Round 7 (2008) Eels v Ninjas

[Willow]

Forum 7s - Round 7 2008
PARRAMATTA EELS v CHUCK NORRIS TEXAS DEATH NINJAS​

-v-

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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: Thursday 3July 2008 at 9pm (Syd time)​

REFEREE: Willow
Venue: Parramatta Stadium​

**The Referee Blows Game On!**

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL WORD COUNTER​

 

[bartman]

The Eels put on the strapping, chalk and vasoline and run out to huddle on the half way line for this important F7s clash...

bartman
dean
miniHINDY
MarkInTheStands
eloquentEEL

Bench:
Goleel
Bubbles
Vaealiki's Girl

 

[miniHINDY]

MiniHINDY reporting for duty.
​

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The Political Economy of Sport​

In the past quarter of a century world sport has undergone a seismic transformation, from amateur to professional. This foundational change in approach has by necessity dictated changes in the regulation of player markets.
This paper argues that the prevailing structure of the players market plays a fundamental role in the wider culture of the sport, and has been especially significant in changing modern Rugby League. By comparing the relative levels of regulation in the English Premier League, Australian Football League and the National Rugby League it is possible to analyse how it influences equity, supporters and player satisfaction.

On one end of the spectrum we have the English Premier League. More than any other major sporting competition the EPL has embraced the ideology of the free market so passionately advocated by their former leader Margaret Thatcher. Teams are able to buy and sell players on the market with the greatest of ease, with the only prerequisite being the team having the funds required. A case in point being the Chelsea club and its billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich; Chelsea has been able to purchase the cream of world footballing talent and effectively procure results through commerce. This has been made possible through the severe lack of regulation pertaining to the player market.
This has had an enormous effect on the levels of equity in the league; in the past 10 years only 4 clubs have appeared in the top two, compared with 7 in the previous decade, and 9 in the ten preceding that. The EPL has slid progressively into an oligopoly, with a small number of cashed-up clubs being the only realistic chance of attaining silverware. Thatcherism in football has prioritised the wellbeing of its players over the enjoyment of its fans. Players are earning astronomical fortunes at unprecedented levels, whilst fans of mediocre teams are left without a hope in their capitalist hell of winning the cup.

The other extreme is in the Australian Football League. It has been derided by some players for being akin to socialism, as it contains several strict layers of player regulation. The most visible measure is in the player draft, in which teams purchase players in reverse order according the pervious season’s ladder. The draft’s main impact has been to constrain the ability for players to move freely between clubs. This can be witnessed in the relative stability of AFL teams compared to their NRL counterparts. It can be argued that this constancy has been one of the leading factors in the continued widespread support and crowd attendance in the AFL. Fans have a much stronger connection to a side that has a stable core and a steady player base. A supporter with this stronger bond has a much higher propensity to take the time out to attend a fixture than one with a lose affiliation. The other major regulation is the salary cap, which has been successful in restricting financially successful clubs from dominating the competition; in the past decade there have been eight separate premiers. Thus, it can be argued that the a factor pivotal to the AFL's success has been its prioritising of supporter fulfillment over player profit maximisation.

Somewhere in the murky grey area between free-market capitalism and socialism we find the NRL. The NRL has combined the ability for players to freely sell their labour on the market with the restriction of the salary cap. In the pursuit of cross-club equity this has been phenomenally successful, with seven separate premiers in the past decade. It can be argued, however, that under the salary cap there has been a tendency towards high-turnover rates, which has isolated many supporters. This combined with the vulture-like attitude of the English competition, has rendered these supporters disenfranchised with clubs. The club loyalty which underpinned the tribalism of the golden years of Rugby League has been shattered by the flimsy regulation in contemporary player markets.

So what lesson should we take from this cross-sporting analysis? As a sport we should consider utilising some of the measures undertaken by the AFL that has preserved club loyalty. The utopian goal of finding the balance between equity, support and player satisfaction, must be continually strived for if the NRL wishes to maximise its profitability and increase dwindling crowd numbers. The foundation of these changes must be found in the player-market, as the players are the building blocks in which the wider sporting culture will continually be built upon.

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References
AFL players turn against 'socialism'
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23563362-2722,00.html


(747 words)

 

[TiTTieS_[CNTDN]]

750 words precisely.

_______________________________

TiTTieS is tired. His head drops but he manages to pull it back up. But then it happens: a dream sequence begins. He has a mo hawk and much darker skin. He is.... Mr T. And Mr T has delivered his verdict on the Raiders Wingers and Centres.

Bronx Goodwin.

This man sells flare as well as I wear ma Bling. Yo betta believe it fools, he has a warehouse of flare in his basement. Needs to remember to pack a little more of it each week and make sure it’s locked away safely in a brief case. Fo shizzle. Brilliant running game and even Mr T takes half a step back when he sees tha Bronx at full speed. Respect. Just needs to keep drinking that Canberra Milk and those bones will be solid as. Believe.


