Round 3 (2008) Rabbitohs v Panthers

[Willow]

Forum 7s - Round 3 2008
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v PENRITH PANTHERS

-v-

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 articles, not used in previous games, will be marked by referees.
Naming Teams:
* 5v5 (+ 2 reserves for visiting team, 3 reserves for home team)
* No 'TBA' or changing players named
* Captains must stick with original teams named
ALL THE RULES & REGULATIONS: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/rules.php​

FULL TIME: Wednesday 23 April 2008 at 9pm (Syd time)
REFEREE: Steel Dragon
Venue: Redfern Oval
**The Referee Blows Game On!**

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL WORD COUNTER​

 

[Master Vippo]

South Sydney's team shows up ready to bring the fight

Master Vippo C
Marshall_Magic
Big Pete
Bumble
NQboy

 

[Big Mick]

Penrith's team to play the Bunnies:

1. Madunit
2. The Piper
3. Glockers
4. Leaguenut
5. [Furrycat]

RES:
6. Moonfire
7. Big Mick

 

[Marshall_magic]

Marshall Magic takes the first hit up of the match

******************

Tackling the big issue, our game is becoming wrestling​

In previous seasons, different wrestling holds in tackles have sparked controversy in our great game. Whether it be placing pressure on the head, neck, arm or any other body part, the tackle will be deemed dangerous, but the most frustrating factor of this is the stupid name given to the tackle by the media. We have had the prowler, chicken wing, grapple and crusher, and more of these tackles arise, we are sure to see many more.

The initiators of these tackles are always unknown, but generally it follows a consistent cycle. Melbourne blames everyone but themselves, and everyone blames nobody by Melbourne. Whether Melbourne are creating these tackles or not is unknown, but they are the best at implementing them, giving them a massive reputation for inventing them.

Whilst these tackles are within the rules, they are against the spirit of the game, and whilst they are being outlawed one by one, clubs will not doubt be working on new tackles to take their place. By the year 2020, we are bound to see the likes of “Figure Four Leg Locks” and “Boston Crabs” make their way into our game, unless the NRL gets rid of the wrestling coaches. But with that impossible to do, as they will return with new titles, a new rule will be introduced instead.

A tackle will now be allowed to go for as long as the defender wants, and they can keep a player in a hold as long as they want to. The player has to get to his feet to play the ball ASAP, and if they can’t, the ruck will be slowed right down. The player has the alternate option of “Tapping Out” or submitting. A submission will result in a hand over. If a player passes out in a hold, it will be deemed play on, and if the ball is lost, it will be counted as an error.

With this rule, clubs are predicted to bring in a lot of players from the United States, with Kurt Angle being at the top of clubs wish lists. Interchanges will be made in the form of “tagging” where a player on the field and a player off the field must make contact with each other.

At the start of each game players will enter the field one by one, with each player having unique music and videos on the big screen to enter to. The corner posts will be replaced with turnbuckles and ropes will be put along the sideline. A player will be deemed out when they are tackled “over the top rope.” This will result in the player being eliminated from the game, and the ball being turned over.

In some games “Extreme Rules” will be put into action, with this players will be allowed to bring any item from the dressing room onto the field, and use it as a weapon. Chair shots and slamming players through tables will be allowed, as well as “low blows” or any other variable of that including the squirrel grip.

Finally, the trophy will no longer be awarded to the premiers. Instead a title belt will be given to them, and the captain/coach will wear it to the ring before every game they play. When teams are ready to play the premiers, they will indicate they want the title, by using their thumb and middle finger to mark out an imaginary belt around their waist.

That ladies and gentlemen, is the direction our game is going if clubs don’t agree to cut the crap, and get rid of these wrestling coaches. They are not doing the game any good; instead they are just slowing it down. The game is must more exciting to play and watch, if you allow both teams to just play football, and have a fairly quick speed. In season 2005, play the balls were sped right up, and exciting football came off the back of it. Unless we return to a speed, not necessarily that fast, but reasonably quick, and cut the wrestling and crap out of our game, it will slowly morph into a slower and duller game, such as Gridiron or worse, Rugby Union.
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708 words between the stars.

 

[madunit]

madunit for the Panthers.

