Round 3 (2007) Bluebags v Rabbitohs

[Willow]

Round 3 (2007)
Newtown Bluebags v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Game Thread:
Please note - This is a game thread only, therefore only game posts can be made here (Teams, Articles).
Any other posts may result in loss of points and is at the discretion of the referee.
Only original essays, not used in previous games, will be marked by referees.
Rules: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/rules.asp
Home team allowed one extra reserve player

FULL TIME: Wednesday 16 May 2007 at 9pm (Syd time)

REFEREE: antonius
Venue: Henson Park

**The Referee Blows Game On!**

 

[Willow]

The Bluebags arrive at Henson Park and are ready to do battle.

Everlovin' Antichrist
Gorilla
Rexxy
DaveQ
Willow (c)

Res
Drew-sta
Dragon_psa
Dodger

 

[Pistol]

ready and raring to go

Master Vippo (vc)
Clevo
Wheelsy
Mr Fahrenheit
Bumble

Pistol (c)
rabs

 

[Master Vippo]

Master Vippo takes the kickoff for Souths, and decides to take the first run himself.


The buys of the season

It might be a little early to begin talking about buys of the season already, but in the few rounds we’ve seen so far, there have been a number of players who have stood out to me. Unfortunately for them and their new clubs, all for the wrong reasons…

Brett Firman (Panthers)
This once young impressive half was one of the brightest stars at the Dragons, could have been anything. Then he was a potential star at the Roosters. Then he was looking good to maybe secure a starting spot at the Cowboys. Didn’t Penrith maybe get a hint; that he was going through clubs like me going through toilet paper the day after some bad curry, because he couldn’t cut it. Why would things magically become different in Penrith? They say there’s something in the water, but here I sit looking at his record, which screams at me, zero first grade games for ’07. Peter Wallace must be really sweating about his spot.

Chris Beattie (Roosters)
Now if you are looking for a slow, 110 kilo, 32 year old prop who hasn’t played in the NRL for several years, well you’d have to be crazy right? Well Chris Anderson, the master coach who has managed 1000 wins for the Roosters (or at least the 1000th), has gone with the attitude; “Beattie was great several years ago at the Sharks, surely a few more years, a few more kilos and some time lazing around in the Super League will make him a better player, surely.”. Wrong Chris, you’ve managed to impede the progress of your youngsters, and make your pack one of the least intimidating in the league.

Simon Woolford (Dragons)
Woolford is a very good hooker we can all agree, but why did the Dragons buy him?? Dean Young, Aaron Gorrell,, Tony Caine, all names that come to mind when I think of hookers at Saints, not to mention Gorrell’s talents as a goal-kicker. They wasted a significant sum on Woolford, money which maybe should have gone into securing a half, prop or winger to replace some of the superstars who just left Kogarah. And surprise surprise, early in the season we see Woolford sitting on the sidelines for a lengthy period. Watch out for Saint’s astute purchasing to be rewarded with another lengthy sideline spell for Woolford, following some quality time at the judiciary.

Jason Moodie (Tigers)
If a player who was fairly successful retires on a high note, someone should tell him to keep it that way. After a few years away from the game, Moodie has become older, slower and maybe a little more brittle. In his absence, the game of Rugby League has become no slower, and opposing players no more brittle. Why the Tiger’s would take this gigantic leap backwards, and spit in the face of all young wingers at the club is beyond me. Moodie was good in his day, but his day has past, and maybe Moodie and the Tigers should acknowledge that.

Todd Lowrie (Eels)
When a coach changes clubs, there is invariably a few players who he manages to entice into following him to the new club. Now most Newcastle fans will not pull any punches when describing the faults in Michael Hagan’s coaching style, so its no surprise that instead of taking a top player, or a young exciting up and comer, he defected with Todd Lowrie. Lowrie was a player at Newcastle who had a few years in first grade to establish himself, but never quite reached his potential, becoming a reasonable, but far from spectacular back-rower. The amount of first grade action that Lowrie has seen is a sure sign that Parramatta agree with me.

The player market is a vital place for teams wanting success, however, there are some crazy, maybe not so well thought out recruitment policies. Some NRL managements have about as much foresight into these player purchases, as Michael Jackson did into his cosmetic surgery. The above examples show that poor recruiting manifests itself on the field. We look at Manly with Jamie Lyon, the Cowboys with Jason Smith and the Titans with their very savvy inaugural recruitment drive, and they have shown a marked improvement as a result. With the salary cap playing as large a role as it does, player recruitment is vital for success, just hope that your club doesn’t get sold a dummy.


739 words with the title, apparently

 

[Clevo]

Clevo, dips a double headed nib into the red and green pot of ink and takes a chance with a blistering run....

_____________________________________________________________

Playing the Ball, not the Man

I want to write an article about Joe Williams. He’s copping a lot of flak on Souths Fan forums for being the sole reason why Souths have racked up a few losses recently. As a writer, coming into this game having scored only 78 in the last round I feel there are sufficient parallels which have manifested into paranoia, especially with a deadline looming and nothing to show for five days of thoughts.

