The Football (all sorts) Thread [Archive] - Ozformers Transformers Club of Australia (otca.com.au)

jacksplatt11

22nd September 2008, 11:59 PM

interesting brownlow count i thought, cooney by all rights is a very worthy winner and as he was one of the favourites all year its no surprise, but simon black and richo polled very well which surprised me, i knew richo would get a few votes, maybe 10-15, but i didnt actually think he would be in with a real chance, and to come as close as he did, wow, woulda been a great win if he got it.. and also for black to poll so well, yet not be in the AA team? coulda been interesting if he win, perhaps the first brownlow winner not in the AA?..

i dont blame ablett though, sure he looked devasted when he didnt get the votes last round, but to be honest, if anyone was in that position they would be pretty upset, he was the brownlow favourite after all, everyone thought it was his, so no matter how humble he is, he still wouldve thought he was gonna get it..

north are out anyway so im not really fussed, am looking forward to a great grand final this sat from the two stand out teams this year though.. at least my nrl team, storm, are still in with a chance, with or without cam smith haha

Pulse

23rd September 2008, 12:04 AM

at least my nrl team, storm, are still in with a chance, with or without cam smith haha

What about the way in which the media is hammering you guys about grapple tackles?
It's like they've got a vendetta out for you guys or something... :rolleyes:

jacksplatt11

23rd September 2008, 12:08 AM

STL

23rd September 2008, 12:12 AM

It's cos we're Melbournians and we happen to be superior. :D

The other thing about Cooney that i think we should underline is that by round 12 after the game against hawthorn, he was not 100%. He's being carrying a fractured knee for 12 weeks playing at the top level and he still polled enough to win. So it was a top win and I think the Doggies really missed his influence late in the season.

I should mention that Black has ostetitis pubis and he polled very well too.

Robzy

23rd September 2008, 12:12 AM

It's cos we're Melbournians and we happen to be superior. :D ...And yet another South Aussie wins the Brownlow! ;) :D :D

Pulse

23rd September 2008, 12:14 AM

oh tell me about it man, apparently its all their talking about in all the sydney media... the only reason smith got charged is because all the other teams complained and the media kept replaying it etc and calling it a "grapple", storm aren't even in the top 3 for grapple tackles i heard, yet we seem to be the only team that it gets brought up against? :confused:

sydney teams and media are just jealous haha

It's got me wondering...

Here in Sydney, League is the media's No.1 sport but I was wondering how the Melb media treats the Storm & all things league?

Does it rate just behind AFL or is it an afterthought?

jacksplatt11

23rd September 2008, 12:30 AM

well we're getting way off the topic of the brownlow here haha, but...

bearing in mind i cant speak for payTV because i dont have it, but...

here in vic, 9 give rugby league nearly the same amount of air time that is given in NSW and QLD as far as i know, except at terrible hours..we get the the NRL footy show thurs nights at 11 or so, the friday night games are shown from midnight to 4am, and the sunday night game at midnight on the sun.. we dont get the sunday NRL shows.. 9 in vic just wont put NRL up against AFL, which is fair enough because the AFL would just completly dominate the ratings against NRL, but they could show it at a more reasonable hour like 10-11pm.. we've only gotten 2 live storm games here, the match against parra were we had 10 or so players out with origin duties, and the quarter final the other week against NZ, both because there was no AFL on the sun, so you can see why 9 put them on.. the other live matches we get here in vic are all 3 origins, and the grand final, also some tests if, once against there is no AFL.. the game just passed, storm vs broncos, was the best game ive ever seen, and we had to wait till 12:30 here to see it, wtf.. they coulda showed it 10:30-11, if not live like it should, but instead they put on white chicks.. beats me..

so my little rant over, it basically comes down to AFL would completely destroy NRL one on one in the ratings, so 9 only put them on late, unless there is no AFL game on.. storm only get games shown if they are the ones showed on 9, ie if storm play on a sat, one of the games not shown on a sun, or a monday, we don't get to see it, even though in the AFL, all the interstate teams usually get their matches shown in their home city no matter where they are being played... this is due to the fact of the game sharing between 9 and Fox though, so... in conclusion, us storm fans get a pretty raw deal

Pulse

23rd September 2008, 12:48 AM

Thanks for that Jacksplatt :)

You could say it's kinda the exact opposite here. Ch 9 shows a league double-header on Friday from 7:30-11:30, Fox Sports shows all the Sat games live & on Sunday Ch 9 shows the most important game from 4-6pm while Fox Sports show the rest of the Sunday games live.

When it comes to AFL, Unless the Swans are playing (who get prime time coverage) the free-to-air networks show their games after 11 on Fri/Sat nights while Ch 7 shows Sunday's game from 2-5pm (I think?). Fox Sports shows the other games live or on delayed telecast? (I'm not sure... :confused:)

About the Footy Shows, the League one on Thurs is at 9:30pm while the AFL one starts at 11:30pm or so that night. On Sunday, they show the League Footy Show 11am-12 followed by the Sunday Roast for another hour. We don't get the AFL Sunday Footy Show.

I guess Different markets = different interests...

Sorry, I'm hijacking threads again... :o

STL

23rd September 2008, 12:50 AM

so... in conclusion, us storm fans get a pretty raw deal

Yup and that pretty much sums it up. I love the storm but the most I ever do is read up about the online or watch the 5 second highlights reel on the news which is pretty damned annoying.

Paulbot

23rd September 2008, 09:36 AM

I admit I have very limited knowledge of football, most of which gathered from being in the same room when The Footy Show is on TV, but I have never heard of this Cooney guy before. I knew of the other runner ups but not him.

I was watching the Emmys on Foxtel anyway last night.

i_amtrunks

23rd September 2008, 09:48 AM

It's cos we're Melbournians and we happen to be superior. :D

That would be true and all, if the Melbourne storm were not a team of 75% Queenslanders and 25% Kiwi's! :D

As long as Cronulla get the crap kicked out of them this weekend I'm sweet, there are people on each of the other 3 teams that I am more than happy to see hoist the grand final trophy week after next.
(Menzies at Manly, Price at the Warriors, Geyer at Melbourne)

jacksplatt11

23rd September 2008, 04:38 PM

That would be true and all, if the Melbourne storm were not a team of 75% Queenslanders and 25% Kiwi's! :D

hey, theres a few new south welshmen in the team too haha, but i'll agree they're all non-vics, apart from jeremy smith who although is a new zealander, played all his junior rugby at altona, so there you go..

im backing melb storm, even without cam smith if he doesnt get off, i definitely don't want cronulla to win, i love the way the warriors play though so if its not the storm, hopefully its them..

go storm :D

STL

25th September 2008, 12:11 AM

Smith copped a two week ban. That just f---ing reeks. I just hope it's a Warriors-Storm final just to shove it down the f---ing the throat of every stinkin' News South Welshman. Seriously, I was watching footage of like 25 other "grapple" tackles from players of other clubs. Sorely disillusioned in a game I was coming to love.

At the rate the NRL is going, it might as well call itself the NSWRL b/c in a decade that might just about be the extent of its pitiful existence.

Pulse

25th September 2008, 12:17 AM

Not a happy camper ay... :p

Hey, my teams finished 11th & 12th this year (Parra & Penrith) & you don't see me complaining... :D

jacksplatt11

25th September 2008, 12:40 AM

true, but all of the sydney media dont watch parra and penrith like hawks and scrutinize everything they do haha...

to be honest, cam's tackle was very crude, there's no denying it, but the fact that it was only the 3rd tackle this year sighted (of which 2 have been cam, either a repeat offender, or just watched a lot more closely), and in the finals, just annoys me so much.. ive seen a a lot worse go unpunished, if the NRL were consistent with it all year then so be it, but at this time of the year for 2 weeks.. arrrrrr..

oh well, we are more than a 1 man team, and lets show em that

i_amtrunks

25th September 2008, 09:34 AM

Consistency and good umpiring are two things the NRL has never had, and while Finchy is in control, will never have.

Having 2 umpires may help with the 10metre offside rule, since it changes from 6m-8m-12m each game, but it will also lead to more indecisiveness and more video ref wasting time (if that is even possible). Refs are too scared to make mistakes on tries, but seem to not care about getting every other call wrong with infringements.

The NRL could also save a tonne of money by getting rid of the Touch Judges, those morons who failed kindergarten are as useless as an underwater shower.

Easts have been grappling worse than any other team this year, but because Politis has such sway nothing gets mentioned about them, the focus is only on Melbourne who are the best at the technique, and sure they deserve to be penalised for it, but so too do the other 15 clubs that all practice the grapple and chicken wing tackles. </rant>

My team came in 9th this year, and that's about all they deserved. Buying a tonne of ex St George players gets you failure, after all thats what St George are good at.

Pulse

26th September 2008, 03:16 PM

Ah, I found an online flashgame you league fans might like to have a go at when no one's watching... :D

http://www.smashometer.com/ (make sure you mute it :))

jacksplatt11

26th September 2008, 05:18 PM

i thoroughly enjoyed smashing gallen several times.. when it first loaded up, i thought you played as wiki and knocked other players down haha.. he is a monster

STL

26th September 2008, 07:40 PM

Big game tonight, heading over to a mates to watch it. Carn on the Storm.

STL

27th September 2008, 12:23 AM

Take that NSWRL!

jacksplatt11

27th September 2008, 12:37 AM

not the cleanest game i've ever seen from the storm, but easily accounted for the sharks even without cam smith.. will have to improve by next week against either manly or NZ, which we should be able to do now we will know all week that cam isn't playing.. cronulla's lack of scoring ability really let them down, hardly pressured the storms line at all..

and yes, take that NSW RL haha.. what would be even funnier is if NZ got in, melbourne vs NZ in sydney, haha.. to be honest i'd probably rather play manly though..

i_amtrunks

27th September 2008, 10:58 AM

and yes, take that NSW RL haha.. what would be even funnier is if NZ got in, melbourne vs NZ in sydney, haha.. to be honest i'd probably rather play manly though..

Personally I'd love to see a Warriors Melbourne Final. But I think Manly will probably win tonight.

Cannot mention how happy I am that Melbourne slaughtered Cronulla last night, although I expect if Manly win there will be massive media attention in NSW given to any tiny incident the Storm players were involved in during the game against the sharks to sway the judiciary as much as possible.

Glad to see Kimmorley go out the loser he is, to a club that will struggle again next year. I doubt we will see a Sharks team win a grand final in our lifetime. Drop them from the comp and re-establish them on the Central Coast. A fresh start is what they need.

Pulse

27th September 2008, 01:04 PM

Drop them from the comp and re-establish them on the Central Coast. A fresh start is what they need.

Or they could resurrect the Jets (http://www.newtownjets.com.au/)... ;)

Pulse

28th September 2008, 06:28 PM

I'm sorry about the double post but I'm sure you Storm guys had heard about their recent $50,000 fine (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24410481-23214,00.html)

Wow! Even if you think these things, You're not actually supposed to say them out aloud... *shakes head*

Fungal Infection

28th September 2008, 06:50 PM

I've been a Storm fan ever since they won their first title in 99 and if you've followed them for that long, you can see they are getting so much unnecessary flack. Where was the attention pre-2006 when they were only a middle tier team?? Now suddenly they are wiping the floor with the competition and everyone turns their attention to the Storm and for what? Cause they are a non-NSW team?? Cam Smith deserved to be penalised, I wont deny that, but then you look back 2 weeks ago when Manly played St George and the tackle that Heath L'estrange had put on him - where's the bloody consistency?! The player involved didn't even get put on report or reviewed by the match committee! I'm so glad Ricky's boys got their asses handed to them on Friday night after the comments he made to sway the judiciary. As long as Melbourne keeps winning the way they are, they will always be under the microscope, and I find it sad that Tall Poppy Syndrome is creeping into sports as well. I'd love for the Eagles to win the title this season, only to see a true gentlemen of the sport, Steve Menzies go out on top but with all the shit the Storm have copped, I'm gonna back the Storm just so I can say to all the haters, "up yours, you rubbed out Smith but we still beat your sorry asses, stick that up your ass Tony Greig!!" (copyright The 12th Man).

Pulse

28th September 2008, 08:27 PM

Fungal Infection

28th September 2008, 08:45 PM

It wouldn't be a truly national league without more teams from interstate now would it? Its that kind of thinking which makes you wonder why the AFL is able to play to packed stadiums even though I personally think the NRL has a better product. The AFL has more appeal at the moment because it is a truly national competition. But if you look at global appeal, then league has more of it by virtue of it being played in more countries such as the UK, NZ and France. And the excuse that Melbournians dont accept league is bull - their home crowd averages are higher than many Sydney clubs and Sydney is supposedly the heartland of league. In the same way Sydney has embraced the Swans, Melbournians are starting to embrace league. So the naysayers should look at the stats first before they open their mouths cause its obvious they aren't thinking before they speak.

Pulse

28th September 2008, 09:00 PM

Do you remember when League tried to expand Nationally for the first time & what a mess Super League (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_League_(Australia)) made of their forays into Adelaide & Perth? I think we can blame the Rams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_Rams) & the Reds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WA_Reds) failures on a lack of research into those markets but ever since the Storm were rebuilt from the ashes of those 2 clubs & the Mariners (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Mariners), they've just gone great guns... :)

STL

28th September 2008, 10:46 PM

Not that I agree with them, but I know of a fair few people who believe teams like the Storm & the Warriors shouldn't even be in the NRL in the first place. They use the argument that Melbourners will never accept a Rugby League team & that the NRL stands for "National Rugby League" - & New Zealand is not a part of Australia.

& you Melbourners won't believe the amount of nay-sayers slagging out the AFL with their plans for a second team here in Sydney. The media is calling it a massive waste of money going straight down the gurgler... :rolleyes:

I've come to embrace the Storm. I went to two games this season. Last year I went to one. Many other Melbournians as well. My mates and I are having an equivalent grand final bbq next week just for it.

As for the second Sydney team, the press down here ain't much better for the AFL. I mean, Tassie deserves a footy team more than a 2nd NSW team. It's called hubris, I think.

i_amtrunks

29th September 2008, 12:08 PM

As for the second Sydney team, the press down here ain't much better for the AFL. I mean, Tassie deserves a footy team more than a 2nd NSW team. It's called hubris, I think.

I concur, Tassie deserves an AFL more than Sydney deserves a 2nd team.
But it aint going to happen, as there is not enough corporate $$$ to support a AFL team in Tassie. I personally doubt there is enough corporate $$$ for the Western Sydney side either.

I also think it's rather stupid for the 2nd AFL side to build a 15,000 capacity arena (with only a 1500 seat stand) out at Blacktown, then go play games at the soulless ANZ Stadium at Homebush. They'd be better off making a decent 35,000 Stadium and being purely located at Blacktown, which is the largest council area in NSW, has a high growth rate and is located between the 3 big Western Sydney League teams. It's a 10 minute walk to the Stadium from Doonside or Rooty Hill Stations, and there is plenty of otherwise unusable floodplain they could create a carpark on.

As for Melbourne, the $50,000 fine only proves that they were on the money, the NRL only acts when they are caught out, the judiciary is corrupt, always has been, always inconsistent.
I like Melbourne as a team, and would like to see them win, but I think Manly will prove the old adage "gotta lose a final to win a final", and I don't begrudge them it at all, Menzies deserves the send off, and Manly have been an exceptionally strong team all year (how they manage to only lose 1 player for Origin I'll never understand).