Gone Soft

The game today is soft. There I’ve said it, no going back now. Many people will argue that I don’t know what I’m talking about and I’ll be the first to admit that those people are definitely wrong.

There are many aspects of the game which are evident that the game has gone soft, predominantly in the defensive area of the game. Some of the changes to the modernised, softer version of the game happened recently, others happened many years ago. All of the changes however were instrumental in creating the bunch of namby pamby mummy’s boys we see running around before us today.

Scrums: This is the one area which has become the most pathetic aspect of the game nowadays. Today’s scrums are a complete and utter joke. Scrums of the past required power, strength, skill and size. The hooker needed to have the ability to rake the ball back to his side of the scrum. Winning a scrum feed ensured you had a sixty percent chance of winning the scrum. The forwards would push against each other, trying to wear down their opponents in an attempt to gain possession. The ball was fed into the middle of the scrum, usually aimed behind the hookers’ outstretched legs.

Nowadays scrums have been replaced by “Leans”. The hooker is null and void, he has no purpose at all. There is no push from the forwards, there is no attempt to screw the scrum around to win against the feed, hell, the ball doesn’t even enter the “lean”, it’s placed under the leg of the prop closest to the halfback. It has become an abomination and a complete waste of time.

Halfbacks would kick for touch regularly at the end of a set so that the forwards could continue pressuring and tiring the opposition forward pack. Scrums had a tactical purpose, advantage and use.

Now it’s just a reason to have a breather. I get the impression the only reason the scrum is still in the game is purely sentimental. This aspect of the game needs to be corrected immediately. Scrums need to become a contest again. Sure people are going to complain about scrum penalties, but if the technique to scrummaging hadn’t be discarded, then scrum penalties wouldn’t be an issue.

Play The Ball: Another aspect that has a strong element of softness to it, is in the play the ball area. In the past, the marker was allowed to try and rake the ball back to obtain possession. This was always the role best exhibited by the games hookers. Not anymore. No interference in the play the ball. This allows the ball carrier absolutely no need to be concerned about ball security and constant awareness. The play the ball debacle and the introduction of the “Lean” has all but killed off the role that true hookers had. Today’s hookers, with the exception of a bare few, are a loose third half, with their main duty to pass the ball from the play the ball. BORING!

Tackles: One area that has become softest of all is in tackling. Not only has it become softer, but it’s become a complete joke. Every year a new rule is made on tackling which has to correct the laws they made in the previous year. Worse still, today’s illegal tackles now have equally wimpy names which aren’t true representations of the tackles themselves. As it stands at present, a player cannot grab an attacking players arm and try to ground him, as this could be seen as an attempt to make a “chicken wing” tackle. A player cannot come in and hit a player who has not been called held, otherwise, this constitutes as being a “prowler” tackle. This leads me to another point, a referee has to tell both sides when a player is held. SOFT!

In the past a tackle was deemed to be completed when the player wasn’t on their feet anymore.

Interchange: The fact it exists is a sign at how soft today’s players are. The only time the interchange was needed in the past was if a player wasn’t conscious, or if he broke more than two bones. Now there’s four blokes on the bench to come on when the current bunch of weak, unfit players get a bit tired.

The game needs to get back to toughening up, before it is being referred to in the same breath as soccer and netball in regards to physical dominance.

750 words, including title

 

[glockers]

The Spirit of Reggies

Watching my mate take to the field on Saturday after a long lay-off with injury was certainly a sight to behold. It wasn’t a NRL first grader jogging onto the field after sitting on the bench for 15 months due to some knee injury. Rather it was a guy who couldn’t play in the local grade competition last year because it clashed with work.

It wasn’t even the heights of local first grade, it was merely Supa 11s, the reserve grade game where only 11 men take the field for each team for a run.

The same competition my mates suggest I play in, yes me a skinny, slow white guy who has a record of three matches, three hit-ups and three concussions.

So I imagine the league isn’t hard, in fact it looked rather tame on the weekend.

But there was my friend making his epical comeback, stuck in the mud on the wing as his team-mates dropped the ball down the middle of the field. It wasn’t even the hallowed turf of the main ground, rather the match took place on a field behind the grandstand because they wanted to save the main ground for the top grade. But the small group of supporters were watching including his young daughter drinking a pop top and chewing on red frogs, his wife rugged up and myself in a Wests Tigers jersey with nothing better to do.