Colin Best.

This playa has hit his straps tha last couple of weeks. Fo real. Hits tha ball up as hard as a calculus problem, but plays like trigonometry is tha only thing on his mind. Believe. Early season form was down in tha basement, must have been searching for that top range champagne to celebrate tha 4 try haul against tha doggies.

As for tha ladies, needs to be careful that he doesn’t get barrelled over by all tha ladies in at Mooseheads. He’s lucky that my skank lady had an ex who looks just like him so she won’t be after him. But then again, take a helmet with you, just in case. Cruze round to ma crib and I’ll hit yo up with some chrome fo ma ghetto bird.

Keep it real CB, Mr T believes in you.


Adrian Purtell.

What a fine playa this boi is. 12 tries in tha opening 6 weeks including one hat-trick means that Mr T is super impressed. Yo, yo betta all believe this. Tha Sydney media, thinkin that their ghettos are betta than ours, have hushed up 5 of his tries with special camera effects. Fo shizz, he scored 2 at Robina when Mr T was there tryin ta distract those refereeing foes of ours. He scored 2 that didn't show up at Newcastle and one that those bustas edited out at Penrith.


Purtell is a super fine tuned athlete with less than 1% body fat - fat that is not actually his. Ratha, it comes from tha oil off tha hair of all of tha fine ladies who flock afta him. When he runs down tha sidelines, tha touchies move a few steps back coz they see him as royalty, just as everyone - even Mr T - should do. Fo real, he is tha shizz. Believe.


Joel Monaghan

Tha ginger ninja from tha South of Canberra has won ma approval since moving back to tha territory where he belongs.

Not one to back down from an argument, Joel is a super negotiator who loves nothing more than negotiatin his way to tha try line. Believe. While Alan Tongue may be captain of this fine Rugby League establishment, Joel is tha real Captain Planet. What's more, he don't need no groupies to call upon him to unleash his magic brand of football. Fo real. This man has a heart bigga than any race horse to eva win a Melbourne Cup. Believe.


Marshall Chalk

This man is tha juice and loved by all: young girls right through to old fellas who've been following tha club since before tha great man was knee high to a grass hoppa. No scrubs neva find him with his radar for scrubs set to “anti-scrub”.

Back in tha day, he considered that teaching would be a betta career flava than NRL where tha chalk is not a great place for a winga to be - even with his amount of flex. Believe. Chalking up detention fo tha ghetto children always was a big lure for tha man from north of tha border, but tha NRL couldn't be ignored forever. Perhaps, he will teach our children later? Mr T can only hope so. Word. Spirit. Will be a good way for a baller like Chalk to finish off in style.

His home in tha backs looks safe after tha stocks have been thinned out with some serious injuries in tha backline. Fo real, tha Raiders would be lost without tha talent that is etched all over tha skin and whiskers on his face. Believe. No beef where this man is concerned - not less it be a Big Mac.

 

[paulquinn49]

CNTDN Side

paulquinn49 (c)
Titties (c)
Edabomb (c)
jamesgould (vc)
Freddo (vc)

Bench
Halatia (vc)
Raider Azz (vc)

 

[paulquinn49]

OUT - Freddo

IN - Raider Azz

 

[Raider Azz]

Bellyache

Craig Bellamy is today’s so called coaching God, yet despite his knowledge of the majority of the Queensland squad, through his coaching at the Brisbane and Melbourne clubs he was unable to coach a series win, however I believe him to be a far more qualified and competent coach than Mal Meninga, who along as being remembered as a playing great, will now be remembered as a coaching great.

From the outside looking in Craig Bellamy would have been a loser whichever way the result was swung. He is now currently a series loser as a New South Welshman, yet he remains the Melbourne Storm coach, who are a very impressive and talented club, the defending premiers actually. While three clubs are ahead of Melbourne on the NRL points table, I still feel Melbourne will win this years competition when it comes to the crunch.

Had NSW won the series deciding State Of Origin game Craig Bellamy would have coached his state to a victory, while also exposing the tactics and weaknesses of his star players Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Michael Crocker, Israel Falou and Greg Inglis. While remembering Origin is billed as “Mate vs Mate” all other tacticians and coaches not involves would sit back laughing watching Craig Bellamy help destroy something it has taken years to build, which doesn’t sit right with me, even though I do not support the Storm.

The need for stand-alone coaches needs no other explanation than what Mal Meninga has achieved as a coach for the Queensland Maroons. While Meninga has previously coached in the NRL he proved great players don’t always make the best coaches, although you can argue the point that Meninga didn’t have the best roster to work with, the fact is that he was proven not to be an NRL standard coach.

