Picks of the Week

Even though George should be running this given some of his recent tips- here are three specials for this weeks NRL sked-
Manly (-2.5) over PENRITH Sure Penrith beat the Tigers, but without Lewis and Jennings they won't beat a rounding-into-form Manly.
Newcastle ($2.30) over WARRIORS- If NZ can lose to Cronulla, they can lose to anyone
Melbourne (-12.5) over SOUTHS- Souths have resumed sucking, while Melbourne have resumed dominating.
Over to the GAMBLORS.....

NRL game called off?

I have heard a rumour that if K Hunt is quarantined, as expected, with the swine flu that the whole Broncos side may be also quarantined for up to 72 hours meaning they wouldn't be able to play this Friday night against the Dogs. What is the fair course of action here? Does the NRL call this game a draw and award each side 1 point? I would be in favour of a Wednesday night game as a catch up like the old Panasonic and Amco Cup days. Thoughts?

Stood Down! For this...

This is management and team discipline gone made…

let me get this right. He is a unmarried bloke and he takes a girl back to his hotel room for a shag.

And he gets stood down…..

If you have ever met Joel…. There is no way he is proficient enough in the English language to write the statement….


“I invited a young lady, who I'd been communicating with for a month or so beforehand, to my room at our team hotel and we spent some time together alone,'' Clinton said in a statement.

“By inviting the lady to my room, I clearly breached the club's strict policy, which is well-known to me and all the players. “At a time when the game is battling off-field controversies, this was a particularly foolish decision.

Beyond a Joke

These refs are kidding.
The try awarded to Farah before half time in the Friday night defies common sense.
Anyone watching the game would've thought that Marshall was tackled. Why does it matter whether his arm hit the ground or not, his momentum was stopped and his whole body except one arm were on the ground, and he was wrapped up by the defender. If thats not a pass off the ground I'm Andrew Johns.
How does that not constitute a tackle? Common sense has completely left the area of rugby league officiating. The whole replay system is a farce- watching 18 replays to make a decision is ridiculous.
The system should be changed to be more like the NFL system- make the ref on the ground make a call, and if there is doubt, the replay official has 90 seconds and/or 5 replays to find irrefutable evidence to overturn the decision on the field. No coaching challenges like in the NFL, but the refs should be making the decision and then unless it was a blatant mistake visible in a couple of replays, the call stands.
The current system is reaping too many nonsense calls and must be changed immediately.

AFL Drug Policy

For those who did not watch last nights NRL Footy Show, Jason Akermanis was one of the guests and he discussed the three strike AFL drug policy. I personally think this policy is excellent. The theory behind it is that the first strike is designed for the younger players who go back home and get blotto and make bad out of character decisions like taking cocaine. They get their warning and thats it. If that same person does it for a second time and is caught then there is a problem and they go into counselling and rehab. If they do it a third time then see you later, your a drugo try and get a run for the Roosters in the NRL.

"The AFL says it will expand its illicit drug testing regime even further in 2009, after 10 players failed tests last year.
Of the 10, two players failed two tests each, putting them among a list of seven players with two strikes. Under the AFL's three strike drug policy, players who fail three tests within four years will be named and face an 18 game ban and a $5,000 fine".

It is obvious that recreational drugs are used by players of all sports in Australia and its funny that the NRL has been tainted by having a couple of players get done in the last few years and receive long bans where there have been 10 players in the AFL in the AFL tests positive in the last 12 months and it appears as though they haven't even missed a game.

As long as the drug isn't performance enhancing then I think the AFL is on the money. People make mistakes and shouldn't have the book thrown at them. If they do it again then take action. Opinions on the policy ? Should the NRL take the same steps ?

Andrew Symonds

"All-rounder Andrew Symonds is being sent home from the World Twenty20 cricket tournament in England for breaking a number of team rules related to alcohol and other issues".

Can we just let the guy have a beer or what ?? Opinions ?

Origin 1 wrap up

I thought it was a fairly boring origin compared to its usually high standards. NSW and Queensland both played below par and there were very few big hits or any biff. NSW didn't deserve to even be in the match. The scoreline was flattering. Inglis was excellent and Thurston played well as usual but no one else from QLD really stood out from my point of view. 

For NSW Hayne, Wing and Lewis gave everything they had and are the probably the only blues that can hold their heads high. The impact of Wing off the bench was excellent, he turned the match straight away. Lewis tested the maroons line a few times and made some good defensive decisions. Hayne was excellent and needs to be involved more. I think he needs to be the fullback for game 2.

Changes ???

I don't think NSW will make many changes but I really hope they make a couple. Hayne to fullback and Gidley to either 5/8 or hooker. If we move Gidley to hooker then we can bring in Mullen at 6 and drop Campese. Campese really struggled to make any impact and looked out of sorts. Mullen is in form and has been there before. Laffranchi also played very average and you would expect that Stewart will come in for him. Mcmanus struggled too and we need Monaghan's size and strength in there to slow down Inglis on the right hand side.

One positive the on field refs actually went ok. Shame about the video ref call. In the end it probably didn't matter anyway. 

 What are your thoughts and suggestions ?