General Discussion Thread

[The_Frog]

RLPA boss Clint Newton has previously taken the case to the NRL.

Newton revealed he spoke to former Todd Greenberg and NRL awards manager Frank Puletua about Gower’s case last year and again at the beginning of this season.

If it were up to Frank Puletua I'm absolutely certain Gowie would have got his award post haste. Greenberg would have been the roadblock for sure. But now with him safely consigned to the shitcan of history, it is time for Mr CanDo Vlandys to get this done.

 

[Jane Murray]

The National Rugby League (NRL) has completed an investigation into allegations of abuse directed toward a Penrith Panthers player during a match against the New Zealand Warriors on 14 August at Central Coast Stadium.

As part of the outcomes of the investigation the NRL facilitated a conversation between Panthers player Brent Naden and a representative of a number of individuals in which apologies were offered and accepted for verbal abuse directed at Naden during the match.

After the conversation, the Integrity Unit and NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo consulted with Naden, The Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) and community partners to determine an appropriate course of action. Together with the meeting and apology, a program of education will be offered to the persons involved concerning respect for players and the effect that abuse can have on our participants.

Mr Abdo thanked Naden for his involvement in the process.

“The game will not tolerate any form of abuse against our players - be it physical, verbal or online trolling. I commend Brent Naden for taking a strong stand on this matter and the way in which he has conducted himself throughout the process,’’ he said.

“I’m pleased Brent had the opportunity to share how he feels and I’m pleased that an apology has been made and accepted.”

 

[Kilkenny]

If it were up to Frank Puletua I'm absolutely certain Gowie would have got his award post haste. Greenberg would have been the roadblock for sure. But now with him safely consigned to the shitcan of history, it is time for Mr CanDo Vlandys to get this done.

Just on the Craig Gower Dally M I so hope he gets presented with his just reward not this Covid Season when it will be virtual, but next season when hopefully things are back to normal.

He deserves to be presented with his just reward in a full house at Star City or perhaps James Packers new Barangaroo Casino. Either way he deserves it in a full house and not some ‘facetime’ environment or whatever they use they days.

 

[franklin2323]

Thoughts on the new rule trials?

I like they are trying stuff. Not sure all are good but we will see

 

[Jane Murray]

Thoughts on the new rule trials?

I like they are trying stuff. Not sure all are good but we will see

The six again, and the quicker play the balls, suits us just fine. I hope they are kept.

 

[franklin2323]

That Canberra team wow. They basically gave everyone in the bubble a run

 

[WestyLife]

That Canberra team wow. They basically gave everyone in the bubble a run

Good on them. These guys gave up a lot.

 

[Tronald Crump]

That Canberra team wow. They basically gave everyone in the bubble a run

They have ulterior motives. They will likely play the Sharks in week 1 of the finals.

 

[franklin2323]

Good on them. These guys gave up a lot.

Yeah it is good to see

 

[franklin2323]

They have ulterior motives. They will likely play the Sharks in week 1 of the finals.

Also had a chance of Top 4

 

[Jane Murray]

Experts' view: Who's coach of the year?
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Wed 23 Sep 2020, 11:01 AM
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It is never easy being a coach in the NRL, but 2020 has provided challenges like never before.

The COVID-19 shutdown and restart, life in varying degrees of "bubbles" and the week-to-week grind of chasing wins has increased the number of grey hairs or led to more of it falling out over the past eight months.

So, after all that, which coach has done the best job in 2020?

The experts at NRL.com have had their say, with a pair of coaches whose teams won't feature in the final deservedly among those worthy of praise.

Experts' view
Jamie Soward (former Blues five-eighth)
Justin Holbrook has been so good in his first year as coach but for me, Craig Bellamy is again the coach of the year. He always gets the best out of his players and after the COVID-19 stoppage he changed his team's game in order to compete for a championship.

Broncos looking to send Darius out on a high


Broncos looking to send Darius out on a high

Steve Renouf (Maroons legend)
My pick is Todd Payten. With all the adversity that group of players and coaching staff have been through (which has been epic), I think he has shown what it takes to be a successful NRL coach.

Alicia Newton (NRL.com reporter)
Trent Robinson. Yes, the Roosters have a lot of talent, but the manner in which he has been able to continually challenge his team to get better and not allow complacency to creep in is impressive. No side has won three comps in a row since 1981-83. That mark could be eclipsed over the coming five weeks.

The Incomparables


The Incomparables

Paul Suttor (NRL.com editor)
Adam O'Brien has done a stellar job in his rookie year as a first-grade coach, turning the Knights from a rabble into a finals team. They have had their share of injuries, especially in the hooking role, and squad turnover but he's kept them rising up the ladder despite the uncertainty.

Mary Konstantopoulos (Ladies Who League)
There has been no coach with a tougher job than Todd Payten. After inheriting a roster mid-way through the year that was facing unique challenges, the Warriors came close to a fairytale top-eight finish. Payten has led the club with kindness and got the best out of a team many expected very little from.

 

[WestyLife]

Experts' view: Who's coach of the year?
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Wed 23 Sep 2020, 11:01 AM
Share on social media

• Share via Facebook
• Share via Twitter
• Share via Reddit
• Share via Email

It is never easy being a coach in the NRL, but 2020 has provided challenges like never before.

The COVID-19 shutdown and restart, life in varying degrees of "bubbles" and the week-to-week grind of chasing wins has increased the number of grey hairs or led to more of it falling out over the past eight months.

