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Cherry is maturing nicely. I just hope we don't have a situation like the Hodkinson one last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
I had mid table hopes for Manly this year but watching them play at their best I think they can go all the way or bloody close at least.
I think Cherry-Evans has rookie of the year sewn up. Although if the Sharks keep progressing the way they are then Chad Townsend may be in with a shot.
Have to Love The ChadQuote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
5 games in the NRL 4 wins..... what has amazed me about this kid is it seems like a natural progression for him, he is calm cool and he has really taken control of the team in a few short games, somthing tim smith and scott porter failed to do and albert kelly was starting to develop
he was great to watch in the toyota cup and now in FIrst Grade i would like to see him really cement his spot and i can see cronulla really building a solid team around him.
the test will be monday night in the local derby... Drgons Home Ground..
rumors around the club is that when robson joins in 2012, he will be starting in the no 6 Chad at 7 with wade graham moving to the second row or lock.. wade has really bulked up and is playing well and might be even more effective out wide.. throw in the mix the fact they have locked up a bit of the youth running around in sharks colours (Bakuya, Wright, Mills, Gardner) it feels like they are building a solid foundation.
I noticed this. I think the Sharks will be a great team next year. De Gois is returning too I believe. So what is going to happen with the number 9 jersey. Are any of Morris/Flannagan/Aiton moving on?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
well morris just extended his contract for another 12 months. and he has been playing very well.. so with de gois coming in i think cronulla will run with a two hooker game plan like they usually do.. i am concerned abour de gois's injuries he seems to be picking more up..Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
i have not heard much on aiton i do think his contract is up this year, and not much on flannagan, not even sure when he is contracted to
DeGois is an injury worry, but when he is fit, he is a very solid hooker. Morris has really come into his own playing in the pack rather than in the halves, and Townsend does seem to be the halfback the Sharks need to steer the team around.
However Cherry Evans has been blowing through this season like he is a 10 year veteran, whilst Townsend has only played a handful of games, so Townsend is at a massive disadvantage.
Cant believe how bad the Knights played last Knight, if you cannot be a JT-less Cowboys, who can you beat? (Titans don't count). Bowen played a great dual role as a 7 in attack and a 1 in defence.
And I really feel for Mat Rogers, he should never have come back from retirement, the Titans should be looking to their youth squads for new halves (or using Henry), but instead Rogers comes back, played fairly well and breaks his foot. I guess at least he made it to 200 games...
I think you have to look at how the Shark's season has completely turned around thanks to Townsend... That bing said I do agree with your opinion on Cherry-Evans thats why I think he has rookie of the year in the bag. If it wasn't for Cherry I would say Townsend or Ryan Stig.Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
I'm not going to make a comment on the Knights until after this weekend Scott as we are up next and given our past couple of performances I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys take us to the woodshed. At least "Shifty" Sheens has dropped Mckinnon :) ... in favour of Moltzen :(. Moltzen is a half not a fullback. He is scared under the high ball. At least Meaney is on the bench and can be used once Sheens get sick of Moltzen stuffing up. Just to clarify I am a Tim Moltzen fan, but when he is at fullback.
So I think we have our top eight, I've looked through the draw and the Panthers have a very tough run home, while I think that both the Tigers and Knights can realistically win 4 out of their last 6, so they can both be blown out of the finals by the Storm and Manly! :p
The Storm are showing that even though they had premierships rightfully taken from them for cheating, that they can make what would be no-name players at other clubs into vital cogs in the machine to support their 1, 7 and 9. They have really learnt to legally slow down the play the ball better than any other team (the next best team at it is Manly) and that gives them so much more time to organise their defences, and the extra energy allows Cronk and Smith to direct the play.
The Dragons will only improve as the season winds down, and Brisbane looked good until the final 15 against the Storm. Cowboys are hanging in for now, but I think that the Warriors are going to be the dark horses, the Tigers could cause upsets, but the Warriors have the better team and form right now.
