Well, what a difference a week makes in rugby league. And once again we’re talking about things other than football...As a 12 plus year rugby league fan I personally have had enough of this outside bullshit I really have. We’ve got a great product that’s getting destroyed by this off field stuff and there are always excuses and reasons floating around. It has to stop now before it completely ruins the game of rugby league.
I didn’t want to devote a whole column to Matthew Johns or sex assaults or player behaviour or whatever but I will be giving my opinion shortly. First of all I will touch on three things thankfully stemming from on field stuff.
Hazem El Masri
One of the best players in the game and from all reports one of the best men in the game Hazem El Masri celebrates his 300th match tomorrow night. He has been a terrific ambassador for the game and fully deserves this achievement.
The Referee’s
They copped a battering on Monday but, even as a Queenslander, I didn’t find much wrong with their performances in both the Titans and Broncos game last week. For mine the Scott Prince thing was gamesmanship on Princey’s part that went wrong. Prince was doing what most players do, being a nuisance close to the line, probably unaware his teammate saw an opening and dived over for the try. The thing with gamesmanship though is sometimes it will go against you as Prince found out last week. Was the marker going to stop the try...NO, did the marker over sell what happened...YES...but if Prince doesn’t touch him there is no problem.
I had a minor problem with the Jamie Lyon bat/deflection in scoring his third try on Sunday but that problem only came on replay a day or so later. Watching it live, or more accurately delayed on Channel 9, I didn’t have a major problem with that or the torso one. Even if I don’t agree with the rules, they are the rules.
As for inexperienced refs...there’s only one way to fix that and that’s what we’re doing. I think there is merit in having one guy control the whole match and the other play ‘pocket’ but that’s not how the system works at this time. I’m more than happy to give the refs a go, take the good with the bad and bag them out when required!!
Rep Season
As a fan I like the current rep season with players backing up etc but I can understand the valid reasons for change. Player burnout is a big issue and the theory of rep games losing prestige due to their shotgun nature is a valid one too.
At the moment though I think the current set up is the best we’re going to get. The only other change I can think of is to have a 24 week NRL season where each team gets 12 home games and 12 away with no byes and rep games played alone on weekends. Even that extends the season by a month though.
So basically I don’t have an alternative unless they can make an 18 week season, 12 home games and 6 away, work but I don’t really want to see that.
Four Corners and Player Behaviour
Most rugby league fans would have at least heard about the Four Corners program the other night, or they at least know that Matthew Johns’ media career and reputation is now in tatters. The day after I happened to have a journalism ethics class in which the hundred or so students generally agreed the program raised some very important issues but from a journalistic point of view didn’t give a very balanced view.
As a rugby league fan, who does find Johns entertaining and enjoys his work, I hope that maybe, just maybe, this is the wakeup call the code needs. Now maybe finally players will see a rugby league persons’ career shattered because of an off-field incident and they will pull their heads in.
I did not see the news report breaking the Johns story last week and the first I heard about it was on the Footy Show. Once I heard about it I was disgusted, angry and didn’t want to see or hear from him again that night. While some of that has died down, I have no real interest in seeing Johns pass judgment on other players anymore.
Look, I don’t think he has gone forever and I may be able to accept him on TV again. He is only guilty of “infidelity and stupidity”, neither a criminal offence. Had he broken the law he would have been charged. But I can’t hack him passing judgements on other players I’m sorry so if he’s gone for good, I can live with that.
I will mention though that Andrew Johns is a regular on Channel 9 less than 18 months after his public disgrace and confession of cheating when he played so anything can happen.
Any thoughts I would love to read them: andrew.keyte@gmail.com or you can comment below.
Tips this week: Brisbane, Bulldogs, Roosters, Cronulla, Warriors, Manly, Souths, Storm
Last week: 2/4 (Total: 37/68)
Winning percentage: 54%
Cheers,
Keyto
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Rep Suspensions
I’m not happy today…hello though by the way and I hope you’re well. Yes, I’m not happy with our suspension system in the NRL. New Zealand hooker Isaac Luke, less than 48 hours before a Test Match, found himself at the NRL judiciary last night defending a little striking charge that threatened to rule him out for the Test, and ONLY the Test. And the worse thing is he got suspended. I feel really bad for Luke and think it’s grossly unfair that anyone should have a one game suspension ruling them out of a Test match.
We have our suspension system all wrong where a game at the highest level is worth the same value as a game between team 15 and 16. I remember a few years ago where Ruben Wiki was not allowed to play for New Zealand but was free to play a couple of days later (for Canberra I presume).
I can’t see how that can be justified. Can you imagine if Darren Lockyer, a 300 game veteran who’s never been suspended, was charged with a tiny offence following his game last weekend and was suspended for one match? What if that one match was the Test Match, where he is Australian Captain, but he is more than welcome to play Sunday against Manly?
How is that right…?
I can’t see how a regular home and away season match is worth the same as a one-off Test Match, or any representative match for that manner.
Another example: Michael Ennis. He went to the judiciary last week to fight a charge where if he lost he would have been sidelined for two matches. That would have ruled him out for the Bulldogs match against the Tigers last Sunday AND the City/Country match this week. However, if the Bulldogs didn’t have the bye, he would have been available as soon as 24 hours following the City/Country game.
Same can be said for Cowboys forward Luke O’Donnell. He fought hard to get a two game suspension downgraded to one so he would be available for either City or Australia this weekend. Thankfully he was successful and is playing rep football this weekend. Had he failed, O’Donnell would have missed the Cowboys match against Parramatta last week; he then would have missed a representative game Friday night BUT would have played against the Dragons on Saturday night.
