, Lam, Blacklock and Peachy could still cut it in the NRL, funny to see how bad Fitler and Girdler have become in comparison to some of the older blokes who played tonight.

I thought exactly the same thing. When Lam made that break I laughed at Gary Jack and Eric Grothe trying to catch him:D

Really surprised at Fittler and Girdler. Alexander wasn't as fit as I thought he would be. Tallis impressed me. Now the only annoying thing is having to listen to him brag when the NRL season starts up again:p

[Bartrim]

Sam Bradford is a good chance of winning NFL rookie of the year:). Considering the only other QB to have better rookie stats then him is Peyton Manning I think he should be the winner.

[5FDP]

Sam Bradford is a good chance of winning NFL rookie of the year:). Considering the only other QB to have better rookie stats then him is Peyton Manning I think he should be the winner.

Yeah, I'll give you that although Devin McCourty had a much bigger influence with the Pats IMO. Bradford is the only rookie QB nominated and that normally is the trendy choice.

BTW - Less than a week to go until the Super Bowl :D I'm gonna get my drink on :cool:

[Bartrim]

Yeah, I'll give you that although Devin McCourty had a much bigger influence with the Pats IMO. Bradford is the only rookie QB nominated and that normally is the trendy choice.

BTW - Less than a week to go until the Super Bowl :D I'm gonna get my drink on :cool:

Granted I'm biased but to take a team as piss poor as the Rams and get them within one game of the playoffs, I think thats a pretty big influence.

At least I got to see a couple of Rams games this year because they played alright. Due to our limited NFL coverage and their poor performances over the past couple of years I haven't seen them play in about 2 years.

[5FDP]

Granted I'm biased but to take a team as piss poor as the Rams and get them within one game of the playoffs, I think thats a pretty big influence.

Yeah, one game from the playoffs in the piss-poor NFC West in which Seattle had the least amount of games won in history to make the Wildcard round ;) :p

(Don't mind me; I'm just bitter about the '9ers :()


At least I got to see a couple of Rams games this year because they played alright. Due to our limited NFL coverage and their poor performances over the past couple of years I haven't seen them play in about 2 years.

There are several websites that show all the games live for free. PM me if you're interested :)

[Bartrim]

Yeah, one game from the playoffs in the piss-poor NFC West in which Seattle had the least amount of games won in history to make the Wildcard round ;) :p

(Don't mind me; I'm just bitter about the '9ers :()



There are several websites that show all the games live for free. PM me if you're interested :)

Can't argue with that. I thought it was so stupid that the 11-4 Saints had to travel to play the 7-9 Seahawks in the wildcard match.

Yes I am interested in those sites... Just remind me in 10 months when the season starts up again:p

[5FDP]

Yes I am interested in those sites... Just remind me in 10 months when the season starts up again:p

Done and done. And I guarantee they are all 100% James Van Der Beek free :p

[Bartrim]

Done and done. And I guarantee they are all 100% James Van Der Beek free :p

Actually I wouldn't mind James Van der Beek on an NFL field. He'd get a bit of a hammering:D

[i_amtrunks]

No surprise it's a bulldog in trouble with the law.

And only 5 more days until the NRL supercoach kicks off for 2011! (Day after Superbowl airs here)

[Sharky]

Actually I wouldn't mind James Van der Beek on an NFL field. He'd get a bit of a hammering:D

two words... Varsity Blue..... where you can enjoy a breif moment of JVB smashings....

[Bartrim]

No surprise it's a bulldog in trouble with the law.

And only 5 more days until the NRL supercoach kicks off for 2011! (Day after Superbowl airs here)

Can you say scapegoat? I bet there are some high profile players involved that will be ignored while the less known stars like Tandy will be the ones with their careers flushed down the toilet. It serves them right but I think all the players should get equally punished.

[i_amtrunks]

Can you say scapegoat? I bet there are some high profile players involved that will be ignored while the less known stars like Tandy will be the ones with their careers flushed down the toilet. It serves them right but I think all the players should get equally punished.

I hope that it is Ayoub who gets put in jail, I really don't like that guy, it's always his players that are caught (not saying no-one else's players don't do anything wrong, but they don't get caught as much!)

I doubt Tandy was the mastermind, question is, what other Bulldogs were involved?

Paper reported 'hundreds' of bets made on the penalty goal option, yet they only search the house of Benny Elias? Very strange.

[Bartrim]

Another promising career cut short in the sporting world due to injury:(

http://www.weststigers.com.au/?s=article-display&id=33252&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

[Sharky]

thats a shame really Tuiaki was a strong fast winger and it is a career ending way to early

[Bartrim]

Naturally Thurston gets cleared by the cops:mad:

[Vector Prime]

Go the Steelers!! :D

[Sharky]

Naturally Thurston gets cleared by the cops:mad:

i do think tho if he was involved he would of taken the penalty goal....

[jazzcomp]

What about that scandal drunken incident overseas?

Go superbowl sunday!

[i_amtrunks]

i do think tho if he was involved he would of taken the penalty goal....

Yeah I have to agree, it would have been a dead give away then... (unless he had money on a Cowboys try being first score! :p)

To make Bartrim's week even better, Thurston is now captain of the indigenous all stars.

[Skullcruncher]

Anyone going to play NRL Dream Team?

[Vector Prime]

C'mon Steelers! You can do it... one quarter to play.

(Super Bowl XLV - In progress: 3rd - 0:47, Steelers 17 - Packers 21)

[fatbot]

C'mon Steelers! You can do it... one quarter to play.

(Super Bowl XLV - In progress: 3rd - 0:47, Steelers 17 - Packers 21)

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leuthtJThf1qf8yek.gif

HA HA HA!

[Vector Prime]

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leuthtJThf1qf8yek.gif

HA HA HA!

LMAO! :D

Oh well, my 'team' was already eliminated a few weeks ago...

[5FDP]

Well, the SB has finished and I'm a little tipsy to say the least. I should get a Lombardi trophy just for being able to type this :D Awesome game and even better result!

[Vector Prime]

Well, the SB has finished and I'm a little tipsy to say the least. I should get a Lombardi trophy just for being able to type this :D

Here you go mate! :D

[Bartrim]

Yeah I have to agree, it would have been a dead give away then... (unless he had money on a Cowboys try being first score! :p)

To make Bartrim's week even better, Thurston is now captain of the indigenous all stars.

Thanks for the goods news buddy:p

Yes I can't stand Thurston. A friend of mine knows him and apparently my thoughts of him are pretty accurate.

I believe that he was heavily involved in the incident. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the ring leader then double crossed everyone, getting them to put their money on a penalty goal and he watched the odds for a try blowout then put his money on a Cowboys try.

EDIT: Oh and well done Packers. To quote Homer Simpson's twitter "Congratulations Packers, you did it. Now the bad news, you still live in Green Bay":p

[mknell]

As the Rugby league season draws near so does the Dream Team Season
Anyone interested in joining me?

Join my Telegraphs' Sportsbet.com.au SuperCoach for NRL league. Follow the link below. My league code is 722736.

http://nrlfantasy.dailytelegraph.com.au/invite/722736

If there is 16 of us I can make a separate Ozformers league

[Sharky]

As the Rugby league season draws near so does the Dream Team Season
Anyone interested in joining me?

Join my Telegraphs' Sportsbet.com.au SuperCoach for NRL league. Follow the link below. My league code is 722736.

http://nrlfantasy.dailytelegraph.com.au/invite/722736

If there is 16 of us I can make a separate Ozformers league

alright i am in

[i_amtrunks]

I'll join sometime this week when I make my team up.

Makes all the normally dull matches interesting, as you want your selected players to play well!

[mknell]

I'll join sometime this week when I make my team up.

Makes all the normally dull matches interesting, as you want your selected players to play well!

Yeah I find this too

[Skullcruncher]

As the Rugby league season draws near so does the Dream Team Season
Anyone interested in joining me?

Join my Telegraphs' Sportsbet.com.au SuperCoach for NRL league. Follow the link below. My league code is 722736.

http://nrlfantasy.dailytelegraph.com.au/invite/722736

If there is 16 of us I can make a separate Ozformers league

I'm doing the one on nrl.com.... whats the difference? One better than the other?

[mknell]

I'm doing the one on nrl.com.... whats the difference? One better than the other?

I'm doing both, only main difference is SUpercoach also rewards attacking play better rather than mainly defence in NRL.com, would you like my league code for that one is: 220740

[Skullcruncher]

I'm doing both, only main difference is SUpercoach also rewards attacking play better rather than mainly defence in NRL.com, would you like my league code for that one is: 220740

Sweet joined! Whats your team name? Mines pretty obvious :o

Will have a look at the telegraph today as well.

[Bartrim]

Hopefully being in a league with you guys will help keep me interested passed round 6:p

[Skullcruncher]

As the Rugby league season draws near so does the Dream Team Season
Anyone interested in joining me?

Join my Telegraphs' Sportsbet.com.au SuperCoach for NRL league. Follow the link below. My league code is 722736.

http://nrlfantasy.dailytelegraph.com.au/invite/722736

If there is 16 of us I can make a separate Ozformers league

Joined too :) How many are ozformers?

[i_amtrunks]

Seems I got the last spot, Didnt see you in there Bobby... do we need a second comp?

[Bartrim]

Seems I got the last spot, Didnt see you in there Bobby... do we need a second comp?

Iacon Reds dude, thats me:cool:

Yes my given name is Roberto

[mknell]

OK in there are 10 non Ozformers, so 6 ozformers if there is any more who want to we can make a new league and move to there

[Bartrim]

OK in there are 10 non Ozformers, so 6 ozformers if there is any more who want to we can make a new league and move to there

I can see 5 ozformers
Me, You, Trunks, Sharky and Cruncher. Who is the 6th?

[optimus1]

Too slow!

I wouldn't mind if there was another comp :)

[mknell]

I can see 5 ozformers
Me, You, Trunks, Sharky and Cruncher. Who is the 6th?

Not sure but there was only 10 names I knew that were from outside Ozformers

But here's a new league :) 540015

Feel free to stay in the other league too if you want

[Bartrim]

Good thing we get unlimited trades before the start of the season as I had Anthony Cherrington in my team... poor bastard.

[mknell]

Good thing we get unlimited trades before the start of the season as I had Anthony Cherrington in my team... poor bastard.

Very much so

[Skullcruncher]

Not sure but there was only 10 names I knew that were from outside Ozformers

But here's a new league :) 540015

Feel free to stay in the other league too if you want


C'mon guys theres only 2 of us in the OTCA league! :p

[SharkyMcShark]

augh

[i_amtrunks]

Waiting for the team lists tomorrow before going back to supercoach, made too many changes as is!

[Bartrim]

Teams named. Only one change needed in my team as Jennings isn't playing.


Oooh it's getting close. Getting excited.:D

[i_amtrunks]

Needed to drop Friend, but he'll be straight back in when healthy.

Now to see how Thiaday handles being a prop, and how much Parker, Gallen and Luke drop in price in the first month.

[mknell]

Needed to drop Friend, but he'll be straight back in when healthy.

Now to see how Thiaday handles being a prop, and how much Parker, Gallen and Luke drop in price in the first month.

Thiaday should only be prop for 1 week, coz they say Hananat will be back by r2

[Bartrim]

There are definitely some interesting teams named. A lot of rookies getting call ups over seasoned players and new signings.

[i_amtrunks]

There are definitely some interesting teams named. A lot of rookies getting call ups over seasoned players and new signings.

Lots of niggling injuries to well known and established players, that should make rounds 2 to 4 very interesting seeing as we only get two trades a round... (not going to use mine up so quickly this year, last year I thought you had to use them or lose them!)

[Skullcruncher]

Teams confirmed - think im more excited about my dream team and super coach that the actual games - especially since the nrl gets no free to air tv time in melbourne. :mad:

Oh Rabbitohs and Warriors to make the GF!!! :)

[i_amtrunks]

So good seeing the Knights thrash the Panthers live at the ground with my missus in her Panthers jersey beside me!

There were alot of Knights supporters there, almost had the same feeling as a Newcastle home game.

And what an interesting finish to the A league season, Central Coast choked big time for the third time in six years!

[5FDP]

It's looking more and more like there will be no NFL (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnZGAy3hFGTexsvkeZ9nYBBDubYF?slug=ap-nfllabor) this year :mad:

[Bartrim]

So good seeing the Knights thrash the Panthers live at the ground with my missus in her Panthers jersey beside me!

There were alot of Knights supporters there, almost had the same feeling as a Newcastle home game.


The Panthers were really dissapointing. But overall a good set of games for round 1. Apart from Manly being their usual dirty selves. I enjoyed seeing the Storm beat them. Even though the Raiders ended up touching up the Sharks I did see some potential there. Just a couple of dropped balls ruined it for the Sharks.

I do like how the few teams that have been penalised for "new rules" like being offside at kickoffs and dropping the ball over the goal line on a line drop out complain to the ref. The ref yesterday had the best comment to Luke Lewis when he complained. "Mate it's not that hard. There's a big white line... Just stay behind it":D classic.

Now C'mon Tigers!