Enter the former Origin great, now working in a Brisbane Fruit Market and Queensland have turned their football around from a team looking like never winning, to a team that has now won three series in a row, in which the last two series wins came from victories in Sydney’s ANZ stadium, formerly a fortress.

Living in New South Wales I can’t speak for what the Queensland Selectors do or say about their side, or even if they exist but I get the impression that Mal Meninga gets a far greater say in the make up of his side than his New South Wales counterpart Craig Bellamy gets, this would of course, if true, put NSW at a huge disadvantage with the coach possibly not agreeing with some of the selections, which have been made for him.

What Mal Meninga seemed to bring to the side since his arrival to State Of Origin was a belief and respect to the jersey that while present before, was definitely lacking. Instead of the controlled, perhaps even cold coaching which is required at NRL level, but fails in Origin, which is largely based on heart, passion and mateship.

This is where I believe Bellamy failed in his attempt to win the series for NSW, everything you saw of the NSW camp was intense, calculating, controlled and a bit sterile. Where as the Queensland reports had them mixing with former Origin greats, chatting, mingling and receiving advice from players they grew up watching and idolised.

The closest thing I saw that resembled this was Tommy Raudonikis rocking up to Cronulla, to Blues training with a plastic inflatable Cattledog.

I don’t know about you but all that inspired me to do was stop at the window next time I go to Pets Paradise and go “ohhhhhh”

I also read that Craig Bellamy was concerned about coaching against his teammates and was unsure whether to continue as coach in 2009. If it were true, regardless of the result tonight the NSW Board should look elsewhere if this is the attitude of their coach. Personally I am with Bellyache on this one, win or lose, technically he is a loser. It’s enough to give good ole Bellyache, a bellyache.

Next year I hope we return to stand alone coaches in State Of Origin, and I hope they get the final say on the make up of their sides, because I feel this wasn’t the case this year. The need for a coach with no club ties to an NRL club would benefit all parties, and NSW have to bite the bullet and take the approach of Queensland and appoint a stand-alone coach.

 

[paulquinn49]

PQ for CNTDN

**********

Shopping with Don

The Canberra Raiders recruitment over the last few years has delivered many disappointments and few signings that upset other clubs. The signings the club has seemingly taken pride in is barely a blip on the radar of most, if not all clubs. The two biggest signings would be Todd Carney staying with the Raiders and Joel Monaghan returning to the Raiders after a few seasons with the Sydney Roosters, who in the same time period have signed players like Willie Mason & Mark O’Meley.

Much has been said about the Canberra Raiders being able to attract quality players to a club that once had people lining up to be even considered a chance, such was the dominance and aura the club possessed in the early to mid 90’s.

However in the new millennium the club has battled to attract even mediocre players, and should the club by chance actually fluke a signing of a promising player they turn out to be a disappointment, players like Craig Frawley, Neville Costigan & Thom Leyroyd Lahrs to name a few. On the other side you have players the club has invested years in only for them to catch the eye of a more desirable club, and Canberra is little more of an afterthought in a stepping stone to their career. William Zillman, for example.

I became so fed up with the recruitment and retention of players that I sent Don Furner, CEO of the Canberra Raiders, an email, outlining why the club needed me to over see their recruitment for the following seasons. I believe my skills as a people person, ability to find a bargain, such as meat bargains in supermarkets, truly Today Tonight worthy and footballing brain give me an edge over the reckless recruitment style of the Raiders in years gone by.

I invited Don to join me in a secret underground movement of NRL players who gather every weekend in the hopes of gaining a contract with a club, similar to the set up of Pets Paradise players sit in clear cubicles and showcase their skills. With chequebook in hand Don was a man possessed and suddenly I saw how the Canberra Raiders had gone from a powerhouse, to the slaughterhouse.

Each player in the skills cell had the chance to show their worth, before we even started Don caught the eye of someone with immense talent. He screamed and shouted for me to rush over.

“Holy crap, Shannon Hegarty is here…and only 300K a season!” Don said

With Shannon salivating at the window and Don furiously signing away a new acquisition I ran over and snatched the book away, Shannon and Don’s eyes both welled up, and a hissy fit ensued. However with my threat of walking away and leaving him, Don calmed down and returned to my side.

I took Don to a pen that contained David Shillington and told Don to watch. David expressed an interest in coming to Canberra, and was keen for a long term deal, which was great because a player of his age and experience would benefit the club, and when the time was right, Don poked a carrot through the hole in the wall and the deal was done.

Don then came into his own and was telling me about a player he had heard of called Joel Moon, apparently the Melbourne Storm were interested a couple of years ago, which means he is almost instantly better than any player the Canberra club has. But Don blew it.

