Glenn Stewart out, Beau Scott in and Trent Merrin cut from the squad. Tony Williams is back on the bench. Brett Morris in and Aku Uate dropped. Billy Slater out, Dave Taylor out, Dane Nielson to the centres and GI to Fullback. Ben Te'o moves onto the bench to make his debut. Ash Harrison out and Corey Parker back into the side.
I expected some minor changes for both sides due to injury but not due to form. So much for loyalty, that goes for both sides. Dave Taylor is a classic example. Queensland would tell you how 'loyal' they are and stick with him despite his below average game in Sydney. They are feeling the pressure, believe me when I say that.
I can't work out the decision to drop Trent Merrin. 2 years in a row he has been good enough for the first two games of the series and suddenly dropped for the decider. While he hasn't been brilliant, Ricky Stuart has not been let down by him. He has been a mile better than his team mates Ben Creagh and Beau Scott at club level so he should feel a bit jaded.
All of my cynicism aside, I simply cannot wait for these two sides to get in on. It took a perfect 40 minutes from the Maroons last year to defeat the Blues. I don't think it will happen again. If the Blues weather the storm in the early exchanges they have the speed out wide and the impact off the bench to get the job done.
Tony Williams with a 30 minute burst in the back end of each halves will be a nightmare for QLD based on what we saw against the Roosters. Big plus for the side.
Everyone is talking up the Blues and they have looked the goods this series. QLD won't have a bar of that. They will lift at 'Lang Park' and if the Blues win, they will deserve it.
If NSW hesitate, they lose. If they think twice, QLD will make them pay.
REMEMBER: THERE IS NO FINISH LINE IN ORIGIN !
ORIGIN IS A SCARY PLACE TO BE ! The stakes can't get any higher than this. It is a scary arena to play on but they are buoyed by the challenge. The challenge to be State of Origin Champions will drive these men to come up with efforts they didn't even realise they were capable of. It's a case of high risk = high reward.
BATTLES ARE WON IN THE HEARTS OF MEN ! Everyone knows Rugby League is a tough game, the 34 men taking part in the game on Wednesday know it better then anyone. Individual brilliance won't get NSW or QLD home, picking your mate up off the deck and pushing forward to the next tackle, taking that courage run to get your side out of trouble will get the job done. 1%'ers will decide interstate supremacy.
NSW will win the series.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Around The Grounds.
The return to WIN Stadium on Friday night was another good experience. I got there early so i could get down to ground level and get a really good look at the new grandstand. WIN Stadium is one of the most pictureesque grounds in the NRL. It was a place growing up that I always wanted to play at. Being located right on the beach in the heart of Wollongong says it all. Would love to see the Steelers become a stand alone team once more but I won't hold my breath.
Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval. Just a fantastic place to watch the Tigers go round. Arriving early, the anticipation from the locals is unreal. They are lined up at the gates nice and early to secure the best spot on the hill. Home owners in the surrounding streets fire up the BBQ and earn some money selling a few sausage sanga's to the fans on the way to the ground. Grandstand on one side, hill on the other with a bar and food kiosk. Thats what a footy ground should be (take note teams who play at ANZ). Meeting Tigers legend Ellery Hanley was another great experience. A really nice bloke who just loves his Rugby League.
It turned into being a very emotional day. The Grand Final loss in '89 every Balmain boy cried when Canberra stole the Premiership from the Tigers. Robbie Farah's Mother Sonia passed away just hours before kick off and believe me, it rocked the team and you could see it during the moment of silence. Benji Marshall was shedding tears during the moment of silence before kick off. Beau Ryan spoke pre-game to the team about pulling together to support Farah through such a difficult time. Any rumors about a rift between the players earlier in the year is way off the mark, you only had to watch the game today and listen to the press conferences post match to realise the bond between this group of men.
I am really starting to warm to the Bulldogs as a genuine threat to win the Premiership. The style of game Des Hasler has implemented is a testament to how good he is as a football coach. With big game experience as a coach, expect Canterbury to be there at the pointy end when the whips are cracking.
Brisbane need to get past Origin and we will get an accurate gauge on their form. If they produce close to their best in September, they are a hard side to contain.
