Please, anyone else in 2021

[Valheru]

Even if those measures come out eventually and the club goes through the shame of having their premierships stripped from them.

You keep holding your breath for that one mate.

 

[The_Frog]

I was just saying Bulldogs have a very big fanbase, but the last few years hasn't exactly been kind to them. I'm sure they'll be up there again.

Paying overs for players who could not get a start in first grade this year is not how they'll do it. Going for the quick fix is not how they'll do it.

 

[Valheru]

At least for those new to following the NRL, I’ve personally never understood the attraction of supporting clubs who essentially have a parasitical relationship with other clubs in terms of poaching off their local junior development.

But perhaps I’m simply stuck in the 80’s/90’s and talking out of my arse?

PJ, you're alive old chap.

The last sentence is the truth of it. There is no other major sporting competition in the world that I am aware of where there is still an obsession by part of the fan base about where players grew up and played as a child.

The LA dodgers just won the world series today, do you think they or anyone else gives two shits where their players come from? Their 2 best players are from Dallas and Tennessee.

 

[Pantherjim.]

PJ, you're alive old chap.

Lol! It was a grand final loss, not the end of the world. I seem to recall being able to pull myself together as a kid in 1990 after the loss to the Raiders, 30 years on I think I can handle this one.

The last sentence is the truth of it. There is no other major sporting competition in the world that I am aware of where there is still an obsession by part of the fan base about where players grew up and played as a child.

I wouldn’t call it an “obsession” but are you really trying to tell me that pride in the area/city/town which a sporting team represents is irrelevant in this day and age?

The LA dodgers just won the world series today, do you think they or anyone else gives two shits where their players come from? Their 2 best players are from Dallas and Tennessee.

I’m fairly certain that a large section of their fan base follow the Dodgers because they represent the city of LA and because of their own personal connection to the local area, irrespective of where some of their star players may come from.

 

[Zadar]

Even if those measures come out eventually and the club goes through the shame of having their premierships stripped from them.

how can it come out if they have done nothing wrong‍

Clubs like raiders,dogs,storm,parra,sharks and manly have embarrassed the game enough with their salary cap cheating in the past, let’s not criticise and falsely accuse well run football organisations because of jealousy.

 

[Nevan_]

PJ, you're alive old chap.

The last sentence is the truth of it. There is no other major sporting competition in the world that I am aware of where there is still an obsession by part of the fan base about where players grew up and played as a child.

The LA dodgers just won the world series today, do you think they or anyone else gives two shits where their players come from? Their 2 best players are from Dallas and Tennessee.

Rubbish. Politis will never be able to afford the history and respect of an organization such as Athletic Bilbao, who rarely sign players that aren't native to or descended from the Basque region. This policy didn't stop them from becoming one of the most successful teams in one of the world's most prestigious competitions.

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

GF TV ratings are in decline. I think people are sick of seeing the same teams win all the time. 14, 15 and 16 were exciting because they brought change.

 

[blue bags]

my 2022 GF prediction, roosters v storm

 

[AJB1102]

GF TV ratings are in decline. I think people are sick of seeing the same teams win all the time. 14, 15 and 16 were exciting because they brought change.

I really liked 2016!

Let's do 2016 again!

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

2015 showed people don't care if their city isn't represented, they just want to see something new.

Maybe the ARLC should make the GF a 3 game series?

If it brings extra revenue into the game from ticket sales and TV ratings then that's a good thing. It will give the game a chance to have one game in Sydney, the other in Brisbane, and the third, if required, in Sydney. Surely that's a good way of keeping fumbleball out of the news in Brisbane and Sydney.

 

[Pantherjim.]

I really liked 2016!

Let's do 2016 again!

I wonder how many chairs Bellamy kicked across the coach’s box during that one?

 

[BradParkerTheGoat]

my 2022 GF prediction, roosters v storm

 

[Legends]

At least for those new to following the NRL, I’ve personally never understood the attraction of supporting clubs who essentially have a parasitical relationship with other clubs in terms of poaching off their local junior development.

But perhaps I’m simply stuck in the 80’s/90’s and talking out of my arse?

Maybe, just maybe, if each team had an equal allocation of juniors, your comment might have some merit. But that hasn't been the case since 1908.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

Rubbish. Politis will never be able to afford the history and respect of an organization such as Athletic Bilbao, who rarely sign players that aren't native to or descended from the Basque region. This policy didn't stop them from becoming one of the most successful teams in one of the world's most prestigious competitions.

Reduce the Basque population and regional area to the size of the eastern suburbs plus chuck in three other rival football codes to compete against. Make most of the schools in the area favour the other codes. Then see how picky they are when signing up players.

 

[Valheru]

Rubbish. Politis will never be able to afford the history and respect of an organization such as Athletic Bilbao, who rarely sign players that aren't native to or descended from the Basque region. This policy didn't stop them from becoming one of the most successful teams in one of the world's most prestigious competitions.

You have come up with a pretty obscure example there. Athletic Bilbao's last La Liga title predates that of the last Parramatta premiership, as does their last cup title so the example isn't a very good one.

Should we go through the squads of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletico etc. and see how much stock they put in local players?

 

[Pantherjim.]

Maybe, just maybe, if each team had an equal allocation of juniors, your comment might have some merit. But that hasn't been the case since 1908.

So, maybe those clubs who poach the local juniors of other clubs need to either set up junior league development somewhere in regional Australia or relocate?

After all, I’m “reliably informed” that now no one gives a shit about what connection a given star player has with the city/town/area the club represents, so perhaps they similarly won’t bat an eyelid if their club also relocates despite over a century of history and tradition in those areas?

Crazy thought, I know, but hey...

 

[Valheru]

So, maybe those clubs who poach the local juniors of other clubs need to either set up junior league development somewhere in regional Australia or relocate?

After all, I’m “reliably informed” that now no one gives a shit about what connection a given star player has with the city/town/area the club represents, so perhaps they similarly won’t bat an eyelid if their club also relocates despite over a century of history and tradition in those areas?

Crazy thought, I know, but hey...

That is exactly what the roosters have done on the CC amongst other areas.

 

[greenBV4]

So, maybe those clubs who poach the local juniors of other clubs need to either set up junior league development somewhere in regional Australia or relocate?

After all, I’m “reliably informed” that now no one gives a shit about what connection a given star player has with the city/town/area the club represents, so perhaps they similarly won’t bat an eyelid if their club also relocates despite over a century of history and tradition in those areas?

Crazy thought, I know, but hey...

Or maybe the NRL should take over junior development, introduce some form of draft, and let the NRL clubs focus on being sucessfull on and off the field

 

[Pantherjim.]

That is exactly what the roosters have done on the CC amongst other areas.

Yet the juniors of other clubs are still fair game for the Roosters when their talent is recognised and they come off contract with the club that nurtured that talent... James Tedesco a good case in point.

 

[Pantherjim.]

Or maybe the NRL should take over junior development, introduce some form of draft, and let the NRL clubs focus on being sucessfull on and off the field

Yup. Have always been in favour of an AFL draft like system to keep the comp fairer.

Mind you for it to have any chance of success;

1. Clubs at the bottom of the competition ladder come end of season should always get first pick of the draft.

2. The draft should also include coaching staff.