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2012 Round three :: Warriors v Ninjas

joshie

Live Update Team
Messages
3,115
Forum 7s - Round three - 2012

jersey_warriors_1.gif
-V-
jersey_ninjas_1.gif


Match Preview: The Warriors will host the inform Ninjas this week. The Warriors have been up and down so far, but the Ninjas have been firm in what they want to accomplish. This game could provide anything and is one to watch.

Game Thread:
* This is a game thread only. Only game posts can be made here - team lists, substitutions, and articles.
* Any other posts may result in loss of points and is at the discretion of the referee.
* Only original articles, not used in previous games, will be marked by referees.

Naming Teams:
* 5 -V- 5 (+ 3 reserves for home sides; + 2 for away)
* No 'TBA' or changing players named
* Captains must stick with original teams named

Rules: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/rules.php
Official Word Counter: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/wordcount.php

Kick Off: Monday 30th April 2012 (6:00pm AEDT)
Full Time: Sunday 13th May 2012 (Fulltime is at midnight)
Referee: madunit
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium

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Last edited by a moderator:

edabomb

First Grade
Messages
7,088
The Ninjas meet at the yellow seats.

Ninjas
edabomb (c)
CobyDelaney
gUt
jamesgould
joshie

Bench
Hallatia
Raider_69

Good luck all.
 
Messages
21,783
Hmm

I am not sure whats happening with the warriors.

anyway, I am naming myself for the warriors (i can do that yeah?) i have played in their last two games.

750 words between the **


***********

Israel Folau - Legend of the Realms of Fantasy


Israel-Folau-5924256.jpg


Israel Folau won his first AFL match yesterday in Canberra. 8,603 people witnessed his Greater Western Sydney Giants defeat the Gold Coast Suns.

For the record Israel had quite a good game. 4 tackles, 11 disposals but missed his two shots at goal.

As he strode about Manuka Oval in his new chocolate orange get up, i took a moment to reflect on what Izzy meant to Rugby League.

Israel played four seasons in the NRL, scoring 73 try’s at club level with Melbourne and Brisbane. Israel played in two grand finals winning one. He appeared for Queensland 8 times scoring 7 trys and represented Australia 8 times crossing the line for 6 try’s.

I have never met Israel Folau personally and until yesterday I had only seen him play live once.
Yet me and Izzy go way back. All the way back to his debut.
The year was 2007. I had just started work at a Government Department. A mate of mine there introduced me to a glorious new invention. Fantasy Football.
We played in the Fox Sports Fantasy League. After I had set my team name and jersey colours up I was ready to pick a team, Keeping in mind I wouldn’t be picking any Dragons players as that would be supporting the endeavors of my most hated club.

I spent the majority of my Salary Cap on an all star Pack. In 2007 the scoring was heavily skewed towards back rowers and players prices were fixed for the year. My first picks were statistical freaks Nathan Hindmarsh and Alan tongue. Men who made more tackles than many thought humanly possible. Greg Bird and Paul Gallen were biased Sharks picks. I went all out on Cam Smith at Hooker and Roy Asotasi was a required selection at the prop position that season. The backs were harder to chose. If you spent your money on forwards, you couldn’t afford guys like Billy Slater or Matt Bowen however Steve Bell was relatively cheap from Manly given his try scoring ability in a team that was building.

I ended up with a reasonable squad with a missing piece. I needed a winger. I had two points left in my cap. I liked my team but to get a full contingent of 17 players playing I would need to overhaul my squad and downgrade at other positions.

But then I saw him. Israel Folau - 2 Salary cap points. Buried deep in the Melbourne Storm Outside Backs line up. These 2 point players rarely see the field. However this unknown bloke was named to face Wests Tigers in round 1. So I picked him in the hope that he would score the odd point here or there.

I suddenly had a larger interest in the 2007 Friday night opener. The Mysterious I Folau was on the wing. Who was this man?