It's looking more and more like there will be no NFL (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnZGAy3hFGTexsvkeZ9nYBBDubYF?slug=ap-nfllabor) this year :mad:

Bring back the XFL:p (seriously though I am upset)

[Sharky]

Even though the Raiders ended up touching up the Sharks I did see some potential there. Just a couple of dropped balls ruined it for the Sharks.



the sharks were very disapointing, the first ten minutes showed how good they can be then they fell apart and self destructed... some dropped ball at crucial moments indeed, but you can see what they are dong. if those balls stick in up coming games they will be a different side. i have hope..

the halves were brobably the most disapointing both Wade Graham and Albert Kelly didnt seem to get involved enough and Graham looked a little out of position we may see Tim Smith in the side next week....

i few suprising results so far, tonights game will be interesting too...

[Skullcruncher]

Darn, I forgot the rabbitohs dont know how to tackle....... and the warriors using their little guys for the hitups.

Canberra are looking good already - quite a few media guys have said they are the team to watch. They are my 4th team (just after the tigers) :D

[griffin]

And what an interesting finish to the A league season, Central Coast choked big time for the third time in six years!

That was pretty impressive. At 95minutes it looked to be all over at 2-nil, then somehow Brisbane snuck in 2 goals, and then won the penalty shootout.
After a record 27 game undefeated streak, it was probably deserving.

[i_amtrunks]

That was pretty impressive. At 95minutes it looked to be all over at 2-nil, then somehow Brisbane snuck in 2 goals, and then won the penalty shootout.
After a record 27 game undefeated streak, it was probably deserving.

Definitely, the Roar should have won, and deserved to win with the season they had, plus what other team could get 50,000 to watch a gf? Melbourne maybe close, but if it was a Sydney home final, they would have struggled to get 25,000.

The Panthers were woeful, too much dropped ball, and too many players who were named at the last minute with no match practice under their belts.

Good to see the refs penalising for offside and over the line kicks, I think they are two very good inclusions to the rules, a back to basics approach that as long as they call in consistently will make the game better.

[Sharky]

Good to see the refs penalising for offside and over the line kicks, I think they are two very good inclusions to the rules, a back to basics approach that as long as they call in consistently will make the game better.

that was one of harrigans favorite penalties when he reffing he always stood on the sideline at kickoff... It was a good idea, so now he is boss it is no wonder it's getting a comeback and deserves to comeback to...

[i_amtrunks]

So NRL injuries have killed off any chance of continuing early form for the Knights, not that I think they would have beaten Manly then the Dragons anyway.

Tigers are looking worse for wear too, and the Panthers showed us again what happens when you put unfit and unready players into your squad.

Cowboys, Doggies, and sadly the Sharks are looking much improved on last season, I was one of many who hated the dogs throughout the noughties, but they have really turned the culture around (read: gotten rid of Mason and mates) and bought some great young talent to the club.

Also have a "friendly" in the soccer against Germany, without any huge name stars. What is the point?

[Bartrim]

So NRL injuries have killed off any chance of continuing early form for the Knights, not that I think they would have beaten Manly then the Dragons anyway.

Tigers are looking worse for wear too, and the Panthers showed us again what happens when you put unfit and unready players into your squad.

Cowboys, Doggies, and sadly the Sharks are looking much improved on last season, I was one of many who hated the dogs throughout the noughties, but they have really turned the culture around (read: gotten rid of Mason and mates) and bought some great young talent to the club.

Also have a "friendly" in the soccer against Germany, without any huge name stars. What is the point?

Tigers are alright. We've got a few players left. Sheens is going to blood some kid at halfback this week because Moltzen still isn't ready. I have no problem with this except it's against his junior club. They know what to expect from him.

Panthers (and Matt Elliot for that matter) could be in strife without Walsh though

[Sharky]

How unfortunate for CHris Lawrence, i really liked they way he played. i hope it works out on the positive for him i saw him playing origin this year.


a sharks man myself i must admit it is refreshing to see them playing some good football.. i was expecting a tough game against penrith and was a bit disapointed to see them hardley put up a fight.. in saying that.. if it was a sharks teams of old or even round one we would not of put 40 on them....

[i_amtrunks]

Panthers (and Matt Elliot for that matter) could be in strife without Walsh though

And if the reports are true and Lewis is out, the Panthers will be on the wrong side of a cricket score this week. Tahu needs to spend some time at Windsor gaining match fitness.

Dragons should also rack up plenty vs the Knights, Gidley is also unlikely to play.

Shame to see talent like Lawrence and Manu out for a long period of time.

[i_amtrunks]

So far so good Booby, you and I are top of the Supercoach table for now!

If only my tips were doing as well.

Also Bennett at Newcastle, as a Novocastrian supporter I feel conflicted. Four years is a reasonable time for Bennett to get Newcastle back into contention for finals football, but I feel sorry for Rock Stone who has done an exceelent job with what he was given after Smith stuffed the club over, and screwed over a lot of juniors and loyal players.

Here's to hoping Bennett getting the junior flow of players into the main squad moving again.

[Bartrim]

So far so good Booby, you and I are top of the Supercoach table for now!

If only my tips were doing as well.



Woo Hoo! :D

I didn't bother entering a tipping comp this year. Too hard. Apparently Geoff Daniella is out for the Tigers... will be interesting to see who they use to replace him.

So is Darius Boyd going to somehow fit into the Knights? and Idris is off to the Gold Coast.

Finally Orford was dropped for someone who has skills. Really must win games for the Raiders and Titans this week.

[i_amtrunks]

So is Darius Boyd going to somehow fit into the Knights? and Idris is off to the Gold Coast.

Utai is one lucky duck, he would've been back in reserve grade if it werent for all these injuries...

As for Boyd, as long as the Knights dont go for Snowden (too late) they can easily afford him. Any money Snowden becomes another one of those players who goes to the big bucks then gets complacent, and plays terribly for 2-3 years until the last year of his contract. Hopefully Bennett either vetoes his purchase, or drops him the second his form slumps.

Knights will lose Mad Dog and Naquima (should have never bought him, but Smith loved him) at season end, McDonnell can replace one, McManus should be fit soon and replace the other. Boyd goes to fullback, and Gidley can finally permanently move to 5/8, with Mullen and Henry fighting over the 7 jersey.

Should be interesting to see who Bennett keeps and who he boots. Now the coaching merry-go-round can start for Souths, Panthers etc. Manly will keep Hasler, and I think Stone will stay at the Knights as an advisor/lower grade coach, can't see another team wanting him.

[Sharky]

Snoweys move to the knights might not happen now anyway as bennett doesnt like paying over 300K for props...i even think it is in one of his contracts.

[Skullcruncher]

As a rabbitohs supporter I can see why bennet went to the knights - the rabbitohs with John Lang leading the way have gone backwards.

[i_amtrunks]

Lang is a great coach, but he is past it, his style of play does not suit todays faster game, and it doesn't suit the playing roster he has at the Bunnies.

He shouldn't have come out of retirement, but the bunnies needed someone to step up and coach them!

[Skullcruncher]

Lang is a great coach, but he is past it, his style of play does not suit todays faster game, and it doesn't suit the playing roster he has at the Bunnies.

He shouldn't have come out of retirement, but the bunnies needed someone to step up and coach them!

Yeah - hopefully they can secure magiure from wigan. Sure he has no track record here as a first grade coach but one would hope he will install some discipline at souths.... well he can try :rolleyes:

[Bartrim]

I believe Daniel Anderson is free:p

[i_amtrunks]

So Hayne should be gone for a few weeks, he has a history of headbutting.
Glad to see him spiralling further, shows that he is not what NSW or Australia need in their teams.

And I wonder what Ennis the grub said to get Hindy fired up? I think Ennis is another player that wont be making the NSW squad, half his own team would want to smash his head into the turf...

Sharky, I'm versing you in the NRL Supercoach this week, had a look at it just then, why didnt you pick your four subs??? :eek:

[Skullcruncher]

So Hayne should be gone for a few weeks, he has a history of headbutting.
Glad to see him spiralling further, shows that he is not what NSW or Australia need in their teams.

And I wonder what Ennis the grub said to get Hindy fired up? I think Ennis is another player that wont be making the NSW squad, half his own team would want to smash his head into the turf...

Sharky, I'm versing you in the NRL Supercoach this week, had a look at it just then, why didnt you pick your four subs??? :eek:

R7 is the crunchers v the moist machine..... :D Winner stays in the top 8 :D

[Sharky]

So Hayne should be gone for a few weeks, he has a history of headbutting.
Glad to see him spiralling further, shows that he is not what NSW or Australia need in their teams.

And I wonder what Ennis the grub said to get Hindy fired up? I think Ennis is another player that wont be making the NSW squad, half his own team would want to smash his head into the turf...

Sharky, I'm versing you in the NRL Supercoach this week, had a look at it just then, why didnt you pick your four subs??? :eek:

been very crook the last week and have neglected most things online for a week i barley made it out of bed to watch the sharks game.....

[i_amtrunks]

been very crook the last week and have neglected most things online for a week i barley made it out of bed to watch the sharks game.....

Would have been close in our match Sharky if you had've been well enough to pick a full 17 man squad.

Now for the Roosters to go wooden spooners - grand finalists - wooden spooners * in three years. Finally getting what they deserve for signing all the idiots and dirty players in the league.
They only need to sign Gallen, Ennis, Thurston, Rose, Matai and they'll pretty much have the world's grubbiest + cheapest team... :D

* if not for Parramatta being woeful, or if Canberra keep losing even now that Orford is out "injured"

[Sharky]

gutted with the news that Titans signed Luke Douglas today for less then what he gets now..

great young player and i saw him as a cronulla lifer after the club found him...

disapointed..

next loss snowden

then there goes the best pack in the comp...

[Bartrim]

Friday night football, the worlds best five eigth vs Darren Lockyer:p

[i_amtrunks]

next loss snowden

then there goes the best pack in the comp...

Not sure why the Titans are letting Friend go, but buying all these other big name an pricey players.

Where is Snowden meant to be going? Bennett doesnt want him at the Knights...

[mknell]

R7 is the crunchers v the moist machine..... :D Winner stays in the top 8 :D

Wooo you are up against my crap side

[Skullcruncher]

Wooo you are up against my crap side

Haha sure sure youre playing to win - and a good win it was. Oh well I should have more luck against the maggots this week :D

[i_amtrunks]

Any Panthers Fans here? They should be happy to hear Elliot is gone, he seemed to be a very polarising character.

Can't see Brown being a good fit for the club, but the Panthers Board seems to be mostly made of idiots, so they'll hire him. Des Hasler would be a good fit, but he is pretty well set at the Beagles, sorry Eagles.

[Skullcruncher]

Looks like sandow is off to parra.

Hopefully the bunnies can sign someone with a decent kicking game and organisaing skills.... Oh well I can wait a few more years for a premiership.... at least the warriors are slowly creeping up the table. :D

[optimus1]

Haha Sandow!

My workmate will be fuming at this news!

[mknell]

Haha Sandow!

My workmate will be fuming at this news!

I know I already am

[Skullcruncher]

I used to hate crocker before he joined the rabbitohs - loved seeing him giving penalties away but now hes just one of the team trying to get the 2 points.
Just as long as he doesn't do a tandy!!!:D now I dont know how any player would want him as a teammate or fan in their team!

[i_amtrunks]

If Parra are giving Sandow the reported 550K a season, then they deserve to be in the position they are. Hes a somewhat decent player, but no worth more than half that coin.

Souths also can be blamed, they overspent on bringing in new players and neglected to plan ahead for retention of players.

[mknell]

If Parra are giving Sandow the reported 550K a season, then they deserve to be in the position they are. Hes a somewhat decent player, but no worth more than half that coin.

Souths also can be blamed, they overspent on bringing in new players and neglected to plan ahead for retention of players.

We overpaid for Sandow big time but it is said to be $400K per year with $150K 3rd party

[i_amtrunks]

Can NZ win an ANZAC (very late) game for once, seeing as they have beaten AUS in all other major international matches???

Should be interesting to watch Idris going up against guys closer to his size time and time again, I think he will be a star for years to come, so tonight should be good viewing.

Also great to see NSWelshmen bashing each other up with the same playbook while QLDer's rest up.

[Sharky]

Can NZ win an ANZAC (very late) game for once, seeing as they have beaten AUS in all other major international matches???

Should be interesting to watch Idris going up against guys closer to his size time and time again, I think he will be a star for years to come, so tonight should be good viewing.

Also great to see NSWelshmen bashing each other up with the same playbook while QLDer's rest up.

wouldnt say that qlders had that much of a rest with the majority of the run on side playing for australia......

[Bartrim]

I found City vs Country more interesting then the test match. I'm curious to see who picks for NSW now.

I see Brian Smith is considering Carney for selection already. :rolleyes:

[i_amtrunks]

I see Brian Smith is considering Carney for selection already. :rolleyes:

And he'll celebrate being "recovered" with a few beers, and then back to square 1.

Nice to finally see a newspaper story about how the Roosters will be far over the cap next season (since I think they were over the cap for most of the last decade or more...)

I think NSW has their backline sorted, now to just order the forwards to be smashed by the QLDers.

And dont NSW wish Benji was a Welshman!

[Skullcruncher]

And dont NSW wish Benji was a Welshman!

Phil Gould does - that guy flogs that at every opportunity

[Bartrim]

Woo Hoo 95 points in supercoach this week:rolleyes:

Stupid bye weeks:mad:

[i_amtrunks]

Woo Hoo 95 points in supercoach this week:rolleyes:

Stupid bye weeks:mad:

Guess thats what happens when your squad is 90% Tigers players when they have a bye! :D

I scored a somewhat reasonable 860 or so (have not checked to see final scores) I got 13 players starting, thanks to Smith, YowYeh and a few others playing when they were not expected to.

