The Football (all sorts) Thread

[Metallikato]

Has that new Sydney soccer team made an approach for Israel Folau yet? Maybe he can open the batting with Chris Gayle for the Sydney Thunder in this years BBL...

[Bartrim]

I also see the tigers lost another player.....

Who?

[Sharky]

Who?

Tom Humble, off to the panthers on a 2 year deal.

[Bartrim]

Tom Humble, off to the panthers on a 2 year deal.

Oh yeah I knew about that. Tigers told him around round 20 he wasn't required next year.

[Bartrim]

Stop the game!!!!!

St Louis 7- San Francisco 0 (in the 1st quarter:o)

[5FDP]

Stop the game!!!!!

St Louis 7- San Francisco 0 (in the 1st quarter:o)

Enjoy it while you can ;)

[Bartrim]

Enjoy it while you can ;)

Are you watching the game? I'll be watching it tonight when I get home.

[Bartrim]

Fair and square 24-24 end of OT. Ball even ended up on halfway:)

I can't wait to see this game tonight. I want to see this illegal formation call on St. Louis at the start of overtime was fair or bogus.

[5FDP]

I'm gonna say this - the Rams should have won that contest. They wanted it more than the 49ers who were deplorable on defense. There's no excuse especially considering they just came off the bye :mad:

Sure, Alex Smith was knocked out of the game (our starting QB), but that's football.

I hate draws... they make you feel so empty.

Probably the reason why I have no interest in soccer ;)


Are you watching the game? I'll be watching it tonight when I get home.

Nah, I was following it on NFL.com. Unless it's on ONE, I usually see the game 1-2 days after as I download them when they're available. Found that I only kept Foxtel for the NFL. In the end, it wasn't worth it because it was a rare occasion that they would actually show a 49ers game. The coverage on ONE is on par with Foxtel.

[i_amtrunks]

After watching alot of A league thanks to the Wanders and foxtel, this friendly is terrible.

South Korea are carving the Aussies up, and rightly deserve their lead, should be further infront; however, their diving is atrocious, they must have been taking lessons from the Italians :rolleyes:

I know it is a very good strategy to use against the Aussies, they have a reputation for being physical, but it is a terrible look for the game to casual fans and as always gives ammunition to haters of soccer.

The way the players fall seconds after being gently bumped and then clutch the wrong part of their body gives away a dive compared to a true injury, and any player caught doing so should be instantly red carded. If a player is stretchered off, they should have a 5 minute "healing window" to minimise the number of times players come straight back on once they have caught their breath.

[Sharky]

diving is the worst thing in the game and it has turned the sport into one for fairies... i played the game for 18 years in a few different levels of the sport and i can not watch it, its a disgrace and a joke... diving is easily spotted and should be punished hard... do this for a season and it will be out of the game alltogether...

the worst is the blatent dive in the penalty box.. this i believe should be reversed, you get pinged diving in the box the ref marches up the other end and gives the opposition the shot from the spot.

[i_amtrunks]

the worst is the blatent dive in the penalty box.. this i believe should be reversed, you get pinged diving in the box the ref marches up the other end and gives the opposition the shot from the spot.

That I like, but would never happen, it would require FIFA to grow a pair! The only international sporting body worse than FIFA is the Cricket governing body.

The NBA has taken a tougher stance on diving this season, and I feel already it has worked, players are not rolling around after a hit/collision anymore.

[5FDP]

49ers (6-2-1) v Bears (7-2-0) about to start - battle of the backup QB's on Monday Night Football in the game of the year :(

[5FDP]

49ers destroying the Bears 32-7 and Lachie Whitfield selected as the Giants no. 1 pick in last nights AFL Draft... it's been a good week :D

[Bartrim]

So after 139minutes and 24seconds of football we have a result

GO RAMS!

[5FDP]

So after 139minutes and 24seconds of football we have a result

GO RAMS!

Well played sir, well played :)

[Bartrim]

Well played sir, well played :)

We were lucky. I thought that 14 yard punt was the end of us.

[5FDP]

49ers v Packers this Sunday :cool: Coverage starts at 12 PM on ONE HD. GO NINERS!!

[5FDP]

49ers are one game away from the Super Bowl :D

[Bartrim]

Go Niners... Only because we're friends.

[5FDP]

Go Niners... Only because we're friends.

Awww... thanks mate :) You know I'd be going for the Rams if they made it too :rolleyes: :p

The game's being played next Monday which is my b'day. There's a good omen right there :D

If there are any other NFL fans out there, get amongst the Super Bowl festivities on Feb 4th by attending one of the many parties across the country (http://ussportsdownunder.com/nfl/attend/events/places-to-watch-super-bowl-xlvii-in-australia-2013).

[Sharky]

Today news surfaced that the Rugby League Community lost a member this morning

Jonny Mannah (23 y.o.)

Cronulla and Parramata Player

he lost his battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma

but that isnt his story, his story is one of inspiration and triumph to make it back to the elite level after he was first diagnosed with the cancer in 2009,

Being a sharks Supporter i had opportunity to meet and chat with Jon at his time at the sharks, and he was a great man, a kid really but he had endured so much, and full of life, his triumph was a real inspiration to hear him talk about it, especially for someone like me who had their entire life turned upside down to a significant injury, it puts things in perspective, he was a real role model and the rugby league/sporting community has lost a real champion

RIP Jon Mannah you will not be forgotten by this supporter!

[Bartrim]

Today news surfaced that the Rugby League Community lost a member this morning

Jonny Mannah (23 y.o.)

Cronulla and Parramata Player

he lost his battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma

but that isnt his story, his story is one of inspiration and triumph to make it back to the elite level after he was first diagnosed with the cancer in 2009,

Being a sharks Supporter i had opportunity to meet and chat with Jon at his time at the sharks, and he was a great man, a kid really but he had endured so much, and full of life, his triumph was a real inspiration to hear him talk about it, especially for someone like me who had their entire life turned upside down to a significant injury, it puts things in perspective, he was a real role model and the rugby league/sporting community has lost a real champion

RIP Jon Mannah you will not be forgotten by this supporter!

So sad:( His tale was one of inspiration. It saddens me so much when I read this story on fox sports news active then the next story is about Jennings and Cleary bitching about whether Jennings is worth $600,000 a season. Players like that need to step back and look at someone like Jon Mannah.

[5FDP]

http://www.hot97.com/EI/sharedobjects/handlers/ir.ashx?p=TgBpAHIAcABnAGEAUwBNAFIASgA0ADIANABjAHcA cABPAEIAQgBUAEwANwBrAFAAOABxAGEATwBJAGMAdQBVAHQAWA BkAEQAYQA0ADUATAB1AGQARwBEAEcAbABRAHoAYQBVAE8AcABD AG4AbgB0AG4AcAAyAGwATAA1AHIATwBBAGYAYgAxAGIAZgBoAD kASAA0AEUAdwBwAHMAcwBDAGwAbQBFAFkAMwB2AGwATABXAGYA KwBaAG8AWAA3ADkAZgBVAGwAdgBqAFUARgBUADUATAB5AGYAMg AzAEkAMwBWAGkAdgB1AHMAbQBOAHIAbABKAHcAbABtAEYAMgA5 ADAAQwBtAEUARgA1AEkAbQB4AEQAeABRAEYAKwBGAHMAVwBZAE kAaQBOAHQAdwBDAEUAVgByAG4ARwBXAGgAZQA1ADQAWABnAG0A bwBLAE8AdwBqADAATQB0AHcAUgBPAEwARwBjAG0AQQBPAHIAbw BSAEUAegAwAHIAeQBxAFAAYgBZAFAAbwA0AEsALwAzAHUAagBP ADgATQBUADgAegBmAEsASQBoAGMAZgBCAHYATwBSAGMAVgBFAE 4ARABFAG0ASgBJADMAbQBIAGMASQBwADcAZQBlAHcAWgBWAEEA MABKAGgALwBYADYATwBTAHoATAAyAEQAMgBFAG0AUgBNAHAAag BBAHEAWABPAFUAdgBHAHEAcQBvAEEASwBmADcAWgBtAGsARABn AFoARgA0ADQAWQBsAEUANgAwAG4AegBhADYAZwBDAEMALwBHAH QAOQBBAD0A&h=300&mh=300

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Bartrim]

I hope the 49ers win... 'Cause then I can say that The Rams beat the Superbowl Champions:p

Since I missed out on NRL dream team last year I have already set up an ozformer cup if anyone wants to join. The code is 657965

[5FDP]

I hope the 49ers win... 'Cause then I can say that The Rams beat the Superbowl Champions:p

You can have that little victory... I'll take a Vince Lombardi Trophy ;) :)

[5FDP]

LMFAO at all the 49ers forums with everyone trying to prove who is the 'bigger' fan. It's always funny how these 'fans' all come out of the wood-work when a team is performing well but since 2002 (the last time the Niners made the playoffs aside from last year) were nowhere to be found.

If you want to be a fan, a true fan, you will follow your team through both good times and bad times. Hey, I'm also a GWS Giants fan and we only won 2 games last year :p

[Bartrim]

What is happening to the Niners?!?!?!?!

[5FDP]

What is happening to the Niners?!?!?!?!

A picture tells a thousand words...

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3509/holda.jpg

That's called HOLDING!

Gutless refs refusing to make the call because they know it would have changed the outcome :mad:

Yeah, I'm still pissed!

[Bartrim]

Well big news at the Sharkies! I wonder what's going to happen. Are they going to try to offload some reserve graders as scapegoats orstall their investigation? I liked ASADA's "deal" they offered the Sharks.

Interesting times in the shire.

[Sharky]

Well big news at the Sharkies! I wonder what's going to happen. Are they going to try to offload some reserve graders as scapegoats orstall their investigation? I liked ASADA's "deal" they offered the Sharks.

Interesting times in the shire.

depends which news article you read, ASADA came out and said they didnt interview anyone today.. cronulla say they are complying with investigations, first its 6 players or 14 or the entire squad..... then 20 players in the entire comp in more then the 6 clubs originally named..

its a right royal mess no matter which club you support.

and this is all to do with a guy that spent 2.5 weeks at cronulla... whats gonna happen to manly where he spent 2+ years when it is there turn in the media..........

[Starscream77]

All i can say is.... how good were the MIGHTY EELS on the weekend

Top of the table !!!!!! (may be the only chance i get to say it so i am living it up)

[Bartrim]

Thank god for yesterdays results. After Saturday Night I was 0-4 with my tips. Now atleast I'm 3 from 7

[i_amtrunks]

All i can say is.... how good were the MIGHTY EELS on the weekend

Top of the table !!!!!! (may be the only chance i get to say it so i am living it up)

Eels, Panfers in 1-2... might be the only time this decade we see that! :D

Game quality was pretty low overall, that Titans vs. Alleged Cheats game was terrible.

[mknell]

Thank god for yesterdays results. After Saturday Night I was 0-4 with my tips. Now atleast I'm 3 from 7

8 from 8 for me :)


All i can say is.... how good were the MIGHTY EELS on the weekend

Top of the table !!!!!! (may be the only chance i get to say it so i am living it up)

yay another Eels fan! I don't mind we are 2nd now was still good, I was at the game were you?

[i_amtrunks]

After having all the kids going on about Parra being top of the table on Monday it sure was sweet to go have a "Newcastle #1" on the interactive whiteboard all day.

Wish this ASADA crap would dissolve. They've got nothing and are trying to bully, intimidate and scare the players who followed medical advice into dobbing themselves in for nothing to make ASADA look good.

I know the ultimate responsibility falls on the player to ensure what they put in their bodies is legal regardless of the sport but when you have professional staff who you trust it's not fair to put all the blame on the players.

At least in football you don't get dropped for not sucking up to one of the worst captains(but more talented batsman) we've ever had!

[jazzcomp]

American footy related :)
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/purse-choice-women-stand-against-nfl-no-purse-134941526.html

[Bartrim]

So all the Tigers needed was a halfback? SMH

[Sharky]

So all the Tigers needed was a halfback? SMH

well one that wanted to play footy atleast

[Sharky]

soo the 7th tackle try....

whats everyones opinion?

media is saying it cost the cowboys the game.

what do i think

i think the call was woefull how do 6 officials stuff up a tackle count, but did it cost the cowboys the game...