Panthers and Sharks may sneak into the 8 if the Knights or Tigers fail miserably, but with tough draws and injuries to key players (as soon as you see Gallen or Lewis out, you know both those teams are seriously weakened) The Sharks were lacking that forward punch they have ahd the past month, and without their forwards making the metres, there was little Townsend could do.
Just wish everyone I bought in the Supercoach comp would stop getting injured, I've only got 4 subs left! (Gallen, Lewis, Thurston, Harrison all out and my backups have not been good enough!) :D
You still play supercoach? Like every year I lose interest around bye weeks.Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
Was a good win by the Tigers... against the team coming 15th! They should of won by more if they are going to be a premiership contender. Guess the next 2 weeks will be a good measuring stick for them. I also remembered on Saturday night why I hate Braith Anasta. He is such a cry baby.
Even though it appeared the team lost interest during stages of the game I was still very impressed with The Warriors. They may surprise a few people. The next few weeks will prove most interesting.
i wouldnt say the sharks have a tough run home.. i would say the sharks could make it tough on them selves..
besides brisbane next week they could beat the remaining teams on form over the last month.
run home = brisbane, titans, roosters, nth qld bulldogs and tigers.....
That is a pretty good run... if Thurston is still injured when they play. Could come down to round 26 Tigers vs Sharks for 8th:pQuote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
it could come down to that i was having that same conversation with my old man last night.... i did get the teams muddled in order... but they play the cowboys the week before the tigersQuote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
brisbane (A)
titans (H)
Bulldogs (H)
Roosters (A)
Cowboys (A)
tigers (H)
I had them for two certain wins and two potentials, Cowboys with JT back in Townsville the only other one that I think they will probably lose.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
Certainly a four team race for 2 spots, the panthers really hung in against a Manly side that looked a little uninterested, but as I said, their run home is very tough so I think it may be 3 into 2.
Not that it matters, teams 7 and 8 will be facing a very good Storm and Manly team (maybe Dragons). So they really will be just cannon fodder! :p
I'm pretty sure that no one else here cares, but in the off-chance that there are some other GWS supporters on the board - how good was the win on Saturday! Can't wait for 2012 :D
Just cant get into the GWS team right now, they should be beating reserve grade squads by healthy margins every week, they'll be a top level team soon, and getting beaten by the offcuts from the other AFL cuts is not good enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
Just hope when they do enter the AFL comp they wont be as sad and embarrasing to watch as the Gold Coast, sure new teams will struggle, but they should be competitive.
I hope they mega fail and get thrashed by 80+ each week next year. Simply because of all the anti NRL propoganda that comes out from the AFL. Living in Melbourne is a nightmare for league fans.Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
Keep in mind that this is a team of teenagers that was slapped together at the start of the year and are playing against established clubs. Any sporting team will take time to gel. Plus, when they hit the field next year, they'll look nothing like they do now because they haven't even drafted / traded for any veteran players yet. Tom Scully is a great start for GWS.Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
Awww, that's not very nice :( :D It's funny because I've always heard (from numerous people) that AFL fans can't even be bothered bagging NRL fans but NRL fans go out of their way to insult fans of the AFL. I guess being an AFL supporter, I simply don't care ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
Not a very clever set up, why not have drafted some older/past players in the VFL to play with these kids for this season to give them onfield mentors and experienced players as well? Seems like team GWS is no more than a schoolboys side without those experienced players.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
And Scully is a nobody (in terms of known name players) in Sydney, what GWS needs is a hook other than Israel (ie a proven AFL performer), and the money they want to pay him is crazy for what he offers.
+1 here here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
I find it difficult to watch real footy down here as I don't have Fox. I still catch Manly 90% of the time on a stream but I do miss my Fox.
I can't answer that question because I have zero experience in building a professional sports team from the ground up. I'm going to give Graeme Allan (4 premierships with Collingwood and Brisbane as Football Manager) and Kevin Sheedy (4 premierships as head coach of Essendon) the benefit of the doubt that they know what they are doing ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
EDIT: Just read that the NFL lockout has ended :D :D :D
I was very interested in some of the refs calls in last nights Tigers vs. Eagles game...
