Hi there NRL fans and boy, didn’t I hit a few nerves last week! I got more hate mail from NSW fans than I had all season. Thanks for that! Now bring on Origin III and six in a row for the mighty Maroons. A team that, rightfully so, will have the world’s best halfback on deck for the Decider.
Ref Bumps
Probably 95 per cent of rugby league fans agreed Johnathan Thurston shouldn’t have had a case to answer at the NRL judiciary last night. His collision with the referee was a nasty one, but it was an accident.
No player should be suspended for making such contact with a referee. Yes it’s unfortunate but with the game happening at such a frantic pace there will be malfunctions at the junction from time to time.
The one incident that comes to my mind was earlier this year when the Roosters Todd Carney made a break and smashed into the referee in a head on collision. Carney didn’t really side-step and definitely didn’t put the brakes on. He ploughed straight through him! And everyone laughed about it!
Such collisions are usually unavoidable and a case of wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe players could be fined for multiple offences, but no one goes out there with a goal to take out an official.
There was a case where an Under 20’s player was sent off and suspended for ‘dropping a shoulder’ into the ref following a penalty. That was a correct decision. But that’s where it ends.
Anything else is unfortunate but something we can laugh at. Players and officials apologise to each other, check they’re not hurt and we can all get on with the game.
Player Trading
This year more than any other seems to have more and more players switching clubs before the June 30 deadline. My club hasn’t been affected so maybe I am speaking out of school a bit; but I’m largely ok with this. If guys can get a better deal in a mutually beneficial arrangement then I say go for it.
What has been disappointing is the Newcastle Knights almost giving up on this season. This is NOT the case with the players, coaches or fans but some of the management decisions have been bizarre to say the least.
Letting Beau Henry leave was a huge one. Also telling a lot of players to not bother showing up next year can’t be easy.
But just all the talk of next year is uncomfortable as well.
Newcastle have a decent side this season and if they focus all their energy on hitting their potential then there’s no reason they can’t make the final eight in 2011.
Channel Nine
I’m a big fan of Channel Nine’s rugby league coverage but some of their decisions this year are questionable. Already we’ve seen them delay Friday night football for a royal wedding and neglect to show the Suncorp Stadium double-header live.
Now this week the NRL hits Perth on Friday night but again Nine are not showing the game live on the east coast ... kick-off is scheduled for 9pm (7pm WA) but delaying it 30 minutes, to a standard 7:30pm local slot, would allow a live broadcast back to the east coast following the first game.
I think the WA time zone is the biggest positive an NRL side based in the region has going for them.
The two hour delay allows east coast networks to broadcast live games usually on a back-to-back format, as seen by both the AFL and Super 15.
Friday night was a perfect opportunity to see how the east coast NRL audience would take to this on free-to-air television. Instead, Channel Nine has stuffed it and we’ll get a regular broadcast full of commercials for the second game.
The new television deal must see every game available live on regular free to air, free to air digital channels or Fox Sports.
TIPPING
Tips – Bulldogs, Broncos, Titans, Canberra, Warriors, Panthers, Roosters, Dragons
Last Week – 5/7
Total –67/108 (62%)
I’ve gone mainly for upsets this weekend – and have no confidence in any of them, apart from Warriors. If you wish to discuss please email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), tweet (@keyto316) or comment below.
Cheers,
Keyto
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