Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

You have to admit it's a lot more interesting with coaches like Stuart, Elliott and Price around, instead of just injuries determining the season we have an X factor to consider. If every team stays injury free then it's up to the coach to beat his opposition coach on the day.

Bellamy for instance on most days would give the Raiders a better chance if he was coaching them against a Sticky coached Storm . . . unless the Storm played the way Stuart imagined they could. The difference between imagination and reality on the field is perfection, something Elliott relies heavily upon.

If the Warriors follow Elliott's always complicated instructions and they do not have injuries which can't be compensated for imo they will win the comp. Johnson is their weak link, not Elliott, now that Tomkins is there to steady the team when Shaun's brain goes walkabout you will find the usual lapse in team co-ordination will be negated.

Stuart never had anyone like Campese on the paddock who will no doubt one day make a far better coach than Sticky could ever be. This Pom will make the difference between a two and three lane expressway. Elliott has a level playing field devoid of excuse potholes now providing Johnson plays for the team, imo he'll rise to the occasion. Stuart may surprise and Price . . . anyone's guess

 

[soc123_au]

Yeah, I am coming around in seeing the things that you find interesting. I will always support the Panthers though regardless of who is coaching.

I can't see Price doing much. First one out the door for the year IMO. I can see Potter making some inroads this year.

 

[POPEYE]

It's great not having a patch over one eye, Potter is one of my interchanges in the quest towards another memorable season

 

[POPEYE]

All quiet on the western front suddenly seems appropriate, this season is about to kick off and there appears to be apprehension where there should be confidence. The Roosters are entitled to be gung ho but whilst Manly, Melbourne and Souths are still Musketeers there is an air of despondency. We're anticipating the usual fanfare as the season begins with a bang but it looks as though most teams will still be in trial mode for another month or so.

Maybe 'trial mode' is not accurate, 'practice mode' certainly is. Even the unflappable Melbourne and Manly are not settled, spare a thought for the teams with new combinations who have nfi what position they'll be in by the time grass doesn't need mowing. At least most supporters of all teams can feel optimistic while people in the know get cramp from finger crossing.

I suppose all this uncertainty is appropriate as a foil for Dave Smith's exhuberance, a reversal of last season when he was doing all the finger crossing. Other than the Roosters and possibly Souths there is some sort of drama unfolding with the rest, anyone submitting their usual Wednesday predictions in the near future is stabbing in the dark . . . this season could be the most fascinating of the century so far

 

[POPEYE]

Another example of why I'll never stop beating the drum, sure there are plenty of teams who could use Glenn Stewart and sure enough he's still too good a player to not take up some of Manly's salary cap but the thought of forcing the bloke out because he's susceptable to injury is f**king diabolical.

If I had my way a 10 year one club player would cost sfa, at least a player who plays an agreed amount of games for his club with rep games included should cost nothing. Injuries are becoming a plague yet clubs aren't allowed to keep fill in players like Menzies and Stewart if not for free at least for a piddling amount.

So what if Manly had the Stewart brothers and a half dozen more pensioners on their books for nothing, haven't they earned the right and there's nothing stopping any club from keeping players in the game the same way. If the pussies in the building reckon it's unfair to keep Slater for nothing maybe he should be required to play 12 years before he's eligible but 10 years for a forward is enough.

Everyone's up in arms about players defecting, going to SL too early or will it be in the future retiring and saving themselves for the Nines when the NRL loses control of it. League is starting to resemble a f**king sausage factory and is it any wonder more players are chasing the dollar outside the game when the game is reincarnating Scrooge as it's nemesis

 

[ek999]

I don't often agree with you Pops but I think you are spot on with the salary cap and long serving players. It would have to be 10 years worth of first grade though IMO not just 10 years with the club.

 

[POPEYE]

I reckon a set number of first grade games would be more appropriate, maybe an expected 24 games a year for the most rugged players wouldn't be much of an ask so a starting point for avoiding any deduction in the cap could be 240 games, maybe 280 for a backline player.

The NRL will never be that drastic but there will have to be some sort of substantial reward for long service. Even if a player like Pat Richards returning to the same club should accrue Brownie points

 

[MaxPower]

Forget about rewards and incentive and criteria, simply scrap the cap.

 

[soc123_au]

180 first grade games & then they are recorded on the cap at the minimum first grade salary of the day.

 

[POPEYE]

Here goes nothing, if Sutton plays the entire game at lock it will be somewhat of a miracle but I'm not sure Souths haven't already written this game off as an exercise in futility. Could surprise and be a blockbuster, let's hope there are no sacrificial lambs. The Roosters don't have fragile playmakers so Robbo will expect them to start the year like a steam engine, they should win with a loss just a hiccup, they'll set the pace for the entire season.

Hasler's flying under the radar days are over, he just needs the team to stay airbound. The Dogs' game plan for the season is hard work and more hard work, Des is the man to crack the whip. On the other hand Griffin's future will rely on being fancy, nothing about his team's attacking prowess is rock solid. Barba will be lucky to finish this game let alone the season.