My mate used to play top grade, but it was his first game back and he was stuck in reggies. Just to add to the burden, the poor bloke was left on the muddy side of the field on the wing.

Eventually he got sick and tired of standing out on the wing and sometime during the second half he eventually came in-field for a hit-up. It was his second touch of the ball for the game and the hit-up resulted in a brilliant off-load, but no try. Two tackles later he floated to the opposite wing and made a break down the sideline.

What a sensational and impactful comeback, too bad those two plays were the whole show so to speak.

Unfortunately the break down the sideline was his last contribution to the game. The fullback’s cover tackle broke his nose. A sad result in a less than impressive looking game.

With the rain drizzling down and an inept football display in front of me on a suburban field, somehow I felt in touch with the spirit of the game. It wasn’t a pretty game, it wasn’t a spectacle, yet the sheer simplicity of the occasion made it special. Here were two teams full of just local guys having a game of rugby league. They were busting their guts in front of their partners, families and friends watching on a Saturday afternoon.

In the glitz and glamour of the NRL it is easy to forget the true spirit of the game. In all my years of attending the footy, I always seem to enjoy the experience but I rarely have that special moment at the ground. Somehow Leichardt Oval does it for me, maybe it is the old ground and the fact I went there as a small kid with my dad? Whatever the reason, I feel it there.

Unfortunately I am interstate and it has been two years since I saw the Tigers take care of Manly there. So I haven’t felt that for a while.

The spirit of the game is hard to define, but at an NRL level it is there at Penrith when the ground is full of teens enjoying a night out at the game. It is also there when the Broncos crowd roars at a full Suncorp Stadium.

But the spirit of the game can also be found in a local regional Queensland city when the reggies run around, or in Group 9 when Gundagai and Temora battle it out, or in Port Moresby when some young fellas have a game in the street and it certainly is there every time the under-10s trot out on a Saturday morning on a suburban Sydney park.

As the game becomes more of a business and clubs move into bigger soulless grounds, I hope we don’t lose that spirit. But I can always just pop up to the local oval to check out the reggies run around with a pie and chips in my hands.

740 words including the title.

 

[Big Pete]

The Series That Saved Origin​

If you were to ask any Rugby League enthusiast their view on State of Origin and their opinion on what was the most important series it wouldn’t come as a surprise to hear about the 1995 series. As the ARL braced itself for the emergence of Super League it appeared there were going to be plenty of casualties. Quite possibly the biggest casualty of the Super League war would be State of Origin following confirmation the Brisbane Broncos had aligned themselves with Super League leaving the Queensland side devoid of super star talent. Many predicted the end of Origin would only be a matter of time however one man thought otherwise.

This man was none other than Channel 9 personality and Manly great Paul “Fatty” Vautin. Paul Vautin was named as coach following Wayne Bennett’s departure due to the ARL’s decision to ban all Super League aligned players. Many felt Vautins appointment was nothing but a joke and who could blame them? For the past year Vautin alongside his partner in crime Peter Sterling had made fools of themselves all in the name of entertainment on “The Footy Show”. However the QRL didn’t appoint that man to coach the decimated Maroons – no they appointed a man who was committed and honored to coach the state he loved. Despite his passion even the likes of Jack Gibson would find it hard to coach this side to compete let alone win.

For any series to be successful it has to be competitive. Origin was considered by many to be the most competitive series in Rugby League let alone Australia. Both Queensland and New South Wales had battled it out for fifteen series creating legends with each passing series however times appeared to be changing. New South Wales had won the past three series against a highly competitive Queensland side however following the Broncos decision to sign with Super League it appeared Queensland’s ability to compete with the talented Blues outfit was all but gone. With the Blues tipped as overwhelming favorites heading into game one it was going to take one almighty effort for the Maroons to compete.

Lead out by “The Axe” Trevor Gillmeister the Maroons looked anything but over-awed by the occasion as the legendary war cry “Queenslander” thundered out of Billy Moore’s lips and into Origin legend. What followed was unbelievable as the decimated Maroons held off the star studded Blues to record a remarkable two points to nil victory. It wasn’t for a lack of trying either as the Blues were denied chance after chance following some rock hard defense combined with some individual brilliance by youngster Matt Sing who denied the Blues on many occasions. In the end it all came down to a lone penalty goal by Queensland hooker Wayne Bartrim to give Queensland the unlikely victory.