Now to get back into supercoach and get the team back to normal (get rid of Canberra and Titans players!)

[Skullcruncher]

Ive suffered too much trade rage now my season is in tatters :( - like the raiders! :D

[i_amtrunks]

Phil Gould and Panthers....

Discuss. Or not.

[optimus1]

Phil Gould and Panthers....

Discuss. Or not.

'Coaching Director' ???

Does that mean he will have more say than the one who technically should be taking over from Matthew Elliott??

Hopefully the Panthers get someone with ability. I'm still undecided on Nathan Brown's experience for a team with such a good junior base.

[Skullcruncher]

Phil Gould and Panthers....

Discuss. Or not.

Panthers back to #1 of the teams I love to see gettin beat! They bump the roosters off....just :D

[Bartrim]

I hope Gus' new job doesn't stop him commentating. I love listening to him stir Rabs up. As far as what teams I like to see lose... Cowboys and Eels are definitely up there then the usual Broncos, Bulldogs and Silvertails. So I'm pretty much like every other Wests Tigers fan. Of course more recently given oue losses to them and how arrogant Sandow is, the bunnies now make the list and I have a friend who drives me nuts with fb status updates about how great thye Dragons are so now I like to them lose just to piss her off.

[i_amtrunks]

I hope Gus' new job doesn't stop him commentating.

I'm the opposite, I think Gould has a brilliant football coaching mind, without having to resort to petty bullying like Brian Smith, but his commentary infuriates me, as he is either incredibly vapid, says stupid things like "I dont care if they've broken three rules of the game to score that try, give it to them", or contradicting himself after the fact. He is a hindsight commentator, he is always right with hindsight... :rolleyes:

I hope Penrith do better with him, and it should be interesting to see how his role in the Pathers changes over the next few weeks/months, but I hope it drastically reduces his on air time.

[i_amtrunks]

So Man U won a record 19th crown...

Now back to Footy!

Gordon gone for the season has ruined my Supercoach, I've had to replace him with the Hayne "overrated to the extreme" plane/train. Barba is too inconsistent to be a good fill in. My backs look very weak during origin with Uate and Yow Yeh out...

Speaking of Origin, very much a tale of quarters in the first half, the first 20 minutes were all QLD, the last 20 all NSW. NSW very lucky to only be down 6-0 after the 20 minutes.
Gallen needs to learn that it is not his job to tackle the opposition when he is holding onto the ball, other than that the NSW thug bros (Gallen, Bird, Ennis) have not done too bad, and the refs have fairly put the whistle away, ignoring some blatant infringements from both sides, to let the game flow.

As much as I hate to say it, NSW look better at halftime, and unless QLD come out strong in the first 15 minutes and score 2 or more tries, they could be in trouble with their weary legs. NSW also need to look to the right more, looking left is too obvious now.

[Sharky]

what a dour boring game, qld proving they can pull a try out of anything.. but generally a poorly refereed game with alot of poor calls, NSW centres were usless, looking slow andeasy targets.. i thought pearce had a good game in defence and NSW were very poor in following through with the ball runner, many ocaisions i saw bird gallen and scott looking for support and seeing noone there.

a well deserved QLD victory with so much more class and strike then anything NSW has to offer..

on a side note i do get tired of the banter betwenn phil gould and ray warren, so much banter that they failed to cal a single play in almost 2 sets of six.

when the tv rights get renewed i hope channel nine loose the coverage....

[i_amtrunks]

NSW had everything going their way tonight:
- Refs letting everything go, not penalising NSW for sitting all over the play the ball, intentionally not getting clear of the play the ball, offside markers in 5 out of 6 tackles.
- Thurstons Kicking radar being very off for him

And yet they still could not win. Lockyer to Slater is always dangerous, for QLD and for Australia.

I'm going to ignore all the penalties that would have been blown in an ordinary round match just in the play the ball/marker area, as the refs had an absolute shocker and need to be dropped for game two, they should have penalised Tonga early in the first half for taking out Dugan, and the NSW "forward" pass at the beginning of the second half was laughable.
They were also gutless at the conclusion of the match, preferring to let the match review panel deal with the biffo at the end rather than place anyone on report. We all know that no player will be punished for anything short of stabbing another in origin.

I thought Soward had a great game, considering he was playing two roles, 5/8th and fullback. Certainly not a negative for NSW in upcoming series. Jennings and Gasnier worked well together, and Uate is a keeper at this level too, he plays so similarly to Sailor its not funny. I think those three were the standouts, funny since they were all deemed '50-50' players. Dugan was ordinary, but still the better choice over the overrated Hayne. Morris had a shocker in defence, and the NSW pack did okay, but would have been totally ineffective had they not been allowed to lay all over the play the ball. Gallen is not a good captain, but I also think the grub should not be allowed to play footy for his thuggery, same goes for Bird and Ennis.

As for the QLD side, Slater, Lockyer, Thurston Smith and Cronk were all their excellent best (bar Thurstons goal kicking). Matt Scott was my player of the match, every time he had the ball he was doing damage. Lillyman, Thiaday, Tonga, Boyd and Hannant all played well too, Boyd crunching Gasnier was brilliant.

Bring on game 2, where I'll be sitting in the stands in my Maroon jersey once again!

[griffin]

on a side note i do get tired of the banter betwenn phil gould and ray warren, so much banter that they failed to cal a single play in almost 2 sets of six.

when the tv rights get renewed i hope channel nine loose the coverage....

I was more surprised about channel nine signing up 2 major sponsors of the telecast that were of a completely different/wrong demographic. The half-time 'entertainment' was a long trailer for Xmen and several commercials for it later, as well as a commentator stating that the game tonight was brought to us by Call of Duty WM3 with several ads for that as well.
It'd be like having comic book convention sponsored by beer, harleys and industrial workboots...

[Trailer Park Ninja]

If NSW don't win next game, the whole State Of Origin will become even more seemingly irrelevant.

[Sharky]

NSW had everything going their way tonight:
- Refs letting everything go, not penalising NSW for sitting all over the play the ball, intentionally not getting clear of the play the ball, offside markers in 5 out of 6 tackles.
!

thats hardley a fair estimate dugan had his legs chopeed from underneath him whilst in the air - no penalty, thurstan stripped the ball from uate in a two man tackle no penalty, mitchell pearces "forward pass" from the kick off.... not to mention the amount of times hannet was actually offside, so QLD had a fair rub of the green also, with a penalty count of 2 - 1 in qlds favor i think there was alot on both sides that the referee failed to pick up.

and really what can you do to combat a play that goes through the hands of Lokyear, Thurston and Slater... three of the games greatest...

[Bartrim]

It'd be like having comic book convention sponsored by beer, harleys and industrial workboots...

Finally a convention for the blue collar nerd like myself:p

On football side I have to agree with Sharky, Trunks. Where as the refs made alot of bad calls and I understand that they wanted to have a free flowing game with few penalties I still think QLD had the calls go their way. Wasn't surprised that QLD won I was surprised that it took them 75 minutes to win the game. My thoughts on the game...
Soward- Surprised me with his defence (especially his scramble) but he is a 5/8 he is supposed to generate attack-something I didn't see him do.
Dugan- Apart from one knock played well for his origin debut-good enough to keep Hayne out (I hope)
Jennings- The ONLY NSW player who looked dangerous. Played great. Would like to see Uate switched to the left hand side as I think they would be dangerous together.
Bird- Only set up that try because he didn't do anything else all game and was well rested.
Gasnier- Is too old now. He's lost that half a second which is vital in origin
Morris- I think the look on Dugans face tells the story
Scott- Surprised he wasn't penalised everytime he tackled someone. Played very dirty:(
Ennis- I had to laugh when he fumbled that ball. Also once NSW hit the lead he gave QLD the ball back on their own 40. Might as well of handed them the game. Hopefully he and Young will be replace by Farah and Hinchcliffe for the next game, but that wont happen under supercoach Stuart:rolleyes:

No need to breakdown QLD. They proved once again that not only are they a team of champions but they are also a champion team. Although at one stage Jacob Lillyman was NSW best player:p

[i_amtrunks]

On football side I have to agree with Sharky, Trunks. Where as the refs made alot of bad calls and I understand that they wanted to have a free flowing game with few penalties I still think QLD had the calls go their way.

Sorry, should have made myself clearer, NSW did get a bad rub with the refs, everything Sharky mentioned was 100% correct and QLD should have been penalised for them all, and the forward pass call was incredibly stupid.
I merely meant that I think in an ordinary round game the NSW side would have been penalised 3-4 times each set for laying over the play the ball area, they did it very well though, making it look clumsy rather than malicious.

I guess I was trying to say the standard of reffing was atrocious, and the whole official team for Origin I should not be brought back for origin II.



Ennis- I had to laugh when he fumbled that ball. Also once NSW hit the lead he gave QLD the ball back on their own 40. Might as well of handed them the game. Hopefully he and Young will be replace by Farah and Hinchcliffe for the next game, but that wont happen under supercoach Stuart:rolleyes:

He made 1 metre all game, and for a rare change didnt give away any penalties (see above for reason!). How Sticky can justify keeping him is beyond me, but he has been reported as anti Farah for some reason... QLD have shown, a great dummy half runner who can kick well is an important member for a successful Origin team to have... Ennis can't kick, as he showed on Wednesday...

[Bartrim]

Didn't Stuart say something about not picking players out of position? So why do NSW have 7 backrowers and 4 fullbacks in their side?

After being depressed reading the NSW side this article cheered me up a bit.

http://thesinbinpodcast.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/castleford-tigers-change-it-up-with-halifaxs-blue-and-white/

Such professionalism:p

[i_amtrunks]

Didn't Stuart say something about not picking players out of position? So why do NSW have 7 backrowers and 4 fullbacks in their side?

I think if he could go back in time and not say that, Tricky would. It was a really stupid thing to say, considering that injuries always play a part in origin.

Personally I think Hopate is a good choice for right now, Idris has not been at his best for weeks, is he injured? But Hopoate will not be around next year due to his Mormon sabbatical (is that the right term?) so that flies in the face of Ricky also saying he wanted a "team to build on for the next 5 years" but again, injuries have taken their toll.

It seems that being a centre is now the most dangerous position to play for season 2011... :p

If Dugan is out, does hayne go to fullback, or do you put Count in there as Hayne has done well as a winger, where he can hide in defence and out the spotlight that he often falters in?

Lewis and Gidley would have been in the NSW for game 1, so it's natural they were slotted in there for game 2, Watmough is a grub, but NSW like their grubs (not saying QLD dont have a few) and he has been playing very well for Manly.

And in more important thinking, who does Taylor replace in the QLD side? Lillyman or Norman?

[Bartrim]

Did you go to the game last night Scott?

I would of loved to have gone except it was a Monday Night:( We didn't deserve to win but I'll take it:D

[i_amtrunks]

Did you go to the game last night Scott?

I would of loved to have gone except it was a Monday Night:( We didn't deserve to win but I'll take it:D

Didnt go, Leichardt is one of those palces where you have to be there 2 hours before kickoff to maybe get a park! Too hard to get there after work, plus I have reports to finish writing.

Did have the radio on to listen to the match, it was a great game. Knights should never have gotten that close, but since the Tigers are still hampered by injuries and still have moments when they lose the plot they kept the Knights in the game.

[Bartrim]

Didnt go, Leichardt is one of those palces where you have to be there 2 hours before kickoff to maybe get a park! .

True but the atmosphere more then makes up for the hassle. (maybe thats the tiger in me:D)

I see Uate is cleared to play origin. Even the judicary are corrupt:rolleyes: That was a grade 2 minimum. Not that Uate's presence will make any difference. QLD will run straight over the top of NSW in game 2 In a game wheresize matters QLD have props as second rowers and NSW have second rowers as props. I honestly can't see the sense of that side.

[i_amtrunks]

True but the atmosphere more then makes up for the hassle. (maybe thats the tiger in me:D).

It has atmosphere in spades, and well worth getting there early for matches on the weekend, but Monday evening in Sydneys inner west... pass thanks.

Uate can consider himself very lucky, I wonder if there will be a get square later on next time he fronts the judiciary... :rolleyes:

Inglis and Taylor were obvious choices, poor Lillyman did nothing wrong to get dropped, Taylor just has to be selected on form alone, and was very unlucky to be 18th man for game 1.

[Sharky]

i do not know why sticky moved gallen to prop.. at first i thought it might be because he could get a full 80 minutes out of a prop... cause lets face it as far as work rate goes gallen takes it to the line all 80 minutes, but then you read that he is going to get less game time in the game......


i think NSW misses a little of that class and spark the qlds have oozing through the squad (Locky, Slater, Thurston, Smith, Cronk) NSW cannot match that....

[i_amtrunks]

i do not know why sticky moved gallen to prop.. at first i thought it might be because he could get a full 80 minutes out of a prop... cause lets face it as far as work rate goes gallen takes it to the line all 80 minutes, but then you read that he is going to get less game time in the game......

He has named him at prop, but we all know Gallen will play wherever he wants/needs to, he is that sort of player. NSW can't win with Ennis as hooker, he is a liability on the field, as can Watmough and Bird. if the three dont get pinged (likely in origin as I bet whoever officiates will be gutless with the whistle) NSW should do okay.