My point…representative games are worth more than regular season games and players shouldn’t be punished by minor offences denying them the chance to play for their country or state. I think representative matches…City/Country, State of Origin and Internationals…should be worth two regular season games.
That means a two game suspension is either worth two club games or one representative game. That would have allowed Ennis and O’Donnell, should they have failed at the judiciary, to miss two club games but play a representative game in between.
Let’s take a hypothetical look here too…let’s say Justin Hodges was cited for something following the Broncos loss to Newcastle last week and was facing a two match suspension. It should be up to the player to decide if he is going to skip the Test Match on Friday night and play for the Broncos on Sunday or if he can play the Test Match then miss two games for the Broncos.
That probably opens up a can of worms in both club interest and proving a player was to be selected anyway. And that’s somewhere for the NRL to step in and rule on. It was granted that Hodges was very unlikely not to be selected for Australia this weekend but someone like a Darius Boyd might have had a tougher time proving he was definitely going to be selected.
While my theory has a couple of flaws there is nothing there the NRL couldn’t rule on and make work. I just think it’s unfair to give rep games the same value as regular games when they are clearly different. Representative football should be the best of the best and minor indiscretions shouldn’t rob the player, or fans, of that spectacle. We’re only hurting ourselves.
That’s what happened last night. Nothing against Dene Halatau but this bizarre system has robbed us, the fans, of seeing New Zealand’s best hooker against Australia’s best hooker on Friday night. Any thoughts please email to andrew.keyte@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
Tips this week: Cowboys, Titans, Broncos, Storm
Last week: 4/8 (Total: 35/64)
Winning percentage: 55%
Talk to you later,
Keyto
We have our suspension system all wrong where a game at the highest level is worth the same value as a game between team 15 and 16. I remember a few years ago where Ruben Wiki was not allowed to play for New Zealand but was free to play a couple of days later (for Canberra I presume).
I can’t see how that can be justified. Can you imagine if Darren Lockyer, a 300 game veteran who’s never been suspended, was charged with a tiny offence following his game last weekend and was suspended for one match? What if that one match was the Test Match, where he is Australian Captain, but he is more than welcome to play Sunday against Manly?
How is that right…?
I can’t see how a regular home and away season match is worth the same as a one-off Test Match, or any representative match for that manner.
Another example: Michael Ennis. He went to the judiciary last week to fight a charge where if he lost he would have been sidelined for two matches. That would have ruled him out for the Bulldogs match against the Tigers last Sunday AND the City/Country match this week. However, if the Bulldogs didn’t have the bye, he would have been available as soon as 24 hours following the City/Country game.
Same can be said for Cowboys forward Luke O’Donnell. He fought hard to get a two game suspension downgraded to one so he would be available for either City or Australia this weekend. Thankfully he was successful and is playing rep football this weekend. Had he failed, O’Donnell would have missed the Cowboys match against Parramatta last week; he then would have missed a representative game Friday night BUT would have played against the Dragons on Saturday night.
My point…representative games are worth more than regular season games and players shouldn’t be punished by minor offences denying them the chance to play for their country or state. I think representative matches…City/Country, State of Origin and Internationals…should be worth two regular season games.
That means a two game suspension is either worth two club games or one representative game. That would have allowed Ennis and O’Donnell, should they have failed at the judiciary, to miss two club games but play a representative game in between.
Let’s take a hypothetical look here too…let’s say Justin Hodges was cited for something following the Broncos loss to Newcastle last week and was facing a two match suspension. It should be up to the player to decide if he is going to skip the Test Match on Friday night and play for the Broncos on Sunday or if he can play the Test Match then miss two games for the Broncos.
That probably opens up a can of worms in both club interest and proving a player was to be selected anyway. And that’s somewhere for the NRL to step in and rule on. It was granted that Hodges was very unlikely not to be selected for Australia this weekend but someone like a Darius Boyd might have had a tougher time proving he was definitely going to be selected.
While my theory has a couple of flaws there is nothing there the NRL couldn’t rule on and make work. I just think it’s unfair to give rep games the same value as regular games when they are clearly different. Representative football should be the best of the best and minor indiscretions shouldn’t rob the player, or fans, of that spectacle. We’re only hurting ourselves.
That’s what happened last night. Nothing against Dene Halatau but this bizarre system has robbed us, the fans, of seeing New Zealand’s best hooker against Australia’s best hooker on Friday night. Any thoughts please email to andrew.keyte@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
Tips this week: Cowboys, Titans, Broncos, Storm
Last week: 4/8 (Total: 35/64)
Winning percentage: 55%
Talk to you later,
Keyto
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Arvo Footy
Hi there, I’ve had a busy week so I’ll get straight into things tonight. After the great ANZAC Day clash last Saturday followed up with another 3pm Saturday kick-off this week I’m wondering if the scheduling should be changed to make this a regular thing?
TV deals are set for the next couple of years, until 2011 I think, but wouldn’t it be great on a Saturday to see a 3pm game leading into 5:30pm followed up by a 7:30pm start?
At the moment we usually have a 5:30pm game followed by two games at 7:30pm with Fox Sports viewers able to pick and choose their live game through the use of their red button. Unless I’m working I don’t watch the three games back to back and usually only watch NRL live (unless it’s the Broncos game) or occasionally on Sunday afternoon.
I’m with Gus Gould in that I love Sunday afternoon football. But I won’t argue with Saturday afternoon football either. In the Queensland Cup we have the ABC showing a live game every Saturday at 2pm which is great. I think we need more afternoon football at NRL level.
