NRL season 2010

[dimorphic]

NRL is nearly here again boys and with that comes the perennial thread that never keeps its steam.

This is going to be a big year for the NRL with scandal after scandal rocking the code last season this year has to be clean cut and all about the footy.

Who do we think is making the top eight this season?

[AranchineD]

You wouldn't believe how hard I laughed when I saw that Justin Hodges got some injury and probably won't be playing this season. I really hate that guy!

[dimorphic]

You wouldn't believe how hard I laughed when I saw that Justin Hodges got some injury and probably won't be playing this season. I really hate that guy!

No I believe you, I did the same thing.

It looks like the Broncos are going to have a hard time of it this year. They shipped off half their forward pack, lost Hunt and now have lost Hodges. Kemp is a stop gap fullback solution at best, Lockyer is past his best and Wallace is nothing special.

[Serenity]

Storm for the premiership again. :cool:

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Looking forward to watching my beloved Dragons make the top eight then choke in the finals. Every friggin' year. Sigh.

[dimorphic]

I'm just hoping the Roosters can show some heart and passion this year. I am cautiously optimistic that a decent season (which could include a top eight birth) is around the corner.

[Lazlow]

this year has to be clean cut and all about the footy.

They promised this prior to last season, it didn't happen, and nothing has changed since.

Carney's already up to his old tricks.

[grimace06]

Looking forward to watching my beloved Dragons make the top eight then choke in the finals. Every friggin' year. Sigh.

No, this is the year we win it. I can feel it.

[dimorphic]

No, this is the year we win it. I can feel it.

Pretty sure Dragons fans say that every season.

[goog]

We sure do

[autologic]

I think the Roosters will do well this year. It's not like they have a bad squad, and if Brian Smith can get the best out of them then they should make the eight. I'll be interested to see how the Knights go, considering the off season drama and new coach. If it weren't for that, I would have fairly high expectations given how long this group has been playing together now. Last year you could really see them starting to gel.

[dimorphic]

I can see Newcastle playing well under the pressure. These kinds of dramas galvanise a team and they are a talented group.

I think the top eight is going to look a lot different this year to the previous seasons with the Knights, Roosters, Souths and Canberra all in contention.

[jawsy]

And Penrith. They would have made it last year if not for injuries, and this season they return every single key player plus a handful of potentially excellent signings (Laurie, Plum, Burns, Kingston). Like every team they need to keep their players on the paddock, but if they do I would almost say they look like a safe bet.

[RunningMild]

Willie Mason moved to the Storm- is he a good pick-up or a bust?

[dimorphic]

Willie Mason moved to the Storm- is he a good pick-up or a bust?

He hasn't moved to the Storm. They blew that rumor up as soon as it came about. Foxsports is reporting (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26640899-5018866,00.html) that North Queensland is Mason's last chance in the NRL this season.

As a Roosters fan I'll be glad to see the back of him. I'll admit I liked the signing originally. I thought that a chance of scenery from Canterbury would give him back his 03/04 form. Instead he regressed, only having one great game (against the Dogs and SBW).

He has a poison attitude and apparently had a lot to do with Jake Friend turning into the booze head he became.

[RunningMild]

He hasn't moved to the Storm. They blew that rumor up as soon as it came about. Foxsports is reporting (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26640899-5018866,00.html) that North Queensland is Mason's last chance in the NRL this season.

I read in the paper that he'd moved to the Storm... then again, it was a WA paper so what would they know about NRL? :rolleyes:

Actually, the exact wording might have been that he was 'looking forward to a fresh start with the Melbourne Storm', so maybe he was getting a bit ahead of himself there... but I think they also said he was training with them. Did he train with them for a while without being signed?

[dimorphic]

I read in the paper that he'd moved to the Storm... then again, it was a WA paper so what would they know about NRL? :rolleyes:

Actually, the exact wording might have been that he was 'looking forward to a fresh start with the Melbourne Storm', so maybe he was getting a bit ahead of himself there... but I think they also said he was training with them. Did he train with them for a while without being signed?

I don't think so. In fact I don't think he even went to Melbourne, I think he just met up with Craig Bellamy.

It's looking likely the Cowboys will sign him, the players endorsed the move (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26644802-5018866,00.html) today.

[RunningMild]

I can't figure out who SBW is either. :p

EDIT: Oh wait, Sonny Bill Williams? I thought it was a team at first. ;)

[[m]averick]

I might check out the Bubbledome this year.

[dimorphic]

Newcastle with a late bid for Mason.

[Tonez]

Bulldogs will be in the 8 and win it this season.

They have a fantastic side and a great turn around from their form in the 2008 season.

Noddy will again be instrumental.

[Ninjalada]

No I believe you, I did the same thing.

It looks like the Broncos are going to have a hard time of it this year. They shipped off half their forward pack, lost Hunt and now have lost Hodges. Kemp is a stop gap fullback solution at best, Lockyer is past his best and Wallace is nothing special.

Yep. I'm a Broncos supporter but I still expect them to be totally screwed this year. The bizarre management choices of letting good players go and constant bad luck with injuries will keep them at the bottom of the ladder.

[dimorphic]

Yep. I'm a Broncos supporter but I still expect them to be totally screwed this year. The bizarre management choices of letting good players go and constant bad luck with injuries will keep them at the bottom of the ladder.

Welcome to the life of a post-2004 Roosters fan.

[autologic]

Mason signs for the Cowboys. (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26679725-23214,00.html)

[Ninjalada]

Mason signs for the Cowboys. (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26679725-23214,00.html)

I feel sorry for the Cowboys.

[Lazlow]

He's a good fit for Townsville.

[Lazlow]

Watching the Whites vs. Blacks NRL game, lollin at the ranga on the indigenous side.

[dimorphic]

Foundation Cup this weekend. Tigers v. Roosters. Both sides have named very strong squads.

Go EASTS!

[Barefooted Hobo]

21 days. Cannot wait! Got a Manly training singlet in the mail today as well. ^^

[dimorphic]

How much did you pay? I've been meaning to pick up a 2010 Roosters one now that we have a major sponser.

[Barefooted Hobo]

How much did you pay? I've been meaning to pick up a 2010 Roosters one now that we have a major sponser.

$55 + $7 postage at Good Score (http://myworld.ebay.com.au/goodscore*/)

[dimorphic]

Cheers mate.

Speaking of Manly, how do you think the young halves are going to fair?

[ScToTeE]

I'm still pumped from Parramatta's late run last year. They can win or lose, all I want to see is Moimoi blast fools again and again and again.

Here's hoping the commentary team and papers have come up with a better phrase than 'Hayne Train' in the off season ...

[inside trader]

Newcastle and Melbourne miss out on NSW school boy and Tamworth country player Cameron Rodgers. Insider tells me he signed with the Sharks Saturday. rebuilding ricky more news to come;)

[Munky]

I'm still pumped from Parramatta's late run last year. They can win or lose, all I want to see is Moimoi blast fools again and again and again.

