Redneck Redfaces 2

[POPEYE]

Coach Sheens and Captain Smith would make lousy prize fighters if they are really saying Australia will be World Champions even if they lose the 4 Nations. They will technically be the champs just like NZ was before the World Cup but there is a difference, the Kiwis don't think their shit doesn't stink and go around pretending Rugby League only matters when there's money to be made

The fact is the more practice the Kiwis get the better they get when the more hard games the Australian players play in a season makes them more vulnerable at the end of it. NZ don't have Origin to help them but they do have the NRL season to prepare them whereas Origin is the be all end all and the NRL season afterwards is a lottery, the best players shaking hands with a smile saying 'shit happens'

So, we end up with Australia telling the World any other country claiming to be World Champions are full of shit when they beat us when we're not really interested. I suppose even a good prostitute has to have time off during the month if she's to keep the best reputation on the block, depends if you're satisfied with having to buy

 

[POPEYE]

Don't often look at Fox/Telegraph website but when I do the headlines put me off enough not to read content. One has Dave Smith refusing to bend to the public outcry about Gallen's punishment severity yet offers a compromise by reducing the fine on compassionate grounds . . . if that's not a contradiction maybe I won't have to shave my head because hair will grow back

Rotfield doesn't care if Smith bans him for speaking out against domestic violence . . . why would you want to read any further. Buzz is a sparrow fart in the cacophony of noise condemning domestic violence, once it's proven beyond doubt. We all know Smith will take any excuse to put his name in lights, he doesn't need a push from a bloke who if he is banned can only be because he's a 24 carat f**kwit

Then there's some f**king dope reporting that Sheen's job is on the line if the Kangaroos don't beat a fresh shit hot Kiwi team. Doesn't matter that the same report infers by it's headline that the 'Roos are affected by a virus, let alone the coach blooding a host of new players. Not as bad as expecting Bellamy to win against an Origin spine he spent years in the making but almost as f**king dumb

Smith is also supposed to now be putting bad boys on notice. That's like me telling my new pup not to dig holes in the lawn, if these brain dead delinquents haven't learned anything from what's happened to errant players over the last 12 months then nothing will prevent them from offending. A handful of dopes amongst thousands of Rugby League players is nothing more than shit happens

 

[POPEYE]

I've gone patriotic all of a sudden, even though as a soc I've always considered NZ just as much a part of Australia as Tasmania when the chips are down. It's been difficult over the years to watch the Kiwis given an uneven playing field against Australia but now the tables have turned it's the underdog for me.

The All Blacks have proven that consistent player association breeds success in Union just as the Kangaroos have done in League, it's a pity both codes don't have an even balance of opportunity, although methinks the Wallabies are deficient more by design. Folau being their best player just about says it all

Australia can consider themselves lucky that the Kiwis by nature prefer spontaneous football, a gameplan in Union is as useful as tits on a bull. If they ever choose to become cool and calculated like Australia as is perpetuated by Cronk/Smith/Thurston type leadership NZ has the firepower to dominate both codes. It's now only the Origin Connection and the intensity/scheming required that keeps Australia in front . . . when the participants are fit that is

 

[POPEYE]

One player holds the key to today's game and he's probably the only player who can't get away with anything less than an almost perfect game. Everyone else either has to come up with what they think is an on par game for them, the standard that got them to this point, or has to step up from a novice to an International

If this bloke, who is there because there's really no alternative to him, brings one of his occasional exceptional performances to the game Australia will struggle. Like a night at the dogs when you know your pick has to jump from the box and stay in front the Kiwis will know before 20 minutes is up if the trophy is theirs

 

[POPEYE]

Tips me hat Shaun . . . done good, played strong Jack would say

 

[POPEYE]

I offer no apologies for not caring who won the game once it began, far more important that fabulous Wellington crowd got it's money's worth. There's no better supporters of any sport than Rugby League, especially the Kiwis who are so affable it is demoralising when they have to sit through a flogging. The size of the mob that turned up was great but the energy was better and the result priceless for the NZ game

No apologies either for loving the way the game was refereed, I was disappointed Richard Silverwood wasn't the Pommy representative but Bentham did a great job. You could almost feel him deciding not to add a dozen pedantic penalties that had no relevance or claimed no victim, an Aussie ref certainly wouldn't have missed those opportunities to tick a box.