Night time football is fine when it’s a big game. But conditions in Sydney compared to Queensland are usually cold and slippery for night time football which contributes to crowds not showing up. The quality of football is affected by the conditions without doubt.
One argument I have heard before is the Saturday 3pm game was phased out due to crowd attendance. I know from cricket matches that a lot of people play their own sport on a Saturday and don’t have a chance to go out and watch professionals. But I would argue that a Saturday 3pm game would draw more or less the same as the 5:30 and 7:30 game, at least in Sydney anyway. And adding the 3pm game gives another live time slot too.
At the moment we have a ratio of 6 night games to 2 day game and that’s unbalanced I think. I would love to see a 4:4 ratio but would settle with 5:3.
If it was up to me I would have the regular scheduling like this:
Friday night – 2 games (one live in Queensland involving either Broncos, Titans or Cowboys and one live in Sydney)
Saturday – 3pm to 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Sunday – 2pm, 3pm
Monday – 7pm
Two other options I would consider is instead of a ‘Viewers Choice’ Saturday night I would make a ‘Viewers Choice’ on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
I would also consider scrapping Monday night football in favour of a Sunday twilight game, 6pm kick-off, similar to what the AFL does. But that’s just me, would love to hear what you think.
Sorry for the short and structure-lacking column tonight, have a bit of work to finish up. Remember my email address is andrew_keyte@gmail.com.
Tips this week: Manly, Cowboys, Titans, Sharks, Brisbane, Canberra, Dragons, Bulldogs
Last week: 3/8 (Total: 31/56)
Winning percentage: 55%
Talk to you later,
Keyto
TV deals are set for the next couple of years, until 2011 I think, but wouldn’t it be great on a Saturday to see a 3pm game leading into 5:30pm followed up by a 7:30pm start?
At the moment we usually have a 5:30pm game followed by two games at 7:30pm with Fox Sports viewers able to pick and choose their live game through the use of their red button. Unless I’m working I don’t watch the three games back to back and usually only watch NRL live (unless it’s the Broncos game) or occasionally on Sunday afternoon.
I’m with Gus Gould in that I love Sunday afternoon football. But I won’t argue with Saturday afternoon football either. In the Queensland Cup we have the ABC showing a live game every Saturday at 2pm which is great. I think we need more afternoon football at NRL level.
Night time football is fine when it’s a big game. But conditions in Sydney compared to Queensland are usually cold and slippery for night time football which contributes to crowds not showing up. The quality of football is affected by the conditions without doubt.
One argument I have heard before is the Saturday 3pm game was phased out due to crowd attendance. I know from cricket matches that a lot of people play their own sport on a Saturday and don’t have a chance to go out and watch professionals. But I would argue that a Saturday 3pm game would draw more or less the same as the 5:30 and 7:30 game, at least in Sydney anyway. And adding the 3pm game gives another live time slot too.
At the moment we have a ratio of 6 night games to 2 day game and that’s unbalanced I think. I would love to see a 4:4 ratio but would settle with 5:3.
If it was up to me I would have the regular scheduling like this:
Friday night – 2 games (one live in Queensland involving either Broncos, Titans or Cowboys and one live in Sydney)
Saturday – 3pm to 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Sunday – 2pm, 3pm
Monday – 7pm
Two other options I would consider is instead of a ‘Viewers Choice’ Saturday night I would make a ‘Viewers Choice’ on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
I would also consider scrapping Monday night football in favour of a Sunday twilight game, 6pm kick-off, similar to what the AFL does. But that’s just me, would love to hear what you think.
Sorry for the short and structure-lacking column tonight, have a bit of work to finish up. Remember my email address is andrew_keyte@gmail.com.
Tips this week: Manly, Cowboys, Titans, Sharks, Brisbane, Canberra, Dragons, Bulldogs
Last week: 3/8 (Total: 31/56)
Winning percentage: 55%
Talk to you later,
Keyto
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Three Guys The Blues Must Have
G’day, hope you’re all well. Now...last week I said: “I love Origin but the season has just started and there’s no point speculating and picking sides right now.” You know what...I’m going against my own statement and talking Origin this week!!
As most of you probably know I’m a one-eyed Queenslander through and through. If we won every Origin to the day I died it would be fine...but Origin is at its best when you just don’t know who will win, and as a Queenslander, the best wins are the unexpected ones. As great as it is to watch us beat NSW I do yearn for a competitive series. The Blues named a preliminary 40 man squad this week and I’ve picked out three guys they simply must have to be a chance this season.
Michael Ennis
Geez you have to feel for his rival Robbie Farah, who was the clear number two for so long and has done nothing wrong, but the Blues need an Ennis. He is a guy that just pisses the opposition off. When he’s in your team you love him but when he’s not you want someone to snot him.
Ennis is creative, aggressive, gives 100% and is a serial pest. He has the ability to get under the skin and rattle the Maroons. Add to that clever kicking, passing and running skills from dummy half and his goal kicking...the Blues have an Origin player ready to go.
Whether he gets picked or not very much depends on who will play in the halves and at fullback. If they were to pick Kurt Gidley in the halves Farah would probably get the nod due to his superior kicking game. Now with Brett Stewart’s injury Gidley is a certainty to play fullback which paves the way for Ennis.
As a Queenslander; Ennis is a guy that worries me more than Farah.
Michael Jennings
I wrote two weeks ago that Jennings just screams ‘Danger’ when he gets the ball for Penrith. He has such speed and skill as he displayed last week against the Broncos. Justin Hodges spent the game rushing up to prevent it but the moment Jennings had half a gap he put his side over for a try.
