Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

Maybe an equation could be arrived at factoring in poor refereeing, key player absence and opposition readiness that we could use as not an excuse but as a guide. Say a full strength team at their preferred venue with the least number of refereeing blunders against them would record an 8/10 whereas their opposition missing key players away from home and hard done by in the referee mardis gras would earn 2/10.

No consideration for the quality of players, just appearance of the best available roster and the score is irrelevant. Roosters versus Eels with both teams at their optimum with equal penalties should see both receive 8/10 even if Parramatta lose by 50. The Eels with their shit roster could have totalled more winning the spoon than 80% of the teams above them.

Of course the rub is the lower the total at year's end the better, if the Eels finished with a high score and the spoon . . . double jeopardy. The point is a team like the Titans that had more than their share of rotten luck in all facets would probably have the right to declare their season a success, finishing 9th when lucky to compete with an average of 5/10.

There's a lot more than just looking at the ladder, especially with one eye, not saying League should be rewarded with a degree of difficulty like Olympic diving but real supporters of the game as a whole are capable of making allowances in consideration. Cartwright for instance imo just needs the rub of the green to match any of his contemporaries

 

[POPEYE]

A bloke who has my ear is always getting into it about how Thurston is the reason the Cowboys falter, the same reason the Kangaroos do so well. He reckons when Johnathon is not surrounded by dominant players he overcooks his role in a team. Not necessarily agreeing to the same extent I can see where he's coming from.

Reminded of it by Segeyaro's praise of Soward's input at training, comparing Jamie to Thurston. Laughable to imagine the two are in the same class but there are similarities. On a good day Soward would easily be as impressive in green and gold but when things aren't going well he goes missing whereas the MOM specialist can be guilty of over compensating to a degree that befuddles ordinary players.

To change the way Thurston plays for the Cowboys would be harder than training Barba to stop try scorers, all that is really needed is a coach and another half/#9 good enough to tone down his anxiety. Soward on the other hand needs to be anxious when the chips are down every game, not just the few that allow him to rest on his laurels 2 out of 3

 

[POPEYE]

Once the Kiwis sunk their teeth into the America's Cup the world soon found it had a new super hero, similarly we see the same drive in the movie world. For a little bloke NZ wields a big hammer and the RL Nines could end up as fascinating as the domination of Rugby Union is fascinating.

The question is why didn't big brother Australia come up with the Nines before NZ, is the answer hidden in why we can't sail better than NZ. Great idea to allocate a local Auckland club as a kind of mascot for each NRL team, makes you wonder if Australian clubs should have country 'mascot' clubs other than feeders.

The Eels have already semi-adopted Mudgee and Melbourne do a lot in NZ, can't hurt for country areas that aren't allowed to participate in the NRL for whatever reason to at least align themselves with an NRL club. The Nines will do a whole lot more than make money, another way of persuading Aucklanders to play League far more important

 

[POPEYE]

Thank f**k for small mercies, something had to be done before Santa arrived and although the pill they are asked to swallow may only be a placebo at least the Sharks have some sort of game plan. The NRL are like an infuriated mother telling a naughty boy to go to his room, whether the kid runs there, slams the door and turns up the music or just quietly follows instructions and smartly plays a waiting game is another thing.

The rights and wrongs of the whole schmozzle hasn't interested me, all I want each week is 80 minutes of Cronulla's time and imo what has befallen them is a blessing in disguise. The Sharks have gone from the weak kid on the block to someone not to be f**ked with and could end up the bully no-one wants to challenge.

Now an attraction for players determined to prove a point the Sharks have a coach that may have to instruct incognito, nothing like a little cloak and dagger to create interest, could even end up being beneficial as a short term solution. As long as the scapegoats don't include key players and demoralise the joint.

There's a good chance the penalties will be expedential with the right degree of acceptance, most people realise Flanagan is a good coach and the best one going forward after penance is paid, so hopefully '14 will be a bigger advancment than '13. Anyone who thinks this year was a bad one for the Sharks on the field is delusional. Nothing better than a demonised cult with a Dark Lord behind the scenes to stir the imagination . . . go Sharkies

 

[POPEYE]

Why would Fifita consider a code switch, if the snippet about him considering it had any substance, doesn't make sense does it. The story can't be any more than just another passenger clambering aboard the heavily overladen train heading towards Cronulla's end of line. Every player in the club will have to fart with a silencer for the time being to avoid attracting a feeding frenzy.

In hindsight Andrew wasn't given the opportunity he obviously deserved when with the Tigers and now he finds himself aboard a steam train fighting obsolescence, could he really be discouraged enough to think Sonny Bill is on the right track. Maybe piss off and show the world his talent is above any mere NRL boundaries that threaten to derail what has become overnight stardom.

The bloke's obvious heightened family ties that rival Mt Everest in significance may carry over to the coach that put him on a League pedestal. What if he thought a stint in Union would make a statement, a simple player, albeit naive possibly, showing loyalty to a great coach, albeit naive definately.