Bartrim

29th September 2008, 02:07 PM

(Menzies at Manly, Price at the Warriors, Geyer at Melbourne)

What about Russell Aitken Trunks?:p

i_amtrunks

29th September 2008, 02:51 PM

What about Russell Aitken Trunks?:p

That name sounds familiar... he's Cam Smiths replacement at the Storm, who has no club next season right? Played for Cronulla or the Dragons didnt he?

Since he isn't retiring this year, I think I'll keep Geyer as the one the Storm have to win the Final for. :D

Bartrim

29th September 2008, 03:59 PM

i_amtrunks

29th September 2008, 04:15 PM

Thats him. Come on you have to feel for the guy. Signs a contract at a lower grade french club who go bankrupt.

I think Tim Sheens should sign him and turn him into "the next Cooper Cronk" (his prediction of John Morris, who I like as a player but not a ball playing halfback)

Canberra and the Tigers are the two teams with money to spare at the moment.

The Tigers do need a half/five-eighth who can really put on the razzle dazzle. The Tigers seem to be struggling to bring their juniors through at the moment, the ones that dont get pinched by Easts arent that great (unlike the Penrith juniors who should drastically improve the Panthers in 2009).

Bartrim

30th September 2008, 03:04 PM

Rampage

30th September 2008, 04:13 PM

The Tigers actually have 3 potential champion halves in the junior ranks. Tim Moltzen, Wade Dunley and Blake Lazarus are all former australian schoolboys. Although Dunley and Lazarus are untested in first grade and I think they will do well. Tim Moltzen did alright in first grade but developed too much of an ego. He needs to be brought down a peg or two.

Overall I feel all these guys are still too immature for first grade. Sheens needs another champion halfback for a couple of years to help groom these kids.

Actually I think Sheens needs to clean out the Tigers much like what happened at the Knights. Too many players resting on their laurels after 2005.

Judging by their performance in the Toyota Cup I think Canberra should invest heavily in their juniors because they have a real champion team there.

the Tigers forwards should be better next year with the arrival of Gareth Ellis from ESL & Dane Laurie/"Keef" Galloway emerging as two of the best young front rowers in the game

Farah will more than likely be No.7 next year unless a minor miracle happens like Josh Lewis learning how to tackle or do anything else apart from having a great kicking game:p

players i think are on the outer at the Tigers:
Bryce Gibbs (Idiot)
Liam Fulton (Good Player but lacks size)
Dean Collis (Injury Prone)
Bronson Harrison (signed with Raiders for 2009)
Todd Payten (rumoured to be going to Celtic Crusaders with O'Hara & "Dell"):mad:

i_amtrunks

30th September 2008, 04:26 PM

Actually I think Sheens needs to clean out the Tigers much like what happened at the Knights. Too many players resting on their laurels after 2005.

I wouldnt wish getting Brian Smith and a bunch on St George rejects on anybody, not even Easts. :p
I have to admit Newcastle played very well this year, but if it weren't for Kurt Gidley and Buderus, I think the Knights would have been in 12-13th spot, and I expect that kind of result next year, without the extra 10% Buderus gives them,they won't be winning those tight games.

Was not aware of the Tigers juniors, but the Tigers, Panthers, Eels and St George have a big job ahead of them to keep most of their juniors now, since Easts have decided to not field SG Ball or other junior teams, to save money. Funny how the team that rorts the salary cap the most has to drop their juniors (that were almost all stolen anyway). More of a reason to make any under 21 player poached from another junior area worth 125% of their salary, make the clubs doing nothing for junior footy pay through the nose for it.

Bartrim

1st October 2008, 03:23 PM

the Tigers forwards should be better next year with the arrival of Gareth Ellis from ESL & Dane Laurie/"Keef" Galloway emerging as two of the best young front rowers in the game

Farah will more than likely be No.7 next year unless a minor miracle happens like Josh Lewis learning how to tackle or do anything else apart from having a great kicking game:p

players i think are on the outer at the Tigers:
Bryce Gibbs (Idiot)
Liam Fulton (Good Player but lacks size)
Dean Collis (Injury Prone)
Bronson Harrison (signed with Raiders for 2009)
Todd Payten (rumoured to be going to Celtic Crusaders with O'Hara & "Dell"):mad:

What I saw of Josh Lewis this year his kicking game wasn't that great.

I heard management denied Paytens request.

Oh and add Tuiaki to that clean. He's done nothing.

Rampage

1st October 2008, 03:50 PM

Oh and add Tuiaki to that clean. He's done nothing.

he hasn't been the same since Travis Burns KTFO him earlier in the season:eek:

Pulse

5th October 2008, 10:21 PM

Well, I'm not a Manly Fan but I'm a fan of Steve Menzies & for that reason alone - I've got a huge ":)" on my face...

jacksplatt11

5th October 2008, 10:40 PM

haha yeah while i dislike manly like most league fans, i don't mind the beaver and i'm also quite fond of the wolfman, but still disappointed..

manly just wanted it more though, even if we did have cam smith and hoffman, they don't make us a 40 point better team... we looked flat all finals since that loss to warriors, and to be honest we got out of jail against the broncos in the last minute, which was a match where we probably didn't really deserve to win by the way we were playing.. and that thrashing of cronulla made us look in better form than we actually were, cronulla were also lucky to make it that far..

but in the end, like in all grand finals in every sport, anyone can win on the day, and manly wanted it more and deserved to win... it was like we didn't even turn up to play..

STL

5th October 2008, 10:57 PM

it was like we didn't even turn up to play..

I agree totally. All my mates and all I can see it from the get go. They ran in straight lines, didn't go down the line and change it up. Their body language wasn't very good. Maybe time to re-energise the ranks and re-motivate them. It was biting loss.

Pulse

5th October 2008, 11:08 PM

Well, You guys belted Manly last year & today they got one back on ya... *shrugs*

The same thing happened with my team (The Panthers) in '90 & '91. Canberra beat us in '90 & losing a Grand Final is indescribable... :( Well, we got Canberra back the following year & the planets were re-aligned in orbit :D

Even though you're losing Folau, I'm sure you'll find plenty of guys ready to step up... :)

jacksplatt11

5th October 2008, 11:30 PM

yep you're right, its funny how things like that happen... we lost in 06, came back to win in 07, then manly came back in 08, so hopefully 09 will be storms year again :D

also, think of the afl, us kangas back in 98 lost, then won in 99.. sydney beat eagles 05, eagles beat sydney 06... funny how things happen like that..

Even though you're losing Folau, I'm sure you'll find plenty of guys ready to step up... :)

izzy is a huge loss, only his second year and he is a superstar, and will only get better, numerous times today it he tried his hardest and made a lot of good breaks, but had no-one there with him in support.. would love to keep him at the storm, but unfortunately money talks, and when you can only spend 10 or so years in the sport earning top money and team loyalty become less of a big deal every year, its hard to begrudge someone of wanting to earn more while they can...

mick crocker is a huge loss, probably the biggest after izzy, hard to replace a player of his quality, although some may hate him haha.. jeremy smith is a shame, he's a good quality player while not being a superstar, and he's also one of my favs, and also antonio kaufusi is a good player, so our forward pack is losing a few quality players..

but saying that, with aiden tolman to step up next season hopefully into the run on side as a prop/second row, sika manu to improve considerably, will chambers to take over from matt geyer in one of the centres, who while being a melbourne great, probably should have retired after the grand final last year..

so overall, we're losing a few good quality players, but hopefully with these others to step up, we should still be a good quality team, but it will hard to come back to the team we were, from the player losses this year and last..

also theres rumours that clint newton and matt king are both homesick, so i would love for them to come back :D

but as always time will tell, but its a long wait till next season, for both NRL and AFL... oh well, cricket season very soon :D

Fungal Infection

6th October 2008, 05:47 PM

Actually Folau is only returning to Brisbane because he is homesick and not because they are offering him the bank. I read reports that he was trying to get his family to join him in Melbourne but apparently they wanted to remain in Brisbane, hence his desire to return home. He will be our biggest loss - there were times in the game last night where I felt he was going to break through and score the Storm's first try but he had no backup players to offload to. The Storm played an absolute shocker last night - Cam Smith or no Cam Smith, there were no excuses for that performance.

jacksplatt11

6th October 2008, 05:54 PM

ahh true i forgot about his family, i remember now that was the reason.. although i wouldn't be surprised if brisbane offered him more money as well to make it a certainty.. either way, we're losing him so it sucks haha

i_amtrunks

7th October 2008, 11:06 AM

Geyer should have worn the #6 in the final, Inglis is a centre, not a half/five-eighth. Folau was easily the Storms best, not that it was difficult, he will be a great addition to the Brisvegas side, and hopefully his maturity at such a young age can rub off on the idiots up there.

Manly deserved to win, they were outstanding, but I don't think they actually beat Melbourne. That was not Melbourne who turned up on Grand Final night, that was a group of look-a-like impostors. Cam Smith would not have made the difference, nor would have Hoffman. I think it's about time Manly had a decent amount of rep players in both Origin and National duty, Watmough, Kite, both Stewarts and even Perry should be given a spot in the 30 man squad.

Makes me wonder how much Cronulla would have lost by if they had have beaten Melbourne last week... 86-0? 90-0?

I think that is it for Melbourne, they'll remain a strong side, and top 4 contenders, but I cannot see them remaining the force that they were, they will drop back into the lead pack. Manly have another 2 seasons or so of top quality (as long as they remain injury free), Cronulla will also be finalists again next season (but stand no chance of winning the comp), Penrith, the Dogs and the Cowboys should be the big improvers, Canberra and New Zealand will be top 8 again.
I'm very interested to see how Brisbane and St George go with their new coaches, how Parramatta, Tigers and Easts fare since all 3 were massive disappointments this season, and what excuses Souths come up with for the 2009 season.

jacksplatt11

7th October 2008, 02:07 PM

you're right, geyer and inglis should've been switched, i don't know why they persist with inglis at five-eigth, i'd much rather have him in the centres.. then towards the end of the match bellamy had him at fullback?? strange, but what's done is done now so no use looking back...

storm will continue to be strong, but i agree, pushing for another premiership will be tough, manly will definitely be in the box seat..

kite, both stewarts and watmough have been named in the sqaud, but to be honest i think watmough is a bit overrated, i dont get what the big deal about him is.. also david "wolfman" williams got picked which is great cause he's one of my favs, although he's a manly player haha... hunt was unlucky to miss out i think as the 2nd full-back with slater, i rate him higher than brett stewart, who while being a tremendous try scorer, i dont think is what the AUS squad needs, we have plenty of scoring ability in inglis, folau, slater and the like..

next season, if NZ get more consistency, they can easily push deep into september against like this year, they just have to start winning games away from home.. i dont think brisbane will be as strong, they're losing tunza, kemp, boyd, ennis, hannant and a few others, not to mention wayne bennet, their first season without him at the helm will be an interesting one...

Paulbot

7th October 2008, 02:43 PM

Any objection to this being renamed the Football (of all sorts) thread? :)

i_amtrunks

7th October 2008, 03:29 PM

Go for it Paulbot.

I see Brisbane falling a lot. Parramatta and Tigers again not living up to expectations, St George being a possible top 8 side (same as Newcastle and the Bulldogs). Cronulla is a side that will do well, but it all comes down to how the utilise Barrett, if the overpaid hack plays to suit the team, they will be a top 4 side. If the team is changed to suit his bad playing style, then Cronulla will be spoon contenders with the Tigers and Parra (and if Prince gets injured, the Titans). It's that Premiership curse, win the comp, 4 years later you win the spoon.

The Aussie team is a strong one, all the better for no O' Meley, no Mason, no Gasnier and would be better if Gallen was also overlooked, Laffranchi, Price and Civoniceva will do the job. Hopefully Inglis will be used as a centre, as Prince, Lockyer and Thurston more than cover the halves. My team would read:
Slater, Folau, Inglis, Hodges, Monaghan, Lockyer, Prince, Kite, Smith, Fitzgibbon, Civoniceva, Price, Laffranchi, with Gidley, Perry, Watmough and Thurston on the Bench.

Rampage

7th October 2008, 05:21 PM

i'd love to know how Fitzgibbon gets selected for Australia & Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke O'Donnell, Chris Heighington cant get a run:mad::(:eek:

same with Thurston he is nothing without Matt Bowen. Orford/Cronk/Kimmorley all had better seasons than him

the team will probably be

1-B.Stewart
2-Slater
3-Inglis
4-Hodges
5-Folau
6-Lockyer
7-Thurston
8-Price
9-Smith
10-Civonaceva
11-Gallen
12-Laffranchi
13-G.Stewart

14-Kite
15-Crocker
16-Perry
17-Gidley

hopefully Steve Matai knocks Cam Smith's head off in the first match & Robbie Farah gets a run:p:D

jacksplatt11

7th October 2008, 07:29 PM

The Aussie team is a strong one, all the better for no O' Meley, no Mason, no Gasnier and would be better if Gallen was also overlooked, Laffranchi, Price and Civoniceva will do the job

mason is as useless as they come, just a big unit with a big mouth, and not much skill.. o' meley has gotten too big, he can't run anymore, a couple of years ago he could get some good runs going, but now with some added weight he can't move with much pace... gasnier is a good player, but if he didn't have the last name that he has, i dont think he would be rated as highly... even at their age, price and civoniceva are still the best probs available for AUS, which is a testament to their staying ability and skill..

i'd love to know how Fitzgibbon gets selected for Australia & Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke O'Donnell, Chris Heighington cant get a run:mad::(:eek:

same with Thurston he is nothing without Matt Bowen. Orford/Cronk/Kimmorley all had better seasons than him

agreed, i don't know how good fitzgibbon was a few years ago, but at the moment there are far better players than him... how come hindmarsh doesn't get any love anymore? he's only 29, played a dozen or so tests and origin matches, still in great form, but doesn't get a look in? granted parra struggled a lot this year, but he still gives everything week in week out like the workhorse that he is.. plus he's one of my favs so :D

i would love for cronk to get more AUS games or maybe even QLD, but while thurston is fit, i don't think you can pick against him.. he is like adam goodes in the AFL, when fully fit they can do some pretty amazing stuff..

my team would look like:
1-Hunt
2-Tate
3-Inglis
4-Hodges
5-Folau
6-Lockyer
7-Thurston
8-Price
9-Smith
10-Civonaceva
11-Laffranchi
12-Crocker
13-G.Stewart

14-B.Stewart
15-Slater
16-Kite
17-Hindmarsh

Bartrim

8th October 2008, 10:38 AM

I agree with everyone here about Fitzgibbon. Yes he is a good player but one thing Australia aren't short on is backrowers.

Anyway IMO the likely side would read
1. Slater
2. Folau
3. Tate
4. Hodges
5. Inglis
6. Lockyer
7. Thurston (although Price should be there)
8. Price
9. Smith
10. Petro
11. Gallen
12. Crocker
13. Fitzgibbon

14. Gidley
15. Kite
16. Laffranchi
17. Either G. Stewart or Perry

Rampage, as much as I'd like to see Farah get a run I'm certain they would use Gidley if anything happened to Cam Smith.

