Redneck Redfaces

[POPEYE]

Remember when Kevin Kingston was poached from the Eels, he was touted as the rock they needed as a foundation. Maybe not as talented as Steve Edge was but a reasonable facimile when the #9 is supposed to be the steadying influence, all consistently good teams have one already if not one in the making.

Cleary is supposed to have said Segeyaro will one day start ahead of Kingston, have to be this year apparently . . . sort of giving the Chicken Hawk preference over Foghorn Leghorn. Segeyaro is unbelievable when he ad libs, ideas are not his forte and he'll never become robotic so why would Ivan want to rely on him as a guiding light.

Methinks Cleary is just offering up his usual media mumble, maybe James needs pacifying but nothing I've seen suggests he's a starting player, far more valuable off the bench and there's no stigma attached to that anymore, good teams are nowdays numbered 1 to 17 in equal increments.

I'm not convinced Kingston has ever been given the opportunity to do what he was pinched from the Eels to do. When Penrith cease to be a rabble, something they showed signs of last year and are apparently destined to do this year the lifeline he was given might become the solid link the team needs . . . Penrith needs a trier to point the way for the trying, the Soward faction

 

[umina panther]

Kingston tries hard pops but he's just not very good

 

[POPEYE]

Kingston tries hard pops but he's just not very good

He looked a better proposition at Parramatta than he did at Penrith, except for the latter part of last year . . . I'll reserve an opinion until his fellow players become less a hindrance

 

[POPEYE]

There's a lot to be said about living where you can make a nuisance of yourself to your advantage, a soc like myself can plop his arse in front of a pc and type what he thinks instead of just shrivelling up in a f**king corner somewhere.

A 39 year old boxer can carefully pick the bouts that allow him to eke out a good lifestyle, postponing the thought 'what the f**k will I do with the rest of my life'. A 41 year old footballer with more money than brains who misses the limelight and is not concerned if ASADA want to 'swoop' on him can have a run. Even a f**kwit can help nail his saviour to a cross and claim he won't be admonished because love makes it all good.

Best of all, much to my delight, a district that once had to fight off the despair of being neglected, unwanted and maligned has become the Sherwood Forest of Rugby League. A motely crew of castoffs led by a coach looking more and more like Robin Hood is attempting to turn fiction into fact.

Not sure how many there are like me who think the 'crime' has already received enough punishment considering the lesson learned is universal and any future doubt has been eradicated. Best of all is the fact the Merry Men and their leader have turned plight into solidarity . . . Lech Walesa would be impressed.

So, now that the Sharks are not to be taken for granted on or off the field, where will one-eyed snakes and media morons who play the part of Sheriff of Nottingham look for satisfaction

 

[POPEYE]

Meninga is crowing that Qld Rugby League stocks are looking brighter than ever, enough talent on the rise to keep the Blues wallowing for years to come, even a series loss is imagined as temporary. Imo the big advantage Qld has is the talent pool is mostly concentrated, much less chance of distractions and more importantly less neglect.

I live in bush NSW, if Australia needed an enima Sydney is where they'd stick the tube, east of the Blueys is as alien to me as Victoria or Qld and a lot more foreboding. If NSW could keep the same percentage of youngsters interested in the game as Qld there would be no contest.

The problem with League is it's too simple, life in NSW far more cosmopolitan and I'd be surprised if the players that represent the Blues are anywhere as near representative of the people interested. In short, Mal is preaching to the converted whereas Laurie is buying pumpkins for a dollar and selling them for a dollar . . . a bigger truck makes no difference.

If NSW wants to be more competitive or even superior it needs to take more interest in League heartlands and concentrate on creating captive audiences where people like the simple lifestyle . . . away from the Sydney shithole

 

[H.H]

Meninga is crowing that Qld Rugby League stocks are looking brighter than ever, enough talent on the rise to keep the Blues wallowing for years to come, even a series loss is imagined as temporary. Imo the big advantage Qld has is the talent pool is mostly concentrated, much less chance of distractions and more importantly less neglect.

I live in bush NSW, if Australia needed an enima Sydney is where they'd stick the tube, east of the Blueys is as alien to me as Victoria or Qld and a lot more foreboding. If NSW could keep the same percentage of youngsters interested in the game as Qld there would be no contest.

The problem with League is it's too simple, life in NSW far more cosmopolitan and I'd be surprised if the players that represent the Blues are anywhere as near representative of the people interested. In short, Mal is preaching to the converted whereas Laurie is buying pumpkins for a dollar and selling them for a dollar . . . a bigger truck makes no difference.

If NSW wants to be more competitive or even superior it needs to take more interest in League heartlands and concentrate on creating captive audiences where people like the simple lifestyle . . . away from the Sydney shithole

Geez Pops, tell us what you really think.

I'll agree Sydney's lost its way in the last 20 years or so (not league, in general), but we're not all bad old man.

 

[POPEYE]

Geez Pops, tell us what you really think.

