Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

Used to be in the old days the first thing you'd look for on Monday morning was which teams would be
playing the coming weekend. Now all that concerns supporters is who will be available to play.
The betting organisations love it that players are now suffering more injuries because of the speed and
intensity of the modern game.

The players need to be paid more for the effort required to meet modern standards. They need a
definite set of rules instead of some taking turns to be enforced. In grey areas where intensity causes
a ball to be lost just play the ball. Keep referee interference and therefore grandstanding to a minimum.
Players need to play the game they train for, not the game that is taken out of their control by people
who haven't a clue what it takes.

 

[POPEYE]

It's all and well and good to show videos comparing shoulder charges. Pritchard and Teo were just
as bad as Inglis as anyone with half a brain will see, but there are other things to consider. The fairytale
rise of the Bulldogs, who are considered one of half a dozen mainstays of the comp, would be better
encouraged in this year of tv right negotiations. Having to lose Pritchard and Kasiano would not help.

Souths are not quiet as valuable at the moment to the face of League so Inglis could be the one to use
as an example to the rest. Besides, the Dogs are more likely to displace Melbourne, Manly and Brisbane,
who everybody is tired of hearing about come mardis gras season. Don't let anyone tell you that the
supporters who dress up in team colours are on the same page as the blokes manipulating the game
for it's 'own good'.

 

[POPEYE]

Not a bad result for Inglis if Merritt can hold the fort. Greg badly needs to rest injuries and if Maguire
can alter his game plan to have his fullback run around instead of through all will be well.

Gee, watching Sandow's interview regarding how he welcomed Stuart as a saviour rekindled the old
urge in me to punch a f**kwit. Not being able to afford a trip to the pub anymore saved me a lot of
bruises. Wonder if kneeling on the floor with his face in next year's coach's crotch would help Travis
Burns as much as Sandow hopes it will help him.

I'm sure Rory Kostjasyn is not going to the the Cowboys 'to find a place in the top 17'. He is good
enough to replace their part time #9 full time.

 

[POPEYE]

I've said before that players see the game and each other entirely different from anyone else. We
sideliners think the game is about scoring points but the vast majority of players consider points just
a by-product. The idea for the bloke that actually gets off his arse is to prove that he is as good or
hopefully better than those trying to stand over him.

To limit opportunities on one hand and create them on the other is all a player thinks of when taking
the field. Admittedly they train in different ways to achieve it but basically walking off with their heads
held high is the overwhelming concern for any player. Where am I going with this dribble you may ask
.
If the idea of the modern game is to slow down by defence and speed up in offence there is little to be
gained by the antiquated ways of purposely hurting people. Speed and substitution have made planned
attrition obsolete. Players will always do what they can get away with so pedantic rulings must be replaced
with rock solid laws.

Tacklers should know that as soon as a player's progess has been halted he will hear a call of 'held'
after which the ball can do nothing but be played. More importantly, 3 seconds after the call, tacklers
must have no more involvement other than releasing.

Should also be clear that if a player causes another to lose a ball or purposely drops a ball to gain a
penalty nothing will happen but a play the ball be ordered. Take away the opportunity to gain false
advantage or slow down play with scrums and penalties.

Everything above the head incurs a penalty, whether accidental or not. It's up to the player to train not
to hit above the shoulder and if he can't go try boxing as a sport. Grey areas cause cloudy days for
supporters and players. The game should not be left to interpretation but to legality alone. If players
are told to adhere to rules then officials must be trained to apply them in a manner where there can
be no conjecture.

 

[POPEYE]

If Melbourne didn't win another game this year the disappointment would be minimal compared to the
relief of everyone that Will Chambers is returning to good health. Not only was he an integral part of
the team's early season success but his loss was as damaging as Slater's. All team playing groups
have camaraderie as insulation against bullshit.

There's an article in the Tele asking us to imagine how the Tigers let Adam Reynolds slip through their
fingers. Really a dumb question when you consider the great players that should've and could've.
A more interesting scenario is how would Souths be travelling with Benji and Wests with Adam.
I'm willing to bet the Tigers would be vying for top spot and Lol@Souffs might have a little credence.

 

[Lucky Roy]

"There's an article in the Tele asking us to imagine how the Tigers let Adam Reynolds slip through their
fingers. Really a dumb question when you consider the great players that should've and could've.
A more interesting scenario is how would Souths be travelling with Benji and Wests with Adam.
I'm willing to bet the Tigers would be vying for top spot and Lol@Souffs might have a little credence"


Is this right? He played for Souths U20s in a GF a few years ago and before that the local juniors. Literally grew up across the road from Redfern Oval, apparently. Not to say WT didn't have an interest a few years back but it's not surprising they put their eggs into other baskets.

I think Benji has reached the top of the hill and is looking at base camp on the way down. He doesn't always do well confronted by monsters and that is what he is looking at this week. It will be interesting to see how he deals with it.

 

[POPEYE]

Melbourne are doing a Newcastle in reverse. Benny may have left his run too late and the fact remains
Bellyache could run out of time trying to find that extra gear Benny grabbed. The Dragons should play
as the Steelers more often, something about red and the Gong. Seems the Dragons took Soward at his
word and stepped up . . . without him.

 

[POPEYE]

Titans are another team where ordinary performances can't be credited to the coach. Now they are
seemingly free of off-field uncertainty Cartwright is getting what he deserves from them. Supplying
adequate half time instructions and having them adhered to is a good sign for the GC and a bad
omen for future opposition.