"Nooooooooo! Please No!" He broke down sobbing in the Doctors chambers.

What turned out to be a promising article on the breakdown of the relationship between Joe Williams and his beloved ball fell in a heap right there. Ideas then flooded the author. Angels, twists and turns in endless possibilities nurtured in thought but somehow lost on paper.

Doctor Pasterelli sympathetically offered a tissue to his client. “Here here, pull yourself together, we can then talk”. Joe patted the tears rolling down his cheeks. “Lets start back from where we left off, the game against the Bulldogs wasn’t it?” said the doctor measuredly. Joe sniffled for a moment gathering his thoughts.

Struggling to maintain composure the author chose to begin with pathos to draw the reader towards the plight of the victim. From the second paragraph we are drawn to conclude that the victim is trying to do something about his ailments. Almost worth pursuing as we wait for the obviously ethnic psychologist to guide a struggling Half- Back towards a conclusion of which none has been thought of yet.

“We were hammered. We shat ourselves. It’s the only way to describe it.” Joe allowed another tear to roll as he twitched with rekindled memories. “The hype before the game was enormous. The pressure... I... we... It just hasn’t been the same between us since then.” Joe broke down again.

The author is now thinking that perhaps this would have been better off as film. This is a good moment to have a flash back montage of re-created scenes from Joe Williams’ youth. From the day he was given a footy on his 7th birthday and the endless lonely hours spent at the park while his friends played Space-Invaders, to the time he would always be picked first from the line up of boys for park footy. Cleverly though, the author slips a hint that the victim is clearly focused on his relationship with the ball.

“We used to be like this man!” Joe demonstrated with crossed fingers. “I still carry her with me everywhere I go” he said, drying an eye on the cuff of his Armani suit. “But it’s like she don’t love me anymore”

If this was a film it would be an equally fortuitus moment for another flash-back montage from the ball’s point of view showing the years of being kicked around, thrown into the boot of a car and left trapped in a kit bag with muddy jerseys and stinky socks. Thus, leaving the audience with no doubt on who really is the victim in this scenario. Of course, by the victim blaming the “other” the audience is repulsed thereby opening up the possibility of a redeeming comeback.

“Joe, listen to me.” Joe looked up, reminiscent of one of the scenes in the flash-back. “I can fix you, but there’s a few things you need to understand about relationships.”

Now this article clearly needs to be a film because this is an excellent point in time for Russell Crowe to interrupt the session by bursting into the room, ending the meeting in his characteristically boisterous, threatening yet charming manner and hauling Joe Williams off to training at Erskineville Oval where he obviously belongs.

Hundred and forty words to go. I mean a hundred and thirty five...damn!

Joe listened, hoping Russell Crowe would save him. “Death and taxes are the only two things you can be certain of in life. Footy is a game of chance. You’re faced with the choices of retiring, playing Premier League for the rest of your career or having fun. To me it seems simple.”

Note to Ref: Whilst you may recall the first paragraph it’s possible at this point that you are thinking that the author ought to retire. I’d like to conclude by saying that I hope Joe chooses to have fun because deep down he’s a quality player who’s struggling to come up with ideas because of the pressure and I wish this was a film.

Thanks

__________________________________________________________

Word Count: 748 between the lines.

 

[Willow]

*Willow runs on for the Bluebags*

The Rugby Family Jewels

With State of Origin just around the corner, we once again have the opportunity to compare jewels in the respective rugby crowns.

Last Friday, Clinton Schifcofske referred to the state of Queensland Rugby Union as being "unacceptable and downright disgusting."

The former Queensland rugby league full back and now Queensland rugby union back was referring to South Africa's Bulls 92-3 massacre of the Queensland Reds in the elite Super 14 series. As far as annual sporting events go, the Super 14 is held aloft as the jewel in rugby union's crown. But there is no denying that a gulf exists in what is was undoubtedly a lopsided contest. No matter what the union spin doctors conjure up, the fact remains that rugby union in Queensland is in dire straits.

On the surface, it appears that the Queensland Rugby Union is struggling with a lack of depth and embarrassing losses, and this is no overnight development. Meanwhile, the Queensland Rugby League appears to be going from strength to strength. This raises the question: is the QRU in danger of slipping into oblivion in the future? To speculate further, what positive effect, if any, will this have on the QRL?

It has happened before.

But first a little background...

The first New South Wales vs Queensland rugby match was played in Sydney in 1882. As expected, NSW won the first encounter. But the following year, the Queensland underdogs defeated the NSW 'mother colony' in Brisbane. The 1883 result put in motion a series of events which would see Australian Rules football lose its foothold in the northern colony, and give rise to rugby union in Queensland.

Matches between the colonies continued into the 1890s with NSW ultimately wearing the light blue jersey, and Queensland adopting the maroon jersey.

