The Football (all sorts) Thread

[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.

[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.

[Prowl]

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

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

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

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

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

[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.

[Bartrim]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Bartrim]

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

[Sharky]

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

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

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

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

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