The bloke knows how to find a try and is the best answer to match the flair and skill of Folau and Inglis. Defensively Jennings may not be quite ready but the Blues need a way to score points. Jennings is one of those keys and his defensive deficiencies, which are far from glaring, can be covered by selecting an appropriate winger and back-row partner.
Jennings worries me when my side plays against him. He is a guy the Blues must pick to play left centre.
Alan Tongue
You look at this guy and think ‘no way’... “good, solid first-grader but city-country is as high as his rep honours will go”. I don’t think so...the Blues need an Alan Tongue in their side. Here is a guy that week in week out plays his heart out for the Canberra Raiders. He IS the Canberra Raiders and he can do the same thing for the Blues.
Tongue won’t let anyone down and will tackle all night long. Someone in the media, possibly Paul Vautin I think, said last week Tongue could do the same job as Dallas Johnson does. And they’re spot on...Tongue could set up camp in the middle of the field and just tackle all night long.
He has that freakish ability to come up with the big play that lifts his side when they need it...heck he’s been doing it for years down in Canberra.
If given a chance I think Tongue can revive the passion in the New South Wales Blues as he plays his heart out for the whole series.
My gut feeling is that Farah will be picked over Ennis whilst the other two I’m not sure on. Jennings will probably be there while I think Tongue has a strong chance but they might favour a more attractive player or someone like Mark Minichiello might get that spot.
At the end of the day I guess the Blues can do whatever they please...the Queensland team is virtually picked barring injury/suspension. To get on the record (very) early, these are my teams for game one barring injury/suspension with blacks definite and reds my picks:
QLD: Hunt, Boyd, Hodges, Inglis, Folau, Lockyer (c), Thurston, Price, Smith, Civoniceva, Myles, Harrison, Johnson. Bench: Slater, Thaiday, Hannant, Kenny/Taylor/Shillington
Definites: 14...Prince may come in for Thurston while David Stagg may be favoured over Harrison, but I’m doubtful on that. The last bench spot should go to one of those younger front rowers.
NSW: Gidley (c), Robertson, Jennings, Best, Monaghan, Campese, Wallace, Bailey, Ennis, Perry, Watmough, Laffranchi, Tongue. Bench: Lewis, Douglas, Kite/Weyman, Gallen/Heighington/G.Stewart/Mateo
Definites: 6...well, those six guys I think will be there but not necessarily in those positions. I’d have Newcastle winger James McManus in, if he’s eligible, while the rest really is a lottery. Originally I had B.Stewart as fullback, Gidley five-eight and Campese on the bench in place of Luke Lewis. I also think Matt Orford has to be a chance to play halfback.
Anyway, I guess we’ll know more after the May 8 Test Match and City-Country games. That’s all from me...I’d love to hear your team and player suggestions. Email: andrew.keyte@gmail.com or the link at www.sportaustralia.com or even try a direct comment at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com.
Tips this week: Brisbane, Sharks, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Raiders, Knights, Penrith
Last week: 6/8 (Total: 28/44)
Winning percentage: 64%
Talk to you later,
Keyto
As most of you probably know I’m a one-eyed Queenslander through and through. If we won every Origin to the day I died it would be fine...but Origin is at its best when you just don’t know who will win, and as a Queenslander, the best wins are the unexpected ones. As great as it is to watch us beat NSW I do yearn for a competitive series. The Blues named a preliminary 40 man squad this week and I’ve picked out three guys they simply must have to be a chance this season.
Michael Ennis
Geez you have to feel for his rival Robbie Farah, who was the clear number two for so long and has done nothing wrong, but the Blues need an Ennis. He is a guy that just pisses the opposition off. When he’s in your team you love him but when he’s not you want someone to snot him.
Ennis is creative, aggressive, gives 100% and is a serial pest. He has the ability to get under the skin and rattle the Maroons. Add to that clever kicking, passing and running skills from dummy half and his goal kicking...the Blues have an Origin player ready to go.
Whether he gets picked or not very much depends on who will play in the halves and at fullback. If they were to pick Kurt Gidley in the halves Farah would probably get the nod due to his superior kicking game. Now with Brett Stewart’s injury Gidley is a certainty to play fullback which paves the way for Ennis.
As a Queenslander; Ennis is a guy that worries me more than Farah.
Michael Jennings
I wrote two weeks ago that Jennings just screams ‘Danger’ when he gets the ball for Penrith. He has such speed and skill as he displayed last week against the Broncos. Justin Hodges spent the game rushing up to prevent it but the moment Jennings had half a gap he put his side over for a try.
The bloke knows how to find a try and is the best answer to match the flair and skill of Folau and Inglis. Defensively Jennings may not be quite ready but the Blues need a way to score points. Jennings is one of those keys and his defensive deficiencies, which are far from glaring, can be covered by selecting an appropriate winger and back-row partner.
Jennings worries me when my side plays against him. He is a guy the Blues must pick to play left centre.
Alan Tongue
You look at this guy and think ‘no way’... “good, solid first-grader but city-country is as high as his rep honours will go”. I don’t think so...the Blues need an Alan Tongue in their side. Here is a guy that week in week out plays his heart out for the Canberra Raiders. He IS the Canberra Raiders and he can do the same thing for the Blues.
Tongue won’t let anyone down and will tackle all night long. Someone in the media, possibly Paul Vautin I think, said last week Tongue could do the same job as Dallas Johnson does. And they’re spot on...Tongue could set up camp in the middle of the field and just tackle all night long.
He has that freakish ability to come up with the big play that lifts his side when they need it...heck he’s been doing it for years down in Canberra.
If given a chance I think Tongue can revive the passion in the New South Wales Blues as he plays his heart out for the whole series.
