Origin alive and kicking

[dimorphic]

That was one hell of a game three. Even though it was a dead rubber I loved being there, loved the atmosphere and think it was one of the better Origin matches in the last four years.

The Blues FINALLY showed some bloody passion and it really does go a long, long way toward winning these kinds of matches. It isn't just about the talent in Origin, it does come down too determination and heart and NSW showed that we do have it.

Now we just need too find it again for game one next year. Ennis proved he was built for Origin, so much mongrel in that boy.

[[m]averick]

I dont understand how knocking someone out with a punch is acceptable on a football field, but abhorred in society?

[Pauly]

mav it's origin tradition. cattledog!

[IRS]

rock em sock em robots!

[Lazlow]

averick;1092220']I dont understand how knocking someone out with a punch is acceptable on a football field, but abhorred in society?

And why MMA is banned in many states still. The 60,000 at Suncorp were loving it :/

[[m]averick]

And why MMA is banned in many states still. The 60,000 at Suncorp were loving it :/


You expect Joe Punter to love it, that's not necessarily the issue. But you'd expect the NRL to come down hard on either Waterhouse, Price, White or Poore and even all of them. But to suspend none of the transgressors is amazing.


I enjoy physicality, I enjoy how the NRL SoO is refereed with a bit of leniency, encouraging physicality, but Wednesday night was too far. I was pretty shocked at Waterhouse driving Price into the turf and watching his head sickeningly bounce against the ground, then see Poore manhandling a man, an action which could have rendered him paralysed for life. But what was more shocking was the NRL's response and the response from the 'northern' media. They loved it. Bet they wouldnt have loved it if someone was seriously injured.

THATS PASSION. THATS ORIGIN. THATS TWO GLADIATORS GOING TOE-TO-TOE. THATS TOUGHNESS.

It's none of the above. It's cowardly thuggery. It's 1980s suburban league culture.

[Lazlow]

The day the NRL makes anyone accountable for their actions is a cold one in hell.

[dimorphic]

I'm not condoning what Waterhouse did, but the fight between Price and White was fantastic. Everything after that was wrong, laughing and clapping when Price is on the ground is cowardly, but the toe-to-toe fight was great to watch.

But cut out the last 10 minutes and the game was still the toughest and most entertaining Origin is some time and was great to watch. Being at the stadium was awesome. :D

[Filthy Old Drunk]

You expect Joe Punter to love it, that's not necessarily the issue. But you'd expect the NRL to come down hard on either Waterhouse, Price, White or Poore and even all of them. But to suspend none of the transgressors is amazing.


And Thurston. And they should've reprimanded Hodges for being a douche.

Even though I'm a massive Dragons fan, I think Poore should have been pulled up over what he did regardless of intention.

[jawsy]

What the hell?! Waterhouse didn't come in swinging, but instead ended up crashing into Price at basically the exact moment the dude got floored and went completely limp. If ol' glass jaw wasn't seeing stars no one is talking about Waterhouse.

Thurston is the one who should have had a case to answer.

[Lazlow]

Calm down chief, Thurston's already pleading guilty. Never mind that Gidley threw his knee in Tonga's face to stop a try; he's just lucky he got the ball and not Tonga's head.

As for Waterhouse, he still was a third man in crash tackling someone from behind, wrestling with Price on the ground. He had to be pulled off the Price. So he's not exactly absolved of all guilt. They view Price and White in the same light for slugging it out, but a third man is seen as escalating the situation.

[[m]averick]

What the hell?! Waterhouse didn't come in swinging, but instead ended up crashing into Price at basically the exact moment the dude got floored and went completely limp. If ol' glass jaw wasn't seeing stars no one is talking about Waterhouse.



I suppose it's about consequences, not intent.

Looking at it compared to the AFL (as all Victorian hacks have done this week), the AFL has passed a ruling that when you choose to hip-and-shoulder rather than contest the ball, you are then culpable for any injuries sustained by the player (not looking to turn this into AFL vs. NRL, just offering a comparative view). Waterhouse wasnt to know that at the exact time Price was knocked out he would tackle him and drive his head into the ground, but in electing to act he should be held accountable for the consequences those actions couldve brought about.

Same thing with Poore. Im sure his intent wasnt to endanger the spine of Price through his actions, but the consequences couldve been as such. That's why he should have been penalised accordingly. That, and to touch someone in that condition is reckless, foolhardy and life threatening.

Besides, Im arguing more for the NRL's inactions compared to the players actions. What kind of message is sent that the NRL wont penalise players who dont make the ball (or the play) their sole objective?

[Lazlow]

They don't hold the players accountable for their criminal acts, you think they'll do it for their unsportsmanlike conduct.

At least the ARU sent Henjack packing when he broke his teammates jaw.