NO

it happened early enough for them to take control of the game and win it, it would be a different story if cronulla had scored that in the dying minutes to secure the win, but the fact is it happened in the 8th minute... and no body on the feild new straight away either... 70 minutes of football the cowboys could of overcome the odds and won but they didnt.

so the cowboys supporters are calling for the try to be stripped and the game awarded to them. or a rematch midweek.. is that fair?

NO

its really all a bunch of ifs and buts..

if the ref made the right call at the time who is to say that cronulla wouldnt of scored anyway.. they called 5th tackle as 4th tackle... so if cronulla got the 5th tackle call when they were supposed to (how many players count the tackles? not many they wait for the refs call) how do you know the exact same play would not of eventuated, they might of put up a bomb and scored, got a repeat set and scored, forced an error and scored under the posts .

do you go furthur and scrutinise every call the refs made, the penalty for "tackle in the air" that was awarded to the cowboys when the player was clearly attacking the ball, the JT Trip that was missed, the forward pass from dummy half that gave the cowboys a repeat set, the strip from cronulla that was missed and called lost ball, all of these bad calls resutled in momentum swings or points so did this cost the cowboys winning by 20 or the sharks winning by 6...

as it turned out they almost won the game in the end and it was centimetres that cost them, is that the ground keepers fault for making the touch line wider then normal?

Fact is Cowboys lost and the the refs should be held accountable, but the result is the same. the game was pretty good mostly the crowd was into it and its a shame it will be remebered for that rather then the effort put in by both teams as a curtain raiser to one of the best defensive games i had seen in a loooooooong time

[Bartrim]

Like you said it's all ifs and buts. Who knows what would of happened if they got it right. I'm more shocked that like you said six officials completely missed it. I did laugh at the memes of Jim Carrey from Bruce Almighty with 7 fingers saying "Alright sharks last tackle":D

[Deonasis]

It sucks such a simple adjudicating error has happened again this year for them. Most of those officials will not be featuring again this year.

I play competitive sport and I always want to do more than win by a point. I dislike hearing "ref cost us the game" when we *just* lose because the refs are another element of the game that you can nullify by playing better. The great teams can often win by many points.

You have to outscore the opposition + a few bad referee calls to really sure things up and in the big matches the Cowboys do not win games by enough points to dodge this stuff and it has bitten them hard again. I have disliked Kane Linnett but he played great, the best I have seen him play - but if he could've held the ball out front like a winger he would've been well in.

[Sharky]

[QUOTE=Deonasis;374680]It sucks such a simple adjudicating error has happened again this year for them.QUOTE]

a little bit of evidence that the cowboys got away with one too (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEispW9Sjw&feature=youtu.be)

JT Clearly trips Galen illegaly which directly resulted in the 54th Minute Taumalolo try and Thurston Conversion

in football terms that is your Square up.

the right team won on the day

[MayzaPrime]

[QUOTE=Deonasis;374680]It sucks such a simple adjudicating error has happened again this year for them.QUOTE]

a little bit of evidence that the cowboys got away with one too (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEispW9Sjw&feature=youtu.be)

JT Clearly trips Galen illegaly which directly resulted in the 54th Minute Taumalolo try and Thurston Conversion

in football terms that is your Square up.

the right team won on the day

The Cowboys had 72mins to recover from this error (as bad as it was), they also got another call to go their way when JT kicked the ball into the back of Jeff Robson... That never should have been called 6 again.

What bugs me the most is JT saying that there is a NSW conspiracy... What a joke did he forget the last few years when all the calls went QLDs way. 8 in a row and still complaining.

[Deonasis]

By no means i am saying it lost them the game. Any game can be picked apart for the grubby or rule bending stuff that does not get called (our days will not end if we point it all out). I am saying that it was a simple error, but on a absolute cornerstone rule of rugby league aka.. a howler.

JT's, Tate's, Tamuo's, Henry's, etc.. comments on conspiracy make great redneck news stories. Henry should never have started it despite his frustrations. Then everyone else gets the same question and they throw spiteful barbs back at the at the NRL & NSWRL, daring them to be fined. I think their comments reflect how much last years exit still haunts them.. another plain as day, much apologised howler.

[Sharky]

i am very suprised they have not been fined, or in JT's case suspended. they are some pretty heavy allegations

in reality it makes Toove's comments seem rather placid, and for greenberg to say that henry spoke from the heart and was passionate so wont face a fine... makes Tooves even more of a farce..

i still cant beleive they are carrying on 4 days after it.

[Skullcruncher]

i still cant beleive they are carrying on 4 days after it.

If it were the sharks im sure the sharks players would still be talking about it, same with any team. Hey we in NZ are still talking about the underarm. In fact its part of the citizenship test! Well not quite :D

[Deonasis]

I guess it is news until the papers gear up for the next weekend.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Well the AFL Grand Final is over and predictably the Hawks took it out.

They should have let me team play! Sure Essendon are all drug cheats, but imagine someone leaping 20 feet into the air to take a mark! Would have been a lot more enjoyable than todays showing.

At least it was an excuse to crack a beer at 2.30 in the arvo :D

[i_amtrunks]

As a Newcastle fan I'm a little sad but far from surprised. Was on a plane for most of the game, but once Buderus knocked himself out I knew it was going to be a long night.

I was surprised by the Manly win as they were dead on their feet against the Central QLD Sharks last week.

It's the worst possible final outcome for the NRL, the drug taking, criminal underworld connected latte lovers against a team whose fans are deathly afraid of crossing the harbour. Both are teams that no-one who isn't a fan really cares about, or actively hates. At least if either the Knights or Souths made the final most people wouldve had a team to back, as one or the other seem to be everyone's second or third favourite team.

I'd wager a hefty sum that there will be a lot of grand final tickets on sale on eBay from Souths supporters that they will not be able to offload due to Manlys non travelling fans, and the roosters lack of fans at all.

[Sharky]

Central QLD Sharks


Won't happen. Club is better off then the media (Rebecca Wilson) thinks.



At least if either the Knights or Souths made the final most people wouldve had a team to back, as one or the other seem to be everyone's second or third favourite team.
[\quote]

They are about 19 [souths] and 21 [Knights] with roosters sitting 20th on my list of favorites teams, in all seriousness I never understood the second team thing.

[quote]
I'd wager a hefty sum that there will be a lot of grand final tickets on sale on eBay from Souths supporters that they will not be able to offload due to Manlys non travelling fans, and the roosters lack of fans at all.

This is true but I think a lot of misc fans will attend. Just to boo both teams

[Deonasis]

Yep, my interest in next Sundays game is gone. Rabbits v Knights was my ideal GF before the Semifinal games started and if either survived I would be as keen as mustard but now I have some free time.

[i_amtrunks]

Won't happen. Club is better off then the media (Rebecca Wilson) thinks.

I know, just yanking your chain! :D
(Also, I happened to be in the Mackay region when the story came out and there's NO way they'd take the sharks as their own!)

This will only be the second grand final i have no interest in watching, the first was the Easts vs Dragons final a few years back.

If the NRL wants to only relocate Sydney teams as opposed to creating new teams (fair enough, as I don't think we have the depth of talent for more than 16 teams, heck I don't think we have enough legitimate halves for 12 clubs!), you would think the Roosters would be candidate #1. They have bugger all fans, bugger all members who attend matches, no junior clubs, do not fund or support junior clubs, play in an area well serviced by Souths and are genuinely hated by most supporters due to their history of stealing talent.

And seriously, what idiot thought that "roosters" made for a good intimidating mascot? (Same for rabbits and to a lesser extent eels) :p

[Sharky]

I know, just yanking your chain! :D
(Also, I happened to be in the Mackay region when the story came out and there's NO way they'd take the sharks as their own!)

This will only be the second grand final i have no interest in watching, the first was the Easts vs Dragons final a few years back.

If the NRL wants to only relocate Sydney teams as opposed to creating new teams (fair enough, as I don't think we have the depth of talent for more than 16 teams, heck I don't think we have enough legitimate halves for 12 clubs!), you would think the Roosters would be candidate #1. They have bugger all fans, bugger all members who attend matches, no junior clubs, do not fund or support junior clubs, play in an area well serviced by Souths and are genuinely hated by most supporters due to their history of stealing talent.

And seriously, what idiot thought that "roosters" made for a good intimidating mascot? (Same for rabbits and to a lesser extent eels) :p

Relocation is never a good thing, you can't take an established club and expect the locals to support them straight away, clubs are better off fading away like Cumberland, Glebe, Newtown, Norths and a new franchise take its place.

Look at the swans I despise the fact that as soon as the make the finals or grand finals it is always back to SMFC hell it's on the back of the jumper........are they really about Sydney

[Bartrim]

Personally I prefer The Roosters and Manly to Souths. But I'm a Tigers fan and we've hated Souths since they double crossed us is 1909.

Shame to see Buderus' career end like that.

[mknell]

Off to the Dally M awards tonight should be interesting

[i_amtrunks]

Personally I prefer The Roosters and Manly to Souths. But I'm a Tigers fan and we've hated Souths since they double crossed us is 1909.

Shame to see Buderus' career end like that.

That is word for word exactly what my father in law says! :D

I was flying back to Sydney for most of the flight but the last play I heard before boarding on the radio was hat Buderus had knocked himself out on Hargraves who is a known grub, so I was a little upset. Once I saw the tackle i was fine, it was Bedsy who put his head in the wrong spot. Not the best way to go for a champion player for club, state and country.

[Skullcruncher]

Personally I prefer The Roosters and Manly to Souths. But I'm a Tigers fan and we've hated Souths since they double crossed us is 1909.

Shame to see Buderus' career end like that.

I'll be watching it and hoping for a brutal game where both teams bash each other. As a souths fan I have really gone off them this year as the burgess bros are just grubs only just above gallen (how about another brown paper bag full of cash captain peptide!) who is at the bottom of the barrel.

Relocation just needs to happen, sorry sharky but in my opinion the sharks need to go or be pushed out. Even though I follow souths they should have been relocated when they were let back in, its only really since private ownership have they taken off and that could of happened anywhere.

[Bartrim]

I'll be watching it and hoping for a brutal game where both teams bash each other. As a souths fan I have really gone off them this year as the burgess bros are just grubs only just above gallen (how about another brown paper bag full of cash captain peptide!) who is at the bottom of the barrel.


I hate the Burgess Brothers. When Souths played the Tigers in what was Benji Marshall's 200th game and his final game in Sydney all channel 9 wanted to do was talk Mrs Burgess and her boys. I know Benji's last year in the NRL was woeful but you can't take away what he has given the game and he atleast deserved some respect.

[Skullcruncher]

I hate the Burgess Brothers. When Souths played the Tigers in what was Benji Marshall's 200th game and his final game in Sydney all channel 9 wanted to do was talk Mrs Burgess and her boys. I know Benji's last year in the NRL was woeful but you can't take away what he has given the game and he atleast deserved some respect.

That was lame, who cares about a players mum, I have no idea why there is so much focus on her.

AFL do game milestones so much better than the NRL. :mad:

[i_amtrunks]

AFL do every game related item so much better than the NRL. :mad:

Fixed.

As an avid NRL supporter and only an occasional AFL watcher, it is obvious that the AFL understands and knows how to market their product far better than the NRL.

The missus just told me that Ricky Martin is the NRL grand final entertainment. I know he is on channel 9 for some show but you cannot tell me that he was the most suitable, relevant, or popular act they could get! :mad:

[Sharky]

That was lame, who cares about a players mum, I have no idea why there is so much focus on her.

AFL do game milestones so much better than the NRL. :mad:

Because she raised the 4 boys on her own after their father her husband died In The mid 2000's and the fact it was the first time 4 brothers had played together in the elite nrl level in over 100 years .

Benji deserved better treatment tho especially his service to the game even if his last season was worse than sandows.

[Skullcruncher]

Because she raised the 4 boys on her own after their father her husband died In The mid 2000's and the fact it was the first time 4 brothers had played together in the elite nrl level in over 100 years .