I imagine he'll keep away from Sam Burgess.

That hit a few years ago is the biggest I'v ever seen.

[Ad-Rock]

Ad-Rock's Crystal Ball: General Comments - I'm tipping NSW to win State of Origin (for the next 3 years) and the middle of the ladder will be as cluttered and close at the back-end of the season as we've seen.

Knights - Knights supporters should start looking for another team. A terrible off season + the worst roster in the NRL = 16th.

Warriors - The Warriors have team capable of challenging anybody, it's a pity they can't string together wins (or sets of 6). 15th

Roosters - Can Brian Smith turn change a clubs fortunes in the space of 6
months? No. No he can't. 14th.

Panthers - They used to be called "The Chocolate Soldiers", and for good reason. 13th

Cowboys - The Cowboys will not live up to their potential, giving Thurston a forgettable final year in the NRL. 12th.

Sharks - The Sharks will continue to struggle under Sticky Ricky. 11th.

Titans - With their aging stars, the Titans will struggle to keep up with the rest of the competition. 10th

Eels - Jarryd Hayne will fail to get the Eels to another finals campaign: 9th.

Manly - Manly will struggle to reproduce their past few efforts. They will finish 8th on the ladder.

Broncos - The Broncos have recruited poorly for the past few years and they will continue to feel the effects. As always, they will make the top 8 but only just: 7th.

Raiders - The Raiders have shown a lot of promise in the past few seasons and have been constructing their team wisely. They are the surprise packet for this year - so long as they can win on the road. 6th.

Wests - Another team with great potential, this will be the first year since they won the premiership that they make the finals. 5th.

Rabbitohs - The much hyped forward pack and capable back line should see the Rabbitohs have their best season in decades: 4th. The major worry is the ability of the coach.

Storm - The Storm will have a solid year, finishing 3rd.

Dragons - The Dragons choked in finals last year and they will be haunted by it through the early rounds, but will finish the year in style: 2nd.

Bulldogs - The Dogs had a great season last year, only missing the minor premiership through refereeing errors. Provided Kimmorely's legs can keep going, they will blow away all before them to finish 1st.

[ScToTeE]

I left Parramatta Stadium trying to remember a single mistake made by St. George. Reading the reports confirmed it. One mistake. In any game, that's impressive. In the first game of the season, that's incredible.

I was also impressed by how stupid most Eels fans are. It was really rather embarassing. You'd swear Parramatta are absolute darlings when it comes to discipline and controlling the game's pace. A penalty?! Gosh no, Parramatta could never do that! = /

[Lazlow]

Having watched last night's Cowboys v Broncos game (having tipped the Broncos in the work comp) I think it's safe to say Thurston wants out ASAP. The look of his face at the end of the game said it all.

[dimorphic]

So much for Souths vaunted forward pack. We creamed them! :D

[inside trader]

Ricky Stuart invites another young gun to visit the sharks. Top QLD school boy visits the sharks with view to signing. What a Toyota cup side for next year. Inside trader and rebuild ricky go the sharkies;)

[Tonez]

Looking forward to my Dogs taking the Dragons this Friday. It will be a great match.

Hopefully we will bounce back from last Saturday's shocker. Ennis is out and we are bringing Green into the pack. Also thank god Heka Nanai is out and Goodwin is back.

He'll also be on kicking duties in Ennis' absence.

[Barefooted Hobo]

Well Stewart is out for atleast 20 weeks. Manly is screwed. :(

[ScToTeE]

Early signs point to St. George being top dogs again during the regular season. The metres they were making in the first half was incredible.

I have a feeling it'll be a race between Canterbury, South Sydney and Parramatta to see who can have the most hyped, talented team coming last in the first part of the season.

[Ad-Rock]

Holy shit the referees ruined last night's game of titans v rabbitohs. It would have been a great match if those refs weren't ****brains.

[dimorphic]

ROOSTERS!

God it is amazing to not be on the bottom of the ladder, to have a team that is well coached and disciplined and gives you hope each week. I've missed it.

[ScToTeE]

I feel sorry for Manly and its fans (well kinda, I do still have to hate them both ... being an Eels fan). Twice in two weeks they blow a good score margin, this time they lose when they really should not have. It's gotta sting.

Des Hasler's rant on the refereeing was justified big time. Maybe not for the Hayne / Manly winger collision but definately the forward pass to Reddy to score. Biggest officiating blunder I've seen in a while, not that I'm complaining too much.

[Tonez]

Looking forward to my Dogs taking the Dragons this Friday. It will be a great match.

Hopefully we will bounce back from last Saturday's shocker. Ennis is out and we are bringing Green into the pack. Also thank god Heka Nanai is out and Goodwin is back.

He'll also be on kicking duties in Ennis' absence.

:( :( :mad: :mad:

Early signs point to St. George being top dogs again during the regular season. The metres they were making in the first half was incredible.

I have a feeling it'll be a race between Canterbury, South Sydney and Parramatta to see who can have the most hyped, talented team coming last in the first part of the season.

Settle down mate. It's two games in. You'd be very silly to be writing off the Dogs or Parra this early in the season.

[ScToTeE]

I'm not writing off any of the teams I mentioned. It'd be downright stupid of me, especially as an Eels fan, to write off Parramatta this early after they proved they only needed a third of last season to almost win the competition. Hence my "first part of the season" comment.

I fully expect all three teams to be in the mix, or scrambling for a spot in the finals, come September. Just found it funny that three of the most talented and hyped teams started off a tad slowly. I made that post before the Eels won on the weekend too. So even my tongue-in-cheek theory was wrong. *shrugs*

Hopefully Canterbury can get their season rolling against the comps' current golden boys this week.

[Tonez]

I'm not writing off any of the teams I mentioned. It'd be downright stupid of me, especially as an Eels fan, to write off Parramatta this early after they proved they only needed a third of last season to almost win the competition. Hence my "first part of the season" comment.

I fully expect all three teams to be in the mix, or scrambling for a spot in the finals, come September. Just found it funny that three of the most talented and hyped teams started off a tad slowly. I made that post before the Eels won on the weekend too. So even my tongue-in-cheek theory was wrong. *shrugs*

Hopefully Canterbury can get their season rolling against the comps' current golden boys this week.

I like Parra, we've got a great rivalry since the 80's going on that I relish, but I'd hardly call your win on the weekend, a win. As much as I hate, hate, hate Manly, they were ripped off.

Yeah hoping the Dogs get some mongrel in them this weekend. Need to play well in the first 20 which is where we have failed and conceded most of our points in the first two games.

