The Football (all sorts) Thread

[i_amtrunks]

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

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

And some decent facilities wouldnt hurt either.

[Bartrim]

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

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

And some decent facilities wouldnt hurt either.

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

[i_amtrunks]

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

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

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

[i_amtrunks]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Prowl]

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

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

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

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

[i_amtrunks]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Prowl]

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

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

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

[Bartrim]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locky's last series. He deserved a win.

Could post more but I'm tired.

[Deonasis]

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

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

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

[i_amtrunks]

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

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

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

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

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

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