Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

Seems Sticky's idea of right frame of mind relies a lot on psychology, works pretty well with an U/16's team but by the time a player is paying a mortgage he's done with mind games . . . or should be. Listening to Arthur giving directions on the training paddock reminded me of an old history teacher of mine, he'd only tell me once and throw chalk at me if I wasn't paying attention.

Hasler is winning games because his mob are following a white line, no sidetracking just doing exactly as they're told. James Graham looks about as smart as a paint spraying robot but he never deviates, the Warriors could have beaten the Dogs easily if all their players applied the Graham methodology.

Bellamy is certainly no rocket scientist and has been troubled by his players not following instructions as a unit, the reason Melbourne usually hang on in the first half and steamroll in the second was always due to discipline. Parramatta have added a few players and a shitload of discipline.

Disciplined teams are always on the lookout for opposition players dropping their heads, vultures mightn't be handsome but they rarely go hungry. Josh Reynolds for some reason is a bloke I have trouble liking but he's always in the right frame of mind, perfect for Origin but only if all the Blues follow suit

So, wtf am I trying to say . . . singular talent will almost always lose out against group commitment

 

[Sphagnum]

Josh Reynolds definitely has the makeup of an origin player. The 1% plays are what he thrives on I and make a solid ball player into an above average one. NSW are foolish to not pick him at 6 because he is clearly head and shoulders above any one else based on current form. I'd imagine QLD will be happy if his name is not on the team sheet to be honest.

He is a mongrel and that is exactly what NSW need to try and put the the QLD spine off their game ( if that is even possible)

 

[POPEYE]

Hodkinson can thank Reynolds for his inclusion, not bad decisions by Pearce, combinations are the difference between Origin and Ordinary. Imo Hayne should be #4 where he can instigate instead of respond, Luke Lewis on the bench is like a plasticene spare tyre and Tony Williams without Hasler is Bugs Bunny's baby bear without his ol' man

Hoffman sacrificed by Bellamy but saved by Daley is interesting and I've never been fussed on Watmough. Scott is a good move but that is only one and a half mongrels inc Reynolds . . . not enough. Still, a change is as good as a holiday and hopefully the Blues may win the first, either way leave the team as it is.

Best part of the whole shitfight we call Origin is that the Dogs won't have another dream run in what is supposed to be a fair premiership

 

[POPEYE]

No halves, Greenberg can't have seen that coming, he would have organised a bye for the Dogs otherwise. Should be a non-event if the Roosters were in last year's frame of mind . . . this is a 'shit happens' game

Crikey there are too many teams relying on injury prone players, Titans are foremost amongst them with Sezer again out of action. Warriors should slaughter this mob which is why a loss wouldn't be a surprise and a win won't prove a f**king thing

Tigers/Broncos could prove interesting for the few hundred regulars that turn up at Campbelltown

Can guess what will be said about Sticky if his mob can't beat a headless Cowboys

If Sam Burgess could play Origin he doesn't go to Union, who wouldn't want to play in the best arena. Sharks should piss another injury prone pretender off, Carney is less than tits on a bull. Bunnies should win

 

[POPEYE]

This may have been spoken of elsewhere but call me pessimistic or cynical but alarm bells are ringing when so much attention is being paid to the concussion rule. Greenberg is the flavour of the month, hopefully Smith regards him as a standby scapegoat and not the Main Man Toddy wants to be.

TG is impressing on the Origin combatants that abuse of the rule won't be tolerated. Even a fan of Todd, which surprisingly I'm not, would raise a giggle and point at the Pommy Nibbler, a protected species. Anyway, highlighting the fact that utmost attention will be given to the concussion rule opens a can of worms.

How's this for a likely scenario with no better a place than Origin to implement it. A stray elbow or knee, accidental or at least not conspicuous enough for a send off, strikes Hayne or Slater in the head. The man responsible, tackler if you like, points to the affected fullback and tells the ref 'He's concussed sir!' Even a genius, such as Badger for instance, would be taken in by the subterfuge and off the field the bloke has to go.

Maybe an 'accidental' head clash between a meathead forward and a prize playmaker would be the go. What do we call this new tactic when it eventuates. . . a ToddyKO has a nice ring to it

 

[POPEYE]

Watching this morning's replay, only because the Dogs lost and trying not to be bias, it's remarkable how the penalties are structured. Plenty of innocuous head contact from both sides, even tempted to claim Kasiano's tackle that saw JWH leave the field a perfect example of deliberately causing concussion . . . why not, them's the rules.

