Patrick Smith : Rugby League a sick code

[JW]

I sent one after his "Rugby League is on the nose" rubbish.

I made it lengthy and attempted to make it credible (ie. no abuse :lol: ).

He gave no reply.

And I'm tipping no-one else got one either.

He's a cat.

Cheers.

 

[DIEHARD]

Should also send copies to the editor of the newspaper. Otherwise he will just delete them and nothing will come of it.

 

[t-ba]

Didn't get a reply.

 

[JJ]

Whether you like it or not, he 100% right about our code (let's forget AFL for a second) people at the top are loath to make the hard decisions.

Case in point if taking a mobile phone into Origin camp is a sackable offense (they have said it is) why was Anthony Minichiello not sacked immediately yesterday. He should have been gone before Gasnier.

Eight players have broken Origin rules yet 2 find themselves out and the rest in. The whole lot of them should have been sacked. One in all in, in my book.
Willie Mason is a prime example of someone who continually does stupid irresponsible things but other than a fine here and there, he has not really been punished properly.

I have no sympathy for Minichiello actually I am disappointed in him not because he took his phone to camp, that was stupid. But because he stood there and lied to 2 people that went into bat for him and then had them defend him publicly and he also had his fans defending him whilst deep down he knew he was lying.

Every player as well as the security guard assigned to the team and Geoff Carr have to held responsible and all of em should have been sacked.

Couldn't agree more. The original article is a good one. And as many have pointed out, the players and the culture are what's doing the damage. They need some education, they are stupid and young, and think they're pretty special - which clearly they are not, and obviously in many cases their continued behaviour leads me to believe they are poorly socialised morons.

People will turn away from the game if this continues - good luck to Gallop on sorting it out. What league does have though, is a super on field product. Perhaps it's time to start removing people from the game for their conduct - there are plenty of talented players around

 

[JJ]

Not being an Australian, I don't entirely understand this AFR vs league thing you have going on, and am not knowledgeable on the AFL's problems.

But, to take the article as league bashing by an AFL person is naive - the problems are real, and unpleasant - irrespective of what goes on in any other sports (clearly, many sports have problems). If you think there is not a problem with the players, and the culture more generally, or think that the response to any criticism is to say "well it's just as bad in AFL", then, respectfully, you are part of the problem rather than the solution.

The culture has to change - end of story - AFL problems are for AFL to sort out, and the same with union etc. Warren Ryan gave a great interview on radio in NZ the other day - the full-time professional era has created new problems, and they haven't been addressed. Sorry, but Knightmare's letter might incite some feelings of vindication for you and your "attacked sport", but it reads as defensive and a bit sad really.

If Smith's article was an AFL person taking cheap shots at league - then I understand the frustration. BUT - there are huge problems in league, the attitudes of the players and many club officials (Gould even said his first response was to believe and support his players). In many cases, these guys have dispicable attitudes towards women in particular, and anyone outside of their "illustrious" group. I love watching league, and repect their atheletic ability - but, in reality they are not people to be looked up to, they have been irresponsible, immature, believe that different social/moral/professional standards apply to them, and are clearly very stupid in many cases. Fortunately, many players don't fall into that category, but all are tarred by the lowest common denominator.

 

[t-ba]

If Smith's article was an AFL person taking cheap shots at league - then I understand the frustration

You're right on most counts. But Patrick Smith is and AFL person taking cheap shots at the code, and that's what most people are so frustrated about.

 

[DIEHARD]

It's his one eyed bias against our code. Targeting our code when his beloved code are just as quilty even more so. That is what riles us.

 

[JW]

But, to take the article as league bashing by an AFL person is naive

I disagree.

He writes about our sport only when controversy arises. He has nothing to do with Rugby League, doesn't follow Rugby League and couldn't care less about Rugby League.

His areas of expertise is AFL and Cricket, though he speaks his opinion like it is some sort of gospel when something negative arises in our sport.

It is personal belief, preference and agenda, rather than good informed journalism when this slob puts pen to paper about our game and its community.

His major downfall is that he paints everyone with the same brush.

He is a souless fool, much the way in which he describes us.

Cheers.

 

[greeneyed]

This guy is biased and attacks our sport while giving his own a free ride, when the problems are pretty much the same. That is the issue.