Redneck Redfaces 2

[POPEYE]

If the game played today is NRL what was the name of the game played then

 

[POPEYE]

A great round of footy so far, none of the also-rans have been humiliated and all the contenders struggled with the weigh in. Easy to excuse the Sharks and Titans but this is not the lucky dip finals, this is the nitty gritty end of the proper season where stamina demands an audience

Raiders/Warriors/Tigers the most impressive, it's taken 22 rounds to find it's time that Sticky threads should best be filed away, Shaun has finally understood not to telegraph his intentions and coach Taylor's cup is full

Titan jetlag and a Hayne no-look pass belied the fact that the Warriors were on track, every set of six full of surprise, let's hope how they did it sinks in. Shaun giving away drifting and confusing with his direct approach was the catalyst to what should be full steam ahead in the remaining rounds. Special mention to Ash Taylor, how f**king good a defender is he

Cowboys nowhere near their best but what matters is the Tigers need not change a f**king thing, Brooks can take as long as he likes to gather his marbles, Taylor doesn't want for a better roster than the one on show yesterday. Moses doesn't need any help to steer and the coach doesn't need any advice, Nofoaluma epitomises everything the Tigers should concentrate on for the rest of this year and beyond

 

[Rhino_NQ]

tigers just had energy and enthusiasm, same with the raiders against the sharks. Both have the backlines to do the damage but an 80 minute effort of high energy, in your face on every play footy cutting off that second or 2 for a side like us and the sharks need and are used to to do their stuff.

The reactions every player made when a play was made, a hit, a forced mistake etc showed plenty though. Celebrating like they just scored the winner in a semi final after JT got read like a book and poleaxed to force an error means they are really enjoying themselves and is positive energy flowing through the place. Pissing farah off would have alot to do with this. Another example if konny, the tits may have lost bu are still in the run for a spot in the 8 but seeing his reaction after he scored shows how much of a happy place he is in compared to 6 months ago and is infectious.

 

[POPEYE]

Becoming more and more obvious that Cleary will become the main man, if not already surpassing Cartwright in deed he is certainly ahead in thought. When interviewed Nathan has the way with words of Cam Smith, signs of the same composure and appears to have a ruggedness on the field . . . won't be long and he'll captain Penrith

Hook has the go ahead he wants, all he has to do now is instill the required discipline needed to keep the team in unison. If Penrith learn to consistently run to their supports they'll be as good as any. Good to see Wallace challenging for #3 hooker and Latu a starter

The game early on was a brilliant spectacle, seemed the NRL had sent a directive against showpony penalties after the AAMI debacle, Badger however couldn't keep up the good work. In every game if the reason for 'lost ball' is not evident beyond doubt and referees simply said 'pick it up and play on' how much better would it be than an educated guess from a bloke looking for Brownie points

 

[POPEYE]

Although 'normal' RU is a game played by the technically impotent I can watch the Rio 7's, imagining how well our best RL players would go whilst doing so. It has to be done in silence however, I refuse to endure the mentally deficient blasé commentary that accompanies all forms of the game

Anyway, back to real footy, regardless of the position the Seagles are in I'm sure if they play the best they can the Dogs will be beaten. Scavengers rarely go hungry however and Dessie's mob won't knock back a free bone if Carty/Barrett offer them one

If you like reading between lines the difference between last year's and this year's Broncos is no Kevvie to keep Hunt & Milford in the race, ie from one of the horse's mouth. Kinda fits doesn't it. Regardless, surely Gutherson & Robson have no chance against such finely bred opposition. If Brisbane lose maybe it is time Walters started polishing his saddle for next year

Tigers/Titans even money as it should be, main interest will be in the halves pairings. Moses doesn't need to be married to anyone, a supportive partner will suffice. Taylor the player may not suffer from Hayne being overdosed with smug . . . something he can't play without. Purists will enjoy the game if it's close and no injuries

I've got my fingers crossed for Shaun, if he's learnt from the Titan's game the rest of the team will take care of itself. Unbelievable as it may seem outside of NZ you won't find anyone wishing for a Warriors cup more than I . . . . after the Sharks of course. Johnson's biggest threats will be the Rabbitohs putting two of the same together and the standard of the referees allocated

Here's a local derby with a donkey against a stallion, whodathought in '67. Although not enamoured by Mary's coaching it could be a desire to be associated with one of the few clubs that are genuinely salary cap squeaky clean that drives him, hence the cattle drive he's on. Then again, you only have to look at Matt Prior in this game to become a doubter

Do the Panthers need this training run in Newcastle or would they be better off with game time

No-one who doesn't own a NQ jersey really wants the Cowboys to win any more games, they and the Roosters both have had enough recent sunshine and Thurston has surpassed Johns . . . unless you keep RLW in your bedside table. Johnathon however is not one to be counted out

The Raiders have far more at stake than the Storm, especially if the Sharks suffer a misdemeanor against the Dragons, so expect a Raiders win if Melbourne play them like they played Souths

 

[POPEYE]