Panthers/Knights should be an 80 minute c**k fight, pick a winner Gunga Din, you're a better man than I

Storm like to start with a bang and Manly never seem to be bothered but the fact they're playing each other and it's at Brookie probably means the bounce of the ball and the referees will dictate a winner. Going to be a long year for both and neither will slash their wrists in the process

The most anticipated game, either of these winning the pissant cup would do me, we at least should garner ideas of what the future holds. A win not as important for the Raiders, respectability the intrinsic requirement at the end of this day. Cowboys will naturally want to carry on the euphoria of the Nines and Green gives the vibes he'll thrive without early disappointment

One hanging on for dear life and the other looking to climb over bodies to reach the top, the Dragons have far more to lose than the Tigers even if it is only esteem. Albeit superficially the big red V is deemed a tall poppy in waiting and the Tigers the perennial underdog but I can't wait to see what Potter does this year

Warriors are the darkest of dark horses for the cup, equal favourites imo but with the biggest proviso of any team. Most people are eager to see what Johnson is going to do whilst I'm hoping he doesn't do anything stupid. That said, if Parra get close or win it will be an epic achievement and I'll have fingers crossed for them

Every game the Titans get through injury free will be a miracle in itself, Carty is too good a coach to never have any luck help him along. Curvature of the spine is life threatening on the GC but more and more teams will suffer from the NRL's blinkered outlook on injury absentee compensation. Sharks will rip, shit or bust this year and no team will look forward to playing them

 

[POPEYE]

That's why I don't watch any Rugby League footy shows, come to think of it the same with Cricket, or any pre game bullshit, sometimes I cant even bear to listen to commentary as with last night's game. For some reason the media is not content until it has put the mocker on everything.

Jabba is a special, I knew when he lauded the Roosters all week they would come back to Earth. So, now I presume we have a new favourite for the cup . . . the mighty Rabbitohs

 

[POPEYE]

Ask Lowrie how easy it is to pull off a legal shoulder charge, he knew his arms had to make first contact in a stand up tackle, so did Cranky Frank who deliberately aimed a shoulder at his head. Ball carriers are vitually above recrimination. Maybe Frank will be able to come up with a way of diving at defensive players' knees while he's carrying the ball.

Speaking of Pritchard, another part time Yank style footballer who only has to perform 3 or 4 heroic acts before earning a rest, wonder how he compares to Hoffman who was just as impressive for most of the game. Justin did more for the Broncos in an attempt to keep the opposition on the backfoot than Cranky could in 3 games.

Souths/Rabbitohs was all about Sonny and Sam, how many noticed the effort Dylan Walker who is not expected to earn a rest came up with. He stopped Williams in his tracks one on one and played without though of injury all night. Williams had trouble containing Inglis who doesn't earn a rest and was more involved in the game than Sonny.

Nothing against Sonny or Frank but applauding part time players, even calling them the world's best, is hypocritical when they're up against blokes who are just as influential but have to play 80 minutes. Williams may play 80 but he knows he doesn't have to, Pritchard knows he can pick and choose his legendary 'moments'.

Two games so far and imo Hoffman and Walker were as good as anyone, both upset the rythmn of their opposition and both were experiments . . . both determined not to be f**king guinea pigs

 

[POPEYE]

Apart from me calling Hoffman 'Justin' the first round has been so far so good imo. Roosters and Souths both got what they needed, Raiders/Broncos/Cowboys were impressive enough to have supporters sit up and take notice and Storm/Seagles the usual lottery.

I'm never disappointed when the Dogs lose and I would like to call the Panthers win emphatic, it really was a second half escape from a shemozzle but encouraging just the same. Knights are probably the only team hanging their heads but wtf . . . only the first round.

Most enjoyable to date has been the experiment results. Hoffman, Walker, Wighton, Hampton and even a successful Wallace return were like presents under the Xmas tree for supporters. Barba didn't do anywhere near enough to deserve the media cacophony he received but what he did was encouraging.

Refereeing is the usual Aussie pedantic shit but it was the same for all teams, seems refereeing in the NRL is about as predictable, inevitable and disheartening as player injuries . . . as long as there is breath in Jamie Lyon the fight will continue. Hope the rest of the weekend matches the beginning

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I am so glad someone is calling up the likes of Pritchard. Am so tired of seeing 40 minute hulks smash 80 minute players and get lauded for it.

 

[POPEYE]

Tigers understandably underdone, Parra and Dragons seemingly now better lead and the Warriors cold just about sums up Sunday. The Eels the most impressive of the day I suppose but Widdop must have red V supporters cocky once again, he'll become a better organiser as the year unfolds.

Fiji one way or another are making an impression on the NRL, they probably should have a team playing on the Australian mainland as do PNG but Radradra will do as a reminder of a neglected breeding ground. The bloke is the new Vatuvei and only one of a few interesting players likely to convert the Eels from a chicane into a hurdle.

 

[POPEYE]

I like to think that I knew all along that Cam Smith would never leave Melbourne because the way he went about it is exactly what I would have done . . . although I wasn't sure he would be as vindictive and devious.