In 1908, rugby league was finally established in Sydney and the New South Wales Rugby League didn't waste any time in organising an interstate match. The first NSW vs Queensland rugby league clash took place in August 1908 at the Sydney Agricultural Ground. Given that rugby league in Queensland was barely established, it was no surprise when the Blues thrashed the Maroons by 43-0. NSW continued to dominate and it wasn't until 1922, and after 22 attempts, that Queensland finally won an interstate rugby league clash, defeating NSW 25-9 at the Sydney Sports Ground. What followed was a period of success with the Queenslanders winning 17 out of 24 games between 1922-1928.

But herein lies the tale... Queensland's success in rugby league was largely due to the non-existence of rugby union in the 1920s. It is a little known fact that the rival rugby code folded during World War I and failed to rematerialise in Queensland until the 1930s, thus providing a platform for growth for rugby league in the sunshine state.

Nevertheless, the QRU eventually awoke from its slumber thereby creating a split in the player depth of Queensland, and the golden era of Maroon dominance in rugby league appeared to be over. To make matters worse, in 1931 a fissure had opened down the newly opened Pacific Highway and Queenslanders began heading south to join the more affluent NSWRL clubs.

It is now history that since the 1960s, the QRL fought to have home grown players represent their state, and this ideal was finally realised with the introduction of the State of Origin series in 1980. Now in it's third decade of competition, the series has drawn level with NSW and Queensland having won 38 games each. Widely regarded as the most hotly contested rugby league series in the world, the annual State of Origin clashes recapture the passion of interstate rivalry which dates back to early colonial days when the other rugby code was the only show in town. It is without a doubt the pinnacle of an interstate competition which has its roots in generations past, and encompasses a heritage which was nutured by the QRL after rugby was abandoned by the QRU almost 100 years ago.

It is perhaps with some sense of reflection that the Queensland rugby union officials look back on what might have been, and the opportunities lost, when considering the state of their current Super 14 endeavours.

*706 words*

REF:
History of the Pacific Highway
History of NSW v Qld - RL1908
Super 14 match review from Rugby Heaven
State of Origin Results - LeagueUnlimited.com

 

[Willow]

Interchange for Bluebags:
Rexxy is out
Replaced by Dragon_psa

 

[gorilla]

Gorilla shambles onto the pitch, throws a triple-pump dummy and casts a looong pass out to the winger on the blind-side.

************************************
What the Psyche ?

The psyche comes from ancient Greek mythology – in modern day parlance it describes the soul or the main driving force in our subconscious.

It was not always this meaning. Psyche was a woman so beautiful she fell foul of the Goddess of Love. To cut a long myth short, Aphrodite (Goddess of Lurve) decided that Psyche wasn’t such a bad chick after all and let her marry Eros (a.k.a Cupid).

Our modern view of the psyche comes from part of the myth where Psyche was filled with love and became a vessel or container for this ‘love soul’.

Modern beliefs have the psyche as part of our personality or our subconscious. Everyone seems to have a psyche these days, a bit like a not-quite functional iPod. Businesses, families, animals, even inanimate objects are ‘given’ a psyche or soul character. So, even league clubs have psyches.

The modern psyche is formed and shaped by our history and experiences, our environment and our genes – it is something that has been developed like part of our personality.

What are the psyches of our league clubs and how were they formed ? Everything about the clubs is part of, and influenced by their psyches. Urban or regional names for the clubs don’t even exist anymore, they are known by a persona or a character that is supposed to represent some part of the club’s psyche. Even a club’s history and playing roster help form the psyche, as does the area they represent and the image the want to portray for marketing and merchandising.

The psyche says it all even if they aren’t static, and here in current table order is Cupid’s view of our club psyches.

Sea Eagles.
Original little brother to the defunct North Sydney. Born in the 1940s and saddled with a sun, surf, sex and money image. Still a bit of the Narrabeen surf club bovver-boy remnants smoothed over by rich ladies.

Storm.
Total hubris, manufactured and kept afloat by News Limited cloud seeding. Born to struggle and supported all the way by relocated Kiwis.

Cowboys.
Yee-haa ! Who said Townsville was a rootin’ tootin’ soldier boy town ? Rough riders and totally ribbed for pleasure. A bunch of cow-pokes.

Sharks.
Toothless gummy sharks. Yet to even successfully chomp into a foam coolite board. Similar psyche to Sea Eagles but poor and uneducated.

Tigers.
Started as a tough wharfie team and ended up weaving baskets for magpie nests. More homes and clubhouses than a bikie’s network.

Warriors.
Well, no doubting the Islander images here – cannibalism, Easter Island, lost at sea in a leaking canoe with a few water-filled coconuts. Should be tough but they dance around at the start of games and waste all that energy.

Knights.
Positively medieval. Strong and chivalrous with a great set of (metallic) threads. Able to woo the maidens and love the horses. The knight in shining armor misses out on the working class imagery.

Rabbitohs.
Poor, inner-city depression style existence. Battlers and boors, rabbit sellers and, well, I hope that merchant banker on ice (recently before the courts) wasn’t a Rabbitohs fan …….

Titans.
Big, noisy, uncompromising but still wearing white shoes. Titans were another mythological creature, unfortunately dumb and inflexible.

Eels.
Slimy, unpleasant sharp toothed little buggers. The Carnival folk of the aquatic world. No wonder they burnt their grandstand down – the Rabbitohs of the west with a low IQ.

