a supporter of the Sharks 70's jersey & thanks the Peach ...........
Finals thoughts
We're down to six teams after the first weekend of the playoffs and here are a few thoughts and observations.
Despite the weekend's results, I reckon the two clashes for this week are even-money bets. I don't think the Storm or the Tigers can be overly confident that they will beat the Cowboys and Broncos respectively.
The Dragons still shade the Eels for mine in premiership favouritism. Parramatta's scoreline against Manly looked more impressive than the Dragons win over Cronulla, but I don't think they had to work anywhere near as hard against an opposition that lost its way within the first five to 10 minutes.
It'll be a tough call, but don't be surprised if the Dragons relegate fullback Clint Greenshields from their squad in two week's time. If Ben Creagh is fit I'd be slotting him into the forwards, switching Shaun Timmins to five-eighth and Ben Hornby to fullback.
I wrote about it last week, but if a player like Dean Young hasn't edged ahead of some of the Test players named in the Kangaroos Tri Nations squad, then Wayne Bennett and the selectors should resign. Reward players for their form this year, rather than staying loyal to blokes who did the job almost 12 months ago.
Despite missing out on State of Origin this year, I would have Tim Mander as favourite to referee the Grand Final.
I admire greatly the way the Sharks went about their work against the Dragons. What I also like are their traditional jumpers. It's a far better strip than any they've had for the last decade.
And finally, I believe that down the track the NRL should explore a home and away system for future finals between interstate teams. I'd propose a system similar to what operates in the Davis Cup. Every time Australia is drawn to play the USA for example, they alternate on which country hosts the tie.
The same arrangement could be made for Broncos vs Cowboys matches, or Storm vs Cowboys as we have this weekend. Keep the homeground semis for the top four teams in the first week, but if the Broncos are due to play the Cowboys in week two or three, let them operate an alternating system.
In 2004 their clash was played in Townsville. If they next meet in 2007, make it at Suncorp. The time after that, whenever it may be, would see Townsville as the host venue. It's a commonsense approach.
A great league event
How good was it getting up early to watch the Andrew Johns debut for Warrington on Sunday morning!
It was a throwback to the years of the old Kangaroo tours when you'd tune in to see Australia versus one of the British club sides.
The atmosphere was fantastic, and Johns' performance typically up to the occasion.
I can't help but think that just that one game has planted a seed in Andrew's head to aim at having a full year over there to finish his career in three years time.
Farewell to a great entertainer
And while the British fans revel in getting to see Andrew Johns in their competition, I think they're going to enjoy the appearance of David Peachey next season as well.
It's been a joy to watch the Peach do his stuff for Cronulla over the last dozen years. A true entertainer of our game.
I wish David well ... and thanks for the memories.
Central Coast question mark
I know this brings another sport into a rugby league column, but my long-held doubts about the Central Coast having its own team in a national competition remain strong in light of the A-League's first six weeks.
The Central Coast Mariners won the pre-season title, yet three weeks into the main competition are only drawing little over 6000 fans to their matches. Question marks over the financial viability of the new club were raised even before kick-off to the season.
I don't doubt that league would do better than soccer, but I have never believed an NRL team based on the Central Coast would be a surefire success.
Finals thoughts
We're down to six teams after the first weekend of the playoffs and here are a few thoughts and observations.
Despite the weekend's results, I reckon the two clashes for this week are even-money bets. I don't think the Storm or the Tigers can be overly confident that they will beat the Cowboys and Broncos respectively.
The Dragons still shade the Eels for mine in premiership favouritism. Parramatta's scoreline against Manly looked more impressive than the Dragons win over Cronulla, but I don't think they had to work anywhere near as hard against an opposition that lost its way within the first five to 10 minutes.
It'll be a tough call, but don't be surprised if the Dragons relegate fullback Clint Greenshields from their squad in two week's time. If Ben Creagh is fit I'd be slotting him into the forwards, switching Shaun Timmins to five-eighth and Ben Hornby to fullback.
I wrote about it last week, but if a player like Dean Young hasn't edged ahead of some of the Test players named in the Kangaroos Tri Nations squad, then Wayne Bennett and the selectors should resign. Reward players for their form this year, rather than staying loyal to blokes who did the job almost 12 months ago.
Despite missing out on State of Origin this year, I would have Tim Mander as favourite to referee the Grand Final.
I admire greatly the way the Sharks went about their work against the Dragons. What I also like are their traditional jumpers. It's a far better strip than any they've had for the last decade.
And finally, I believe that down the track the NRL should explore a home and away system for future finals between interstate teams. I'd propose a system similar to what operates in the Davis Cup. Every time Australia is drawn to play the USA for example, they alternate on which country hosts the tie.
The same arrangement could be made for Broncos vs Cowboys matches, or Storm vs Cowboys as we have this weekend. Keep the homeground semis for the top four teams in the first week, but if the Broncos are due to play the Cowboys in week two or three, let them operate an alternating system.
In 2004 their clash was played in Townsville. If they next meet in 2007, make it at Suncorp. The time after that, whenever it may be, would see Townsville as the host venue. It's a commonsense approach.
A great league event
How good was it getting up early to watch the Andrew Johns debut for Warrington on Sunday morning!
It was a throwback to the years of the old Kangaroo tours when you'd tune in to see Australia versus one of the British club sides.
The atmosphere was fantastic, and Johns' performance typically up to the occasion.
I can't help but think that just that one game has planted a seed in Andrew's head to aim at having a full year over there to finish his career in three years time.
Farewell to a great entertainer
And while the British fans revel in getting to see Andrew Johns in their competition, I think they're going to enjoy the appearance of David Peachey next season as well.
It's been a joy to watch the Peach do his stuff for Cronulla over the last dozen years. A true entertainer of our game.
I wish David well ... and thanks for the memories.
Central Coast question mark
I know this brings another sport into a rugby league column, but my long-held doubts about the Central Coast having its own team in a national competition remain strong in light of the A-League's first six weeks.
The Central Coast Mariners won the pre-season title, yet three weeks into the main competition are only drawing little over 6000 fans to their matches. Question marks over the financial viability of the new club were raised even before kick-off to the season.
I don't doubt that league would do better than soccer, but I have never believed an NRL team based on the Central Coast would be a surefire success.
I will continue to monitor the Mariners' progress with great interest, as I'm sure the NRL will.