My gut feeling is that Farah will be picked over Ennis whilst the other two I’m not sure on. Jennings will probably be there while I think Tongue has a strong chance but they might favour a more attractive player or someone like Mark Minichiello might get that spot.
At the end of the day I guess the Blues can do whatever they please...the Queensland team is virtually picked barring injury/suspension. To get on the record (very) early, these are my teams for game one barring injury/suspension with blacks definite and reds my picks:
QLD: Hunt, Boyd, Hodges, Inglis, Folau, Lockyer (c), Thurston, Price, Smith, Civoniceva, Myles, Harrison, Johnson. Bench: Slater, Thaiday, Hannant, Kenny/Taylor/Shillington
Definites: 14...Prince may come in for Thurston while David Stagg may be favoured over Harrison, but I’m doubtful on that. The last bench spot should go to one of those younger front rowers.
NSW: Gidley (c), Robertson, Jennings, Best, Monaghan, Campese, Wallace, Bailey, Ennis, Perry, Watmough, Laffranchi, Tongue. Bench: Lewis, Douglas, Kite/Weyman, Gallen/Heighington/G.Stewart/Mateo
Definites: 6...well, those six guys I think will be there but not necessarily in those positions. I’d have Newcastle winger James McManus in, if he’s eligible, while the rest really is a lottery. Originally I had B.Stewart as fullback, Gidley five-eight and Campese on the bench in place of Luke Lewis. I also think Matt Orford has to be a chance to play halfback.
Anyway, I guess we’ll know more after the May 8 Test Match and City-Country games. That’s all from me...I’d love to hear your team and player suggestions. Email: andrew.keyte@gmail.com or the link at www.sportaustralia.com or even try a direct comment at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com.
Tips this week: Brisbane, Sharks, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Raiders, Knights, Penrith
Last week: 6/8 (Total: 28/44)
Winning percentage: 64%
Talk to you later,
Keyto
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Few Ponderings
Hi everyone and welcome back to my weekly thoughts column. I don’t have a major topic to discuss today so will just throw a few smaller things together and see where we end up! You can contribute too through email at andrew.keyte@gmail.com or directly at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com and www.sportsaustralia.com. Now, on to the big and not so big issues this week.
Parra Problems
My word has this club hit rock bottom or what? Last week I briefly mentioned their woes but that was written before the Brett Finch stuff happened. I didn’t fully follow the Finch walkout/push or whatever because I was away but for mine this had to be the final straw for Parramatta. The Eels are a club that’s fallen from grace so dramatically.
In just 2001 they were declared one of the great teams but were ambushed by Newcastle in the Grand Final. Since then they have had two coaches walk out (Brian Smith, Michael Hagan), one move on (Jason Taylor) and are now seemingly a club few want to be at. They made just one signing in the off-season, Finch has walked out and the likes of Mark Riddell and Timana Tahu left the NRL altogether!
The Eels are a team with a poor attitude and it reflects through their games. They are the one team I just hate watching, whether for work or fun. I just can’t stand them and from my point of view it all stems from a rotten attitude and culture that’s crept into the club. They need to fix it but it won’t happen overnight, two to three years most likely. They probably won’t get it but Parramatta deserve the wooden spoon this year.
Tipping Nightmares
Hasn’t this been a nightmare so far! I’m right near the bottom of my own comp this year and not doing much better in the other ones I’m in. There appears to be no real form or rhythm to follow this year meaning a lot more guess work is involved. Normally there are two or three teams you can bank on winning/losing but after 5 weeks I can’t name any (well, the Eels maybe). My only advice is good luck and be very careful copying my tips!
Fantasy Fun
Is anyone else enjoying Fantasy Teams as much as I am this year? I played last year but often forgot about it and didn’t care much. This year is a different story; I’m in two comps (Fox Sports and Courier Mail), take great notice of the ins and outs for the weekend and am constantly looking to improve my team! I don’t expect to win but it is nice cheering on certain players in the name of Fantasy Football! I guess in the age of IPL cricket it’s not too surprising that franchise type games are beginning to take off.
TV Scheduling
As most of you know I live in Brisbane so therefore I have a different TV schedule to Sydney on Friday nights. I was under the impression that the double-Friday night game was to provide a different game live in each state; with one game involving a Queensland-based team. It annoys me this week that both the Broncos and Titans are on Friday night because it means I can’t really watch the Gold Coast go around, at least not live.
I don’t care if both games are held in Sydney and I don’t even care if it’s not ‘match of the round’ material...just please Channel 9 stick to the agreement and show the one Queensland game live here EVERY Friday night.
Origin Talk
Uumm, there’s a Test Match on soon right? All the talk last week was about the New South Wales halfback (Pearce v Wallace) and this week is on the Blues fullback and five-eighth (Stewart v Gidley v Anasta v Campese). I love Origin but the season has just started and there’s no point speculating and picking sides right now.
Of course the Queensland side pretty much picks itself but there was also debate over the weekend about Thurston v Prince. I just think we should be enjoying the club season first then in two weeks, just before the Test, we can turn all attention towards the rep season.
Tips this week: Brisbane, Titans, Dragons, Manly, Warriors, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Storm
Last week: 6/8 (Total: 22/38)
Winning percentage: 58%
Thanks for reading and I’ll catch you later. Please remember to send feedback and questions or anything at all to me!
See ya,
Keyto
Parra Problems
My word has this club hit rock bottom or what? Last week I briefly mentioned their woes but that was written before the Brett Finch stuff happened. I didn’t fully follow the Finch walkout/push or whatever because I was away but for mine this had to be the final straw for Parramatta. The Eels are a club that’s fallen from grace so dramatically.
