Sunday Football Show

[Old Time Tiger]

I think it's clear that Farah is not rated very highly, especially with the hacks in the media.

But remember it's the media, all be it, some former players, who allocate Dally M points and Farah is the standout there over the past 2 years. The silly things about those awards though is that they announce the 'team of the year' during the presentation and then for example Farah is 2nd in final count which would indicate that he should be best hooker, but not in the team.

As for guys who have had shockers in SOO - Creagh springs to mind as well. Great for St George, good enough for Australia but SOO? not for me. But, was that him or Bellamey?

The only guy who you'd say (well me anyway) deserved to be in game 1 based on SOO form over the past 3 or 4 years is Haynes and Stewart believes he is a 5/8. Queensland stick by their players, NSW go on about picking on form each year.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Gould has always pushed for Young, has done since 2008, and as such to praise Farah would fly in the face of it.

I don't have the answer. We all know that Robbie has the propencity to be an utter prick though. Maybe he did it to the wrong person

That would be the most logical explaination, you would think.

I think Gould likes Farah, he has praised him before. But most of the others, you can just tell they don't rate him at all. Especially Johns, who despite the racist incident last year clearly has a big say in selections, and preparation with the team etc. Like you said, its a boys club and unless the entire process is shaken up it will remain that way.

It just amazes me that someone who has been consistently one of the best hookers in the game for at least four years is not treated the way he should be. The fact that one-dimensional hacks like Ennis are even mentioned in the same breath as Farah is just insulting. He is so far ahead in every aspect of his game it is not even worth comparing the two.

I bet if NSW lose tonight because they can't score points (just like they haven't been able to do for the past five years), Farah still won't get a go.

 

[madunit]

I think the biggest burden for Farah, is that he performs best when he has another creative attacking player to link with.

NSW simply doesn't have creative players who make things happen from nothing.

It's all grinding forward battles and hoping to score tries off kicks.

 

[Packy]

One other thing. The absolute travesty here is that Young made the team.

 

[simmo1]

If NSW don't want to pick players like Hayne, Farah or Watmough because they're not 'one of the boys', then f**k 'em - their loss. If the Tigers win their three games during the Origin period, then I couldn't care less if NSW gets whooped in every game.

 

[innsaneink]

Joey probably just didnt wanna get into any negative discussions.
The build up for the Blues has been very very good bar benny opening his mouth and being a f**kwit

"secondly, he didn't want to praise Farah."
Is only your opinion, which you are entitled to, but to use it as one of your lead arguments is a bit rich.

"The Blues will never do well while it is best by politics."
Rep football from juniors up, is riddled with politics, the best team will never be selected anywhere, in any sport.

I am not a fan of Stuart, but are you aware that he is:
1. A premiership winning player & coach,
2. A winning Australian player & coach,
3. A winning NSW SOO player & coach,
4. A dual international

Didn't have a good time at the Sharks, I am not sure anyone will, but hardly a failure.

Good post, you seem to know what your on about

 

[benched tiger]

The treatment Farrah is getting from selectors reminds me of how Ben Elias was continually over looked
for SOO in late 80's before becoming the blues captain.

 

[Tigerm]

IMO, I thought Ennis went OK last night, so I can't see Robbie knocking him off just yet? Maybe a bench spot at best. Yes, I don't rate Ennis either.

Lawrence would have been a big chance to get a run in that team.

If Galloway was more consistant, he'd be a show to?

A long shot, but Gibbs wouldn't have looked out of place at lock, I didn't think Bird was playing at one stage.


Can someone confirm this? Were we the only team not to have a player representing last night? I thought I heard or read that somewhere.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

But, Ennis and especially Young do not provide that somthing special, actually no one in the NSW team does.

Pearce may be the future ?? but he needs a hooker/dummy half to compliment him and the only one who can do that is Farah.

Young is tough and can hold his own as a back rower but he's not in the St George team for his creative play, they bring on Fein for that.

Ennis did make a difference last night but that was because he was fresh, like when Gidley and Wing came on in years past. Ennis taking a kick when it should have been left to the 6 or 7 last night was dumb as, straight to Slater when NSW were in front :crazy: he tries to do things that both Smith and Farah can do, but certainly not as well as those two.

Ennis did his usual dumb thing last night, stomping on Cooper Cronk was the cheapest shot of the night.

But, Farah won't be back unless the other guys are hurt and ruled out of the next game.

Smith and Farah will be the 2 playing for Australia at years end though.

 

[Mr_Raditch]

IMO, I thought Ennis went OK last night, so I can't see Robbie knocking him off just yet? Maybe a bench spot at best. Yes, I don't rate Ennis either.