Wtf, if Fifita really is considering a sojourn in Union the only people to suffer would be League supporters, he would make a motza and be welcomed back at any club in the country after he proves his point. Nothing to worry about, will never f**king happen . . .

 

[POPEYE]

Unless I'm in a coffee shop and there's a free newspaper handy I don't read the arsewipes and what with them having the effrontery to demand I subscribe on line they've been removed from my desktop, there's enough people supporting League by buying their shit without needing me. Roy Masters is probably the only read I search for and there's other ways of doing that.

The NRL site has all mostly good news headlines this morning, must be relieving for Dave Smith, got to feel sorry for the bloke. Hopefully this year won't be a complete waste for him, there has been many precedents set he can use to establish a criteria that not even the demon arsewipe enemy can countermand.

Smith can now demand that clubs deal with Bra Boy mentality in the public arena with their own standard of conduct enforcement. Just a couple of suspensions away from constructing a fence that elephants can't piss juice through without losing their dicks and shit-for-brain players now have clear depth markers when swimming in booze.

The salary cap has been given a lot more credence and no doubt Smith has plans to add reality, so the new threat of League becoming a launching pad for Union players may be averted.

Of course there is still the big one yet to come, the inevitable match fixing that comes with dumbf**k betting, but apart from that Dave has done just about all that can be expected. At least there should be no confusion about what he's attempting, trying to make a supermarket out of a corner shop . . . how many f**king tree huggers are yet to be stepped over is the question

 

[POPEYE]

By the way, now that Sonny Bill has proved he's the best International League Player he's just got to finish with a rare back-to-back cup ring before he returns to Union . . . here's hoping he doesn't influence too many to jump ship.

Get a half dozen mates together, sit them down over a drink and ask them to select their strongest world team. Choose straws to see who goes first, from left to right they can pick a player every turn but each player can only be picked once.

Naturally my first choice if I drew the short straw would be Cam Smith so no-one else could have him, I imagine Thurston, Slater, Cronk, Fifita would be taken before my next turn but I still might get a shot at Sonny Bill the next round.

Williams might be a media pin up but making him the #1 International player is about as substantial as him winning one of the farcial boxing championship titles.

 

[bellyache]

By the way, now that Sonny Bill has proved he's the best International League Player he's just got to finish with a rare back-to-back cup ring before he returns to Union . . . here's hoping he doesn't influence too many to jump ship.

Get a half dozen mates together, sit them down over a drink and ask them to select their strongest world team. Choose straws to see who goes first, from left to right they can pick a player every turn but each player can only be picked once.

Naturally my first choice if I drew the short straw would be Cam Smith so no-one else could have him, I imagine Thurston, Slater, Cronk, Fifita would be taken before my next turn but I still might get a shot at Sonny Bill the next round.

Williams might be a media pin up but making him the #1 International player is about as substantial as him winning one of the farcial boxing championship titles.

Not even these guys could beat a team with second rate halves behind SBW for the Shield or cup in 2013, was a shame that NZ had third choice centres and a rubbish coach..

 

[POPEYE]

Fmd, more good news, Panthers playing one game a year in Bathurst shows Jabba is on the ball. There will come a day the League will declare all NRL clubs have to play a game in the bush. Only a stone's throw from Penrith even with a highway not yet suitable for human travel and a gateway to Group 10.

Players like Maloney and coaches like Bellamy will have a wry smile that the land of the forgotten is now more than just a birthplace and more inhabitants may take a second look at the game. With only a pile of rocks between two huge breeding grounds that the Panthers could have first shot at it is testimony to previous stupidity.

Methinks Penrith's plans are not as half-hearted as Parra's with Mudgee and Jabba is determined not to let a close rival surround him. All the Central West Plains need is a rivalry for affections and with an ounce of luck the western Sydney criminal flood threatening to distract youngsters will stop at the Blueys. Gus may be the new Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson.

 

[POPEYE]

Probably a good thing the NRL is typically Australian, I love being typically Australian, even if not having a game in China for differing reasons. I don't think it's in our best interest to encourage the Chinese to develop a liking for the game and the NRL are typical because they like to proceed in low gear, something the Chinese don't understand.

China may be producing Holdens for the exact same reason but I bet there will be a whole lot less of us wanting to be seen in the finished product, even if it is an exact replica. I'd rather see Manly/Raiders take a game to South Africa or Fiji or anywhere stepping up is needed, the NRL is neither accomplished enough or equipped to handle the frenetic pace demanded in China.

Would be far better off taking the Nines to China when and if it becomes too big for Auckland. At least then if the explosive version of the game became too much for the NRL to compete against and we lost the best players to it we wouldn't be embarrassed by NZ in League as well as Union.

 

[POPEYE]

I number myself among the self righteous which is the least inglorious of my faults and thank f**k there is room for me amongst the redneck, naïve, sanctimonious, one eyed and otherwise inflicted on this forum. It could be worse, I could be a good bloke trying not to upset anyone and please everyone . . . crikey, what a terrible thought.

So, to every last one of you, no matter how you see yourself, I wish you all the best and have a safe New Year . . . may you all return in one piece for '14

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Thanks for all the good reading in 2013. Please have a Happy New Year and all the best for 2014.

