Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

You're intent on not letting him forget it

 

[bellyache]

You're intent on not letting him forget it

Time to change hands?:?

 

[POPEYE]

Fingers crossed Dave Smith goes the full monty with Origin and gets it done and dusted in the shortest time possible. The most contentious point about having a three week festival mid season is that established players may have trouble backing up but so f**king what, there are enough 'fringe' Origin players to give us a bit of variety. Not going to happen I know, the probable outcome will be a placebo change, hopefully at least having all players available for every NRL game.

For the life of me I can't understand why 3 weekends back to back of Australian Origin on a Saturday can't be complemented by giving the Kiwis and Pacific Island teams an opportunity to fill in the Fridays and Sundays with Origin of their own. Surely giving these teams an opportunity to hone their skills has to be good for the game, or is Australia too insecure to risk the sun not shining out it's arse.

The Pommie faithful it appears will turn up to any game in the WC for the betterment of the game yet down under we're a bunch of f**king snobs that only tolerate the best the game has to offer. Pity that what the minnows see as inspiring we see as laughable, ironic that the real major sports on the planet see League the same way

 

[POPEYE]

Shane Flanagan's season on and off the paddock made Robbo's appear a dawdle in the park, imo he's the equal of any coach in the game . . . at least with what he had to work with. No-one with two eyes can accuse him of poaching, even Fifita was a lost soul amongst the too-hard-basket cases and discards.

Not that Flanagan had any more choice than the Sharks did when they hired him, but now that he's become a cult leader he's also becoming an attraction. The signing of Grothe for instance is another example of Flanagan's dogged perserverance with the unfathomable. If Eric stays fit he will run over people and what better place for a rebellious player than in a rebellious cult.

Not sure what he has in mind for Holsworth, the Sharks Achille's heel is injuries, Flanagan needs to keep his motely crew on deck especially the spine. He also has an idea of what players he may be losing for whatever reason so with his new found resolution to make use of the unwanted any player needing to prove a point is a win win.

If the Sharks can swim their way out of the ElephantJuice reasonably intact we may end up with another club that is going to be a consistent threat like Manly/Melbourne/Dogs/hopefully Roosters and Souths . . . which after all should be at least the basic goal of any club

 

[POPEYE]

We all know what's going to happen when USA plays one of the better teams but it won't be for the lack of trying. Just like all the minnows in the WC the interest is not how the 'badged' teams go but how the players in them perform in this international environment. You could probably go through all the teams making up the numbers and find quite a few players that have raised eyebrows.

Every player in the WC should come away with at least miniscule improvement but those that surprise should be rewarded with recognition by their clubs. No doubt Parramatta forums are abuzz with talk of Joseph Paulo for instance who in reality has equitted himself very well as captain of what should have been canon fodder.

Won't happen but wouldn't it be interesting if the Arthur/Anderson clean sheet had Paulo's name listed as a possible captain of the Eels, even if only to put everyone on notice. The Eels of '13 would struggle to beat USA and the captain of a team doesn't have to be it's best player, like Edge in the '80's he just has to be the most respected.

 

[POPEYE]

Nothing better than to look forward to a season when a team you're interested in doesn't have to finish in the top 4 or even the top 8, stress is replaced by anticipation and only a catastrophy will ruin your year. The recent Potter/Kidwell/Payten statement asking Tigers supporters to be patient is fair enough, asking them to curb their enthusiasm a different matter.

I don't want Melbourne/Manly/Souths/Roosters to suffer in any way but just as any true League supporter should I want the others to catch up and in this day and age regimentation, 'cult' if you like, is the answer. Individual brilliance is not good enough any more because of the interchange rule, waiting for players to tire no longer an option.

This 'cult' thing is elusive, much easier to achieve with a clean sheet. Wests are about to embark on a mission with a group of youngsters, a few cheap journeymen and not a real big head in sight . . . all depends how you see Farah I suppose. The best thing Wests could hope for this year is an absence of injuries and do well enough to have players wanting to be a Tiger.