Bulldogs.
Once were ‘Berries – little squashy things. Couldn’t come up with a great image or name – just some squash-faced, asthmatic and stumpy legged dish-licker.

Raiders.
Another violent sort, strangely coming out of the most boring place in Australia. Must be an over-compensation method. Looks like a bad cocktail which could be found in a Northbourne Avenue bar.

Broncos.
What is it with the Queensland agricultural images ? Wild, untamed and bucking ?
Too much yankee hankee pankee in this psyche. Like to think they own the world, like the yanks.

Panthers.
Talk about changes. First licorice allsorts, then chocolate soldiers. No wonder some rat-faced pony-tailed marketeer suggested naming the club after a feral cat seen occasionally near Lithgow.

Dragons.
Burdened with the ghosts of the past. Used to be the Dragon slayers, now they do the job on themselves with aplomb. Seasons can drag on.

Roosters.
Tricoloured kings o’ the hoop or Foghorn Leghorn. Lattes, beaches, (too much) foundation (on the) member. Exalted view of themselves resulting from all that attention during summer.

************************************************
750 offically counted words.

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

Mr. Fahrenheit spots the break down the sideline, and chases the winger down from infield ala Scott Sattler on Todd Byrne 2003.

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International Rugby League... an Oxymoron?

Since the official Rugby League World Cup announcement on 19/04/07 the wider community has ridiculed the concept of International Rugby League. The reasons for the general public’s sceptical attitude can be categorised into three sections;

• Credibility
• Competition
• Promotion

These categories are linked, as a better standard of competition improves the credibility of International RL, which increases revenue and enables the RLIF to intensify their promotional efforts.

The fluidity of the eligibility of players is one of the major issues that undermine the credibility of International RL. Some NZ players appear to choose State of Origin appearances over Test caps (Hunt) and others treat less favourable countries as a ‘back-up’ if they don’t qualify for one of the major teams (Solomona.) This is compounded by the unavailability of players due to club committments, e.g. in recent years the April test between Australia and NZ has become farcical due to some ESL clubs blocking the participation of NZ internationals.

International RL's lack integrity, including the absence of sufficient competition has led to the decreasing interest in this level of the sport. Greater international competition assists the development of the sport in other nations which in turn boosts the credibility of tournaments such as the RLWC.

The 2003 Rugby Union World Cup was deemed a success due to their promotion strategies. The fixtures were promoted as ‘events’ and this encouraged an AFL obsessed city in Adelaide, to sell out a match which had a score line of 146-0. The RLIF cannot emulate the efforts of the International Rugby Board without similar funding; however it cannot obtain the necessary financial support if its product continues to be undermined domestically. These issues have led to the present situation, where a spectacle between 34 Australians is viewed as the pinnacle of this sport.

The improvement of International RL is reliant upon the power of the RLIF. These issues cannot be addressed unless the RLIF has the ability to organise more international fixtures despite protests from other governing bodies in Australasia and Europe. If there was an increase in the number of international games played between the ‘second tier’ nations and the major countries (Australia, NZ, Eng, France), the standard of these teams is bound to improve, this could lead to players like Solomona pledging their allegiances to lesser nations. Secondly the RLIF must be able to impose time periods where all clubs MUST release their international players, irrespective of the country they would represent.

I propose the RLIF aims to integrate the ‘second tier’ nations by dividing International Rugby League into 2 confederations, European and the Rest of the World.

• The European region can consist of; England, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Lebanon, Russia, Georgia, Serbia and Holland.
• The ROTW region can consist of; Australia, NZ, PNG, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, USA, Japan, West Indies and RSA.

These confederations could both host 6 nation tournaments in 4 year cycles. This has the potential to decrease the gap in standards between the major nations and the rest. The following is a proposed International timeline which caters for these contests.

• 
  [*]2008 Oct/Nov:
  o 10 nation Rugby League World Cup
  [*]2009 Oct/Nov:
  o Quad-Nations – Australia, England, NZ and France
  o European Cup Qualifiers – European Region (except England and France)
  o ROTW Cup Qualifiers – Pan-Pacific Region (except Australia and NZ)
  [*] 2010 Oct/Nov:
  o ROTW Cup (6 nations) – Australia, NZ + 4 qualifiers
  [*]2011 Oct/Nov:
  o Quad-Nations – Australia, England, NZ and France
  o World Cup Qualifiers – the rest.
  [*]2012 Oct/Nov:
  o 12 nation Rugby League World Cup

If the proposed tournaments in the timeline were created, the credibility of the International game would rise as the players would be less tempted to switch allegiances and the general public would appreciate the increase the standards because it would mean more competition. The RLIF has the potential to gain increased revenue in future as the higher standards and wider geographical span would result in more commercial interest, these funds can be utilised for promotion and then the RLIF would actually be position to rival the advertising efforts of the IRB.

Vast improvements are required by the RLIF to raise the standard of the international game, but one can only hope that the day arrives in which RL can reclaim the poignance of International tests, and if appropriate measures are undertaken, that day is not too far away.