It will be interesting to see how Melbourne cope without Billy Slater. Gareth Widdop is a very good fullback in his own right but how will this effect the overall balance of the team? A big chance for chasing teams to get into minor premiership contention.
Souths are going along nicely. Will get some big games back in a month or so and they can build for September football from there. Greg Inglis will have an enormous say in how far this team goes.
Cronulla have the mental toughness that every coach wants from their side. No Gallen yesterday and they were still able to fight back against the Warriors and come away with the two points. Not 100% convinced they can genuinely challenge for their maiden premiership but they will be a really tough side to beat.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Origin 2
Its on again and we keep hearing about seven straight series being on the line. Sydney will host Game 2 and if you thought Game 1 was good, business is about to pick up.
Tim who? some of you are saying. He is a big bloke from the foot of the mountains and his job will be easy. Run hard and tackle his guts out. He doesn't need to do any thing fancy, leave that to the other blokes.
Paul Gallen back at lock and Luke Lewis back to the bench with Watmough there for this game is a big plus. There is more starch and impact coming from the interchange. This was an area that was lacking in Game 1 and with the performances of James Tamou and debutante Tim Grant in recent weeks it has allowed Ricky Stuart to tinker with the balance of his football side. Its still a very dangerous football side at the end of the day.
Watmough is the big plus for the Blues. He is taylor-made for the style of play Stuart is trying to get his side to play. Fast footwork at the line, good leg drive and physicality. Don't be fooled by the number 11 jersey he wears for the Sea-Eagles each week, he is as fast as most centres in the competition. Watch Game 3 of 2009 and you will see the devastating entity that is 'Choc Watmough'
I still need to see something from Ben Creagh for his selection to be justified. He is a good club footballer but coming into his tenth Origin game he hasn't really left me thinking that he had a really good game. Solid in all of his games without being spectacular would be a good way to sum up his Origin career. Back pedalling from Justin Hodges a few years back has left him with a reputation that he is soft.
Im glad that injury has been the only real reason for change in the side. Wholesale change wasn't necessary and Buhrer's selection wasn't needed this time round due to Farah being capable of playing 80 minutes. That saves up 2 interchanges to keep the forwards fresh and that enhances the quality that they will be able to produce. If Farah does need a spell Luke Lewis or Greg Bird can come in and pass the ball from dummy half.
Going to be a great game and I can't wait for it. Im sure you are all thinking the same so UP THE BLUES!!!
Tim who? some of you are saying. He is a big bloke from the foot of the mountains and his job will be easy. Run hard and tackle his guts out. He doesn't need to do any thing fancy, leave that to the other blokes.
Paul Gallen back at lock and Luke Lewis back to the bench with Watmough there for this game is a big plus. There is more starch and impact coming from the interchange. This was an area that was lacking in Game 1 and with the performances of James Tamou and debutante Tim Grant in recent weeks it has allowed Ricky Stuart to tinker with the balance of his football side. Its still a very dangerous football side at the end of the day.
Watmough is the big plus for the Blues. He is taylor-made for the style of play Stuart is trying to get his side to play. Fast footwork at the line, good leg drive and physicality. Don't be fooled by the number 11 jersey he wears for the Sea-Eagles each week, he is as fast as most centres in the competition. Watch Game 3 of 2009 and you will see the devastating entity that is 'Choc Watmough'
I still need to see something from Ben Creagh for his selection to be justified. He is a good club footballer but coming into his tenth Origin game he hasn't really left me thinking that he had a really good game. Solid in all of his games without being spectacular would be a good way to sum up his Origin career. Back pedalling from Justin Hodges a few years back has left him with a reputation that he is soft.
Im glad that injury has been the only real reason for change in the side. Wholesale change wasn't necessary and Buhrer's selection wasn't needed this time round due to Farah being capable of playing 80 minutes. That saves up 2 interchanges to keep the forwards fresh and that enhances the quality that they will be able to produce. If Farah does need a spell Luke Lewis or Greg Bird can come in and pass the ball from dummy half.