Crikey, anyone not excited should pull his bottom lip up over his f**king head and swallow, it's not just Wests or Parramatta or GC or any other team needing to establish a 'fear factor', it's a matter of survival of the game. Hopefully the Tigers will be another team to prove the salary cap band aid incongruent by being an attraction, not just a workplace

 

[Big Tim]

C'mon Pops!

We all know that because the Knights made the Prelim they are one of the elite teams in the comp........

Sorry. I couldnt help but chuckle as I wrote that.

 

[firechild]

If the Sharks can swim their way out of the ElephantJuice reasonably intact we may end up with another club that is going to be a consistent threat like Manly/Melbourne/Dogs/hopefully Roosters and Souths . . . which after all should be at least the basic goal of any club

Get off the ElephantJuice Pops, the Dogs were a genuine threat for all of 1 season.

 

[POPEYE]

Get off the ElephantJuice Pops, the Dogs were a genuine threat for all of 1 season.

Yes, I was living in the past wasn't I. There was a time when CB was a club to be feared and I guess I'm covering my arse just in case Dessie does what's expected of him. I'm hoping he sees the light and pisses off, the Dogs relocate and a wall is built around the district since it can't be nuked.

 

[POPEYE]

No sane person would have a bad word to say about Steve Menzies, the bloke says he'd play for a dollar if Manly asked him, he should never have played anywhere else. I reckon he'd have no trouble doing an Alfie and walk straight into Origin and win a game for NSW.

Admittedly Beaver probably looked forward to holidaying overseas but it's just one instance of the kangaroo court salary cap rearing it's ugly f**king head. Being a one club player his cap contribution should have been given a concession, after five years the erosion should have reduced and after ten no affect on the cap at all. Anyone telling me he played for two clubs of his own volition is pissing into the wind.

Anyway, hands up anyone who would love to see this bloke go around again in the NRL. C'mon Dave, make a rule that says Beaver can sit on the bench for no reduction in the cap or at least just an appearance money token penalty, let more one club icons do the same. Bums on seats, good will or just to encourage players to show loyalty . . . f**k mercenaries and injustice at the same time

 

[POPEYE]

Remember when Gary Freeman used to run around in Aust/NZ tests trying to prevent his mob from capitulating in the second half, the Kiwis were always good for 60 minutes until the Origin demon took over. Very rarely could they manage to overcome the inevitable.

Casual observers would think Australia has a hugely unfair advantage because it's players had the opportunity to consolidate combinations, but that was a minor part of the lesson taught by Origin. Qld especially brought to the table a need to play for 80 minutes at full steam, soon emulated by NSW and the Kangaroos.

Whether it's Kearney or Cleary coaching NZ, a combination to be fair, in the game against PNG both men had the look of Jeff Goldblum's character in Jurassic Park waiting for T-Rex to appear. The score had no relevance, what mattered was the game was one of only a few the Kiwis have to embed an 80 minute commitment.

There's no doubt NZ have the players to beat any team nor is there much resemblance to the attitude of Freeman's Kiwis but by the look on the faces of the coaches you can't help but understand their trepidation. No apologies, I wouldn't mind seeing the World Champions remain that way, at least until there is a more level playing field.

If the Poms start the same way against Aust/NZ as they did against Fiji they will be as the cow was to the Velociraptor

 

[POPEYE]

Being an old fart on the slide is not so bad, easily pleased is a welcome by-product, every good game is enough and player expectations are not unrealistic. Take Bryson Goodwin for instance, doing his country proud in the WC, great defender and reliable in attack, humble for the opportunity to play NRL and has to be right up there as the best value for money player in the game.

Going through the ins and outs and noting a few of the players like Goodwin this year that will have my attention in '14. Pat Richards is one, if nothing else he will revitalise goal kicking for the Tigers and hopefully his high flying will be enough to keep opposition youngsters on their toes.