I'll agree Sydney's lost its way in the last 20 years or so (not league, in general), but we're not all bad old man.

Off season mate, grasping at straws for something to scribble about. There's a little animosity to what's happening to the Aussie way of life in Sydney but mostly soapboxing about lost opportunities to promote the game more where young blokes are interested . . . Penrith have the right idea

 

[POPEYE]

Could it be I owe Sticky an apology, blind Freddy would have realised that McCrone is not smart enough to be a halfback years ago and we all know what Furner's stubborn streak resulted in . . . no, it'll take more to convince me Ricky isn't still as bad a coach as Josh is a halfback.

Imo if McCrone practices picking up the ball from dummy half on the move ala Cam Smith he's got enough Isaac Luke style go forward to make a good impression. He does have a kicking game that's not attached to his brain but could be improved upon.

Best thing about the Raiders hopefully finding a new #7 in Mitch Cornish is that anyone reading this thread won't have to put up with my nauseating 'anti-McCrone' soapboxing. Pity though that it wasn't the only change in Canberra, if everything else had remained the same Furner could have had a good year and I would still give a f**k

 

[POPEYE]

Maybe I still might give a f**k if Edrick Lee stays healthy, can imagine him one day in Maroon and Daniel Tupou in Blue. Forseeing another year of frustration for Raiders supporters with Stuart in the box seat is hardly fortune telling but maybe he'll have an epiphany and hopefully prove everyone wrong.

There are players like Croker and talented youngsters that I hate to see left up Shit Creek by coaching staff antics, not just restricted to the Raiders, it's good to see the Roosters on a level playing field after the Smith apocalypse. Anyway, my favourite Rooster is Tupou and I think Lee could make the same contribution for Canberra.

Stuart is in the uneviable position of having no-one to blame but himself, Raiders players say they are now a united force, a day of reckoning with a capable team on paper . . . so I'll go back to keeping my fingers crossed for the Green Machine for another year

 

[POPEYE]

Watching George Bailey all summer, a return to Cricket for me only made possible once I found out rotation was made redundant, I was cranky he missed South Africa. Last night seeing him in deep consultation with Lehmann I realised he probably pulled the plug himself . . . which brings me to Anasta.

If Potter really thinks he needs Braith give him a yellow jacket, even if the bloke could contribute more than I think he can he's still equivalent to driving the outback without checking the water container. Mick has enough 'experience' in the team to do without carrying a worn out key for a brand new lock, he'd be better off growing a new spine around Farah.

Somehow I think Robbie is best when he's in full bignote mode, the taller he feels the better the team goes, the final touch after removing a headless Marshall is eradicating a confusing Anasta. Wouldn't be surprised if Mick is sweating on the usual Anasta Easy Way Out, one more should just about break the string

 

[POPEYE]

Trying to get some value from my Foxtel subscription I just spent hours watching the replay of Rugby 7's from Las Vegas, a first for me. Fascinating how many countries play the game competitively, more importantly how Union cultivates the crop of participants.

League is guilty of serious neglect in comparison, a pity the new founded 9's isn't directed at countries, not enough quick money could be generated from a standing start apparently. Maybe there is some hope the experimental series will progress into a worthwhile attraction worldwide, which will attract countries rather than mercenaries.

A 7's player suspected of concussion had to answer a list of prepared questions if he wanted to remain on the field, that could work well in the NRL. Be interesting if the 9's will ignore obstruction, will the referees be quick enough to police proper play the ball and will the bin be used for dangerous tackles as in 7's.

Crikey I'd love to see South Africa play League, no reason a team couldn't play in the NRL, wouldn't be regarded as any less alien than a team from Victoria or WA . . . that could be scary going by the way they play 7's

 

[POPEYE]

Noticed a headline that the Poms may be coming up with some cash that may persuade their blokes not to play in the NRL. I know the Kiwis aren't far away but imagine if enough money was found to keep their players localised, heaven f**king forbid, there would be two oval ball games that no-one outside Australia would have a hope of winning.

English League players aren't born physically deficient, the only reason they struggle against teams from the antipodes is they suffer from lack of interest from 95% of their population. The more of their players that play NRL the better surely, even if it gives Pommy rugrats more to aspire to, a recognised opportunity to be the best.

Providing the English supporters have adequate tv coverage enough to crow about watching their heroes match it with NRL players the positives should outweigh the negatives. Poms playing in Australia should turn a dead end into a cul de sac for youngsters, if their national team was comprised of players that had the same opportunity as the opposition interest would magnify.

Then again, people in England who are calling for a stop to the exodus would probably be satisfied with running around like headless chooks in their own little world . . . we call that AFL

 

[POPEYE]

Like many others for years I doubted John Sutton's value as a player, he seemed to know what should happen but the responsibility didn't match his proportions, like dropping a Chevy crate engine into a bus and expecting it to spin the wheels. While Maguire has been in charge my doubt has changed to frustration, imo the bloke is as important to Souths as anyone else.

