Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

Good news Pops.

Benny got the boys to the pissant cup!

Doesnt matter if we fall over against the Eels now..... we can start preparing to roll over in week 1.

Does that reverse psychology work for you all the time . . . I tell my missus I don't mind Melbourne getting beaten as long as they don't get flogged. Her standard response is 'bullshit'.

None of the top 4 teams are invincible, in fact they're downright fragile with their two steps forward and one back appearances of late, the Cowboys having the best roll-on at the moment. I have a feeling something unexpected is going to happen in the mardis gras, haven't got a f**king clue what . . . too occupied with 4 grandkids to care much what happens.

Maybe when I leave this Qld paradise and return home I might get into the mardis gras but remember if Benny makes the gf no-one has a better record of coming home with the bacon

 

[POPEYE]

Maybe the arsewipes and the bookies are in cahoots, why else would they push the 'Melbourne are favourites' barrow and throw up the usual 'stats' for f**kwits who believe in them. The current Souths team is only 2 years old and if you believe in the mystical the only thing worth noting is that a team has to lose a gf before it wins one. Bookies aren't interested in the truth when most of their money is made by hedging their bets.

So Cowboys supporters believe their team is playing well because players finally started listening to the coach. A petition to reinstate Henry is more about the number of supporters who think laziness supercedes mindset. The supporters who don't sign the petition must be of the view that players were relieved to find Neil was leaving and played well because of it.

If he is reinstated there will be 3 parties responsible for losing next year, supporters/coach/players, which will make the situation if there is one even more diabolical. Sorry to see Henry mistreated but better to turn over a new leaf than start a bushfire.

Gotta love JWH, determined to show the Rabbitohs who's boss by gaining a psychological advantage in the semis by proving the Roosters won't be intimidated. Unfortunately not enough brain cells to tell him that to not be intimidated means that he firstly has to be allowed to play. Maybe the numbers of penalties against the Roosters all year is not bullshit, maybe defence won't overcome stupidity. The men in pink may have a bigger say than those in red, white and blue

 

[Big Tim]

Does that reverse psychology work for you all the time . . . I tell my missus I don't mind Melbourne getting beaten as long as they don't get flogged. Her standard response is 'bullshit'.

None of the top 4 teams are invincible, in fact they're downright fragile with their two steps forward and one back appearances of late, the Cowboys having the best roll-on at the moment. I have a feeling something unexpected is going to happen in the mardis gras, haven't got a f**king clue what . . . too occupied with 4 grandkids to care much what happens.

Maybe when I leave this Qld paradise and return home I might get into the mardis gras but remember if Benny makes the gf no-one has a better record of coming home with the bacon

Its a 50/50 bet either way when you are a Knights supporter.

 

[POPEYE]

Intriguing to say the least the reasoning behind anyone wanting Ricky Stuart to coach Canberra, except Eels' supporters that is. When something is obvious and it's overlooked you tend to search for something that no-one knows but I'm f**ked if I can see it.

I can't imagine Meninga thinking himself capable of coaching the Raiders let alone expect him to back Sticky, it would be tantamount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. You'd expect Mal to back Ricky as NSW coach for the obvious reason but surely he doesn't secretly hate Canberra.

Henry is perfect for the Eels and I for one would look forward to returning to follow Parramatta, maybe even have a drink at the Royal Oak Hotel where I presided over the early 80's gf winning pub team. The strife those blokes got into off the field makes all NRL baddies combined look like choir boys . . . the stories I could tell.

 

[POPEYE]

Most of us don't want to see Melbourne or Manly in another gf, and that's coming from a Storm supporter, but how the outcome is derived is just as important. Taken for granted the best scenario would be Souths against any of the remaining 5 because the Rabbitohs are probably considered as second preference by the vast majority of League devotees.

Either Cowboys and Sharks I imagine would be the favoured adversary for Souths by the heirarchy because they're virgins but the chance of Cronulla having their season nullified by ASADA has seen them relegated to 'outa sight outa mind' on the NRL wishlist. Then again would a Cowboys/Rabbitohs gf fill a stadium.

