Gameday - Warriors v Tigers

[Manu Vatuvei]

I can't cop Brad Thorn at all for reasons which I feel should be obvious, but I've come to terms with being perhaps the only person on Earth who feels this way (well me and Matthew Ridge maybe)

I also feel like his league career has been retrospectively pumped up beyond what it actually was

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yeah, I pointed out in another thread, that as someone who grew up playing and loving both sports (and gets annoyed with the shitfighting), I thought Thorn's explanations of how each sport was tough in it's own way were great (and should really be required viewing for fans of either sport who put down the other sport).

It's a bit harder for me to be attached to his league career considering he's an Origin and Kangaroo guy.

Yea man was good to hear someone being respectful of both codes.

Especially with his background... legitimately (no 'token' caps) played both at the highest level, and mixed it in the trenches.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I can't cop Brad Thorn at all for reasons which I feel should be obvious, but I've come to terms with being perhaps the only person on Earth who feels this way (well me and Matthew Ridge maybe)

I also feel like his league career has been retrospectively pumped up beyond what it actually was

Weirdly, I just recently stumbled across an old doco that followed Ridge around during his switch to Manly. Pretty cool remembering those days.

But what does he have against Thorn though?

 

[Big Marn]

Weirdly, I just recently stumbled across an old doco that followed Ridge around during his switch to Manly. Pretty cool remembering those days.

But what does he have against Thorn though?

according to AI:

Matthew Ridge's notable friction with Brad Thorn stems from:

Thorn's decision to play for Australia instead of New Zealand early in his career.

While both were high-profile "cross-code" athletes, their career paths and national loyalties created significant tension:

• National Allegiance: Despite being born in New Zealand, Thorn moved to Australia as a child and chose to play for the Australian Kangaroos in 1997. Ridge, then the captain of the New Zealand Kiwis, was reportedly "gobsmacked" and "mercilessly sledged" Thorn for this choice, particularly because Thorn had publicly expressed a childhood dream of becoming an All Black.
• The "Traitor" Narrative: At the time, Ridge was a staunch advocate for New Zealand rugby league. He viewed Thorn's decision to represent Australia as a slight to his heritage.
• Professional Irony: The "grudge" or rivalry was later marked by irony; while Ridge ridiculed Thorn for his All Black aspirations, Thorn eventually returned to New Zealand in 2003 and achieved legendary status as an All Black, winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Weirdly, I just recently stumbled across an old doco that followed Ridge around during his switch to Manly. Pretty cool remembering those days.

But what does he have against Thorn though?

Great doco, Lowe getting him down on his knees and having Toovey and 1 other flog him for a minute to show the group he has some toughness

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Great doco, Lowe getting him down on his knees and having Toovey and 1 other flog him for a minute to show the group he has some toughness

Yep loved it... think the other dude might've been Owen Cunningham? But yea, proper old school stuff. Good watch.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

according to AI:

Matthew Ridge's notable friction with Brad Thorn stems from:

Thorn's decision to play for Australia instead of New Zealand early in his career.

While both were high-profile "cross-code" athletes, their career paths and national loyalties created significant tension:

• National Allegiance: Despite being born in New Zealand, Thorn moved to Australia as a child and chose to play for the Australian Kangaroos in 1997. Ridge, then the captain of the New Zealand Kiwis, was reportedly "gobsmacked" and "mercilessly sledged" Thorn for this choice, particularly because Thorn had publicly expressed a childhood dream of becoming an All Black.
• The "Traitor" Narrative: At the time, Ridge was a staunch advocate for New Zealand rugby league. He viewed Thorn's decision to represent Australia as a slight to his heritage.
• Professional Irony: The "grudge" or rivalry was later marked by irony; while Ridge ridiculed Thorn for his All Black aspirations, Thorn eventually returned to New Zealand in 2003 and achieved legendary status as an All Black, winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011

Ah ok, I think I might remember that.. there's a story I remember of someone screaming at his teammates during a game to smash the wannabe All Black.. was that Ridgey on Thorn? Or someone else?

 

[Matua]

Weirdly, I just recently stumbled across an old doco that followed Ridge around during his switch to Manly. Pretty cool remembering those days.

But what does he have against Thorn though?

I remember when the doc came out there were articles talking about some Manly people who thought JK was coming too because him and Ric Salizzo were making the doco.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I remember when the doc came out there were articles talking about some Manly people who thought JK was coming too because him and Ric Salizzo were making the doco.

Hilarious that ZinZan Brooke had also signed, but pulled out when he thought Ridge was getting paid more than him lol

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

But what does he have against Thorn though?

The bloke is an avowed Kiwi who wanted to play for the Kangaroos and the ABs. Even went back to league after being an All Black and became Australian again. How he gets a pass for that from 99% of Kiwis is beyond my comprehension. To me he’s a weirdo.

 

[Matua]

Hilarious that ZinZan Brooke had also signed, but pulled out when he thought Ridge was getting paid more than him lol

Ridge tells that story but it's not true, Zinny just decided he didn't want to play league. He discusses it in his book.

Kind of sucks he didn't because I'd have loved to see him playing league, but then we wouldn't have got his 90s AB career.