The Rabbitohs need a home grown icon for a start and like Menzies was for the Seagles he should have the freedom to make a real f**king nuisance of himself when least expected. Young Sironen too is a waste in a position where he can be contained but I expect that to be rectified.

Maguire is hinting strongly that he wants will o' the wisp players in the halves, Keary and Reynolds may overdo the ad lib while attempting to sort out a combination that works. It is worth persevering with even if takes a while and ignore the loud laughing f**kwits who usually are one eyed underachiever groupies.

So, if we all think we know what the normally predictable Souths are going to throw at the opposition, which imo is the reason they are containable, the cat amongst the pigeons could be putting a forward with brains on the paddock. It will be most interesting to see if an unrestrained Sutton will make the Rabbitohs more dangerous

 

[bellyache]

Sutton has a little green round thing in his chest that will not handle his opposite in the better packs in the comp and Souths pack ain't good enough to carry 3 average halves.... Sutton is almost on par with Anasta except for that little green round thing.

 

[POPEYE]

Sutton has a little green round thing in his chest that will not handle his opposite in the better packs in the comp and Souths pack ain't good enough to carry 3 average halves.... Sutton is almost on par with Anasta except for that little green round thing.

Can't argue with that . . . .!!!

 

[POPEYE]

For anyone who doesn't already know the Knights v Goannas game will be televised live on NITV from 6.30 on Saturday. If I could I'd do the day trip to support Bennett's crusade for Indigenous welfare, there's nothing better than watching ad lib Rugby League being played by the best exponents of it on the planet.

The true test for Newcastle players won't be to find out how they have attuned to beginning the new season but how well they win against a team that think structure is for carpenters. Bennett is undoubtedly genuine in his attempt to showcase Indigenous players every year but it doesn't hurt to ingratiate himself with a people that per capita provision the NRL more than Europeans could ever manage.

 

[POPEYE]

Price is not going to stick his chin out yet but the combination of Widdop and Williams has got him answering questions by wishful thinkers. The lopsided trial apparently went well enough to suggest the pair will work well together and why wouldn't they.

Widdop would have got far more recognition before now if he wasn't considered the lesser of Bellamy's troop, if it wasn't the big 3 it was the outside backs grabbing attention. Imo Gareth was an integral part, much larger than he was given credit for.

Williams was touted as a promising player that for one reason or another found himself behind Orford and McCrone . . . a young Brock being stuck behind 2 Volvos. Like everyone else in Canberra he was in need of Campese, lack of guidance was something Widdop never suffered

So now Price has a pair of halves that have the ingredients to blend into something very tasty indeed. Widdop has free run of the kitchen and Williams just needs to follow the recipe. The real test for Price is that he has to coach the rest of the team to provide what a pair of halves given a new lease on life need to succeed . . . make or break for everyone

 

[Stagger Lee]

good summation of the Saints Popeye - make or break for everyone indeed, not just Price but all his coaching staff as well.

Challenging for the 8 is not the pass mark this season, top 8 or bust IMO

 

[POPEYE]

Cam Smith's behind closed door meeting with Melbourne's high roller backers and Bellamy seems to have put a cat among the pigeons. Since Smith putting on a Bronco jersey would take as much forethought as taking condoms on a buck's weekend before settling down with the missus, money has to be the key element.

The question is not how much money does 'We won't be beaten on price' entail but how will it be explained. Promise someone the World without actually handing it over before he's free to roam it doesn't sound unusual, I'm sure such promises have been made in Bondi and Red Hill. The trick is not putting anything on paper and relying on trust.

Like some players before him he could be wandering around pretending to look busy for years after he retired, well just busy enough to justify scrutiny of his taxable income anyway. Most of us that realise the salary cap has always been a cigar store indian will again raise a giggle at the question of where Smith will go.

Most onlookers, at lot on this forum, will still be drinking from the same muddy waterhole that Waldron drank from, the surprising thing for me is that Cam musn't have spoken to other retirees before drinking from Waldron's cup.

 

[POPEYE]

If worse comes to worst, how does the Flanagan Flim Flam work. Will Cronulla hire a cherry picker for him to give instructions through facebook or will he simply warm up the team outside the ground and sit in the crowd with headphone.

The Sharks could possibly go better with a little cloak and dagger thrown into the mix, imagine if the players thought they were partisans in an underground war against ASADA NRL. Peter Sharp doesn't have a great coaching record but he is a competent intermediary and if the Sharks don't do as well as expected who's to blame

A simple working man's game has been turned into a circus with Immortals, salary cap, a Clayton's itinerary of who plays who once or twice, a great State against State turned into a boat anchor and Hollywood in pink . . . why not introduce a bit of I Spy.

In the end when you sit down to a great game of League where the underpaid and overpaid give their best in unison and there's nothing else you'd rather do for 80 minutes why would you want to give a f**k what happens in the interim

And yes, how good are Sharp, Sticky, Green, Price and Potter going . . .