I Googled "Israel Folau" before the match.
I was astounded.
Born. 3 April 1989. This man was YOUNGER THAN I WAS. It was official. I wasn’t even 20 and there was a man in the NRL younger than me. My pipe dreams were officially over. This was the first man younger than me in the National Rugby League.
After this mind bending news I was further aghast when i saw Israel on television. A six foot plus physical specimen on the wing of a team that should have won the premiership the previous October. Bellamy must like something about this kid.

What followed was a historic season. He scored on debut and proceeded to score doubles in the next three games. After 26 rounds he had scored 21 trys. A debut season record . He was second in the top try scorer list to North Queensland’s Matt Bowen. He was also 2007 Dally M Rookie of the year and won a grand final in 2007 with the Storm.

As fantasy players go, 2007 Israel was a gift from the heavens. 126 points from try's (6 points for a try in Fox Sports scoring) at the bargain basement price of 2 salary cap points. Having Izzy in your team allowed you to splurge on the big name backs or purchase a Jonathan Thurston or Scott Prince in the halves without completely changing your fantasy team line up. I ended up winning our league in 2007 thanks largely in part to his freakish season.

Hopefully one day he will return to the greatest game of all.


***********

references

http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/israel-folau/summary.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Folau
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/16931/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7715&tab=Stats
 

edabomb

First Grade
Messages
7,088
edabomb for the Ninjas

The ‘New Zealand’ Warriors?

The year was 2000. The Auckland Warriors were on the verge of financial collapse after only six seasons of operation, they were losing on the field and off it. Business tycoon Eric Watson saw an opportunity and purchased the key assets of the club, bringing the Warriors into a new professional environment that would see them go on to become one of the more successful sides of the following decade. There was one minor detail that attracted a bit of attention at the time – but has largely gone unmentioned lately. The franchise decided to change their operating name from the Auckland Warriors to the New Zealand Warriors from season 2001 onwards. The move coincided with a rapid rise in on field fortunes – with the side making the NRL Grand Final in 2002. This helped with rugby league fans New Zealand wide buying into the rebranded franchise – as it’s always easier to sell a new idea when there is some success behind it.

At the time I thought this surely signalled a move to the Warriors doing a better job of promoting rugby league through New Zealand. Perhaps taking a couple of games to other major centres each year would endorse the name change – cities such as Christchurch and Wellington would surely get in behind any such initiative. Games did travel outside of Auckland in ensuing seasons, as the Bulldogs took several of their home games against the Warriors to Wellington, along with the Raiders on one occasion. The Tigers took three matches to Christchurch in the mid-2000s, as did the Roosters in 2010. One thing remained the same – it was always Australian teams taking their matches across the ditch in an attempt to take a bigger gate rather than the Warriors spreading the rugby league gospel throughout New Zealand.

In 2008 the Melbourne Storm put their feelers out into the local Wellington rugby league scene. Craig Bellamy came over to look at a rugby league camp the franchise was running in Wellington, containing 120 of the top under 18 talents. Surely an initiative like this should have been investigated by the regions home side, but the Warriors seem to have a very minor interest in the sport south of Manurewa. The Melbourne Storm camp has become an annual event with players being snapped up and taken to Melbourne to grow in the Storm system. While this is great for the talented young players of Wellington it is also a sad indication of the lack of presence the Warriors hold throughout New Zealand.

Really it all boils down to the side being renamed solely as a business decision. By renaming the side New Zealand the franchise saw an opportunity to create an identity for rugby league fans throughout the nation – while not having to actively invest a great deal in the game to maintain this interest. The brand name has become so strong now that the name Auckland Warriors is never referred to, the club has done a great job of convincing the New Zealand public that they’re representing the nation.

Personally, as a Wellingtonian, I find myself still annoyed at the fact the New Zealand Warriors are considered my geographic home team. In the twelve seasons since the Auckland Warriors rebranded themselves they have failed to take any matches outside the Auckland region – instead relying on the odd occasion when their opposing team wishes to move their home matches to a New Zealand centre. This has also become a non-existent act in recent times with the heavy focus on club memberships in recent seasons – clubs cannot afford to move their home matches outside of Australia. I would be happy for the Warriors to continue with the New Zealand name if they actively promoted the match through the region they claim to represent – but it has become plainly obvious that the renaming only occurred as a way of attracting a sense of patriotism from regions they never care to visit. The Warriors represent New Zealand in a business sense only – they should revert back to their Auckland Warriors name so that fans in other major centres can completely get in behind bids for a second New Zealand NRL side.