Funny how many penalties the Dogs received were at extremely fortunate times, one given the Roosters stopped their momentum enough to give the Dogs time to reset their defence. This is of course looking through eyes that want the Dogs to fail, I may get pen and paper and watch the next replay in a few hours and pretend I'm watching a boxing match

Even when you watch Mundine you must count all the punches thrown by both men, not only the bloke you want to win. Just on that f**kwit Klemmer with his pathetic attempt at accidentally kicking a tackler, that's what you get when players are only employed part time knowing they have to make an impression. Limit the interchanges and the rubbish will be limited . . . you want stamina free footy go to the f**king USA

 

[Cammo]

I think the refs go into games with pre-conceived ideas towards teams (even if they say they don't)

The Roosters are one of the most penalised teams and the refs know that going into the game, so I would bet they watch them closer than they do a team like Melbourne who seem to get away with far more

 

[POPEYE]

Well done, pity the jab at Melbourne won't have any affect on a tough old cookie like me. Your tongue in cheek jibe is noted as a genuine apology to the Roosters however. Like I said, to be a genuine League supporter you have to count everything

 

[oikee]

Watching this morning's replay, only because the Dogs lost and trying not to be bias, it's remarkable how the penalties are structured. Plenty of innocuous head contact from both sides, even tempted to claim Kasiano's tackle that saw JWH leave the field a perfect example of deliberately causing concussion . . . why not, them's the rules.

Funny how many penalties the Dogs received were at extremely fortunate times, one given the Roosters stopped their momentum enough to give the Dogs time to reset their defence. This is of course looking through eyes that want the Dogs to fail, I may get pen and paper and watch the next replay in a few hours and pretend I'm watching a boxing match

Even when you watch Mundine you must count all the punches thrown by both men, not only the bloke you want to win. Just on that f**kwit Klemmer with his pathetic attempt at accidentally kicking a tackler, that's what you get when players are only employed part time knowing they have to make an impression. Limit the interchanges and the rubbish will be limited . . . you want stamina free footy go to the f**king USA

You are spot on Popeye. If you follow a team that gets a raw deal most of the time, like the Cowboys, you quickly can find fault in what the refs are doing.
Some games the cows play in Sydney, you feel like the refs have shares in the other team.
It got that bad watching these games that i dont bother now, i only watch a replay if they win. ?? Yes i know,,,, sad, but that is how much it hurts.

 

[POPEYE]

McFadden's on the right track imo, it wouldn't hurt to dye Tomkins hair fluoro green so his team mates find him easier but overall the Warriors seem to be finally taking direction from their coach. Voss is far better a commentator than Rabs but he claimed the expensive Pom was quiet, imo the bloke was in the right position almost every tackle, just not given the ball at the right time.

Matter of fact, once the Kiwis learn to think about their passing instead of relying on impulse all members of the team will benefit. Elliott tried to make a purse from a sow's ear whilst McFadden it appears is trying to tick boxes, one step at a time.

The theory on how long it will take to 'accidentally' concuss an apponent was highlighted by an actual accident that saw Brooks forced off at Campbelltown. Maybe the bloke was really concussed, he certainly played like he was in the last minutes of the game when just a little level headedness could have won the game for the Tigers. Hunt is a better #7 if Brooks wasn't concussed

Poor old Badger, I don't reckon the bloke is a showpony like most of his comrades, just a numbskull. He has a very poor 'feel' for the game, although not alone amongst Australian referees he has trouble hiding the fact. The sooner our referees stop seeking Brownie points the better, simple things like knock-ons must be proven with absolute ball separation . . . no f**king guessing

The Captain's Challenges in the lead up Cup game proved referees are not learning their job properly, commentators were bemused when teams ran out of challenges. The ref in that game actually took a very doubtful opportunity to 'get square' after being overruled seconds before. We all wish we were talented enough to play the game, most referees aren't but they're certainly determined to make a f**king impression

 

[POPEYE]

It's a shame the Bronco's won, all other results continue the Origin farce . . . and Sticky is again redeemed

 

[POPEYE]

Maybe I owe Greenberg an apology, he might have known his mob were going to be without brains in Origin lead up games and wanted to prove his impartiality. Daley may have confided that he wasn't happy with the Rooster halves before December and Dogs would fill their places. . . and my hair may grow back after all.

What would you do if you were Director, play Melbourne against NQ both certainly without their stars before game 1 or be accused of dudding the Cowboys yet again. If Todd guessed like the rest of us that the Eels would be going gangbusters he's to be applauded for sacrificing the Dogs against them the weekend before game 2 . . . what better way to allay claims of favouritism

Todd probably realised the Eagles weren't going to contribute much to Origin and felt pity for them before game 3. Because the Dogs were running empty on playmakers we can't blame the Director for scheduling home games before each Origin, especially since he must have known in December his old mob were going to be in this predicament. Hey, I believe in Todd, he gave Melbourne byes before 2 Origins and a game against the Titans before the other so I definitely won't question his thinking.