[Sharky]

Ennis is not playing well i do not know how he made it into the second origin game after his poor game one (what hooker runs 8 metres in a game ever??)

but then there is no other hooker for NSW really standing up... Farah is way to hot cold and mostly cold at that...

Lewis perhaps maybe gidley but they are better impact players......

[Sharky]

Tigers Fans (Bartrim)

some tumors floating around today thats sharks are set to sign Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs

[mknell]

Tigers Fans (Bartrim)

some tumors floating around today thats sharks are set to sign Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs

Supposedly it's signed and sealed?

[Bartrim]

Tigers Fans (Bartrim)

some tumors floating around today thats sharks are set to sign Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs

I heard Gibbs was going to the Sharks but that was so they could keep Fifita and Woods. I heard Liam Fulton might be joining his buddy Gibbs at the Sharks or maybe they signed Andrew Fifita's brother David who is languishing on the reserve bench for reserve grade.

[i_amtrunks]

Sharks seem to be signing everyone if you listen to the rumours. A change from the Roosters I guess.

If half the rumours of signings are true, the Sharks may actually be somewhat okay next season. All they will need then are some halves who can kick, and some outside backs who can stay fit.

And some decent facilities wouldnt hurt either. :D

[Bartrim]

Sharks seem to be signing everyone if you listen to the rumours. A change from the Roosters I guess.

If half the rumours of signings are true, the Sharks may actually be somewhat okay next season. All they will need then are some halves who can kick, and some outside backs who can stay fit.

And some decent facilities wouldnt hurt either. :D

The Sharks can have Gibbs as far as I'm concerned. Never a fan of him

[i_amtrunks]

Going to the game tonight, and as thus am in two frames of mind.

Cant wait to go and see QLD win, but at the same time, don't really feel like sitting in a half empty stadium in the wind and rain, I have to wear my glasses in order to see the action, and the rain makes that very difficult! :p

Last Origin for Lockyer in Sydney, bet Sydney cannot wait to see the back of him. :D

[i_amtrunks]

So the official crowd was 81,665 or something last night, but I think that must have been a South Sydney count, where the staff working at the food outlets, coaches, security etc are all counted, there were more than a couple of hundred empty seats in the nosebleed section!
However it was the first Sydney Origin game I have been present at (of 4) where there was an atmosphere in the stadium, the organisers should be congratulated on getting NSW supporters to actually cheer and chant during the match.

As a Queensland supporter I must say that NSw were the far superior team last night (as much as a team can be superior in origin). They played mistake free football, and it was the few QLD errors that ended up costing them the game. Gallen may be a thug, but he counted as two players last night, easily the best player on the field.

The first half was tense, it was a real slogfest, and I think the halftime score was reflective of the match, QLD were easily the better team while Ennis was on and being a thug, but when he was replaced by Gidley, and lewis came off the bench NSW were a new team, and they just blew the QLDers away. You could actually see the players lift and charge forward when Gidley was playing at Dummy half, and it was Gallen and Lewis leading the charge. When Ennis came back on alte in the second half NSw lost alot of their mojo again, so it will be interesting to see if Ennis retains his spot (considering that high shot plus loading should rub him out for a few games- but likely won't, you get away with a lot in origin).

Should Jennings be fit for match 3, Hopoate should keep his wing spot, he was good in his first match (didnt get the ball much, Hayne kept running sideways infield with it) and Hayne should be dropped, he was ineffective and sloppy last night, Gasnier once agian faileld at the elite level, which is weird as he plays so well for the Dragons. Uate was a star, only behind Gallen and Lewis as NSW best player, and Mini was outstanding in his comeback match, even if he had a brain snap and thought he was playing soccer... :p

As for the QLDer's, they lacked the big tackle breaking busts they rely on for forward movement, and they did not utilise the high bomb effectively, they only had about 2 decent kicks at the tryline, Lockyer and Thurston did well with the passing game, Scott and Taylor were very good, but Slater again proved he is a speed machine, you dont get the feel of how quick he is on the tele, but he covers so much ground to make a decent kick look terrible by catching it on the full. and Cameron Smith was again the best player in a Maroon jumper.
Thiaday was the only big QLD disappointment, he was ineffective on the inside cutback runs he made every 4th tackle, NSW knew he was coming and just hammered him. He played the full 80 minutes and it showed, he was stuffed and sloppy after about 60 minutes, but was not subbed.

Overall a very good game, Qld could have still won in the final minute had Inglis held onto the ball (doubt it, he is not as fast as Uate), but NSw held on and well deserved their win, they were easily the better team.

[Prowl]

Hayne should be dropped, he was ineffective and sloppy last night, Gasnier once agian faileld at the elite level, which is weird as he plays so well for the Dragons.

Hayne is a hoax just like Inglis. Strictly a front runner nothing more.

I am a passionate Dragons hater (love seeing them do the Oki choki) but I think Gaz did OK. Not for his offensive contribution as he contributed NOTHING but he kept Inglis quiet.

Oh well it is nice to have a decider & by reading the Queensland press today you would thing there was a conspiracy against poor old QLD.

[i_amtrunks]

6 years straight, and the year 2 class I teach continue to never remember a NSW victory. :D

NSW were suffocated out of the game, two late tries in the first half only gave them false hope, they never looked in this game, they didnt like being kept back the 10, and the play the ball was a lot quicker all night which really doesnt suit Stuart's game plan of "lay over the play the ball".

I thought Mannah was among NSW best in the opening 20, and was unluckily penalised instead of Gallen right before he was subbed. I cannot remember him doing anything else after that though. Stewart made some decent breaks, but would not pass even to open support. The outside backs were given very little to do, Hayne scored a lucky one, then had a massive sook, but showed he is not origin grade. Uate was not as effective this game, Minichello drove me bonkers too, why does he prefer to let the ball bounce off his legs/torso instead of just grabbing the ball? Yow Yeh is glad he does! NSW missed Jennings, while Gasnier has yet to show his Dragons form for NSW.

Bird and Smith could miss a week or two each, Smith for the knees, Bird for the late shot on Locky as he kicked. Bet neither has a case to answer for, just like Origin I and II's players on report.
The way that Thurstons knee bent in that collision was not good, if he plays again this season I will be surprised.

Thiaday was easily the most improved from Origin II, his runs were fast and strong again, and I have not seen Petero play that well in years. What a game to end your origin career on (Petero that is). Matt Scott and Parker played well too, they just kept busting through tired NSW legs. Hannant was quiet, and Myles looked very tired for the entire second half. Inglis is looking good, if he had some support at Souths they could do very well, and Hodges did ok for no match practice. Did Lillyman get more than 5 minutes on the paddock?

So Ricky Stuart, lets hear the excuses, you've been whinging and whining all week, we know it is never your fault that your teams lose, whose the first cab off the rank? The Media? The QLD public? Injuries? David Gallop? The Dragons Manly game from two weeks ago? All of the above?

And Locky goes out a winner, a deserving and gracious origin winner at that.

[Prowl]

The way that Thurstons knee bent in that collision was not good, if he plays again this season I will be surprised.


Depends on what way you look at it. I was rather pleased with it & hope that is the last I ever see of that cat on a football field again.

Smith definately has a case to answer to. The knees were deliberate & a classic Bellamy coached move. The only thing that could save him is that it is origin & anything goes in origin.

[Bartrim]

6 years straight, and the year 2 class I teach continue to never remember a NSW victory. :D

NSW were suffocated out of the game, two late tries in the first half only gave them false hope, they never looked in this game, they didnt like being kept back the 10, and the play the ball was a lot quicker all night which really doesnt suit Stuart's game plan of "lay over the play the ball".

I thought Mannah was among NSW best in the opening 20, and was unluckily penalised instead of Gallen right before he was subbed. I cannot remember him doing anything else after that though. Stewart made some decent breaks, but would not pass even to open support. The outside backs were given very little to do, Hayne scored a lucky one, then had a massive sook, but showed he is not origin grade. Uate was not as effective this game, Minichello drove me bonkers too, why does he prefer to let the ball bounce off his legs/torso instead of just grabbing the ball? Yow Yeh is glad he does! NSW missed Jennings, while Gasnier has yet to show his Dragons form for NSW.

Bird and Smith could miss a week or two each, Smith for the knees, Bird for the late shot on Locky as he kicked. Bet neither has a case to answer for, just like Origin I and II's players on report.
The way that Thurstons knee bent in that collision was not good, if he plays again this season I will be surprised.

Thiaday was easily the most improved from Origin II, his runs were fast and strong again, and I have not seen Petero play that well in years. What a game to end your origin career on (Petero that is). Matt Scott and Parker played well too, they just kept busting through tired NSW legs. Hannant was quiet, and Myles looked very tired for the entire second half. Inglis is looking good, if he had some support at Souths they could do very well, and Hodges did ok for no match practice. Did Lillyman get more than 5 minutes on the paddock?

So Ricky Stuart, lets hear the excuses, you've been whinging and whining all week, we know it is never your fault that your teams lose, whose the first cab off the rank? The Media? The QLD public? Injuries? David Gallop? The Dragons Manly game from two weeks ago? All of the above?

And Locky goes out a winner, a deserving and gracious origin winner at that.

Basically agree with all of this. After game 2 my old man got really passionate that NSW were going to ruin Locky's farewell. I can't wait to see him tomorrow to ask what he thought. I could hear my father-in-law in the granny flat of our house. His opinion was so one sided towards NSW that it made me sick.

I am a NSW supporter all the way but I found myself going for QLD this series for several reasons.

Ricky Stuarts arrogance- Everything from his "secret meeting" at the start of the season to his brazen claims of "Not picking players out of position" to his "20 man squad". All your secret weapons and tactics did stuff all for you. Like Trunks said though. Who you going to blame Sticky?

The team. I can't support a team that has Hayne, Ennis, Gallen, Bird, Watmough and Glen Stewart in it. Pack of thugs and sore losers.

Locky's last series. He deserved a win.

Could post more but I'm tired.

[Deonasis]

Depends on what way you look at it. I was rather pleased with it & hope that is the last I ever see of that cat on a football field again.

Smith definately has a case to answer to. The knees were deliberate & a classic Bellamy coached move. The only thing that could save him is that it is origin & anything goes in origin.

You're a good sport aren't you? Piss off.

[i_amtrunks]

Depends on what way you look at it. I was rather pleased with it & hope that is the last I ever see of that cat on a football field again.

I could say the same if an injury had have occurred to all but 6 NSW players: Gidley, Galloway, Lewis, Mannah, Uate, Gasnier.


Smith definately has a case to answer to. The knees were deliberate & a classic Bellamy coached move. The only thing that could save him is that it is origin & anything goes in origin.

I think he should get off because he did it to Hayne, and the quicker he leaves the game, the better it will be! :p

And Bobby, I know what you mean, my missus is a one eyed biased blues supporter but even she couldn't back a team with that many thugs and grubs in it. I think if Lewis hadn't have been fit/selected she wouldnt have watched a game all series.
And you must have been a little happy that the tigers finally got a player in the series at long last!

So whowere your player of the match for game 3, and your player of the series? I cant go past Smith for the series, and I would have given player of the match to Slater, as Thiaday roughing up Gidley was lucky to not give a penalty.

[Bartrim]

I could say the same if an injury had have occurred to all but 6 NSW players: Gidley, Galloway, Lewis, Mannah, Uate, Gasnier.

And Bobby, I know what you mean, my missus is a one eyed biased blues supporter but even she couldn't back a team with that many thugs and grubs in it. I think if Lewis hadn't have been fit/selected she wouldnt have watched a game all series.
And you must have been a little happy that the tigers finally got a player in the series at long last!

So whowere your player of the match for game 3, and your player of the series? I cant go past Smith for the series, and I would have given player of the match to Slater, as Thiaday roughing up Gidley was lucky to not give a penalty.

Yeah thats pretty much the only 6 NSW players I liked. I'm not a fan of Gasnier but I like the fact he had enough respect to applaud Lockyer when he ran out onto the field (and he was the only New South Welshman) to do so.

Yes Scott it was good to see Galloway play... even if it was a cameo. Someone must of told Stuart that Keithy doesn't play for the Sharks anymore.
Stuart: "Wait he plays for the Tigers?!?!?! Get him off the field!"

I probably give player of the match to Slater or Thaiday.

[Sharky]

i am a passionate NSW man but man did qld snuff them out in that first 30 minutes...

archer had a great game for qld too.. making up penalties like he usually does..not that qld really needed them but i dont know why he got "recalled" for origin three he is not the best ref in the game...

i admire locky too it is good to see him get the send off he did.. and thurstons injury made me cringe.... i know what that feels like...

NSW had nothing in the halves and centres gallen stewart mannah all had solid games up front mini had a shocker.... i though galloway would of had more of an impact when he came on and was a shame he didnt get more game time to proove it....

you know qld has just as many thugs n grubs in the side as nsw does you know but you need them in origin....

[GoktimusPrime]

I have zero interest in this sport, but 1AZRAEL1 wanted to watch it so we had it on last night while he, his partner, Deceptic_Optic and I were playing Transformers Monopoly at my place last night... and wow... NSW totally kept getting pwned (as Deceptic was getting pwned in Monopoly :p). It was a painful 80 minutes to watch (even as background viewing)


you know qld has just as many thugs n grubs in the side as nsw does you know but you need them in origin....
I find that a big turn off. Surely grown men can resolve their conflicts in ways other than physical violence. Especially if this sport is being promoted as a family-friendly event. (>_>) I saw one biff that didn't even attract any kind of penalty -- look kids, your role models can get in a fight with NO consequences for their actions!