Care factor zero. Plenty of people have one parent for whatever reason. 4 Brothers in a team... hmmm interesting fact but I'd rather have a premiership anyday -Sam is the only one what I'd call a natural footballer and souths bosses need their head read if they let someone like jason clark go over luke burgess.

[Sharky]

Care factor zero. Plenty of people have one parent for whatever reason. 4 Brothers in a team... hmmm interesting fact but I'd rather have a premiership anyday -Sam is the only one what I'd call a natural footballer and souths bosses need their head read if they let someone like jason clark go over luke burgess.

hehe that is true but i think Sam has more to do with the burgess clan at souths then Jason Clark...

[i_amtrunks]

Care factor zero. Plenty of people have one parent for whatever reason. 4 Brothers in a team... hmmm interesting fact but I'd rather have a premiership anyday -Sam is the only one what I'd call a natural footballer and souths bosses need their head read if they let someone like jason clark go over luke burgess.

Football wise, yes. Marketing wise, no. Those Burgess boys are mighty popular! I know more than a few female colleagues and friends who have been to games and now even bought jerseys due to one or more of the brothers burgess. They are like a one direction group for the twenty plussers. :p

[Bartrim]

Football wise, yes. Marketing wise, no. Those Burgess boys are mighty popular! I know more than a few female colleagues and friends who have been to games and now even bought jerseys due to one or more of the brothers burgess. They are like a one direction group for the twenty plussers. :p

They are a pack of thugs. Like you said Scott it is all marketing. Anyway onto the World Cup. Ricky Stuart has given me yet another reason to hate him in not letting Campo play for Italy.

[i_amtrunks]

I doubt I'll watch any of the "world cup". Especially not live.

Play it in Fiji/Samoa/Tonga and let the big teams then boost their economy and support the grass roots instead of going to cold boring England where the game is slowly fading.

Feel a bit sorry for Tohu Harris, he had a fantastic year for the storm and deserved his spot.

[5FDP]

The 49ers have made the NFC Championship game for the third year in a row (being played next Monday at 10.30 am our time). It's funny how the majority of their fan base since week 1 have been saying how crap they are, can't pass, can't run the ball, can't playcall, can't play defense, the QB is garbage, our coaches are rubbish blah blah blah, and now it's "Oh, I've had total faith in this team and knew they would make it" :rolleyes: Most of this is from one fansite - 49erswebzone.com, who I used to be a contributor for about 14 years ago. The sad thing is if they loose this game, people will be back on the hate-wagon. I've been through 10 years of non-playoff teams and have stuck with my side through thick and thin. It just pi$$es me off to see this occurring :mad: Had to get that off my chest.

[Bartrim]

The 49ers have made the NFC Championship game for the third year in a row (being played next Monday at 10.30 am our time). It's funny how the majority of their fan base since week 1 have been saying how crap they are, can't pass, can't run the ball, can't playcall, can't play defense, the QB is garbage, our coaches are rubbish blah blah blah, and now it's "Oh, I've had total faith in this team and knew they would make it" :rolleyes: Most of this is from one fansite - 49erswebzone.com, who I used to be a contributor for about 14 years ago. The sad thing is if they loose this game, people will be back on the hate-wagon. I've been through 10 years of non-playoff teams and have stuck with my side through thick and thin. It just pi$$es me off to see this occurring :mad: Had to get that off my chest.

Most teams have these fans. The hatred I've seen towards Benji Marshall from Tigers fans is just disgusting. They expect these men to participate at a flawless level for their entire career.

Bad luck to the 49ers today. I thought they were going to pull it off. I did have a brainwave regarding the rules today. After the interception Seattle were penalised for taunting. They lost 5-10 yards? It didn't matter the game was over. In that situation I would like to see the 49ers get the ball back. That would really penalise the Seahawks.

[jazzcomp]

There were a few crucial missed calls such as the contact on the kicker and strip by Bowman who broke his knee. :(

[Megatran]

Does the Legends Football League Australia have the same rules as the NFL? Are there any key differences?

[5FDP]

Bad luck to the 49ers today. I thought they were going to pull it off. I did have a brainwave regarding the rules today. After the interception Seattle were penalised for taunting. They lost 5-10 yards? It didn't matter the game was over. In that situation I would like to see the 49ers get the ball back. That would really penalise the Seahawks.


There were a few crucial missed calls such as the contact on the kicker and strip by Bowman who broke his knee. :(

I like how the Niners have taken the high-road approach to these 'missed calls' by taking ownership of the loss. From my POV, going back to blown call in New Orleans which cost us that game, we should have won the NFC West with home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It's all said and done now though and I'm grateful for the season we just had.


Does the Legends Football League Australia have the same rules as the NFL? Are there any key differences?

Hmmm... not familiar with this league :o Do you mean the Lingerie League or is that what they're calling it?

[Bartrim]

Does the Legends Football League Australia have the same rules as the NFL? Are there any key differences?





Hmmm... not familiar with this league :o Do you mean the Lingerie League or is that what they're calling it?

That's exactly what's happened. They have taken the lace and garters away. I guess they are going for a more mainstream approach. I hate how sports like that and the UFC are pigeon-holed by close minded morons who haven't seen 1 second of action. The girls that play in the LFL are surprisingly tough and athletic. I wouldn't want to be on the bad side of Liz Gorman:o.

There are some differences to the rules mainly for the players safety as less padding is worn and to make the game more free flowing.

[5FDP]

Thanks for clarifying Bartrim. Sounds like it will go the way of the XFL and USFL. I'll stick to the pros.

[Skullcruncher]

NRL starting this Thursday. Anyone playing NRL Fantasy? (the official game on nrl.com). I'm only playing that this year after playing three different ones last year. :D

[i_amtrunks]

I'm sticking with the news/telegraph/courier one only because it rewards attacking play a bit more than the NRL one.

Makes more matches interesting as you almost always have a player to barrack for!

[Sharky]

ITS FFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTYYYY SEASON

i can smell the dencorub..........

[Bartrim]

Souths won a game!

Look out for their fans claiming how this is their year:p

Anyone playing Telegraph Supercoach Grant still has 10 spots left in his league. Code 822429

[Bartrim]

Great start to the season... 1 from 7 with my tips :mad:

[Sharky]

Great start to the season... 1 from 7 with my tips :mad:

Round 1 and two are always wrote offs it's too hard to gauge form based on trials or even the 9's

[i_amtrunks]

Great start to the season... 1 from 7 with my tips :mad:

Me too!

Knights will be woeful for 6 or so weeks as they recover from early injuries, and it'll take a few weeks to get a proper form guide for most of the other teams. Manly looked terrible without Stewart and Canberra ran out of puff in the heat.

Should be a cracker month to see unfold.

[MayzaPrime]

I love beating the Tigers.

DRAGONS for the win!!!! :D

[Bartrim]

I love beating the Tigers.

DRAGONS for the win!!!! :D

Funny... I hate losing to the Dragons:(

[Sharky]

God damn jarrod f***ing maxwell... And when did Birdy turn into a Tinkerbell.....

[MayzaPrime]

God damn jarrod f***ing maxwell... And when did Birdy turn into a Tinkerbell.....

Didnt that happen when he was at the sharks? :p

[Starscream77]

The Eels won a game so I will be a happy chappy
Unless history repeats and the chooks beat us 50-0 again

[Sharky]

Didnt that happen when he was at the sharks? :p

Nope must be a QLD thing...

[Megatran]

The REAL footy starts this week. :p:p:p GO DOGGIES!!! (That's Western Bulldogs or Footscray for the die hard supporters).

[5FDP]

The REAL footy starts this week. :p:p:p GO DOGGIES!!! (That's Western Bulldogs or Footscray for the die hard supporters).

QFT :cool: (aside from the GO DOGGIES of course :p)

[Bartrim]

QFT :cool: (aside from the GO DOGGIES of course :p)

As much as I am not a fan of the Australian Fumble League I have decided to register my son in Auskick as opposed to junior NRL as Auskick has a lot more focus on everyone getting a crack.

[i_amtrunks]

Good to see Parra not switch off in their game and keep Easts to under 60!

Makes you wonder if form hold what the Roosters would put on the Warriors...

[Megatran]

GWS beating Sydney Swans. Gold Coast Suns victorious over the Tigers. What has this world become?

Boohoo for my footy tipping. :(

[Bidoofdude]

Dammit. We (Sydney) were tripping over the ball most of the time. :(

[5FDP]

GWS beating Sydney Swans. Gold Coast Suns victorious over the Tigers. What has this world become?

Boohoo for my footy tipping. :(


Dammit. We (Sydney) were tripping over the ball most of the time. :(

It was great wasn't it :D :D :D

Easily the best, most exciting, most rewarding game I have EVER been a part of. With only 3 wins over the last couple of years, this was just so sweet - especially against the Swans and Buddy $$$ Franklin. Was quite happy to sit in the torrential rain, lightning, and thunder and savour the victory.

[5FDP]

It appears as though the GWS bandwagon is now rolling with 500 new members signed-on since Saturday. For the club, this is great news. What I can't stand is most of these 'newer members' making bold statements like "I am the number ONE fan of the Giants", and "I've been a fan since the beginning". It perplexes me why people need to make these statements. Do they feel as though they need to be validated or acknowledged by the fan base? Is this some form of insecurity?

I'm obviously a GWS Giants fan - was a member before they even entered the AFL back in 2011 (during the NEAFL days) and attended the first AFL Draft in Sydney which provided the building blocks for the club, but I'm not on any AFL forums, I don't tweet, I don't have Facebook, I simply attend the games. Why can't others just enjoy the game without all the metaphoric dick swinging??!

Oh well, my response to these people is quite simple. There is a wall at the Giants home stadium which displays a list of names, names of people who were Foundation Members of the club. My wife and 2 children are on the wall as am I. We have attended every Sydney / Canberra home game as well as several interstate games. We've sat through the 100+ point thrashings and endured 2 wooden spoon seasons that produced a total of 3 wins. If anyone can lay claim to being the most dedicated fan, it's US.

[Bartrim]

Glory Glory who ?!?!?! :D

Great effort by the Tigers especially given the quick turnaround after playing in 40 degree heat in Sunday. Read during that game Gavet lost 3 kgs. To bounce back against the Rabbits like that was awesome.

Sam Burgess can't leave league soon enough for me.

[Starscream77]

Can't tip for crap so far this year but with the Eels 2/4 I don't care

I can actually see a decent team forming in the Blue & Gold

[i_amtrunks]

I too am tipping terribly (1/8 first round and so far 0/5 this round).

This new concussion rule is wrecking havoc with teams, Knights round one and tigers this round had nothing left on the bench (although Tigers had other injuries as well). I can see the NRL implementing a super sub or such in coming seasons, like the old days where players could play NSW/QLD cup and reserve and first grade in the same day.

What also sucks is all the rain, as teams play differently in the rain and makes form difficult!

[5FDP]

Really pissed off about this - One HD/Ten Drops NFL & MLB on Australian Free To Air TV In 2014 (http://ussportsdownunder.com/one-hdten-drops-nfl-mlb-australian-free-air-tv-2014/) :mad: :mad: :mad:

Going back a couple of years I had Foxtel, just so I could catch live games of my 49ers, however because they pretty much sucked between 2002 and 2010, I was lucky to see one game a year on Fox Sports / ESPN due the fact that they only broadcasted about 3 games a week. With the introduction of free-to-air and 3 games shown on One HD a week (including the playoffs), I got myself a digital set-top box, replaced my aerial, and planned my annual leave around the NFL schedule.

So, if you live in Australia, you basically have three choices - subscribe to NFL Gamepass (http://gamepass.nfl.com/nflgp/console.jsp) which will set you back about $200, download torrents of the games you are interested in however these are generally 24 hours after the game has been played, or subscribe to Foxtel (which I won't be doing again).