Going to be a great game and I can't wait for it. Im sure you are all thinking the same so UP THE BLUES!!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Referee's And Rule Changes
So every fan south of the Tweed is livid right now? I'm no different. The ten metre rule was average at best, Queensland's markers got away with murder, the Greg Bird tackle and of course the Inglis try.
Under the new rule which very few League fans know about, if a defender (in this case Robbie Farah) plays at the ball and knocks it loose its a free ball, six again if the attacking team regains possession. Greg Inglis has every right to do what he did. Had Robbie Farah hit the arm and Inglis lost it, no try.
If thats the rule then fair enough, they made the right call.
The problem I have with this is that the NRL rewards mediocrity. The separation rule for tries is also atrocious. The biggest grey area in the game is stripping the ball from a ball carrier and the ball carrier having bad hands.
Players drop the ball on purpose if they feel as though there is a hand on it to try and get a penalty. Thats not in the spirit of the game. More emphasis should be put on the ball carrier. Unless there is a blatant strip then it should be a knock on. As a young player you are taught to treat the ball like gold, now the ball gets treated like a piece of garbage.
In the 2010 Grand Final there was an incident where BJ Leilua in the process of scoring a try had the ball knocked out by Jamie Sowards knee's. Braith Anasta grounded the ball and the try was awarded. Why should a dropped ball be rewarded with a possible 6 points. Mediocrity rewarded.
Comedian Jimeoin talks about AFL and how kicking a behind is a case of "I can see what your trying to do so I will give you a point for that". Same happens now in Rugby League.
The Separation rule for scoring a try is just as ridiculous, as well as benefit of the doubt. Some of the tries given to the likes of Ben Barba for those efforts where they 'bounce' the ball rather that ground it are ridiculous. Your torso and head falling on the ball over the line can be deemed sufficient enough for a 'benefit of the doubt' try. Its just wrong.
Also, if I was to go up to a girl at a pub and say "I'm going to take you home tonight" and she replied "I very much doubt that" there is a massive chance to say I would be back home several hours later by myself. So why should the referee's think that maybe is good enough? Are they living in hope themselves? Unless they can definitively say its a try, it shouldn't be rewarded. What if a Grand Final is decided by a benefit of the doubt try? Its a scary thought!
Other than my gripes about those rules, the gap between NSW and QLD is nothing. NSW are just as good as them now, we don't fear them like we did 2 or 3 years ago. What is now needed is the little bit of class that gets them over the line for a try. The tide is turning. Ricky Stuart was well within his rights to be fined $50, 000 for bagging the referee's but he see's the bigger picture. If he controls whats in his control then the Blues are an enormous chance to still win the series. A lot of class showed from Stuart in that sense.
Under the new rule which very few League fans know about, if a defender (in this case Robbie Farah) plays at the ball and knocks it loose its a free ball, six again if the attacking team regains possession. Greg Inglis has every right to do what he did. Had Robbie Farah hit the arm and Inglis lost it, no try.
If thats the rule then fair enough, they made the right call.
The problem I have with this is that the NRL rewards mediocrity. The separation rule for tries is also atrocious. The biggest grey area in the game is stripping the ball from a ball carrier and the ball carrier having bad hands.
Players drop the ball on purpose if they feel as though there is a hand on it to try and get a penalty. Thats not in the spirit of the game. More emphasis should be put on the ball carrier. Unless there is a blatant strip then it should be a knock on. As a young player you are taught to treat the ball like gold, now the ball gets treated like a piece of garbage.
In the 2010 Grand Final there was an incident where BJ Leilua in the process of scoring a try had the ball knocked out by Jamie Sowards knee's. Braith Anasta grounded the ball and the try was awarded. Why should a dropped ball be rewarded with a possible 6 points. Mediocrity rewarded.
Comedian Jimeoin talks about AFL and how kicking a behind is a case of "I can see what your trying to do so I will give you a point for that". Same happens now in Rugby League.
The Separation rule for scoring a try is just as ridiculous, as well as benefit of the doubt. Some of the tries given to the likes of Ben Barba for those efforts where they 'bounce' the ball rather that ground it are ridiculous. Your torso and head falling on the ball over the line can be deemed sufficient enough for a 'benefit of the doubt' try. Its just wrong.
