Betting, Canberra and Origin II

Hi all, it’s been another busy week in rugby league and today I wanted to share my thoughts on a few of the issues generating a bit of chatter.

NRL Betting

Next year all betting regulations and promotions will be changed with the most notable difference to be the removal of live odds at games and as part of the television coverage. I have to say – I have absolutely no problem with seeing fluctuating odds pop up during the games. In fact I think it’s great!

I like to have a couple of small bets on the weekend but that’s not because Ray Warren feeds me some juicy odds midway through Friday Night Football. Are we fair dinkum here in thinking that a commentator doing a live read is going to force people to gamble? If that’s the case then you’ve got massive problems and need some help.

For those who say it’s a bad influence on children – PLEASE!! Surely 90 per cent of the children watching the football have a parent, guardian or role model in their life who can guide any future choices they make on gambling.

I’ve found that older people seem to have problems with these live odds while for the younger generation, like me, it has very little affect on the overall broadcast. Personally I think it enhances the telecast. The odds are just another way of analysing the game in my opinion and don’t detract away from it. The same way tackle counts or penalty stats are flashed up throughout the match.

At times society is far too precious and eventually, we’ll end up with no sponsorship and therefore no sport or entertainment events. What’s next?? Ban alcohol sponsorship because it encourages people to get on the piss? Ban McDonalds from sponsoring a team because it encourages people to eat it?

This isn’t an NRL decision I know but fair dinkum we need to wake up sometimes and recognise the fact that adults make their own decisions and children should be guided by their parents.

Campo and Canberra

Terry Campese seems destined to play only 5 minutes of the 2011 season with his comeback from a knee injured gazumped by a torn abductor muscle. He has since ruled himself out for the season and I don’t think it is entirely bad. Campese is a great player but it takes everyone 18 months to get over the type of knee injury he suffered last year.

Don’t believe me, ask Darren Lockyer.

The Raiders need to learn to win without him anyway so that when he does comes back; Campese can be the touch of class to the whole outfit rather than a one man rock band.

This season won’t be great for wins and losses but already I think it’s going to be the making of Josh McCrone in the halves. I have always liked him but he was second fiddle to Campo last season. Now he will be able to complement the star and 2012 will look promising.

Monday Origin

As a fan, I love Origin on a Wednesday night. The tradition, build up and event is perfect in my opinion. But I understand it can be a tough ask for the players. Having Origin as a standalone event over three weekends per season is not an option. We tried it recently and everyone was bored with no football until Sunday night.

If Wednesday night is a major problem for the players then I think Monday is a good compromise. My one concern though is the build up – not that one week isn’t enough to get a team ready, but the extras added to the tactics and combinations.

A huge part of Origin is meeting the fans – especially those in the schools or hospitals outside the major cities. Both sides will always spend time during the series doing various coaching clinics and the like so I hope this does not become a victim of renewed scheduling.

Origin II Teams

The Queensland side picked itself and Dave Taylor was definitely worthy of his position. It’s bad luck for Jacob Lillyman, who didn’t let anyone down, but the stronger attacking option was the way to go.

As for the Blues ... I’m a bit mystified at a few things. We heard before the series that only specialists would be picked yet for Origin II they’ve gone with just TWO genuine front-rowers and a rookie centre who has barely played a game of NRL in that position.

Paul Gallen plays like a prop so I can understand that one but for mine they’ve missed a trick by leaving Jarryd Hayne on the wing and overlooking Jamal Idris. As a Queenslander, I’d be more worried seeing Hayne at fullback, Will Hopoate on the wing and Idris in the centres.

But that’s not my problem to worry about.

TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Manly, Brisbane, Warriors, Roosters
Last Week – 4/8
Total –60/96 (63%)

Thanks for reading and if you have any thoughts please share them by commenting below. Or you can chat to be directly via email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or Twitter (@keyto316).

Enjoy your weekend,
Keyto