[Prowl]

You're a good sport aren't you? Piss off.

I am just a guy who speaks what he thinks. If more people spoke their mind the world would be a better place.

I don't retract what I said as I think Thurston is a complete cat I think the same of Cam Smith, Sam Thaiday & Billy Slater. May not be good sportsmanship but I could care less.

As for QLD I give credit where due & they are a great team with genuine classy players like Civo & Locky who both deserved to go out on a high note. NSW tried hard but a team does not deserve to win when it will not pick position players & play a fullback in the centres etc. That is why QLD have been so successful because they play players in their correct position & stick with thie selections.

QLD played perfect football in the first 40 & NSW did themselves no favours with some of their plays particulary their 5th tackle options. The scoreline flattered NSW but there are positives the blues can take from the series.

[Prowl]

thurstons injury made me cringe.... i know what that feels like...


I know all too well myself. That said I dislike Thurston & was happy to see him get stretchered off.


I saw one biff that didn't even attract any kind of penalty -- look kids, your role models can get in a fight with NO consequences for their actions!

These guys are not role models they are professional athletes in a contact sport. If kids need role models (they certainly do) they should be looking no further than their family as family sets the example for the development of a child & their moral compass.

[Bartrim]

Moltzen to Dragons next year. Sad to see him go but I can't blame him. I rate him over Lui. But every cloud has a silver lining. Tigers are rumoured to sign Josh Dugan. As long as he doesn't spit his dummy that could be quite potent:)

[i_amtrunks]

Moltzen to Dragons next year. Sad to see him go but I can't blame him. I rate him over Lui. But every cloud has a silver lining. Tigers are rumoured to sign Josh Dugan. As long as he doesn't spit his dummy that could be quite potent:)

I'd be more worried about Dugan staying healthy, his track record is not good. The Tigers should never have to buy a backline player with the juniors they have coming through the ranks (same with St George, Penrith and the Knights).

I guess this can confirm that Sheens is having a semi cleanout at the tigers, which makes sense, they have had a fairly consistant team for the past few seasons and have not achieved results that they should have (then again most teams that on paper should have been competing for top 4 spots for 2-4 seasons, have not fared well.)

Should be interesting to see how the Cowboys fare for the next 6 or so weeks without Thurston, and if the Titans, Easts and Parra start blooding young players in preperation for 2012, since their 2011 seasons are already over.

[i_amtrunks]

I'm not an eels or Tigers fan, but that was a pretty lucky game for the Eels.

They played some pretty ordinary, lazy and boring football, got alot of asssitance from terrible officiating, and happened to walk away with a win thanks in part to the bad umpiring decisions, and because the Tigers managed to shoot themselves in the foot a good half a dozen or more times.

Every second pass Hayne threw went forward, and he only got called for two of them. The biggest forward pass came after a good break by Burt (glad he is back at fullback, he is a superior defensive fullback to Hayne, and is nowhere near as lazy as Hayne), the pass went 6 metres forward and led directly to the game sealing try.

The tigers will not be a top 8 squad until they get better players in the number 1 and 7 jerseys, Lui has too many brain explosions to be handling the ball as often as he does, and his kicking game is comparible to Gordon Tallis's. McKinnon can not be the best #1 option for the Tigers, he is iffy under the high ball, lacks speed and decisiveness in attack.

Eels were very lucky tonight, I hope the luck turns around and bites them big time later this season, if the eels, roosters and dogs all miss the finals, it will be to the betterment of the NRL.

[Bartrim]

I'm not an eels or Tigers fan, but that was a pretty lucky game for the Eels.

They played some pretty ordinary, lazy and boring football, got alot of asssitance from terrible officiating, and happened to walk away with a win thanks in part to the bad umpiring decisions, and because the Tigers managed to shoot themselves in the foot a good half a dozen or more times.

Every second pass Hayne threw went forward, and he only got called for two of them. The biggest forward pass came after a good break by Burt (glad he is back at fullback, he is a superior defensive fullback to Hayne, and is nowhere near as lazy as Hayne), the pass went 6 metres forward and led directly to the game sealing try.

The tigers will not be a top 8 squad until they get better players in the number 1 and 7 jerseys, Lui has too many brain explosions to be handling the ball as often as he does, and his kicking game is comparible to Gordon Tallis's. McKinnon can not be the best #1 option for the Tigers, he is iffy under the high ball, lacks speed and decisiveness in attack.

Eels were very lucky tonight, I hope the luck turns around and bites them big time later this season, if the eels, roosters and dogs all miss the finals, it will be to the betterment of the NRL.

I think there was some decension amongst the ranks in the Tigers... that probably didn't help.

I think it might finally be time to bring young Jake Mullaney up to first grade. He is a champion fullback who while in the under 20's went to the Ben Barba school of defence. He has been given a couple of years in NSW cup and seeing him in their last televised match he has definitely improved. Either him or Sean Meaney. He has had a couple of first grade games and looks the goods to me and in warm ups he was 18th man. Both ahve spent time at 5/8 so they have proven to be compitent playmakers.

The Tigers deserved to lose...but not by that much. Can someone explain how a flick pass can go forward when the NRL interpretation states that the ball must travel forward out of the hands. This is the only problem with the 2 refs. They have to blood refs who aren't ready:mad:

[Prowl]

This is the only problem with the 2 refs. They have to blood refs who aren't ready:mad:

I agree. They need one referee purely to watch the ruck/play the ball & one to watch the 10. Or in simple terms a offensive referee & a defensive referee. That combined with the linesmen should remove the need for the video referee.

Problem is that the referees are so f**king spineless they rarely back themselves to make a decision. How many times do you see Maxwell, Hayne or Tony F**king Archer right in front of the play especially in tryscoring situations & they refer it to the video so they don't have to make a hard decision. Then it is slowed down to be looked at frame by frame & it seems that they look for a reason to deny rather than award a try.

The other problem is that they have about 4 really top flight referees (F**king Archer, Hayne, Maxwell & Badger) the rest make up the numbers but they had to be brought along fast & it will take at least another season before they are true 1st grade standard.

My single biggest issue is that the referees boss is the biggest showpony the game has seen & his poor influence is rubbing off on the officials.

[i_amtrunks]

The touch judges need to be sacked, the entire compliment of them, they have no influence on the game, even when they should.

Video ref should be given more power to reverse terrible calls by the on field refs, and any refs who make more than 2 clangers that need to be reversed can donate a weeks pay to charity to limit them just sitting on the field waiting for the video refs to tell them to blow their whistles.

I dont expect the officials to be perfect and not make mistakes, but their needs to be consistency, and at the monet the only consistency is that the officials are all morons who cannot make consistant calls.

[Sharky]

i dont mind the two refs but wat they need to do is have a controling ref and a pocket reffor the whole game....not the change of powere with who has posession.. i have noticed it in numerous matches where one ref will take a team back a very very skinny ten metres and then the other ref will take them back a liberal 11 metres or more (at one stage tonight canberra were only back 9 metres for an entire set of six and cronulla 12 meteres in defence...) they need to keep one ref in power so atleast the main decisions are consistant (not interpereted differently) and the pocket/ruck refferee can make the same consistant decisiions

and what is the go with the linesmen... they seem entirely out of position.... why is not one of them inline with the defensive ref watching for offsides and the other can watch the ruck....


reffing has gooten weaker...and it is getting to a point where it is costing teams wins...

also on a side note does anyone else notice the amount of forward passes coming from dummy half that a let go these days...

[Prowl]

also on a side note does anyone else notice the amount of forward passes coming from dummy half that a let go these days...

I believe they are called "flat" passes nowdays. The ball must leave your hands with the hands facing backwards but the ball itself can travel forward. Why not go back to the ball itself must travel backwards?

[i_amtrunks]

I believe they are called "flat" passes nowdays. The ball must leave your hands with the hands facing backwards but the ball itself can travel forward. Why not go back to the ball itself must travel backwards?

I believe they changed the ruling because momentum can move the ball forward even when the pass is originally thrown a few metres backwards.
Every second pass from dummy half is borderline or forward, and they get let go, I'm fine with it, as long as it is consistant for both teams. However the refs are getting much worse with letting really forward passes go, and then making terrible blunders calling legitmate backwards passes as forward, often as a team is about to make a huge amount of metres or bust over for a try.

Also remember going to a Panthers vs. easts game a few years ago where there wasa very strong (and bitterly cold) southerly, and every pass from whichever team was running north would end up going forward, just due to the strength of the wind! :D

[Sharky]

I understand that at momentum a ball gan "drift" forward but from dummy half where they are stationary or moving at a very slow sPeed there is no way that the pigskin can drift forward or appear flat unless it was thrown that way..even at speeds short passes should not drift forward it can be a poor excuse at times and often gives advantage when there should't be... But EVERY team is guilty of it but some more then others..

What do you all think will happen to kevvy Moore of the bulldogs.

I think he is being made a scape goat for a team of players seriously underperforming. And sure he is the coach but when you don't have the playing roster or depth and your stars are not playing to their potential or their paycheck you can't sack the coach.. And is Ricky Stuart really that good of a replacement (I do think he is a great motivator, coaching not so much)

[i_amtrunks]

And is Ricky Stuart really that good of a replacement (I do think he is a great motivator, coaching not so much)

Ricky has proven time and again he is a terrible coach, and a one off motivator, he can motivate a bunch of people who have not heard his diatribate before once or twice, but after that he loses his impact and relevance. I hope the bulldogs do buy him so they can continue to wallow at the bottom of the table for their own idiocy. Kevin Moore showed his value as a coach by taking a poor dogs side to the finals two years ago, but since then the players have become bigger than the club and it has all gone downhill.

I am loving seeing Brian Smith under the pump again, he too is not someone who can coach longterm, the only reasons easts did so well last year was a combination of goodluck with injuries, lots of help from the refs, probable salaray cap rorting and having their halves in good form, the coaching had little to no effect on the team, as has been shown by this year and season 2009.

So Canberra join Parra, Easts and the Titans as having their season all but mathematically over, the bunnies should join them this week, and they way they are going, the Dogs and Tigers will join them in 2-3 weeks time.

Had Thurston not been injured, I think the top 4 would remain as some combo of Dragons, Storm, Cowboys and Manly, but now Brisbane have a chance to sneak into 4th, with the Warriors, Knights, Panthers, Sharks (possibly Tigers and Dogs if they turn their form right around) fighting for the last three spots, on paper, the Warriors look the goods, the Knights have a very favourable draw (along with the Dragons), so their may only be 1 spot up for grabs in the top 8...

Time to start messing around with the ladder predictor on nrl.com... :p

[Bartrim]

Benji to fullback huh?...:rolleyes:

[i_amtrunks]

Benji to fullback huh?...:rolleyes:

I think he showed on Friday that he does not have the speed needed to make length of the field/ broken play tries, but hey a positional change may be just what he needs.

Where would the Kiwi's play him internationals? They have Foran who is a more than handy 5/8.

[Prowl]

They have Foran who is a more than handy 5/8.

I am hoping Manly manage to hang onto Foran.

[Sharky]

I am hoping Manly manage to hang onto Foran.

him and cherry-evans have been impressive for the eagles this year..

[Prowl]

him and cherry-evans have been impressive for the eagles this year..

Cherry is maturing nicely. I just hope we don't have a situation like the Hodkinson one last year.

I had mid table hopes for Manly this year but watching them play at their best I think they can go all the way or bloody close at least.

[Bartrim]

I think Cherry-Evans has rookie of the year sewn up. Although if the Sharks keep progressing the way they are then Chad Townsend may be in with a shot.

[Sharky]

I think Cherry-Evans has rookie of the year sewn up. Although if the Sharks keep progressing the way they are then Chad Townsend may be in with a shot.

Have to Love The Chad

5 games in the NRL 4 wins..... what has amazed me about this kid is it seems like a natural progression for him, he is calm cool and he has really taken control of the team in a few short games, somthing tim smith and scott porter failed to do and albert kelly was starting to develop

he was great to watch in the toyota cup and now in FIrst Grade i would like to see him really cement his spot and i can see cronulla really building a solid team around him.

the test will be monday night in the local derby... Drgons Home Ground..

rumors around the club is that when robson joins in 2012, he will be starting in the no 6 Chad at 7 with wade graham moving to the second row or lock.. wade has really bulked up and is playing well and might be even more effective out wide.. throw in the mix the fact they have locked up a bit of the youth running around in sharks colours (Bakuya, Wright, Mills, Gardner) it feels like they are building a solid foundation.

[Bartrim]

Have to Love The Chad

5 games in the NRL 4 wins..... what has amazed me about this kid is it seems like a natural progression for him, he is calm cool and he has really taken control of the team in a few short games, somthing tim smith and scott porter failed to do and albert kelly was starting to develop

he was great to watch in the toyota cup and now in FIrst Grade i would like to see him really cement his spot and i can see cronulla really building a solid team around him.

the test will be monday night in the local derby... Drgons Home Ground..

rumors around the club is that when robson joins in 2012, he will be starting in the no 6 Chad at 7 with wade graham moving to the second row or lock.. wade has really bulked up and is playing well and might be even more effective out wide.. throw in the mix the fact they have locked up a bit of the youth running around in sharks colours (Bakuya, Wright, Mills, Gardner) it feels like they are building a solid foundation.