Once again the Tigers get rorted for reps in Australia. Come on New Zealand, Ireland or any other country that has Tigers in it!!!:D

i_amtrunks

8th October 2008, 10:57 AM

No love for the ever versatile Gidley Splatt?

I think Fitzgibbon gets picked because like Price he can be used as an 80 minute player, he had a decent season (played better when he lost the captaincy), and his sharp shooting with goal kicking is an added bonus if for some reason the normal kickers are off the field.
Hindmarsh had another cracker season, but as great as he is in defence, his offence has been a little meh the last 2 seasons, his meters gained are low compared to other forwards, and his game reminds me most of Martin Lang in his Penrith years; predictable.

And Bartrim, how can the Tigers get Aussie reps from their side, when like Penrith and the Bunnies, most of their players are from the Pacific Islands and New Zealand??? :D

Bartrim

8th October 2008, 11:39 AM

And Bartrim, how can the Tigers get Aussie reps from their side, when like Penrith and the Bunnies, most of their players are from the Pacific Islands and New Zealand??? :D

True. I guess I still haven't forgiven the selectors for snobbing John Skandalis after a fantastic 2005 season.

jacksplatt11

8th October 2008, 12:15 PM

No love for the ever versatile Gidley Splatt?

haha yeah you could consider him unlucky in my team, you could probably switch either B. Stewart or Slater, probably Stewart..

Should be getting a ticket to the AUS vs ENG world cup match at telstra dome today, i don't get to watch much of the english league so i don't know any of the players, but apparently they have a pretty big forward pack..

Would love to see AUS vs NZ as it would be all NRL players, but unfortunately melb only get AUS vs ENG, should still be a cracker though

i_amtrunks

8th October 2008, 01:23 PM

I'm thinking of going and watching games from the minnow pool, Tonga vs. Ireland or Scotland vs. Fiji for example. More likely to be close entertaining games!

Fiji and Tonga will both have fairly strong sides mostly full of NRL and Super League Players. I feel for PNG though, those guys have a slightly weaker team than Fiji or Tonga, yet get grouped with the big 3.
It's almost as if the pools are tiered, France, Scotland and Fiji are the 1st Division sides with Ireland, Tonga and Samoa the 2nd Division sides...

As long as England don't do so well I'll be happy!

jacksplatt11

9th October 2008, 12:39 AM

I'm thinking of going and watching games from the minnow pool, Tonga vs. Ireland or Scotland vs. Fiji for example. More likely to be close entertaining games!

True that, unfortunately us Melbourne-ites only get the one match, so it'll have to do, its AUS though so i'm happy.. but i would love to see some of those other matches, practically every team features NRL players, especially the polynesian countries, so any match would be worth it...

Fiji and Tonga will both have fairly strong sides mostly full of NRL and Super League Players. I feel for PNG though, those guys have a slightly weaker team than Fiji or Tonga, yet get grouped with the big 3.
It's almost as if the pools are tiered, France, Scotland and Fiji are the 1st Division sides with Ireland, Tonga and Samoa the 2nd Division sides...

From what I've heard, that's exactly right... each group is meant to be the same division kinda thing... otherwise, if AUS were in A, NZ in B and ENG in C, they would pretty much dominate their groups... but by grouping those 3 together with PNG, then the others, there shouldn't be any big blowouts in the group stages and everyone gets a fair go pretty much..

To be honest I think it's a 3 horse race, if you have a look at the group and knockout stage and who goes through, i can't see the final being between anyone except obviously two of AUS, NZ and ENG.. I would love to see an upset though..

As long as England don't do so well I'll be happy!

haha i have nothing against them, go Aus though :D

and if anyone at all is interested in the AFL international rules series (i'll watch it, but it doesn't really interest me compared to normal AFL), here is the AUS squad, to be honest it's a waste of time, they shouldn't have brought it back, should bring back AFL state of origin...

Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Jared Brennan (Brisbane Lions), Campbell Brown (Hawthorn), Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Matt Campbell (North Melbourne), Ryan Crowley (Fremantle), Michael Firrito (North Melbourne), Nathan Foley (Richmond), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne), Roger Hayden (Fremantle), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide), Marc Murphy (Carlton), Michael Osborne (Hawthorn), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Drew Petrie (North Melbourne), David Rodan (Port Adelaide), Max Rooke (Geelong), Brad Sewell (Hawthorn), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Adam Selwood (West Coast), Dale Thomas (Collingwood), Scott Thompson (Adelaide), Daniel Wells (North Melbourne).

STL

9th October 2008, 12:42 AM

I'm with you entirely. State of Origin with a flair and passion would be awesome. I absolutely love the NSW/QLD rivalry even though its only between two states and I care little for either state. there's a strong atmosphere to it.

It seems though that the AFL are picking more appropriate players these days for the Gaelic hybrid which really is a joke as it doesn't have a place for the talls of AFL.

jacksplatt11

9th October 2008, 01:01 AM

I'm with you entirely. State of Origin with a flair and passion would be awesome. I absolutely love the NSW/QLD rivalry even though its only between two states and I care little for either state. there's a strong atmosphere to it.

Yep you're exactly the right, there's nothing else like the atmosphere to the NRL SoO, and I would love it if they could bring that kind of atmosphere to AFL, which I'm sure they could do if they bring proper origin back to AFL, and not just the tribute match they had earlier this year.. I love the fact that I have no allegiance to either NSW or QLD, means I can just watch 3 really great matches and not worry about my team winning or losing :D

It seems though that the AFL are picking more appropriate players these days for the Gaelic hybrid which really is a joke as it doesn't have a place for the talls of AFL.

Yeah the international rules series is really more suited for the smaller, quicker players, and maybe a few taller ones for goalkeeper and perhaps some other defense.. The thing is though, our players struggle a bit kicking the round ball, which is where the Irish have the advantage, but when it comes to tackling and ferocity at the ball, we just slaughter them.. It's like watching those national geographic videos of the lions running down the deer, they just have no chance haha..

Pulse

9th October 2008, 01:29 AM

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the Aussies will give every other team a shellacking in the upcoming RLWC? I'm not just talking about the minnows the Aussies will play in the early games, but also the Poms & the Kiwis.

Of course the Poms & the Kiwis always seem to find that little bit extra when playing in their own country, but with the Aussie Supporters at full noise - Both the Poms & the Kiwis could be in for a right-royal belting... (& therefore not such a great image for Int. RL :rolleyes:)

i_amtrunks

9th October 2008, 09:56 AM

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the Aussies will give every other team a shellacking in the upcoming RLWC? I'm not just talking about the minnows the Aussies will play in the early games, but also the Poms & the Kiwis.

Australia will only play NZ, ENG and PNG in the stage round, then will play someone like Fiji or France in the quarter finals. But I concur, I cannot see anyone really putting up a great fight to the Aussies. NZ will give it a go, but I think they will struggle to last the full game, the opening 20 minutes should be fantastic though. England are the dark horse, they have the potential to compete, but I haven't paid anywhere near enough attention to Super League to really notice how they have been going.

International Rules is an awesome game/series to watch, it's great to see the Aussies picking a smaller, younger faster team. The series should be extended to 3 games, a decider makes it more fun.

roller

10th October 2008, 12:07 AM

i find sports metaphors extremely useful for making veiled sexual remarks

i_amtrunks

10th October 2008, 10:01 AM

i find sports metaphors extremely useful for making veiled sexual remarks

Sounds like you'd make a great Football player then Roller! :D

Loving that Todd Carney and Greg Bird aren't getting away with their idiocy anymore, NSW police seem intent on charging Bird, very hopeful they get him and put him away, means he cant be a thug on the field anymore (now they only have to get Gallen!)

Bartrim

10th October 2008, 10:32 AM

Did anyone else think it was odd that the selectors picked Anthony Tupou as Crockers replacement after he was picked by his hertiage nation to play?

jacksplatt11

10th October 2008, 11:50 AM

Loving that Todd Carney and Greg Bird aren't getting away with their idiocy anymore, NSW police seem intent on charging Bird, very hopeful they get him and put him away, means he cant be a thug on the field anymore (now they only have to get Gallen!)

Yep, hopefully Bird gets put away. Never liked him on the field, and anyone who hits women deserves to be put away for a long time. The Hunt, Thaiday and Boyd sexual assault case seems to have gone very quiet, I haven't heard anything about that in a while, are there any reports on it up in Sydney?

NRL seem to have problem with players and their off field behavior. I looked at a list a NRL incidents few weeks ago, and it was just crazy the amount of alleged and proven incidents and the players involved. They have to bring in some kind of education program for the younger players so they know how to act properly, I know its common sense, but there is obviously something wrong.

Did anyone else think it was odd that the selectors picked Anthony Tupou as Crockers replacement after he was picked by his hertiage nation to play?

The eligibility rules are very strange, apparently players can change their allegiance once between world cups. So Tupou was Australian up to now, didn't get picked, went to training with Tonga because he's eligibile to play for them, with all intentions of playing, then Aus need him so all of a sudden hie's back to being Aussie? Once you pick your country that you are eligible for, that should be it. Not changing just so you can get a game.

i_amtrunks

10th October 2008, 01:57 PM

Nothing much about the Broncos toilet tryst here since they lost their final to the Storm. Last I had heard was that the 3 players involved in the act may get off completely or very lightly, as the big part was the alleged 4th member with the phone.
Still the guys are idiots for even going ahead with it, there are reports in the news every week about these kinds of incidents, and the NRL players are given plenty of education, which I would hope included some time on "celebrity hunters/groupies/moderately psychotic persons".

Pulse

10th October 2008, 02:13 PM

Nothing much about the Broncos toilet tryst here since they lost their final to the Storm. Last I had heard was that the 3 players involved in the act may get off completely or very lightly, as the big part was the alleged 4th member with the phone.

Just like every other "off-field incident" in Football (ie. the Bulldogs thing from a couple of years ago), they brush it under the carpet & make it disappear... *shakes head*

jacksplatt11

14th October 2008, 01:15 AM

I don't know if anyone else has read this, but I read on the NRL site earlier today that Wally Lewis thinks that instead of AUS competing in the WC, that NSW and QLD should compete..

To be honest, I think that either of those teams could still handle most of the others, apart from NZ and ENG would probably have a greater chance, but really why should we make it easier for the other teams?

I get bored of seeing us thrash other teams, don't get me wrong I love to see us aussies win, but I would much rather see more competetive matches. I don't think it is our duty to make our teams weaker, the other countries have to step up and improve their teams... I know it can be hard in a lot of countries when there isn't a lot of money in sport and there is not a proffesional competition of the same calibre of the NRL, but give it time and they will improve..

I know there was a similar idea brought up in cricket a few years ago, where AUS would just compete as our different states, but the same rationale still holds for me, why should we make it easier for the other teams? They should improve...

Plus it would also take away one of the main aims for a lot of players, both proffesional and kids, and not only RL but all sports, and that is to play for your country..

Anyone else have a thought on this? Perhaps for tour/exhibition matches it could be a good idea, but in a proffesional competition like the WC I don't think it is the right option..

Bartrim

16th October 2008, 12:14 PM

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24501476-5001023,00.html?referrer=email

Poor bastard. lol.:D

i_amtrunks

16th October 2008, 03:09 PM

And so Stewart and Cooper are out, Hunt and Boyd come in.

Are we really that low for centres that Boyd had to be called?
Should be interesting to see what will happen with the case against these two, if the QLD Police hold off charges till after the World Cup or not.

Bartrim

16th October 2008, 03:22 PM

No surprise that Hunt replaces Stewart but Boyd? Come on selectors pick an actual centre. Chris Lawrence deserves a call up!!!!!

jacksplatt11

16th October 2008, 08:12 PM

Strange choices I agree, especially as it looks like they're ignoring the sexual assualt case, I know innocent until proven guilty, but what would happen if they were charged with something while the WC is on?

Anywho, Hunt for Stewart is a given, but Boyd for Hodges, strange I agree. I suppose they could move Folau to the centres and Boyd could go on the wing, but I would much rather leave Folau on the wing and bring in a true centre. I would've loved to have seen Robbie Farah come in, I know he's not a centres player but I believe he can bring much more to the squad than Boyd.

These few losses won't remove Aus from being favourite, but you can't help but feel that the other countries will believe they have a greater chance now, albiet probably slightly.

GoktimusPrime

16th October 2008, 10:27 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/australia-buries-qatar-again/2008/10/15/1223750137394.html <-- sweet

STL

16th October 2008, 11:06 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/australia-buries-qatar-again/2008/10/15/1223750137394.html <-- sweet

Yeah that was pretty cool. I dunno, I seem to care about soccer only at the national level. I think its a good sport that kind of unites the country in a way that cricket never will.

dirge

16th October 2008, 11:35 PM

I'm over League.

Storm & Easts get away with a _lot_ (I'm not just referring to grapple, but that's part of it), due to the politics of the game. How is is that Perth get axed because of the money they're losing (during the Superleague war), yet Melbourne lose that same amount year in and year out? There's an agenda there which disgusts me. St George always fail to inspire but get their players in rep teams anyway. Purely because they're St George. If their players were really that good, St George would actually be deep into the finals every year. Honest clubs who develop juniors (Penrith, Canberra, Tigers) get no favours because it's not politically convenient. At least the Bulldogs with the SBW saga are finally starting to learn to stop defending their players no matter what.

How the ***** are Paul Gallen & Willy Mason picked for the national team? One's a morally bankrupt thug and the other is a manchild who embarrasses the sport on a regular basis. There are plenty of forwards which can do the job, without promoting the message to youngsters that players can carry on like brats without consequences.

I like the sport but detest the way it's being run. It's risking irrelevance anyway, as long as it's wasting all it's effort developing TV markets it'll never win over instead of actually supporting the sport in its heartland. Not that the Central Coast Mariners & South Coast United are complaining!

The AFL doesn't fear League, and it doesn't have to. It fears football, and rightly so. The RLWC is a joke, and no matter how many goals Qatar might ship, the Socceroos provide something that neither AFL or League can possibly hope to offer. The Socceroos _qualifying_ for the World Cup Finals is a bigger deal that then Kangaroos winning the RLWC - they're the only ones in the race, whereas the Socceroos face actual competition.

AFL will always be secure in Victoria, but it's aware that the Socceroos (and, in time, the A-League) is capable of overwhelming it outside of the city on the Yarra. The NRL continues to live in the bubble of TV markets while its junior numbers hemorrhage (mostly to football).

I'm an A-League season ticket holder, and I have to say I find the games far more satisfying than watching Storm niggle their opponents into submission, St George's "stars" play to their actual potential or Easts' mercenaries all give up when their soulless clubs falls behind (Luke Ricketson & Craig Fitzgibbon aside).

jacksplatt11

16th October 2008, 11:54 PM

I agree with you on a few things there, but I still enjoy the game for the game, and try to ignore the fact that its poorly run and administrated.. The AFL not being scared of NRL, very true... Australia being the only team in the race for the RLWC, unless a huge upset occurs (although I still enjoy it because I enjoy the game).. and Mason being pretty much a big useless joke haha...

2 things you may enjoy though:

1. Mason did his ACL and will take no part in the RLWC.. Which is good because I hate him, and it means the selectors can't pick him which for some reason they seem to feel that they have to do :confused:

2. There are no St George players in the squad

Just thought they might brighten up your day as you seem a little angry up there ^^ haha :D

dirge

17th October 2008, 12:48 AM

2 things you may enjoy though:

1. Mason did his ACL and will take no part in the RLWC.. Which is good because I hate him, and it means the selectors can't pick him which for some reason they seem to feel that they have to do :confused:

Yeah I know about that. It'll lift the maturity of the squad, at least. The fact is I don't care at all about the RLWC.