With just one match Origin was alive and kicking. The determined Maroons had captured the imaginations of every Queenslander with their never say die attitude and further more had ignited the Origin series like never before. Suddenly the media had come alive and hype for the second game had erupted. The Blues had issued a warning to Queensland stating they would come out breathing fire and would strong-arm the Queensland rookies out of the game.


It was game day as 52 994 fans packed the MCG to watch one hell of a contest. Plenty of questions were about to be asked of the brave Queensland side and thankfully for all the supporters they had all the answers. Following a classic all in brawl that pitted team mates and rivals alike Queensland appeared to be on their way to another classic victory. Following some nervous moments where the Blues fought tooth and nail to get back into the clash Queensland were able to have the last laugh as Queensland Flyer Brett Dallas ran away with the game scoring a scintillating eighty metre try to win the game for the Maroons and clinch the series for the first time since 1991. However there was another piece to add to this elaborate origin puzzle. Could Queensland claim a clean sweep? In a match that defied the description “dead rubber” Queensland defied all their injury concerns to claim the series following a 24-16 victory. The response from the 40 189 Queensland faithful was enormous and Origin was able to live to fight another day.

736 Words Including Title

 

[The Piper]

The Piper
--------------------------------
The New Adventures of the Rugby League Cops:
White Jersey Blue
“Early Days”

Rodger Corser as Constable Jarrod Sammut
Aaron Pedersen as Senior Constable Michael Jennings
Tammin Sursok as Constable Amanda Flynn
Grant Bowler as Acting Sergeant Luke Lewis
and Gary Sweet as Chief Inspector Coach

Previously, in the last episode…
The newly appointed Chief Inspector of the Crime Undercover Association makes his entry into the Penrith headquarters and immediately makes some necessary changes. Sergeant Puletua and Detective Priddis were given alternate positions at other stations and introduced to the crime force were newly appointed officers Sammut and Jennings. They are thrust into a mission right away, with their little experience and not too many old hands to help out.

***

“This is going to get worse before it gets better,” said Constable Jarrod Sammut.

The new officers at CUA Station wanted to prove their worth right away, so gladly took up the assignment of chasing down the large band of bandits constantly raiding Penrith at the moment. The enemy who dressed in all green originated from the ACT, where Chief Inspector Coach was from. It seemed to Sammut and the other members that Coach had a vendetta out for these guys and wanted a breakthrough.

But, maybe in their haste, the young constables had found themselves down and trying hard just to get off their own line in the stand off. There didn’t seem to be as many crooks as there were cops. They wouldn’t have been a stronger organization on paper, either, then the police force that had gathered. Though, the boys in blue from Penrith were not winning this confrontation.

“What are we doing wrong,” yelled Senior Constable Michael Jennings from across the field. Both men hid behind their police vehicles as the opposition fired upon them with their Green Machine guns.

“At times like this,” Sammut called back, “We need to look to our senior men.” With that, Sammut turns around to spot Acting Sergeant Luke Lewis, sitting fifty metres back in his car.

“Lewis,” cried Sammut. “What do you think we should do now?”

The acting sergeant called back out the window. “Well, back in 03 we’d usually move in off a set play which Senior Sergeant Gower would initiate. Then after metres were gained by Senior Detectives Galuvao and Lang, I’d finish whoever we were up against off through the centre.”

Sammut shook his head, and then ducked as more ammo was fired upon him. “That was back in 03,” he said. “Gower, Lang and many of the others are gone. You might have been a young player back in those days, but now you’re a senior member of the Penrith team. You can’t just stand around and expect something good to happen. You senior men are the ones who need to step up and make opportunities happen.”

Lewis thought about the comments for a moment. The young man had spurred on something inside him. “Right,” he said and stepped out of the car. “I want another chance to infiltrate up the middle. We both will together, Jarrod. You are one half and I’ll be the other.”