[jazzcomp]

Or watch streaming for free :)

On another note, there's a 22 year old newcastle player who's now a quadriplegic due to lift tackle. :(

[Bartrim]

Really pissed off about this - One HD/Ten Drops NFL & MLB on Australian Free To Air TV In 2014 (http://ussportsdownunder.com/one-hdten-drops-nfl-mlb-australian-free-air-tv-2014/) :mad: :mad: :mad:

Going back a couple of years I had Foxtel, just so I could catch live games of my 49ers, however because they pretty much sucked between 2002 and 2010, I was lucky to see one game a year on Fox Sports / ESPN due the fact that they only broadcasted about 3 games a week. With the introduction of free-to-air and 3 games shown on One HD a week (including the playoffs), I got myself a digital set-top box, replaced my aerial, and planned my annual leave around the NFL schedule.

So, if you live in Australia, you basically have three choices - subscribe to NFL Gamepass (http://gamepass.nfl.com/nflgp/console.jsp) which will set you back about $200, download torrents of the games you are interested in however these are generally 24 hours after the game has been played, or subscribe to Foxtel (which I won't be doing again).

After what MLB just did to promote the game over here I find this most strange.

It certainly was a tragedy what happened to young Alex McKinnon:(

[5FDP]

Or watch streaming for free :)


There are some dodgy sites out there that re-broadcast the games however they get shut down by the FBI as fast as they pop up. Not to mention the quality sucks i.e. extremely grainy.


After what MLB just did to promote the game over here I find this most strange.

Not really. Lachlan Murdoch owns both Channel 10 and Foxtel. He's trying to shift audiences to pay-per-view so he can line his pockets even further.

[i_amtrunks]

Dumb move by the NRL giving the A league a free grand final weekend.

Roar were definite winners, they stayed calm in the first half and really pressed after going one nil down. Berisha may be a diving cheat, but he does it well.

The wanderers deserved to lose after failing to defend for the whole match, and after the roar equalised they never looked like getting back in front.

The officiating was preposterous, there is no way the wanderers were more than three times as foul as the roar and half the yellow cards were given for nothing, every time an orange shirt fell down it was a penalty, often incorrectly. It's bad when a team wins off the back of biased and horrible officiating, but even a fair ref would not have helped the wanderers defence.

[Starscream77]

Go the Mighty Eels

That is all. :cool:

[i_amtrunks]

Not sure who I feel more sorry for, the Raiders or the Dragons... both have just forgotten how to play in the last few weeks.

Very happy to see the Sharks lose, not only because they keep Newcastle company, but their general "everyone is against us" vibe has gotten very tired. In their last couple of games, their "sportsmanship" and niggling in tackles have made the Storm look like touch footy players.

[MayzaPrime]

Not sure who I feel more sorry for, the Raiders or the Dragons... both have just forgotten how to play in the last few weeks.

Very happy to see the Sharks lose, not only because they keep Newcastle company, but their general "everyone is against us" vibe has gotten very tired. In their last couple of games, their "sportsmanship" and niggling in tackles have made the Storm look like touch footy players.

Don't feel sorry for the Dragons, Price has got the team that he wants... Yeah good one Price, we have forwards who don't know how to go forward.

I am one very said Dragons fan :(

[Skullcruncher]

Very happy to see the Sharks lose, not only because they keep Newcastle company, but their general "everyone is against us" vibe has gotten very tired. In their last couple of games, their "sportsmanship" and niggling in tackles have made the Storm look like touch footy players.

Agree! Wasn't there a rule chnage this year where the captains are not to approach the ref less to keep the game going? I guess gallen didn't read the memo, a sharks game doesnt go past without hearing gallen bleating about penalties in the refs microphone.

[MayzaPrime]

Agree! Wasn't there a rule chnage this year where the captains are not to approach the ref less to keep the game going? I guess gallen didn't read the memo, a sharks game doesnt go past without hearing gallen bleating about penalties in the refs microphone.

Captains seem to be doing this alot now, Cam Smith was at his chatty best last night, having a 3 minute conversation with the ref.

Did I say chatty? I mean whinging :p

[i_amtrunks]

Captains seem to be doing this alot now, Cam Smith was at his chatty best last night, having a 3 minute conversation with the ref.

Did I say chatty? I mean whinging :p

He certainly was, and while he is usually fairly calm and polite (keep the refs onside!) he sure wasn't last night.

Gallen can't shut his mouth for more than three seconds and has to give his opinions on everything, but at least he plays hard and has the obvious footballing skill (drug assisted or not) to back his idiotic mouth up. Same cannot be said for Mick Ennis. :rolleyes:

[Skullcruncher]

Did I say chatty? I mean whinging :p

Well being a fan of the warriors it would be nice to see mannering have a chat. He walks up to the ref then turns around and back into the defence line! :rolleyes:

[Bartrim]

Anthony Watmough is the worst imo for the simple reason of HE ISN'T THE CAPTAIN! Why do the refs put up with him complaining to them.

[i_amtrunks]

Anthony Watmough is the worst imo for the simple reason of HE ISN'T THE CAPTAIN! Why do the refs put up with him complaining to them.

Too busy sniggering at his North Shore haircut.

[Megatran]

World Cup Football in Brazil starts next month. :)

[MayzaPrime]

Well being a fan of the warriors it would be nice to see mannering have a chat. He walks up to the ref then turns around and back into the defence line! :rolleyes:

I have always been a fan of Mannering, but of late he seems to be down on form...

[Skullcruncher]

I have always been a fan of Mannering, but of late he seems to be down on form...

Well he got me 47 points in NRL Fantasy this weekend so I can't complain too much. Sadly I persisted with the NRL version of the game.

[MayzaPrime]

Origin Teams are finally out... No Pearce for NSW, can I just say... It is about bloody time!!!!!!!

I read on news.com.au that Thurston was talking up Pearce and saying that Pearce is an integral part of the Blues team and he knows how to win... Hello Thurston!!! Pearce hasn't won a series.
The only reason Thurston is saying this is cause QLD has just lost their best player in Pearce.


That statement holds as much value as Queensland saying that they are the underdogs again :p

[i_amtrunks]

As a proud Queensland supporter I am glad NSW picked a pair of halves in form and deserving of selection. I think they made the right choice. QLD may pick and stick and back players out of form to find it in the great occasion of Origin, but NSW have never really had that occur for them.

As for out of form players, QLD has picked a bunch, but all have proven that they lift, then return to average form for their clubs: namely Darius Boyd, but Hodges, Papalii, McQueen and Teo, with Tate and Hodges iffy due to injury history.

Should be another tight series unless ASADA drop the drug bomb and take action against Gallen. I hate the dirty cheat but he is the heart of the blues and if they lose him, they stand no chance. (Farah is the brains).

[i_amtrunks]

Caught the Friday night game between the dogs and Easts.

Ennis deserves some extra time on the sideline for his acting and referee abuse, its about time one of the refs stood up to him and he was punished. Nice to see the sin bin get used too. Was a decent game, but had the scheduling been better, it would have been a great game.

Tigers Broncos game was a nailbiter, that was a fairly even pairing with their origin players out.

[5FDP]

I'm over the AFL season already :mad: Bring on the NFL!

[MayzaPrime]

As a proud Queensland supporter I am glad NSW picked a pair of halves in form and deserving of selection. I think they made the right choice. QLD may pick and stick and back players out of form to find it in the great occasion of Origin, but NSW have never really had that occur for them.

As for out of form players, QLD has picked a bunch, but all have proven that they lift, then return to average form for their clubs: namely Darius Boyd, but Hodges, Papalii, McQueen and Teo, with Tate and Hodges iffy due to injury history.

Should be another tight series unless ASADA drop the drug bomb and take action against Gallen. I hate the dirty cheat but he is the heart of the blues and if they lose him, they stand no chance. (Farah is the brains).

TBH I could replace Boyd on the wing in the Aus V NZ test he made 1 run and 0 tackles. :p

Queensland are rightly the favourites, atleast they haven't been coming out and saying they are the underdogs again... They havent been underdogs for the last 5yrs.

[Skullcruncher]

Wow channel 9 is broadcasting the origin live tonight in Melbourne - pity Gus Gould will not doubt be in commentary.

Tigers supporters must be pissed with the news Tedesco asked Benji and Moltzen for advice before shifting to Canberra. Classic Benji!

[i_amtrunks]

Had so much fun wearing my QLD jersey all day at school to rile the kids up!

I know I've put my foot in it, I do expect NSW to win this year or next and the kids won't let me forget it. The fact that not a single child in my classroom has been alive for a NSW victory gives me a chuckle!

[i_amtrunks]

Cracking match, QLD took a long time to recover from the Cronk injury, but NSW did not punish them enough for their lax play in the first half, then threw everything at them. More than once I thought that NSW were done, but then they steeled up and kept their defence up.

Hodkinson and Reynolds went missing, Tupou and Jennings had nothing to do, but their pack was brilliant, Hayne easily man of the match and Woods the best from the pack.
As for Queensland, they never give up. Cherry Evans took a long time to get into the groove, even at the end of the match he couldn't get a good pass off, and was tackled holding the ball too often. Matt Scott and Nate Myles were machines. In the end they were too predictable down the left edge.

Can't see QLD making changes except for injury, and the NSW players that get dropped for glasser/bird and other returning players can feel hard done by, there were no passengers and all players gave it their all. Except the Morris twins. They were awful, mere speed humps in defence and only able to hurt themselves anytime they touched the ball. I also expect Gallen to be unavailable until the next origin, we all know how much he hates to play for Cronulla, even when he is drug free and not trying to dodge the drug tests.

But a cracking match, NSW hung on to win for once, the kicking was awful and it ended up being the difference.

[jazzcomp]

Refs gave all the chances to QLD for a comeback. Even a penalty at the end of the game :)

Havent been watching for a long, why wasn't there a video referee?

[Deonasis]

I feels like dubious ref decisions happen towards the end of every Origin but I am happy Qld did not win on the back of them. Daly partnering with JT just didn't have the mojo shared with Cronk (to be expected i guess). One of JT's poorer Origin games. I thought Beau Scott and the Morris's defended great (mostly) considering Qld kept attacking that side. Not sure why NSW left side was not challenged much, nor the NSW forwards once Qld was at their goalline. It was a cracking game tho :)


Game 2 Bird in for Reynolds?

[5FDP]

Not a Origin / NRL fan (I have been to a few club games, Origins, and a GF) but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the game last night. Looking forward to game 2. Go NSW!

[Bartrim]

Cracking match, QLD took a long time to recover from the Cronk injury, but NSW did not punish them enough for their lax play in the first half, then threw everything at them. More than once I thought that NSW were done, but then they steeled up and kept their defence up.

Hodkinson and Reynolds went missing, Tupou and Jennings had nothing to do, but their pack was brilliant, Hayne easily man of the match and Woods the best from the pack.
As for Queensland, they never give up. Cherry Evans took a long time to get into the groove, even at the end of the match he couldn't get a good pass off, and was tackled holding the ball too often. Matt Scott and Nate Myles were machines. In the end they were too predictable down the left edge.

Can't see QLD making changes except for injury, and the NSW players that get dropped for glasser/bird and other returning players can feel hard done by, there were no passengers and all players gave it their all. Except the Morris twins. They were awful, mere speed humps in defence and only able to hurt themselves anytime they touched the ball. I also expect Gallen to be unavailable until the next origin, we all know how much he hates to play for Cronulla, even when he is drug free and not trying to dodge the drug tests.

But a cracking match, NSW hung on to win for once, the kicking was awful and it ended up being the difference.

How can you say the Morris twins were speed bumps? Josh Morris shut down Inglis very well. Later in the game injuries took there toll on them but I think they were in NSW top 5 players for the game.

Justin Hodges is a grub who should be banned from the NRL and how Papalli wasn't penalised for shoulder charging is beyond me.

Hodkinson didn't do much but at least he didn't stuff up like Mitchell Pearce.

[i_amtrunks]

[QUOTE=Bartrim;417463]Justin Hodges is a grub who should be banned from the NRL and how Papalli wasn't penalised for shoulder charging is beyond me./QUOTE]

I though Gillett was worse.