Also, if I was to go up to a girl at a pub and say "I'm going to take you home tonight" and she replied "I very much doubt that" there is a massive chance to say I would be back home several hours later by myself. So why should the referee's think that maybe is good enough? Are they living in hope themselves? Unless they can definitively say its a try, it shouldn't be rewarded. What if a Grand Final is decided by a benefit of the doubt try? Its a scary thought!
Other than my gripes about those rules, the gap between NSW and QLD is nothing. NSW are just as good as them now, we don't fear them like we did 2 or 3 years ago. What is now needed is the little bit of class that gets them over the line for a try. The tide is turning. Ricky Stuart was well within his rights to be fined $50, 000 for bagging the referee's but he see's the bigger picture. If he controls whats in his control then the Blues are an enormous chance to still win the series. A lot of class showed from Stuart in that sense.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Origin 1
If ever there has been a rivalry in this country that has transcended a sport from an amateur game to a nationwide phenomenon its State Of Origin. Even the great Ray Warren said it wouldn't work.
32 years later its down right frightening to see the beast it has become. There's just nothing that comes close to it in this country.
Queensland dominated the 80's losing only 2 series. New South Wales between 1992-2005 won 9 series with 2 drawn. Queensland only won 2 series outright in 13 years. Since 2006 we all know the story. It goes in swings and roundabouts and Queensland's run will come to an end.
Ask anyone who has played Origin and they say the speed of the game is just incredible. Seemed the smart thing for Ricky Stuart to do was pick a side that is faster than the Maroons. Paul Gallen watching on from the sidelines says he can't believe how quick they are as a team. Good signs for the Blues. They must play with speed. Dominating the ruck is crucial. Punching through the middle third, all hands on deck and off we go.
When Todd Carney drifts across field tonight he must have options. Coming back under him, punching through holes for him. An all out assault is needed to take town the men in Maroon.
Im not worried about the Cane Toads targeting Mitchell Pearce in defence. They tried last year and he belted anything that came near him. Carney must do the same. Pearce should now feel comfortable in this arena. Tonight he plays game number 7.
Jarryd Hayne plays game 14 tonight for the Blues, he has never won a series. If Hayne tucks the ball under his wing on the kick returns good things will happen. If he comes in field and sniffs around for a half chance good things will happen.
Debutant James Tamou holds a big key. His opening spell he needs to make big metres and really make a dent in the Maroons defence. His defence will take care of itself. A big shoulder or two would be handy as well.
Origin is a scary place to be. Scarier if your on the losing side. This generation of Blues only knows losing. Queensland are just a footy side and last year they showed glimpses that the machine is starting to break down. The Blues are close.
If you aren't fired up now and if your not fired up after Phil Gould's last word, there is just no pleasing you. UP THE BLUES !!!
32 years later its down right frightening to see the beast it has become. There's just nothing that comes close to it in this country.
Queensland dominated the 80's losing only 2 series. New South Wales between 1992-2005 won 9 series with 2 drawn. Queensland only won 2 series outright in 13 years. Since 2006 we all know the story. It goes in swings and roundabouts and Queensland's run will come to an end.
Ask anyone who has played Origin and they say the speed of the game is just incredible. Seemed the smart thing for Ricky Stuart to do was pick a side that is faster than the Maroons. Paul Gallen watching on from the sidelines says he can't believe how quick they are as a team. Good signs for the Blues. They must play with speed. Dominating the ruck is crucial. Punching through the middle third, all hands on deck and off we go.
When Todd Carney drifts across field tonight he must have options. Coming back under him, punching through holes for him. An all out assault is needed to take town the men in Maroon.
Im not worried about the Cane Toads targeting Mitchell Pearce in defence. They tried last year and he belted anything that came near him. Carney must do the same. Pearce should now feel comfortable in this arena. Tonight he plays game number 7.
Jarryd Hayne plays game 14 tonight for the Blues, he has never won a series. If Hayne tucks the ball under his wing on the kick returns good things will happen. If he comes in field and sniffs around for a half chance good things will happen.