So, after all that, which coach has done the best job in 2020?

The experts at NRL.com have had their say, with a pair of coaches whose teams won't feature in the final deservedly among those worthy of praise.

Experts' view
Jamie Soward (former Blues five-eighth)
Justin Holbrook has been so good in his first year as coach but for me, Craig Bellamy is again the coach of the year. He always gets the best out of his players and after the COVID-19 stoppage he changed his team's game in order to compete for a championship.

Broncos looking to send Darius out on a high


Broncos looking to send Darius out on a high

Steve Renouf (Maroons legend)
My pick is Todd Payten. With all the adversity that group of players and coaching staff have been through (which has been epic), I think he has shown what it takes to be a successful NRL coach.

Alicia Newton (NRL.com reporter)
Trent Robinson. Yes, the Roosters have a lot of talent, but the manner in which he has been able to continually challenge his team to get better and not allow complacency to creep in is impressive. No side has won three comps in a row since 1981-83. That mark could be eclipsed over the coming five weeks.

The Incomparables


The Incomparables

Paul Suttor (NRL.com editor)
Adam O'Brien has done a stellar job in his rookie year as a first-grade coach, turning the Knights from a rabble into a finals team. They have had their share of injuries, especially in the hooking role, and squad turnover but he's kept them rising up the ladder despite the uncertainty.

Mary Konstantopoulos (Ladies Who League)
There has been no coach with a tougher job than Todd Payten. After inheriting a roster mid-way through the year that was facing unique challenges, the Warriors came close to a fairytale top-eight finish. Payten has led the club with kindness and got the best out of a team many expected very little from.

If anyone's answer is anything but Holbrook they are objectively wrong.

 

[Jane Murray]

If anyone's answer is anything but Holbrook they are objectively wrong.

I agree, with Ivan second.

 

[franklin2323]

If anyone's answer is anything but Holbrook they are objectively wrong.

Did they exceed expectations though?

 

[panthersam]

To me it should be Ivan first and daylight second, the fact that he hasn’t even been mentioned as any of those so called experts second choice let alone first is so laughable

 

[mxlegend99]

How the f**k has Bellamy or Robinson done anything to beat Ivan this year? Without a doubt both are better coaches. But Ivan is easily coach of the year.

No one tipped Panthers to finish top 4. Hell we were mostly tipped to be a fringe top 8 side. We beat all other top 4 teams to win the minor premiership and lose only one game along the way.

Roosters and Storm are full of rep players and/or grand final winners. Our team is a bunch of kids developed through our system punching well and truly above their weight. Our roster is not close to the best yet they finished first.

 

[Jane Murray]

Thoughts on the new rule trials?

I like they are trying stuff. Not sure all are good but we will see

What's your thought on this proposal?

The NRL could look very different next year if they approve Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy’s idea to revamp the finals series.

Donaghy has taken inspiration from the NFL and suggests that the NRL should incorporate a wildcard weekend.

“I think reassessing the merits of a wildcard weekend makes sense for a league who’s shown themselves to be really progressive,” Donaghy told The Daily Telegraph.

“This is a great opportunity to learn and to improve, if we feel it is in the best interests of the game.

“I feel in this case there’s merit in seeing how we can improve on what’s in front of us this weekend.”

If the wildcard round were to take place this weekend it would see South Sydney (7th) take on Wests Tigers (10th) and Sharks (8th) take on ninth place Gold Coast Titans, instead of the league heading into their 20th round.

It could also give Manly (11th), New Zealand Warriors (12th), and St George Illawarra Dragons (13th) a chance to play in the supposed wildcard round but they would rely on results to go their way.

Donaghy said it will prolong the interest in the sport nearing the final stages of the season.

“It just keeps fans engaged longer and you have less dead-rubbers,” he said.

 

[Smug Panther]

What's your thought on this proposal?

The NRL could look very different next year if they approve Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy’s idea to revamp the finals series.

Donaghy has taken inspiration from the NFL and suggests that the NRL should incorporate a wildcard weekend.

“I think reassessing the merits of a wildcard weekend makes sense for a league who’s shown themselves to be really progressive,” Donaghy told The Daily Telegraph.

“This is a great opportunity to learn and to improve, if we feel it is in the best interests of the game.

“I feel in this case there’s merit in seeing how we can improve on what’s in front of us this weekend.”

If the wildcard round were to take place this weekend it would see South Sydney (7th) take on Wests Tigers (10th) and Sharks (8th) take on ninth place Gold Coast Titans, instead of the league heading into their 20th round.

It could also give Manly (11th), New Zealand Warriors (12th), and St George Illawarra Dragons (13th) a chance to play in the supposed wildcard round but they would rely on results to go their way.

Donaghy said it will prolong the interest in the sport nearing the final stages of the season.

“It just keeps fans engaged longer and you have less dead-rubbers,” he said.

f**k no

 

[franklin2323]

Should be less teams in the finals not more

 

[franklin2323]

How the f**k has Bellamy or Robinson done anything to beat Ivan this year? Without a doubt both are better coaches. But Ivan is easily coach of the year.

No one tipped Panthers to finish top 4. Hell we were mostly tipped to be a fringe top 8 side. We beat all other top 4 teams to win the minor premiership and lose only one game along the way.

Roosters and Storm are full of rep players and/or grand final winners. Our team is a bunch of kids developed through our system punching well and truly above their weight. Our roster is not close to the best yet they finished first.

That is why I would go Ivan then Payten and daylight to the rest