Together, Lewis and Sammut nodded and made a quick dash straight up the middle of the field to get in behind the raiders’ line. Jennings burst out, too, supporting them out on the edge. With their mix of knowledge and youthful, eagerest attitude, the two home town heroes made a play that saw them penetrate the green team’s defenses.

***

“We lost the match up today,” said Acting Sergeant Lewis. “But we haven’t lost the war just yet. There are plenty of battles to come this year. Its early days for us.”

Sammut, Jennings and Lewis were stand outs going up against the team of green thieves. The big pack of raiders dominated them, taking the goodies back down the Hume Highway to Canberra, but there were some positives for Penrith coming out of the clash.

“We need more time to come together as a team,” said Jennings. “Its not going to happen in the first few assignments, but it will happen before the year is out.”

Sammut’s phone rang. After a quick conversation, he informed the other two teammates on the news.

“That was Coach. There’s an army of red and green pests heading our way. This is a big test for us, he says. With a win we’re back on track, with a loss…well…”

To be continued in the next episode of White Jersey Blue
----------------------------------------------------
There are currently 750 words in my article

 

[Bumble]

*Bumble scoots from dummy half*
​

Seven Seasons of Mediocrity
​

The uninspiring start to 2008 for my beloved Rabbitohs is an all too familiar feeling. Since 2002, Souths have been, for lack of a better word, awful, with rare patches of quality from time to time. Today I thought I'd take a look back on each season since our re-instatement, and just exactly why a good enough reason to feel better about yourself when your team gets thrashed on any particular weekend is "At least I'm not a Souths fan".

2002:

A season in which Phil Gould famously picked us to scrape in to the top eight (probably because he helped recruit the players); most punters were expecting us to scale the glorious heights of around say, 12th or 13th. After a first round pumping at the hands of our most bitter rivals, we quickly put on back to back wins against Canberra and the now defunct Northern Eagles, before the slide into nothingness began. We would go on to only win three more games that year, and sustain some massive losses, such as a 54-0 beatdown dished out by Parramatta and a 50-4 drubbing by the Wests Tigers.

Finished: 14th

2003:

With recruits such as Willie "Sterlo" Peters, and Bryan Fletcher, many thought that things would improve for the Red and Green. After a narrow first round defeat by many people's favourite for the title that year in the Bulldogs, a game against Brisbane in round 2 would shape our season. With just seconds to go and leading by 2, Paul Stringer allowed Gorden Tallis to strip the ball from him off a 20m restart and swing it wide to Brent Tate, who scored. Honest to god from that moment on, I couldn't blame the rest of the players for not giving a sh*t. We won 3 games that year, two of which were against the Tigers (how embarrassing for them)

Finished: 15th

2004:

Some big name signings in the Walkers, Adam MacDougall and future immortal Matt Riddle gave Souths fans hope that 2004 would be the year we turned it all around. After four rounds and 6 points from a possible 8, the red and green faithful could be forgiven for getting over-excited. Not to worry though, mediocrity soon reared its ugly head again and Souths gradually deteriorated over the year, having 60 put on them by both the Cowboys and the Bulldogs. Wooden spooners on F/A, which made a pleasant change from outright last by roughly 100 competition points.

Finished: 15th

2005:

This was the first year since 1999 I wasn't completely ashamed to call myself a Souths fan. Some excellent results were had early on, smacking Parramatta and Newcastle in early rounds before the inevitable mid-season slump set in. After sinking down into the doldrums yet again, Bomber McRae's side put together some superb results to avoid the cutlery easily, including a famous win over the Roosters, our first in about eighty years. The season ended with the team slightly higher than last, a welcome improvement

Finished: 13th

2006:

This was without a doubt, the worst season since we returned to the competition. The way season 2005 finished with a slew of wins, many thought the team would kick on the following year and be competitive for the finals. Instead, a cowardly cheap shot by Adrian Morley on influential halfback Ben Walker (in the first game, when Souths were up by 16 only to go on and lose by more than that) rendered our attack completely rudderless, and it took until Round 14 and a Broncos side with an average age of 15 to give Souths their first win. Only chalked up two more in 2006, before the Crowe and Holmes a Court revolution took over.

