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I'm convinced the referees are forced to favour the stronger teams on 50/50 calls and manufacture penalties to control the flow of the game. Allowing betting agencies to invest in the game gives the NRL a strong incentive to control the result and winning margin so the bookies don't lose a fortune.
I'd also question coaching depth. A really good coach like Bellamy can get amazing results out of journeyman players.
I agree on the coach issue
Yep, and that's the part that people overlook.
We have clubs signing assistants of Bellamy, presumably on the belief they'll bring his tactics and discipline with them and turn their teams into the Storm. Problem is he works longer hours than anyone else and is not content with winning. He wants perfection and cracks down hard on anyone who isn't improving their game or isn't following the script. He's a visionary who can change his game plan to suit the environment and is able to get players to play their role in the system. The assistants who serve under him lack the vision and drive needed to be one step ahead of the field. We've seen Kearney, Walters, O'Brien, Young and God knows how many other blokes get a role as a head coach after serving under Bellamy, but none of them have replicated his ability to turn mid-tier teams into the Storm. It's a culture thing and only special people like Bellamy and Bennett can pull it off. Players do things for Bellamy and Bennett that they wouldn't dream of doing for any other coach.
Exactly. It's the whole "plant grafting" idea - gardiners take a piece of a plant, plant it, grow a new plant.
Clubs need to realise that character is just as important as talent. A group of disciplined players who buy into the culture and give 100% for their team is the bare minimum for success.
You got it- How many times have we seen clubs with few superstars punch above their weight because that "team spirit" effectively becomes a 14th man on the field?
The best defensive teams communicate well and trust one another.
Todd Peyton is doing this at NQ. Defensively, Cowboys have improved in leaps and bounds and it's all due to attitude.
The Warriors made a huge mistake in losing Todd. He's gonna get great results at the Cowboys over the next few years.
COVID-19 has really hurt the Warriors. A few Magic Rounds should be played in New Zealand over the next five years. There's no point in having it in Brisbane anymore.
I think they've also been told to favour the Roosters going by all the leg ups they get.
I think its at a reasonable point now. Was ridiculous last year, like watching nines but not as close! You cant have 110kg blokes running around like its touch! The six agains are still totally random though it would seem. Bringing back the penalty kick has also helped the lessor teams I suspect to not get so blown away. Its a good equalizer for the ref to use lol.
Reality is if you went through a game and blew the whistle at every single indiscretion it would be unwatchable. and before you say it, no clubs wouldnt learn, as we saw withe the six agains and the head high farce last year.