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739 words on Official F7s Counter

 

[Bumble]

*Bumble steps through 2 attempted tackles and chips ahead*

The Mayday Shambles:

Well, another week and another disgusting performance. I digress, if anyone here had offered me a top 8 position after 9-10 rounds, I'd have jumped at the chance. Sadly, not only could we have won last week, we perhaps should have and it's not the first time. The Knights, Broncos, Warriors and Raiders are all teams that we could have beaten if not for the bounce of a ball, or in the Knights case...the vision of a video ref. Although potentially, things could have led to us arriving at Round 10, having only lost 1 game and be sitting equal first with Manly and Melbourne. Alas, not to be. In any case, this article is not about lamenting our recent ineptitude and speculating on what might have been. The thing that really stuck me as odd, was a statistic posted on The Hutch forums last week. It was revealed that since our reinstatement, we have played 24 games of first grade Rugby League, for a return of a princely THREE points. That's right, in the month of may in the last 6 seasons, we've got 1-1-22. In the last 4, 0-1-15 and in the last 3...0-0-11.

Here's the full story:

South Sydney: W/L in May since 2002
Year P W D L For Aga
2002 4 1 0 3 76 129
2003 5 0 0 5 74 152
2004 5 0 1 4 62 146
2005 4 0 0 4 50 150
2006 4 0 0 4 64 142
2007 3 0 0 3 24 40
Totals 24 1 1 22 340 743

We haven't won in the month of May since 2002. That's insane. It's unheard of...So why is this so? Why can't we win? Albeit, we probably aren't much better in any month since our return but this one is particularly bad. In any case, there's a number of reasons that could be plausible. For starters, we've have a new coach at the start of basically every year. The players are always enthusiastic when this happens, as every coach we bring is talked up as the messiah, the one who finally take us out of the gutter and back to the penthouse, where we belong. After what could be perceived as a "New dawn", I think it is by May or thereabouts that we've scrapped 2 or 3 wins, lost a few games heavily and look down and out. It's around this point where the players start waking up to the fact that it's going to be another year of mediocrity and disappointment.

This is a somewhat confusing reason, as this season we've looked like contenders all year, until May hit and all of a sudden we're back in the scrap for positions 5 to 8 with about 10 other teams. But why? There was nothing to suggest that we weren't a top eight side. The Bulldogs murdered us, but the way they played that night they'd have done it to anyone. Aside from that, we lost by one point to a dodgy call against Newcastle. Then we turned it around with a fantastic win in Townsville and since then it's been all downhill. Another reason for this may be that due to our recent seasons, other teams under-rate us at the start of the year, to the point where even the ROOSTERS said our win against them was lucky. But by May, I think teams have realised that perhaps Souths ARE a genuine top eight contender this year, and are not to be taken lightly. Or maybe it's just that sadly, the form our our halves has dwindled over the last few weeks, and our forwards simply cannot carry the team with the backline failing to step up, yet again. Also, the new players that are shipped in from other clubs, usually bring a culture of success with them. But not even Chris Walker, Adam MacDougall Bryan Fletcher, Roy Asotasi or Ash Harrison...who were ALL premiership winners prior to joining Souths could assist in breaking the hoodoo. Perhaps we should give Andrew King (IMO our worst player since reinstatement, which is a BIG call) a call, who scored a double in our May victory over the Raiders in 2002.

Sadly, with the bye next week and then our last game in May against a red-hot Titans, it may be more May misery for the Red & Green. There are some things that can't be attributed to legitimate reasons and perhaps, it really is just a case of bad luck, and an awful superstition that won't go away.
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715 words including title.

 

[Dave Q]

Dave Q jogs out for the bluebags, notices he is wearing his souths socks, ignores it and continues on.

Dry Signage.

Every night when I drive home, I pass under one of those large motorway signs. You know the species, a giant LED message device advising us of the existence of a turn for a motorway amongst other safety messages.

Driving home one day in the wet, I noticed that the message had mutated into something akin to a hospital ward for injured space invaders.

And then on other wet days, more weird and freakish patterns, blocks and lines would emerge.

And it occured to me that nobody had created or designed these images.

They were entirely a product of the fabled "ghost in the machine".

Instead of being signage, these images become what the drivers interpret them to be.

.........

I have followed and loved Souths for many years.

At age eleven I used to have to go to the games by myself. I would walk to the bus stop (5 minutes), get a bus into the city (45minutes), walk to Wynyard Station (10 minutes) jump on a train to Redfern (20 minutes) and walk to the ground (15 minutes). Sometimes I had to change trains which I was very nervous about as I didnt know much about trains or other suburbs or places.

I always very careful to wear my full Souths uniform and carried a very sturdy flag (taller than me). I always sat behind the southern goalposts. After the match I would take the long journey home. I never once encountered any trouble or danger.

At the game I used to marvel at the skill and bravery of the players. For example I once saw a very young Mario in a savage fist fight with big Ken Stewart. Ken had only just left for a 'squillion' (probably about a $100 a season!) to play for the Eels. They went at each other hammer and tongs. Meaty head shots.The crowd erupted. I thought a few of them would run on to try to hurt Ken!