We also need to stop going to Jamal so much. Use him to get the ball off our own twenty and onto the opposition line. We need to spread the ball wide to Morris and Goodwin because our forwards are sluggish. Finally, we need to either start using Ben Roberts more or drop him altogether.

P.S. I hated when everyone was voting the Dogs as most likely to win the premiership. Dogs play better when they aren't given a chance.

[ScToTeE]

Heh. Manly were screwed. I'm not blind. As much as I hate them, I do feel sorry for them. Considering how much effort it took to maintain control of that game in such heat, to have it taken from them by an officiating screw up is just harsh. An absolutely cruel twist of fate.

Eels played atrociously for the first hour of gameplay. Yes, they came back with a surge. And, yes, the heat was a major factor in both teams not playing well at points. But, even with two points on the board, I'm no more confident of Parramatta's form now than I was post-round one. Then again, I'm always pessimistic about my team's chances. That comes with the so-close-yet-so-far vibe the club has had since the mid '80s.

[Lazlow]

Actually watched both games last night;

Cowboys v Dragons was embaressing. It showed how much the Cowboys suffer when Thurston is off his game, even then they failed at the most basic aspects of the game. Poor ball handling, horrible support, single minded defense and absolutely no heart.

Tigers v Eels was a fantastic game made even better because I forgot who I tipped at work. I hated Lote being dumped by the ARU, but his return to NRL has been fantastic; early contender for try of the year.

EDIT:

Oh almost forget, that ref totally impeded Hayne from stopping that try.

[ScToTeE]

There's a case for Hayne, but in the end it doesn't matter. Wests were deserving winners of that match. Parramatta really need to sort out their starts.

Glad to see Canterbury are back with a vengeance. That game was hilariously fun to watch, especially because of who their opponents were.

[dimorphic]

There's a case for Hayne, but in the end it doesn't matter. Wests were deserving winners of that match. Parramatta really need to sort out their starts.

Glad to see Canterbury are back with a vengeance. That game was hilariously fun to watch, especially because of who their opponents were.

The Dogs go SO lucky on SO many plays. The first try was terrible because Morris dropped the ball. The Kennedy headbutt will never happen again. Carney dropping a sitter was just unlucky. The game can be summed up as unlucky for us, though Canterbury were much better on the day.

Hopefully this will get the boys back to Earth and back into focus. We aren't world beaters yet.

[ScToTeE]

That's why the game was hilariously fun. Some of those tries were just plain ludicrous. I almost died after Kennedy's headbutt following the kick-off. Even a Roosters fan had to chuckle at that. Maybe after a reasonable amount of swearing, but still.

[Tonez]

The Dogs gave me the best birthday present ever on Sunday.

It was a great game to watch. Felt sorry for Kennedy the poor bastard.

The first Morris try, I'll admit could've gone either way but in saying that I think he dropped it backwards and put his hand on the ball anyway. If it had have been a No Try, I wouldn't have complained.

Highlight try was Morris' second (or third?) when he looked like he was going to pass to Goodwin and just broke through the line, Robert's perfect kick to Barba and finally, Turner's pick up, side-step and run off a miss pass.

I hope this gets the Dogs back on track.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick of hearing about Hayne and Parramatta. It's all we heard about for the second half of the season last year, and now we are hearing it all again. Maybe it's because I just don't think they're a good team.

Storm v Dragons should be a good match. Storm haven't been playing as good as Dragons so I'm hoping the Dragons continue their good run. It actually feels good to support a Dragons side that can string a few wins together :P

[Lazlow]

I like Hayne, he's just in a team that doesn't play the full 80.

[grimace06]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick of hearing about Hayne and Parramatta. It's all we heard about for the second half of the season last year, and now we are hearing it all again. Maybe it's because I just don't think they're a good team.

Storm v Dragons should be a good match. Storm haven't been playing as good as Dragons so I'm hoping the Dragons continue their good run. It actually feels good to support a Dragons side that can string a few wins together :P

Storm will be tough regardless - St George are their bitches unfortunately.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

I like Hayne, he's just in a team that doesn't play the full 80.

I like him too because he's entertaining to watch, but I'm just sick of hearing about him all the time. Teams will be well aware of Parra's unpredictible (a kind way of saying a team have no cohesion in attack; they simply lob the ball around waiting for a single person to do something brilliant which is usually Hayne) attack which got them to the grand final last year. Sure it's certainly entertaining and that's why I watch footy, but I just don't think they are a 'great' team because of this.

Storm will be tough regardless - St George are their bitches unfortunately.

Dragons will have to step up their attack for sure. So far they've been very predictable (put on rush of points early on, defend for rest of the game) which I don't think will work with the Storm. But last year, Storm only won by 1 point in the first, then lost the second game against them so who knows...

[ScToTeE]

I like Hayne, he's just in a team that doesn't play the full 80.

They need to focus on playing for more than 20 minutes first. Parramatta have been playing so flat lately, waiting for some random brilliance by Hayne to kick-start a flow of points. Our back-line is fantastic, on paper. But our halves and forward pack have been mediocre at best.

I think the team is feeling how much lesser names like Lowrie and Kingston contributed right now.

[Lazlow]

So how much did Cartwright pay the ref' during half time?

[Filthy Old Drunk]

How the Titans won that game I'll never know...oh wait yes I do. Bullshit pedantic refereeing.

There were a few calls in the Dragons game that were nitpicking as well.

[Ninjalada]

The Broncos might as well stop playing and wait for next season, 11 first grade players out with injury, a suspended assistant coach and now their high performance coach has resigned.

[Ad-Rock]

They'll come good and make the finals. If they can win twice in the next 5 weeks or so, anyway.

[Tonez]

Bulldogs :mad:

[Lazlow]

lol rogers

EDIT:

ffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu Tiger's may have put up some epic defense, but that doesn't excuse their shitty ball handling. Coughed it up too many times. Good god Lote's awesome though.

[Barefooted Hobo]

Raiders are useless.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Raiders have been useless for years.

Tigers v Bulldogs game was great. Bulldogs shouldn't have won by as many points as they did because their attack was dreadful considering how much ball they got in their half. Ridiculous.

Looking forward to the Bunnies v Parra game this arvo.

[Lazlow]

Melbourne Storm might as well shut up shop and not bother (http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1043558)

NRL boss David Gallop has announced Melbourne Storm will be stripped of the 2007 and 2009 Telstra Premierships, the Minor Premierships of 2006-8 and of its 2010 competition points after confirming a series of salary cap breaches amounting to at least $1.7million over five years.

Storm chief executive Matt Hansen and chairman Rob Moodie were informed of the ruling earlier this afternoon at NRL headquarters in Sydney.

The reigning premiers were title favourites this morning sat fourth on the NRL ladder after four wins and two losses.

The club will lose all competition points earned to date in 2010 and also the right to accumulate points going forward in 2010. Competition tables will record wins and losses but the club will not be awarded competition points on the basis of any wins.