“You want to play 5/8? But you’re not Terry Campese, no one does a mid-field bomb like Terry”

I heard later that Joel Moon had signed for the NZ Warriors. Don then returned to the Terry Campese pen and refused to leave, as Terry came to the glass window for more pats and attention. I went around to the other players, taking notes and making suggestions, like Shane Shackleton another Roosters prop, Ben Hannant, Mitchell Sargent & Jacob Lillyman but the calls went unnoticed with Don going back to doing things his own way.

Furious I left Don to his own accord when I realised the fans have little say in the team they support, despite paying their hard earned dollars to see them play. While Don seems happy signing mediocre players, with the exception of Shillington, I sit back with all other Canberra fans, watching our best players leave, only to see the next inferior product arrive.

748 Words

***********

 

[eloquentEEL]

eloquentEEL sprints out of the locker room, uniform in disarray, sweating profusely, not having been seen by his teammates for several days, but assures everyone he's ready to play for his beloved Eels
___________________

State of Boredom

It was Wednesday afternoon. Several hours until kickoff in the 2008 State Of Origin decider and I was at a work function. I asked a colleague if he was planning on watching the match and he replied in the affirmative. Hopeful that I had found a fellow league supporter (somewhat of a rarity in my industry) to discuss all matters footy, I pressed on and asked if followed a team in the NRL. Unfortunately his response, like that of many other casual viewers, was that this was one of the few matches he watched annually. It came as no surprise that Origin is one of the select few as it is constantly championed as the pinnacle of our code. Our show piece event to promote rugby league internationally.

Given this expectation that Origin is a highlight of the best we have to offer, I am embarrassed to admit that I came away from the match with a sense of boredom. If I wanted to watch teams focussed solely on slowing down the game at any opportunity, playing for field position and putting up an aerial barrage then I would watch union or AFL. That was my opinion after having just watched the match and on reflection… no, my opinion has not changed; however I did question it this morning after reading the following statement from our halfback of the century:

“From where I sat on the sideline, it was a gripping contest and worthy of an Origin decider.” – Andrew Johns

Perhaps ‘Joey’ got carried away with the excitement of having been in camp with the boys, or by the atmosphere at the ground. Maybe it was the bit of biff (and thank the footy gods for showing mercy and offering at least that little glimpse of entertainment) that had him reminiscing of his involvement in the infamous ‘Cattle Dog’ call or maybe it was the closeness of the score line throughout the majority of the contest; but as a spectator at home, I still came away with an overwhelming sense of apathy when I should have been feeling exhilaration.

The commentators even made special note of the dry conditions, hard pitch and expectation of a fast game with sweeping ball movement and fast flurries of passing interchanges. The game certainly failed to deliver in that area, even on fifth tackle options in the opposition’s red zone which almost invariably saw a bomb put up out wide. Even for the traditionalists that enjoy a tough, grinding match, the intent and intensity may have been there, but again the match failed to deliver. The match was not won via arm wrestle, it was won on the back of an error (thank you Mister Quinn) and two individual moments of brilliance (take a bow Messers Thurston and Folau).

Whilst I strongly believe this is almost entirely due to the influence of Bellamy’s coaching, I lay the blame solely on the squarely on the shoulders of the NSW selectors. They knew Bellamy’s style. They knew he would bring in a wrestling coach and focus on the ruck. They knew he would employ a conservative attacking style with a lot of dummy half running and one out hit ups, and they selected the players that suited the style. It may only be my personal opinion, but that style is B-O-R-I-N-G, BORING! and should not be allowed anywhere near the State Of Origin arena again.

Craig, if you really are still undecided on your intention to make yourself available to coach NSW again next year, I implore you, for the good of the game; to properly showcase our code to the hardy supporters and casual fans alike; please don’t!

NSW selectors, should Craig decide that due to his competitive spirit to have another crack at it and/or your own desire to win at any cost, please… PLEASE, pick someone with a more creative style that is not afraid to chance their arm and maybe we can have a State Of Origin spectacle next year instead of what (in my humble opinion) was more of a State Of Origin debacle. Then maybe… just MAYBE… that colleague I was talking about earlier will have a different answer to my second question in another year or two.

References:

Johns, A. Thurston too hard to contain - http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23961708-23214,00.html


________________
710 words

 

[jamesgould]

A Game Paralysed by Fear

Rugby league is currently in the grips of fear … it is ironic that having survived and at times flourished for 100 years, the game suddenly has all the insecurities of a teenager who is trying to figure out how to ask a girl out.

It’s taking form in several ways. One of the foremost is the game itself. Watching last night’s State of Origin decider, I couldn’t help but notice that New South Wales played like a team scared. Scared of blowing the series. Their attack was lackluster, and in the end, the approach cost them when they were in a winning situation, with Queensland’s halfback injured in the first half.