2. There are no St George players in the squad

Gasnier has chased the �s and gone (and done a really bad job of denying it, too), otherwise he'd be there. Cooper is injured. But it is a nice change, I guess :)

Just thought they might brighten up your day as you seem a little angry up there ^^ haha :D

Nah, I'm not angry. I'm dissillusioned. The sport - which I still love - is heading for disaster in the medium-long term, if major changes aren't brought in during the next couple of years. The damage is already done in Gosford and Wollongong's next.

I'm past the point of being angry about it, because I'd rather watch the well-run A-League than witness the NRL slowly destroy Rugby League.

i_amtrunks

17th October 2008, 09:32 AM

I wasn't surprised about the World Cup qualifier result. Qatar could have (and should have) scored 2 goals, but botched them good.
What really surprised me was the amazing quality of the pitch, and it's drainage, it was under 2 inches of water, half an hour later looked much drier than the Olympic Stadium at Homebush ever does.

League is a niche sport at best, it's homes are in NSW/QLD and the north of England, with some growing support in the Pacific thanks to Rugby Union treating them like crap (although League is doing similar things by letting all the Fijians and Tongans play for Aus and NZ). One of the big problems the NRL has is it has too many sub-committees and organisations, NSWRL, QRL, Country League, ARL etc etc.

It also didny stamp out the crap when it was formed, allowing Easts to do whatever they want, and not doing enough with the various scandals over the years. The Bulldogs should have be removed from the comp 4 years ago when they were on their 4th "last straw". Easts removing their teams from SG Ball and the Harodl Matthews Cups is disgusting, it frees up more money for Easts to buy Tigers, Penrith and Newcastle juniors, how it helps League by letting Easts stop developing their own juniors is beyond me.

Bartrim

20th October 2008, 09:31 AM

I see the Bulldogs are interested in Greg Bird. I think He'd fit right in there:p

jacksplatt11

20th October 2008, 09:58 AM

I see the Bulldogs are interested in Greg Bird. I think He'd fit right in there:p

Haha, I heard he's been talking to the Roosters? Who knows... Last I heard he was drunk in Cronulla getting into random peoples cars, then flew over to USA to be with the girlfriend he allegedly bashed, thus breaking the AVO she had on him... Just a stupid thug

On AFL terms, looks like Barry Hall is seriously considering leaving the Swans to become a boxer, but of course any small rumour can be magnified by the media.. Danny Green says he's been talking to him though..

i_amtrunks

20th October 2008, 10:22 AM

I see the Bulldogs are interested in Greg Bird. I think He'd fit right in there:p

There is something seriously wrong with any club that wants to hire any player with a record like Bird or Carney. You know what they are going to do, and all you are doing is wasting your money and losing supporters.
While I do think Kimmorley is over-rated he might be the boring old fart the club needs to steer it's younger players in the right direction (both on and off the field).

I wonder how B. Cousins will go at St Kilda...

Borgeman

20th October 2008, 10:25 AM

slightly off topic, but the Aussie U-17 football team just missed world cup qualification by losing to yemen 3-2 in the asian cup quarters. its a big disappointment because my dad manages a 15yr old ethiopian kid in the starting eleven (who is a gun i assure you) who now will miss out on playing on the big stage in fron of all the big scouts...

George

jacksplatt11

20th October 2008, 10:44 AM

Certaintly not off topic Borge, soccer is a football of all sorts last time I checked :D sucks for that kid, hopefully he can still make it big somehow..

And Trunks, gotta agree with you there. I find it hard to believe that some clubs, of any sport, think that a player who has a history of alcohol, violence etc, will just suddenly be a changed person at a new club. Especially in this case since Bird will be moving to a club in the same state, he can still keep contact with the kind of people he was with in Cronulla, so he will still be up to the same old stupid stuff. To be honest though I think Bird is beyond help, some people are just born stupid.

Cousins will be interesting, it was him and Michael Gardiner who got up to trouble over in Perth just a few years back, and now perhaps they will be at the same club again? Recipe for disaster me thinks.. While I'm all for his rehabilitation from drugs and return to footy, as he hasn't caused any violence etc like some other players and it'll be a good story, I don't think St Kilda will be the right fit for him with Gardiner there..

Borgeman

20th October 2008, 11:37 AM

Certaintly not off topic Borge, soccer is a football of all sorts last time I checked :D sucks for that kid, hopefully he can still make it big somehow..

oh it definately is (the true footbal really :D), i just meant slightly off the current topic of conversation...

but yeah, he was trialling in portugal prior to this cup, possible links to porto there, but not sure yet

George

i_amtrunks

20th October 2008, 12:47 PM

Wallace in trouble (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24522505-421,00.html).

Not as bad as Bird, and really not that bad at all, but it might be the kick up the bum the young fella needs.

jacksplatt11

23rd October 2008, 01:32 AM

Not as bad as Bird, and really not that bad at all, but it might be the kick up the bum the young fella needs.

Yeah not really that bad at all, unfortunately for him he plays for the Broncos and all other stuff that has happened there recently has really made the media magnify it a lot..

On another note, teams for the AUS vs NZ match were announced:

New Zealand

Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett, Steve Matai, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Nathan Cayless (capt), Nathan Fien, Adam Blair, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Jeremy Smith.
Interchange: Dene Halatau, Greg Eastwood, Setaimata Sa, Sam Rapira.

Australia

Billy Slater, Joel Monaghan, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Brent Tate, Darren Lockyer (capt), Jonathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Anthony Tupou, Kurt Gidley.

We look pretty strong as you would expect, no great surprises...

NZ on the other hand, no Issac Luke or Krisnan Inu? Must be injured because you would think they would be a certainty to play..

dirge

23rd October 2008, 10:04 AM

Who knows... Last I heard he was drunk in Cronulla getting into random peoples cars, then flew over to USA to be with the girlfriend he allegedly bashed, thus breaking the AVO she had on him... Just a stupid thug

The dumb thing was she was happy enough to violate the AVO - the police slapped the AVO on him. Says as much about her as the scandal does about him :rolleyes:

i_amtrunks

23rd October 2008, 11:08 AM

Lets not get started on the Girlfriend of Bird, she has some serious issues to want to stay with a guy that glassed her in the face. The gf (who did her degree is psychology) told me the clinical name for those who stand by their abusers but I've plain forgot it.

World Cup seems to be struggling a fair bit to get enough media attention, the cricket, horse racing and all the off field stuff (Broncos, Hagan quitting etc) seems to be getting more press than the WC.

And If I was a general league fan and I scanned those two teams I'd be barracking for NZ, thats a good strong side with few wankers in it. I'll be cheering for the Aussies, purely for Price, Gidley and Civoniceva though.

Bartrim

23rd October 2008, 11:48 AM

Personally I hate Steve Price. He's a dirty underhanded player. I'm going for the NewZealand in the opening ceremony for 2 reasons.

1. The farce that is the Australian team. A team should be picked on form not incumbuncy (is that a word?) Prince should be halfback not Thurston in my opinion. Also I'm peeved that so many Manly players were picked but when the Tigers won in 05 they only picked Prince (and that selection felt like it was only out of obligation asthey only let him play against France)

2. The arrogance Australia develop when they get good at a sport. They need to be brought down a level.

Come on Marshall carve 'em up!!!

Pulse

23rd October 2008, 01:54 PM

You just know this sham for a "World Cup" is gonna be such a let down... :rolleyes:

It's pretty much a given that the Aussies will rack up a cricket score against the Kiwis on Sunday & that will just about sum up the whole tournament...

Atleast there'll be some competitive games between the 2nd/3rd-tier nations... :)

Bartrim

24th October 2008, 02:27 PM

Atleast there'll be some competitive games between the 2nd/3rd-tier nations... :)

Yeah the Samoa/Tonga game should be a cracker.

Who cares about cricket scores (in all honesty as an ex-winger come 5/8 I prefer games with plenty of tries) I'm getting revved up to be swamped with a heap of League over the next fortnight... (Mind you the missus aint too thrilled)

i_amtrunks

24th October 2008, 03:55 PM

I missed seeing the Tongan Royal Family last night :(

The Royal Family and the League team were in my area to open the snazzy new Tongan church and I couldn't hang around till they arrived as I had to go play broomball.

But now the Tongan Royal Family is involved in trying to get Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki to play for Tonga in the world cup. :)

STL

25th October 2008, 12:11 AM

Watched the International Rules game. It was actually pretty good but the care factor was pretty close to zero so hence I watched an episode of Scrubs during the 3rd quarter and just watched the last which was a nailbiter. I like the hybrid game. It'd suit Asians a lot better with the speed and agility involved (which takes out our shortness as a weakness) and the smaller field means more collisions which I'd absolutely love.

jacksplatt11

25th October 2008, 12:28 AM

Yeah I thought it was pretty good game, it really got good during the last quarter when we caught up, and to lose by 1 point is a bit of a shame but there is still next week.. I wouldn't say I'm becoming a fan of the concept, but at least it was competitive and I haven't watched any AFL in a month so it was good to see something pretty similar...

While I agree that it does suit the smaller, faster and more agile players, I think we should have brought in a taller, stronger marking player like Roughhead, Hale, Minson, someone similar to that to just play a FF type of role. A few times we just bombed it in, and the Irish killed us by just letting their goalkeeper mark it, if we had a taller player their they could have at least made a contest of it..

Apart from Petrie who I saw a few times down there in the forward half, it seemed like all our forward line was about 6ft or smaller, and unless it came to the ground we couldn't compete..

That's just what I thought while watching the match anyway

STL

26th October 2008, 01:14 AM

I caught the A-League game in Melbourne today w/ friends today. Brought back memories since hte last time I went was with Dirge. Ironically it was also with friends from Sydney this time. This could become an annual thing. Can't say Melbourne deserved their top of the ladder standing coming into the game, I don't know much about girl's football (oops I meant soccer) but it wasn't attractive. Sydney played very well though for a team supposedly decimated with injuries.

jacksplatt11

26th October 2008, 01:34 AM

...I don't know much about girl's football (oops I meant soccer) but it wasn't attractive....

Haha don't let soccer fans hear you say that... I don't watch any of the A-League apart from what I see on Sports-Tonight, I only watch Premier League when I can and the World Cup of course..

Onto another footy code, Rugby League, and I'm currently watching the ENG vs PNG match.. A pretty good game, PNG are a pretty passionate bunch, don't have the same amount of money put into them as teams like AUS, NZ, ENG etc but they still play their hearts out.. The result wasn't unexpected, but I thought ENG would win by more...

Final result was ENG 32 - PNG 22

David Moore looks to be a player of the future, plays for the Gold Coast, played in the Toyota Cup this year where I saw a little bit of him, tonight was the first full game I've seen of him, and he looks to a certain starter for first grade next year...

Stanley Gene is a pretty handy player, considering his age is unknown but is rumored to be between 32 and 58 :S haha

i_amtrunks

26th October 2008, 09:28 AM

PNG wuz robbed! :p
Nice to see that NRL standard referees are being used in an international competition... this is going to be a messy tournie.

Seriously though PNG really surprised the Pommies, and I expect them to challenge the Aussies too. If England do not improve greatly they will be going home after the opening round.

It's too bad that channel 9 are being such dolts with the airing of matches, not only do we have an hour or so delay for most matches so 9 can air all mayches at 8.30, we also miss out on the Dream Team vs. Maori game that will precede the AUS vs. NZ, whicdh I think may end up being one of the best games of the whole World Cup.

dirge

26th October 2008, 09:57 AM

I caught the A-League game in Melbourne today w/ friends today. Brought back memories since hte last time I went was with Dirge.

Ahhh... the way we was! :D

Can't say Melbourne deserved their top of the ladder standing coming into the game, I don't know much about girl's football (oops I meant soccer) but it wasn't attractive. Sydney played very well though for a team supposedly decimated with injuries.

The game wasn't the best purely because Melbourne, despite trying hard, could never get going. For all of Sydney's injuries, we still had players who could make the difference. Last night showed just how much of Melbourne's winning is down to Archie Thompson - one of the best goalpoachers Australia has produced. If Archie was playing, I doubt Sydney would have won...

Bartrim

26th October 2008, 08:54 PM

I felt sorry for PNG. They have a couple of outstanding young players. David Moore was good so was their number 13 who's name I believe was Griffin:D (Strange he didn't look like he was from PNG when we met:eek::p)

I too am annoyed that we miss the indigineous vs maori game yet Channel have to make us endure the over the top stereotypical and cliched opening ceremony before we can watch Benji carve them up.

Also no real shock in the France/Scotland game.

jacksplatt11

26th October 2008, 09:54 PM

Strange he didn't look like he was from PNG when we met:eek::p

Haha I wouldn't have picked a few of those guys as being from PNG.. But I guess it does go back to your grandparents or something to be eligible to play for that country, something like that I think anyway..

Yeah I would've loved to see the Indigenous vs Maori game, I heard we were getting the highlights before the AUS vs NZ game? As far as I remember I didn't see them... Oh well

Haven't seen much of Benji so far :p I am a huge fan of him as well though..

Rampage

26th October 2008, 11:06 PM

Yeah I would've loved to see the Indigenous vs Maori game, I heard we were getting the highlights before the AUS vs NZ game? As far as I remember I didn't see them... Oh well

Haven't seen much of Benji so far :p I am a huge fan of him as well though..

it was on channel 9 in sydney at 4pm today i caught the last 30 minutes of the game whilst flicking through the channels

STL

26th October 2008, 11:11 PM

Ahhh... the way we was! :D

I know, I remembered us sitting in the sun last time and so was conscious of avoiding it this time (tho we did get there slightly late).

The game wasn't the best purely because Melbourne, despite trying hard, could never get going. For all of Sydney's injuries, we still had players who could make the difference. Last night showed just how much of Melbourne's winning is down to Archie Thompson - one of the best goalpoachers Australia has produced. If Archie was playing, I doubt Sydney would have won...

My Sydney friends who'd come down though were estatic and somewhat frustrated I could not see the brilliance of the game. Course this is only the ever 2nd game of soccer I've seen live. I have to say though that the stadium had a lot of life (and pissed off Melbourne supporters). Some "Cisse" guy copped a lot of crap from my section of the crowd. I just shrugged cos well soccer doesn't do much for me though I can appreciate some skilful foot skills.

jacksplatt11

26th October 2008, 11:13 PM

it was on channel 9 in sydney at 4pm today i caught the last 30 minutes of the game whilst flicking through the channels

Ahh well there you go, must have just been us Victorians that missed out, we had Malcolm in the Middle at 4 today from memory

STL

26th October 2008, 11:24 PM

Hrm... wasn't much of a win by the Aussies in the Rugby League "World Cup". This series is going to be a walk over it'd appear. :rolleyes:

Bartrim

27th October 2008, 08:29 AM

That was pitiful by NZ. Lelulai shouldn't even be playing. He's got no creativity. For NZ to go any good they need this set up
1. Hohaia
6. Fien
7. Marshall
9. Luke

and Halatau needs to be in 13. Yes use him as your secondary hooker but wearing 13 is where he is best because he can jump in and catch teams unaware. Coming off the bench the opposition know he'll be playing dummy half.