The club has furthermore been fined $500,000 and will be forced to return $1.1million in prize-money with the prize-money being distributed evenly among the other fifteen clubs.

[texta]

Taking away the Premierships is fair enough, but I think preventing them from getting any points for the rest of the season sounds a bit stupid IMO. They might as well just send in random people off the street since there's really not any point playing this season at all.

It's not really very fair for the teams that have already played them when they were trying to win.

[Jay]

Wow. Just wow.

[Lazlow]

Taking away the Premierships is fair enough, but I think preventing them from getting any points for the rest of the season sounds a bit stupid IMO. They might as well just send in random people off the street since there's really not any point playing this season at all.



It would provide a good opportunity to blood young players.

[[m]averick]

Bit harsh. Equates to about 400 000 dollars a year for five years. The AFL gives Brisbane and Sydney more than that every year in 'salary concessions' and 'living allowances'.

[NiB]

When the Bulldogs got done didn't they just lose all their points up to the announcement (effectively putting them last with like a little of the season to play) but they could still earn points in te remaining games ?

As an avid SEN listener I'd love to hear Bryan Waldrons take considering he left the storm at just the right time to front up the Melbourne Rebels union franchise

[Filthy Old Drunk]

When the Bulldogs got done didn't they just lose all their points up to the announcement (effectively putting them last with like a little of the season to play) but they could still earn points in te remaining games ?

As an avid SEN listener I'd love to hear Bryan Waldrons take considering he left the storm at just the right time to front up the Melbourne Rebels union franchise

They could, but wasn't here only a few games left of the season?

Taking away the Premierships is fair enough, but I think preventing them from getting any points for the rest of the season sounds a bit stupid IMO. They might as well just send in random people off the street since there's really not any point playing this season at all.

There's no point, but they couldn't let them continue competing because the salary cap breaches include the current side they field so it's a disadvantage to the other teams.

[AranchineD]

Good time to be a Storm hater. :D


And all those bets this morning on the Storm coming last all make sense now.

[Lazlow]

The fact that the Storm can cook the books for 5 years will probably lead to them taking a second look at the Titans.

That said, apparently someone sunk Storm's battleship from the inside.

[Ninjalada]

Suck shit to the Storm. No wonder why they have been so good for so long.

[Lazlow]

The problem for the NRL is that this will effectively kill their Melbourne support base, and probably the entire league in the next few years. NRL isn't long for this world as it is, and this is only going to hasten its demise.

Massive exaggeration. Killing Melbourne; possibly. The entire NRL? Not at all. I do however agree with Phil Gould's comments that the NRL is stifling its own growth with the current cap. Melbourne was a high quality side for the last 5 years, a side that everyone looked up to. And its been shown that to run such a club is very expensive - even with the $3mil the NRL gives them. Between the NRL's own cap and having players poached from British Superleague, and French and Japanese rugby union, things will have to change and its likely they will.

To put it into perspective, Union is in a much much worse position domestically than League.

[Jay]

Suck shit to the Storm. No wonder why they have been so good for so long.

Good on you mate. And if you think the Storm are the only club to be cooking their books you're kidding yourself. All the supporters of other clubs exulting and gloating over would want to hope their yard is clean...

[Lazlow]

Titans will be next. (http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/04/19/209465_gold-coast-titans.html)

[AranchineD]

Good on you mate. And if you think the Storm are the only club to be cooking their books you're kidding yourself. All the supporters of other clubs exulting and gloating over would want to hope their yard is clean...

UP YA BUM

MANLY IS GOLDEN CHILD l

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Massive exaggeration. Killing Melbourne; possibly. The entire NRL? Not at all. I do however agree with Phil Gould's comments that the NRL is stifling its own growth with the current cap. Melbourne was a high quality side for the last 5 years, a side that everyone looked up to. And its been shown that to run such a club is very expensive - even with the $3mil the NRL gives them. Between the NRL's own cap and having players poached from British Superleague, and French and Japanese rugby union, things will have to change and its likely they will.

To put it into perspective, Union is in a much much worse position domestically than League.

Despite Gus' ability to be incredibly annoying, he hits the nail on the head most of the time.

I think there's going to be many paper shredders going tonight.

[RunningMild]

I'd love to see the new Reds pick up a few Storm cast-offs in the coming years. Maybe Inglis decides not to re-sign and plays for the Reds in 2013?

[Ad-Rock]

Gus is totally wrong about the salary cap.

It is essential to maintain a balanced competition. I like going to watch any game not being sure of the outcome before the kick-off.

I follow Brisbane, who would dominate the competition if there was no cap to their spending (which would be boring). No one wants the NRL to turn into soccer, where you have a few rich teams in each league dominating the competition year after year.

Gus says he would prefer to see teams of Melbourne's quality going round every week, but the fact of the matter is that, even if all the clubs were cashed up, there are just not enough quality players to sustain 16 teams at that level.

[Lazlow]

Its not about eradicating the cap, its about increasing it so clubs can hang on to more quality players and not lose them to foreign competitions and rival codes.

The fact that 100+ former NRL players are in British Super League alone speaks volumes for the depth of talent that is available.

$4.1mil a season is not a lot of wiggle room for 25 players.

Surely you'd like to see Matt King, Amos Roberts, Mark Riddell, Phil Bailey, Matt Orford, Brett Kearney, Brent Sherwin, Clinton Schifcofske, Luke Williamson, Brett Hodgson, Mark O'Meley, Craig Fitzgibbon, Shaun Berrigan, Michael Vella, Brett Delaney, Greg Eastwood, Brent Webb, Danny Buderus, Daniel Holdsworth, Matt Gidley, Iosia Soliola, Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery, Michael Monaghan, Steven Bell, and Setaimata Sa back in the NRL.

[Ad-Rock]

My mistake, I thought he was arguing for its eradication.

I agree that it would be great for the salary cap to be increased, but not yet. The clubs first need to boost their income through extensive membership drives (since pokies can no longer support them!), or find more rich investors to start purchasing clubs such as Russell Crowe or News Ltd.

The problem with the latter, is that the game really needs to clean up its image (or get better at sweeping indiscretions under the rug :p).

There is a lot of talent switching to other codes in other countries, which will always happen because we just don't have the population to generate money to compete. With players going over to the Super League, many of them are past their prime and are no real loss. However it is disappointing when players like Matt King and Greg Eastwood leave for England at the top of their game.

At the moment the NRL is relying on the marquee players' desire to compete at the highest level to keep them in the competition. A tactic that is fraught with danger - everyone has their price.

Basically this 'new commission' is League's great hope to boost the game's income and reduce its wasted bureaucratic spending. It all comes down to whether the game can generate millions more dollars annually.

EDIT: I also think the Titans could be next. They don't have a bad player on their roster.