As it stands – the ‘New Zealand’ Warriors have not played a match in Wellington since 2004.


Sources
- Storm keen on return to captial http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/local-sport/761259
- Melbourne Storm Recruits Look To Wellington http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/6118555/Storm-still-look-to-Wellington-for-development
- rleague.com venue records http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/summary.html#venues

------------------------------
718 words including the title, excluding references.
 

jamesgould

Juniors
Messages
1,466
For the Ninjas:

Rebuilding

After the Newcastle Knights loss to North Queensland on Saturday night, I heard an interesting viewpoint: “Wayne Bennett would be feeling huge pressure right now.”

The Knights have recorded four wins and six losses from the first ten rounds of the competition. With an all new spine to their side (Boyd and Buderus being new recruits, and Mullen and Gidley new to the six and seven, respectively) and a couple of those players being out injured for several rounds, the results seem about on par. Combine that with statistically the toughest draw so far of any team this year, and the season is certainly not beyond saving.

It is a reflection of the world we live in, these days. Instant gratification. If a side recruits some star players and a new coach, then results are expected immediately. It’s also an indication of the sensationalism we see in the media these days. If a side doesn’t have a better than 50% winning record, then they are in crisis. If you lose three in a row, then your side is almost certainly headed for a “crisis meeting” ... or worse still, facing the members at an AGM!

Wayne Bennett mentioned in the press conference after the game that he was at the club for four years, and that was what he was basing his approach on. If he was there for a shorter timespan then he would be doing things differently.

I wonder if you ran a strawpoll, how many Knights fans would prefer he was at the club for two years and threw everything into getting a premiership in that time, rather than try and build a culture that would sustain continual success long after he was gone. I would predict that the results of the poll would surprise, with a significant proportion wanting the immediate success (even if it was unsustainable).

It’s the battle several NRL coaches are facing right now. Stephen Kearney is trotting out the same story, albeit with even less immediate success. The same could be said for Ivan Cleary.

I suppose it’s inevitable with the increase in money in the code, but things are so different to the sport I began following 20 years ago. In those days it was a 16 side competition, with a top five finals series. I suppose with that higher level of qualification just to make the finals, it made it seem from the start that it was a bonus if your side made the semis.

Newcastle missed the semis in 1993 and 1994, but panic stations weren’t hit at any stage – the side had their moments of success in both seasons, and with a strong and stable side, seemed to be building for the future. It was actually quite a shock when coach David Waite’s contract was not renewed for the 1995 season.

Although a few players did move on, the nucleus of the squad saw very few changes over that period. Nowadays, supporters would be advocating half the team get their marching orders – and the reality probably wouldn’t be far off that.

Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm provides the template for any coach who is rebuilding a club in the modern game. Despite never really challenging in his first few years in charge, he did avoid pressure by making the top eight. By 2006 his side had hit its stride and his efforts began to really bear fruit. They’ve been nigh-on unbeatable ever since.

Of course, that example also displays the problems on the other side of the rebuilding conundrum – build a successful side up from scratch, and your players either move on to other clubs as their market value increase, or you go down the Storm route and end up with an even bigger problem.

But Craig Bellamy has got the culture and playing style down-pat – because despite that problem, Melbourne has been topping the tables for the best part of seven years, now.

The real risk is that a coach attempts to make these changes, and the results and change in attitude, culture, etc never eventuate. I haven’t actually heard David Furner mention that he was attempting to do anything like that with Canberra, but that seems to be the boat they are in at the moment.

But for coaches in their first and second year in charge, I think the pressure valve needs to be off. Give them a chance to implement their plans ... and remember, in most cases things can’t get much worse!

749 words.
 

TooheysNew

Coach
Messages
1,047
Sacrifice
To become truly great, sacrifices must be made.

This is true not only in Rugby League, but life in general. A good parent is often one who sacrifices her own desires for those of her child. A good lover is one who puts their partner’s needs foremost. A good friend is one who will always be there for you, despite what’s going on in their own life.