Amid being up again for Rio there is time to mention last night's footy, reminded that before short'n'curlies until now how fascinated I am with the 'toons. Easy to imagine Mama Bear Jake T, cranky Papa Bear Jamie and 10 million dollar dopey Baby Bear Dale versus cameos from Foghorn Leghorn Kasiano winding up crazy Chicken Hawk Reynolds as Yosemite Sam Graham fired blanks at the scriptwriting officials

Now that the Seagles' season is over Barrett can concentrate on finding a confident goal kicker and more players who know what tackle comes after 5. More importantly remind DCE why the Titans are pissing themselves laughing why they watch Taylor keep the opposition guessing

All Dessie has to do is find a way of keeping Sammy The Keg on the field

 

[Rhino_NQ]

63 tackles from graham last night, for a 100+kg prop that's super human like

 

[POPEYE]

Before Graham set foot in Australia a Pom on another forum said the bloke would walk straight into Origin if he was eligible, naturally I replied with f**king bullshit . . . didn't take me long to realise I was mistaken

 

[POPEYE]

In the old days you couldn't start a car if it had been left out of action too long, all the Broncos needed was a lliitle choke to get them up and running. I'm not complaining about the pedantic penalties/stoppages the NRL/referees deemed necessary, Parra were running on empty anyway, I'm happy that Benny and his mob are closer to the front row where they belong

I'd prefer to think Wayne has been saved from the ignominious end he didn't deserve, maybe he did get help with the halves but what really matters is Milford has a new dummy, let's hope he remains content with this one

 

[POPEYE]

Most of us should be ecstatic over this round of footy, all teams so far have played just about to the best of their ability given the rosters they've got, you'd have to be a f**king ratbag to deny the winners' efforts. Losers have lost because they weren't allowed to win, capitulation nowhere to be seen

The two biggest winners up til now have been Mary and Madge, Benny has murdered a kaleidoscope of butterflies, Henry and Taylor have tossed a coin. Be too much to ask from Brown today but Robbo and Sticky are in with an excellent chance of rivalling Hans Christian Andersen

 

[POPEYE]

Crikey, I like what Connor Watson does for the Roosters, the bloke shames everyone around him into picking up their game. SKD always my favourite but even he's not enough to inspire that 24 carat meathead Ferguson to play the way he did so I'll give the kudos to Watson

 

[POPEYE]

Had to miss last night's game because I was making my way to the Sunshine Coast but it didn't matter, believe it or not I gave my missus the 8 winners for her tipping contest and I hate seeing Melbourne lose. Pity that if I had put money on them the vibes would have undoubtedly died in the arse

Given the Knights were always going to be a sacrificial lamb the rest of the results were a much needed shot in the arm for RL, especially since nothing much changed except the Dogs were hurdled by the Raiders

Must add a real pity about Tedesco

 

[POPEYE]

Maybe I should nip down to Suncorp tonight and watch the Broncos smash the Dogs . . . on second thought maybe not a good idea all round

Not sure which is worse, losing Tedesco or gaining Brooks, either way the Tigers look to be disadvantaged. Still, Maxwell is refereeing which could add to the uncertainty

Titans' turn for a free pass

Melbourne are going through a slump, not as obvious as that of the Sharks but nevertheless . . . and who should they meet. Could be an '08 gf all over again

Time the Cowboys snapped out of their lethargy, not sure the Warriors are the team to do it with . . . home ground should be enough. Something not so funny going on with Lolohea

Raiders/Eels might not be the lay down misere everyone imagines. More will be realised about Sticky than his mob, he needs to have a repeat repeat, he's only lost his best player whereas Arthur many of his

Roosters/Dragons very interesting, Watson the drawcard for me and Widdop shows signs of earning his dough. If the Dragons win they'll probably lose, Benji could stay

MNF sees the reincarnated Rabbitohs playing the sliding Sharks . . . bet responsibly, no f**king way

 

[POPEYE]

Good acquisition that he is Hayne has never been 'the' key player in any team, Henry won't be misguided as the Eels were which is all good for the Titans. Not much glory to be had at Newcastle and although a little sloppily Jarryd found the early mark he was looking for. Henry rightly wrapped up Taylor in cotton wool, the youngster needs to learn not to waste his energy on unnecessary tackling. Titans did alright, always hard to find much to rave about in basement games

Cowboys got the massage they needed, plenty of stiffness shed last night. Con Man Kevvie was up to his usual tricks, I like the enthusiasm he brings to Fox, comparing Johnson favourably with Thurston was however a little Romper Roomish

Big talking point from yesterday is the realisation that Barrett may become the new Hasler. Make no mistake, the Seagles would've beaten most teams on last night's performance, a late resurgence far overshadowed early untidiness. Bellamy should appreciate the help Manly gave him, the score nothing compared to a badly needed arousal

Like the look of Frank Winterstein

 

[POPEYE]

Sticky had the roster with the Roosters and has 'the one' with the Raiders, difference being it appears he now has full command of something Brian Smith never had, the half time break. Two 40 minute games compared to one 80 is a 3 lane highway compared to 2, great to see the little bloke break the shackles, a non-reply to Arthur would have been catastrophic