And interpreting that fight, like the sign, I can remember thinking that Mario was the bravest person in the entire world.

............

More recently we have seen the league trying to promote Women in League. I wore a pink cap at the game last weekend. To be honest, I dont know why. So like the sign, I have to interpret it.

It seemed to me to be some paternalistic gesture, love to mums, lets throw on a cap, to proudly say to women, as a gender, "we love you."

Of course the cold hard facts are women do not play league at NRL level, they do not referee at the top grade. They do not run clubs. They are in miserly support positions at best. So the whole slogan is without much meaning except as a feel-good gesture for powerful men.

And I think that to give Women in League meaning, I would want to see women play rugby league. I would want to see a properly promoted comp with heaps of cash and media exposure. I would want to support a Marsha Bella or a Darlene Lockyer. In other words, accord them the same status as the male players. After all, women can play any sport men can. In some instances even better (long distance swimming).

But it is unlikely to happen because we are programmed (like the sign) to gladly receive and send straightforward messages. Any thing new or different is out of place and discarded. Too risky.

..............

And looking at the Origin squads, the same boring dry LED message is at work.

Its amazing when you consider that the game is supposed to be there to entertain. And wouldnt it be better to see Merritt play? Will he perform or not? Or Kimmorley-will he throw another career-threatening panic pass? A few dark and seedy characters to enliven the spectacle. Take it to its next level.

But the selectors have forgot about the game, they want to win instead.

Apparently, there is no joy in the spectacular. It is only to be found in the result. The mundane and boring. Like the Aussie cricketers in the 1980's.

Or lets score 800 against a cricket powerhouse like Zimbabwe ( I am a boycott supporter). Show them who's the boss!

And when you think about it, we are here on earth for a pretty short time.

And that dry signage is everywhere and sometimes, I reckon we are getting lost by following it.

744 words

 

[Pistol]

Wheelsy is coming off

Pistol pulls the splinters out of his rear end and comes on

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

EA for Da 'Bags.

Meggsy.

The kafuffle over Nathan Merritt’s non-selection in the City Origin team and comments made by Nathan and his “mentor” Anthony Mundine about it being based on the colour of Merritt’s skin caused me to re-examine a part of my life.

I am of Anglo Saxon descent, but I too know all too well the pitfalls of being different. You see, I am a Meggsy.

Meggsy is described in not one single dictionary as:

Meggsy; (noun) To have a head full of red hair. To be hirsute with red being the main keratinous filament tint. To be, in a hair colour sense, similar to the cartoon character, Ginger Meggs.

Or, as we are known to the vast majority; Ginger, Blood Nut, Bluey, Used-Tampon Head, Carrot Top or others. Many of which will pop into your Meggsist heads as you read this.

And I have suffered from Meggsism.

The effect of being a Meggsy on my Rugby League career with the Heckenberg Hawks under 13’s was simple, I was an outcast, the team pariah. The only player on the team whose head clashed with the team’s jersey, the only player on the team with more spots on his face than there were blades of grass on that threadbare Whitlam Park ground and the only player on the team that had to be replaced at ½ time of games played on sunny days due to sunburn. After a few weeks I was chosen on the bench and that’s where I stayed for the rest of the season. I was 100% certain it was due to my hair.

Hell, the kid who replaced me was Italian. Wasn’t he supposed to be playing Soccer, or Bocce or some other stereotypical sport?

In his first match he scored a try, something that I had done about as often as I’d accidentally stepped in rocking horse manure. I was resigned immediately to spending the rest of the season on the bench. My hair was my excuse. If it had been black like his, blond like the Hookers or brown like most of the others in the team I’ll bet I would be in the starting line-up.

Then it dawned on me, he was just better than me and I was using being a Meggsy as a crutch. Everything that happened to me in life that was negative, I could blame on having red hair. But that didn’t solve anything; it just made it easier to explain failure away and gave false comfort for my own failings. I stopped that on that day.

I still couldn’t play Footy for sh*t though and eventually I quit the team and joined the Italian kid’s old Soccer team, they had a vacancy apparently.

Which brings me back to Nathan Merritt. The kid can play but using the race card to try and explain non-selection in the City Origin team is just plain stupid. Ok, not quite as stupid as some boofhead crapping on about the selectors for Heckenberg Hawks under 13’s some 30 years ago being “Meggsist” but still stupid. It puts the selectors in a no-win situation next time because if they choose Merritt they open themselves up to the race card from other Aboriginal players who miss out and if they don’t pick him they risk being labelled racist, again.

In reality Nathan simply insulted the selectors. Would anyone in their position be prepared to stick their neck out next time for someone who called them racist?

I doubt it.

I have no doubt that the colour of Nathan’s skin had nothing to do with his non-selection just as I have no doubt that the colour of my hair had nothing to do with the Italian kid getting my spot in the Heckenberg Hawks under 13’s side.

It’s obvious that Nathan had been poorly advised, most likely from the person whose use of the race card is as frequent as his boasts about his own ability, Anthony Mundine.