However the sacrifices of which I speak are not always this abstract. In any professional career today, employees are having to sacrifice relationships, spare time, and other aspects of personal freedom – just to ensure success in their field. Professional Rugby League players are no different.

With the intense scrutiny placed upon players by the media, anonymity has largely fallen by the wayside, and taken privacy with it. In addition, the rise of social media has seen increased accessibility between players and the general public – which has further heightened pressure.

Throughout the week a player trains, often twice a day, putting in long hours of discipline and dedication, in strive of their goals. Sure, most people work long hours – but come 5pm, they can switch off, head home and forget about work. Not so for a professional Rugby League player. Sure, they can head home – but even then, every aspect of their life takes their career into account. From the food they eat, to the amount of sleep they get – their life is planned, micromanaged, and meticulous.

And if the job gets you down? Wears you down with stress, twists your stomach into knots regarding the week just gone? What better way to deal with it than to have a night on the town with your mates. An average person, working an average job, on an average Friday night, can go out and have a few beers without giving it a second thought. Not so for a young kid playing in a Toyota Cup side. No, this is just one of many sacrifices the poor kid must make.

For starters, beers are off limits. Too many calories. Night clubs are off limits. Too much potential for trouble. Womanising is off limits. Again, too much potential for trouble. Then, of course, there’s the fact that the kid has to get up for training at 7am the next morning. Doesn’t leave a lot of time for socialising. Leaves a pretty bland weekend to be enjoyed, right?

But it’s not even the day to day life that is the biggest sacrifice. There is, of course, the sacrifice of quality of life after football. Considering the fact that, for the past decade at least, Rugby League has been considered a professional career, the number of players with skills stretching beyond the field has been minimal. Sure, some players may have a TAFE qualification or something similar, but a large number of players are retiring from Rugby League without a fall back career. With these players being in their late twenties or early thirties, apprenticeships are not easy to come by either. Kids are cheaper.

Then there’s the consideration of footballing injuries plaguing the players in later life. Ten years in first grade can wreak havoc on even the strongest knees, ankles and shoulders, and it’s not uncommon to see retired players still hobbling, years after they have retired. Every tackle, every hitup, every step is a potential career ending injury, and every player is making that gamble. Glory now, versus potentially sacrificing the ability to enjoy their life pain free after retirement.

When you really think about it, getting paid $200,000 is little comfort, considering the risks that are taken.

And yet these sacrifices continue to be made. Why? Personal glory, personal motivation and a sense of mateship.

“Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to.”
 
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joshie

Live Update Team
Messages
3,115
Joshie gets the ball in the 11th Hour rush!

The Melbourne Storm history book!

This is a set of poems that sets out the Melbourne Storm’s history! From their humble beginnings to what they are today, you will find it all here in this creative piece of writing. Who knows, maybe I will start a series.

The year was 1998 and the Storm were ready,
fierce in battle, Lazarus was steady,
from nothing to something they had begun,
pride of a city, not one person would shun!
They finished third place, they looked great,
on their way to conquer, the top eight!
They would eventually fall, but not without fight,
But the warning was sounded, Storm ignite.

The second year beckoned, it was to kick off,
where would they finish, two points they would scoff,
They climbed and climbed and climbed some more,
until they heard the hooter, in front on the score!
But the lead up was nothing to look past,
the all-conquering storm, it was fast!
The Mundine’s, the Blacklock’s all wept,
as the premiership glory, this one we kept!

Coming off the wave of success,
fans stood in force, no more, no less!
They marched their way around another winter,
but this year, the campaign was splintered.
They managed to regroup and survive,
But another title, was not to arrive.

2001, a year of terror,
even for our coach, in this new era!
He tried his heart out, along with the boys,
But Mark Murray was the one with Poise.
They missed the finals, but not by far,
off to the off season, get in the car.

The next season, it was no better,
it was like the Storm, had lost their capital letter,
They could not and would not give up,
but their season ended, way too abrupt.