As luck would have it Mary has no reason to keep Benji but he'll need more of it to keep himself employed, having limited access to Fox where I am I had to put up with Jabba to come to that conclusion . . . what happened to Rabs. Thank f**k the finals are on Fox and a pity the Roosters/Seagles won't be in them, the sideshow won't be the same

 

[POPEYE]

I claim to be a RL purist and as such must want to see all teams play good footy, liking some over others shouldn't interfere with what I consider good for the game. A few people have been nipping at my heels because I don't see Shaun Johnson or Jarryd Hayne as 'key player' candidates

I would find a starting 13 place for both of them in any of the 16 NRL teams but I find it hard to designate one in which they would be the first player picked. Imo the Warriors would realise their dream if Johnson wasn't the decision maker, he orchestrates far too many hospital passes for my liking, they need to import another 'first player picked'. By the same token I'd take him as Cronk's offsider at Melbourne, I think the bloke's that good a player although not irreplaceable

As Hindy has said a 'Hayne Cam would see a lot of walking' . . . his brilliant spontaneity is not always 'at hand' when needed.

So, if anyone would like to tell me if either Johnson or Hayne would replace the current MVP's in their favoured team go right ahead. Some Knights or Dragons supporters might swap either for any one of their starting 13 but think carefully. Not sure I'd swap Aitken's work rate for Hayne's but the Knight's would probably let Johnson lead them out

Remember, this thread is nothing more than a bully trap, baited with all manner of things, designed purely to show the more reticent of us that opinions are the life blood of forums and instigating personal attacks on our fellows is not strength but a weakness . . . then again, a few of us thrive on retaliation

 

[POPEYE]

Cowboys one of the two teams that will be playing this round like their lives depended on it, Dogs as usual will win if NQ drop their guard, both at their best no contest . . . as interesting as a bowl of cat's piss

The other team going hell for leather will be the Broncos, they too will want an early draw in the finals lottery. One more win for Melbourne and my season of superstitiously watching the tackle count will be over, the Shield which is all I care about will be won. AAMI not the stronghold it once was and I do hope a little for Brisbane supporters . . . just a little

Seagles could prove a nightmare for Sticky, they are regaining that ominous aura we can still remember, Barrett's one man halves' band should however be overcome by the New Green Machine . If Lyon can't play he may be led around on all fours in collar and chain to inspire the locals

Titans/Panthers should be a ball-tearer, all eyes will be on Hayne at #1, I hope for Qld's sake he stays there next year. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned the battle between Taylor and Keary is the real drawcard, Ashley's defence even if it should be curtailed by Henry has him ahead of Nathan . . . could be match of the round

Sharks at $1 better than the Roosters . . . good f**king luck with that. Still, not watching either team play recently I don't how bad is Cronulla. Thought I heard Flanno say he's happy, maybe the Rabbitohs are playing better than the Roosters

Crikey, no Tedesco, Kata playing, Brooks there to confuse things, surely Johnson will find plenty of holes where he doesn't have to get his clothes dirty to run through. I'll be watching to see how Nofoaluma goes at Fullback . . . love the way he plays

Souths should be looking next year, shouldn't be any players on show that aren't going to be there. Knights too must have some sort of plan, a game for true-blue supporters only . . . Perenara well suited

In reality the Eels shouldn't beat the Dragons . . . who'd like to be in Mary's shoes

 

[POPEYE]

As an addendum to my previous opinion of Hayne's 'smugness' let me make it clear I'm in favour of what the article on the NRL website says Hayne is trying to do. His media exaggerated contribution on the field as I've stated doesn't diminish the fact that he is a great player, equal to many others. I'll put on a Hayne Face if he does what he says he's going to do, put the media in their place

Smith and Cronk have been treating the media, even if it doesn't realise it, with the contempt it deserves for years. Jarryd would become the hero of many of his fellow players and RL supporters if he puts his Yankee escapade to good use. Imo he would become the legend he wants to be if he leads an uprising against what the media is doing to RL . . . maybe even become the one true f**king immortal

One thing the Americans have taught the world, if nothing else, is that sportspeople who entertain us should be rewarded equitably. Hayne wants us to dwell on the good, not drown in the mire, we should all get behind him and tell the f**king media to go to hell

I must add, a perfect example of what Hayne is fighting against is Greenberg's assertion that Golden Point is staying because revenue is more important than the game and the people who play it

 

[Cloudsurfer]

Hayne appears to me to have always suffered from a god complex helped along over time (& hugely in recent years) by media hype. If the platform he's been given means worthier people and stories get a fair go well & good but methinks it will only be Hayne afforded a second-coming. Happy to be proven wrong but not happy that his ego will be fuelled by his long held & media-fuelled 'saviour' tag.

 

[POPEYE]

The Cowboys still have their petticoat showing but were good enough to manage the Belmore shitpile. Dogs were the usual but without their 30 minute key player they weren't prepared for the opposition when they tripped over themselves as is usually the way

Kasiano may be the RL player most likely to succeed in NFL but Todd's not finished yet, his star player will be rearing to go in a few weeks when Reality(sic) Rugby League goes to air . . . the fat man has yet to sing