Only once the game was almost beyond reach did the Blues throw caution to the wind and start offloading, risking a dropped ball in order to score points.

It’s indicative of the game today. Teams are so scared of making errors that attack is structured to the point of becoming boring and predictable. I heard somebody say the other day that defence has now so improved so much from past decades, that attack has had to become more structured in order to beat it. I completely disagree – defence has been made to look better because of the lack of risk-taking in attack! So many tries are scored from kicks because most teams spend their entire sets building towards a kick. And a kick can be successful on two counts – a try, or a mistake from the opposition leading to a repeat set.

I suppose it has always been this way to some degree – it took until the final 30 seconds for Queensland to throw the ball around in desperation back in 1994, resulting in Mark Coyne’s epic try. But now teams will happily run from dummy-half play after play, ur top team in Melbourne barely risk an offload all game – attack has become stale, conservative and scared.

Off field the fear is just as prevalent. What has happened to the optimism of the 1990s? We have the best sporting product in the world – back then it seemed like the sport’s officials actually agreed with us!

Marketing campaigns were actually seen and heard (these days you only seem to see the new season advertisement if you go looking for it on Youtube). The game was exapanding with new teams into exciting new frontiers. Matches were also played in other parts of the country. Confidence in our product meant the game was spread, crowds grew and rugby league was on a high.

The NRL will tell you that we cannot sustain any more teams at the moment. Financially, it is impossible. Probably something along the same lines for the lack of marketing. Spending money to make money does not seem to be a concept that Mr. Gallop and his men have heard of. It certainly worked in the 1980’s and 1990’s! Why not now? Does anyone believe that Tina Turner came cheap?

Fear has certainly infiltrated our referees to crippling degrees. The practice of sending lost balls up to the video referee to decide whether to award a penalty or not is all down to the fear of making a mistake. The same thing can be said with the minute degree to which tries are examined. There is no need to slow every try down to frame by frame pedantry to decide if a little finger is still in contact with a ball that is being grounded. Watch it in normal speed – if a human eye cannot see a problem at normal speed then what is the problem?

Referees have always made errors and always will – video or otherwise. The decisions that the video referees are making are such grey areas that they will create controversy whatever the decision. But we are so scared of making an error that we go to these ridiculous lengths to avoid them.

Rugby league needs a dose of confidence! Take some risks! Sure, decisions will be made that aren’t right, some calls will fall flat. But better to give something new and different a try than die wondering.

Because, that’s really what I’m worried will happen. Rugby league has been changing and adapting – flying in the face of fear – for 100 years. Big decisions have been made in order to promote, improve and grow the sport. We are still simply the best … we just have to believe it.

 

[bartman]

Bartman is feeling the warm inner glow of spending a cold winters night with his Eels teammates...

- - - - -

If you’re unhappy and you know it, have a whinge!

We are frequently reminded how fortunate we are to be living in a democracy. We live work and play within a society where we have certain freedoms and rights as well as responsibilities. We are free to believe what we want to believe, basically so long as we don’t bring harm to others within the letter of the law. In case there’s any strict civil libertarians or pedants out there, my basic point is just that we are a lot freer than people living in places like Zimbabwe, North Korea, and even Cuba if you get my drift?

One of the most cherished benefits for people living in this type of democracy tends to be what we call freedom of speech, or the right to express ourself without censorship. It’s actually part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well [1]. We all like to be able to get things off our chest, to speak our minds, stick it to the boss, or demand a fair go. And for the most part this is all well and good.

Now, there’s plenty of sociological theories as to whether freedom of speech in a democratic society really is “free“, or whether it’s freer for some members than it is for others, and how the media massages the messages we receive [2] and how that in turn influences what we come to believe and express for ourselves. But I don’t want to get into all that, I want to bring it back to rugby league.

I’m going to say something controversial here - that freedom of speech should not extend to rugby league players moaning about refereeing decisions during the course of a game! So there you have it - call me a fascist censorship freak if you must, but I‘ll even go as far as to say that I think whinging directly in the face of a referee about a decision is one of the most childish things you can witness on a professional sporting field, goes against the spirit of our sport, and over the last 10-15 years or so has escalated into one of the worst features of our modern game!

Some people might think my stance against players actively questioning referees decisions is a little over the top? But let me put it in perspective... In today’s NRL we are talking about gifted athletes who by and large are now very well rewarded for their performances in an 80 minute match week to week. Guys whose contracts guarantee them this generous set income usually for two, three or sometimes four years, without the imposition of performance evaluations and the like along the way. Guys for whom a single refereeing decision in a single match has no direct personal consequence, other than the possible loss of face if the decision happens to highlight a mistake they made in play.

Contrast this with the lot of the first grade footballer in Sydney say 25 years ago, a time when the full professionalization of our game was in its infancy and most players were holding down day jobs in the trades to make a living, getting paid on lowly "incentive contracts" which included a bonus payment only if their team could manage a win.

