**Official** NRL 2009 Thread

[morgieb]

Just kick out the Sharks. They don't have much traditon and the Central Coast are crying out for a team.

In other news, Mick Crocker signs with Souths. GTSTL.

 

[Ausage]

Happened 7 years ago, was dealt with then and its a non event now.

Sad thing is, it IS an issue. We wouldn't be hearing about it if it wasn't.

So sick of hearing about this crap. The guy had consensual *** ffs. Wish the papers would consign this stuff to the gossip pages or the sin bin where it belongs.

 

[Simon]

You cant just kick teams out FFS. People support these clubs, even if they are crap and have never won a premiership losing teams is not the way to go. Mergers may hurt at first but in the long run they are 1000 times better than a club folding, they are the way to go.

Seven teams in Sydney would be a lot better than one, clubs that should survive on their own are Bulldogs, Roosters, Manly, Wests and St George. I think a merger between Penrith/Parramatta and Souths/Sharks could work. IRC Sharks actually offered Souths a merger in the late ninties when it first looked like Souths were gone, I think its something worth visiting again.

 

[Simon]

It shouldnt be an issue though, it happened seven years ago, it was reported to the police and they did their enquiries. No one was found guilty of anything illegal so theres nothing to disucss.
Nothing new can come of it except for Matt Johns and his family going through crap again.

FTR I dislike the guy as much as anyone but hes copped a rough deal in it all, he wasn't the only player involved and hes been publically shamed for it, not to mention the girl isnt showing her face or her name etc... If there was consent (which was said to be the case) then nothing illegal took place.

 

[Ausage]

It shouldnt be an issue though, it happened seven years ago, it was reported to the police and they did their enquiries. No one was found guilty of anything illegal so theres nothing to disucss.
Nothing new can come of it except for Matt Johns and his family going through crap again.

FTR I dislike the guy as much as anyone but hes copped a rough deal in it all, he wasn't the only player involved and hes been publically shamed for it, not to mention the girl isnt showing her face or her name etc... If there was consent (which was said to be the case) then nothing illegal took place.

Oh I 100% agree with you. It shouldn't be an issue but the media latches on to these things like leeches, sucking the blood out of a nothing story because the ***ual exploits, past or present, of footy players sells papers. If they want to print hearsay and rumors they should be printing it on the gossip pages.

Question, if it's such a horrible traumatic experience for the girl, why is she so eager to revive the story?

 

[alternative]

Cowboys vs Dragons
Knights vs Titans
Broncos vs Sea Eagles
Roosters vs Storm
Australia Vs NewZealand
City vs Country

 

[Johnners]

Oh I 100% agree with you. It shouldn't be an issue but the media latches on to these things like leeches, sucking the blood out of a nothing story because the ***ual exploits, past or present, of footy players sells papers. If they want to print hearsay and rumors they should be printing it on the gossip pages.

Question, if it's such a horrible traumatic experience for the girl, why is she so eager to revive the story?

 

[Craig]

Dragons
Knights
Broncos
Storm

 

[Johnners]

Cowboys vs Dragons
Knights vs Titans
Broncos vs Sea Eagles
Roosters vs Storm
Australia Vs NewZealand
City vs Country

Just so you know, we're not tipping the rep games

 

[alternative]

Thought that would be the case but just added it for good measure.

 

[Johnners]

Cowboys vs Dragons
Knights vs Titans
Broncos vs Sea Eagles
Roosters vs Storm

 

[luffy]

Just kick out the Sharks. They don't have much traditon and the Central Coast are crying out for a team.

You've gotta be ****ing kidding me?

No tradition after, what is it, 42 years in the Premiership?

Ok, if we kick out all the sides that were introduced after that, there goes: Raiders, Broncos, Cowboys, Titans, Storm, St George Illawarra, West Tigers, Newcastle, Sharks.

Well righto, if you want a 7 team comp, be my guest.

 

[Blewy]

This was bound to happen, The Sharks should have merged with the Dragons, and Illawarra should have stayed... The dragons and sharks are living in each others pockets and the Illawarra would have always been able to survive with the money produced in the gong.

 

[Simon]

Naa reckon Sharks/Dragons merger would have ended up like the Northern Eagles, one of them would have just fallen apart and gone back to the original club. Probably St George with the Sharks dying.
Sharks and Souths makes so much sense for so many reasons. Both struggle for crowds, but they can each bring something to the table, Souths have decent financial backing and Sharks have a good area with potential to grow if they are managed well. They could easily play 7 games a year at Toyota, 1 in Adelaide and 4 at Homebush. Everything about it works to me.

 

[Burgey]

Must say I think the Kiwi anthem is one of the better ones around.

Not so ours, sadly. It's ordinary enough without having an Elvis Wannabe singing it in Redneck Central. Dire.

 

[BoyBrumby]

How did the mergers play over there? When they were mooted up here at the formation of the Super League they went down like a cup of cold sick. Joining forces with your local (and often dealiest) rival just seems anti what following a team is about.

 

[99*]

Without trying to sound too bitter I want to know how many forward passes Australia get away with, I counted two that caused a direct score. And at least three in general play.

Although most come from Cam Smith so that should explain it.

Well done Aus, outplayed the World Champs (can't help but do it. )

 

[Mister Wright]

Reckon Hodges had read this forum and wasn't happy with what Burgey had to say. Proved to the Parramatta local that he is anything but over-rated.

 

[Ausage]

How did the mergers play over there? When they were mooted up here at the formation of the Super League they went down like a cup of cold sick. Joining forces with your local (and often dealiest) rival just seems anti what following a team is about.

Mixed results with the mergers. Dragons/Steelers and Tigers/Magpies looks to be standing the test of time. Geographically neither are the best fit for the other but I guess it's geographical locations start those rivals you mentioned so maybe that's the secret to success. That had a large hand in Norths and Manly failing. Then there were teams like Souths that didn't want a bar of any of it, even though their backs were against the wall.

City Country was a pretty good game actually. Some silly plays from Campese towards the end there, but reckon he'll get the blues no 6.

Reckon Jennings cemented his spot Really like how well he's reading wide plays in defense. His speed is allowing him to dart out of the line and hit his man just as he gets the ball. He's been shutting down alot of plays like that this year.

 

[luffy]

What does everyone reckon about the wing positions following last nights match?

Monoghan and Hayne and McMannus all played well with Williams playing alright.

I'd almost like to think Monoghan has a secured position, and the way McMannus performed under the high ball was exceptional. If those two were selected neither would let us down, and it would mean there is another option on marking Falou. But saying that Hayne had his moments of brilliance both in attack and defence. Williams didn't do much with the exception of that 80m try, which could help as that is what the seletors are looking for...