 

[POPEYE]

I remember when I was a kid being offered cupcakes and naturally went for the one that had my
favourite icing. Nowdays if the icing is too thick I'll scrape it off it, preferring the cake itself, in the
same way Adam and Josh Reynolds interest me far more than Inglis or Barba. The Titans are my new
favourite team to watch because the Myles and Bailey recipe overshadows any icing. The 'unwanted'
and the 'worn out' have found the fountain of youth.

'Brian Smith has no answers . . .', 'Ricky's the best since Gibson . . .'. I was going to write a reply to
both but I'm stuck for adequate words.

Coote at 5/8 can't be a gamble for Ivan because he didn't have anything to lose. Even a sane Burns
was never a 5/8. Cleary must also see that Walsh is only part time, nothing to do with whether he plays or not.
Lewis will not be the only one late to realise the coach doesn't have a magic wand . . . common sense will have to do.

 

[POPEYE]

Naturally women's beach volleyball has priority over League and although Hasler is a favourite I have
disdain for the Dogs methodology, except for the progress of Reynolds, so games involving them
I can go without watching. The Manly game will have to wait for a replay but I did catch the dramatic end
. . . got to admire the heart this mob have.

Did watch the Penrith effort and although they have shown the odd admiral display over the years,
last night's game was different. Vibes have it that they finally realise job security is not a given.
Cleary is slowly, but surely, getting it through that Jesus would not be safe after a bad performance.
Must admit that Walsh stepped up this time and Coote may be able to look forward to a stable position.

 

[POPEYE]

The older I get the less time I have to waste on what could be. Folk here would already know I have no
interest in pie in the sky false climaxes a working girl would be proud of, otherwise known as grand finals.
Now, with ever increasing disgust at the way officialdom is taking results out of the hands of players, even
the minor premiership is becoming fool's gold.

Unlike the poor mugs who worship one particular team my season can't be frustrated. Not much chance that
rubbish coaching will ruin it by snagging anything worthwhile so League for me is slowly being reduced to
concentrating on the progress of particular players. I also shave my head and collect Hawiian shirts from Vinnies
. . . f**k fading away gracefully.

 

[taxidriver]

You must think you're very special

 

[POPEYE]

You must think you're very special

There are 10 people on the planet that think I'm special and I can't figure out why . . . maybe they think
they're obligated. Just like flat arsed taxi drivers there's nothing memorable about me.

 

[POPEYE]

I was brought back to earth by Olympic boxing officiating and in comparison League refereeing is only
mildly abyssmal. Wonder if Harrigan will survive the latest onslaught by the press and a pity that other
than the players, the man on the street has a much better feel for the game than people running it.

Appears that everything from judiciary, salary cap, officiating, country exposure and avoiding
unnecessary representative player fatigue will have to step up dramatically to fulfill what we all
hoped the ARLC would promise to achieve.

 

[POPEYE]

Just back from a sojourn of pig chasing to find Olympians and Eels supporters may have wished they
came with me. Can understand our athletes struggling with the monetry support they get and
Parramatta with the roster they have.

Be interesting to see if Stuart will persevere with 2nd rate players or will want to do a Hasler next year.
More importantly, Tigers supporters will be bemused that a good roster can let a shit roster jump them
and then answer with 50+. Methinks the west would be better off without Benji . . . Farrar is enough
loose canon for one team.

 

[POPEYE]

Easy to get carried away and say the Storm are on their way back but Bellamy won't be satisfied with
tonight's performance. The Titans were more impressive imo and the result could have easily been
different if they hadn't lost two of their best when in control.

 

[POPEYE]

Red blooded men know the most fun can be had searching between the knee and belly button but
when the time comes to claim the prize not being ready makes the expedition untenable. Many years
as a noted explorer have made Manly nearly always up for it. Souths have the need but not the
composure . . . yet.

Maguire could tell his players they have to live without the million dollar man but that doesn't make
much sense. To have such a player means the team should build their game around him and it defeats
the purpose to expect lesser paid men to fill the void indefinitely.

 

[POPEYE]

Men in board shorts whose coach was shown the door up against a team in designer stubbies whose
coach can't find the door . . . a recipe for comic opera. Aspiring young halfbacks will be thrilled to see
they needn't know how to tackle to make the big bucks and thank f**k for truck driving, the only way
for a meathead like JWH to make a quid after footy. Every time the Eels and Roosters play each other
it will always be worth the admission, the result anyone's guess

 

[POPEYE]

I should refrain from casting aspersions on Stuart's capability because the reason for his hiring by the
Eels has nothing to do with coaching. Like the ancient Mayans many years of Brian Smith's blood
sacrificing has led to a cult in need of radication and good, even great, coaching is not the answer.
The Eels need a powerful magnet capable not only of attracting but retaining promising players. Ricky
can leave on field tactics to a subordinate willing to learn about man management from him.

Hasler is doing both jobs at the Dogs but he may find waving the flag and loading the guns will cause
premature ageing . . . suppose that's better than premature ejaculation at the head of the river.
The Dogs have lost any cult influence overnight, good or bad, and CB is the new Manly which is the
best anyone can hope for a team based in a den of iniquity. Parramatta will hope their rise to power
will retain dignity but really, who gives a shit if the job gets done.

The games that Parramatta have won are really an indicator that coaching is held in little regard in a
club brainwashed by people feathering their own nests and have no consideration of the wellbeing of
supporters

 

[POPEYE]

Interesting to read about the where's and why's of George Piggins and I'm sure there is a case for both
sides. One thing I can testify to is the courage and dedication of the bloke. All the wankers remonstrating
about Cam Smith's committment to winning have never seen George play. Anyone foolish enough to
raise his hands to Piggins or trespass on his square metre finished the game worse for wear.