Out of the three 'been there done that' clubs I'm guessing the NRL would like to see the Knights go around on the big day, red and green v red and blue, Benny sure to attract a crowd with his impeccable record in the big one. Like ugly kids who's mother is the only one who loves them the Roosters and Dogs are liked solely by their supporters so they would come in above only the 2 dreaded bad boys as the least wanted.

So, if everything went to plan for the good of the game the above would apply but a lot depends if the referees can follow the NRL game plan and how obvious they are about doing their duty . . . just love the pissant cup and can't wait to see what irrelevant titbits f**k it up

 

[Big Tim]

Whilst I like your idea of Knights in the GF, I would rule that out.

I would think the best position for the NRL would be to have a well loved team vs a despised team.

Storm vs Dogs wasnt good v bad and really left people disinterested.

Glad to see you are taking an interest in the finals though.

 

[POPEYE]

Whilst I like your idea of Knights in the GF, I would rule that out.

I would think the best position for the NRL would be to have a well loved team vs a despised team.

Storm vs Dogs wasnt good v bad and really left people disinterested.

Glad to see you are taking an interest in the finals though.

I think the referees will do their best to assist the right outcome but the last thing anyone wants is to see Manly/Melbourne beat a beloved team especially this shitty year.

I'm sure you know that no sane League supporter really is disinterested in the finals, but just like I did during the Vietnam War when the Yanks and their allies were really the bad guys, I still reserve the right to protest against stupidity. Equal recognition of the Shield and not denigration of the Cup is my agenda . . . I expected a less friendly reminder as a platform but thanks all the same

 

[Silent Knight]

Whilst I like your idea of Knights in the GF, I would rule that out.

I would agree with Tim on this and I would also disagree with your claim Pops that the NRL would like to see my club make the grand final. The NRL blatantly used Kade Snowden as the scapegoat for their shoulder charge ban and we're now left with entering the final series without our premier prop forward. Our finals campaign would fare a whole lot better if Kade was lining up for us.

I will always love my Knights, but my opinion of the NRL is at an all time low.

 

[POPEYE]

'Like to see' has to be taken in the right context, imo the Knights are favoured ahead of Roosters/Dogs/Manly/Melbourne in that order. Doesn't mean the NRL wants them to succeed, matter of fact if a fairytale ending doesn't occur the NRL will salvage nothing from this season, Souths are a must. It's a real pity the NRL won't be barracking for the Sharks, I certainly will.

 

[Big Tim]

I think the referees will do their best to assist the right outcome but the last thing anyone wants is to see Manly/Melbourne beat a beloved team especially this shitty year.

I'm sure you know that no sane League supporter really is disinterested in the finals, but just like I did during the Vietnam War when the Yanks and their allies were really the bad guys, I still reserve the right to protest against stupidity. Equal recognition of the Shield and not denigration of the Cup is my agenda . . . I expected a less friendly reminder as a platform but thanks all the same

I musnt be sane.... I only care about the finals if the Knights are in them.

I will take a passing glance at who wins what, but if the Knights arent involved in September, the NFL is. That is where my attention goes.

 

[POPEYE]

Maybe you're not old enough yet. When you have one foot in the grave as I do you learn to get as much out of every good game of the season as you would a gf. I haven't had a disappointing season since Gibson refused to take the Eels to 6 in a row . . . I feel sorry for one-eyed supporters

 

[Big Tim]

Big interest in the finals this week!

Chances down South?

 

[POPEYE]

Sorry for dragging the chain mate, preoccupied with grandkids and driving the van back home. Wouldn't worry me if Melbourne dipped out now the Dogs are gone and Manly miss out, you never know, your mob might snag an 'about time'.

More importantly we want no more f**k ups from the pink people eaters even though it was Cowboy Karma for doing the dirty on their coach. Unfortunately the pinkies did the Storm a favour by not giving them a week off, long breaks not their go. Benny will be up for this one, the Knights just need to be able to read a map

 

[Cloudsurfer]

"Unfortunately the pinkies did the Storm a favour by not giving them a week off, long breaks not their go."
Haha...this. While I'd have liked them to win I think the same...they haven't handled the longer breaks & byes this year at all. Still, having to cross everything to see them get through to the finals. They're battle weary (the team mainstays) & Bellamy is stubborn enough to stick to the tried and true. But if anyone can pull one out of the ashes they can - usually, just not sure about this year unfortunately

 

[POPEYE]

Marvellous how disaster sometimes works out for the best, particularly in Neil Henry's case. I have some weird theories why the Cowboys don't perform as well as they should but realistically the sacking of Henry may have had acceptable reasoning, the execution of it just poorly handled. The best case scenario for Neil has eventuated however with the Cowboy rip-off.