Crikey, at my age seeing a fast flowing game of footy decided by the players is better than sex, bring back one referee . . . after they've been sent to England for a crash course in how to referee succinctly. There is nothing worse imo than a try being scored as a result of a pedantic refereeing decision, there was almost one last night but it was an anomaly for Bentham

Johnson did have the game everyone wanted but it was the forwards who were collectively man of the match, without the disarray in the opposition they created Shaun's magic may have turned to mush. I thought Foran was as good and Nightingale deserves to finish his career at the Warriors, he looks that good in black. Hunt should have played more minutes, a better rep player than DCE imo

 

[POPEYE]

F**king embarrassing, how bad a loser are the Aussies, all those years the Kiwis cop it on the chin when their players were unprepared and when it happens to the 'Roos they piss their pants about a forward pass. It wasn't any worse than a dubious pass in one of the Australian tries but that's beside the point, men should only cry when children and dogs get hurt

The 'Roos are lucky that the Kiwis haven't had Origin to help develop the Qld 'play to the whistle' syndrome, it's only because they started celebrating prematurely the opposition were made to look like an opposition. Not just League, the Aussie Cricketers need to pull their heads from arses . . . time to walk the walk

 

[POPEYE]

SKD being shopped around reminds me of Nightingale who doesn't deserve to finish his career at a club that is pussyfooting around. Both could go out playing for the Warriors while Ferguson is f**king around finding his feet and Mary is stitching up his patchwork quilt

SKD and Nightingale could bring stability to the Warriors, they certainly still have the passion and they both go good in black. It's time the team from across the ditch started retaining and attracting quality players that may now see a future in the joint thanks to the 4 Nations

I know I carry on about it a bit but I'd like to see the Warriors with a decent consistent spine and a couple more quality forwards, no more or no less than any NRL should have

 

[POPEYE]

Blair to the Broncos is a good move, he thrives on passion and dies with indecision, lead him to the tough stuff and he'll add to it. He and FPN together will struggle not to get suspended but no-one at Brisbane will die wondering why their team didn't meet fire with fire. Together they may make a Teo

Dearie me, fussing over Sezer is tantamount to waiting for a bus in the Kimberleys, a relieving novelty when it turns up if you don't die waiting. He should go to the Tigers where he and Tedesco can challenge for the most dollars per minute played. Titans weren't beaten by other teams in '14, they were beaten by inactivity from key players

 

[POPEYE]

I still consider Jamie Lyon to be the best fullback in the game, so when he says retiring from Origin is probably the reason he holds together why not extend that thought. Suppose Slater who has been the best fullback the game has seen, mainly because directing the defence is a large part of his resume, calls it quits

Thurston, Smith, Parker, Thaiday, even Cronk has little more to prove . . . or any great player that has had enough of 'been there done that' decides to concentrate on repaying their NRL clubs. Better still, concentrate on keeping healthy so we can have a decent Premiership properly represented

Maybe there should be a curfew on Origin players, maybe Cam Smith should have been told 30 games was the limit, even if he was dropped from dead rubbers to play more series his NRL club would benefit. I admire Lyon not only because he's the player he is but because he's the club stalwart he is . . . wouldn't give a shit if he was promised a 1000 acres farm when he retired

 

[POPEYE]

Damian Keogh has no choice but to deny claims that DCE is the target of a million a year poach, the whole premise at the joint is camaraderie, Flanagan himself is of the same fabric and the last thing the Sharks need right now is disunity.