 

[Bandwagon]

Happy New year ol' fella.

 

[POPEYE]

Same to you young'un

 

[POPEYE]

Why the f**k not, a fully fit Freddy playing in the Nines would keep the tournament on an even keel. No-one wants to contemplate the romp stealing thunder from the stamina version of the game and any player who can contribute should be welcome.

Be great for a bloke fallen on hard times especially, imagine if more old timers found a dose of League Viagra and could manage to stand up for a couple of days. Maybe they would be more of a draw card than the players taking the thing seriously . . . at least Freddy and more like him can't be embarrassed

 

[POPEYE]

May as well put in my two bob's worth concerning the most pressing matter in League, will Cam Smith stay with Melbourne. Presuming his family see him as a patriarch and emotional issues aren't a distraction I can't see any sense in him leaving the joint, monetary issues aside peace of mind alone should be enough to keep him there.

Surely Melbourne's CEO has simply asked Smith what future aspirations he has, if coaching is his goal then staying has to be a lay down misere. Why would he leave such a comfort zone where he could write his own ticket, if he's any good at the caper the Storm will pay anything . . . where else are they going to find an equivalent capable of cultivating such an extraordinary cult.

I'm not convinced Cam has what it takes to coach, no great player has came within a bull's roar of what Bellamy or Bennett have achieved. I would rather see a Maguire/Robinson type at the helm but this is about what Smith thinks he is capable of, not what vibes tell me. A playing contract that finishes when Bellamy finishes and a promise is all that is necessary . . . money is no object.

If Smith wants to rule the roost as a CEO I'm sure no-one could compete with Melbourne but if he wants to follow a career in the media everything could go out the window. I've no f**king idea where the moguls would want him to park his arse but I doubt it would be in Melbourne.

 

[Howie]

May as well put in my two bob's worth concerning the most pressing matter in League, will Cam Smith stay with Melbourne. Presuming his family see him as a patriarch and emotional issues aren't a distraction I can't see any sense in him leaving the joint, monetary issues aside peace of mind alone should be enough to keep him there.

Cam has said for a while now that he would like to finish his career playing in his home town. ie: Brisbane. His wife is a Brisbane girl and all their family is in Brisbane. He's mentioned before that it's been tough on his kids not having regular contact with his extended family.

He's achieved all there is to achieve at Melbourne. A great challenge for him now would be to be a part of the resurgence of such a prestigious club with it's history and culture, like the Brisbane Broncos.

I hope when the time comes for him to make the decision, he looks at Brisbane as the final feather in his cap.

I'm not convinced Cam has what it takes to coach, no great player has came within a bull's roar of what Bellamy or Bennett have achieved.

Agree, not too many of the greats of our game turn out to be great coaches. That said, it has been rumoured for a few years now that Smith runs the ball sessions and shares the team tactics with Bellamy at training with the Storm. Bellamy runs the video sessions and team management.

I used to think that Wally lewis had the greatest football brain we have ever seen......IMO, Smith has surpassed him.

Keep in mind though, Wally never had great cattle to work with at the Gold Coast so no matter how great the coach, without player talent...they are going to struggle. Bellamy and Bennett have both been blessed by having some of the greatest players in the game play under their charge.

 

[bellyache]

When Cam Smith leaves Melbourne, Storm will return to the cellar like Bronco's after Lockeyer, Easts after Fittler, Knights after Johns etc.. Bennet, Bellamy, Gibson, Sheens, Robinson.. All had the cattle to win!

 

[H.H]

If Smith's running ball work already then maybe he'll break the mould and make a great coach. We all seem to agree he'll fill a "management" position nicely. Majority of coaching for a head man head days is management and if he's running some of the footy already then maybe he's got what it takes.

Anyway, family will pull him back home I reckon.

 

[POPEYE]

Melbourne have never been in the cellar by their own accord and I doubt they'll ever find their way there in what's left of my lifetime. It's one of my idiosyncrancies that I lose interest in players that leave a club that wants to keep them, no hard feelings or loss of respect for their talent, just abstination on my part. If Smith leaves Melbourne he will fall off the pedestal I have Cronin and Menzies on.

Somewhere along the line in a great player's career he has been taught how to play the game by someone special, coaches make players, never the other way round. Lewis's problem is he was an introvert, sharing the talent he had as difficult as conveying it. Bennett and Bellamy created the intensity in players they needed to win, no-one donated them with the degree of excellence necessary

Robinson and Maguire may have been gifted a few but they will also create and improve players, Souths and Roosters will never return to the cellar while they're in charge. It's not enough that players will give their all for a coach, they must fear repercussions if they don't. Whether or not Smith can manifest the necessary fear factor is my only reservation, he'll never be short of a game plan.

Imo, abeit mine alone, if Smith doesn't finish his career with Melbourne he will just be another of the few outstanding players, not quite the best of all time, the way I regard him now. People that waste their life waiting for Melbourne to fail are in the same dark place one-eyed wankers live. Those that find it necessary for teams to fail before they can enjoy the game are to be pitied