Listening to the Raiders/Cowboys on radio one commentator reminded everyone that Origin was once tried as stand-alone but wankers whinged about missing their footy. Wonder how many of the same wankers thought this weekend's footy was worth the sacrifice. Pity we don't have a crystal ball to tell us which teams don't need the 2 points . . . fmd, that's it . . . Toddy is giving the others a chance

 

[POPEYE]

The need to give The Voice 45 minutes start in order to ff the unwanted bits had me watch almost 3/4 of the game last night, the stand-ins for Luke kept me interested. The thing I like most about Isaac is his aggressiveness, Souths have players capable of copious amounts of push and shove but not enough aggro.

A quick perusal of the headlines had me guessing that Madge is uncertain how to use Koroisau when Luke returns, maybe he's learnt the hard way that Luke is a better shock weapon. The Eels coach has shown Peats probably should have been the starting #9 for the Rabbitohs all along, Isaac should be served fresh when appropriate.

It would be more affective having the Koroisau brains running the dummy half and let the Luke brawn supply the missing aggro/niggle, Isaac is at his worst decision making when he's tired. Actually, he shouldn't be relied upon to make any decisions at all

 

[H.H]

His original first grade coach recognised that 6 years ago but Isaac didnt like it.

For what it's worth, I agree.

 

[POPEYE]

It's ironic that the players who have earned the right to be looked after are the ones sacrificed to the whims of bureaucracy. Glenn Stewart and Ryan Hoffman (twice) are being forced to go somewhere they shouldn't have to.

There are not enough players like them to upset the balance if the NRL came to it's senses and allowed concessions but therein lies the problem. Melbourne's top echelon one club nurtured players for instance have to go through the subterfuge of pretending to look elsewhere to create a semblance of capitulation. I don't give a shit how clubs keep these players no matter how dubious the process.

Then we have deals with players like Tedesco, Barba, Millford to mention just a few who are poached from clubs who wanted them to become the type of player Melbourne refuses to relinquish without a fight. Who are the real bad guys in the game, players without a conscience, clubs who can't bother nurturing or an administration that has no idea of what it takes to instill confidence in potential one club League players . . . or brain dead supporters who can't see past their noses

Maybe if players thought they could earn the chance after long service to stay at their club on good money they wouldn't prematurely desert ship and add to the type of disappointment ruining the game. It's up to the ARLC to encourage clubs to dig harder for great players, not just claim jump

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

There are not enough players like them to upset the balance if the NRL came to it's senses and allowed concessions but therein lies the problem. Melbourne's top echelon one club nurtured players for instance have to go through the subterfuge of pretending to look elsewhere to create a semblance of capitulation. I don't give a shit how clubs keep these players no matter how dubious the process.

Then we have deals with players like Tedesco, Barba, Millford to mention just a few who are poached from clubs who wanted them to become the type of player Melbourne refuses to relinquish without a fight. Who are the real bad guys in the game, players without a conscience, clubs who can't bother nurturing or an administration that has no idea of what it takes to instill confidence in potential one club League players . . . or brain dead supporters who can't see past their noses

Maybe if players thought they could earn the chance after long service to stay at their club on good money they wouldn't prematurely desert ship and add to the type of disappointment ruining the game. It's up to the ARLC to encourage clubs to dig harder for great players, not just claim jump

The storm paid a heavy price for that fight. I know you're only throwing out bait to get people you consider foolish to bite, but the fact remains that the Storm engaged in illegal dealings to maintain the playing group they managed to assemble due to some very astute scouting. Your continual habit of ignoring this does not mean people will stop calling you out on it, whether you like it or not. It's fact.

Other teams did not engage in such dealings and were unable to accrue and keep the talent required to compete.

Look, I understand, Melbourne are a very good team and they have 3 of the finest players in their respective positions of their generation. They have savvy coaching and excellent supporting players.

You seem to assume that it will be business as usual for the club after they retire in the next few years. It won't be.

The reason the Raiders, Tigers and Parras are angry is because they actually invest significant sums of money in junior leagues - ACTUAL juniors, not players who are 16, 17, 18 years old and already becoming very talented players. That means these clubs spend money supporting the base of the playing pool to draw from - not just the higher levels where the Storm is able to identify talent after a fair bit of the chaff has been winnowed away without having to spend a cent. These clubs deserve to be recognised for their efforts.

I'm not certain how this should be done, but it doesn't seem unfair to ask for it.