Refs cant seem to make up their mind on what grounding constitutes a try, going on tries awarded in previous weeks, Tigers should have had an early one, and then an 8 point penalty try awarded later on when Farah was taken out with a professional foul, it was at the very least a sin bin offence.
And how come no action was taken on the Manly player who intentionally shouldered the ref during the very same play? If that does not go to the match review panel, then expect to hear some noise from the QRL, considering the crap the panel put JT through in Origin on an accidental contact.
If you see a highlights package from the game, watch the top of the screen when Farah gets tackled without the ball, look for the pink shirt...
I can't believe that Gallen makes that much difference to the Sharks squad, they were terrible last night. The Broncos are good, but the Sharks made them look exceptional. Another game like that and their slim finals chances will be gone (especially if the Tigers form continues)
And here's hoping John Cartwright gets better soon, last thing the Titans need is for him to be out of action...
And when Matai headbutted Galloway in the stomach then milked a penalty when Galloway shoved him. Again I hate the way the grubs on the north shore play the game. I was extra glad to see the Tigs win this one. What is that with Tigers/Sea Eagles games? 3 of the last 4 decided by very slim ammountsQuote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
There is no way in hell that first "try" was a try. About as clear a knock on as you will ever see. You have to have control of the ball when grounding it & Beau Ryan had neither.Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
As for the 8 pointer there was nothing wrong with that. Farrah was the likely man to receive the ball & was never going to score anyway as Lyon clearly had him covered. The correct decision a Tigers penalty was made.
The pocket referee was clearly out of position & it is he who should be cited for professional incompetance. JT deliberately ran into the referee from 20 metres away. Completely different circumstances.Quote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
All in all a good game of footy to watch bar the result & the Tigers 2nd try coming from a forward pass.
I agree that the "no try" rule for Beau Ryan was correct but what I think Trunks is saying is that if NRL refs were consistant, then with some of the tries they have awarded in the past weeks then it should of been a try.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prowl
I also agree that it shouldn't of been an 8 point try. They saw Farah was covered which was why he didn't receive the pass. Lyon still tackled him anyway because...well I wont start a war but I'm not a fan of The Sea Eagles style of play.
JT was cleared of his collision withthe ref as the video clearly shows that he didn't see him until the last minute which proves he didn't deliberately run into him. I don't believe Foran should be cited as the ref was out of position and I don't believe it was intentional.
The Tigers second try was fair. The ball travelled backwards out of the hands and due to the movement and position of Farah (I believe) Ayshford did catch the ball ahead of him. By the NRL rules that is not a forward pass.
I agree it was a great game however I believe the best team won. The Sea Eagles should of learnt by now, you can't clock off against the Tigers.
Never said it should be a try, and I agree 100% with what you say, but going off tries given in recent weeks, it should have been allowed. Consistency is the key when officiating, and the NRL currently has none.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prowl
Any contact with any official is meant to be penalised, yet once again it got nothing. The Manly player, whoever it was intentionally lowered his shoulder to barge the ref out of the way (and failed). It would have been even sadder had the professional foul never occurred as he would never would have gotten to Farah in time to stop him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prowl
And who you support comes out!Quote:
Originally Posted by Prowl
Refs making mistakes is the only constant in the NRL right now, calling good passes forwards, and letting some spectacular forward ones go. It looked to me like it floated forward, but I have yet to see any shots of the pass to see if it was thrown backwards or forwards from the hands, so I cannot say anymore on it.
The result was the right one, Manly were lucky to still be in it at the end, the Tigers were the stronger team in the final 60 minutes.
And I have to agree about Matai Bobby, he is a grub, and is one of about half a dozen players who should have been rubbed out of the game years ago.
I won't get into it either as I think the better team on the night won & it was certainly a game of 2 halves & the Tigers did well to keep Manly pinned down in the 2nd half.
As for Farrah he was covered by Lyon & was never going to score anyway.
I certainly agree with the referee standard being poor at best & their inconsistency is the only consistant standard in the game.