[Hide & Reason]

The punishment is so vindictively grand because the NRL are butthurt over Melbourne having made them look like clowns by concealing it for this long.

Being a well-tempered Melburnian I couldn't care less about League or its future, but if it does cark it in Melbourne I want my local team to at least win the next premiership, just to rub it in the NRL's face.

[Ad-Rock]

I think it's strange that the people of Melbourne are happy to claim the title of "sporting capital", yet refuse to embrace any football code that isn't AFL.

They are clearly better sports than AFL.

[AranchineD]

Psst, hey Ad-Rock, it's because they're not good at any other sports, if they had to play a sport where they didn't invent the rules to support their shit skills they would never be considered the sporting capital again!

[Jay]

I think it's strange that the people of Melbourne are happy to claim the title of "sporting capital", yet refuse to embrace any football code that isn't AFL.

They are clearly better sports than AFL.

Yes, we don't have the highest membership of any A-League club, you're absolutely right. And as for League and Union being better than AFL, it's all a matter of opinion I guess, but, um...no.

[Ad-Rock]

Yes, we don't have the highest membership of any A-League club, you're absolutely right. And as for League and Union being better than AFL, it's all a matter of opinion I guess, but, um...no.

lol

The membership numbers aren't an accurate reflection . AFL has made sporting membership commonplace among sports supporters in Victoria, something that is really quite rare in NSW and Queensland, sadly.

If you look at the crowd figures from 2009, Melbourne Victory clearly has the best figures with an average of about 21,000. Compare that with the AFL (which shares the crowds amongst several teams) where the worst in Melbourne was the Kangaroos with an average of 27,000.

EDIT: And the Storm averaged a bit over 13000 in 2009 (although the capacity of Olympic Park could be a factor there...).

[Hide & Reason]

Psst, hey Ad-Rock, it's because they're not good at any other sports, if they had to play a sport where they didn't invent the rules to support their shit skills they would never be considered the sporting capital again!


TLDR: Melbourne aren't the sports capital because they refuse to accept League!

http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/160757/melbourne-is-declared-ultimate-sports-city

[Jay]

lol

The membership numbers aren't an accurate reflection . AFL has made sporting membership commonplace among sports supporters in Victoria, something that is really quite rare in NSW and Queensland, sadly.

If you look at the crowd figures from 2009, Melbourne Victory clearly has the best figures with an average of about 21,000. Compare that with the AFL (which shares the crowds amongst several teams) where the worst in Melbourne was the Kangaroos with an average of 27,000.

EDIT: And the Storm averaged a bit over 13000 in 2009 (although the capacity of Olympic Park could be a factor there...).

Are you trying to prove my point? I can't tell anymore.

Oh, and you can shove your condescending 'lol' up your arse, ftr.

[Ad-Rock]

Are you trying to prove my point? I can't tell anymore.

Oh, and you can shove your condescending 'lol' up your arse, ftr.

Sorry, I wasn't being condescending (probably should have included a safety smile) :o. I was laughing at your response to my comment the afl is the worst of the football codes. Wasn't being a prick.

I was trying to show how AFL totally dominates the audience relative to soccer and NRL. AFL averages far more people per game despite having several teams competing, while soccer and NRL just have one team in the city yet struggle to pull decent crowds every week.

[AranchineD]

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3069/alfr.jpg

[Ad-Rock]

>.>


<.<

Fixed

[Lazlow]

I think it's strange that the people of Melbourne are happy to claim the title of "sporting capital", yet refuse to embrace any football code that isn't AFL.

They are clearly better sports than AFL.

I'm not against people simply finding a sport uninteresting, but some sections of Victoria are militantly against it. With the news yesterday people were online saying things like "no more NRL tainting our fair state".

I'll be keeping a keen eye on how the Rebels fair.

WA is somewhat of a benchmark; the Western Reds were initially well received, however clearly the novelty wore off and over 4 years their supporter base dwindled to just 6000.

Inversely, the Western Force is one of the more well supported domestic Union sides, despite suffering many of the same performance and finanical woes that the Reds did.

A tactic that is fraught with danger - everyone has their price.

Johnathan Thurston - $700,000 a season
ARU - "Get f***ed!"

At least the NRL doesn't have to worry about the ARU anymore. They've suffered a financial hit the last 2-3 years, hence the dumping of all their costly NRL pickups (except Ryan Cross, though I don't think he was in the vicinity of Lote, Dell, or Rogers); they basically issued a warning this year not to come to them with ridiculous salary demands.

[Barefooted Hobo]

I tipped Melbourne in a multi-bet on wednesday, along with three other nrl games, and the next day this shit turns up. I have no idea how this will affect them. So i called up my bookie, and they won't let me remove the Storm from my selecetion. Bastards. :(

[Ad-Rock]

I tipped Melbourne in a multi-bet on wednesday, along with three other nrl games, and the next day this shit turns up. I have no idea how this will affect them. So i called up my bookie, and they won't let me remove the Storm from my selecetion. Bastards. :(

I wouldn't be surprised if the Storm came out and destroyed the Warriors. But I also wouldn't like to have a lot of money riding on it :p

[Lazlow]

I tipped Melbourne in a multi-bet on wednesday, along with three other nrl games, and the next day this shit turns up. I have no idea how this will affect them. So i called up my bookie, and they won't let me remove the Storm from my selecetion. Bastards. :(

Funny you should bring that up, Xenophon is using the Storm salary cap breaches (http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/nick-xenophon-wants-sports-betting-reform-in-wake-of-melbourne-storm-scandal/story-e6frfku0-1225857324775) to further fuel his anti-gambling policies.

EDIT: fwiw, I've still tipped the Storm in the office comp. The players will be fueled by the desire to redeem the club's image!

[Ad-Rock]

Funny you should bring that up, Xenophon is using the Storm salary cap breaches (http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/nick-xenophon-wants-sports-betting-reform-in-wake-of-melbourne-storm-scandal/story-e6frfku0-1225857324775) to further fuel his anti-gambling policies.

I sort of like Xenophon's idealist attitude, but christ he comes off appearing self-righteous.

I hope the Storm pull through this crisis, it would be a shame not to have at least one team in Victoria. It will take years to rebuild to where they were, reputation wise. I also hope that the Coach and big name players are cleared of any wrong doing, but I can't see how they didn't know something suss was going on...

[Lazlow]

ME Bank, Host Plus, and Skins ditch Storm (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27026443-5018866,00.html)

Melbourne Storm major sponsor Host Plus has joined Member's Equity Bank in a mass exodus from the club in the wake of revelations of massive salary cap rorting.

The two major sponsors' names were removed from the Melbourne Storm website within minutes of the decision by Host Plus CEO David Elia to scrap the three-year agreement with immediate effect.

ME Bank also joined sports fashion company Skins in saying it was ending its sponsorship of the team.