I'd be happy to see Hodges gone, if we could do a 2-for-1 with Gallen, the playing field would be safer and cleaner for all. :D

[Bartrim]

[QUOTE=Bartrim;417463]Justin Hodges is a grub who should be banned from the NRL and how Papalli wasn't penalised for shoulder charging is beyond me./QUOTE]


I'd be happy to see Hodges gone, if we could do a 2-for-1 with Gallen, the playing field would be safer and cleaner for all. :D

I'll even throw in Bird and Watmough for that deal.

[Skullcruncher]

Wayne Bennet might be a good man manager but he record is starting to look a lot like Ricky Stuarts!

Leaves bronco's with no new players coming through
Goes to dragons who were building well under Nathan Brown
Players mature at dragons and they win a premiership
Leaves the dragons with no new players coming through
Goes to knights who were building well under Rick Stone - I think he had one season
Buys his old mates and now looks like hes going to leave the knights with arguably the worst list in the NRL.

[i_amtrunks]

I don't think that makes him comparable to Stuart (who is the worst coach since Brian Smith). Bennett knows who he wants and the types of players he needs and sticks with them while he can. It is up to clubs to make sure that they replace outgoing players with new/replacement ones, its not like Bennett sneaks off into the night or anything! :p

As for Stuart, he leaves a club with overpriced players and gets rid of or disenfranchises the rest, then he leaves, and viola, those players he squashed and did not select all come good...

My condolences Tigers fans, Brian Smith is at your club, watch the rot begin anew.

Also nice to see Mansour sticking with the Panfers even though it was on (marginally) less money, they also got a great player in Korisau. Lots of Rakes at the Panthers now, not sure why when Segeyaro is brilliant.

[Skullcruncher]

It's the coach and their support staff who recommend new players to sign and which ones to bring up from the under 20's etc, Bennett had good support staff while at the broncos but hes been a bit found out at the dragons and knights. Sure hes not as bad as Stuart but hes passed his used by date as a head coach I think.

[Bartrim]

I was very disgusted with Kurt Gidley on the weekend. Dropping knees whenever he could and that blatant shoulder on Farah. He deserved more then 10 in the bin. Then finally he has the ball on the last play to try and win the game and he takes a tackle.

Go home and look at your origin jersey... You'll never get another one lol.

[Sharky]

I was very disgusted with Kurt Gidley on the weekend. Dropping knees whenever he could and that blatant shoulder on Farah. He deserved more then 10 in the bin. Then finally he has the ball on the last play to try and win the game and he takes a tackle.

Go home and look at your origin jersey... You'll never get another one lol.

thats nothing new for gidley really, and that professional foul i dont know how you can find anything more blatant that isnt oportunistic

[i_amtrunks]

thats nothing new for gidley really, and that professional foul i dont know how you can find anything more blatant that isnt oportunistic

Only the most one eyed Knights supporter could make the claim that it didn't deserve the sin bin! Gidley is one of those players who, as he lost his speed and talent has resorted to grubbery, much like Ennis or Gallen. Was once one of my favourite players, but has not been for years.

Wish they would use the bin more for those professional fouls, sliding knees, facial work etc. Accidents happen in rugby league, we do not need the grubby stuff on top of it.

[Sharky]

cant believe NSW picked Dugan

[i_amtrunks]

cant believe NSW picked Dugan

But he scored three tries on the weekend. :rolleyes:

It's far from the worst solution, he has played before and will hopefully lift like Boyd does. With the way injuries are occuring this season, having 2-15 players capable of playing fullback or throughout the backline is not a bad plan!

Personally I would have gone for Beau Scott in the centres (or Lewis) and then Walker as the winger. That would have troubled whatever maroon combination is left to play in game 2.

[Sharky]

But he scored three tries on the weekend. :rolleyes:

It's far from the worst solution, he has played before and will hopefully lift like Boyd does. With the way injuries are occuring this season, having 2-15 players capable of playing fullback or throughout the backline is not a bad plan!

Personally I would have gone for Beau Scott in the centres (or Lewis) and then Walker as the winger. That would have troubled whatever maroon combination is left to play in game 2.

Haha three tries against a sharks team fielding a reserve grade side if he was any sort of top player he should of bagged five. In fact if St George was any sort of rugby league team it should of been a 80-0 defeat.

I am more worries about his shithouse defence he has been far from form in that department all season, Qlders will find him out pretty quick. I agree Scott wood of made a better centre..

On a side note when Cronulla last game where the were actually full strength the defeated the current competition leaders... Injuries cruel a team but when you have a team of injuries......I think the interim coaching and conditioning coaches need a look at

[i_amtrunks]

Haha three tries against a sharks team fielding a reserve grade side if he was any sort of top player he should of bagged five. In fact if St George was any sort of rugby league team it should of been a 80-0 defeat.

Hey they also made Benji look good, that takes some doing!


On a side note when Cronulla last game where the were actually full strength the defeated the current competition leaders... Injuries cruel a team but when you have a team of injuries......I think the interim coaching and conditioning coaches need a look at

It does make you wonder what their training regimes must be, all teams get injury crisis every few years, look at Penrith and Tigers last year, but the range and insane number of injuries the TigerSharks have had just baffles me. Part of it comes from their aged roster but surely there is something very wrong with their methods of recovery or the use of their equipment...

On top of that, I think I heard that they released DeGois to Parra, not sure if it is effective immediately or not, if it is, the Sharks administrators are idiots and must be confident of getting Ennis, a truly terrible purchase for the club.

[Sharky]

Hey they also made Benji look good, that takes some doing!



It does make you wonder what their training regimes must be, all teams get injury crisis every few years, look at Penrith and Tigers last year, but the range and insane number of injuries the TigerSharks have had just baffles me. Part of it comes from their aged roster but surely there is something very wrong with their methods of recovery or the use of their equipment...

On top of that, I think I heard that they released DeGois to Parra, not sure if it is effective immediately or not, if it is, the Sharks administrators are idiots and must be confident of getting Ennis, a truly terrible purchase for the club.

Yeah de gois is gone effective immediately I expect home to be lining up for parra next game. It's a shame he was one if out best defenders and I have not seen a little bloke tackle one on one like he does. Good pick up for parra. And from what I hear Ennis just has to sign on the dotted line. His family is established and already living in Cronulla so the move to Canberra is not that great.. His signing baffles me also when they had a great young hooker in Lichaa who signed with the dogs (followed fifita then They reneged)

I find it funny that people refer to them as tiger sharks. We have just as many panthers playing for us to. But Sharkies never pooched a single tigers player the tigers discarded them all fair game!! :p

[Sinnertwin]

Scored a four pack of JD & Coke all thanks to the Bulldogs, last Friday. Time to crack one open & kick back

[Megatran]

The World Cup Football (Soccer) kicks off early tomorrow morning. My workplace has temporarily put a large screen TV in the lunch room. :cool: There's going to be some sleepy-eyed people at work for a month or so. ;)

[MayzaPrime]

cant believe NSW picked Dugan

As a Dragons fan I think Dugan is a good pick for the team, but I think wing might have been a better position. Dugan was one of the Blues best last year.

Blues for the win!!!!! :D

[Sinnertwin]

The World Cup Football (Soccer) kicks off early tomorrow morning. My workplace has temporarily put a large screen TV in the lunch room. :cool: There's going to be some sleepy-eyed people at work for a month or so. ;)

Watch Brazil win it. They've already got one ref on their side :p

[SharkyMcShark]

The Spain/Netherlands game was the most enjoyable game of football I've watched in long long time

[5FDP]

Giants first interstate win, biggest winning margin, and highest ever score! Yeah, I'm pretty chuffed right now :D :D :D

[Megatran]

Giants first interstate win, biggest winning margin, and highest ever score! Yeah, I'm pretty chuffed right now :D :D :D

Enjoy the win. Could be the start of a string of multiple wins in a row.

On a similar note, the Western Bulldogs also had a rare win today. A tight tussle with the Magpies. I'll enjoy the win while it last. :)

[Starscream77]

Go the mighty Eels!
Everyone keeps saying they won't stay in the 8 but it's half way through the season and they are one game off the top of the ladder

[Bartrim]

Giants first interstate win, biggest winning margin, and highest ever score! Yeah, I'm pretty chuffed right now :D :D :D

You will probably be chuffed as well when I inform you that Channel 7 has just secured a deal to show 3 live NFL games a week for the next 5 years.:)

[5FDP]

You will probably be chuffed as well when I inform you that Channel 7 has just secured a deal to show 3 live NFL games a week for the next 5 years.:)

You beat me to the news (http://ussportsdownunder.com/channel-7-announce-nfl-coverage-australian-free-air-tv/) :D

'Chuffed' is now an understatement. This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTqXEQ2l-Y&feature=kp) would better describe the mood I'm in now :D :cool: :p

[Sinnertwin]

NSW!!!

[jazzcomp]

NSW!!!
+1 - ONE BIG TRY!!!

[i_amtrunks]

League is not Union, so good to see a game won by the team that scored a try.

Two tough as nails games, but this one was far sloppier, QLD lost it and NSW actually hung in and found a way to win, something that they have struggled with until last year, the same time they outed Stuart and brought in Farah. How he or Hoffman did not get man of the match is beyond me. My contempt and disgust of Gallen is obvious, but he was not the best on field, and the leader on the ground was obviously Farah.

Lots of walking wounded tonight too, Slater, Inglis, Cherry Evans, Hayne, Hopoate all looked far from their best (though most still had at least solid games) so I wonder how many will line up tonight or even in game 3 if the niggles persist.

Not sure what happened with Thurston and Reynolds, I don't think we will ever find out as they had reconciled at full time (a genuinely lovely gesture), but surely something was said to or by one or both, Reynolds had a reason to get nary with that sloppy elbow work to the throat, but it seemed more than that and Thurston was riled up beyond any normal comment. I know Reynolds is a niggler and crap talker up there with the best of them, but I'm hoping that nothing stupid was said. I would've been happy to see Thurston sin binned for the groat work and stupidity after, but I think no one was surprised to see third man Thiaday and glass Bird race in late to all altercations. :rolleyes:

My only complaint about NSW winning is that Gallen and Bird got an Origin victory even though neither deserve anything other than jail time. At least ASADA will have something to strip from Gallen when he is busted sometime in the near future for all the trafficking and extra non club sanctioned work with Dank.

NSW one and done, or is this the start of a series of wins?

[Sharky]

My only complaint about NSW winning is that Gallen and Bird got an Origin victory even though neither deserve anything other than jail time. At least ASADA will have something to strip from Gallen when he is busted sometime in the near future for all the trafficking and extra non club sanctioned work with Dank.


DO you have evidence of that?

[Deonasis]

Congrats NSWers! It was a brutal series and for the last few years the cup definately could have gone either way. As a Qlder I enjoyed the post game interviews revealing the lifted burden and euphoria of some truely great players who deserve a win.

Re: Renyolds & Thurston
The video replay did not go back far enough but a moment before Thurston got him on the ground I thought I saw Renyolds give a sort of jab or elbow to Myles or Thurston (but my Qld eyes may've deceived me). For Renyolds it got the desired reaction. When every tackle included some extra panel beating both teams managed to mostly not react.

Hayne will have to be player of the series - he had a relatively quite night but he did pop the ball from Thaiday's grasp which turned out to be crucial.

Inglis has had a great series too. I remember him being much quieter in some past years which i think can be attributed to injuries, this year he has required several defenders and several attempts to bring him down which is remarkable when you look at the calibre of opposition. Cam Smith had a great game last night.

[Deonasis]

The Socceroos were soo close to winning last night! At 2-2 we missed a vacant net and a minute later the Netherlands scored the match winner. After matches like that i am sad that the 2-3 scoreline is all most people will see (and Cahill's goal of course!)

[Deonasis]

The Netherlands soccer match reminded me of the Hockey World Cup held last week too (ashamed i didn't post about this earlier). A recap is that the Aussie mens team (Kookaburras) beat Netherlands in the World Cup final 6-1 in Netherland :eek:

It was a terrific game and hopefully if you watch the game you could notice that the Kookaburras are playing a style of hockey that no other team is, or can compete with. Hats off to the coaching staff and players because this is groundbreaking stuff! Surely by next World Cup other teams will play with this style. To put it in perspective, the Australian team had a goal difference of 30-4 in this tournament of the worlds 8 best hockey teams! Amazing stuff thst could impact more games than just hockey.

