Random Ramblings

We’re a month into the competition and there is plenty to talk about. The football has been great, despite being a tipping nightmare! There’s been a stack of issues happening this week so today I will give my take on a few of those.

Queensland ‘cheats’

Most of you probably heard about the blow up in Sydney regarding the Roosters Martin Kennedy wanting to play for Queensland. This led to the Daily Telegraph, known for its sensationalism, “lifting the lid on the Maroons darkest secret” by “exposing” the multicultural backgrounds of the likes of Adrian Lam, Lote Tuqiri, Karmichael Hunt and Petero Civoniceva.

Wow, what a scoop!

At the end of the day, these guys played football in Queensland. They lived in Queensland. They loved Queensland. That’s what made them legends and you know what, that love is Queensland is simply better and Origin means something more. It’s also why the Maroons have won the last FIVE series ... Five time Champions.

Something Sydney will never get over.

Martin Kennedy

To wrap that up, Kennedy appears qualified to represent either state eventually. I don’t think he’s a walk up start this season but things could change. He says he’s a Queenslander so that’s good enough for me and the Maroons will have him.

I can’t believe the Blues would force him to play for them – but it wouldn’t surprise me. And again, that’s the difference between the states.

Matt Orford

So did this guy solely lose the unlosable for the Raiders last week or what? Now I only saw the last try and extra time of their loss to the Titans on the weekend. However I did listen to it on ABC and tweeted asking if he was really playing THAT badly?? Apparently he was.

Orford has been named for this week and he’s a proven NRL halfback, so probably fair enough. But he’s clearly out of form and with a guy in the U20’s ready to go, this could be his last chance.

Titans Friend-less

The absence of Nathan Friend has been highlighted as a key reason for their poor start to the season. However it emerged today that Friend is at long odds to remain at the club beyond this season. They’ve been down this contract road before and finally sorted something out, but I’m not sure this time.

If the Titans can’t keep him they’ll need to buy a damn good replacement because Friend is in many ways, the heart of that team.

At least he’s likely to stay in the NRL, rumoured to be with the Warriors.

Ivan Henjak/Wayne Bennett

The Henjak story over the weekend wasn’t too controversial I don’t think. The Broncos didn’t leave him stranded because they offered him a job at the club for the future. I don’t think we’ll ever truly know what happened – but that’s the same at any club.

I have mixed feelings on Wayne Bennett coming back to my club the Broncos. The plan four or five years ago was for Wayne to take on Darren Lockyer as his coaching apprentice before stepping away and assuming some sort of directors role. That may well be on the cards again now.

But it might also be a step back for the club – do they really have to go back to Bennett? He is a legend and the club owes its legacy to the man, but the Broncos also have to move forward and the only way to adjust to life after Wayne, is to not bring him back.

At the end of the day Bennett has earned the right to choose his club (and his price). If he chooses mine, I will welcome him back with open arms. But if opts to go elsewhere, I will wish him all the best.

Brisbane Broncos

Did you know after four games of intense NRL football, the Brisbane Broncos are yet to concede a second half try? That is a remarkable statistic in the modern game and one I think deserves a heck of a lot of praise.

It’s also the reason the Broncos are on top of the table. Their attack isn’t great and you can’t defend stoutly for 30 weeks to win the competition – but a month in it’s a hell of a start. One you can build your season on.

TIPPING
Tips – Cowboys, Tigers, Warriors, Manly, Canberra, Melbourne, Bulldogs, Brisbane Last Week – 7/8
Total – 16/32 (50%)

Contact me on Twitter (@keyto316), email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com) or comment below if you want to have a chat.

Catch ya later,
Keyto