Finished: 15th

2007: N/A, we didn’t suck

2008:

A team with no backs, no momentum when Roy Asotasi needs a break, and no playmaker thanks to a cheap shot from a Roosters thug in Round 1 (Sound familiar?) Souths are sitting alone at the foot of the table, no wins from six matches and have regressed from the growing juggernaut of 2007 to once again, the laughing stock of the NRL.

Currently: 16th


So basically, this article was written to vent my frustrations, and little more. At least fans of other teams can feel better after reading this, reminding them that their team has not been the worst performed in recent years, hasn't had the most wooden spoons, and most importantly; doesn't currently feature Jeremy Smith.


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750 words including title

 

[Master Vippo]

Master Vippo for Souths

Does League need a Revamp?
This week we have seen the introduction of the IPL, the twenty20 Indian Premier League, and we have seen what may be a complete revolution for cricket as we know it. Tradition is being traded for glitz and and the money is flowing thick and fast, like red, red wine. Is it a fair trade off? Is it acceptable to trade the traditional test matches for the instant gratification, big money earning, cheer girl toting Twenty20? Andrew Symonds might think so, but the cricket purist is, as far as I can tell, undecided.

Cricket’s first big revolution/overhaul, whatever you want to call it, was World Series Cricket. Kerry Packer used big money to buy big players, dress them in big pyjamas and make even bigger money. Fair go, it worked and generally is viewed has having had a positive influence on the game. It progressed the game into the modern era, making it an attractive option in regards to competing with other sports.

Rugby League once had a similar, future changing event whose impact on the game is viewed more controversially. Super League (of course) helped throw Rugby League into the professional realms of sport. People realised just how much money could be made from the game. Marketing expenditure exploded and although the afore mentioned league was something rather less than super, its effect on the future of the game is unquestionable. Obviously there are vastly different views on how positive or negative the impact was, but that’s a discussion for another time.

But the question that is being posed, and here we are four paragraphs in, so in quite a round a bout way of saying it, is; is it time for another League overhaul? Does Rugby League need Lalit Mohdi to come and create the Rugby League equivalent of the IPL? Does League need to follow Union down the Super(insert number of teams here) theory? Do we need another Super League?

Well I am generally a progressive person, I advocate change when necessary, but I repeat, when necessary. Because my answer, which may come as a surprise, is no. I think League has become over marketed, too structured, lost its soul, been drained of its passion. League needs to embrace its history, and what made it popular in the first place. Michael Ennis is a good example, early 20s, but has already been to three different clubs! I am a big believer in jersey pride and loyalty, and how can you have pride in something you only wear for two years before changing again. It is indicative of the ugliness that league has resorted too. The chase for the almighty dollar.

That however is an aside. To answer the question, I send your gaze in the direction of our old long time foe, the AFL. There game is steeped in tradition. Jersey’s, clubs, songs, its all there. Even the new clubs like the Swans retain the heritage of where they have come from, in their case South Melbourne.

So to put it all plainly, our game is being ruined by attempts to make league more marketable and the ‘package’ league. We have lost some of the things that make a 100 year old sport special. If the AFL can retain their heritage and still get over 50,000 people to club games, then maybe a bit of regression is just what we need.


570 words

 

[Big Mick]

SUB:

Big Mick in for Leaguenut

 

[Big Mick]

* Big Mick takes a massive hit-up for the Panthers *

​

Go you Big Red Fire Engine!​

Last Saturday Rugby League bid farwell to a man who earned the respect of his peers, despite being a blood nut. Lance Thompson was a player who for most part of his career bled red and white, but retired a 40 year old virgin. Thommo retires as a hero in the NRL to so many children and fans alike. Thompson ended his career playing 239 games in total, 132 for St George-Illawarra, and 69 for St George concluding with 38 for the Sharks.


As a player Lance was tenacious competitor, a hard hitting second rower who wore his heart on his sleeve every game and a model example off the field as a man who dedicated his life to his child and the community.Thompson was always regarded as the type of player that other players wanted playing alongside with an undeniable reputation for tireless on field courage, strength and perseverance.


Rugby League fans first witnessed the big red fire engine on June 24, 1995 against the Cronulla Sharks. Instantly Thommo made an impact with thrilling runs and hard defence, giving life to an often stale local derby, his presence instantly felt and so began the Thompson legacy.


