Experts unable to predict results

[Hoppy]

I'm a Sharks supporter, but fair dinkum, this topic relates to all teams in the competition. Of course no-one can predict the result of a game of rugby leaugue comprehensively, but the so called 'Experts' don't give themselves any credibility when they write off teams, or alternately, pump up teams as unbeatable. They should stick to giving 'their opinion' that one team is more likely to when a game than another, a free choice! But saying things such as writen in last weeks RLW, by 'Experts' Tony Adams, Matt Logue, Joel Gould and Steve Mascord's as "Expert Predictions" leave them with egg on their face. As with the Sharks, numerous 'Experts' said they would come 15th or 16th at the start of the year. They are currently 5th. Last weeks RLW 'Experts' said the Dragons and Titans would continue winning and the Sharks wouldn't win another game. Far from the truth. IMO the 'Experts', if they wish to use that title, should shed their bias opinion and realise that in this competition, any team can beat any other, on their day, and as in the Sharks case, a narrow loss to St George and Penrith, and a draw against the Roosters, did not mean the Sharks could not win again in 2012, it was purely three oponents that played well on that day, with a few other side issues that may have helped them a little. Stick to being fair 'Experts' and I assure you your credibility will be far greater and respected with the majority of readers. What's everyones thoughts ?

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Liberally administer a grain of salt after reading each article.

They're journos or players/ex players who are paid to have an opinion and appear controversial. I gets people talking and gains hits on websites - and that's their aim.

 

[applesauce]

Starting to go down the 'SportsCenter' avenue of sports journalism, whereby a player, team or coach are dead in the water or the new messiah based on one or two games in a whole season.

Twitter has a lot to answer for.

 

[shaggs]

What about the margins. This week was 1.7 million jackpot. Surely with the results this weekend, that will jump again.

 

[Jason Maher]

I noticed you left out the flogging at the hands of the Raiders (not that I blame a Sharks fan for blocking that game out of their mind). Really, the fact Cronulla lost 36-4 to Canberra at Shark Park, then a fortnight later turned around and spanked the Warriors 45-4 in New Zealand is the ultimate proof of your point: Rugby League results are impossible to predict. The best thing would be if these experts put their money where their mouth/pen is and bet according to their bold predictions. I wonder how many would be good enough to overcome the bookies' margin and make a long term profit? Not many, I'd wager (pun intended).

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Starting to go down the 'SportsCenter' avenue of sports journalism, whereby a player, team or coach are dead in the water or the new messiah based on one or two games in a whole season.

The problem (especially with ESPN) is that they have the story first and then use a bunch of intangible evidence to back it up. You can't dispute "Player X wanted it more", or "Team Y didn't have enough heart/wasn't aggressive enough" with facts. There's enough "analysis" that the casual fan can repeat it to another and sound informed. See Bill Simmons.

Same thing here, story is Sharks are going to lose this weekend. Why? Because they lost last week and looked terrible. It's easy to write them off and say next week that who would have predicted them to win on current form and most people will agree.

It's not bias, it's just laziness.

Twitter has a lot to answer for.

Has nothing to do with twitter, as said above has more to do with writers being ex-players and taking the lazy way with an easy narrative. You can't get any easier than "bad team is bad".

 

[M2D2]

I cringe when anybody blames social media for lazy journalists, let alone when douchy female swimmers blame it for not getting gold.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Steve Mascord on Phil Rothfield "He just wants to be relevant. But he's not a f**king journo"

 

[Hoppy]

I noticed you left out the flogging at the hands of the Raiders (not that I blame a Sharks fan for blocking that game out of their mind). Really, the fact Cronulla lost 36-4 to Canberra at Shark Park, then a fortnight later turned around and spanked the Warriors 45-4 in New Zealand is the ultimate proof of your point: Rugby League results are impossible to predict. The best thing would be if these experts put their money where their mouth/pen is and bet according to their bold predictions. I wonder how many would be good enough to overcome the bookies' margin and make a long term profit? Not many, I'd wager (pun intended).

Yeah Jason, that Raiders game was definately not worth a mention. Amazing a crap game pops up here and there, for even the most reliable sides, like the Storm etc !

 

[snoozer]

the sharks predictions made me laugh.
through most of our recent bad run we were down up to 5 regular starters(we haven't had gal from the start of origin). sure the canberra game was a bad result but the rest we were competitive in and were dudded by the ref against penrith.

still waiting on wade g and bryce gibbs (who would get a gig in most sides i think.) and the enigmatic pommeroy.

at full strength and playing like we did yesterday we can beat anyone.

i don't know if the journos read past the last 5 results column when they make up their predictions.

honestly i read far more informed opinion on here than in papers.

 

[CC_Roosters]

I notice they back whoever the tab tells them are favourites