I am a huge Manly fan & I personally like their hyper aggressive style. Unlike many I don't find Matai a grub I think he is a guy who gives 100% in everything he does & sails so close to the line he is bound to go over it on occasion.
He does some questionable things but I don't find him a maliciously dirty player as such like say Billy Slater who is a dirty player IMO. I also have the opinion that it is not a true Manly game unless Matai gets up clutching a body part in agony :)
I think Melbourne really showed what a force they are last night overcoming some really biased officiating to beat Parramatta.
The NRL really want Hayne to be their little superstar and the twerp keeps stuffing it up... This is not the first year Parra has had the officials try to gift them games, there were a few last year as well as the year before...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
I missed watching the game due to a flight, but from the highlights, Hayne really butched that try early on at 0-0, loved a comment I heard on the radio "He could have scored easily a few metres in, but saw all the cameras in the corner and went for the super amazing try". :p
Loved seeing the Dragons beaten by Souths, Souths were lucky to be awrded a few of theris, but they were playign with heart and energy while the Dragons were not.
Also must say seeing Newcastle score points was wonderful, wish they could do it more often.
LOL. I had quite the chuckle myself at Hayne :DQuote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
Newcastle did well against a very poor Titans. One try that the Knights scored Rankin was standing 2 metres deep in goal. Who's he going to stop there? Then when Uate had 50 metres and was barrelling along Rankin tried to stop him on the goal line:D I don't think that result was ever in doubt
So lets see whats going to happen to Todd Carney now the Roosters aren't going so good.
Also is anyone else surprised Gallen got off?
nope not suprised, it was a joke he was put on report and cited to begin with, sure it was stupid to lash out and deserved a penalty but that is about it... there are many cases of players kicking feet and legs in the game,Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
If Gallen meant to do it there would of been a lot more damage to Beau Henry and he should of let go of the leg earlier, if gal didnt make contact i am sure the penatly would of gone the other way.
Carney is an Alcoholic.. as soon as people start treating him like one and really get him the help he needs he is a lost cause..
unfortunatly in the modern game if roosters were to sack him another club would sign him almost instantly... the NRL needs to step in and maybe deregister him or atleast make sure the roosters are not disadvantaged like the raiders were so many years ago for doing "the right thing".
But Gallens leg was free. It's not like he was trying to free his leg and accidently hit Henry in the face. Henry had finally released his leg and then Gallen looked back and then planted a boot in Beau Henry's face. Did Henry hold on too long? Yes. Should Henry have been penalised? Absolutely. Does that warrant Gallen driving his foot intentionally into his face? no way in hell. Gallen should of got 2 weeks minimum. Yes I agree others do it too but that is no excuse to give Gallen a free pass. I used to play union and getting stamped on was my biggest peeve. There is no reason for it in the game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
With Gallen's track record, and the fact that Gallen only did it after his leg was freed, meant he should have done a couple of weeks, however the second Dugan wasn't charged (which looked accidental, and worse than Gallen's!) Gallen had to be let off too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
But they have set the precedent now, so they will have to deal with any on field consequences that arise. (if any.)
So St George gone?
They could end up 7th after this weekend, could slip to 8th if Newcastle win every game (doubtful). ) If results go to form (Knights beat Dogs, but lose to Souths and Brisbane, Brisbane beat Souths, Dogs lose to Manly then it should mean a week 1 final exit for St George against Manly, while Newcastle get eaten alive by the Storm...
Loved Slaters efforts tonight, he is a machine, Widdop played extremely well, more than a handy replacement for Cronk. Also had a laugh when Soward stayed down after a good clean hit to try and milk a penalty and got the nothing it deserved, the big sook.
Damn soward hes in both my dream team and super coach and hes giving both teams a bad name - but ive had no trades available since 2 weeks ago :oQuote:
Originally Posted by i_amtrunks
Anasta needs to have a few weeks off I think, he goes too far in his onfield complaints to refs and he needs to be made an example of.