Between the years of 1995 and 2005, Lance Thompson played with passion and vigour for his junior club the Dragons, participating in St George-Illawarra’s first ever grand final and being notorious as a player who would gladly give his life for his team-mates.


Representative honours often eluded Lance, sometimes when deserved, but while he never had the privilege to play for his State or Country, he was always regarded as the best player not to do so. While those representative honours eluded him, he was often a regular in the City Origin line up, often as captain, playing six games in total.


But in 2005, Lance was rocked with the news that his beloved Dragons were looking to release him. The Dragons releasing such a loyal servant crushed Dragons supporters as Lance was a player who bled Red and White for a decade and the last surviving player from St George before the merger. Lance admitted it was difficult leaving the Dragons the way he did, but he sought a new challenge in Cronulla.


In 2006 for his first game against his beloved club, Thompson turned out one of his best personal performances as the Sharks demolished the Dragons 30-12 with Thompson scoring a try, a goal and winning Man of the Match in a game which was about closure more than the win. Thompson was quoted as saying “it’s put the demons away. It was sad to leave but I’ve found a new wind and new home at Cronulla”, and so continued his legacy.


Many have praised Lance’s contribution to the game, with many rugby league greats testifying how Lance was an exemplary character both on and off the football field, the last in an old breed of footballer. On the field a tenacious competitor and leader of men, while off the field, much of his good work unpublicized, Lance dedicated his life to such charities as meningoccal foundation and aiding his local community.


Lance could also be regarded as an entrepreneur, upon leaving the Dragons he established a player manager business signing such talents as Chase Stanley to establish a life after football, which was soon to be realised far too early.


In 2007, Lance Thompson faced his biggest opponent being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In a matter of weeks, Lance found himself 11kg lighter and discovered that only one drink could have killed him. This battle however, will not last only 80 minutes, having to have four insulin injections a day for the rest of his life.


Through his determination Lance rose again, exemplifying great courage he regained fitness and was aiming to play the 2008 season. However one game into the season it was discovered his knees just couldn’t take it, he was done.


On Saturday we bid farewell to a champion among men. Lance is a player who will be missed by all Rugby League fans, and a player who gave us so many memories, none more so than Nathan Brown passing the ball into his head off a restart. No matter whom you support, Lance will always be an icon for the Rugby League battler, the old school park footballer who believed in team success rather than personal glory.

Farewell Lance and thanks for the memories.

747 Words


References:
http://www.meningococcal-violet.org.au/hthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Thompsonml/lance_thompson.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Thompson

http://www.rleague.com/db/player/t/thompson_lance/index.php

http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25729

 

[Big Mick]

Good Game guys.

 

[Willow]

 

[Steel Dragon]

Hi guys - I should have all the pieces marked in the next day or so. Saturday at the latest.

 

[madunit]

good thing its 4 v 4, will make it a good game.

 

[Steel Dragon]

RABBITOHS

Master Vippo
Does League Need A Revamp?
Word Count 569

A fantastic (albeit waaaay too short) piece, pondering the state of League amongst its rivals, the revolutionary cricket and the traditionalist Aussie Rules.
On one hand, I believe I can solve your problem of making the game more exciting without getting away from its history – have a mid-week sevens comp. League sevens has always produced an exciting brand of footy, and to hold it mid week would invoke the spirit of the old Panasonic Cup competitions and the like.
On the other, Rugby League is probably a much more physically demanding sport than cricket and more than one match a week, in today’s professional environment, would be quite a strain on the players.
Personally, I would have liked the article to express your opinion on the matter, rather than just explaining the situation, possibly suggesting some ideas the governing body could implement.
I guess the extra 150 odd words the article lacked quite easily could’ve covered this, but we’ll never know.
Too short, but still sweet.
82



Marshall Magic
Tackling the big issue, our game is becoming wrestling
Word Count 708

Wrestling indeed! Once upon a time, a tackle was complete when a ball carrier’s forward progress was halted. Now you can lie all over a tackled player if you’ve dominated him and all sorts of craziness. Craziness than could quite easily transcend into a WWE spectacular. This article started off somewhat serious and when it started to get humorous, it caught me off guard. Being both a WWE and NRL fan, I was really looking forward to something special. I really like what you were trying to do, but this piece could’ve been a lot better considering the source material. Your spelling and grammar really let you down a lot too.
74