Mundine’s claim that an Aboriginal has to be much better than anyone else to get picked for representative sides whilst holding no water, has now become a lead weight around Nathan Merritt’s neck because Merritt took Mundine’s bait. Mundine did what Mundine does better than anyone else in Australia, he used the available tools to talk-up an upcoming boxing match of his. It was too good an opportunity to miss for Mundine.

Unfortunately for Nathan Merritt, it may cost him a representative career in Rugby League.


746 words including title.


References;
http://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bancks_jimmy/bancks_meggs.jpg

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...omission-racist/2007/05/01/1177788108101.html

 

[Pistol]

Pistol (for Souths) thinks quietly, where is the old gum tree round these here parts

Honest Joe's

How many can you think of off hand? Firstly, do you know what an honest Joe is? Yes I understand it’s a phrase or term that’s like a chameleon in that it can take several forms. I am talking about hard, honest toilers who never made it to Origin or Test footy, but should have.

Who can I name straight off the bat? (Scratches the ol melon to get the grey matter happening). Ahh yes. John Skandalis. Here is a bloke who started his career as a teenager for the old Magpies of Campbelltown. Skando made his debut for the once proud working mans club when it was in a state of decline. Results were not forthcoming and like its previous incarnations, it was losing junior talent to other clubs. Skando was like the band on the Titanic. He was there till the very end. He remained loyal to the Magpies.

Then like a Phoenix, he rose from the Ashes of the Magpies and the Balmain club to be a founding member of the Wests Tigers. With a new found sense of direction, Skando helped the club attain second place on the ladder early to mid season in 2000. His form picked up and he was one of the most consistent props in the competition. Recognition from the rep teams would not be far away. Or so the rugby league viewer would be lead to believe.

Now its common knowledge that the Tigers were not only going through a rite of passage, but that success wasn’t following them as they would have hoped. Scandals on and off the field plagued the club. Morale was down and the team suffered as a result. But Skando just kept digging in, week in and week out.

The rep scene wouldn’t be too far away. Or a small form of it at least. Skando made a handful of appearances for City Origin, mainly from the bench. Then came 2005 and it was a different story altogether.

The Tigers weren’t fancied for the title but that didn’t stop them from believing in themselves. Leading from the front, Skando helped his side reach the finals for the first time, and then onto the premiership. With a premiership behind him, plus his consistent play, the Aussie selectors were bound to leap up and take notice. Did they? No they did not.

2006 was not a good follow up year for the Tigers. Skando found himself at the crossroads of his career and he took up a two year option in England. Sadly, a loss to the game and a sin he was never picked for Origin or Australia.

Who else is there? Oh yes. Another toiler. A man who helped perfect “the sprinkler” as a post try celebration. The man of course is Darren Britt. Starting off with the Magpies of Campbelltown, Britt was the cornerstone of the team that helped make the finals of 1991 and 1992. But like many of the previous Wests talent, he went to another club. This time, it was the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Britt was thirsty. His thirst was almost quenched in 1994 when the Bulldogs made the decider that year. Canberra however took the glass away from him and he had to wait another year. 1995 proved different. The Bulldogs went on to make and win the last ever Winfield Cup. As a premiership winner, it carries a lot of cache with you on the representative table. But it was a meal that Britt didn’t get to eat. Not until 1998 at least.

Britt made his Australian debut in 1998, the first year of the re-unification. Most people would think that if you make the Aussie side, that perhaps you’ve got a leg-up for Origin. Not the case here. During the period from 1998-2000, Britt made a total of 6 appearances in the green and gold. He was never selected for New South Wales.

Britt was another one of them hard, honest toilers who did his job week in and week out. Sure he got the reward of playing for Australia, but every player aspires to play for his state. Why Britt was never selected is beyond me.

I guess Britt and Skando will fall into history as two of the best players never to play Origin. But that’s neither here nor there. I always enjoyed watching them play, no matter who for. Why? Because they were hard. And they were “Honest Joe’s”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

744 words official word counter reading

 

[Willow]

Interchange for the Bluebags:
Drew-Sta flies down the touch line
Dragon_psa has a breather

 

[Drew-Sta]

Drew-Sta, he's down the line! Look at the little guy go! He's in by the cornerpost! The Bags win! The Bags win the Mid-Week cup! Oh I can't believe it!

*Ahem*

Below is my article.

----------------------------------------

Legacy of the Immortals...

The retirement of Andrew Johns brought to light the issue of 'The Immortals'; a concept I hold dear to me but one I'm not sure is as important to the rest of the league world.

This is not to say that people are disrespectful of the concept itself. Indeed, I think a lot of people admire 'The Club' of Immortals, and see it as the highest accolade one can give to a player. This is why I think Johns' admittance to this sacred temple of rugby league is one that should be very carefully thought through.

Cricket is an interesting sport. When people compare one player to the other, the base medium for that player's success usually falls back onto their statistics. Cricket is a statisticians game and grants the observer the ability to compare and contrast a player based on his past results. He scored a double century here, took a hat trick there and had a dozen catches. This excellent historical data is available to the observer and, with the game being primarily based around the accumulation and defence of a score, we are given the ability to deduce, with some accuracy, how good a player is from their statistics.