I noticed this. I think the Sharks will be a great team next year. De Gois is returning too I believe. So what is going to happen with the number 9 jersey. Are any of Morris/Flannagan/Aiton moving on?

[Sharky]

I noticed this. I think the Sharks will be a great team next year. De Gois is returning too I believe. So what is going to happen with the number 9 jersey. Are any of Morris/Flannagan/Aiton moving on?

well morris just extended his contract for another 12 months. and he has been playing very well.. so with de gois coming in i think cronulla will run with a two hooker game plan like they usually do.. i am concerned abour de gois's injuries he seems to be picking more up..

i have not heard much on aiton i do think his contract is up this year, and not much on flannagan, not even sure when he is contracted to

[i_amtrunks]

DeGois is an injury worry, but when he is fit, he is a very solid hooker. Morris has really come into his own playing in the pack rather than in the halves, and Townsend does seem to be the halfback the Sharks need to steer the team around.

However Cherry Evans has been blowing through this season like he is a 10 year veteran, whilst Townsend has only played a handful of games, so Townsend is at a massive disadvantage.

Cant believe how bad the Knights played last Knight, if you cannot be a JT-less Cowboys, who can you beat? (Titans don't count). Bowen played a great dual role as a 7 in attack and a 1 in defence.

And I really feel for Mat Rogers, he should never have come back from retirement, the Titans should be looking to their youth squads for new halves (or using Henry), but instead Rogers comes back, played fairly well and breaks his foot. I guess at least he made it to 200 games...

[Bartrim]

However Cherry Evans has been blowing through this season like he is a 10 year veteran, whilst Townsend has only played a handful of games, so Townsend is at a massive disadvantage.

Cant believe how bad the Knights played last Knight, if you cannot be a JT-less Cowboys, who can you beat? (Titans don't count). Bowen played a great dual role as a 7 in attack and a 1 in defence.



I think you have to look at how the Shark's season has completely turned around thanks to Townsend... That bing said I do agree with your opinion on Cherry-Evans thats why I think he has rookie of the year in the bag. If it wasn't for Cherry I would say Townsend or Ryan Stig.

I'm not going to make a comment on the Knights until after this weekend Scott as we are up next and given our past couple of performances I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys take us to the woodshed. At least "Shifty" Sheens has dropped Mckinnon :) ... in favour of Moltzen :(. Moltzen is a half not a fullback. He is scared under the high ball. At least Meaney is on the bench and can be used once Sheens get sick of Moltzen stuffing up. Just to clarify I am a Tim Moltzen fan, but when he is at fullback.

[i_amtrunks]

So I think we have our top eight, I've looked through the draw and the Panthers have a very tough run home, while I think that both the Tigers and Knights can realistically win 4 out of their last 6, so they can both be blown out of the finals by the Storm and Manly! :p

The Storm are showing that even though they had premierships rightfully taken from them for cheating, that they can make what would be no-name players at other clubs into vital cogs in the machine to support their 1, 7 and 9. They have really learnt to legally slow down the play the ball better than any other team (the next best team at it is Manly) and that gives them so much more time to organise their defences, and the extra energy allows Cronk and Smith to direct the play.

The Dragons will only improve as the season winds down, and Brisbane looked good until the final 15 against the Storm. Cowboys are hanging in for now, but I think that the Warriors are going to be the dark horses, the Tigers could cause upsets, but the Warriors have the better team and form right now.

Panthers and Sharks may sneak into the 8 if the Knights or Tigers fail miserably, but with tough draws and injuries to key players (as soon as you see Gallen or Lewis out, you know both those teams are seriously weakened) The Sharks were lacking that forward punch they have ahd the past month, and without their forwards making the metres, there was little Townsend could do.

Just wish everyone I bought in the Supercoach comp would stop getting injured, I've only got 4 subs left! (Gallen, Lewis, Thurston, Harrison all out and my backups have not been good enough!) :D

[Bartrim]

Just wish everyone I bought in the Supercoach comp would stop getting injured, I've only got 4 subs left! (Gallen, Lewis, Thurston, Harrison all out and my backups have not been good enough!) :D

You still play supercoach? Like every year I lose interest around bye weeks.

Was a good win by the Tigers... against the team coming 15th! They should of won by more if they are going to be a premiership contender. Guess the next 2 weeks will be a good measuring stick for them. I also remembered on Saturday night why I hate Braith Anasta. He is such a cry baby.

Even though it appeared the team lost interest during stages of the game I was still very impressed with The Warriors. They may surprise a few people. The next few weeks will prove most interesting.

[Sharky]

i wouldnt say the sharks have a tough run home.. i would say the sharks could make it tough on them selves..

besides brisbane next week they could beat the remaining teams on form over the last month.

run home = brisbane, titans, roosters, nth qld bulldogs and tigers.....

[Bartrim]

i wouldnt say the sharks have a tough run home.. i would say the sharks could make it tough on them selves..

besides brisbane next week they could beat the remaining teams on form over the last month.

run home = brisbane, titans, roosters, nth qld bulldogs and tigers.....

That is a pretty good run... if Thurston is still injured when they play. Could come down to round 26 Tigers vs Sharks for 8th:p

[Sharky]

That is a pretty good run... if Thurston is still injured when they play. Could come down to round 26 Tigers vs Sharks for 8th:p

it could come down to that i was having that same conversation with my old man last night.... i did get the teams muddled in order... but they play the cowboys the week before the tigers

brisbane (A)
titans (H)
Bulldogs (H)
Roosters (A)
Cowboys (A)
tigers (H)

[i_amtrunks]

i wouldnt say the sharks have a tough run home.. i would say the sharks could make it tough on them selves..

besides brisbane next week they could beat the remaining teams on form over the last month.

run home = brisbane, titans, roosters, nth qld bulldogs and tigers.....

I had them for two certain wins and two potentials, Cowboys with JT back in Townsville the only other one that I think they will probably lose.

Certainly a four team race for 2 spots, the panthers really hung in against a Manly side that looked a little uninterested, but as I said, their run home is very tough so I think it may be 3 into 2.

Not that it matters, teams 7 and 8 will be facing a very good Storm and Manly team (maybe Dragons). So they really will be just cannon fodder! :p

[5FDP]

I'm pretty sure that no one else here cares, but in the off-chance that there are some other GWS supporters on the board - how good was the win on Saturday (http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/israel-folau-helps-greater-western-sydney-to-shock-victory-over-sydney-swans-reserves-at-blacktown/story-e6frf33l-1226100425124)! Can't wait for 2012 :D

[i_amtrunks]

I'm pretty sure that no one else here cares, but in the off-chance that there are some other GWS supporters on the board - how good was the win on Saturday (http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/israel-folau-helps-greater-western-sydney-to-shock-victory-over-sydney-swans-reserves-at-blacktown/story-e6frf33l-1226100425124)! Can't wait for 2012 :D

Just cant get into the GWS team right now, they should be beating reserve grade squads by healthy margins every week, they'll be a top level team soon, and getting beaten by the offcuts from the other AFL cuts is not good enough.

Just hope when they do enter the AFL comp they wont be as sad and embarrasing to watch as the Gold Coast, sure new teams will struggle, but they should be competitive.

[Skullcruncher]

Just cant get into the GWS team right now, they should be beating reserve grade squads by healthy margins every week, they'll be a top level team soon, and getting beaten by the offcuts from the other AFL cuts is not good enough.

Just hope when they do enter the AFL comp they wont be as sad and embarrasing to watch as the Gold Coast, sure new teams will struggle, but they should be competitive.

I hope they mega fail and get thrashed by 80+ each week next year. Simply because of all the anti NRL propoganda that comes out from the AFL. Living in Melbourne is a nightmare for league fans.

[5FDP]

Just cant get into the GWS team right now, they should be beating reserve grade squads by healthy margins every week, they'll be a top level team soon, and getting beaten by the offcuts from the other AFL cuts is not good enough.

Just hope when they do enter the AFL comp they wont be as sad and embarrasing to watch as the Gold Coast, sure new teams will struggle, but they should be competitive.

Keep in mind that this is a team of teenagers that was slapped together at the start of the year and are playing against established clubs. Any sporting team will take time to gel. Plus, when they hit the field next year, they'll look nothing like they do now because they haven't even drafted / traded for any veteran players yet. Tom Scully is a great start for GWS.


I hope they mega fail and get thrashed by 80+ each week next year. Simply because of all the anti NRL propoganda that comes out from the AFL. Living in Melbourne is a nightmare for league fans.

Awww, that's not very nice :( :D It's funny because I've always heard (from numerous people) that AFL fans can't even be bothered bagging NRL fans but NRL fans go out of their way to insult fans of the AFL. I guess being an AFL supporter, I simply don't care ;)

[i_amtrunks]

Plus, when they hit the field next year, they'll look nothing like they do now because they haven't even drafted / traded for any veteran players yet. Tom Scully is a great start for GWS.

Not a very clever set up, why not have drafted some older/past players in the VFL to play with these kids for this season to give them onfield mentors and experienced players as well? Seems like team GWS is no more than a schoolboys side without those experienced players.

And Scully is a nobody (in terms of known name players) in Sydney, what GWS needs is a hook other than Israel (ie a proven AFL performer), and the money they want to pay him is crazy for what he offers.

[Prowl]

I hope they mega fail and get thrashed by 80+ each week next year. Simply because of all the anti NRL propoganda that comes out from the AFL. Living in Melbourne is a nightmare for league fans.

+1 here here.

I find it difficult to watch real footy down here as I don't have Fox. I still catch Manly 90% of the time on a stream but I do miss my Fox.

[5FDP]

Not a very clever set up, why not have drafted some older/past players in the VFL to play with these kids for this season to give them onfield mentors and experienced players as well? Seems like team GWS is no more than a schoolboys side without those experienced players.

I can't answer that question because I have zero experience in building a professional sports team from the ground up. I'm going to give Graeme Allan (4 premierships with Collingwood and Brisbane as Football Manager) and Kevin Sheedy (4 premierships as head coach of Essendon) the benefit of the doubt that they know what they are doing ;)

EDIT: Just read that the NFL lockout (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820f4c7f/article/players-approve-deal-unanimously-pass-vote-to-brady-plaintiffs?module=HP11_headline_stack) has ended :D :D :D

[i_amtrunks]

I was very interested in some of the refs calls in last nights Tigers vs. Eagles game...

Refs cant seem to make up their mind on what grounding constitutes a try, going on tries awarded in previous weeks, Tigers should have had an early one, and then an 8 point penalty try awarded later on when Farah was taken out with a professional foul, it was at the very least a sin bin offence.

And how come no action was taken on the Manly player who intentionally shouldered the ref during the very same play? If that does not go to the match review panel, then expect to hear some noise from the QRL, considering the crap the panel put JT through in Origin on an accidental contact.
If you see a highlights package from the game, watch the top of the screen when Farah gets tackled without the ball, look for the pink shirt...

I can't believe that Gallen makes that much difference to the Sharks squad, they were terrible last night. The Broncos are good, but the Sharks made them look exceptional. Another game like that and their slim finals chances will be gone (especially if the Tigers form continues)

And here's hoping John Cartwright gets better soon, last thing the Titans need is for him to be out of action...

[Bartrim]

I was very interested in some of the refs calls in last nights Tigers vs. Eagles game...

Refs cant seem to make up their mind on what grounding constitutes a try, going on tries awarded in previous weeks, Tigers should have had an early one, and then an 8 point penalty try awarded later on when Farah was taken out with a professional foul, it was at the very least a sin bin offence.

And how come no action was taken on the Manly player who intentionally shouldered the ref during the very same play? If that does not go to the match review panel, then expect to hear some noise from the QRL, considering the crap the panel put JT through in Origin on an accidental contact.
If you see a highlights package from the game, watch the top of the screen when Farah gets tackled without the ball, look for the pink shirt...



And when Matai headbutted Galloway in the stomach then milked a penalty when Galloway shoved him. Again I hate the way the grubs on the north shore play the game. I was extra glad to see the Tigs win this one. What is that with Tigers/Sea Eagles games? 3 of the last 4 decided by very slim ammounts

[Prowl]

I was very interested in some of the refs calls in last nights Tigers vs. Eagles game...

Refs cant seem to make up their mind on what grounding constitutes a try, going on tries awarded in previous weeks, Tigers should have had an early one, and then an 8 point penalty try awarded later on when Farah was taken out with a professional foul, it was at the very least a sin bin offence.


There is no way in hell that first "try" was a try. About as clear a knock on as you will ever see. You have to have control of the ball when grounding it & Beau Ryan had neither.

As for the 8 pointer there was nothing wrong with that. Farrah was the likely man to receive the ball & was never going to score anyway as Lyon clearly had him covered. The correct decision a Tigers penalty was made.



player who intentionally shouldered the ref during the very same play? If that does not go to the match review panel, then expect to hear some noise from the QRL, considering the crap the panel put JT through in Origin on an accidental contact.
If you see a highlights package from the game, watch the top of the screen when Farah gets tackled without the ball, look for the pink shirt...