[Skullcruncher]

DO you have evidence of that?

Well its pretty obvious something happened - an above average first grader suddenly turns into an 80 minute player churning out massive numbers. Anyone remember Rodney Howe??

[i_amtrunks]

Well its pretty obvious something happened - an above average first grader suddenly turns into an 80 minute player churning out massive numbers. Anyone remember Rodney Howe??

It also coincides with the time that he went mostly injury free for the longest period of his career, and now afterwards his body is in worse shape than ever.

There's no doubt he went to Dank's place privately after the club told him not to, he has never denied it either.

What tipped me over the edge to believing he was guilty was when he tried to blackmail the Cronulla club by paying him out, buying him a car etc to take an early guilty plea (which was a load of crap from ASADA, and I am glad only Earl fell for the trap).

If ASADA have done their job even half correctly there will be massive club fines, and only players fines and suspensions to those like Gallen who went for private sessions.

[MayzaPrime]

What I don't get is... Sure there may be evidence of doping but no-one actually tested positive.

Yeah Earl is in a bit of trouble.

[i_amtrunks]

I'm surprised that more former players have not come forward to sue the clubs, whether it be the Sharks, Panther, Knights or whoever, especially now with their being some evidence to suggest that in the long term, the substances that were given can be very harmful.

I know if I was told to take something by a trusted club medico that turned out to be illegal and potentially dangerous down the line, I'd be more than upset.

[Megatran]

Giants first interstate win, biggest winning margin, and highest ever score! Yeah, I'm pretty chuffed right now :D :D :D


Enjoy the win. Could be the start of a string of multiple wins in a row.


I called it. ;) (Giants victorious over Blues on the weekend).

[Skullcruncher]

I called it. ;) (Giants victorious over Blues on the weekend).

Ha! Anytime an interstate team beats a Melbourne team I'm happy :)



I know if I was told to take something by a trusted club medico that turned out to be illegal and potentially dangerous down the line, I'd be more than upset.

For sure - especially if it said not for human use!!! :D I think that was part of Isacc gordons? evidence. Basically footballers shouldn't be afraid of ASADA - unless they are trying to get some sort of illegal advantage.

[5FDP]

I called it. ;) (Giants victorious over Blues on the weekend).

Very well done :) I watched the Footy Show last Thursday night (it's on at 11.30 PM up here) and Billy Brownless was the only panel member who picked the Giants. Having gone to the game yesterday and mingling with the players post-match, I can tell you that there's a fair amount of confidence building amongst the group. This Saturday night will be a real test against the Swans at the SCG. They'll be out for redemption after we flogged them in round one.

[GoktimusPrime]

This quick video meme pretty much sums up the result of the Germany v Brazil game ;)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154321015185570&fref=nf

[SharkyMcShark]

Brutal German efficiency is brutal.

[GoktimusPrime]

The humiliation continues... ;)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Football/fifa1_zps3bc70db7.jpg

[Sinnertwin]

^ Gold :D

[i_amtrunks]

So ASADA have released their findings and given all players a weak excuse for a punishment.

I have many conflicting feelings about all of this and the massive witch hunt it turned out it wasn't...

While I have always felt for the players in all of this due to their following of team coaching staff directions, and it have always felt that players who only were injected at the clubs behest were betrayed, and that Flanagan and the other coaching staff got away with a tiny punishment for what they did. The players claiming what they took was not illegal is a lie, and saying they took nothing too bad also a lie, as other players are still in the prices of using the club.
Players who visited Dank's home to get extra injections deserve life bans.

It is also the players responsibili to ensure what they use is legal, again, they were betrayed by their coaching staff, but the swimmers, runners and other athletes would have received a much more strict ban. Having a retro active ban is just a joke and does boing to deter the thought of drug cheating in the future. I'll be surprised if WADA do not step in and alter it in some form.

What disgusts me the most is that the players got to play all year and all game records are kept. They should lose all stats, match numbers etc from the last 12 months at the very least. I do not think that it's overly fair punishing the players now, when they were drugged up in 2011, and their 2011 records should be wiped, but they should be lucky they were given this light rap on the hand, and are essentially being given a 3 week holiday.

I could do without having Gallen on the radio or tv anymore, and all media outlets that have employed him should have dropped him immediately, but it was never going to happen, get didn't do it for drug cheat Warne, so they won't do it for drug cheat Gallen.

The whole coaching staff responsible for the drug cheating decisions should be sacked, and the players given true punishments that other athletes would have received so this could all just be done with. As it is, it is a weak and unexplainable series of events that will continue to dominate the media and finals this year, unless A high profile player urinates in his mouth or a lead player says something strident all about heir coach. :rolleyes:

Everything was botched from the get go and now here is a rush to wipe everything under the carpet and try to move on. Save Smith should have taken a lead role and has done nothing but moddle coddle the players.

[Skullcruncher]

^^ as above. The fans won't forget so hopefully he gets reminded of it every single match next year.

I'm still waiting for the investigation into the bronco's salary cap breach. Apparently it was worse (ie more $) than the Storm but they have been sweeping it under the carpet too.

[Bartrim]

So Gallen gets suspended for 3 weeks for being a drug cheat and Ben Teo gets 4 for a careless tackle... Seems fair:rolleyes:

[Sharky]

teo should of got longer

[i_amtrunks]

teo should of got longer

So should've Reynolds, as well as most other bad tackles/illegal wrestlers and grub acts. As should've all the drug takers.

[Sharky]

So should've Reynolds, as well as most other bad tackles/illegal wrestlers and grub acts. As should've all the drug takers.

alot of opinions about that.

[MayzaPrime]

Well with the Dragons out of the finals I am jumping on the Bunnies & Panthers bandwagons

Totally not supporting the QLD teams in Bronco, Cowgirls & Storm (I know its in VIC :D)

I also don't want the Roosters to go back to back, as we will never hear the end of it form their latte drinking fans :p

[Bartrim]

Having been to a game where my tigers were on the wrong end of 50 points to Souths and seeing how their fans acted, I have no love for them. Also they double crossed us in 1909 when we were both supposed to forfeit the grand final as a sign of protest.

[Sinnertwin]

And they beat the Eagles tonight too :mad: :(

[i_amtrunks]

Also they double crossed us in 1909 when we were both supposed to forfeit the grand final as a sign of protest.

Exactly what my father in law always brings up!

I think the best finals to watch would be some combination of Panthers,Souths or Cowboys.

I'm hoping for Panthers vs Cowboys myself but Easts the cheats are looking very good, Souths are in fine touch, but can they play a full 80, and never write off these Manly and Melbourne squads.

As long as the grubdogs get eliminated this week I'll be happy.

[Skullcruncher]

Sat down to watch the only live NRL game here in melbounre (storm vs dogs) and Melbourne got their beats. Most unfortunate thing that with their elimination the only live game I will now see for the rest of the season is the grand final. Stupid channel 9. :mad:

[i_amtrunks]

Took the wife out to the Rorters (intentional spelling mistake) vs. the Panfers (again). Game was at the SFS, but it was easily a 60-40 Panfers crowd.

As a neutral supporter (as neutral as you can be against Easts! :p) it was a brilliant game, with wonderful atmosphere and highly entertaining.

The better team won, the better fans won (Roosters fans were only loud when Soward was kicking for goals) and the refs were saved from a review into some farcical decisions. If I didn't know better, I'd say you could tell the exact moment the bribe money from the Roosters arrived in each half.

I was saddened to see the Bulldogs progress, I do not enjoy Ennis having success, and can't wait for him to join a perennial loser, where he will have to compete for the team title of biggest grub, most annoying, biggest boofhead on the field, and worst referee abuser. Its a shame as he seems a genuinely nice bloke when not being a jerk on the field.

Here is hoping that the Cowboys beat the Rorters this week, and Souths beat the Dogs (can't see Manly winning again this season). Any combo of Penrith, Cowboys and Souths GF is what I am cheering for.

[mknell]

Took the wife out to the Rorters (intentional spelling mistake) vs. the Panfers (again). Game was at the SFS, but it was easily a 60-40 Panfers crowd.

As a neutral supporter (as neutral as you can be against Easts! :p) it was a brilliant game, with wonderful atmosphere and highly entertaining.

The better team won, the better fans won (Roosters fans were only loud when Soward was kicking for goals) and the refs were saved from a review into some farcical decisions. If I didn't know better, I'd say you could tell the exact moment the bribe money from the Roosters arrived in each half.

I was saddened to see the Bulldogs progress, I do not enjoy Ennis having success, and can't wait for him to join a perennial loser, where he will have to compete for the team title of biggest grub, most annoying, biggest boofhead on the field, and worst referee abuser. Its a shame as he seems a genuinely nice bloke when not being a jerk on the field.

Here is hoping that the Cowboys beat the Rorters this week, and Souths beat the Dogs (can't see Manly winning again this season). Any combo of Penrith, Cowboys and Souths GF is what I am cheering for.

Yeah the Penruff win was a brilliant game all round and all I hear from Rooters fans is oh the Refs were against them instead of appreciating what a wonderful game it was. I agree with ya I'm up for a Penrith VS Souths/Cowboys GF too

Souths won't play the dogs the finals will now end up Penrith VS Dogs/Manly and Souths VS Cowboys/Rooters

[Deonasis]

I think the Gods are backing Penrith they do not lose. If your team is still in the comp it is scary coming up against them.

[Bartrim]

NFL season is underway. I think someone will get a laugh at this

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm218/Bartrim/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb2113b52.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/Bartrim/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb2113b52.jpg.html)

[5FDP]

^ BWAHAHAHAHAHAA :D

(Although, I shouldn't be laughing too hard at that considering Kaepernick's 4 turnovers against da Bears on Monday :o).

Oh, and sucks about Bradford. I hope he can bounce back again. His preseason form was great and things were starting to look up for him.

[Bartrim]

^ BWAHAHAHAHAHAA :D

(Although, I shouldn't be laughing too hard at that considering Kaepernick's 4 turnovers against da Bears on Monday :o).

Oh, and sucks about Bradford. I hope he can bounce back again. His preseason form was great and things were starting to look up for him.

Yeah I think given the time he has spent on injured reserve Bradford has played his last game at St. Louis especially if Austin Davis goes alright for the rest of the year.

[i_amtrunks]

Two awful games of football in the one day.

The Hawks were deserving winners of the AFL final, but it was a dull match to watch as it was over before halftime. I only watch the AFL occasionally but I have no idea what the Swans plan was, why it backfired so badly and why they didn't try to fix it.

As for the Panthers vs. dogs, what a horrible math that was ruined by some of he most atrocious officiating I have ever seen. Ruined a great event and the brilliant atmosphere at the stadium as the better team lost the match due to what would almost seem to be deliberate preferential treatment.
It was so badly done that I would not be surprised to find out the NRL orchestrated a Bulldogs vs Souths final for.... Reasons... Except that we all know that the NRL head honchos can barely organise how to get from their HQ to the SFS.

The muppets with the whistles from the Panfers vs dogs match better not get a chance to even attend next weeks match, the officials in charge of the Souths and rorters on Friday had a brilliant match. Handler will be loving being the underdogs all week, and I do not looks at all forward to all the idiot "doggies" stories in the media over the next week.

On a positive note, let us all hope that Ennis's career is over, as much as I want him to join the drug cheats and drag them down further with his numerous penalties and cheap shots, never having to see his antics on the field again is too good to believe. Now if only some giant forward would mangle the Reynolds idiot the Bulldogs would have a halfway decent squad, instead of being the Grubdogs.

As a proud Newcastle supporter, all I can say now is "glory glory to South Sydney"!

[Bartrim]

I won't be watching the grand final. I hate both teams and don't want to see either raise the trophy. Apart from the standard Balmain grudge against the bunnies I am certain they cheat the cap. When Dave Taylor used to play for them he lived in the same units as a rep from one of my supply companies. Although Taylor was only paid his contract amount there were perks from Russell. For instance Taylor "rented" his unit off Russell Crowe and the rental agreement stated the landlord paid for all bills etc :rolleyes:

It would be nice to have money. South Sydney a club proud on tradition and its juniors will win the grand final with a team of Englishmen, Islanders and Queenslanders.