So what was at stake when one of these semi-pro players of the past found themselves up against a dubious refereeing decision? If that decision could impact on the outcome of the game, then their family’s extra spending money for that week was at stake! Those blokes had every right to get up in the referee’s face and use their freedom of speech, because their livelihood was more than likely on the line in that very moment!

But did these warriors of old whinge and moan to the ref like the overpaid prima donnas of today? No.

And on the odd occasion that they did, the referees of the day did the obvious thing to stamp it out - penalise them, and then march them ten metres. The decisions may not have been any better, but at least we got on with the match.

Our game today has evolved to the point where we almost invite this annoying behaviour through video ref reversals and endless replays for all to see. There may be many benefits of living in a democracy, but putting up with players whining like spoilt brats on the professional sporting field should not be one of them!

- - - - -

750 words between the lines

References and further reading:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Medium_is_the_Massage

 

[bartman]

Posted by proxy from the Eels locker room on behalf of MarkInTheStands.

- - - - -

Three Wins.

Now 16 rounds into the competition, three wins are vitally important. Looking at the NRL Premiership lead, you have Manly on ten wins, the Roosters and the Sharks on eleven. You then move through to the Midpoint of the table, Parramatta sit in eighth spot with seven wins to their credit. You then fall back through the table to the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs, three more wins behind in fourteenth and fifteenth spot. Lastly there are the Cowboys in sixteenth on that magical number three wins.

Three wins at this point in time is the difference between a great season, a fair season and a shocking season. What is hidden by these three wins are the crucial 1% things that have gone either way. If the ball had bounced one way instead of the other would Manly be on have that three win advantage over eighth. Would Parramatta still be sitting in eight if the field goal against Newcastle had not gone over? What about the Rabbitohs, would they still be in fifteenth had they had the attacking flair and guidance of Craig Wing. It Is an easy thing to do, look at the ladder and say that those outside of the eight have not played well and that those inside it have. But with a competition so tight, and decisions so critical can the lay person really just look at the NRL premiership table and say, Manly are three wins better then Parramatta, or the Roosters are three wins better than the Titans? Personally I don’t think so. This NRL season has been incredibly tight, so much so that those that have watched the game for many years still cannot tell who is going to win and by how much. The NRL is now so tough that a team dropping in attitude by 5% will see them lapped, so the question has to be asked, is three wins the definition of a season?

Over the last few years I have built an excel spreadsheet that graphs my side's performances year after year along with the cut off points for the top eight, the top four and the top two. Over the last 7 years I have taken an average of the wins required for each position. What is interesting is that the average difference between just making the top 8 and making the top 4 is that magic number, three wins. The difference between almost certain elimination in week one of the finals against the money making opportunity of having a home semi final with your crowd supporting you is three wins. The difference to a top two spot is two wins.

The NRL is so incredibly tight and has been over the last seven seasons that the average number of wins to make the top eight is twelve. Normally out of between twenty four rounds and twenty six rounds with one or two byes. Twelve wins is half your allotted games. You just have to win 50% of your games. Teams play twelve games at home. If they have an impeccable record at home they can make the play offs, but if they win three games on the road. They are a top four side and get another home game.

So if you aim up at home, take three away wins from the lesser performing sides in the comp who might be affected by injury or suspension and you are in the top four. So at the start of the year fans, bookies and commentators might only need to ask one question, can this team win the three games they need to make the four, and from there can the win the three games that matter, their finals to make the grand final, or in case of the top two win the grand final. Does your team possess that ability to win the three games that matter?

Teams now take their games in three game blocks preparing their teams for games starting three or more weeks in advance, planning game day routines, time tables, booking accommodation, setting the travel schedule. Working on the game plan, preparing the players in training weeks in advance with new drills or different drills, but nothing can prepare you for the roll of a football or the freak injury that can see your team either win those vitally important three games, or tumble of into the oblivion of a seasons potential unrealised, a with a team and fans unfulfilled.

- - - - -

747 words between the lines

 

[edabomb]

Weighing In

How things have changed in the past twenty years. The world has all of a sudden become ‘a very harsh place’, and efforts must be made to protect the younger generation from finding this out too early in life. Rugby League seems no different. Articles have begun to pop up all over Australian newspapers suggesting that junior Rugby League grades should be based on weight rather than age. “Our kids are getting smashed by these big Islanders”, they argue. That’s all part of growing up I’m afraid.

While this may seem a sensible point for the casual junior player, it is not a good idea for the development of our game. Grading high school players by weight has been happening for the last ten to fifteen years in New Zealand Rugby Union. The major problem with this approach is that size becomes far too much of an emphasis, rather than skill. If you look at the Super 14 of 2008 it is fairly obvious that there is a large gulf in skill levels between the two codes. This is primarily because the Super 14 is full of athletes, and very few footballers. The NRL still has a place for footballers, and must continue to do so.