Isaac Luke also should be commended for his dive, any soccer player would have been proud of it. He should have been given the penalty even without the dive, maybe the NRL needs to look at penalising those who try to milk penalties?
Also glad the Storm won on Friday, I knew the Dragons scored from a forward pass, but it was shockingly forward. What is the point of having touch judges if they cant even see a pass go 3+ metres forward?
Gallen and Jennings got injured tonight, have both of them, and Gasnier all in my supercoach team, have semis next week and only one trade... I should have bought David Simmons instead of Jennings!
NRL Game Notes:
~Melbourne vs. St George-Illawarra~
Another below par performance from the Dragons allowed
Melbourne to extended their impressive winning streak on
Friday night.
For the Dragons...Dean Young, Ben Hornby and Matt Cooper
looked dangerous...but lacked support from their team mates
and once again Jamie Soward had a poor game. The Dragons
look like a team who have simply run out of steam...and while
there was only 2 points in it...they never really had control of
the game.
Melbourne on the other hand looked focused from the start
and while they lacked direction without Cooper Cronk...
Cameron Smith, Gareth Widdop and Billy Slater all stepped
up to fill the void. A special mention must go to Rory Kostjasyn
and Dane Nielsen who looked dangerous with every touch.
Game Highlight:
Anthony Quinn delivering a "Rock Bottom" to Jamie Soward.
Workhorse:
Bryan Norrie.
Best Player:
Rory Kostjasyn...give him a starting spot.
Worst Player:
Beau Champion was horrible in a winning team.
~South Sydney vs. North Queensland~
The Rabbits kept their finals hopes alive with a golden point
victory over the Cowboys.
The Cowboys played well enough with Matt Scott and James
Tamou dominating up front allowing Jonathan Thurston and
Matt Bowen ample attacking opportunities. The Cowboys
also had the advantage of Greg Inglis and Nathan Merrit
both pulling out before the game...but it wasn't enough.
Souths had the spirit and desire to fight back late in the
game and thanks mainly to Parramatta bound halfback Chris
Sandow and Origin forward Dave Taylor...Souths got over
the line.
Now ignoring "the milking" of the winning penalty...Souths
deserved to win and the Cowboys only have themselves to
blame for allowing the Rabbits the chance to snatch the
game from them.
Game Highlight:
Chris Sandow's 80 metre intercept run followed by his side
line conversion to tie the game at 24 all.
Workhorse:
James Tamou.
Best Player:
Chris Sandow...but James Tamou also deserves a mention.
Worst Player:
Luke Burgess made a few careless errors...but he still put in 100%.
~Final Thoughts~
Melbourne do appear to be premiership favorites as the Dragons
continue to slip down the Ladder. Souths have spirit and will be
a real danger team if they make the finals and the Cowboys need
to learn to focus for the full 80 minutes.
All in all...a good night of league with plenty of highlights.
:cool:
Interesting point of debate the whole Issac Luke "dive". I'm torn by the issue. Yeah I think he took a dive but also the shot did deserve a penalty that he wouldn't of gotten if he got up and played on.
Anyway I got to go to the SFS yesterday to watch The Tigers vs Eels and what a fantastic day it was:D. Even though he ran some good metres and tunnel balled the footy to Marshall but geez Utai's defence needs some work. Oh and at a live game you get a real feel for how lazy Hayne is. He deliberately avoids the ball so often and his defence is woeful.
this i have noticed a number of times, i do not think Hayne deserves the accolades that are heaped on him at best he is a solid first grader but not the star the media make him out to be.. he has flashes of brilliance but they are a shadow compared to someone like cam smith darren lockyear or benji marshall....Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartrim
He was even worse at fullback. Slater makes opposition kickers look bad by getting to the ball to take it on the full, Hayne used to amble around and hope his wingers would do the work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
One of the kids told me a great joke this morning: "What has 34 legs and still can't climb a ladder?"
Answer- "Parramatta".
Absolute awesomesauce.
Manly were dull but clinical yesterday, they will grind teams to dust during the finals if given a chance, maybe a Manly/Melbourne final again, Channel 9 will be aghast! :p