Joel Reddy has never been afforded equal opportunity in my book, could be the spitting image of Goodwin for Souths now that he relinguishes one step forward and two back, a gung-ho team like the Rabbitohs will be a definitive yes or no for me.

Can't wait to see a purple Rose, mongrel in the forwards again may relieve a worn out threesome, besides white makes you look fat. Same mob could have a radar dodger in Travis Robinson, another of my wannadogoods, has the look of a faithful dog looking for an appreciative home.

All Maurice Blair needs is to be comfortable, I don't think he's obsessive so Cartwright may just have the niche the bloke is looking for in surroundings that suit . . . understated natural indigenous talent will do the rest.

Love to see Kite flying aloft for the Panthers, he deserves to pick his own time to fade away, commitment can't be bought and he's still capable of passing it on in spades . . . Brent and Sika will f**king show 'em all. Come to think of it, Wallace may even raise an eyebrow.

 

[POPEYE]

Anyone who's seen video of the Fifita brothers interacting won't be perturbed by Andrew telling the world he's suffering badly by not being with his wife and newborn son. He says he's having difficulty concentrating but that will change when his new family arrives to watch him in the finals.

If Sheens wasn't sure how much game time this bloke was going to get in the finals he better take advice of what the closest thing to an 80 minute prop can do when he's in a feel good mood. Some can pass a ball, some can hit hard, some may make as many tackles in a set but none can do it all let alone for as many minutes.

It would be worth shipping every Fifita relative over, especially with the Kiwis looking ominous, sit them all in the players' box with an Aussie flag and a megaphone each . . . those wobbly knees carrying a gigantic heart running amok would be a sight to see

 

[POPEYE]

Seems there are a few big boppers appearing out of the woodwork in the WC, be interesting to see what the aftermath brings. There's fire and brimstone, unusual hairdoes and new leases of life all to be had I imagine for very little money.

Now's the time for Italy to make a charge at SL, France to get a roll on, Pacific Islands to inaugurate an Origin of their own and all on the back of some vigorous forward play that would have been missed if not for the WC. The little blokes have impressed but the rough and tumble has reinvigorated the multitude of casual onlookers.

If NRL clubs aren't taking notice of the raw talent on display, there's no reason SL can't grab handfulls and not rely on Aussie/Kiwi hand-me-downs. Would be a shame if the WC surprise packages were left unopened, it would defeat the purpose

 

[POPEYE]

Just on Fifita for those of you that didn't see the great Beetson regularly or at all. In a pub table discussion Andrew would suffice as an indicator if not a facsimile of Artie, time will tell how close a comparison may be made.

At equivalent stages of their careers Andrew is ahead on stamina because of the modern training regime, not there on ball skills yet and about equal on unpredictability. Not sure Andrew could make a fist and cause the entire Pommie team to halt in their tracks but I'm sure he'd give it a try.

There is a misconception I think of fragility about Fifita and Beetson never looked entirely comfortable in his body either but when the occasion arose for action rip shit or bust is the order of the day. Not saying Fifita is a mirror image but he's the closest example of a Beetson I've seen.

My kind of front rower both, if the occasion calls for unadulterated thuggery, no mercy, talent, support and especially character no two alike could offer more

 

[POPEYE]

Won't be long now and the media will begin to work themselves up to a frenzy of accolades for the Kangaroos similar to what happens before every outing of our mighty Cricket team . . . and we all know what happens on average then. The aftermath is usually one of disappointment and dismay that the team got so wrong what the media knew had to be right.

Just a smidgen of what is to come is the announcement that Jarryd Hayne must be Inglis's preferred partner in the centres because he's picked to play against the US, apparently Sheens has finally made a monumentous decision. In all probability he is just protecting the centres he doesn't want in harm's way while he gives Inglis the run he must have to fine tune what everyone expects from him in the finals.