Australia should win this world cup but none of the big 3 have really impressed me so far.

i_amtrunks

27th October 2008, 10:20 AM

Rampage

27th October 2008, 08:13 PM

PNG will wipe the floor with the Kiwi's if the kiwi's don't improve ten fold.

Who was their halfback, and what did he do??? Benji didnt do much either, but at least he didnt injure himself.

Matai is a grub, he and Gallen should go camping somewhere and disappear forever more.
Slater should be sin-binned everytime he slides in to save a try feet first until he learns not to do it, it's just too dangerous not only to opposition players, but also to himself, if a player lands on his foot wrong, he could snap tendons in the ankle. This is rugby league, not baseball.

Thomas Leuluai is barely a 1st grader let alone a test player i have nfi why NZ insist on picking him at No.7

i agree with bartrim's line up for NZ but with Marshall still at #6, Fien at #7, Luke at #9 & Halatau at #13

was glad to see Matai nail Gallen i hate that tosser shame he couldn't line up Billy Cheater for a bit of the same:D

dirge

27th October 2008, 08:31 PM

RLWC.... <bites tongue>

It could be Australia vs Rest of World and the Australians would still wipe the floor. What's the point?

Give me the real World Cup any day. At least when Australia wins a game it's actually an achievement.

(I'm not knocking the efforts of the other teams, just the futility of the tournament as a contest).

Bartrim

28th October 2008, 08:54 AM

I think Mark Braybrook somed up the Ireland vs Tonga game perfectly "It's been such a long time since I've enjoyed a game of football as much as this". No it wasn't the best display of league but it was still an entertaining game to watch. Good to see that arrogant jerk Mateo get sin binned for dissent and I loved Patty Richards 90 drop kick:D

jacksplatt11

3rd November 2008, 01:19 AM

Just got home from AUS vs ENG...

Yeah, we thrashed them...
Yeah, it proves its a one horse race...

But by god, the stadium went off for every single try Billy and GI scored.. Especially the 90-odd metre run from Billy and then the 50-60 metre run from GI, which to be honest I thought looked like it could've been knocked on by Folau in the contest for it, but the Telstra Dome screens are too hard to see fine details in..

Anyways, was a really good atmosphere and a good night

STL

3rd November 2008, 02:02 AM

Yeah, I heard the score but wasn't too interested. I think its bad that Rugby League outside Australia is so bad. The sport can only die if this happens. Other countries need a reason to play and keep the young 'uns interested.

In the A-League, the Victory won! :eek: My mate lost $100 on that and he was fuming Friday night. I got to his place and as my other mate opened the door all I could hear was a buncha expletives! And surprisingly, looking at the scoreboard, Sydney lost against the Mariners? :confused: But I think Adelaide's loss means little since they've got bigger fish to worry about.

dirge

3rd November 2008, 07:27 AM

Sydney drew 3-3.

i_amtrunks

3rd November 2008, 10:03 AM

Sydney drew 3-3.

My cousin is a Mariners supporter and when Sydney were 3-0 up he was going ballistic! :D Didnt calm down too much when the scores levelled out. I liek the high scoring games, much more entertaining when the goals come from general play, not penalties like the boring Adelaide vs. Melbourne game.

As for the WC, I didnt even bother watching it. Channel 9 wants to treat us like crap and not air games live so we have to put up with Daley, Gould and their moronic commentary team instead of the radio call they can get stuffed.

Fiji's win over France was fantastic, and the Samoa Tonga game looked like it was a doozy, the atmosphere out at CUA was meant to be very hostile! :D

I hope PNG put up a better fight than NZ or England, but since they were steamrolled by NZ over the weekend they probably wont.

STL

3rd November 2008, 10:39 AM

Sydney drew 3-3.

:o :confused: I'm sure that's what I read! Maybe I shouldn't have been drinking that much energon last night.

But that's still pretty average given that they should have won. But their squad like we mentioned last time doesn't consist of much at the moment but maybe later in the season, they'll become a real force.

TheDirtyDigger

3rd November 2008, 10:48 AM

It was good to see the Irish win the IR series.
Apart from the country only having a population pool of around 4 million to draw from, their players are amateurs who have 'real' jobs and football is played on the side as opposed to our overpaid, over-glamourised professional sporting 'heroes' who make a living and are lauded for playing a child's ball game.

As for the game it sure is an interesting mish-mash of other codes. I didn't really like the smallness of the field though. Made it feel like a basketball game on grass at times.

STL

3rd November 2008, 10:55 AM

It was good to see the Irish win the IR series.
Apart from the country only having a population pool of around 4 million to draw from, their players are amateurs who have 'real' jobs and football is played on the side as opposed to our overpaid, over-glamourised professional sporting 'heroes' who make a living and are lauded for playing a child's ball game.

Agree totally. One of the reasons I was rooting for them.

Though to the defence of the Aussies, its not a game style that suits them at all. A lot of it goes against their natural playing instinct.

Bartrim

6th November 2008, 11:24 AM

Good to see a couple of upsets in the RLWC last night. Go you Wolfhounds!!!:D

Just a thought the whole player eligibility thing. If Tuiaki and Moimoi weren't allowed to represent Tonga because they played for NZ last year does that mean Jarryd Hayne wont be able to play for NSW/Australia for the next 2 years?... Or will they find some loophole for him?

optimus1

6th November 2008, 12:19 PM

Am glad managed to go to a RLWC08 game last night - Samoa vs Ireland

Didnt really know who to go for but ended up going for Samoa (also was surrounded by Samoan supporters). Too bad they lost though, they had a lot of opportunities early in the 1st hald but couldnt convert into points.

My friend said she shouldv brought her green wig in with her.

Overall it wasnt a bad game anyway with all the "home" support the Samoans had. It was probably one of the louder games iv been too even if the crowd was a fraction the size of others.

I still think the Pacific Islands need to be more involved in Elite Footy Competions overall (League and Union). Even if this means a qualifier among those teams to play the Tri-Nations/NRL Premiers or something.

jacksplatt11

6th November 2008, 09:23 PM

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that if Tonga make it to the Semi, MoiMoi and Tuiaki would be eligible to play because that would be 2 years after they last player for NZ, or something alone the lines of that... Guess that's not happening though seeing we're Tonga finished up..

And it's a good question about Hayne, I think I also read somewhere that a WC resets everything, so after this finishes he can choose to play for AUS again, maybe I read it wrong though so I'm not sure... To be honest I don't think AUS will be in a rush to pick him though, there is plenty of talent too choose from for fullback/wings/centres so although he is really talented, until he gets some consistency there are a few players who would be picked ahead of him I would think, he is only 20 though so there is plenty of time for him to improve in that regard. If he gets picked for NSW, which is more likely I would think, it would be interesting though to see then if he is eligible for AUS again...

If you look past the fact that the WC was already won by AUS before it even started, there have been a lot of great games in pools B and C from the smaller nations, especially the islands, which a lot of people have chosen to ignore simply to bag out the WC. Personally, I think it's been great so far, and I hope it leads to more internationals being played by countries such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, PNG etc...

Bartrim

16th November 2008, 09:04 PM

So Australia vs Fiji... Who is going to win, Australia or the clock?:p

Pulse

16th November 2008, 09:08 PM

Well, the Aussies are up 22-zip at the 18th minute so they're already winning the race... :D

jacksplatt11

16th November 2008, 09:55 PM

52-0

Good to see Storm boys Slater and Inglis getting a few tries

Disappointing for Fiji though but they tried their best

i_amtrunks

17th November 2008, 11:50 AM

It would have been a better world cup had Australia already been guaranteed a spot in the final, then have 2 pools duke it out with the Grand final winner of all those play off against Australia.

Should also allow a Koori and Maori team in the next tournie.

Bartrim

17th November 2008, 01:45 PM

Should also allow a Koori and Maori team in the next tournie.

I'd like to expand on that and present my brothers solution. He suggested a bigger tournament- more minnow nations. Scrap Australia. Include Indigineous team, Maori team, NSW, QLD and the NRL Premiers for that year. (He also suggested the Super League champions but I feel that team wouldn't put up much fight as half of them would be playing for England. I think it would make a more intersting would cup.

i_amtrunks

17th November 2008, 03:25 PM

I like that idea, and would love to see the US getting beaten by Lebanon and Tonga...

Wonder how long it'll be before we see half the PNG and Fijian players in NRL jerseys? Newcastle has secured the services of a few Fiji players, and I reckon the PNG guys would go well for Nth Queensland...

jacksplatt11

17th November 2008, 03:43 PM

Sounds like a great idea Bartrim, much fairer and more attractive matches to watch...

Yeah Trunks I hope a few of them get picked up by teams, I think that is one of the good things that will come out of this tournament, players from smaller nations like PNG, Fiji, Tonga etc getting picked up by NRL teams instead of playing in country comps or back in their respective countries. It gives those players a chance to show NRL teams what they can do, when they may not usually get that chance

jacksplatt11

20th November 2008, 08:12 PM

Double post arrr...

Looks like we got out of jail against Bahrain last night, a goal in overtime, lucky...

From what I've heard Bahrain were dominating all night but just couldn't score, would be very disheartening for them to go down like that

Bartrim

23rd November 2008, 09:39 AM

Yeah go Kiwi's. Good to see Marshall has his mojo back.

i_amtrunks

24th November 2008, 10:33 AM

Missed the game (was playing Fallout 3 on PS3) as I thought it was a foregone conclusion.

Now slightly peeved that I missed it (bar highlights). Getting a copy of it though, so all good.

Did the Aussies get over confident? Or was it that Steve Price really makes the Aussie (and QLD) team unbeatable, and that without him we collapse?

Bartrim

24th November 2008, 10:45 AM

It was a combination of things. I think the aussies were overconfident. There were a couple of brain explosions by a couple of players. The kiwis were very fired up and defended very well. Thurston played at a junior level thinking that all you have to do is throw a dummy and run. Benji decided to attack the line. The Kiwis played Fien at 7 and Leluiai at 9 and a couple of very good referee decisions.

GoktimusPrime

13th January 2009, 10:05 PM

From this thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=75794):

and melbourne victory is the best
Actually Adelaide United is the best right now... though Melbourne is #2. (T_T)

Ladder (http://www.thescore.com.au/aleague/ladder.html)

jacksplatt11

17th February 2009, 04:28 PM

Thought I'd post something seeing as we'll be getting into the AFL and NRL seasons reasonably soon. The NAB cup is on at the moment, but does anyone really take much notice of that? I don't pay too much attention to it, watch a game or two if nothing else is on. Few NRL trials too but pretty much the same idea. I dunno if anyone is really into Union, but the Super 14 comp started recently, I saw a bit at the pub but it was pretty packed so wasn't really the right atmosphere to be watching TV

One thing I will mention though, I find it funny how many Aussies have signed up for Super League, only to go over there to start the season and find they can't get a visa. Surely the clubs would've checked while talks and contracts etc were being done, not organised it just at the last moment. For people like Bird and Crocker, I can understand being denied a visa, given what Bird is currently charged with and Crocker's history of violence, but Eastwood is being denied on a driving conviction? I've never gone overseas or anything so I don't know how hard it is to get a visa, but I thought anything driving related wouldn't really bother them, I just thought you wouldn't be allowed to get a license over there. Unless you ran someone over or something, obviously

Fungal Infection

17th February 2009, 07:03 PM

I think its a shame Crocker cant get a visa (yet). Had this been known earlier, the Storm would have done more to try and retain his services but now they cant as they are bursting at the seams in terms of cap space. And now you have the vultures in the NRL trying to sign his services whilst Melbourne have to watch from the sidelines as a former key player goes to an opposing team. Gives me the shits! (I'm a Storm fan if you didn't know :p)

jacksplatt11

17th February 2009, 07:12 PM

Haha yeah I know what you mean Fungal, it's pretty disappointing. I'd hate to see him have to come back and play for another team, and I'm pretty sure he wants to play in the super league too. I'm pretty sure I saw a picture of you in a Storm shirt sometime so sorta put two and two together :p I'm guessing you heard about Will Chambers going to Union? Don't really know what to think about that one, he was only 20 and was injured most of last year so it's not like he was an integral part, but on the other hand he was a player for the future, guess we'll never know now...

Fungal Infection

17th February 2009, 07:43 PM

Its a shame we never really saw Will Chambers play a proper first grade game for the Storm - I've read all the stuff about how he was a rising star and all but you can never tell unless you put him in a game against a decent team with decent team mates rather than as a substitute because 3/4 of the team are on origin duties. But when you consider the Storm still have to make Slater an offer to retain his services, its unavoidable. I think the salary cap needs to be changed - you have so many key players making the move overseas to play super league or union because the pay is better. Case in point - Mark Gasnier. Now, I'm no fan of Gasnier (I consider him very average for what he does in proportion to his pay) but he was the face of the World Cup last year and he ended up turning to union. How does that make the ARL look? Now you're going to have the naysayers who say increasing the cap will make the good teams better and the lesser funded teams playing further catchup. What about adding a "luxury tax"? In the NBA, teams are allowed to exceed the cap, however, they are heavily punished financially for doing so. So say the cap is $5 mil - a team exceeds this by say $100k, the ARL punishes the team by "taxing" them the equivalent amount which gets spread to the other teams which are not exceeding the cap. That way, lesser funded teams get more money to sign players whilst at the same time, acts as a deterrent to overspend. Good idea methinks and I reckon David Gallop should give me a call so I can discuss a move to the ARL payroll office. :D

dirge

17th February 2009, 07:59 PM

I'm not surprised that Crocker has been denied a visa - he's run foul of the law quite a few times.

Eastwood's not an Aussie, FWIW. He's the pastiest Kiwi in League... :p

jacksplatt11

17th February 2009, 08:13 PM

I'm not surprised that Crocker has been denied a visa - he's run foul of the law quite a few times.

Eastwood's not an Aussie, FWIW. He's the pastiest Kiwi in League... :p

D'oh, ya I just remembered :p What I meant was, those playing in the NRL, you know what I mean :p

That is a good idea Fungal, I have friends that are into NBA that have mentioned that system before, could be worth a look at

i_amtrunks

18th February 2009, 09:56 AM

The NBA System works great, the Lakers subsidise almost every other team in the league!

Great to see that Bird is not allowed to play in the NSW cup, now if only Gallen could get turfed, we could get rid of two of the games biggest grubs in one hit.

dirge

18th February 2009, 04:48 PM

Another way they could look at salary cap exemptions is some sort of loyalty bonus. For example, 10% of a player's salary is excluded from cap calculations for 5 years of service to the club, and 5% more excluded every extra year after that. Aside from the fact that this protects the more established stars, it also serves to encourage player loyalty and provides an incentive for clubs to develop players rather than buy talent without developing any. Some clubs (Raiders, Panthers, formerly Illawarra) develop a bunch of players without any real reward when other clubs buy players without doing much development (Easts mainly, Parramatta to an extent and Melbourne - but they have an excuse to be fair).

The exact numbers and criteria could be thrashed out, but I think this would be a postive way to encourage players to stay loyal to both the code and the league.