They can't even afford to have a f**king spoilt ball boy, everyone at the joint needs to have been harassed, ill treated, fighting for survival, maligned or at the very least discouraged by previous employers. There is no room at Cronulla for anyone that needs to be imported and supported while he rips off a great portion of the prima facie salary cap let alone be smug about undisclosed promises

Interesting to note that Sticky has admitted his shortcomings and stated the Raiders are no longer interested in nurturing juniors, he is only going to be a retailer and buy the finished product. At least if he is successful with a bow and arrow maybe his successor will have Greener pastures to offer juveniles. If DCE is to be tempted anywhere other than Manly it is Canberra where he belongs, no risk of him causing disharmony whilst Sticky tries to become the new Bozo

 

[carcharias]

Can't believe I missed part one of this thread .

 

[POPEYE]

Another highlight of the year is almost upon us, imo usually ignominious because it's unashamedly so f**king wrong it's laughable and at the same time accepted by so many. Like that other great furphy, 'immortals', Golden Boot is concocted to perpetuate the existence of the media so the player selected must be charismatic, doesn't really matter if he played better than anyone else.

This year however could be different, pin up boys or not the GB winner should be one of 3 blokes, none of which are Australian which imo should be a first. I'd be happy if any one of Bromwich/Burgess S/Graham was put on the media podium but it's a f**king insult to imagine Johnson is even in the running. There is an argument for Inglis or Thurston but it's definitely a year of the forwards

An award that is designed to make the Poms feel they make a difference should be fought out between two of them, how ironic would it be if a Kiwi took the prize in a genuine contest . . . let's hope it is the right Kiwi. Also ironic that all 3 think kicking the ball is for pussies

 

[POPEYE]

Perfect, Auckland is the North and Wellington is the South, what a great scenario for a 'NZ Origin Series'. Every player who has any connection, no matter how remotely, with either could put his name down and we could have another three games to coincide with Qld v NSW on 3 stand alone weekends.

If Wellington were to have a team in the NRL competition how many of the Kiwis that make up 17.3% of it would be enticed to play in mother country. Maybe Bellamy could be made an offer he can't refuse to change his mind and we all know who would follow him across the ditch, he already has a love affair with NZ in the off season

Crikey, two NRL teams in NZ could reflect the difference between a single lane arterial road and a dual carriage highway, Australia may only get the Kiwis that can't get a gig in their national team. It would also be a mistake to think a country that owns the best part of the Australian Gold Coast wouldn't have enough money to attract Australian players . . . especially with such a newfound rivalry between top and bottom Nth Island

Wouldn't it be ironic if Australian players started researching their family histories

 

[POPEYE]

Hmmm . . . Korean women are looking to have hair from their heads transplanted to their pubic areas and Watmough would make a good co-captain according to Jamie Lyon. . . all sounds fair.

Can't wait to see Choccy's look of dismay after every penalty against and high five with every one for. Killer is responsible for players being told to f**k off by the refs just when Choc may be given the microphone, disappointing

Gallen to be Captain Ahab determined to prove his point to NRL's Moby Dick, aka Dave Smith, is the real mouth watering leadership confirmation. Where once I remonstrated about Gal's inadequacies I will now be booing every time the referees/management look for a reason to denigrate/ignore him, funny how things turn full circle

The man who should be Cronulla's captain, Wade Graham, is smart enough to use Gal as a flag whilst he continues to inspire the Sharks to win with or without the 'C', let's hope the Sharks don't revert to losing when Gal plays . . . how the Ned Kelly factor affects the team will be absorbing

 

[POPEYE]

As far as I'm concerned, imo as far as any other real man should be concerned, Shane Flanagan is an ordinary bloke who knows a fair bit about Rugby League and was fortunate enough to be given a chance at coaching an NRL team.