Rugby league is a completely different ball game (no pun intended). The ability for a rugby league player to soar into an echelon of greatness is not based on the person's statistics, or lack there of, but rather their contribution to the game. Leadership, motivation, passion, skill are all aspects that do not necessarily result in the player furthering their own statistics, but they greatly increase the contribution to the game he makes.

Wally Lewis was one of those players. Long has a comparison been drawn between 'The King' and 'Joey' as to who was the better half - Despite the fact they both played different positions. I suppose the fact that their impact on the game has been one many will not forget, these comparisons of apples and oranges will continue into the future, with bars and living rooms on either side of the border debating an issue that has as much chance of being resolved as Paul Gallen has of being selected for NSW's second row.

Wally was an inspiration. His try in Game Two of State of Origin, 1989, epitomises why he is one of 7 members of this illustrious club, and with good reason too. Ron McAuliffe might have been the father of State of Origin, but it was Wally Lewis and his leadership of Queensland that made it what it is today. His efforts to lead his battered team to victory in that game is the stuff of fairy tales.

The crowd cheered, and the players chaired their captain off the field. A chant went up from the crowd at the SCG - 'Changa! Changa! Changa!' With the contribution of a try and two goals, Graeme Langlands played what is regarded as one of the most brilliant games of Test football to help win the Ashes from Great Britain in the deciding 3rd Test.

Langlands is one of those players who could do anything. An amazing fullback; a penetrating centre; a remarkable goal kicker; an insipirational captain - these were all qualities that he possessed. A key part of St George's 11 year winning run, he helped to inject much needed speed, talent and attacking power into a line up that was beginning to age. Langlands will long be remembered for playing a season to long, and his 'White Boot-gate' is the one tarnish on an otherwise sparkling career. The step, the pace and the grace he played with is remembered by all those who watched him play.

These qualities above of just two of the Immortals is something that no statistic can show. To look at just the bare statistics the player has accumulated is to disregard that which seperates the good from the great.

For mine, Andrew Johns is a player that rightly knocks on the door of this elite club. He does deserve to be let in, but in due time. His legacy, and his career, is still fresh in the minds of all around. When we look back on Joey's career, say in 5 years time, and see just how big his impact was, then the door will creak open, and I believe the Immortals themselves will ask for him to be admitted into this most sacred of clubs.

741 Words. Gorilla said so.

 

[Willow]

 

[Willow]

Well done both teams. 5v5 and some excellent reads

 

[antonius]

Newtown

Willow
The Rugby Family Jewels
706 Words
Have to confess this piece was a real eye opener for me. Some very interesting reading. The writer offers some statistics to back up his theory on the ebbs and rises of the two rugby codes interstate successes and lack thereof.
Score 89

Gorilla
What the Psyche?
749 Words
What can I say? A very funny piece (I thought so anyway) Some of the psyches were spot on, loved the Raiders one, and the Titans, and the Tigers, in fact all of them.
Score 89

Dave Q
Dry Signage
743 Words
The writer finds fault with some SOO selections. I found the comparison between signage and SOO teams a little vague, and had trouble drawing a link. However the writer’s recollections of his younger days attending games were good reading.
Score 85

EA
Meggsy
746 Words
Some agreeable (from my point of view) observations on Anthony Mundine in this piece. Well written article on weather racism comes into the selection of teams, and the effect that may have on a player in years to come in regards to his chances of being selected in representative teams.
Score 88

Drew-Sta
Legacy of the Immortals
741 Words
How long should Johns wait to be admitted to the immortals? The writer expresses his thoughts on the subject.
Score86

Souths


Master Vippo
The buys of the season
739 Words
I liked this. Normally player lists don’t excite me, but the writer has thrown a dummy and listed what in his opinion are poor buys by some clubs. The players he has chosen are hard to argue with. He makes some valid points in the piece when questioning buying older players at the expense maybe of some home grown younger up and comers.
Score 87

Clevo
Playing the Ball, not the Man
748 Words
Amusing piece on (I think) the struggle to perform each week, both at playing footy, and writing articles (I’m correct aren’t I?) I enjoyed the read
Score 86

Mr Fahrenheit
International Rugby League…an Oxymoron?
736 Words
The writer has put a lot of thought into this piece. Well written, weather it’s practical or not I certainly don’t know.
Score88

Bumble
The Mayday Shambles
763 Words
The Stats in this are quite stunning. The article is spoilt by some basic grammatical errors that disrupt the reading.
Not sure what happened with your word counter but it’s way over the 750.
Score 78 (after a deduction of 5 for the word count)

Pistol
Honest Joe’s
744 Words
The writer looks at two players who maybe should have made SOO teams, have to say I was fan of Skando myself.
Score86

Result Newtown 437 defeated Souths 425
Players Of The Match Willow, Gorilla

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

good game, but the best side won. Good luck for the rest of the season bluebags