[Bidoofdude]

Sydney had such a good season and played really well against North last week. They were just too slow in the Grand Final and Tippett just couldn't pull off what he usually does. Next year, for sure.

[5FDP]

I loved every minute of the AFL Grand Final last weekend. It's funny how when they win, they're referred to as The Bloods, but when they loose, it's The Swans.

There was a great article in the Herald Sun leading up to the GF basically saying to everyone in Sydney "It's that time of the year to care about the Swans again". They are irrelevant once again ;) The best part about all of this is that Buddy came to Sydney to win a Premiership... he should have stayed put :p

[Sharky]

I loved every minute of the AFL Grand Final last weekend. It's funny how when they win, they're referred to as The Bloods, but when they loose, it's The Swans.

There was a great article in the Herald Sun leading up to the GF basically saying to everyone in Sydney "It's that time of the year to care about the Swans again". They are irrelevant once again ;) The best part about all of this is that Buddy came to Sydney to win a Premiership... he should have stayed put :p

haha i totally agree and is the reason i believe Sydney Really isnt Sydney's team

every year they do well the media plays up SMFC and the Bloods and all that rubbish as soon as they do not perform its Sydney... it really bugs me they have SMFC on the back of the Jersey....its like how can fans commit to you if you as a club cant commit to sydney....

i understand that heritage always will be a factor in any code but it still bugs me

kinda like Wests Tigers....

THEY ARE NOT BALIMAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bartrim]

haha i totally agree and is the reason i believe Sydney Really isnt Sydney's team

every year they do well the media plays up SMFC and the Bloods and all that rubbish as soon as they do not perform its Sydney... it really bugs me they have SMFC on the back of the Jersey....its like how can fans commit to you if you as a club cant commit to sydney....

i understand that heritage always will be a factor in any code but it still bugs me

kinda like Wests Tigers....

THEY ARE NOT BALIMAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Balmain aren't the problem with the merger. It's the morons at C-Town that set up the orange free zone that cause problems. The Balmain fans have accepted that we are Wests Tigers. Go onto most of the fan groups on facebook and they will have at least half a dozen clowns pushing for the team to go back to Western Suburbs Magpies and have no connection to Balmain.

[Sharky]

Balmain aren't the problem with the merger. It's the morons at C-Town that set up the orange free zone that cause problems. The Balmain fans have accepted that we are Wests Tigers. Go onto most of the fan groups on facebook and they will have at least half a dozen clowns pushing for the team to go back to Western Suburbs Magpies and have no connection to Balmain.

Not quite sure about the Tigers fans accepting the fact you are west tigers...Same as Magpie Fans...there is alot of bad blood on administration levels on Both sides and i dont think balmain is innocent in any of it either

For something that was supposed to be a 50 50 merger it really isnt... and i think that is the problem with it, there is to much heritage from both teams but they cant share it equally, it really should of been a takeover like Steelers but neither Club could claim dominence

one thing i am curious to see is how Wests Tigers new Board go.

[i_amtrunks]

For something that was supposed to be a 50 50 merger it really isnt... and i think that is the problem with it, there is to much heritage from both teams but they cant share it equally, it really should of been a takeover like Steelers but neither Club could claim dominence

one thing i am curious to see is how Wests Tigers new Board go.

None of the mergers worked, too much history and talent from too different catchment groups for the Tigers, Manly just ate the bears and didn't even pretend to care about it. St george got the best deal, they more or less wiped away the Steelers (no history to wipe away, really!) but kept their awesome stadium, gained one of the best junior nurseries and gained a massive catchment area.

Mergers were needed (lesser of two evils compared to just dropping clubs cold, ala Souths) but it was done so terribly and so rushed. Another negative of the Super League war. We could easily support 18-20 teams across the east coast/NZ, but the quality would dip severely, especially in the halves. There would also be a tonne over well overplayed props and second rowers, not to mention crazy deal done for teenage wingers.

I'm looking forward to the NSW vs. QLD cup game, its the GF I wanted in the NRL, Panthers vs. Cowboys! Under 20's will be a points fest as always, and here is hoping to the Doggies getting annihilated!

[Bidoofdude]

I loved every minute of the AFL Grand Final last weekend. It's funny how when they win, they're referred to as The Bloods, but when they loose, it's The Swans.

There was a great article in the Herald Sun leading up to the GF basically saying to everyone in Sydney "It's that time of the year to care about the Swans again". They are irrelevant once again ;) The best part about all of this is that Buddy came to Sydney to win a Premiership... he should have stayed put :p

Buddy was actually one of the only decent players on the field. Kennedy was good. The usual guns were terrible.

[i_amtrunks]

The only team that was playing football out at the Olympic Stadium won. I was disgusted once again with the grub dogs and their tactics, if only Hasler would learn and start taking responsibility for removing their niggling and dirty playing. It won't win them a premiership.

If only the officials would get tough and wipe the grubs out of the game, but the judiciary will waive all the cheap shots, tripping, head butts and shoulder charges and high tackles away. Not a good look for the game. Graham may just take the mantle as the world's dirtiest player from Reynolds, he cannot control himself in finals, biting, charging, pushing on obviously unconscious players... Sure he is tough, but what's the point if you are also a thuggish moron?

[Bartrim]

I hate both teams that played in the Grand Final but I thought I'd check out the game anyway... I never even got to kick off. Channel 9's favouritism of South Sydney was disgusting. I was in the kitchen so I could hear but not see the tv and I could hear "Glory, glory, South Sydney" being played. I ran back to the tv thinking "Is the game over already?" Very biased television. I would say worse then when a interstate team plays a Sydney team in the gf. :mad:

[Bidoofdude]

I hate both teams that played in the Grand Final but I thought I'd check out the game anyway... I never even got to kick off. Channel 9's favouritism of South Sydney was disgusting. I was in the kitchen so I could hear but not see the tv and I could hear "Glory, glory, South Sydney" being played. I ran back to the tv thinking "Is the game over already?" Very biased television. I would say worse then when a interstate team plays a Sydney team in the gf. :mad:

It was my first time watching a full rugby league match. I already kind of supported the Rabbitohs from little bits of matches I had seen. I liked their colours and mascot when I was younger. The fans and coverage were very skewed.

[i_amtrunks]

Very biased television. I would say worse then when a interstate team plays a Sydney team in the gf. :mad:

I don't believe for half a second that the commentators weren't barracking for a Souths victory, I think the story and style of play throughout the finals won them over. The Bulldogs play style certainly could not endear them to any new fans either. I know Ray Warren is not a fan of the wrestle and that's all the Bulldogs were doing.

[jazzcomp]

Vicious (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2228106-ben-flower-sent-off-from-grand-final-for-vicious-attack-on-lance-hohia?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)

[5FDP]

Headline running at the moment on news.com.au...

"World reacts to Hayne bombshell"

Based on what... a former Raiders cheerleader re-tweeting the news. HAHAHAHA... yeah, no. He'll be lucky to make a practice squad. Good on him for trying though (no pun intended).

PS. Bartrim - What happened to the Rams yesterday? ;) :p

[Bartrim]

Headline running at the moment on news.com.au...

"World reacts to Hayne bombshell"

Based on what... a former Raiders cheerleader re-tweeting the news. HAHAHAHA... yeah, no. He'll be lucky to make a practice squad. Good on him for trying though (no pun intended).

PS. Bartrim - What happened to the Rams yesterday? ;) :p

Yeah I think Hayne likes to play too off the cuff with his footy. I don't think he will like the structure of NFL. They say he could be a running back but I think he runs too upright. The first shot he cops from a big lineman or linebacker will rock him straight back to the NRL.

Like you said though, good on him for chasing his dream.

Don't know about yesterday... Only saw the first half :p I think Austin Davis has great potential but we have a horrible offence co-ordinator and apparently only one person on defence who can tackle (Lauranitis).

[i_amtrunks]

My initial thoughts were "ha!". Followed by "hahahaha!".

But thinking about it, it is brilliant for Parramatta. Hayne has no chance of getting into a NFL squad, it'd be different if he was doing this because they had approached him or similar. So in effect it is a year of good training while he tries out and practices, with none of the big hits he cops in the NRL. It could prolong his career a few years.

He comes back well rested, hungry to re-prove himself and is playing with a Parramatta team that has had another year working together. So while Parramatta (and likely NSW) are no chances without him, it bodes well for 2016.

Goodluck to him, but I do not like his chances.

[mknell]

Headline running at the moment on news.com.au...

"World reacts to Hayne bombshell"

Based on what... a former Raiders cheerleader re-tweeting the news. HAHAHAHA... yeah, no. He'll be lucky to make a practice squad. Good on him for trying though (no pun intended).

PS. Bartrim - What happened to the Rams yesterday? ;) :p

Who knows it could go either way really

[5FDP]

Who knows it could go either way really

It's all one way... back to the NRL. The arrogance of the Australian media astounds me, implying that he could basically walk straight into a starting role in the NFL - and onto the Super Bowl champion Seahawks of all teams. LOL. Reports state that he is probably going to aim to play RB however there are two problems with that and they're called Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin, two of the best backs in the league. Some news reports state he may even try to play cornerback... do they even realise what they are saying LMAO!

Listening to Triple M driving home last night and they spoke on-air to 710 ESPN Seattle and they had no idea who this person (Hayne) was or why they were even talking about him.

Tell you what, if he even plays one down on ANY NFL team, I'll eat my words. If anything, it will increase exposure of the NFL here and hopefully lead to the possibility of them bringing the sport back which will be the first time since the American Bowl in '99.

[Bartrim]

Hayne could learn something about punt returns from St Louis after this morning ;)

[5FDP]

Hayne could learn something about punt returns from St Louis after this morning ;)

Congrats and from a fellow NFC West opponent, thank you :D

[Deonasis]

Hayne could learn something about punt returns from St Louis after this morning ;)
I saw that last night, it was hilarious and cheeky.

[jazzcomp]

Just felt like Australia team had no heart today vs the Kiwis :(

[Deonasis]

Just felt like Australia team had no heart today vs the Kiwis :(
With a few of the superstars missing i think it showed how-run-of-the-mill some of the other regular Australian players are. Right now it looks like we will get a thumping from England too. I expect quite a few changes.

[i_amtrunks]

A bits and pieces squad and a few playing injured (Inglis should have taken the time off, his body was stuffed throughout the finals) equals getting smashed.

With Isaac Luke back, the Kiwis will only be better.

Onto the round ball code, the Wanderers were so very lucky Al Hilal could not finish any of their billion crosses. Parramatta is a fortress for them.

Sadly the naysayers regarding soccer will always have plenty of ammunition when you have these ACL games showing that diving, acting and the general spooking and complaining is so rampant in the highly (over) paid leagues like China, UAE, Japan etc. I was disgusted by the diving and then the whinging from Al Hilal who got the better rub of the game by far. Touching a ref should be an instant red card.

[Deonasis]

Aussies (NRL) were definately at their weakest in years. I hope some realise that when you get picked in a great team it can be too easy to think you are a great player. And to be fair they should get better as they adjust to this playing roster but to face England next weekend.. *gulp*



Sadly the naysayers regarding soccer will always have plenty of ammunition when you have these ACL games showing that diving, acting and the general spooking and complaining is so rampant in the highly (over) paid leagues like China, UAE, Japan etc. I was disgusted by the diving and then the whinging from Al Hilal who got the better rub of the game by far. Touching a ref should be an instant red card.Even how players swarm the ref at the big decisions so he must keep moving away from them grinds me no end. I'd rather refs could speak with captains and everbody else get out of their face or risk getting dealt with as well.

[i_amtrunks]

You can try to buy a championship, but you cannot buy class.

Al Hilal dove all over the place, niggled better than they got, pushed officials, headbutted and nearly ruined the post match and showed themselves to be pampered spoilt prats. Sure there were some awful calls against them, but they have only themselves and their inflated egos to blame.

Covic a deserving man of the match and tournament. How he isn't blind after the amount of laser beams he had pointed at him is beyond me.