Big Pete
The Series that Saved League
Word Count 747

A more appropriate title would’ve been “Origin’s Darkest Series!” ;-)
A horrid time to be a Blues supporter, but for those watching the game through Maroon tinted glasses, good times indeed. I think the piece could’ve been more one eyed and explored the idea that QLD won by using passion over talent. To me, the title suggests something that the piece doesn’t deliver; that the series had an effect on league as a whole. While it actually was important, you don’t go onto explain the impact that the series had amidst the whole Super League debacle. Also, watch your use of the word ‘however.’ In the future, consider starting a new sentence every time you are going to use the word.
Overall, pretty good, but lacking a little direction.
85



Bumble
Seven Seasons of Mediocrity
Word Count 750

I feel bad criticizing your article – I mean, it’s bad enough that you have to endure the Rabbits week in week out, let alone putting up with my comments!
Seriously, it must suck to be a Rabbitohs supporter. After a brief glimmer of hope last year, it must be disappointing to have the club fall back into the same old routine.
This article pretty much tells it like it is. Except the title suggests that Souths are mediocre, not substandard.
A rather straightforward, uncreative and almost effective piece of writing.
Not unlike South Sydney themselves.
86




PANTHERS

Mad Unit
Gone Soft
Word Count 750

Ironically, I believe Mad Unit has “Gone Soft” in this article. While you raise valid points and argue them well, but I really expected vitriol by the bucket load. I totally agree tackling, scrums, play the balls etc etc are becoming a joke (personally I believe scrums are the only thing Union has over league) but I expected some biting satire, some classic old examples of the game’s exalted hard men and their feats of strength. John Sattler would’ve been a prime example for your Interchange argument. However I realize with the word limit you have to draw the line somewhere.
Overall, it’s a capable piece that while it wins on points it fails to give a knock out punch.
85



The Piper
The New adventures of the Rugby League Cops
Word Count : 750

Despite being rather original, your mixed metaphor (ie players as police) is quite loose. Before you continue down this street with more ‘episodes,’ think about your characters, what they represent, and who the opposition represent. I think the best way you could go about this story line, is to have Chief Inspector Coach ‘brief’ the squad before they go out on their mission, and then debriefing them after it all goes down. You seem to get lost when you describe the action in the moment.
Quite an original idea not nearly as well executed.
83




Glockers
The Spirit of Reggies
Word Count 740

Not as much ‘The Spirit of Reggies’ as it is ‘The Spirit of League.’ Quite a passionate little piece about grass roots footy that makes you realize there is more to the game than salary caps and wrestling coaches. Your imagery towards the end is great, invoking visions of being a kid again watching the local team run around at the oval down the street. It is just a shame that it took until then for you to get so passionate. The part about your mate pales in comparison to the second half.
A good effort overall!
87


Big Mick
Go You Big Red Fire Engine!
Word Count 746

Ok, before I gush too much over the quality of this article, let me say that before 2000 I was not a Dragons fan, and for the most part could care less about Lance Thompson.
This being said, once I was a Red V supporter, it was easy to see that there were few players more passionate to pull on that jersey than the big blood nut himself.
Despite several grammatical errors, this article is a good testimony to the man behind the player. Now I think about it – do players still have testimonial dinners? I can’t remember the last one. Surely Thommo deserves one. My only recommendations would be to watch your use of clichés and try and make your paragraphs flow on from one another a bit more smoothly.
However, a fitting tribute to a deserving sportsman.
88


RABBITOHS 327

DEFEATED BY

PANTHERS 343


Player of the Round
Big Mick

 

[The Piper]

Thanks for marking Steel Dragon. We will take your comments on board.
Best of luck to the Rabbitohs through the rest of the season.
Nice Penrith and well done Mick.

 

[Jesbass]

I just wanted to say...

Steel Dragon, that's a lot of feedback! Awesome stuff! I don't think I've ever seen a referee put that much into explaining his marks...ever. I tip my hat to you, sir!

 

[LeagueNut]

Backpacker Points

3 points - Big Mick (Panthers)
2 points - Glockers (Panthers) :mrgreen:
1 point - Bumble (Rabbitohs)