One need only look at the All Blacks of recent years to realise something has been missing in the big games. The All Blacks have failed to reach the final of Rugby’s World Cup the past three tournaments, despite each time entering the competition as favourites. The problem has clearly been in dealing with pressure situations, as their 1999 and 2007 losses were against much less favoured opposition. The All Blacks are made up of massive athletes; all have learnt the importance of sustaining a powerful physique while coming up through the weight grades in high school. Personally I don’t believe there is any coincidence, New Zealand’s Rugby Union performances seem to show an inverse relationship with the introduction of weight grades in their junior football.

In the above noted matches the All Blacks have shown a distinct lack of leadership and ability to perform. During last years quarterfinal loss to France the team completely imploded in the second half after holding a handy lead at half time. They lost their lead with about fifteen minutes to play and continued to play some of the stupidest football seen in years. Despite only being down by two points and often being in range of a potentially match winning drop goal they continued to run one out at the line and be hammered back by their smaller French opponents. I could only think that if they had a player with the ability of Jonathan Thurston or Scott Prince in this circumstance they would have surely capitalised on their domination in general play. Unfortunately, they lacked this type of skilled footballer.

In my time playing at high school in New Zealand I saw many players lost to the sport due to their inability to make the top teams. While some of these players were far more talented than those in sides ahead of them, they simply were passed over due to their lack of size and perceived weaker defence. While size and power will always be a key part of either Rugby code, there still needs to be the more skilled players to help these players maximise their skills. Look at the difference of how a player like Ben Kennedy performed after leaving the Canberra Raiders for Newcastle. By playing alongside Andrew Johns he reached a new level of performance and became one of the modern legends of the game. While he was a solid contributor at Canberra, he became a superstar at Newcastle thanks largely to the support of a much smaller and less athletic teammate.

[FONT=&quot]The problem with weight divisions are far too many potentially fine players are lost during the process. Think of a world where Preston Campbell, Matt Bowen, Jonathan Thurston and William Zillman had all been discouraged from playing Rugby League because of their size (or lack thereof). If the Australian Rugby League decides to implement this through the junior competitions they must make sure that the smaller players are still encouraged that they can and will make the top teams if they’re good enough. Then we can continue to have the most exciting competition on the planet without Rugby League simply turning into a collision sport.

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

737 words including title
[/FONT]

 

[Dean]

Dean takes the field for the Eels.

A Confederacy of Selectors.

18th May 2008. 21:30

Three dark figures are hunched around a large meeting table. They are deep in conversation and by the sound of their voices they are clearly discussing something of great importance A cleaner walks in and begins changing the contents of their waste bin. He overhears their conversation.

Mr D: Now for the hard part gentleman, who’s our halfback?

Mr M: Why don’t we go over the candidates first?

Mr F: Okay, first of all, Peter Wallace?

Mr D: Good young kid. Lots of promise.

Mr F: Mitchell Pearce?

Mr M: Good young kid. Lots of Promise.

Mr F: Jarrod Mullen?

Mr D: Good young kid. Lots of Promise.

Mr F: Brett Finch

Mr M: Good tough kid, but he hasn’t really lived up to his promise.

Mr F: Brett Kimmorley?

Mr D: Tough old stager, could be past his best, no more promise.

Mr F: Kurt Gidley?

Mr D: Good versatile kid. Could play anywhere. Why don’t we make him coach?

Loud laughter from the three figures.

Mr F: (Wiping a tear from his eye) Alright, is there anyone else.

Mr M: No, that’s about it. No one else deserves to be mentioned.

Mr F: Okay then, let’s start narrowing them down.

Cleaner: Excuse me sirs, forgive me for eves dropping, but I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I think you’ve forgotten one more candidate.

Mr F: I don’t think so mate. Why don’t you run along and leave this to the professionals.

Cleaner: Oh, sorry sir, it’s just, well, surely you have to include Matt Orford in that list of candidates.

The three men all look at each other.

Mr M: Matt Orford, who’s Matt Orford?

The three men laugh hysterically.

Cleaner: Sorry, I don’t understand.

Mr D: Don’t you read the newspapers mate. Matt Orford can’t handle the big games and this is the biggest game possible.

Cleaner: But he helped his team to a Grand Final last year. Sure, they were hammered, but they were beaten by a team which is probably the best team of the decade.

Mr M: Well, what about all those close games where he cracked under pressure?

Cleaner: Well, what about all those games were he kicked winning field goals, like the game against Melbourne last year?

Mr F: Stop answering questions with a question. Who are you anyway? Some biased Manly drone?

Cleaner: Um, aren’t you Bob Fulton?