Lawrence would have been a big chance to get a run in that team.

If Galloway was more consistant, he'd be a show to?

A long shot, but Gibbs wouldn't have looked out of place at lock, I didn't think Bird was playing at one stage.


Can someone confirm this? Were we the only team not to have a player representing last night? I thought I heard or read that somewhere.

Yep, souths didn't actually have anyone play but Taylor was named as 18th man. If Lawrence wasn't injured im pretty sure he would have been named, that said Jennings was one of the blues best last night and justified his selection.
Robbie won't get a game this series, even if Ennis gets injured. Ennis played well last night, we looked much better once he came on. His service from dummy half shytes all over Young. I have no idea how Young got a spot, hopeless. Young will be dropped for game 2 and Gidley will come onto the bench (I think he'll be back?)
IMO Farah won't get a look in as Stuart doesn't want any fanciness or creativeness from dummy half, he simply wants someone who is going to give good service & tackle. He is relying on the halves for kicking and setting up tries. It's unfortunate for Robbie but I understand his game plan, if Queensland had beaten us by 3 or 4 tries we might have seen a different game plan for the 2nd game but with it being a tight game & the blues defending extremely well I think he will believe in his game plan & take it into the second game. The flaw in this I believe is no matter how close the game Queensland is always going to be able to score 1 more try than us & grind it out, we need a team that can actually pile on a big score & not rely on being able to grind the win out. Don't forget Hodges & Inglis will most probably be back for game 2, there is another try just by having these guys in the team.

 

[37916319]

Pearce may be the future ?? but he needs a hooker/dummy half to compliment him and the only one who can do that is Farah. That showed in City V Country, remember thinking they look like they have been playing together for years.

Ennis did make a difference last night but that was because he was fresh, like when Gidley and Wing came on in years past. Ennis taking a kick when it should have been left to the 6 or 7 last night was dumb as, straight to Slater when NSW were in front :crazy: he tries to do things that both Smith and Farah can do, but certainly not as well as those two. If your gonna play 2 hookers (QLD used 1 and he was Man of the Match) the one that comes off the bench should really focus on attack. It makes no sense that anyone would suggest Ennis is suited to SOO because he plays more of a standard hookers role and bring him on against a tiring defence.

Ennis did his usual dumb thing last night, stomping on Cooper Cronk was the cheapest shot of the night. Thats what makes him an origin player ;-)

But, Farah won't be back unless the other guys are hurt and ruled out of the next game. Hope not, would hate to see Farah play behind Jason King lol::lol and Co.

Smith and Farah will be the 2 playing for Australia at years end though. That says it all doesnt it..

 

[R2Coupe]

IMO, I thought Ennis went OK last night, so I can't see Robbie knocking him off just yet? Maybe a bench spot at best. Yes, I don't rate Ennis either.

Lawrence would have been a big chance to get a run in that team.

If Galloway was more consistant, he'd be a show to?

A long shot, but Gibbs wouldn't have looked out of place at lock, I didn't think Bird was playing at one stage.


Can someone confirm this? Were we the only team not to have a player representing last night? I thought I heard or read that somewhere.

Ennis kicked shallow on the 5th when NSW were in the lead. It gave the ball to Qld in great field position. It was also Ennis immediately following the kick who all but missed Scott and he made 10 to 15m setting up the play for the Slater try. Sterling made mention of the poor kick and great field position given to Qld.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Thing is, Sticky may not want a hooker who is creative, but Farah proved in CvC he can stick to a game plan (which was given to him by Stuart), not overplay his hand, and link up well with the halfback they've picked.

I actually like Stuart's two hooker rotation last night, but Ennis and Young are simply too similar for it to work, and neither offer any spark in attack. Start Ennis, and bring Robbie off the bench at the 25 minute mark, then it would work.

Will never happen though, they'll pick Gidley as the utility for game II and Robbie won't get a look in.

 

[TrigaTheTiger]

Anyone perhaps considered that Farah is hamstrung by being an 80 minute hooker?

The reality according to the gospel of Gould is that Origin is at a much higher intensity and maybe Robbie has priced himself out by being an 80 minute player and not being able to cover another possy?

I dont know / care, just wondered whether this might be the reason?

 

[DanOz]

Anyone perhaps considered that Farah is hamstrung by being an 80 minute hooker?

The reality according to the gospel of Gould is that Origin is at a much higher intensity and maybe Robbie has priced himself out by being an 80 minute player and not being able to cover another possy?

I dont know / care, just wondered whether this might be the reason?

Being fit enough to play 80 is never a disadvantage - he can still be used off the bench, and he is able to cover in the halves and has done so before with the Tigers. They just dont want to pick him.