He may seem indignatious that he was wrongfully denied proving a point by taking his petulant mob to a gf but realistically the odds were against going much further. Now there is no risk his coaching ability can be further undermined if the Cowboys were to lose badly, a possibility albeit slight. So, we now have a coach that only a few months ago was on the scrapheap suddenly sought after.

I was wrong in thinking he would be a good fit at Parramatta, I now agree with my missus who reckons the Roosters are partly Taylor-made and Jason is the coach to rebuild the Eels, he may be the one man who isn't afraid to nurture promising players. Henry may have done well in Canberra but the rumoured 12 months assisting Cartwright is a better option.

JC could do with some experienced assistance and it may well be his last chance to prove a point also, if he can't keep the GC heirarchy on side with a better result in '14 Henry would be next in line. The future once bleak is appearing rosy and it's not hard to imagine Neil high-fiving his family behind closed doors

 

[POPEYE]

Doomsayers may be riding the back of Cronulla but the Sharks could be a big winner no matter what happens from here on in. Better to be a maligned boy with a mission than a nice bloke just making up the numbers if you want to attract attention, something Melbourne/Manly and CB thrive on.

Next year we could see the Sharks as a team everyone loves to hate instead of pity, there's even no need to win a gf that may be taken from them anyway, they've gone one better by cultivating a 'f**k youse all' aura that should be taken advantage of. Flanagan imo should have his contract extended, he is just the man in the right frame of mind to turn a Gummy into a White Pointer.

From a renegate smart alec Beau Ryan, who is really a good player to Fifita, possibly the best front rower in the game who is developing an Artie mean streak, the Sharks are on the right track imo to become an ominous obstacle, no longer merely a bump stop against the best. Pretty soon Cronulla will be the centre of attention for players wanting to prove a point and there is no better player to coach.

A lot will depend if players and not the club are made scapegoats for something that is really only a misdemeanor, like smoking a joint compared to overdosing on heroin, still something that has to be stopped nevertheless. If the playing roster remains largely intact and the club alone punished I'm looking forward to seeing the Sharks finally live up to their insignia

 

[POPEYE]

There's a lot being said about Newcastle's 'old timers' in the media but it has to be remembered they're not being asked to work miracles, they're being asked to dig deep into their memory banks for a couple of games. Been done before and will again, the mix at the Knights is reminiscent of the Gibson Eels, someone in this forum has probably already made reference to it.

My memory of the time always begins with Kevin 'Stumpy' Stevens, the muscles on his body made larger by the hair covering them. Key player in mid '70 Rooster gfs but got a huge 'wtf' when Jack signed him to inspire the '81 baby boomers. Bob O'Reilly's reincarnation at Parra was another that had the arsewipes amazed.

Gibson again surprised everyone by making Steve Edge captain, there for his cool headed gf experience, a player the Dragons shouldn't have let out of their sight but Jack knew the value of. Bennett is a Gibson devotee and he won't be bothered by what the old blokes can do, just how the rest will respond.

Imo everything hinges on another player in the twilight of his career who taught the Dogs a lesson, Jeremy Smith. He is by far the best Knight and no-one in either side knows more about winning big games. Can almost guarantee players are going to get hurt when so many of them on both sides are determined to make a statement

 

[Nice Beaver]

Imo everything hinges on another player in the twilight of his career who taught the Dogs a lesson, Jeremy Smith. He is by far the best Knight and no-one in either side knows more about winning big games.

Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk say hi

 

[Big Tim]

Nice write-up.

The 'old timers' Bennett has bought in have done their job, and are continuing to do so.

My reference points are Robbie Rochow and Alex McKinnon. Both are playing the same style of game as Beau Scott and Jeremy Smith respectively.

These guys are there for more than just their weekend performances. They are teaching these kids what the NRL is all about.

Could also mention the Gower influence on young Roberts too.

 

[POPEYE]

Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk say hi

So does every other player over 30 . . . do you know any