SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Bryce Cartwright and Peter Wallace of the Panthers looks dejected after defeat during the round 11 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Gold Coast Titans at Pepper Stadium on May 22, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
26. People who claim Queensland’s success at Origin level has come mainly due to loyalty infuriate me. It’s easy to pick and stick when your spine contains the likes of Slater, Cronk, Thurston and Smith. QLD pick and stick due to success. NSW sticking with a losing side is akin to banging ones head on the table over and over. The argument is ludicrous. They’re loyal due to success, not the other way around.
27. I’m not sure reducing the number of interchanges has that big of an affect. Forwards are now fitter and capable of playing bigger minutes. There are still many teams carrying utilities on the bench, which was expected to reduce as teams named four forwards to counter the reduced interchange,
28. Unless the Warriors win eight of their next ten games, Andrew McFadden’s coaching reign will be over. Trent Barrett and Jason Taylor may join him if results don’t pick up. My money is still on McFadden as first coach let go.
29. The Eels can look to the Storm for motivation in the wake of their salary cap dramas. The Storm were expected to be torn apart after their second set of books were uncovered. The only horror season the Storm suffered was the year they were unable to play for points. They’ve been fine since.
30. I’m pretty sure I said this last year, and unless it changes I’ll say it again next year, but NRL jerseys are ridiculously expensive. It’s cheaper to buy a Premier League jersey and have it shipped internationally than it is to buy an NRL jersey on game day.
PART 1: 50 Random NRL Thoughts
31. I have no idea how The Footy Show remains on television. It jumped the Shark over a decade ago. Fox Sports NRL themed shows are miles ahead.
32. Todd Greenberg was quick to threaten life bans for those caught match fixing. Why not a similar stance for those convicted of violent crimes?
33. The Tigers young players have a long way to go to justify the hype and the trust the club have put into them. Brooks and Moses, after signing contract extensions, need to reward the Tigers and their fans by leading them to finals footy in 2017.
34. Prior to the season I copped massive flack for suggesting Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward were not able to lead the Panthers to glory in the halves. Even Anthony Griffin agrees.
35. I’m sorry to say Warriors fans, but I’m happy that they can’t find consistency. Heaven help the NRL if they ever find a way to replicate their top form week in and week out.
36. I’m a fan of Thursday Night and Monday Night football, the more nights there is footy the better, but imagine the crowds if there was an extra afternoon game each weekend.
37. If a player feels the need to come out and declare they’re available and ready for Origin, they’re probably not. Real Origin-ready players show it on the field.
38. The NRL probably got the Mitchell Pearce suspension right. His performances on and his efforts off the field have been very positive since. Perhaps slaps on the wrist penalties don’t work after all. Six weeks on the sideline is a fair wake up call.
39. I understand why the NRL schedules games so far ahead, but this week the Sharks/Cowboys clash will be played on Monday Night, while the Tigers occupy a Friday Night time slot. Let that sink in.
40. Despite their supposed history on the field, I hate seeing any player’s injury be ‘celebrated’ on social media. I’d love to see those players you love to hate smashed in a big tackle, or bomb a try as much as the next fan, but injury messed with their livelihood.
41. As much as social media like to pretend they wouldn’t, both Sonny Bill Williams and Jarryd Hayne would walk into almost any side in the NRL. That being said, I still never want to see that ridiculous ‘marquee player allowance’ used. Donate it to charity or invest it in bush footy.
42. I wish Fox Sports would broadcast more of the NYC competition. Watching the likes of Val Holmes, Tommy Turbo and co run around prior to their NRL debuts made their top grade call ups even more fun.
43. I love the way Henry Perenara signals ‘try’ when he sends a decision up to the video referee. Intense.
44. If I were naming my favourite 13, it’d be:
Looks a lot like my fantasy UL team!
45. Despite moves to quicken the ruck area, there is still too much wrestling and slowing down. It’s going to take a referee blowing 20 penalties a game for it to stop. No one wants to see that. Wrestling is, unfortunately, here to stay.
46. Anyone notice how penalty counts are very rarely one sided? Perhaps it has something to do with the coaches blasting referees literally every time this occurs?
47. Is it just me or does it seem like Brenko Lee has been the ‘next big superstar in the capital’ for almost a decade? Feels like it.
48. I’d like to see more coaches coaching from the sidelines. No real reason, it’s just fun. Anyone who sees the EPL managers running down the sideline in celebration will likely agree.
49. The NRL’s decision to stop buying back NRL grand final tickets for fans of teams that don’t make the decider is horrible. Fans of teams knocked out late last season had to rely on ebay and gumtree. Meanwhile fans of the Cowboys and Broncos missed out. Who does that advantage? I’m probably going to purchase tickets as it’s an experience, but it’s not that easy for interstate fans. Considering three out of the top four sides are not in NSW, it’s a strange policy.
50. Given that kicking games are so important in this day and age, I cannot believe the amount of NRL halves or number nines that can’t kick both long and short. I understand the role of a running half, but if you can’t control the game from the boot, you’re really up against it.
Bonus Thought: I love the free play idea that is part of the game in the Nines and the Super League. You see some crazy plays following mistakes. I’d love to see it introduced into the NRL, or at least the NSW Cup.
PART 1: 50 Random NRL Thoughts