Mr Elia described the relationship as untenable.

Caravan company Jayco and car maker Suzuki will assume the position of the club's major sponsors from this weekend.

The swift departure the club's main sponsors presents the real prospect that the team could fold, as conceded by club chairman Rob Moodie this morning.

Mr Moodie, who says he was unaware of the rorting but has nonetheless offered his resignation, said: "Some (Storm employees) will want to walk, some fans will want to walk.




"Everybody does it" - Waldron (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27026769-5018866,00.html)

Disgraced Melbourne Storm CEO says 'everyone' breaches the salary cap

April 23, 2010 .Melbourne Storm's disgraced former boss Brian Waldron told the club "everyone does it" when he was confronted about massive salary cap breaches.

Storm chairman Rod Moodie revealed his confrontation with Waldron as the fallout from the scandal continues.

Speaking outside the club's Princes Park headquarters, Dr Moodie said he was told by Waldron salary cap cheating was widespread when he asked him why he had breached the code.

“Because everyone does," Dr Moodie said Waldron told him.

"This was about if we want to be competitive, everybody else does it. We have to do it'," Dr Moodie recalled of their conversation.

"It's happening everywhere. What about (name withheld) leaving us and getting paid $200,000 by (sponsor withheld) outside the cap by the (team name withheld).

"This is a joke. All clubs do it. I can't say any more."

The Telegraph have reported that on Monday afternoon Waldron was confident that the Storm would not be handed a harsh penalty despite their scheme being exposed.

"Ian Schubert is aware of everything we did in my time at the Storm," he said.

"There are four very minor things they (the NRL) are looking at.

"Cameron Smith's contract with Fox Sports, the pay-out to Dallas Johnson (who is not implicated) and a couple of other things. We've also been making payments of about $25,000 a year for the players' end-of-season holiday. Schubert knew about that.

"They are also looking at fringe benefit taxes which were paid on player agents' fees. That's the full extent of it. It's all bull****."



Leeds want their £50,000 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/apr/22/melbourne-storm-scandal-leeds-rhinos)

Leeds Rhinos players could land a £50,000 windfall as a result of the salary-cap scandal involving Melbourne Storm. The National Rugby League (NRL) has stripped the Storm of their 2007 and 2009 titles after they were found guilty of systematic salary cap cheating worth £1.02m over the past five years.

The governing body ruled the Australian club will accumulate no competition points for the entire 2010 season and hit them with £1m in fines and returned prize money.

The prize fund includes £50,000 that Melbourne Storm collected for beating Leeds 18-10 in the World Club Challenge at Elland Road in February and that money could now go to the Super League club.

The Leeds chief executive, Gary Hetherington, who before the match had promised to share the prize money between the players, said: "In light of the decision to order Melbourne to forfeit all prize money, it's an issue for the RFL to take up. What today's announcement does do is elevate the achievement of Leeds Rhinos.

"Melbourne have been without doubt the best team in the NRL for the last few years and we can see why. We beat them in 2008 and lost narrowly this year. Over the two games we came out on equal terms and, with the advantage Melbourne clearly had, it shows it was an even bigger achievement by the Leeds Rhinos and also by Super League."

[NiB]

Brian Waldron would just about be the most hated figure in Aussie sports history, still lollin at the people who put bets on St Kilda for the spoon this year thinking he's been doing it at his previous clubs

[StorminNorman]

Massive exaggeration. Killing Melbourne; possibly. The entire NRL? Not at all.

How do you figure? NRL is far, far less popular nationally than AFL, and it's rapidly losing ground to the A-League, which will easily outstrip it in popularity over the next five years.

On the other hand, AFL has the fourth-highest average attendance figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports_attendance_figures) of any sport in the world, and its grand final is the most well-attended club championship event in the world.

The AFL has only gone from strength to strength, while the NRL has struggled to maintain its popularity ever since the Superleague debacle of the mid-1990s.

Maybe the NRL won't be gone within five years, but it has a shaky future at best, especially with all the sex scandals, salary cap violations and other issues. In reality, its one true advantage is the same as the A-League, in that it's a sport that's played at an international level (although Soccer remains a far more popular sport).

There was an interesting conversation on Jon Faine a couple of months back where they pointed out the big difference between AFL in Melbourne and Rugby League in Sydney. The difference is that, in Melbourne, AFL permeates everything. It's very much an intrinsic part of the culture here, and asking someone who they barrack for is pretty much the second thing you say to them after meeting them for the first time. Even people who don't even follow football have a team (my Mum, for example, hates the sport, but will still tell you she's a Collingwood supporter if you ask her).

One other interesting part of this is that AFL still has strong appeal to women in Melbourne, whereas Rugby is very much a male-dominated fanbase.

Maybe I've got this all wrong because I'm not really a Rugby fan beyond supporting the Storm, but I have a Rugby-liking friend who mostly agrees with me.

To put it into perspective, Union is in a much much worse position domestically than League.

That must be terrifying for Union fans, if League is in such dire straits as it is.

Apologies for such an obviously pro-AFL post in a Rugby thread.

[AranchineD]

Maybe I've got this all wrong because I'm not really a Rugby fan beyond supporting the Storm

but I have a Rugby-liking friend who mostly agrees with me.


Apologies for such an obviously pro-AFL post in a Rugby thread.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUl

[Lazlow]

Stormin, arguing that AFL is deeply woven into the fabric of Victorian culture is like arguing Wesley Snipes is black. I will say though, that "fans" like your grandmother who align themselves with a team for the hell of it, do nothing to save a club. Hell Fitzroy had plenty of hardline fans, yet still couldn't be saved.

The NRL has actually steadily increased its attendance figures since Super League, (http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/summary.html), despite the fact many teams have been displaced, merged or eradicated. Factors which haven't helped.

As for the A-League gaining traction? You're telling porkies (http://www.insidefutbol.com/2009/10/25/australian-a-league-suffering-attendance-decline/11426/)

That must be terrifying for Union fans, if League is in such dire straits as it is.

The idiots in charge ditched the national comp before it even had a chance.

[StorminNorman]

I wasn't aware that the A-League was suffering from falling attendance. Last I checked they were going from strength to strength, and talking about adding even more teams to the league.

Also, I probably said "supporter" when I should have said "barracker", because the question is always "who do you barrack for?", not "who do you support?"

[Lazlow]

FWIW the NRL is also expanding with two strong bids being put forward; a WA team or a Central QLD team for 2013.

Meanwhile the NQ Fury is being propped up by the A-League after failing to meet financial requirements to continue.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

How do you figure? NRL is far, far less popular nationally than AFL, and it's rapidly losing ground to the A-League, which will easily outstrip it in popularity over the next five years.