Who would have thought 3 years ago that the Wanderers would be Champions of Asia? They've beaten the best (and the nastiest) across Asia with bugger all funding, some absolutely horrendous behaviour by opponent nations (especially in China) and the loss of nearly half their squad between the rounds and finals.

Now hopefully they can get back into form in the A-League!

[Bartrim]

Just looking for a funny meme of Colin Kaepernick before I post in here :D:p

[Bartrim]

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm218/Bartrim/49_zpsf18f3654.jpg (http://s297.photobucket.com/user/Bartrim/media/49_zpsf18f3654.jpg.html)

[5FDP]

Ahhh... was waiting for you to pipe up :rolleyes: You like pictures? Here's a picture for you...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1457578_10152781007365126_8129260679206236435_n.jp g?oh=b8b69c16183f54592c8df159277dbb8b&oe=54AA3412&__gda__=1424094629_e8fc0683e951d677f39add20f7c1e2f 4

This was ruled a catch. His knee is down (equals two feet) with the ball breaking the plane of the goal line as clearly seen above. It was NOT however ruled a touchdown. Explain that one away ;)

Oh, and don't get me started on the non-Safety call and Kap's QB sneak at the end of the game (yes, the nose of the ball broke the line before it came loose hence that is also a TD by definition). That's 16 points right there but yeah... good win to your team :)

[5FDP]

So... the Rams beat the Broncos today with their third string QB. Nothing is real anymore :confused: ;) :p

(Congrats B :))

In other news, my 9ers are back in the thick of the playoff hunt tied with the Seachickens for second place in the division :cool:

[Bartrim]

So... the Rams beat the Broncos today with their third string QB. Nothing is real anymore :confused: ;) :p

(Congrats B :))

In other news, my 9ers are back in the thick of the playoff hunt tied with the Seachickens for second place in the division :cool:

Thank you. Having beaten the two teams who played in last years Superbowl we will just take the trophy now thank you :) (That's the way it works right????:p )

[Deonasis]

I suspect neigh expect you NFLers already have one of these sweaters.. www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=pe_1441080_127539840_pe_row5_b2_t/?rh=n%3A3375251%2Cn%3A!3375301%2Cn%3A3386071%2Cn%3 A374742011%2Ck%3ANFL+Ugly+Sweater%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIK X0DER%2Cp_n_theme_browse-bin%3A374273011&bbn=374742011&keywords=NFL+Ugly+Sweater&ie=UTF8&qid=14121095

They make me want to pick a team!

[5FDP]

Not a sweater person :p I did receive this (http://www.shop49ers.com/San_Francisco_49ers_Mens_Hoodies/Mens_San_Francisco_49ers_Gray_Sweep_Right_Full_Zip _Fleece_Hoodie) last week, although it's supposed to be a birthday pressie for me next month.

[Bartrim]

Not a sweater person :p I did receive this (http://www.shop49ers.com/San_Francisco_49ers_Mens_Hoodies/Mens_San_Francisco_49ers_Gray_Sweep_Right_Full_Zip _Fleece_Hoodie) last week, although it's supposed to be a birthday pressie for me next month.

That is pretty sweet. I done have much in the way of merch. Just a Kurt Warner replica jersey.

[5FDP]

That is pretty sweet. I done have much in the way of merch. Just a Kurt Warner replica jersey.

I'm not kidding when I say I've spent way more on 49ers merch than I have on Transformers over the years. My prized possessions - a Steve Young and Jerry Rice autographed photo :cool: I also have about 10 different jerseys :D Yeah, I'm a bit obsessed :o

[Bartrim]

Even as a Rams fan I felt sorry for the Oakland fans on Monday.

[5FDP]

Even as a Rams fan I felt sorry for the Oakland fans on Monday.

Don't feel too sorry for them :mad:

[Bartrim]

Don't feel too sorry for them :mad:

Lolz:D

[5FDP]

Well, the Niners have officially been eliminated from the playoffs :(

[5FDP]

LOL @ Seahawk fans (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2334313-seahawks-fans-leave-nfc-championship-game-early-miss-crazy-comeback). Bandwagoners!

[Bartrim]

LOL @ Seahawk fans (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2334313-seahawks-fans-leave-nfc-championship-game-early-miss-crazy-comeback). Bandwagoners!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!!!!!!!

I was stuck wandering around Nowra on Monday while my van was being serviced. I checked the scores regularly on my phone. When the Seahawks were down 16-7 I noticed a late teen wearing a Marshawn Lynch jersey so I bumped into him "accidently" and said "Oh sorry... Hey a Seahawks fan. I haven't been keeping track of the game. How are they going?" He replied "Yeah good":rolleyes:

[5FDP]

Just a thought, Australian NFL fans are like Sydney Swans supporters... they only show up one day of the year.

[Sharky]

Just a thought, Australian NFL fans are like Sydney Swans supporters... they only show up one day of the year.

Love it....

:D

[GoktimusPrime]

This!
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-dig-deep-and-deliver-a-result-for-the-ages-20150131-132xbe.html

[Deonasis]

Great Socceroos game last night and now we are Asia Cup premiers. It went down to the wire and then some. Ange is a lucky man.

[i_amtrunks]

The officiating in last nights soccer match made the AFC officiating look spectacular. Should lose his job for his inconsistency.

Great win that should have never gone to extra time, South Korea played well but really never looked in control in front of goal. Everywhere else they were fairly dominant. The young players won it for Australia, bodes well for life after Cahill.

[GoktimusPrime]

One of my friends was at the game, and I posted this on her thread...
오지 오지 오지! 오이 오이 오이! <---Korean for "Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oy oy oy!" :p
trololol :D

[Bartrim]

Patriots win the Superbowl due to one of the worst play calls in history... But Left Shark is the MVP:p

[5FDP]

Patriots win the Superbowl due to one of the worst play calls in history... But Left Shark is the MVP:p

LOL @ the Seahawks. Richard Sherman with tears streaming down his face was PRICELESS!!!

It's been posted somewhere that pre-2013 (before they won their first SB), they had 138,000 likes on their official FB page. After their SB win, that number jumped up to over 3 million. I hope their fans don't hurt themselves jumping off the bandwagon :p

[Bartrim]

LOL @ the Seahawks. Richard Sherman with tears streaming down his face was PRICELESS!!!

It's been posted somewhere that pre-2013 (before they won their first SB), they had 138,000 likes on their official FB page. After their SB win, that number jumped up to over 3 million. I hope their fans don't hurt themselves jumping off the bandwagon :p

LOL. Pats and Seahawks have massive bandwagons so it's always amusing to see both teams lose.

Still... You are one yard out in the Superbowl with Marshawn Lynch in your team and you pass?????

[i_amtrunks]

Nice to see three minutes back into the game that convicted drug cheat Paul Gallen is back with the cheap shots... :rolleyes:

Can't wait till Rabs is back, this nine news guy is pathetic, he lets Gould talk all over him. If Rabs is out, at least let warren Smith or Andrew Voss do it, they know how to call a game with some energy and excitement.

[Bartrim]

http://nrlfantasy.dailytelegraph.com.au/league/ladder

Everyone join the league MK'nell created. Code 386795

[i_amtrunks]

I'll join when the website stops mucking up! Thought they'd fixed all the login bugs, but seems not!

Is anyone surprised that the glasser, also known as convicted drug chest Paul Gallens best friend and his hall pooping associate were caught up in the cocaine sting?

If they are guilty, let's hope they cop the full sentence and we never see or hear of them again, though I'd like it if that happened even if they are innocent (not likely as the police must have a mighty good case!)

[5FDP]

Jarryd Hayne continues NFL training in Sydney (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Egn7sbnMow).

LMFAO... that's a nice tight spiral and catch at the 27 sec mark :rolleyes: :p

[Deonasis]

Jarryd Hayne continues NFL training in Sydney (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Egn7sbnMow).

LMFAO... that's a nice tight spiral and catch at the 27 sec mark :rolleyes: :p

That was lol funny.. Hanye in the background would've hoped that last bit didn't make the news. Kinda showed the elite company he was in. :rolleyes:

[Bartrim]

Lol. Some very clever editor somewhere, who like most of us has had enough of this saga threw that bit in at the end for laughs.

I salute that man.

[5FDP]

Lol. Some very clever editor somewhere, who like most of us has had enough of this saga threw that bit in at the end for laughs.

I salute that man.

Yep. I applaud the man for giving it a crack, but realistically he's got next to no chance.

There's a guy that sits near me at work and he's the epitome of the aussie bogan and a big fan boy (read: homer (http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/homer)) of Jarryd Hayne. Every time he (Hayne) gets a mention in the news, he walks up to me all proud and chest puffed out saying 'see, I told you he would make it'. Made what you idiot? It's a futures contract, he hasn't made the squad. Come and see me in September when he suits up for the Lions and plays a down then we'll talk :rolleyes:

[Bartrim]

Yep. I applaud the man for giving it a crack, but realistically he's got next to no chance.

There's a guy that sits near me at work and he's the epitome of the aussie bogan and a big fan boy (read: homer (http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/homer)) of Jarryd Hayne. Every time he (Hayne) gets a mention in the news, he walks up to me all proud and chest puffed out saying 'see, I told you he would make it'. Made what you idiot? It's a futures contract, he hasn't made the squad. Come and see me in September when he suits up for the Lions and plays a down then we'll talk :rolleyes:

Oh I don't salute Hayne. I salute the editor who put that footage in at the end of the video. I give him props for trying but I think it is arrogance on his part too. My brother seems to think Hayne will make it and as much as my brother is an idiot he does know his NFL. I don't think Hayne has a chance. He can't play structured enough for NFL. I also don't think he can handle the shots he will take from the defence. I can't see him being too keen to take one up the middle right into the D-Line.

That being said I expect a big influx of Lions merch to hit our shores:p

[5FDP]

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne close to signing Detroit Lions deal, but still wanted in San Francisco (http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/us-view-former-nrl-star-jarryd-hayne-close-to-signing-detroit-lions-deal-but-still-wanted-in-san-francisco/story-fndujljl-1227238476490)

Oh god... :eek:

Well, you know what, I would love for that to happen if it increases the chances of the 49ers coming out here for a preseason game. We haven't had one since 1999 when Jim Harbaugh (ex-49ers Head Coach) was the QB for the Chargers and Pat Summerall (the BEST commentator in all of sports EVER - RIP) graced our fine shores. Oh, and who could forget Shannon 'Want Some Whine With That Cheese' Sharpe :D

[Bartrim]

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne close to signing Detroit Lions deal, but still wanted in San Francisco (http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/us-view-former-nrl-star-jarryd-hayne-close-to-signing-detroit-lions-deal-but-still-wanted-in-san-francisco/story-fndujljl-1227238476490)

Oh god... :eek:

Well, you know what, I would love for that to happen if it increases the chances of the 49ers coming out here for a preseason game. We haven't had one since 1999 when Jim Harbaugh (ex-49ers Head Coach) was the QB for the Chargers and Pat Summerall (the BEST commentator in all of sports EVER - RIP) graced our fine shores. Oh, and who could forget Shannon 'Want Some Whine With That Cheese' Sharpe :D

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

[Bartrim]

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2015/03/03/12/55/jarryd-hayne-announces-nfl-signing

What a glorious day :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[5FDP]

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2015/03/03/12/55/jarryd-hayne-announces-nfl-signing

What a glorious day :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get stuffed!

You know what's going to shit me, when I'm walking around in my Niners hat which I've worn for the last 20 years, or t-shirt, or lunch bag and thermos that I take to work, or driving around in my car with Niners stickers on it and someone saying to me "Hayne's fan?" F... off!

[Bartrim]

Get stuffed!

You know what's going to shit me, when I'm walking around in my Niners hat which I've worn for the last 20 years, or t-shirt, or lunch bag and thermos that I take to work, or driving around in my car with Niners stickers on it and someone saying to me "Hayne's fan?" F... off!

Just think of all the merchandise that will flood into the country now

and the bandwagon fans :D

[Starscream77]

I say good on him
I am a die hard Eels fan but not a fan of Hayne as a human but he is a special athlete
But I don't jump on wagons... Chicago all the way, da Bears!