The pocket referee was clearly out of position & it is he who should be cited for professional incompetance. JT deliberately ran into the referee from 20 metres away. Completely different circumstances.

All in all a good game of footy to watch bar the result & the Tigers 2nd try coming from a forward pass.

[Bartrim]

There is no way in hell that first "try" was a try. About as clear a knock on as you will ever see. You have to have control of the ball when grounding it & Beau Ryan had neither.

As for the 8 pointer there was nothing wrong with that. Farrah was the likely man to receive the ball & was never going to score anyway as Lyon clearly had him covered. The correct decision a Tigers penalty was made.




The pocket referee was clearly out of position & it is he who should be cited for professional incompetance. JT deliberately ran into the referee from 20 metres away. Completely different circumstances.

All in all a good game of footy to watch bar the result & the Tigers 2nd try coming from a forward pass.

I agree that the "no try" rule for Beau Ryan was correct but what I think Trunks is saying is that if NRL refs were consistant, then with some of the tries they have awarded in the past weeks then it should of been a try.

I also agree that it shouldn't of been an 8 point try. They saw Farah was covered which was why he didn't receive the pass. Lyon still tackled him anyway because...well I wont start a war but I'm not a fan of The Sea Eagles style of play.

JT was cleared of his collision withthe ref as the video clearly shows that he didn't see him until the last minute which proves he didn't deliberately run into him. I don't believe Foran should be cited as the ref was out of position and I don't believe it was intentional.

The Tigers second try was fair. The ball travelled backwards out of the hands and due to the movement and position of Farah (I believe) Ayshford did catch the ball ahead of him. By the NRL rules that is not a forward pass.

I agree it was a great game however I believe the best team won. The Sea Eagles should of learnt by now, you can't clock off against the Tigers.

[i_amtrunks]

There is no way in hell that first "try" was a try. About as clear a knock on as you will ever see. You have to have control of the ball when grounding it & Beau Ryan had neither.

Never said it should be a try, and I agree 100% with what you say, but going off tries given in recent weeks, it should have been allowed. Consistency is the key when officiating, and the NRL currently has none.


The pocket referee was clearly out of position & it is he who should be cited for professional incompetance. JT deliberately ran into the referee from 20 metres away. Completely different circumstances.

Any contact with any official is meant to be penalised, yet once again it got nothing. The Manly player, whoever it was intentionally lowered his shoulder to barge the ref out of the way (and failed). It would have been even sadder had the professional foul never occurred as he would never would have gotten to Farah in time to stop him.


All in all a good game of footy to watch bar the result & the Tigers 2nd try coming from a forward pass.

And who you support comes out!

Refs making mistakes is the only constant in the NRL right now, calling good passes forwards, and letting some spectacular forward ones go. It looked to me like it floated forward, but I have yet to see any shots of the pass to see if it was thrown backwards or forwards from the hands, so I cannot say anymore on it.

The result was the right one, Manly were lucky to still be in it at the end, the Tigers were the stronger team in the final 60 minutes.

And I have to agree about Matai Bobby, he is a grub, and is one of about half a dozen players who should have been rubbed out of the game years ago.

[Prowl]

I won't get into it either as I think the better team on the night won & it was certainly a game of 2 halves & the Tigers did well to keep Manly pinned down in the 2nd half.

As for Farrah he was covered by Lyon & was never going to score anyway.

I certainly agree with the referee standard being poor at best & their inconsistency is the only consistant standard in the game.

I am a huge Manly fan & I personally like their hyper aggressive style. Unlike many I don't find Matai a grub I think he is a guy who gives 100% in everything he does & sails so close to the line he is bound to go over it on occasion.

He does some questionable things but I don't find him a maliciously dirty player as such like say Billy Slater who is a dirty player IMO. I also have the opinion that it is not a true Manly game unless Matai gets up clutching a body part in agony :)

[Bartrim]

I think Melbourne really showed what a force they are last night overcoming some really biased officiating to beat Parramatta.

[i_amtrunks]

I think Melbourne really showed what a force they are last night overcoming some really biased officiating to beat Parramatta.

The NRL really want Hayne to be their little superstar and the twerp keeps stuffing it up... This is not the first year Parra has had the officials try to gift them games, there were a few last year as well as the year before...

I missed watching the game due to a flight, but from the highlights, Hayne really butched that try early on at 0-0, loved a comment I heard on the radio "He could have scored easily a few metres in, but saw all the cameras in the corner and went for the super amazing try". :p

Loved seeing the Dragons beaten by Souths, Souths were lucky to be awrded a few of theris, but they were playign with heart and energy while the Dragons were not.
Also must say seeing Newcastle score points was wonderful, wish they could do it more often.

[Bartrim]

The NRL really want Hayne to be their little superstar and the twerp keeps stuffing it up... This is not the first year Parra has had the officials try to gift them games, there were a few last year as well as the year before...

I missed watching the game due to a flight, but from the highlights, Hayne really butched that try early on at 0-0, loved a comment I heard on the radio "He could have scored easily a few metres in, but saw all the cameras in the corner and went for the super amazing try". :p

Also must say seeing Newcastle score points was wonderful, wish they could do it more often.

LOL. I had quite the chuckle myself at Hayne :D

Newcastle did well against a very poor Titans. One try that the Knights scored Rankin was standing 2 metres deep in goal. Who's he going to stop there? Then when Uate had 50 metres and was barrelling along Rankin tried to stop him on the goal line:D I don't think that result was ever in doubt

[Bartrim]

So lets see whats going to happen to Todd Carney now the Roosters aren't going so good.

Also is anyone else surprised Gallen got off?

[Sharky]

So lets see whats going to happen to Todd Carney now the Roosters aren't going so good.

Also is anyone else surprised Gallen got off?

nope not suprised, it was a joke he was put on report and cited to begin with, sure it was stupid to lash out and deserved a penalty but that is about it... there are many cases of players kicking feet and legs in the game,

If Gallen meant to do it there would of been a lot more damage to Beau Henry and he should of let go of the leg earlier, if gal didnt make contact i am sure the penatly would of gone the other way.

Carney is an Alcoholic.. as soon as people start treating him like one and really get him the help he needs he is a lost cause..

unfortunatly in the modern game if roosters were to sack him another club would sign him almost instantly... the NRL needs to step in and maybe deregister him or atleast make sure the roosters are not disadvantaged like the raiders were so many years ago for doing "the right thing".

[Bartrim]

nope not suprised, it was a joke he was put on report and cited to begin with, sure it was stupid to lash out and deserved a penalty but that is about it... there are many cases of players kicking feet and legs in the game,

If Gallen meant to do it there would of been a lot more damage to Beau Henry and he should of let go of the leg earlier, if gal didnt make contact i am sure the penatly would of gone the other way.



But Gallens leg was free. It's not like he was trying to free his leg and accidently hit Henry in the face. Henry had finally released his leg and then Gallen looked back and then planted a boot in Beau Henry's face. Did Henry hold on too long? Yes. Should Henry have been penalised? Absolutely. Does that warrant Gallen driving his foot intentionally into his face? no way in hell. Gallen should of got 2 weeks minimum. Yes I agree others do it too but that is no excuse to give Gallen a free pass. I used to play union and getting stamped on was my biggest peeve. There is no reason for it in the game.

[i_amtrunks]

But Gallens leg was free. It's not like he was trying to free his leg and accidently hit Henry in the face. Henry had finally released his leg and then Gallen looked back and then planted a boot in Beau Henry's face. Did Henry hold on too long? Yes. Should Henry have been penalised? Absolutely. Does that warrant Gallen driving his foot intentionally into his face? no way in hell. Gallen should of got 2 weeks minimum. Yes I agree others do it too but that is no excuse to give Gallen a free pass. I used to play union and getting stamped on was my biggest peeve. There is no reason for it in the game.

With Gallen's track record, and the fact that Gallen only did it after his leg was freed, meant he should have done a couple of weeks, however the second Dugan wasn't charged (which looked accidental, and worse than Gallen's!) Gallen had to be let off too.

But they have set the precedent now, so they will have to deal with any on field consequences that arise. (if any.)

[i_amtrunks]

So St George gone?

They could end up 7th after this weekend, could slip to 8th if Newcastle win every game (doubtful). ) If results go to form (Knights beat Dogs, but lose to Souths and Brisbane, Brisbane beat Souths, Dogs lose to Manly then it should mean a week 1 final exit for St George against Manly, while Newcastle get eaten alive by the Storm...

Loved Slaters efforts tonight, he is a machine, Widdop played extremely well, more than a handy replacement for Cronk. Also had a laugh when Soward stayed down after a good clean hit to try and milk a penalty and got the nothing it deserved, the big sook.

[Skullcruncher]

So St George gone?

They could end up 7th after this weekend, could slip to 8th if Newcastle win every game (doubtful). ) If results go to form (Knights beat Dogs, but lose to Souths and Brisbane, Brisbane beat Souths, Dogs lose to Manly then it should mean a week 1 final exit for St George against Manly, while Newcastle get eaten alive by the Storm...

Loved Slaters efforts tonight, he is a machine, Widdop played extremely well, more than a handy replacement for Cronk. Also had a laugh when Soward stayed down after a good clean hit to try and milk a penalty and got the nothing it deserved, the big sook.

Damn soward hes in both my dream team and super coach and hes giving both teams a bad name - but ive had no trades available since 2 weeks ago :o

[i_amtrunks]

Anasta needs to have a few weeks off I think, he goes too far in his onfield complaints to refs and he needs to be made an example of.

Isaac Luke also should be commended for his dive, any soccer player would have been proud of it. He should have been given the penalty even without the dive, maybe the NRL needs to look at penalising those who try to milk penalties?

Also glad the Storm won on Friday, I knew the Dragons scored from a forward pass, but it was shockingly forward. What is the point of having touch judges if they cant even see a pass go 3+ metres forward?

Gallen and Jennings got injured tonight, have both of them, and Gasnier all in my supercoach team, have semis next week and only one trade... I should have bought David Simmons instead of Jennings!

[Grievous]

NRL Game Notes:

~Melbourne vs. St George-Illawarra~
Another below par performance from the Dragons allowed
Melbourne to extended their impressive winning streak on
Friday night.

For the Dragons...Dean Young, Ben Hornby and Matt Cooper
looked dangerous...but lacked support from their team mates
and once again Jamie Soward had a poor game. The Dragons
look like a team who have simply run out of steam...and while
there was only 2 points in it...they never really had control of
the game.

Melbourne on the other hand looked focused from the start
and while they lacked direction without Cooper Cronk...
Cameron Smith, Gareth Widdop and Billy Slater all stepped
up to fill the void. A special mention must go to Rory Kostjasyn
and Dane Nielsen who looked dangerous with every touch.

Game Highlight:
Anthony Quinn delivering a "Rock Bottom" to Jamie Soward.

Workhorse:
Bryan Norrie.

Best Player:
Rory Kostjasyn...give him a starting spot.

Worst Player:
Beau Champion was horrible in a winning team.

~South Sydney vs. North Queensland~
The Rabbits kept their finals hopes alive with a golden point
victory over the Cowboys.

The Cowboys played well enough with Matt Scott and James
Tamou dominating up front allowing Jonathan Thurston and
Matt Bowen ample attacking opportunities. The Cowboys
also had the advantage of Greg Inglis and Nathan Merrit
both pulling out before the game...but it wasn't enough.

Souths had the spirit and desire to fight back late in the
game and thanks mainly to Parramatta bound halfback Chris
Sandow and Origin forward Dave Taylor...Souths got over
the line.

Now ignoring "the milking" of the winning penalty...Souths
deserved to win and the Cowboys only have themselves to
blame for allowing the Rabbits the chance to snatch the
game from them.

Game Highlight:
Chris Sandow's 80 metre intercept run followed by his side
line conversion to tie the game at 24 all.

Workhorse:
James Tamou.

Best Player:
Chris Sandow...but James Tamou also deserves a mention.

Worst Player:
Luke Burgess made a few careless errors...but he still put in 100%.

~Final Thoughts~
Melbourne do appear to be premiership favorites as the Dragons
continue to slip down the Ladder. Souths have spirit and will be
a real danger team if they make the finals and the Cowboys need
to learn to focus for the full 80 minutes.

All in all...a good night of league with plenty of highlights.
:cool:

[Bartrim]

Interesting point of debate the whole Issac Luke "dive". I'm torn by the issue. Yeah I think he took a dive but also the shot did deserve a penalty that he wouldn't of gotten if he got up and played on.

Anyway I got to go to the SFS yesterday to watch The Tigers vs Eels and what a fantastic day it was:D. Even though he ran some good metres and tunnel balled the footy to Marshall but geez Utai's defence needs some work. Oh and at a live game you get a real feel for how lazy Hayne is. He deliberately avoids the ball so often and his defence is woeful.

[Sharky]

Oh and at a live game you get a real feel for how lazy Hayne is. He deliberately avoids the ball so often and his defence is woeful.

this i have noticed a number of times, i do not think Hayne deserves the accolades that are heaped on him at best he is a solid first grader but not the star the media make him out to be.. he has flashes of brilliance but they are a shadow compared to someone like cam smith darren lockyear or benji marshall....

[i_amtrunks]

this i have noticed a number of times, i do not think Hayne deserves the accolades that are heaped on him at best he is a solid first grader but not the star the media make him out to be.. he has flashes of brilliance but they are a shadow compared to someone like cam smith darren lockyear or benji marshall....