In just 2001 they were declared one of the great teams but were ambushed by Newcastle in the Grand Final. Since then they have had two coaches walk out (Brian Smith, Michael Hagan), one move on (Jason Taylor) and are now seemingly a club few want to be at. They made just one signing in the off-season, Finch has walked out and the likes of Mark Riddell and Timana Tahu left the NRL altogether!
The Eels are a team with a poor attitude and it reflects through their games. They are the one team I just hate watching, whether for work or fun. I just can’t stand them and from my point of view it all stems from a rotten attitude and culture that’s crept into the club. They need to fix it but it won’t happen overnight, two to three years most likely. They probably won’t get it but Parramatta deserve the wooden spoon this year.
Tipping Nightmares
Hasn’t this been a nightmare so far! I’m right near the bottom of my own comp this year and not doing much better in the other ones I’m in. There appears to be no real form or rhythm to follow this year meaning a lot more guess work is involved. Normally there are two or three teams you can bank on winning/losing but after 5 weeks I can’t name any (well, the Eels maybe). My only advice is good luck and be very careful copying my tips!
Fantasy Fun
Is anyone else enjoying Fantasy Teams as much as I am this year? I played last year but often forgot about it and didn’t care much. This year is a different story; I’m in two comps (Fox Sports and Courier Mail), take great notice of the ins and outs for the weekend and am constantly looking to improve my team! I don’t expect to win but it is nice cheering on certain players in the name of Fantasy Football! I guess in the age of IPL cricket it’s not too surprising that franchise type games are beginning to take off.
TV Scheduling
As most of you know I live in Brisbane so therefore I have a different TV schedule to Sydney on Friday nights. I was under the impression that the double-Friday night game was to provide a different game live in each state; with one game involving a Queensland-based team. It annoys me this week that both the Broncos and Titans are on Friday night because it means I can’t really watch the Gold Coast go around, at least not live.
I don’t care if both games are held in Sydney and I don’t even care if it’s not ‘match of the round’ material...just please Channel 9 stick to the agreement and show the one Queensland game live here EVERY Friday night.
Origin Talk
Uumm, there’s a Test Match on soon right? All the talk last week was about the New South Wales halfback (Pearce v Wallace) and this week is on the Blues fullback and five-eighth (Stewart v Gidley v Anasta v Campese). I love Origin but the season has just started and there’s no point speculating and picking sides right now.
Of course the Queensland side pretty much picks itself but there was also debate over the weekend about Thurston v Prince. I just think we should be enjoying the club season first then in two weeks, just before the Test, we can turn all attention towards the rep season.
Tips this week: Brisbane, Titans, Dragons, Manly, Warriors, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Storm
Last week: 6/8 (Total: 22/38)
Winning percentage: 58%
Thanks for reading and I’ll catch you later. Please remember to send feedback and questions or anything at all to me!
See ya,
Keyto
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Why I Like the Panthers
As some readers would know (and I know you’re reading so please comment!) part of my job involves watching rugby league during the winter. On Saturday I sat down to cover the match between the Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers. In all honesty it wasn’t a match I was really looking forward to. I didn’t think the Panthers were much chop this year and while the Tigers are entertaining enough, with Brett Hodgson gone and Daine Lawrie absent there was no one in the side I really enjoy watching. I tipped the Tigers and needed the win, but even in the match preview I found myself cheering the Panthers.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the Panthers. I’m a fan of the coach, the captain is a Queensland legend and the young guys have talent. I just didn’t think they had enough in them creatively to get to the top eight…now I’m cheering them on every week!! They’re a team that will have you pulling your hair out but that’s what makes watching them so damn exciting! They’re in need of a halfback…Sammut seems a fullback to me and Lewis is a decent enough five-eighth or lock he isn’t a real creative genius.
BUT…they do have guys like Lachlan Coote, Wade Graham and Michael Jennings lurking around and these boys have talent. They’re far from superstars but boy they’re worth watching. Jennings especially screams danger down that left side. Each time he got the ball in any semblance of free space the word ‘TROUBLE’ went off like a siren in my head. New South Wales could use a bloke as dangerous as him but that’s their problem.
Coote showed his talent in the opening seconds of the game when he instigated an 80 metre break from the kick-off. The kid is elusive and skilful at the back and is probably a major reason for Rhys Wesser playing at Souths this year.
The other guy I rate is Graham…he looks a decent half or five-eighth but is still very green. Coach Elliott dropped him to start the season; something aimed at improvement rather than punishment, and has started him from the bench the next two weeks. I think Graham is a good 60 minute player right now but if he stays fit and plays well will be in the six jersey fulltime by seasons end.
Yeah the Panthers will give you the shits from time to time. They’ll drop their bundle and at times they might not even be able to buy a try. But my word they’ll entertain and give you something to watch. Plus they’re a good team to cheer on…they have no real enemies in the NRL world but they won’t back down. Plus they won’t quit and their coach is one of the two or three character coaches (Brian Smith is the other and Wayne Bennett to an extent) left in the game.
Get on the Panthers for the top eight!! Even if you don’t tip them every week just try and enjoy watching them…and don’t be afraid to cheer them just a little bit!
Now that I’ve mentioned tipping…DON’T even get me started on the state of my tipping this year! Abysmal is one term that comes to mind but there’s heaps of better judges worse off. I heard ‘Gus’ Gould on Triple M for Monday Night Football last night say he was sitting on 0 and had tipped the Cowboys! A big old duck for the great man we all love to hate.