That being said, despite the liss of Tedesco, the Tigers have managed to secure a very good young group of players and the next few years will hopefully see them become a consistent team with finals experience under their belt and a tilt at Minor Premierships and Grand Finals.

 

[POPEYE]

You know very well that I never denied Melbourne broke the rules, something I wish I could ignore. I however will never stop soapboxing the reason they broke the rules, which was simply to keep what rightfully belonged to them as Tedesco rightfully belongs to the Tigers. There is also an argument against that stance no doubt but trying to convert me is a waste of time

It is just a coincidence that since '98 when the rebel in me led me to follow a team that had the nerve to take on the AFL and needed supporters, a club which would be disregarded not only by Victorians but by the League world. I could have remained an Eels supporter and fought tooth and nail to help them keep the players they needed to keep.

I detest poaching, had Melbourne decimated other clubs year after year to become as irreplaceable as they are, I would lead the 'hate' charge against them. Whether you or anyone else likes it or not the Storm contribute more than any other club to the ideal that every club should search for unknowns, nurture them and add to the stocks of League champions.

Although not an Eels supporter in the sense that I follow one team, I'm not because the leadership was habitually gutless, I wouldn't give a f**k how they kept their players. Melbourne got caught because they were naive, other clubs are not, still I don't care how they keep what is theirs. I have no idea how Proctor was retained or what he was promised after his career is over.

What everyone has to understand is something Potter said, 4 or 5 clubs can't be expected to carry Rugby League, the sooner concessions are given for promulgating a system of nurturing the sooner all clubs will be forced to participate. As far as Melbourne not contributing to junior development, they do as much as humanly possible in their situation and probably a whole lot f**king more than you think they do

The argument that the Raiders do more than their fare share of nurturing and so are justified in poaching from the Tigers in retaliation to being poached from is bullshit . . . two wrongs etc. If the Dogs did what Melbourne do and left other clubs alone I would preach their righteousness . . . that gives you some idea how I feel about the subject

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

I lived in Melbourne for 6 years. I've seen development officers on the road all over the city. Melbourne is working at it. I never said they weren't.

They do admirably with what they have, but don't for one second try and convince anyone that their production is equal to that of the western Sydney clubs.

 

[POPEYE]

The Storm has always been the 4th Queensland team, there are youngsters north of the border who have no other desire but to play for Melbourne or Brisbane. The key to perpetuating that desire is the attraction of coaching capable of making so far away from home worthwhile. Every club needs to search for talent everywhere, nurturing is more important than just signing a player or claiming the streets he grew up in.

I'm in the minority who want all 16 teams to become ominous, not merely circulate in and out of mediocracy. Nothing would be better than every team to be revered like Manly and Melbourne who don't have to win premierships because everyone knows they are more than capable.

The thousands of 'supporters' rejoicing that Cronk broke his arm should be disappointed that their hopefully equally talented team won't be facing a full strength Storm in weeks to come. League is a game of wasted opportunities when it should be a game of opportunities taken

 

[POPEYE]

NRL Teams and Rugby League Clubs are different entities, only a small number of players will ever get near playing NRL, the rest and their mums and dads and volunteer helpers will at best be more involved and receive some sort of renumeration in what is really just another game to be enjoyed

It's the ARLC's mandate to ensure that teams invited to play NRL must contribute funds to keep 'breeding' grounds alive, it has to be sufficient and equally demanding on all clubs. It is not the business of NRL teams where the ARLC distribute junior development monies.

If an NRL team creates harmony in the area it represents it is because it needs supporters to keep it financially viable, the ARLC can't force any team to do more than is necessary. What it can do is raise the required level of contribution of all its teams if junior development is suffering at the hands of rival codes.

The romantic idea that Rugby League is a game of locality against locality is rapidly dissipating, there are many more Bulldog supporters outside the area it represents than there are in it. The game at its highest level is in a transition period, the number of Newsouthwelshmen living in the past are reaching old age and passing on. The future will see most supporters following a team simple because they are attracted by something other than allegiance to a locality.

Most of the people hanging on to some fictional obligation to a district actually believe the Broncos are suffering from bad coaching. Brisbane is suffering because of Melbourne, Benny saw the writing on the wall, he and Bronco supporters disliked the Storm more than any other team because they considered the Big 3 amongst other Victorian Qldrs belonged to them.

Brisbane would have carried along its merry way collecting premierships if it were not for Melbourne, just as one day Perth will enter the competition and the game will become truly national, enough to further alienate the traditional game and wholier than thou breeding grounds. One day people will laugh at the thought that juniors once 'belonged' to an NRL team any more than apprentices who graduate belong to their masters.