Mr F: Shut up.

Cleaner: All I’m saying is why give the spot to a bunch of nineteen year olds in the hope that they’re the next Allan Langer? Give it to the best halfback in New South Wales. Doesn’t that make sense? And besides, Orford hasn’t even had the chance to play in this big game that everyone says he can’t handle. Origin is the biggest. Give him a go. If he fails then go back to your youth brigade theory.

Mr M: He’s crazy. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. We’re the legends, what we say is law dammit. (Slams his fist on the table)

Cleaner: Doesn’t form mean anything to you people? He’s killing it at the moment

Mr M: No, form isn’t everything, it’s all about promise. We’re trying to build a dynasty here buddy. So if the first promising young teenager fails, then we’ll move on to the next one, and so on and so on and so on.

Mr F: Well said Bob.

Mr M: Thanks Bozo.

Cleaner: Sorry guys, just trying to help. I’ll see myself out. Just promise me you won’t give the halfback spot to a Dragon’s player.

Mr D abruptly stands and points his finger at the cleaner.

Mr D: That was un-called for!

Mr M: Please Lozza, sit down.

Mr D: But he said such awful things.

Mr F: Look what you’ve done. Get out of here.

The cleaner leaves.

Mr M: What an idiot. Now that he’s gone, let’s get back to business.

Mr F: Good idea. Where were we, Oh, Peter Wallace, plenty of promise.

Word Count: 675.

 

[Willow]

 

[bartman]

A 5 on 5 game... well done to the Ninjas and fellow Eels for making a contest out of this one, and good luck one and all.

 

[edabomb]

Best of luck to all involved

 

[Raider Azz]

at least i got my article in on time this time.

 

[Willow]

EELS

The Political Economy of Sport
by MiniHINDY
Words: 747
Ref's Report: They say a footy game isn't played on paper, but this Eels player had a go and almost pull a hammy while running a thesis close to the ruck. The purists in the crowd appreciated the copybook tackles and well-researched set moves, although most took the opportunity to grab a pie.
Score: 83

State of Boredom
by eloquentEEL
Words: 712
Ref's Report: I was also bored with the 'mate v mate' and that other competition's Origin decider. I look forward to when the real footy starts around F7s semi-final time. But then again, I'm not a Queenslander. Overall, the scrum chat was spiced up with the right stuff and I couldn't help but keep my ears glued to the gossip.
Score: 89

If you’re unhappy and you know it, have a whinge!
by bartman
Words: 750
Ref's Report: And I'm here to say that I don't like seeing the yankie 'z' in '...zation' and 'ten' should be a modern '10'. That to illustrate the irony of mixed emotions when it comes to dealing with the old vs the new. That aside, the player did a great job of understanding the true spirit of the game.
Score: 90

Three Wins.
by MarkInTheStands
Words: 747
Ref's Report: A good player but lacking impact for this match. I wish I had a spreadsheet that could solve football problems, although this one more resembled a game of Twister. Another one of these 'time for a pie' moments.
Score: 79

A Confederacy of Selectors.
by Dean
Words: 675
Ref's Report: The thing I like about this is that the player had a go, and I mean that. A spirited effort and worthy of praise, plus we all know selectors have a lot to answer for. Looked like a bit of rushed play but that often hits the mark.
Score: 89

TOTAL for EELS: 430

NINJAS

Untitled (TiTTieS is tired...)
by TiTTieS_[CNTDN]
Words: 750
Ref's Report: No Player-Of-Da-Match award here but an original piece of play as the forummer makes plenty of ground cross-field while waxing lyrical with the opposition's head space. Believe.
Score: 84

Bellyache
by Raider Azz
Words: 749
Ref's Report: References to that other competition's Origin series and a good bit of sledging throughout. The player was right in persisting with the inside pass and came up with a some excellent plays when it mattered most.
Score: 85

Shopping with Don
by paulquinn49
Words: 748
Ref's Report: The all too common tale when a lack of leadership lets the team down. Some handy hit ups at times but lacking punctuation up the middle of the ruck. A clever piece of work with the player looking for some firm footing.
Score: 85

A Game Paralysed by Fear
by jamesgould
Words: 749
Ref's Report: I agree, and personally I wish they'd just get on with the game. Some great play just wide of the ruck, and I fully enjoyed the player's style. Unfortunately, a rough spellchecker play led to an incompleted set.
Score: 89

Weighing In
by edabomb
Words: 737
Ref's Report: Started off great but got a bit bogged down in the ruck and maul play. Nice recovery in the latter stages as the point weighed into the attack.
Score: 87

TOTAL for NINJAS: 430

RESULT: DRAW 430-all
Great play from both sides.
Player of the match: bartman (Eels)

 

[Robster]

Wow what a game. Well done both teams