Here's a bloke that owes allegiance to a club hugely responsible for his standing in the game, mainly because of the tutelage he received but a debt nevertheless. Naturally, like Cronk and Slater, he had to get the best deals along the way but I imagine he has never forgiven the shit a one club player has to endure to show loyalty.

The NRL and their f**king inconsiderate salary cap and all the wankers that want to deny Melbourne a reward for producing champions on the one hand and poach from them with the other are virtually being told by the big 3 to go f**k themselves. Now the only avenue for c**ksuckers that can't have them in their teams is to decry them as washed out . . . suck shit.

Talent aside there are special players like Steve Mortimer, Cronin, Menzies, Slater, Cronk and Smith to name a few that stand out among the rest as men of conviction. I don't give a shit how much they're paid or by what means . . . the game is rubbish without their kind

 

[POPEYE]

Put everything that's happened in the first round aside, the real news is how PNG have won both opening games against quality opposition, one on the mainland and the other at home. A momentous occasion compared to NRL teams warming up.

I've said before Fiji should have the same opportunity but beggars can't be choosers, when NRL clubs realise the value of fanaticism we'll see a lot of PNG players making the step up . . . where can I buy a jersey

 

[StormHi]

I like to think that I knew all along that Cam Smith would never leave Melbourne because the way he went about it is exactly what I would have done . . . although I wasn't sure he would be as vindictive and devious.

Here's a bloke that owes allegiance to a club hugely responsible for his standing in the game, mainly because of the tutelage he received but a debt nevertheless. Naturally, like Cronk and Slater, he had to get the best deals along the way but I imagine he has never forgiven the shit a one club player has to endure to show loyalty.

The NRL and their f**king inconsiderate salary cap and all the wankers that want to deny Melbourne a reward for producing champions on the one hand and poach from them with the other are virtually being told by the big 3 to go f**k themselves. Now the only avenue for c**ksuckers that can't have them in their teams is to decry them as washed out . . . suck shit.

Talent aside there are special players like Steve Mortimer, Cronin, Menzies, Slater, Cronk and Smith to name a few that stand out among the rest as men of conviction. I don't give a shit how much they're paid or by what means . . . the game is rubbish without their kind

Truer words never spoken. Well said pops!!

 

[POPEYE]

Brookie didn't help them maybe Bluetongue will, not sure not having Brett will be any worse than having him for half a game. At least the Seagles should this time finish the way they start against a cocky unchanged Souths

The records will show that Brisbane should beat the Cowboys but why I wouldn't have a clue.

Eden Park should save the Warriors from further embarassment, at least Elliott doesn't have to worry about complacency this week. If I was a pessimist I'd reckon Johnson sat back against the Eels because his ego wanted to prove Tomkins wasn't the great white hope after all. Another big game from the Dragons would go down well

Again, AAMI might make Melbourne look better but I wouldn't be surprised if the Panthers do well. Bellamy won't have much of an idea of what Penrith will come up with because they have no idea themselves this early in the season. Storm with structure should win

Roosters are going to come back with a vengeance make no mistake and Peats is as big a loss as Williams. If the Eels put on a good showing a win is not necessary to keep the doomsayers off their backs

Titans/Tigers is a finger crosser for me, just seeing these teams finish without injury is more important to me than who wins. Good luck to both coaches

Raiders on a roll after last week's impressive loss, Stuart v Bennett is the only thing that will derail them. Funnily enough I want Sticky to show some promise and especially Wighton and Campese to gell.

Vibes don't have a demoralised Sharks beating the Dogs I'm afraid

 

[H.H]

Brookie didn't help them maybe Bluetongue will, not sure not having Brett will be any worse than having him for half a game. At least the Seagles should this time finish the way they start against a cocky unchanged Souths

The records will show that Brisbane should beat the Cowboys but why I wouldn't have a clue.

Eden Park should save the Warriors from further embarassment, at least Elliott doesn't have to worry about complacency this week. If I was a pessimist I'd reckon Johnson sat back against the Eels because his ego wanted to prove Tomkins wasn't the great white hope after all. Another big game from the Dragons would go down well

Again, AAMI might make Melbourne look better but I wouldn't be surprised if the Panthers do well. Bellamy won't have much of an idea of what Penrith will come up with because they have no idea themselves this early in the season. Storm with structure should win

Roosters are going to come back with a vengeance make no mistake and Peats is as big a loss as Williams. If the Eels put on a good showing a win is not necessary to keep the doomsayers off their backs

Titans/Tigers is a finger crosser for me, just seeing these teams finish without injury is more important to me than who wins. Good luck to both coaches

Raiders on a roll after last week's impressive loss, Stuart v Bennett is the only thing that will derail them. Funnily enough I want Sticky to show some promise and especially Wighton and Campese to gell.

Vibes don't have a demoralised Sharks beating the Dogs I'm afraid

You're usually worth listening too, so I hope you're right on this one.

Me, I just have a feeling we'll continue to struggle early on.