Debutant James Tamou holds a big key. His opening spell he needs to make big metres and really make a dent in the Maroons defence. His defence will take care of itself. A big shoulder or two would be handy as well.
Origin is a scary place to be. Scarier if your on the losing side. This generation of Blues only knows losing. Queensland are just a footy side and last year they showed glimpses that the machine is starting to break down. The Blues are close.
If you aren't fired up now and if your not fired up after Phil Gould's last word, there is just no pleasing you. UP THE BLUES !!!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Origin 1 and why the Blues will win.
Queensland are the best modern day Rugby League side ever assembled! How do you prepare for a game that is seen as unwinnable?
Before all the thoughts of Queensland invincibility run through our heads we need to remember one thing. They are human. They brush their teeth in the morning (at least I hope so), they put their pants on one leg at a time. While Queensland resemble a well oiled machine they aren't one. Just 17 blokes. One football team. I remember being told in High School before the team played an unwinnable game against Matraville Sports High that 'they weren't that good'. It worked, one of the greatest upsets you could ever imagine. So great in fact that people I tell in Sydney don't believe.
And there is a key word right there. BELIEVE!!!
New South Wales must believe and I feel as though they do. I have been watching a lot of old Origin matches and highlights lately on youtube. Some of them great moments for the Blues, others that meant more for the banana benders north of the Tweed. 2009 and 2010 are years that NSW didn't believe in their ability and they got hammered. 2007 they actually outscored the Maroons but lost at the big moments. 2008 the Blues were beaten by one moment of Johnathon Thurston brilliance late in game 3. 2011 took the greatest half of attacking football ever seen in Origin to put the blues away. 2011 gave great optimism for Blues fans. In reality the series should have been over after game 2.
Of all the matches I watched the games where Ricky Stuart has been coach in '05 and last year have dominated my viewing time. What gives me great belief that this will be the year we get the trophy back is the character that all Ricky Stuart coached sides have. We saw it last year, a much greater resolve that previous years. Game 3 2005 is a perfect example of what Ricky Stuart is capable of in terms of getting maximum performance out of players. Queensland spent the first 20 minutes of that match attacking the NSW line. The defence refused to buckle, set upon set the Cane Toads were denied. They make one error and NSW go straight up the other end and counter punch. They win that match and the series by a big margin.
Games 1 and 2 in 2011 had exactly the same thing. I remember watching game one and saying to myself that I hadn't seen a gutsier effort in defence. The Blues hit the front in a matter of minutes after. The exact same thing happened in game 2 and the Blues came out the other side in the second half to give a performance that many people will talk about for years to come.
2012 we are lead once more by the freight train that is Paul Gallen. Great strike power out wide with some classy light weight forwards in the middle designed to run the behemoth Queensland pack ragged. Enigma's such as Jennings and Hayne have struggled at club level but are proven Origin performers. They love it when the lights are on bright.
In the Daily Telegraph this morning I heard Ricky Stuart quoted as saying back in January that "losing isn't an option, we must win".
The line in the sand has been drawn and the time is now. WE MUST BELIEVE.
Go the Blues!!!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
NSW Origin Side
Well its come and gone with every man and his dog having a say. The Blues team has been announced and to say a few curveballs were thrown on the selection table would be appropriate. Buhrer? To say he is a massive bolter is an understatement. Ryan Hinchcliffe should consider himself unlucky. Really unlucky.
The rest of the side was probably as expected. Ben Creagh was probably another smoky considering Tariq Sims was considered a certainty. Hasn't ever really excelled at Origin level and the whole running away from Justin Hodges incident is hard to forget but he is a hard worker and will play important minutes from the bench.
1. Brett Stewart - Hard to leave out, back to his best and can score tries from all over the park. Great defender from the back. Selects himself.
2. Jarryd Hayne - Playing in a shit Eels side at the moment and not in top form himself, but apart from his magical run from 2009 when has he ever really been 'in form'. Always plays well in Origin, just youtube his Origin performances and you will see why they persist with him.
3. Michael Jennings - So he played reserve grade yesterday. Big deal. Was in a similar situation last year and played a blinder in origin one. Ricky Stuart will get the best from Jennings.