How do you figure? Your argument seems to rely on the fact that AFL is more popular nationally. How does this spell the death of the NRL? The AFL isn't popular where it matters to the NRL and that's in NSW and QLD. The only time an AFL game rates in prime time is when the Swans play. Otherwise, we just don't give a shit.

The code survived a long time without support in AFL areas and it will continue to survive without them. Of course, it would be nice to have more support to expand the game more, but it's not necessary. The NRL is not at death's door. Even with all of Melbourne's success, their support still wasn't huge. Despite all the scandals over the past few years, crowds have been up, sponsorship is up, TV ratings are up. It's at the point now where people like Gus Gould want the NRL to do more to continue this run of strength for the code. In its current form, there's not enough room for further growth (starting with the salary cap).

NRL won't die for a long, long time.

Maybe I've got this all wrong because I'm not really a Rugby fan

Oh.

[Munky]

Rugby League is a sport that is ideal for TV. Most of the action happens around the ball.

AFL and soccer it is what you see off the ball that makes the game IMO. Being at the game you can see a players true work rate plus see tactics in action that you can't with a camera following the ball.

It is thanks to News Limited's ownership of the NRL that the AFL has a bigger TV deal. Every round of negotiations the TV rights for the NRL are undersold to Foxsports. This underselling virtually subsidised Foxtels AFL coverage.

The NRL will get close to a $1 billion next negotiations. This will allow an increased salary cap, greater junior development and subsidised expansion.

[Lazlow]

League and Union.

That said, the atmosphere at the event can't be matched.

[autologic]

I wasn't aware that the A-League was suffering from falling attendance. Last I checked they were going from strength to strength, and talking about adding even more teams to the league.
They have another Melbourne side coming in next season and another Sydney one after than, but all the Queensland sides are really struggling. Attendance in Melbourne is very strong, but I think all the other sides are not doing so well there. I don't know the average figures for the teams off the top of my head, but I know Newcastle's average attendance this year has been sub 10k.

[Lazlow]

A-League average crowd figures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-League#Crowds)

Perth are certainly big improvers this year.

[Munky]

League and Union.

That said, the atmosphere at the event can't be matched.

I said that the action happens around the ball.

There is no action in Union :-)

The NZ sides may be entertaining but have you ever seen a game of European club rugby?

All they do is kick the ball out and spend 80 minutes assembling lineouts.

If someone knocks on they spend 5 minutes packing the scrum.

[Lazlow]

Each to their own.

[Lazlow]

Just as I say there's no money in Union, apparently the Rebels are looking to poach Slater for $1mil a season.

If they can afford, he's well worth it, the guy's an absolute machine.

As for the Melbourne Storm; well the argument that the players had no idea may hold a little less weight now that it appears some were given a $30,000 boat, $20,000 gift voucher, or filled non-existant roles and paid $20,000 for it. Whilst they could still argue that they believed the club was making sure it was all above board, you'd have to be naive as f*** to not think something was up.

EDIT:

They still got just under 24,000 to last nights game, which is the second highst after the Dragons/Roosters game.

Gallop's a f***wit though. If you watched the Sunday Footy Show, he clearly showed that the penalties applied were a rushed decisions, and his insistance that the cap is fine is ludicrous. I still don't understand why they can't just apply a pay cut across the board - as they did for the Bulldogs - so they can still compete in the comp.

[Ad-Rock]

The NRL is in a lose/lose situation, I think Gallop has handled it as best he could. I agree with the severity of the all of the punishments meted out to them. However, with some teams having to play them twice in the season, while others play them once, it is not fair (contrary to Gallop's insistence). I can't come up with a solution which is fair. You can't remove them from the comp, you can't have them denying more points to some teams than others and you can't allow them to play on with an illegal team with no punishment.

You could have them strip $700,000 worth of players who are recently signed, such a Finch, while allowing the players who have been there for years to stay and compete for points, starting as soon as possible. But I think this would leave to NRL or Storm open to legal action by the players who aren't allowed to play (although I'm not a lawyer, so I wouldn't know). Also, this has been going on for so long that several other players would have left the club years ago, if not for the cheating.

I agree with what has been said about the salary cap needing an overhaul to allow talent that has been developed at the club to remain there. This does raise several issues, such as some clubs having disproportionate junior recruitment options (like the panthers or broncos) while others need to pinch players from elsewhere. I also heard someone on the Sunday Footy Show saying that there should be an independent regulator/assessor of player values, which would effectively remove player managers from holding clubs to ransom.

[Lazlow]

It's pretty simple, pay cuts across the board. Bulldogs were allowed to do it, why not the storm?

Any player who refuses gets cut.

[Ad-Rock]

It gets them below the Salary cap, but the team was still assembled by using illegal funds. ie some of the players shouldn't be there at all. The players also have the right to get the money they were promised (unless they knew it was dodgy...). The dog's took paycuts, but they only had two games remaining and couldn't affect anyone else's chances of making the semis by that stage.

[Lazlow]

I found this blog kinda humorous (http://blogs.news.com.au/jackmarxlive/index.php/news/comments/behold_the_reborn_virginity_of_the_nrl)

Puts the reaction to the salary cap rorting into perspective when compared to the behavourial problem rife within the NRL fraternity.

[Ad-Rock]

I found this blog kinda humorous (http://blogs.news.com.au/jackmarxlive/index.php/news/comments/behold_the_reborn_virginity_of_the_nrl)

Puts the reaction to the salary cap rorting into perspective when compared to the behavourial problem rife within the NRL fraternity.

That made me chuckle

[Lazlow]

Not as much as as Tahu mande me piss myself on the weekend. Idris got under his skin brilliantly.

Wouldn't surprise me if Union made Idris an offer.

[Ad-Rock]

lol

That was brilliant. Tahu has always annoyed me; I love it whenever someone gets the better of him.

On the topic of people who annoy me, I can't believe Lyon got picked in the centres for Australia. He makes me sick.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Tahu's very irrititating personality wise. Pissed myself laughing when Idris put that huge fend on him knocking him flying (the biggest of about a thousand :P).

Test and City/Country this Friday!

[Lazlow]

It got better in the second half when Tahu came in late in a 3 man tackle and pancaked his own teammate. And then next tackle he came in with a massively obvious swinging arm. The guy lost his head.

[Ad-Rock]

Woooo! State of Origin tonight!

My money is on Queensland, and I expect it to be a close, scrappy game.

[Lazlow]

My money is on the football being used as an excuse to stage unlicensed bare knuckle fighting

[Lazlow]

Good match, no fights!

I'd take issue with Tahu's tackling style which is essentially to go in swinging like a wild primate, but Civoniceva treads a fine line with his throat pressure and head slams.

Also seems they ignored every flop in the game, which kept the game flowing.

[Ad-Rock]

Yeah it was a pretty good game, especially for those conditions! Was impressed by the (overall) clean brand of footy played. You're not wrong about Tahu's or Civoniceva's tackling techniques.