The NBA's luxury tax works well, but the big difference is that the salary cap there isn't set up to protect teams from themselves. Even a franchise such as the Clippers or the Thunder aren't in any real danger of collapsing from overspending, as has happened in league (Manly - saved themselves by canibalising Norths, South Qld, Auckland, Gold Coast Seagulls).

i_amtrunks

19th February 2009, 09:42 AM

Another way they could look at salary cap exemptions is some sort of loyalty bonus. For example, 10% of a player's salary is excluded from cap calculations for 5 years of service to the club, and 5% more excluded every extra year after that.

It has been raised a few times, and I personally do not see why it would be a bad idea, it encourages a one club player, and those players become a boost to club and fans. I like the setup of your system, 5% every year past 5 years is a good increase, as players barely play for more than 10 years anyway. (at least on the good money).

Aside from the fact that this protects the more established stars, it also serves to encourage player loyalty and provides an incentive for clubs to develop players rather than buy talent without developing any. Some clubs (Raiders, Panthers, formerly Illawarra) develop a bunch of players without any real reward when other clubs buy players without doing much development (Easts mainly, Parramatta to an extent and Melbourne - but they have an excuse to be fair).

I too love this idea, as I am sick of seeing Newcastle, Penrith and Wollongong juniors nabbed by Easts and Manly. Parramatta have a great junior system, but they prefer teams like the dogs and Cronulla to buy them young, train them up, and then Parra buys them back. Melbourne technically have their junior system in South East Queensland.

However it'll never happen as then what would Easts, Manly (and to lesser extents) Cronulla, the Dogs (both not going to last much longer) and Souths do, since they have the smaller or in Easts case, non-existant junior leagues.
And if it won't benefit Easts, then no matter how good for the game it is, it won't happen.

Anyone follow the Benji Marshall saga this week? I understand football players need to earn as much as possible in the 10 years of their careers, but when they are already saying they play too much, it's too contradictory to then want to play Union in Japan during the off-season.

dirge

19th February 2009, 10:38 AM

I too love this idea, as I am sick of seeing Newcastle, Penrith and Wollongong juniors nabbed by Easts and Manly. Parramatta have a great junior system, but they prefer teams like the dogs and Cronulla to buy them young, train them up, and then Parra buys them back. Melbourne technically have their junior system in South East Queensland.

Cronulla _have_ their junior system, but under Chris Anderson they started to neglect it. Which is to their own peril, really.

However it'll never happen as then what would Easts, Manly (and to lesser extents) Cronulla, the Dogs (both not going to last much longer) and Souths do, since they have the smaller or in Easts case, non-existant junior leagues.
And if it won't benefit Easts, then no matter how good for the game it is, it won't happen.

It's not so much about smaller junior bases - Souths produce enough players in their small pond, as do Cronulla (generally), rather about focusing on them. Easts could/should find another way to develop their juniors, say by tying up a deal with certain country leagues or whatever, but can't be bothered. Parramatta prefer to sign more established players, and Cronulla have gone down that path recently as well.

Anyone follow the Benji Marshall saga this week? I understand football players need to earn as much as possible in the 10 years of their careers, but when they are already saying they play too much, it's too contradictory to then want to play Union in Japan during the off-season.

You've got a valid point, but what's of more concern is that the NRL is fixating on this.

Rugby League's greatest challenge is staying relevant against the onslaught of Football's growing popularity. It shouldn't concern itself so much about losing players to Rugby - another sport which will never be more than a niche sport (on the grand scale) and instead try to do something about the falling junior numbers. Juniors abandoning League for Football now means those same juniors are lost as fans of the game in 10-15 years. If the NRL has 20-30% less fans down the track, it'll be in big trouble. And it'll be too late to fix it then.

Bartrim

19th February 2009, 04:50 PM

I'm trying to ignore the Benji saga. I enjoy watching league to watch league I don't try to worry about the off field dramas... Now back onto sport.

It was great to see the Super 14 season kickoff with a vicotry for my team (The Lions... bet that surprised a few of you, hey I love the underdog) I like the ELVs but as a back that is expected as it makes the game more free flowing. The Lions played really well against the cheetahs. They have a great back row especially with the introduction of Clever. Grobblear led really well and Jano Veermak controlled the backline like an experienced Springbok. Earl Rose played better then I expected and Louis Luddik defended really well at fullback. I like the centre pair of Doppies La Grange and Jacuies Fourie and Willemese was superb in his comeback to southern hemisphere rugby.

My only dissapointments were that they let the Cheetahs back into the game by trying to play the clock the down. Hope the rectify that against the sharks and Andre Pretorious wasn't as sharp but he hasn't played in a year and a bit so I'll forgive him.

i_amtrunks

20th February 2009, 09:11 AM

enjoy the super 14 while you can, not long before the South African teams pull out to play in a european league so they can finally win.

Means Australia and New Zealand will soon be playing against Argentina and Japan based squads.

Bartrim

10th March 2009, 08:09 PM

Getting close to League season.

That being said I finally got around to watching the WCC. My god how biased were the English commentators. Good to see an Aussie team win... even if it was Manly.

i_amtrunks

11th March 2009, 09:52 AM

Getting close to League season.

That being said I finally got around to watching the WCC. My god how biased were the English commentators. Good to see an Aussie team win... even if it was Manly.

The WCC was a farce, Manly dominated, the score didnt reflect how poor the English team was. Having a game without slushy icey rain did help Manly.
And the English Commentators are always overly biased!

Should be an interesting few weeks to see how teams shape up. I expect Manly to do well, even with all the scandal around them, and I think the Cowboys and Bulldogs will be greatly improved.

i_amtrunks

16th March 2009, 10:37 AM

So how many of you tipped Melbourne to scrape in a victory, and for the Bulldogs and Bunnies to win by those huge margins?

I sure as hell didn't, and now I find myself relying on the Tigers Monday night hoodoo to save face! :D

jacksplatt11

16th March 2009, 12:20 PM

Well, being a Melbourne fan I always pick Melb ;)

But yeah, would never have picked the Bulldogs or Rabbits in a million years haha

GI sending Soward flying cracked me up, just charged him like a bull and he was out of there haha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Liczwi70JQ

Anthony Quinn playing the ball the wrong way was also pretty humorous haha

Fungal Infection

16th March 2009, 12:24 PM

Actually, in my tipping comp, I was the only person in the pool of 20 to pick Rabbitohs for the win. My only dud tip was the Eagles whom I was going to pick against due to the distractions they had during the week but forgot to change my tip because I was out on Friday arvo till just before kickoff. :mad:

i_amtrunks

16th March 2009, 12:44 PM

Actually, in my tipping comp, I was the only person in the pool of 20 to pick Rabbitohs for the win.

Only the diehard bunny supporters picked them in my tipping comp. Melbourne were a unanimous tip, but I doubt anyone picked the score!

So Bunnies are #1 unless the Raiders or the Tigers win by more than 40...

Bartrim

16th March 2009, 05:23 PM

Don't worry Trunks the Tigers will win by 50!:D

My brother tipped the doggies. I tipped the cowboys because I thought The Broncs had too many rookies in the side:mad:

Anyone else got a fantasy team going?

autobreadticon

16th March 2009, 07:41 PM

The tigers will get revenge when the season starts end of March, the victory will be sweet and cause moral in the Carlton team to cookie crumble throughout the season, which will lead them to woody spooners 2009

dirge

16th March 2009, 11:37 PM

The Doggies were always going to beat Manly. A mate at work expressed his concern to me on Friday about his team facing Manly first up. I simply replied, "You're specials. Manly have other sh*t on their mind. You couldn't face them at a better time". He thought about it for about 5 seconds then agreed wholeheartedly (:

i_amtrunks

17th March 2009, 09:03 AM

As much as I hate Phil Gould, the call on MMM was pretty good last night (I only heard the first half).

I think both the Tigers and the Raiders have the same philosophy that Penrith had in the early 2000's: Doesn't matter how many points you score, we'll score more.

Bunnies are #1 on the ladder, Easts are last, bet that is making more than a few League supporters smile!

jacksplatt11

19th March 2009, 07:20 PM

Anyone else got a fantasy team going?

I made one on the NRL site the Toyota NRL Dream Team, not taking it too seriously and I forgot to even check my team, so 2 of my players weren't even playing on the weekend just past haha, but I've readjusted for this week :)

I got 453 points, apparently I'm leading my league of 8 or whatever, I'm just in some random league

autobreadticon

19th March 2009, 08:45 PM

should have a OTCA footie tipping comp

jacksplatt11

20th March 2009, 11:07 PM

Wow, would've been interesting to see what would've happened had that try early in the 2nd half been looked at, looked like a knock on and everyone was a bit confused apart from Wallace who just ran over the line and that was it, try scored. In all honesty Brisbane looked better all night apart from a couple of patches where the Storm picked up their intensity, but yeah, who knows what could've happened had it been referred

Also, looks like the Rabbits have come crashing back to earth haha, haven't seen the match, just the score...

Fungal Infection

20th March 2009, 11:50 PM

The Storm were robbed!!! And I have to agree with Bellamy and Smith - whats the point of having 2 refs if neither could see what was a blatant knock-on??!! Even the players stopped - I demand justice!! I demand vengeance!! I demand blood!! :p

i_amtrunks

23rd March 2009, 12:00 PM

So two referees, while speeding up the ruck means we now have two incompetent morons officiating at a time.

Souths were robbed, Parra was given 12 points because of ridiculous penalties, we might as well just say you cannot touch the kicker on the 5th tackle if they are going to be penalised for hitting the kicker as he kicks the ball.

Melbourne were robbed due to the referees being the only 3 people among the 30,000 crowd 26 players on the field and however large the tv audience was who missed a blatant knock-on.

Penrith were (supposedly) robbed when the Dogs (supposedly) had an extra player on the field when they scored their last minute try.

On top of that all the silly and downright dumb calls made in the other 11 games played thus far this season, I guess we can call 2009 the year of "two refs making a bigger mess than one"

Wonder what they will screw up in tonights game?

On the flip side, go the Warriors, these guys vs. Broncos should be a screamer next week. And a shame to see the Roosters win, was looking forward to having them at the bottom of the table for as long as possible.

autobreadticon

26th March 2009, 10:14 AM

GO THE TIGERSS>

i_amtrunks

26th March 2009, 11:54 AM

GO THE TIGERSS>

Which variety? Richmond or Wests? :p

Rampage

27th March 2009, 06:05 PM

Which variety? Richmond or Wests? :p

Doesn't really matter both aren't going to make the finals anyways :p

Bartrim

28th March 2009, 10:26 PM

Doesn't really matter both aren't going to make the finals anyways :p

Thats the positive thinking that I'vecome to know and love from you mate.:p

BTW Good win for the Tigers on friday. Everyone is raving about Benji but I am thankful that Tuiaki finally realised he's bigger then 99% of wingers he marks up on and can run over them.

jacksplatt11

28th March 2009, 10:37 PM

Benji is in great form, keeping my fantasy team score up there :D

Tuiaki is a monster, haha 108kg or something like that, that's a big winger

Forgot to check my AFL super coach team before the round started, a few of my players aren't even playing arrr, better get on it before next round

i_amtrunks

30th March 2009, 12:21 PM

I am thankful that Tuiaki finally realised he's bigger then 99% of anyone else on the field and can run over them.

Fixed that up for you Bobby!

The Tigers game was a great game, the sort of game you would happily show a non-league supporter to show them all about the game. Refs weren't too horrendous for a change either.

Loved the Canberra no-try from the scrum, I know it's illegal, but damn it looked good. it's a worry that Parra can only play 15 minutes of football and still manage to beat Canberra, the Raiders should improve as injured players return.

Was not expecting the broncos to steamroll the Warriors, and while I still think both the Warriors and Cowboys to make the eight, the games this week showed them how much more they have to improve to keep up with the Broncos, and the Storm.

Bartrim

30th March 2009, 05:16 PM

LOL thanks Scott:p I'd like to see Tuiaki and Vatuvei collide at high speed and see who comes out on top.

The Broncos really impressed with their win over the Warriors. They look like the only real serious contender so far. Everyone else is too hot and cold.

I told my Mum (who is a mad Parra supporter) that after Saturday night I'm going to tape the Eels vs Sharks game incase I ever suffer from insomnia because that would be a sure fire way to put me to sleep:p

i_amtrunks

31st March 2009, 09:38 AM

I told my Mum (who is a mad Parra supporter) that after Saturday night I'm going to tape the Eels vs Sharks game incase I ever suffer from insomnia because that would be a sure fire way to put me to sleep:p

The way the two teams have been playing, could be the first 0-0 overtime game, or the first game where all points come from penalties and field goals...

Panthers upsetting Manly... Panthers should have 2 wins for the season now.
How crap are Manly going?(not that I mind) they could not hold the ball in the first half, they gave the Panthers 6 or 7 sets of six in a row. Doing that against anyone else, even the Sharks would have hurt them bad, lucky for them the Panthers have no real attacking skills from only 10 metres out.

jacksplatt11

31st March 2009, 10:14 AM

Can't say I'm unhappy that Manly have lost 3 in a row... Kangas and Storm won on the weekend, woohoo

optimus1

31st March 2009, 12:51 PM

Im just happy that the Broncos and the Titans won - when it seemed the others were favourites!

Bartrim

16th April 2009, 04:32 PM

Can someone please explain to me why Brett Stewart wasn't deregistered like Greg Bird? Both have been charged with horrible crimes and both cases are still open so why de-register one and not the other?

(Yes I am ranting about this after Stewart scored 3 tries against the Tigers...No this is not the reason I am complaining about this...much:p)

dirge

16th April 2009, 08:37 PM

As is often the case in sexual assault claims, the evidence is hearsay (ie one person's word against another). In Bird's case there was physical evidence, along with third party evidence (his mate admitting he would take the fall), and the fact that the Bird essentially admitted it.

While Stewart may be guilty as Bird, it would be harder for the NRL to deregister him without a legal challenge being brought against them, since the deregistration is based on hearsay.

I would expect (and hope) that in the event of Stewart being found guilty that the NRL would deregister him promptly.

Bartrim

16th April 2009, 11:02 PM

I assume they would but in Bird's case there is no acuser. remember his girlfriend denied he did it.

Where as I believe in innocent until proven guilty I think with role models (athletes, actors, whatever) these people should not be allowed to carry on with their career until the case is resolved. I hate to play Devil's Advocate but what if Stewart is guilty? What about all these games he has played in the interim? What sort of message does that send?

I think this is a case of "The Silvertails" being one of the clubs that own the NRL and as such get special treatment.

dirge

16th April 2009, 11:29 PM

The statements given by Bird and his mate who tried to cover it up make the case for deregistering Bird a lot stronger. There's no doubt that he has lied to police - the inconsistencies alone count heavily against him.

On the other hand, Stewart's denials are a lot tighter. Bird would have a hard time in getting a court to rule restraint of trade (or whatever), whereas Stewart would have a much easier time.

I agree with your point about the games played in the interim, but I'm not sure the NRL could argue that in court.

...

Looking at the longer term - and you comment about special treatment - the NRL should be throwing the book at the Sea Eagles for the entire saga. Aside from the fact that the club stupidly stood right behind the player rather than detaching itself from his actions (which caused a lot of PR damage to the NRL and itself), the club created the opportunity for its players to get very drunk in public in the first place.

The NRL - and certain clubs - need to get the yobbish culture out of the professional athletes. Newcastle's action against Dane Tilse was commendable (and, to be fair, so is Tilse's redemption), and set a good early precedent. By sacking Tilse, Newcastle sent the right message to the player. Manly's actions are sending the wrong messages to their players.