I can’t believe this but if you want an upset this week…take the Eels over the Dragons. No team has won four in a row this year and on paper this should be the Dragons by 20plus. But it’s that sort of competition where Parramatta, who are probably the worst team I’ve seen in three or four years, could just pull this one off. I’m not tipping them though! NOTE – I wrote this before the Brett Finch stuff happened today!
Tips this week: Brisbane, Dragons, Melbourne, Canberra, Cowboys, Manly, Warriors, Bulldogs
Last week: 3/8 (Total: 16/32)
Winning percentage: 50%
That’s all from me this week, I’m off on holidays for Easter. Please feel free to drop me a comment at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com or at andrew.keyte@gmail.com .
Catch ya later,
Keyto
Don’t get me wrong, I like the Panthers. I’m a fan of the coach, the captain is a Queensland legend and the young guys have talent. I just didn’t think they had enough in them creatively to get to the top eight…now I’m cheering them on every week!! They’re a team that will have you pulling your hair out but that’s what makes watching them so damn exciting! They’re in need of a halfback…Sammut seems a fullback to me and Lewis is a decent enough five-eighth or lock he isn’t a real creative genius.
BUT…they do have guys like Lachlan Coote, Wade Graham and Michael Jennings lurking around and these boys have talent. They’re far from superstars but boy they’re worth watching. Jennings especially screams danger down that left side. Each time he got the ball in any semblance of free space the word ‘TROUBLE’ went off like a siren in my head. New South Wales could use a bloke as dangerous as him but that’s their problem.
Coote showed his talent in the opening seconds of the game when he instigated an 80 metre break from the kick-off. The kid is elusive and skilful at the back and is probably a major reason for Rhys Wesser playing at Souths this year.
The other guy I rate is Graham…he looks a decent half or five-eighth but is still very green. Coach Elliott dropped him to start the season; something aimed at improvement rather than punishment, and has started him from the bench the next two weeks. I think Graham is a good 60 minute player right now but if he stays fit and plays well will be in the six jersey fulltime by seasons end.
Yeah the Panthers will give you the shits from time to time. They’ll drop their bundle and at times they might not even be able to buy a try. But my word they’ll entertain and give you something to watch. Plus they’re a good team to cheer on…they have no real enemies in the NRL world but they won’t back down. Plus they won’t quit and their coach is one of the two or three character coaches (Brian Smith is the other and Wayne Bennett to an extent) left in the game.
Get on the Panthers for the top eight!! Even if you don’t tip them every week just try and enjoy watching them…and don’t be afraid to cheer them just a little bit!
Now that I’ve mentioned tipping…DON’T even get me started on the state of my tipping this year! Abysmal is one term that comes to mind but there’s heaps of better judges worse off. I heard ‘Gus’ Gould on Triple M for Monday Night Football last night say he was sitting on 0 and had tipped the Cowboys! A big old duck for the great man we all love to hate.
I can’t believe this but if you want an upset this week…take the Eels over the Dragons. No team has won four in a row this year and on paper this should be the Dragons by 20plus. But it’s that sort of competition where Parramatta, who are probably the worst team I’ve seen in three or four years, could just pull this one off. I’m not tipping them though! NOTE – I wrote this before the Brett Finch stuff happened today!
Tips this week: Brisbane, Dragons, Melbourne, Canberra, Cowboys, Manly, Warriors, Bulldogs
Last week: 3/8 (Total: 16/32)
Winning percentage: 50%
That’s all from me this week, I’m off on holidays for Easter. Please feel free to drop me a comment at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com or at andrew.keyte@gmail.com .
Catch ya later,
Keyto
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Rainy Days
Hello, so I was sitting down thinking about what to write today. Two referees has been covered and will be reviewed everywhere over the next few weeks, we have CEO’s at the Sharks and Bulldogs arguing, contract issues between the Bulldogs and Roosters, Bulldogs players fighting, Roosters players drinking, Todd Carney in the papers (again)...so plenty happening. But for me the big story this weekend was the return of Wayne Bennett to Suncorp Stadium tomorrow, until I looked out the window.
It is pouring rain and has been all day. I worked late last night and it was just starting to sprinkle at 1:30am when I went to bed. I woke up at 4:30am to shut my window because the wind picked up. Pounding wind and rain woke me up at 7:45am, I went back to sleep and pounding wind and rain was still going at 9:30am. I’ve been working on an assignment most of the day, it’s now nearly 5pm, and there’s STILL pounding wind and rain. We might be getting a wet, wet weekend of football in Brisbane.
We don’t get a lot of real wet weather football anymore. I mean sure, Round 1 saw a few soaked games in Sydney and so did Brookvale Oval the other night but I’m talking the REAL wet weather football. The sort of game where you can’t see the halfway line and the whole centre of the field is simply covered in mud from 50 pairs of boots chewing up the surface in the two games before hand. The games where a flying winger can snaffle a runaway intercept and dive on the ten metre line to slide the rest of the way into the in-goal area.
Those were the days...so much mud you couldn’t see the players numbers after the first five minutes. The days where you wait for that fresh reserve to run on only to see him get pummelled into the mud after 30 seconds. Minor flash floods occurring at the ends of some grounds...they were the days!
I remember around about the time of Super League; Leichardt Oval on a Saturday night. Conditions were below atrocious...they were shocking. There was mud everywhere, puddles in most players and it was pouring rain from start to finish. And there were fights in that game too. It made for some good, hard football and something brilliant to watch from the comfort of the lounge room. I remember the referee calling out the two captains after another fight. We didn’t get to quite hear what the ref’s point was because when he started with, “Look I know the weather’s f*cking sh*thouse but,” before the TV crew cut him off.