4. Josh Morris - Super strong, super fast, form centre this year south of the border. Picks himself.
5. Akuila Uate - Best winger in the game. Say no more.
6. Todd Carney - In blistering form and is untouchable on his day. Plays at a different speed to most other 5/8's.
7. Mitchell Pearce - Back to his best in the last 4 weeks. Defended like a man possessed last year and he is as tough as a $2 steak.
8. Paul Gallen (C) - Needs no introduction.
9. Robbie Farah - Outplayed Michael Ennis this year and deserves his spot.
10. James Tamou - Massive improver this year and is getting better each week. In big games you pick big men. He is as big as they come.
11. Luke Lewis - Picks himself, plays like a champion each week.
12. Glenn Stewart - Another champion player. Will add a lot in attack down the right edge. Dominates for Manly on that side of the field.
13. Greg Bird - Plays his best game every chance he gets at Origin. Phil Gould talks about an 'origin player' and he fits that mould to the bone.
14. Jamie Buhrer - Very, very dicey selection. A dud selection in my opinion. Hopefully he proves us wrong.
15. Ben Creagh - Been rewarded through loyalty by the coach. All the hype was with Tariq Sims but Creagh won't let the Blues down.
16. Trent Merrin - Been tremendous for the Dragons from the bench this year. Punches out big numbers week in and week out. He will have benefitted from the Origin experience last year.
17. Tony Williams - No more destructive ball runner in the game. A real X Factor coming from the bench. So he hasn't played in 9 weeks, the Blues need him and he will be fresh as a daisy.
So there is the team and my opinions on the selections. Leave your thoughts. Love to hear them.
The rest of the side was probably as expected. Ben Creagh was probably another smoky considering Tariq Sims was considered a certainty. Hasn't ever really excelled at Origin level and the whole running away from Justin Hodges incident is hard to forget but he is a hard worker and will play important minutes from the bench.
1. Brett Stewart - Hard to leave out, back to his best and can score tries from all over the park. Great defender from the back. Selects himself.
2. Jarryd Hayne - Playing in a shit Eels side at the moment and not in top form himself, but apart from his magical run from 2009 when has he ever really been 'in form'. Always plays well in Origin, just youtube his Origin performances and you will see why they persist with him.
3. Michael Jennings - So he played reserve grade yesterday. Big deal. Was in a similar situation last year and played a blinder in origin one. Ricky Stuart will get the best from Jennings.
4. Josh Morris - Super strong, super fast, form centre this year south of the border. Picks himself.
5. Akuila Uate - Best winger in the game. Say no more.
6. Todd Carney - In blistering form and is untouchable on his day. Plays at a different speed to most other 5/8's.
7. Mitchell Pearce - Back to his best in the last 4 weeks. Defended like a man possessed last year and he is as tough as a $2 steak.
8. Paul Gallen (C) - Needs no introduction.
9. Robbie Farah - Outplayed Michael Ennis this year and deserves his spot.
10. James Tamou - Massive improver this year and is getting better each week. In big games you pick big men. He is as big as they come.
11. Luke Lewis - Picks himself, plays like a champion each week.
12. Glenn Stewart - Another champion player. Will add a lot in attack down the right edge. Dominates for Manly on that side of the field.
13. Greg Bird - Plays his best game every chance he gets at Origin. Phil Gould talks about an 'origin player' and he fits that mould to the bone.
14. Jamie Buhrer - Very, very dicey selection. A dud selection in my opinion. Hopefully he proves us wrong.
15. Ben Creagh - Been rewarded through loyalty by the coach. All the hype was with Tariq Sims but Creagh won't let the Blues down.
16. Trent Merrin - Been tremendous for the Dragons from the bench this year. Punches out big numbers week in and week out. He will have benefitted from the Origin experience last year.
17. Tony Williams - No more destructive ball runner in the game. A real X Factor coming from the bench. So he hasn't played in 9 weeks, the Blues need him and he will be fresh as a daisy.
So there is the team and my opinions on the selections. Leave your thoughts. Love to hear them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)