Nothing worse to put the mockers on an Australian team than media running amok in congratulatory mode before the event. Among the risks now, that Sheens has seen all he needs to see, are lack of match fitness, complacency and especially injuries.

I'd imagine if he had a choice the only players he'd play before the finals would be those good enough to appease a crowd paying their hard earned or those that needed a run. I've said for years Hayne is a centre but practice in Origin is a necessity, my bet is the status quo from the first game hasn't changed, game time for a certain forward maybe

 

[POPEYE]

Looks like we can just about dispense with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and not before time, parents should have more consideration for two finger typists. RTS will get more hits on future keyboards than SBW or JWH, even GI will have to move over.

As it stands it's a shame the bloke can't play for NSW, he would even now be a walk up start as fullback, not sure Robbo can put off the inevitable until '15. Look for pushing, shoving and finger pointing directed at poor old Mini, that ring on his finger doesn't have enough magical powers I'm afraid.

Vossy hasn't lost his heightened imagination, labelling Danny Brough a legend. The bloke is a pale Benji, a real 'hope for the best' merchant if ever there was one. Maybe Vossy was pretending to be a Billy Connolly Scottish soccer supporter who went to the wrong end of the field and had his boots shat in while he pissed in their Bovril

Just to add, do yourself a favour and find a copy of 'The Pick of Billy Connolly' . . . has a picture of him with one finger up his nose on the cover

 

[POPEYE]

Here's my chance to dig out the soapbox once again, hope coach Arthur took notice of the way Hayne went at centre. Not saying he'll get a run in the WC semi but he has proven he is one of the great opportunist players.

He doesn't have what it takes to play structured footy, something fools have tried to enforce on him at fullback, 5/8 and even wing, but centres thrive in broken play more than any other and the perpetual blank look on the bloke's face is the signature of an opportunist.

If you rely on him to do what he's meant to do you wouldn't want to be hanging by your balls waiting, give him the job of popping up when least expected and he'll earn the money presently wasted on him.

 

[POPEYE]

Great job Mr Silverwood and Mr Stone, one kept the game flowing as much as possible while the other made sure the Tongans had no respite. The WC final will be in good hands if the Kiwis play the Roos and Newcastle will be in good hands when Benny has had enough ticking the box.

The draw didn't do Stone any favours or did it, maybe having to play Aus and NZ kept their heads out of the clouds and Tonga took too much notice of the scores against. Fiji can't finish any worse than equal third in the world which is a pretty good effort.

Looks to be many players in the Fijiian team that respond to good coaching and the island will be celebrating their new found status, Slater's injury may have saved Hayne from missing two chances in the WC semis

 

[POPEYE]

Referee Maxwell is in favour of a 'Captains Challenge' being instituted and he may have a point. Every time a referee blows a penalty and he sees Jamie Lyon bolting towards him he could exclaim 'Is this a challenge?' or 'No more left Jamie'. Could automatically make Jamie think twice or replace 'Go away for f**k sake'.

Could be repercussions though if a point score for and against was to be recorded, something the arsewipes would cotton onto fairly quickly. Imagine if Mr Maxwell was to 'lose' 10 challenges against his decision in a row . . . nasty indeed.

Then again Cam Smith could win every challenge and add to his resume as the most astute player in history, a DM medal could be struck to honour the captain each year that outsmarted the referees the most. On the downside, hard to keep the 'C' if you waste challenges or are proven to be wrong consistently.

Imo the video ref should earn his money not by being pedantic but by being quick witted enough to advise the referee when there is a glaring mistake missed, rendering the 'challenge' unnecessary. The underlying problem is 'I have already made a decision and can't change it' . . . why in f**king hell can't a decision be changed.

The same scenario apparently when a player is separated from the ball and the referee has to blame somebody when uncertainly should result in picking the thing up and playing on. Unfortunately a lot of a referee's misfortune is self inflicted