These days the grounds are so good that there’s not one in the NRL that will be underwater unless there was at least 3-4 days off solid non-stop rain. I spose that’s a good thing...well, is it? Just a couple of weekends a year it’d be nice to see the mud return and remind everyone at home about the times they’d pray for rain just so they go outside and slide around and play in the mud all in the name of football!
Working with cricket I can vouch for the fact it rains a lot at the Gabba when we don’t want it to! In fact Michael Kasprowicx reckons we should roll a pitch at Wivenhoe Dam and play a few games there to end the drought. Let’s just roll out a pitch and put it out near some of our NRL grounds just a few times in the year so we can get a good old fashioned wet weather game!
* Another thought...how will the two referees work within a wet weather game? Everyone agrees the game is faster now and that has a lot to do with the new system. But wet weather games are always a slugfest...will be interesting to see the effect of a lot of rain.
*Yes Wayne Bennett is returning to Brisbane this week and it has been talked about. But it hasn’t dominated news really. It did at the start of the week with Wendell Sailor in Monday’s paper talking about it but following that was just pretty standard match preview stuff. It is going to be good to see him around tomorrow night and I don’t think there’s any animosity out there. He might get a few boo’s when he’s on the big screen but I think they will all be in good fun...Wendell will get plenty too but we do love to see him play. Should be a great game tomorrow and no one should write off the Dragons especially if (as predicted), it’s a wet weather game.
Tips this week: Broncos, Roosters, Tigers, Melbourne, Warriors, Bulldogs, Manly, Canberra
Last Week: 3/8 (Total: 13/24)
Winning Percentage: 54%
I have absolutely no evidence to base it on but I have a feeling Scott Prince may return for the Titans this week. If he plays they are a real chance in Melbourne. The Bulldogs and Sharks game should also be interesting with a number of players against their former club.
As always feel free to contact me at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com or email me at andrew.keyte@gmail.com. My match reviews and Queensland Team articles along with heaps of good stuff from the other hard workers up at www.sportsaustralia.com too.
Enjoy the rain,
Keyto
It is pouring rain and has been all day. I worked late last night and it was just starting to sprinkle at 1:30am when I went to bed. I woke up at 4:30am to shut my window because the wind picked up. Pounding wind and rain woke me up at 7:45am, I went back to sleep and pounding wind and rain was still going at 9:30am. I’ve been working on an assignment most of the day, it’s now nearly 5pm, and there’s STILL pounding wind and rain. We might be getting a wet, wet weekend of football in Brisbane.
We don’t get a lot of real wet weather football anymore. I mean sure, Round 1 saw a few soaked games in Sydney and so did Brookvale Oval the other night but I’m talking the REAL wet weather football. The sort of game where you can’t see the halfway line and the whole centre of the field is simply covered in mud from 50 pairs of boots chewing up the surface in the two games before hand. The games where a flying winger can snaffle a runaway intercept and dive on the ten metre line to slide the rest of the way into the in-goal area.
Those were the days...so much mud you couldn’t see the players numbers after the first five minutes. The days where you wait for that fresh reserve to run on only to see him get pummelled into the mud after 30 seconds. Minor flash floods occurring at the ends of some grounds...they were the days!
I remember around about the time of Super League; Leichardt Oval on a Saturday night. Conditions were below atrocious...they were shocking. There was mud everywhere, puddles in most players and it was pouring rain from start to finish. And there were fights in that game too. It made for some good, hard football and something brilliant to watch from the comfort of the lounge room. I remember the referee calling out the two captains after another fight. We didn’t get to quite hear what the ref’s point was because when he started with, “Look I know the weather’s f*cking sh*thouse but,” before the TV crew cut him off.
These days the grounds are so good that there’s not one in the NRL that will be underwater unless there was at least 3-4 days off solid non-stop rain. I spose that’s a good thing...well, is it? Just a couple of weekends a year it’d be nice to see the mud return and remind everyone at home about the times they’d pray for rain just so they go outside and slide around and play in the mud all in the name of football!
Working with cricket I can vouch for the fact it rains a lot at the Gabba when we don’t want it to! In fact Michael Kasprowicx reckons we should roll a pitch at Wivenhoe Dam and play a few games there to end the drought. Let’s just roll out a pitch and put it out near some of our NRL grounds just a few times in the year so we can get a good old fashioned wet weather game!
* Another thought...how will the two referees work within a wet weather game? Everyone agrees the game is faster now and that has a lot to do with the new system. But wet weather games are always a slugfest...will be interesting to see the effect of a lot of rain.
*Yes Wayne Bennett is returning to Brisbane this week and it has been talked about. But it hasn’t dominated news really. It did at the start of the week with Wendell Sailor in Monday’s paper talking about it but following that was just pretty standard match preview stuff. It is going to be good to see him around tomorrow night and I don’t think there’s any animosity out there. He might get a few boo’s when he’s on the big screen but I think they will all be in good fun...Wendell will get plenty too but we do love to see him play. Should be a great game tomorrow and no one should write off the Dragons especially if (as predicted), it’s a wet weather game.
Tips this week: Broncos, Roosters, Tigers, Melbourne, Warriors, Bulldogs, Manly, Canberra
Last Week: 3/8 (Total: 13/24)
Winning Percentage: 54%
I have absolutely no evidence to base it on but I have a feeling Scott Prince may return for the Titans this week. If he plays they are a real chance in Melbourne. The Bulldogs and Sharks game should also be interesting with a number of players against their former club.
As always feel free to contact me at http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com or email me at andrew.keyte@gmail.com. My match reviews and Queensland Team articles along with heaps of good stuff from the other hard workers up at www.sportsaustralia.com too.
Enjoy the rain,
Keyto
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