He may have been naïve enough to believe his perfect world was not the world of others but he certainly was unfortunate enough to be the first coach to be embroiled in 'some new discovery' which just happened to be inappropriate. Pity bank managers don't make good League coaches, Flanagan's deception pales in comparison and his was through ignorance . . . his only crime

How long is he expected to pay for the ignorance he was more than adequately penalised for, an ignorance that has been rectified but in doing so turned a normal bloke into a scapegoat for f**kwit reporters who ask 'are you sorry'. Shane should not only appoint just an assistant coach but someone he can relegate to be interviewed

 

[POPEYE]

What League needs right now is a good story to tell so that f**king wankers like Paul Kent can climb out of the mud and actually earn their money, problem is good stories are hard to find which is why I'm writing about a usurper like Kent, if only I had the contacts available to him . . . crying shame that only bad news gives his desk wings

The bloke's on about Flanagan because there's nothing else, could be worse, he could be riding the domestic violence bandwagon. Who gives a shit about the many young players out there that have had to live with DV and still manage to make a career in the game.

Anyone who hasn't led a sheltered life knows that Rugby League players being ostracised for DV is a good thing, there are thousands of victims not connected with the game yelling 'hallelujah, now the naïve know what's going on'. Webster writing for the SMH came up with 5 examples, probably because he knows of none other worth a quid.

F**k DV just against women, how about these wankers get out there and do some investigative reporting, help keep people like Peter Jackson from killing themselves, or the countless number of kids who don't realise their potential in the game because media only care what happens after the fact.

Advocates against DV need high profile perpetrators, without them the vultures would move on to something easier, like harassing people like Flanagan who are trying to move on from denigration of the game and look at the positives. Kent is only appealing to idiots who have to measure something ten times before they cut it

 

[Bronco18]

As far as I'm concerned, imo as far as any other real man should be concerned, Shane Flanagan is an ordinary bloke who knows a fair bit about Rugby League and was fortunate enough to be given a chance at coaching an NRL team.

He may have been naïve enough to believe his perfect world was not the world of others but he certainly was unfortunate enough to be the first coach to be embroiled in 'some new discovery' which just happened to be inappropriate. Pity bank managers don't make good League coaches, Flanagan's deception pales in comparison and his was through ignorance . . . his only crime

How long is he expected to pay for the ignorance he was more than adequately penalised for, an ignorance that has been rectified but in doing so turned a normal bloke into a scapegoat for f**kwit reporters who ask 'are you sorry'. Shane should not only appoint just an assistant coach but someone he can relegate to be interviewed

Psssht is that still being peddled? Flanagan was merely ignorant? Surely an innocent person can answer bloody questions about why they were suspended... I know I would like to, to PROVE my innocence.

Why can't he answers to questions like; why was Dank allowed back in the dressing rooms, weeks after Givney sent the email to Flanagan notifying him of the dangers of Dank's program? Why were players told by the club to keep their injections top secret?

And yes, mere ignorance from a head coach is something of a big deal when you hire people who administer an illegal drug program on your team.

 

[POPEYE]

Yeh, why not once more for the bunnies, or twice more, or 3 f**king times more . . . you think there's something new the NRL isn't aware about and didn't consider when they allowed Flanagan to continue his coaching . . . which is the crux of the matter. All you blue rinse set that want to keep kicking a dead horse do it somewhere people give a f**k . . . let the bloke and the sane amongst us move on

 

[POPEYE]

Neville Costigan is only 29 . . . when you think Beau Scott is 30, Watmough 31 and Jeremy Smith 34 are still in the NRL the question is are there no clubs that need a player with his tenacity. Except for a sabbatical in Canberra like Boyd he has followed Bennett, more like a mongrel than a puppy. Along the way he has played Origin and won a gf ring and played more games except Choc

He may be a bit tempestuous but crikey there are a lot of clubs that need a little anti-pussy venom, someone to invigorate, point the way. Admittedly the bloke is easy to overlook if you're not in front of him or you don't need him at your back so it's only the media that don't appreciate his worth, pity they run the game

I reckon the Eels/Titans/Dragons/Tigers/Seagles/Cowboys/Panthers/Raiders/Rabbitohs/Sharks could all do with a dose of Costigan but since the bloke is no longer considered poaching material why not let Bellamy turn frustration into dedication . . . a 29 year old reject in need of resurrection couldn't find a better home