He was even worse at fullback. Slater makes opposition kickers look bad by getting to the ball to take it on the full, Hayne used to amble around and hope his wingers would do the work.

One of the kids told me a great joke this morning: "What has 34 legs and still can't climb a ladder?"
Answer- "Parramatta".
Absolute awesomesauce.

Manly were dull but clinical yesterday, they will grind teams to dust during the finals if given a chance, maybe a Manly/Melbourne final again, Channel 9 will be aghast! :p

[Bartrim]

One of the kids told me a great joke this morning: "What has 34 legs and still can't climb a ladder?"
Answer- "Parramatta".
Absolute awesomesauce.


There is a few good jokes going around at the moment. There is an unofficial facebook page for TAB sportsbet with the Eels at $15 for the win and Emu Plains under 6s $1.10.:p

Also after last week I heard this one "What has 34 arms but can't catch a Rooster?"
Answer= St George Illawarra Dragons:D

The only bad thing about going to the game live was I couldn't hear Rabs and Gus commentating the Matt Utai tunnel ball. I heard it was pretty good.

[i_amtrunks]

So Knights downed last night, so the winner of the Knights/Souths game Saturday week should get to be trounced by melbourne the following week!

Wonder how busy the judiciary will be this week, should have about 5 Roosters fronting for their super cheap shots, but probably will have 0. :rolleyes:

[Skullcruncher]

So Knights downed last night, so the winner of the Knights/Souths game Saturday week should get to be trounced by melbourne the following week!

Wonder how busy the judiciary will be this week, should have about 5 Roosters fronting for their super cheap shots, but probably will have 0. :rolleyes:

The sharks (and jonathan thurston) just need to harden up.

Rabbitohs gunning for the top 8! Merrit and Inglis should be back this week, which is good, asotasi is a possibility too! I'm sure melbourne would rather play the knights than the Bunnies.

But what sucks arse is no Friday Night Football is shown in Melbourne until around midnight. What a joke - if channel 9 doesn't want to show it at a reasonable time they should just let foxtel show it live.

[Sharky]

only 1 rooster got cited... Waerea-Hargreaves got a grade three for the swinging arm on gallen..


it was a nasty swinging arm...

[i_amtrunks]

only 1 rooster got cited... Waerea-Hargreaves got a grade three for the swinging arm on gallen..


it was a nasty swinging arm...

It should have been more than grade 3, the Waera Hargeaves is a thug, up there with Matai, Bird and Gallen.

[Sharky]

It should have been more than grade 3, the Waera Hargeaves is a thug, up there with Matai, Bird and Gallen.

i am pretty sure if Gallen was on the other side of that swinging arm in the same circumstance he would of been sent from the field.

[i_amtrunks]

i am pretty sure if Gallen was on the other side of that swinging arm in the same circumstance he would of been sent from the field.

I have to agree on this one, and that is not the way it should be. One rule for all should be the way to go.

Friday nights games should be interesting, will Melbourne or Manly prevail, and then what? I can see Manly getting defeated and the game taking a heavy physical toll on them (the other team they played recently that plays tough in your face grinding footy is the Dragons, who beat them 24-6 or something a few weeks back) which they may take week 26 or longer to recover from, could be a start of a mini slide.

However I cannot see the eventual winners coming from outside the top 4. Manly and melbourne are proven winners in finals series, the Broncos have a way of winning in the finals when they shouldn't (and find me someone who doesn't have a part of them that wants Locky to leave a winner on grand final day), and the Tigers can beat anyone on their day, but how many of "their days" will they have/need?

Warriors can also win, but I dont think they can put three together against these quality sides, North Queensland have run out of puff after over-achieving while Thurston and Scott were out, the Dragons will need luck and everything to go their way to win three straight finals games and Newcastle/Souths will be there to make up the numbers.

[Bartrim]

Everyone is forgetting the most important clash of round 26. Titans vs Eels for the wooden spoon... should be a cracker:p

I just hope the Tigers don't stumble against the lower ranked clubs they are playing over the next couple of weeks as they have been known to do that.

[Prowl]

But what sucks arse is no Friday Night Football is shown in Melbourne until around midnight. What a joke - if channel 9 doesn't want to show it at a reasonable time they should just let foxtel show it live.

Just stream it. Thats what I am reduced to down in Mexico & whilst the picture is pretty poor I can at least watch football the way it was meant to be LIVE.


(and find me someone who doesn't have a part of them that wants Locky to leave a winner on grand final day)

Found. I would laugh if the Broncos make the GF only to lose. Lockyer has had more than enough time on the winners podium in his career.

[Bartrim]

"Is it your job to be physical and to go out on the field to hurt people?" Police prosecutor Sgt Rick Mansley
"No, it's my job to make the outside backs look good." Benji Marshall

What a champ:D Good to hear he was found not guilty too.

[Sharky]

What a champ:D Good to hear he was found not guilty too.

honestly i think the whole process was rediculous.. sometimes i do feel sorry for some of the stars.. (others do bring it on them selves) but what is stupid is that even made it to court.... a proper investigation would of yeilded the same results....

[i_amtrunks]

Benji's manager didnt help but just talking out his butt the day after the alleged incident.

Perhaps if footy stars were able to verse some of the drink idiots who try to fight them in clubs on the football field, these things would vanish from the media. :p

So are we thinking Manly or Melbourne tomorrow? The money is all on Manly, but they really didnt look good against the dogs, while the Storm were cruising against the dragons.

[Bartrim]

So are we thinking Manly or Melbourne tomorrow? The money is all on Manly, but they really didnt look good against the dogs, while the Storm were cruising against the dragons.

I honestly don't know what Bellamy's secret is. I thought The Dragons might of had a shot last week but Widdop and Kostjaysen really stood up. I would of said Manly to win but given the way these two played last week who knows. If Manly win I think it will really take it out of them physically and mentally and may hinder their preperations to the finals.

Oh well whatever makes it easier for the Tigers:D

[Skullcruncher]

I honestly don't know what Bellamy's secret is. I thought The Dragons might of had a shot last week but Widdop and Kostjaysen really stood up. I would of said Manly to win but given the way these two played last week who knows. If Manly win I think it will really take it out of them physically and mentally and may hinder their preperations to the finals.

Oh well whatever makes it easier for the Tigers:D

Melbourne storm for sure. I have warmed to Melbourne Storm since I have been here but still can't like them enough to buy a season ticket. Last game I went to was storm vs the raiders and there was a guy who was doing the DX Crotch Chop everytime Sika Manu got the ball and was screaming out Go Duffman everytime duffie had any involvement :D Was good entertainment as the game was pretty dull - and the storm lost!

[Sharky]

i will be backing the storm.. manly look flat... but then they also "did enough" to get the job done without over doing themselves... i do expect them to step up for the game... but the storm always seem to be that one gear ahead of the opposition..

[Reflector]

Storm - Broncos grand final, Broncos win by 8 :)

[i_amtrunks]

If Manly win I think it will really take it out of them physically and mentally and may hinder their preperations to the finals.

That is exactly what I was thinking, so I wonder if Manly will play but not compete (as in not go too hard) to save their energy for the finals? If they win tonight they still need resutls to go their way next week to win the minor premiership. Personally I'd think that Hasler will have them firing on all cylinders to win, and that there will be plenty of big hits.

Anyone tempted by the Titans $7.60 odds to beat the Tigers on Monday? :p

[Skullcruncher]

Sweet Supercoach has a new final series game!

"For the first time, thetelegraph.com.au is launching an exciting new fantasy game that runs during the NRL finals."

"It involves a reduced salary cap, reduced squad size and the selection of a new squad every week."

Get on it guys! :D

[i_amtrunks]

Get on it guys! :D

Already have, it's pretty easy to get a marginally good squad (read: Corey Parker, Cameron Smith and another high end player of your choice) as the lowest scoring player is omitted each week, so you only need 6 players that are playing and one $87000 non playing chump! :D

[Skullcruncher]

Already have, it's pretty easy to get a marginally good squad (read: Corey Parker, Cameron Smith and another high end player of your choice) as the lowest scoring player is omitted each week, so you only need 6 players that are playing and one $87000 non playing chump! :D

True I didn't read that I only needed 7 players so still got XIII in my username :o

[i_amtrunks]

What an awesome game so far!

Oh and now, what a fight! This will be great headlines for the NSW Papers tomorrow!

Manly all over the Storm, but the Storm have done extraordinarily well to hold them out. An injury to Williams was beautifully handled, the Storm players were fantastic in ensuring that Williams was secure and safe. six tackles later, biffo is on from stupidity.
Well done to the officials for sending Blair and Stewart for running a looong way in, sure it was obvious, but they dealt with it well, then the morons punched on (almost looked to me like they had a little chat to orchestrate it!). So from sin bin to send off. :rolleyes:

However Brett Stewart should have been binned too, he did the exact same thing when the 2 sin binned players went on, there is no way he was running in to break it up like his teammates seemed to.

Will be very interesting to see how 12 on 12 goes, and how many more times the teams will shape up, Melbourne certainly the winners of the send offs.

Blair and Stewart should get a few weeks off as well, for the sideline fight. Such stupidity.

-Added extra-
Sloppy defense in the final minute saw Slater score, that was not the Storm who turned up this game, Manly grinded this team of pretenders to the dirt. I have not seen the Storm that flat and negative in a very long time. Manly were great though, but at what cost? They should lose one Stewart for a few weeks, the other is injured again (or too scared to face off against a real fullback), Wolfman could be gone for good (if it is the same injury as Dyer had), not to mention the physical toll from all that tackling.
Crowd gave Manly at least 12 points, they bought lots of penalties and everything went Manly's way, calls, bounces, the lot.

The other game sounds intereting, I only got snippets, but the Roosters went from ordinary to ramped up in the last 15... Parra for the SPOOOOOOOON! :D

[Grievous]

Manly vs. Melbourne was a great game...it had a bit of everything...
Freaky tries...punch ups...send offs...it was great too watch.

Manly really put Melbourne in a vice...and the Storm had no answers...
but they now have a few injury problems to worry about.

I'm currently watching my team (Parramatta) taking on the Roosters...
And why Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler are allowed to commentate is
just beyond me. I feel so sorry for Andrew Voss...he must hate these
nights at work.

I'd rather to listen to nails scraping on a chalkboard while a baby cries
over a fire alarm than have my ears bled out by Johns and Fittler.
:mad:

[Fungal Infection]

Have to agree - that was not the Storm I know and love who played this game. No creativity in the halves, they seemed lost with the ball at times and stupid penalties conceeded at every turn. Atleast the the loss means Melbourne can start fresh at a new run into the finals whilst Manly look like they've won at considerable cost. Storm to get the minor premiership still though.

[i_amtrunks]

and stupid penalties conceeded at every turn.

I thought that there wasn't much difference in the teams style of tackling/slow down the play the ball, the Manly crowd did a brilliant job of ensuring Manly got every advantage.

And I watch the second game on mute, not a fan of Voss (dont hate him, just he can be grating) and Joey is fine when he is talking about the game/enjoying it, but Fittler is an idiot, and a bias idiot at that.

Ordinary player, terrible "commentator". :rolleyes:

[Bartrim]

The first game was entertaining. I think Melbourne needed that loss. Better to have the bubble burst before the finals. That is my only concern with the Tigers. To win the premiership they will have to win 12 games in a row.

The fight was awesome. I think Brett Stewart got save by "brotherly love" otherwise he would of been sin binned. I agree that the Manly crowd really helped with the penalty count but also kudos to Manly to win the game without both Stewarts and Williams.

I fell asleep during the 2nd half of the second game so i was quite surprised to see that the Roosters had won. Parra looked like they were going ok and Hayne had learnt to run the ball. Will have to watch the replay to see how they blew it.

[Seraphim Prime]

Just a quick note to say congrats to the Wallabies for a fantastic win against the All Blacks tonight.

After 10 years, the Tri-Nations trophy is back on Australian soil. :)

[Fungal Infection]

Great win for the wallabies, too bad channel 9's coverage was so half-arsed. I was getting so frustrated everytime they were playing and then they'd suddenly cut to an ad even while the commentators were still talking. I hope they dont carry this form into the WC. :mad:

[Bartrim]

Manly have named Glen Stewart.:rolleyes: Are they joking or arrogant?

[i_amtrunks]

Manly have named Glen Stewart.:rolleyes: Are they joking or arrogant?

Both. They cannot take it on the chin without having a massive whine about it. They still think Brett Stewart should have been apologised to after his idiot session two years ago.

They now also think that the NRL should pay a fulltime official to escort sin binned players from the field (not the clubs, but the NRL :rolleyes:) and Kite has said that the media is to blame for replaying the incident, not that the boofheads shouldn't have fought to begin with.

Whatever they are drinking on the peninsula obviously makes them think they are above reproach.

[Sharky]

and Kite has said that the media is to blame for replaying the incident, not that the boofheads shouldn't have fought to begin with.



now they news didnt show all of his comments.. but what he said i thought had some merit...

basically he said that as a parent he tells his kids that that kind of behaviour is uncalled for and basically he said it should be your (the medias) responsibility to not show the event over and over sensationalising the event . it was more about setting an example to young kids that this kind of on field behaviour was wrong. not broadcast when kids can see it over and over...

or something to that effect.. it has merit but either way manly are whinging to much...