As long as the questionable actions of players continues, the media will continue to hype up the bad news stories to sell papers. For all the Manly fans who are backing Stewart publicly there'll be mothers who are not taking little Johnny to the NRL games/Saturday footy in disgust.

The NRL should be really having a go at Manly for the pissup in the first place. Whether or not Stewart is guilty, Manly created the situation and their reputation - along with that of the NRL - is tarnished. The shadow of Coffs Harbour still hangs over the Bulldogs, but Manly don't seem to have taken heed of that. Sadly, neither has the NRL in it's weak response. Sure, the fine was fairly hefty - but a points deduction would hurt more, and would scare the **** out of other clubs.

Some clubs are learning - Cronulla, Easts, Canberra, Brisbane and (thankfully) finally Canterbury have realised that no player is worth more than the community standing of the club and the game, and have punished players in the recent past.

The clubs such as Manly that choose not to see this should be punished by the NRL for the damage they cause. The bias for me is not that Stewart isn't deregistered, but that Manly haven't been made to pay for their public pissup.

i_amtrunks

17th April 2009, 11:08 AM

I agree with Dirge, the case against Bird was twofold, (assault and the lying) and it was fairly obvious he did do it.
Stewart is innocent until proven guilty. If found guilty, the NRL will ban Stewart quick smart for such a horrible crime, hopefully Stewart will also go away for a long long time (doubt it).

Some clubs are learning - Cronulla, Easts, Canberra, Brisbane and (thankfully) finally Canterbury have realised that no player is worth more than the community standing of the club and the game, and have punished players in the recent past.

It's amazing what a sweep out of the top level board and a change of coach can do, I hated Canterbury with a passion for years for what they did to the game, but this season I am happy to support them in games, they have really turned around in such a short period after festering for years. Melbourne deserve a special mention for their actions against players who have behaved badly.

Some good games on this weekend, I just wish that the teams would settle on their form, it's a tipping nightmare if you go for who "should" win! really disappointed in the Tigers and Cowboys performances thus far.

GoktimusPrime

17th April 2009, 12:45 PM

This week (Wednesday to be exact) marks the 20th anniversary of the Liverpool FC Hillsborough Disaster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_disaster).

News articles:
The Age (http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/liverpool-ceremony-recalls-hillsborough-disaster-20090415-a7fy.html)
Telegraph (UK) (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/5145309/How-Hillsborough-tragedy-ushered-in-Premier-League-era.html)

autobreadticon

17th April 2009, 11:56 PM

IF Richmond lose to North Melbourne , gonna boycott the rest of the season:p

blackie

20th April 2009, 10:20 PM

IF Richmond lose to North Melbourne , gonna boycott the rest of the season:p

we'll be shopping for a new coach soon mate, dont fret just yet. that and were not as bad as freo

jacksplatt11

20th April 2009, 11:14 PM

autobreadticon

20th April 2009, 11:22 PM

I knew Richmond would embrass me with losing to Melbourne, adding more pressure for Terry to win against NM this week, I am only gonna watch highlights , too painful to watch a full game anymore....

STL

21st April 2009, 12:33 AM

Richmond lost to Melbourne not North haha, yay for North having a win though, even if it was against Essendon :p a round of upsets though, would've got 4/8 this round, I think, rubbish...

Mate, I reckon I tipped 3. Haven't checked yet but probably wouldn't have helped my footy tipping comp

[QUOTE=jacksplatt11;93549]
Stupid Storm had to lose too, gah

Damn Storm...

I knew Richmond would embrass me with losing to Melbourne, adding more pressure for Terry to win against NM this week, I am only gonna watch highlights , too painful to watch a full game anymore....

It's the Grand Old Flag, It's the High Flying Flag, its the emblem for me and for you. It's the emblem of the team we... oh wait... :D

But really Wallace has to go at the end of the season. He was given his chance. 5 years is a bloody long time

mangis

21st April 2009, 01:29 AM

Stupid Storm had to lose too, gah

w00t ... Go Tigers ... LOL

i_amtrunks

21st April 2009, 09:18 AM

Ever since the Warriors defeated the Storm in week one of the 2008 finals, the Storm have been shaky.

You'd think that being from bleak city that they would be one of the teams who could play best in the wet...
Best week of tipping for me, as I tipped my team to beat the Dragons, but missed out on tipping the Tigers.

Bartrim

22nd April 2009, 02:22 PM

but missed out on tipping the Tigers.

Where's the faith man?:p Definitely tip the Tigers next week. They are playing a real bunch of losers:p

Actually the NRL tipping is hard this year. About the only teams not worth backing are the Eels and the Sharks.

i_amtrunks

22nd April 2009, 03:44 PM

Where's the faith man?:p Definitely tip the Tigers next week. They are playing a real bunch of losers:p

Thats what the father in law told me!

Actually the NRL tipping is hard this year. About the only teams not worth backing are the Eels and the Sharks.

Add Manly to the list now that Stewart is out for 12 weeks.

Come on Cowboys and Warriors, it's time for you guys to lift now too.

Bartrim

24th April 2009, 08:34 AM

Here's an interesting thing that just happened. A customer came into work and while purchasing her goods she saw our company tipping comp info on the wall. She then asked if anyone was backing the Knights this week. My bro and I both said no because we are Tigers fans. She said she has to pick the Knights because her son is Matt Hilder.

Just an interesting little run in I thought you guys would like to hear about.:)

i_amtrunks

24th April 2009, 11:06 AM

She said she has to pick the Knights because her son is Matt Hilder.

There are few reasons as to why you have to pick a team week in week out, but that is certainly one of them.

I'm backing the Knights, but not with confidence, this is another crappy round to tip, as it all depends on what version of the teams rock up, will we get the 40 minute or 80 minute roosters? Will St George get their annual early wobbles? Will Manly revert to their pre-Stewart form?

mangis

25th April 2009, 09:24 PM

Bartrim

27th April 2009, 08:13 AM

I would of had a perfect round of tipping in the NRL so far if it wasn't for Stacey Jones hitting the upright then knocking on:mad:

Friggin Tigers/Knights game aged me by about 20 years yesterday too:p

i_amtrunks

27th April 2009, 09:06 AM

Friggin Tigers/Knights game aged me by about 20 years yesterday too:p

It aged you??? I was at Campbelltown to watch the refs destroy the game live. I must say I was impressed, 18,000 in cold weather, and a good third would have been Knights supporters.

While the reffing was a square-up in the second half, (lots of crowd penalties) the Tigers should not have needed to score in the last 2 minutes to take the lead, that Tuiaki try was denied, even though it was a dead certain try. And that final pass was not forward, the one about 3 earlier than it, was. :p

Knights are goooone, they have over half their squad out injured, Brisbane will blow them out of the park next week. Tigers played terribly for 50 minutes, but then Benji fired up, Farrah was motm for me though, he made the Knights defense look very silly.

I was heading towards a good week too Bobby, Jones stuffed me up, then the Knights didn't help, so now it's just an okay week.

Bartrim

27th April 2009, 11:34 AM

I thought you would of been there. My brother and I thought about going but it was too cold.

Yeah it aged me. I was just waiting for them to lose the game. I was fuming when Tuiaki's try was denied. Benji's last 25minutes really impressed. Just hope we can hold onto this form and not play so hot and cold.

I agree the reffing was shocking. The NRL really needs to do something about that.

i_amtrunks

27th April 2009, 12:41 PM

I agree the reffing was shocking. The NRL really needs to do something about that.

Getting them castrated so their incompetence cannot be genetically passed down to them, or taught to them by their fathers would be a good start... hang on, that would mean that women would want to bed a ref... my error.

The game wasn't totally ruined by the reffing, but it is getting to the point where in every close match you wonder what official will blunder and directly affect the outcome with an erroneous decision. What really got my goat yesterday was the lack of consistency in the calls.

Titans panthers should be a good game, a depleted Titans should be an equal match for a full strength panthers and Penrith Stadium. Won't be heading out there, too bloody cold.

STL

27th April 2009, 06:21 PM

I think all the upsets are my fault. Seems whoever I tip loses. I haven't got more than 3 per week on any code.

Picked Sydney as they are playing the Dockers, as anyone would, actually you'd tip whoever was playing the Dockers. Just switched over from the cricket on One and saw the 1st quarter score and highlights ... wtf ...

Another bloody woeful week for me.

Richmond, Freo and Essendon all came out on top.

I was going to tip Carlton but b/c I enter my tips at the top of the week just in case I forget I forgot to change it. :( Gah. Wins are hard enough to come by these days and I'm already 4 from the lead in my comp.

That aside, love Collingwood getting beaten. Even if it was at the hands of the Bombers.

Geelong are fearsome. Clearly the best side of the past 3 years. They deserve more than the 1 Premiership they've got. Wet weather football + nasty winds and they trashed Brisbane like it was fine 23 degree afternoon. And I can only say that Ablett is without doubt the best player in the AFL at the moment. I kept doubting it b/c of Judd but he's a step above Judd now. A long way. He deserves a Brownlow forsure but with the wieght of expectation I don't know if he'll ever win one since it'll take a lot to impress umpires when he does it so often every week

Bartrim

6th May 2009, 12:51 PM

Can someone explain to me how Michael Ennis outplayed Robbie Farah like how all the press claimed he did?:confused::mad:

i_amtrunks

6th May 2009, 01:16 PM

Can someone explain to me how Michael Ennis outplayed Robbie Farah like how all the press claimed he did?:confused::mad:

I think all the Bulldogs fans in the media (there are a lot of them) are just happy to be writing about a club on the up, and who are playing well rather than Willie Mason and his gang of thugs of yesteryear.

Bulldogs are the Souths of the late 00's, the feelgood story type team.

jgon2098

7th May 2009, 07:55 AM

I hate Chelsea but that was the worst performance by a referree I have ever watched. Fat lamps classy. Drogba...

i_amtrunks

7th May 2009, 09:09 AM

So I suppose Manchester will go into the final as favourites?

Australia vs Kiwiland and City vs. Country on this Friday night, and Channel 9's policy of two games on Friday backfires, as I think more there is more NSW interest in the City vs. Country game (possibly a first), yet it wont air till 9.30.

And at least the Sharks (could be the Central Coast Bears soon..) will get two points this week... :D

Bartrim

8th May 2009, 09:17 AM

Hey Trunks. Enjoy Shannon McDonnell! Ha Ha Ha Ha:D

i_amtrunks

8th May 2009, 09:35 AM

Hey Trunks. Enjoy Shannon McDonnell! Ha Ha Ha Ha:D

Can't be a worse kicker than Gidley, and he is only a backup for when Gidley is captaining NSW, or for our forever injured ex-Dragons centres/wingers.

Bartrim

18th May 2009, 10:06 AM

Heartbreaking!!!!... Thats all I've got to say:(

i_amtrunks

18th May 2009, 10:26 AM

Heartbreaking!!!!... Thats all I've got to say:(

Not so much fun when the shoe is on the other foot is it? ;) I cannot believe how badly the Tigers faded, they have been playing a good 80 minutes every week.

Cowboys have arrived, Titans have reached round 10, and are starting to fade again.
Karma has come back to bite the Doggies, they should have won the game against the Dragons, but it ends up being retribution for their unintentional cheating win against the Panthers earlier in the season.

Bartrim

18th May 2009, 02:14 PM

Not so much fun when the shoe is on the other foot is it? ;).

Guess I asked for that:p I think losing by a total of 3 points in the past 2 outings is going to come back and bite us on the arse come end of season. I had a gut feeling they were going to fade once Farah got laid out.

Yep once again the Titans have called it quits on another NRL season. Cowboys have found some form. Although the Sharks lost I think Penrith learnt that a game of league is 80 minutes and the Knights are equal 1st (What sort of black magic caused this?!?!?:p)

Overall a great round of Rugby League to try and bury the nasties the past week has brought up.

i_amtrunks

18th May 2009, 02:34 PM

and the Knights are equal 1st (What sort of black magic caused this?!?!?:p)

And last years wooden spooners are #1 on for and against. Not to mention the Panthers and Bunnies equal second..

Overall a great round of Rugby League to try and bury the nasties the past week has brought up.

And instead stupid ref blunders dropping the game even further, the bulldogs decision, then all the sin-bins for a couple of holding downs that last week did not even earn a penalty... :mad:

Bartrim

18th May 2009, 03:59 PM

And instead stupid ref blunders dropping the game even further, the bulldogs decision, then all the sin-bins for a couple of holding downs that last week did not even earn a penalty... :mad:

Well yeah if the refs did their jobs properly it would of gone from a great weekend of league to a fantastic week of league. All things considered (the refs mainly) it was an exciting week. Just a shame that they top it off with a boring match up.

i_amtrunks

18th May 2009, 04:09 PM

Never count out the raiders, especially this time of the year. Late May Early June= fast fading Titans, fading Broncos and wilting Cowboys, rising Raiders, fighting Bunnies and Warriors.

You know, the teams that lose no-one at Origin pick up over the next 6-8 weeks! :D Should be good for Easts, who'll be lucky to lose Pearce, but unlucky for the Sharks and Manly (without Gallen and Lyon holding them up, they are nothing right now).

dirge

18th May 2009, 04:53 PM

Never count out the raiders, especially this time of the year.

Yeah but the Storm are their bogey team. Basically they always lose to Melbourne and always lose at Shark Park (although the current Cronulla side couldn't manage to beat the Raiders at home). As a Raiders fan I expect a comfortable Melbourne Victory :(

Fungal Infection

19th May 2009, 08:45 AM

And the Storm continue their run as the Raider's bogey team. But I fear for the Storm when Origin hits.... :(

i_amtrunks

19th May 2009, 09:25 AM

And the Storm continue their run as the Raider's bogey team. But I fear for the Storm when Origin hits.... :(

Being a Queensland supporter, I don't! :p

That was a thrashing and a half, and makes the Raiders look worse than they are, and the Storm better than they are.

So who picked that the top 8 would look like this at the end of the first third of the season? :p
Bulldogs
Knights
Dragons
Broncos
Storm
Rabbitohs
Panthers
Titans

Bartrim

19th May 2009, 03:20 PM

Being a Queensland supporter, I don't! :p

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:... DIE TRAITOR!!!!!!:p

i_amtrunks

19th May 2009, 03:52 PM

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:... DIE TRAITOR!!!!!!:p

Technically I'm a double traitor, live out west, but do not support either of the big cat teams, or the Eels! :p

optimus1

19th May 2009, 03:55 PM

Technically I'm a double traitor, live out west, but do not support either of the big cat teams, or the Eels! :p

Another QLD supporter!

Im sorta Nth West and am a massive Broncos fan :D

Bartrim

20th May 2009, 07:56 AM

Wooo Hooo Skando's Back!!!!:D

i_amtrunks

20th May 2009, 08:53 AM

Wooo Hooo Skando's Back!!!!:D

And he wont force you guys over the salary cap!
I hope he still has the mongrel in his game, need more players to be like the old boys like Skandy, Mad Dog and Dell!

And boy is Parra struggling, read yesterday that any more players they use have to be paid match payments (have surpassed their 25 man squad), which will come out of their 2010 salary cap... ouch!

