***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[Craig]

Played some Queensland Cup footy a before he got going in the first grade. So I thought maybe he was Queenslander. Thought I read one of reasons why he initally signed for Gold Coast was for the same reason, be close to family or something. Must have been just at the Queensland feeder side for Melbourne.

Brisbane Norths. Even Ryan Hoffman played for Queensland in some junior SOO game they use as a curtain raiser on the basis he had played for Norths for a fair bit of the 2003 season. Must of been the QLD Residents thing IIRC.

 

[James90]

Ah that makes sense seeing as Norths are the feeder team for Melbourne. I was also under the impression that Turner was a Queenslander, don't know why though.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I just have a problem with rules like that in the first place.

If they did, they should have said something about it. There's no point accepting the rules as they stand and then having a whinge about it when you break them.

 

[Johnners]

The fact of the matters is that there is more average first graders that have no chance of playing SOO playing in City-Country then experienced players who orgin careers are over or they now what they are capable of already. There is no need to see what they have at slightly higher level then first grade.

The biggest problem with City-County is the fact that the standard of game isn't much higher then your average NRL game, if at all. Semi are of a far greater standard. Your not going to improve this problem if you rest experienced players or all the guys that are 100% sure of start. It just going to make the game less meaningful.

There is already lots of talk about the fact that this match means nothing due to high level of pull outs and the fact that half the guys that play are no chance of playing Orgin, regardless of whether they are experienced players or just a decent first grader starting to make his mark.

The game would actually mean something, if the sides were at full strength. The more players you keep taking out, the worse the contest is and the less meaning it has. Its about getting the match to a standard where it is better then your average NRL game. Not really about testing the depth of NSW, by playing anyone who hasn't played State of Orgin.

The problem is lack of quality not lack oppurtunites. If your good enough to play SOO, you will get a game for City or Country regardless of whether it is full strength or criteria based selections.

The match clearly hasn't worked of late, as an actual selection trial for the NSW SOO team, which is why I think they need to distance the game from that, further than it is atm. The players who aren't interested in the game, are more than likely going to be the ones who have plenty of Origin experience, like Buderus, Fitzgibbon, Hindmarsh & Ryan, so what does it prove by selecting them.

If they really do want to make it an actual trial for the SOO team though, scrap the selectors and just let the NSW coach select both teams.

 

[chaminda_00]

The match clearly hasn't worked of late, as an actual selection trial for the NSW SOO team, which is why I think they need to distance the game from that, further than it is atm. The players who aren't interested in the game, are more than likely going to be the ones who have plenty of Origin experience, like Buderus, Fitzgibbon, Hindmarsh & Ryan, so what does it prove by selecting them.

If they really do want to make it an actual trial for the SOO team though, scrap the selectors and just let the NSW coach select both teams.

The fact of the matter is that Ryan and Hindmarsh aren't secure for selection. So if they aren't up for this match and put in a good performance. They got next to no chance of selection. As shown tonight both players put in decent performances. Buderus last season was by no means sure of a spot himself and really had to put in the hard yards to make sure Farah didn't get in front of him. Just cus you have played 10-20 SOO matches does mean much when it comes to selection for new series. You have to prove yourself every year.

If done probably then this match could have a massive say on selection, especially now when so many spots are open. In the past it was fine to leave out Australian players as NSW fielded most of the sides. And City-Country was mainly designed for players to push for fringe spots and show they are up to when injuries came.

But these days many starting spots are up for graps and this match could be pretty important, if done probably and be a major selection trail. The only reason why it is not a major selection trail is too many players are left out and basically the left overs are just the one left.

Older players like Fitzgibbon and in the past Lance Thompson and Matt Geyer wouldn't have played these games if so many guys weren't left. The only real reason they play in the first is the game has a half decent standard to it. Rather then just a bunch of inexperienced players playing with no direction. If you limted to only guys that haven't played SOO. Then the likes of Preston Campbell are the ones that will play, not nessary the Nathan Merretts or whoever.

With regard to selection and that. The main reason why the NSW coach doesn't always have a great deal of say. Is the fact the match is seen as a trail run for new coaches. All of the last couple coaches have all come through City-Country. So unless they are able to pick their own players, they can't really show what they are capable of as coaches. Granted though if a coach really wants a player in either side he should say so.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Was a good match to be at, crowd was good and pretty passionate. Called Feliti Mateo a **** whilst he stood at the sideline, he laughed and winked, was funny as. Was ****ing freezing though.

Would've been way better if it went to GP. Was devo it didn't.

 

[Clarence]

Feleti Mateo is a freak. Would get an offload away with 9 on him, a dinosaur of a man. A t-rex at that.

 

[Craig]

Was a good match to be at, crowd was good and pretty passionate. Called Feliti Mateo a **** whilst he stood at the sideline, he laughed and winked, was funny as. Was ****ing freezing though.

Would've been way better if it went to GP. Was devo it didn't.

Did it include "GAGF" as well?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

No. If it did, I daresay I would have said so...

 

[Johnners]

Changing my tip from Penrith to Parramatta. Not sure why, but I was thinking the city/country players wouldn't be available.

 

[Son Of Coco]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Why did I change my tip from Newcastle by 2 to Titans by 6!? I knew this would happen!

 

[Johnners]

Haha, knew it. The first time in about 3 years I tip against the Knights, and they win. I'm sorry boys

Mullen apparently had a great game though, which is good to see.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Eels keep letting me down when I back them so are guaranteed the win now I've gone for Pennie.

*sigh*

Did back Newcastle tho, in better news.

 

[Craig]

Official then, the Titans are unstoppable at home but can't travel for love or money.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Haven't they won two from three on the road?

 

[Simon]

Haven't they won two from three on the road?

one from three, to be fair they got thrashed by St George and have been competitive in their other two.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Official then, the Titans are unstoppable at home but can't travel for love or money.

Anthony Lafranchi (or however it' spelt) will travel for love apparently.

 

[James90]

1/3 this weekend then.

Some crazy stats coming out of the Knights v Titans game. Matt Hilder 55 tackles, Kurt Gidley 293 meters and Brad Meyers 8 missed tackles. Pretty extreme.

 

[Simon]

Meyers also made 42 tackles, so hardly shocking. Gidley 30 runs would have to be close to a record by a back. Only player I've seen do more in recent times is Steve Price.

 

[Mister Wright]

Official then, the Titans are unstoppable at home but can't travel for love or money.

I'd hardly call 13-12 an away hiding. Can't believe 1 point has separated me from 3/3 in the tips so far this week.