The new season, started a new era,
The begging of the storm, and their terror!
The Slater, the smith and the coach,
all arrived for a new hope!
The season was wonderful, it was grand,
Players pouring their soul into that sand,
They returned to the finals, they made it a treat,
But they just couldn’t handle the September heat.

The Storm were competitive, they truly were,
but fall they did, the finals a blur!
From finishing well, to a sickening thud,
season 2004, ended in mud!

2005 was a bitter pill to sollow,
the boys from the far north made us hollow,
not once but twice in three weeks,
did they determine the outcome, it was bleak!
The measures that the players went through,
just to fall down and become unglue!

But the future was bright, it held something great,
but this the beginning, of a great debate.
2006 was a great year, truly exciting,
first Sunday in October, cameras, lighting,
we made our second grand finale,
oh boy, the feeling was gnarle,
but the Broncos got us, they beat us down,
and with that brought tears and frown!

2007 was the perfect year for the perfect Storm,
like a castle being won, they blew the horn,
of triumph, success and pure class,
along the way, we had a blast!
No one could stop us, not even manly,
we are no Anaheim ducks, but this was our Stanley!

2008 is one we don’t speak,
in fact, it was pretty bleak.

2009 was a fine season,
shooting the Hayne Plane down, was the reason!
He soared, he conquered and he divided,
but the Storm was something he could not survive!
The big man we call GI slotted the field goal,
the 2008 was no longer a pot hole!

2010 it was strange and weird,
we begun as usual, we were feared!
But then Mr. Gallop took the board room,
and issued his warning of doom and gloom!
They took it all, everything they had won,
it was as if we were hostage, duress the gun!

2011 we climbed back to the top,
only our nemesis would bring us to stop!
It was seen as success, a return to the top,
but still the Storm, wait to go pop!
 

Hallatia

Referee
Messages
26,433
4v1. I think it's pretty safe to say we have it, not that RCB's effort wasn't fantastic.
 

jamesgould

Juniors
Messages
1,466
Tough luck Russell Crowe's Band, that's never a good feeling when you're the only team member who posts. :(
 

Monk

Referee
Messages
21,347
That's a shame, but kudos to you for submitting RCB. It's a killer article too.
 

madunit

Super Moderator
Staff member
Messages
62,358
WARRIORS - 83

Russell Crowe’s Band – Israel Folau – Legend of the Realms of Fantasy – 83 (750 words)
A look at a flukish finding in the fantasy league back in 2007, that turned to be more than just that, but the birth of a test star. A few spelling errors affected your score.

NINJAS - 336

edabomb – The ‘New Zealand’ Warriors – 85 (718 words)
An interesting look back at the Warriors name change and how little the team promotes Rugby League outside of Auckland. I felt though that the article needed something more to finish with, maybe more about the NRL bid for a second NRL team in New Zealand. Still a very well-researched piece and raises a pertinent issue overlooked by a lot of league fans.

jamesgould – Rebuilding – 87 (749 words)
A very level headed and sensible look at the pressures facing modern coaches who are new arrivals at their respective clubs. Very well written piece indeed.

CobyDelaney – Sacrifice – 82 (87-5 pts for low word count) (642 words)
A good article reminding us all exactly why players demand such high salaries and that possibly, those salaries are enough to reimburse them for the sacrifices they make just to play in the NRL.

Joshie – The Melbourne Storm History Book – 82 (671 words)
Poetry is a complicated beast to achieve in this competition, given how long the piece has to be. While your effort was commendable and valiant, sadly for me, there were some confusing turns of phrase which didn’t quite make sense and seemed to be there purely to rhyme. Possibly a few edits and re-reads would have improved this article quite a bit. Still, adventurous writing is not something to be locked away, but mastered.

Ninjas win 336-83

Player Of The Match – jamesgould (Ninjas)
 

edabomb

First Grade
Messages
7,088
Thanks for the marks and comments madunit, always appreciated :)

Well done Ninjas and JG on the MOTM. Great to be heading into the back end of the competition with some form on the board.

Bad luck Rusty - a quality article that deserved some support. I hope 30 Odd Foot of Grunts show up to your next match to give you a hand.
 

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