STL

20th May 2009, 07:58 PM

And the Storm continue their run as the Raider's bogey team. But I fear for the Storm when Origin hits.... :(

me too!

Pansy and myself still have to get to a game. We've been moving too but schedules have been crappy

Bartrim

21st May 2009, 08:14 AM

So who wants to buy the Sharks?:p Anyone wanna put in for a group bid? We could even change the name to something TF related like "The Sutherland Shire Wreckers" or something:D

i_amtrunks

21st May 2009, 09:42 AM

So who wants to buy the Sharks?:p Anyone wanna put in for a group bid? We could even change the name to something TF related like "The Sutherland Shire Wreckers" or something:D

At least the players reflect the community they are based in...

You know, overpaid trash with more money than sense, who think they are great but are really just substance abusers and thugs. :rolleyes:

Hello Central Coast Bears!
Let us hope that the Cronulla club dies completely so that the Bears can start afresh with a 'new' license, rather than Cronullas dregs.

Bet the Bulldogs are cheering they got rid of him, and that Cronulla were so happy to overpay him.

i_amtrunks

4th June 2009, 09:09 AM

Mighty Maroons wipe the floor with ordinary blues!

QLD bias aside, it was a pretty ordinary game, refs were consistent, consistently wrong. If the touch judge couldn't tell if a player he was running alongside ran out or not, then whats the point of having him? The same touchie was then unable to tell the ref that the same player later threw a forward pass when a try was given (a square-up for the one they should have gotten earlier). Then the other touchie made an idiot out of himself saying Hayne hit Slater late, when it was a great legal hit, and the only thing Hayne did wrong was rush up and leave two opponents unmarked.

QLD dominated the game, NSW scored their points from a forward pass and lucky deflections, (imo they were robbed of an earlier try), and while they looked fantastic when Farrah, Wing and Lewis were all on together, carving up the ruck in the last 20 minutes, they were otherwise fairly flat in attack.
QLD were really two teams last night, one team when Price and Petero are on, and another, weaker side when they are off.

So was anyone else watching the same game I was last night? You know, the one where Hayne was being lauded as one of NSW best, when he did barely anything himself? Jennings had a blinder, threatening a break almost every touch, and doing all the work to make a half break, attracting the defenders before passing onto Hayne, who had to do nothing but run forward and pass backwards (which he still managed to stuff up). O'Donnell had a meh start, but really picked up, but Kite was atrocious, Wallace played himself in, and Campese needs to be given a chance, for most of the game his short kicking game was never able to be used as NSW had poor field position. Gidley's two bungles in the second half were uncharacteristic, and I hope the media dont try to make him the scapegoat, when it was the forwards who failed, and Lyon and McManus might as well have not been there for all they did.

QLD can replace the over-rated Hodges with Hunt on the wing (and keep him there, he is inferior to Slater) and bring in Prince as the replacement utility.

Bartrim

4th June 2009, 10:04 AM

i_amtrunks

4th June 2009, 11:26 AM

I think McManus blew his origin chance. I feel that a winger worth his salt would of put in a better effort chasing Inglis down when he scored in the second half. I don't Lyon deserves his spot either. The only question is who to bring in? The only other change I would make is Wing to 5/8 and Campo on the bench.

McManus and Lyon could be swapped with Lawrence and Gordon, Lawrence would have been picked if he was fit, and Gordon is a flyer who could be paired up with Jennings, with Lewis and Wallace would make for a great combo. Gordon also has a very steady boot. Personally I'd also be rid of Hayne, but I think he is a favoured player and will get to stay the whole series.

I like Wing at 5/8, he isn't as needy as Campese is to get the ball first every play (which he didnt get, thus blunting his effectiveness), but I think NSW like Wing as a utility player, so if Campo is dropped, Mullen will slot in.

jacksplatt11

4th June 2009, 01:27 PM

I thought it was a good game, Petero and Price are still the best props at 33 and 35 years old respectively, believe it or not haha. NSW forwards really struggled, and yeah McManus and Lyon did nothing while Jenning's always looked ready to pounce, I thought Hayne was awesome but I just like those exciting players no matter what they do :p

Being Victorian I didn't really care who won, was just hoping for a good game. Couldn't help cheering for QLD though with all the Storm and past Storm players though :)

QLD can replace the over-rated Hodges with Hunt on the wing (and keep him there, he is inferior to Slater) and bring in Prince as the replacement utility.

My thoughts exactly, I was pretty pissed off when one of the commentators (can't remember who now) labeled him the best centre in the world????? Ahh, well if we're talking currently you can just look to the other side and see a better one in GI (that may be my Melbourne bias though) and I hope he wasn't talking all time as there has been much better and less dirtier centres...

McManus has gotta go, Gordon is an interesting one, hadn't thought of him but he is definitely quick, and I reckon Monoghan in for Lyon.

i_amtrunks

4th June 2009, 03:06 PM

and I reckon Monoghan in for Lyon.

Now there is an interesting proposition. Could also bring in Tongue for Poore or Kite, but we all know Gallen will get the position (bloody thug).

Cannot believe how much of a beat-up the NSW media is going with over the first try, the game evened itself out by the 80 minute mark, to overcome the poor officiating.

Bartrim

4th June 2009, 04:17 PM

Isn't Gordon injured at the moment?

optimus1

4th June 2009, 05:33 PM

I think Gordon is actually a QLDer :confused:

Bartrim

5th June 2009, 08:57 AM

Could also bring in Tongue for Poore or Kite, but we all know Gallen will get the position (bloody thug).
.

Yes I am biased but if he wasn't injured I'd be calling for big "Keefy" to get a run... Hang on I have it. I know who should be called up for origin 2... SKANDO!:p

dirge

5th June 2009, 10:07 AM

Now there is an interesting proposition. Could also bring in Tongue for Poore or Kite, but we all know Gallen will get the position (bloody thug).

Considering this guy's character (well, lack of it), I can't believe Cronulla even _elevated_ him to thye captaincy in the first place. It was always going to a matter of time before that came back to bite them in the spidplate.

And FWIW, Tongue is a much better captain - he's not the most talented bloke but at least he's honest (and I can't name a Raider who put more heart into his team and his own game since Lozza).

Cannot believe how much of a beat-up the NSW media is going with over the first try, the game evened itself out by the 80 minute mark, to overcome the poor officiating.

I didn't see the game (and don't care), but seeing the replays and freeze frames on TV, I'm inclined to say they got it _right_. Having said that, showing 47 replays or whatever it was is a bit silly - and the benefit of the doubt was clearly not taken into consideration.

i_amtrunks

5th June 2009, 11:15 AM

And FWIW, Tongue is a much better captain - he's not the most talented bloke but at least he's honest (and I can't name a Raider who put more heart into his team and his own game since Lozza).

Tongue, Price and Civonoceva are the three captains that bleed for their team, and would be the first three names I would use if suggesting to young players on which to model their behaviour and decorum. Players like these three, Menzies, Buderus, Campbell and Webke are the ones who suffer the most from the behaviour of the idiots in the game.

(notice anything about all of these players named? All older statesmen)

jacksplatt11

19th June 2009, 11:36 PM

Joel Monaghan in for Jennings? Hmmm, I know I suggested him in an earlier post, but I was able to see both the Morris boys play for their respective clubs the other week, and was really impressed, they will be NSW players in the future no doubt. Big, strong and most importantly fast, I would love to see them both playing for NSW, but yeah what are you gonna do...

On the AFL side of things, my club (Kangaroos) just lost our coach, and fingers crossed we get either Buckley, Longmire or King, whom I don't think is really looking for a senior coaching position but being a former Kangaroos player would have that shinboner spirit that us Kangas love haha

blackie

19th June 2009, 11:37 PM

hopefully kangas take bucks, means he wont go to richmond, cause i dont want him :P

jacksplatt11

19th June 2009, 11:38 PM

Why not? You want Rawlings full time? haha what a hack

blackie

19th June 2009, 11:40 PM

Why not? You want Rawlings full time? haha what a hack

im thinking leigh mathews
but that will never happen
also james hird is an option
once again, never happen

we need a whole new football club come to think of it :P

jacksplatt11

19th June 2009, 11:42 PM

im thinking leigh mathews
but that will never happen
also james hird is an option
once again, never happen

we need a whole new football club come to think of it :P

Haha your club and mine could both use a massive makeover haha

i_amtrunks

25th June 2009, 10:20 AM

jacksplatt11

25th June 2009, 01:12 PM

Are you originally from QLD Trunks?

Wolfman was shown to be way out of his depth, 2 hugely costly fumbles that lead to QLD scoring, and then kicking on the first at one stage? He should've just taken the tackle, just needed a bit more composure but he's still one of my favs. Kite has gotta go, Morris on the bench was just stupid, Lyon is massively overrated, Wallace is nothing without Lockyer, Hayne is a freak. NSW could really use Brett Stewart at full back, freeing up Gidley to dummy-half, but yeah he's injured so what can you do.

Loved seeing a bit of a biff, and Barret is a dog for that hit on GI

NSW should've won in that last 20 min period but just couldn't get the scores on the board, but like you said Trunks, plenty of players who can set up tries but not many who can score, where someone like B Stewart is so handy.

Bartrim

25th June 2009, 05:39 PM

Farah is only good if his forwards are either gaining metres or getting quick play the balls. Neither of which the lack luster NSW forwards managed to do last night.

Might as well throw John Morris into origin. At least you know he's going to have a go.

Fungal Infection

25th June 2009, 08:26 PM

NSW have to start the game hot - they've been asleep for the first 20 minutes of both games 1 and 2 and are constantly playing catchup rather than being competitive from the get go. They play well in the 2nd half whereas QLD seem tired and thats where they are able to strike but because they are already behind, any gains they make are negated. And David Williams had a shocker of a game last night. The selectors are just lost with the team. There's no consistency in the squad like QLD does and the players just don't seem to know what each are doing. I anticipate QLD winning again next year. :(

mknell

25th June 2009, 11:26 PM

4 Years of QLD dominance! :D

This years games have been messy, horrible games, and ANZ should be stricken from hosting NRl and representative games until the grounds can be brought up to scratch, the grounds last night were terrible, and dangerous to the players.

NSW should have won last night, the refs were calling things in their favour (while I personally believe that Hayne would have scored his 2nd try no matter what, rulings from earlier in the year should have meant it was denied for the player taking out the defenders), plus in the 2nd half NSW were absolutely dominating, but did not have any players who are well known for scoring, plenty of their players can setup tries, but none can score them.

Hayne was their best again, but only in broken play, Lyon needs to be dropped, he kept running to the sideline, then giving Williams the ball with nowhere to go but out. Wallace and Barett did nothing, and really stuffed up in the first half by trying to be clever 10metres from their line, and they paid the price for it. How NSW did not win by 20 with QLD dead on their feet at the 55 minute mark is beyond me.

And Barrett should have been sin-binned and should be gone for at least 6 weeks after that king hit (that is what it was, a swinging fisted hand from behind a player), its nice to see the only thing Barrett has learned at Cronulla is how to be a thug from two of the best in the business: Gallen and Stuart.

I think NSW would have won the game, except for one moment of inspirational brilliance from Price. That chargedown turned the game and lifted his teammates.

Wholesale changes for NSW, need new halves, centres and Farrah is on his last chance, Gidley was more dangerous from dummy-half, and had Wing and Lewis been fit, they would have dominated. I like Farrah, but he has been ineffective in origin, when he is normally so dominant in club footy. Using Morris as a bench player was stupid, NSW selections as a whole this series have been ridiculous.

Another gutsy QLD victory when they had no real right to win, not a pretty game or victry, but we'll take it!

Yes ANZ stadium has to sop having so many games so close together (I was at the match) during this week last Friday they had Bulldogs VS Penrith, Saturday nite Swans VS Collingwood & then the origin

I found Hayne to be one of the best on the park it's a shame that his team mates esp Wallace weren't the same, he should have been hooked at 1/2 time his kicking game was terrible and that's just a starters, I'm a NSW fan but I knew we wouldn't win, NSW were kinda playing like my team Parramatta, relying on some Hayne magic to score. Then when they had qld on their feet they decide to panic and go for the risky plays. Our totally horrible ball handling in that first 20 or so killed us. If they want to stop a whitewash they have to get rid of players like Kite (he was useless), Wallace & Lyon, as said above what about the Morris twins and other players like them, also he may be getting old but one of the best 1/2 back's this year has been Brett Kimorley yet they don't want to choose him. Actually thinking about it, they should have a Hindmarsh out there, he is the kind of player like a Price who keeps going and going and makes those inspirational plays, or chases a player down and stops them from scoring. Oh well we know the selectors are stupid and won't do anything positive

Bartrim

16th July 2009, 08:30 AM

Finally NSW wins and Price gets what he deserves:)

mknell

16th July 2009, 09:05 AM

Finally NSW wins and Price gets what he deserves:)

Lol I know about time

i_amtrunks

16th July 2009, 01:57 PM

Finally NSW wins and Price gets what he deserves:)

Cannot believe Waterhouse did that, coming in with a king hit while there was a 1-on-1 fight in process. His excuse of "trying to break it up" is laughable, never seen someone elbow someone in the back of the head to break up a fight before. If that happened in an ordinary game of league, hed be gone for 6 (or more) weeks, but since it is origin, he'll get away with only a week or so.

NSW played really well, White, Creagh, Watmough in particular, had Farrah been given that kind of forward pack to work with in games 1 and 2, he would have torn QLD apart, Ennis was terrible, and had to be replaced 25 minutes in because his foul play would have started giving away penalties.

Reffing was terrible again, I personally feel that the penalty try was fine to be given, but by the rules of the game it should not have been. When refs blunder that big (they are after all paid to be professional full time referees) they should be docked all their pay (donate it to a charity) and be dropped to a lower grade for a few weeks. They lost control of the game in the 5th minute with the high shot that didnt even go on report, then allowing players to lay all over the play the ball area, and letting the markers stand wherever the hell they wanted.

Bartrim

16th July 2009, 04:52 PM

Cannot believe Waterhouse did that, coming in with a king hit while there was a 1-on-1 fight in process. His excuse of "trying to break it up" is laughable, never seen someone elbow someone in the back of the head to break up a fight before.

Come on Scott I know your a maroon supporter but you can see on several replays the punch from Brett White that knocks Price out. Waterhouse just crash tackled Price. The only way he would of elbowed Price was if they landed akwardly. Waterhouse got sent off for escalating the situation.

If anyone got away with anything it was that grub Hodges and his swinging arm on Gidley after Cam Smiths bomb.

Of course I'm incredibly biased as well towards NSW but either way an elbow to the back of the head will generally break up a fight because not too many people will keep fighting after coping one of those:p

i_amtrunks

16th July 2009, 05:34 PM

but either way an elbow to the back of the head will generally break up a fight because not too many people will keep fighting after coping one of those:p

Thats the kind of crap that never need rear its head in a football game, or elsewhere, if Waterhouse really wanted to break up the fight, jumping on someones head is not the way to do it. When it is one on one, let them duke it out and deal with the consequences when they end it.
It was a low act, lower than Barrett swinging his arms around peoples necks, and far worse than Thurstons kick which did far more damage than it first appeared to.

If Waterhouse was a Sharks player I'd understand his behavior, Stuart trains his teams to be thugs, not footballers. Barrett laughing while Price was prone on the ground shows the calibre of the player.