I think the mistake of picking Kimmorely + Lyon as the halves combination really was the deciding factor in the match.

[jawsy]

Kimmorley was fine. Picking a whole heap of players out of position though was not a good idea.

Lose Cooper and Tahu, Lyons covers one while Jennings gets the other spot. Seeing as Hayne needs to be at fullback it means that maybe Gidley necessarily goes to 5/8. Also, Lewis needs more time on the paddock. Idris could be moved to the wing, or someone like Gordon would be a good choice if you wanted to keep Idris coming off the bench (don't totally see the point, but the selectors seem to think it is a good idea).

[Filthy Old Drunk]

This is why we have been shit at origin for years - we pick poor sides to start with, then spend the rest of the series trying different things. There's no structure. Just people the most in form people in the positions they play week in, week out. It's not that hard.

[Bob the Destroyer]

Maybe next year NSW can try a tactic of having a few QLDers retire and then have a crack.

Can't see us not winning 5 in a row after last nights effort

[Ad-Rock]

NSW made the massive mistake of picking Gidley as captain. Now they can't drop him without causing a scene. He is a good player, but he is definitely not the best selection for any position (he is really only selectable off the bench as a utility).

[Lazlow]

I honestly though he was one of their better players that night. He certainly seemed to be trying to make shit happen more than most.

Whole side lacked creativity though.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Big win to the Tigers and a good win by the Dragons. Tahu had a shocker. lol @ his forward pass and Burt's reaction.

[autologic]

As much as I like Gidley, I think Hayne really needs to be at fullback. I kind of agree with ad-rock that it's now a big mistake making him captain... they can't really drop him now.

[Lazlow]

Headbutt away, drive heads into the ground, but don't you dare swear (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27250299-5018866,00.html?from=public_rss)

Rule shift saves Jarryd Hayne from possible headbutting suspension

June 10, 2010 .The NRL will ask judiciary chairman Paul Conlon for a please explain after his decision to make a late change to the judge's directions contributed to the exoneration of Jarryd Hayne.

In delivering his directions to the judiciary's three-man panel on Tuesday night, Conlon said they needed to be satisfied Hayne had intended to cause considerable pain or injury when he headbutted Melbourne and Queensland fullback Billy Slater.

For seven years, under the watch of match review commissioner Greg McCallum, the judge's directions have simply stated the accused only had to cause discomfort.

In an alarming aftermath to one of the most anticipated judicial hearings in recent memory, it emerged on Wednesday that McCallum and NRL prosecutor Peter Kite were only notified of Conlon's plans to change the directions in the hour preceding the case being heard.

...

Conlon, a district court judge, told Sydney radio that he agreed with the panel's verdict.

In another admission likely to cause angst in Queensland, he also revealed he believed Maroons halfback Johnathan Thurston should have been found guilty of detrimental conduct for his altercation with referee Jason Robinson two weeks ago.

...

"Last week in relation to both cases (Hayne and Luke Lewis, suspended for a lifting tackle) I agreed with both of those verdicts," Conlon said.

"Last week in relation to Thurston I didn't agree with it."


While its good that a heated rivalry will carry over into Origin 2, its bleedingly obvious this was a manufactured verdict.

[Ad-Rock]

It was a ****ing stupid precedent to set.

Luke Lewis copped the ban Hayne should have.

Thurston, Slater and Hayne should all be missing on Wednesday night, while Luke Lewis will miss out for an accidentally "dangerous" tackle.

[Lazlow]

I don't think Thurston's incident should have required him to miss games; just a hefty fine and a forced haircut and shave >_>

[Filthy Old Drunk]

To be reported for that piss poor head butt was laughable. And to make a player miss an Origin game for it is even more ludicrous. If you want to impose some sort of punishment on him, take away his match fee but don't ban him from a game. (they should have taken some money from Thurston too.) The only reason Hayne would have been banned was because of loading anyway which needs to be tinkered with.

[Lazlow]

ARL wants to create the "Folau Rule" (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27250255-5018993,00.html?from=public_rss)

Angry Australian Rugby League (ARL) chief executive Geoff Carr is considering asking his board to consider rules which would forbid a player who has signed a contract with another football code to play in league's showpiece series.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Good.

[Lazlow]

mrlk pathetic. Seriously, its a scared code with bruised pride flailing its arms like a fat kid chucking a tanty.

Folau is still a contracted player for the NRL, fit and well enough to be selected. IIRC Sailor still played in the 2001 Origin Series, even though he announced his defection to Union in February of that year.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Don't agree. Considering Origin is the pinnacle of the sport, I see no reason to give someone a spot who is leaving the sport. They are much better off giving someone else a run who is going to be loyal to the game / a youngster they can blood.

[Lazlow]

Loyalty has its price, and you don't blood youngsters in Origin. I found it laughable that they carried on about loyalty, yet one of the two proposed replacements for Folau was Lote, a former defector who's only back due to his own indiscretions.

Bottom line; you field the best side possible to win the game.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Loyalty has its price, and you don't blood youngsters in Origin.

Um, QLD blooded Folau.

Bottom line; you field the best side possible to win the game.

I agree partially, but simply picking the best players of the year isn't enough. It helps, but you need built a team and stick with a team who you know is going to win games which is exactly what QLD have done. They've largely stuck with the same core players throughout the past five years and they are seeing the rewards. If you look at N.S.W....well, what can you say? Dropping players after one or two games, playing people out of position, giving people a run who don't deserve it...the list goes on. There's no sense of loyalty in the N.S.W. team - a player has to worry about whether they are going to play the next game let alone the next series. You don't see that in the QLD team. Just look at what N.S.W. have done for game two compared to QLD.

Technically speaking you are right. Folau is still playing League and he's available for selection so from that point of view there's no reason to deny him, but from QLD's 'loyalty' point of view there is, which is why soon after he announced he was going to AFL and did that press conference (which certainly didn't help) QLD bosses came out and said he wouldn't be playing.

[Lazlow]

Johns pisses off Tahu; Tahu leaves camp (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27259762-5018993,00.html)

[Lazlow]

So it turns out, Johns made racists remarks when referring to Inglis during a training camp video session (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27262777-5018993,00.html)

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Johns told Blues centre Beau Scott: "You must shut that black c... down", referring to Maroons' star Greg Inglis.


and apparently its nothing new (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27264013-5018993,00.html)

[Lazlow]

Pretty sure Folau's try just came off a forward pass there :p

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Ah, there's that sinking feeling that's kept me company the past five years...

Edit: N.S.W. are ****ing hopeless. No attack, abysmal defence (I can't understand why they're rushing up). At least there was a fight :D

[Lazlow]

Swear to god Fittler's drunk or on drugs tonight. His speech is so slurred. :/