Official NRL 2006 Thread

[Burpey]

Fortunately, I didn't see the match. But from what my dad has told me (he watched it), we didn't play all that badly. Newcastle just got roughly 60% of the ball and with Johns it's hard to stop. We didn't make too many errors and our defence was not totally crap. We just got done. Hopefully Head comes back next week along with a few other injured players and we can get back on track.

 

[bugssy]

yer i taped it so will watch it but i was listening to abc on the way home and all they did was bag the dragons so...i agree with ya though 60% of the ball for joey is way too much. i did hear they made 10 errors in the 2nd half and only completed 5 sets in the 2nd half so you cant win matches doing that.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Thank God my Roosters got over the line.

Wonder if they'll ever play 80 minutes of footy. Seems they always spend 40 minutes playing hot potatoe.

 

[Simon]

Dragons were woeful, theres no defending that loss, the only reason Knights had 60% of ball was because Dragons dropped it everytime they got it...

 

[Blewy]

Newcastle are looking lethal with Johns... Its scary...

 

[Burpey]

TK out, Danny Weidler in. I enjoyed the Roast so much more.

 

[Son Of Coco]

It's interesting to see the reaction in a QLD paper about speculation the Australian Team might be made up of predominantly NSW players. Trevor Gillmeister has a bit of a rant (and fair enough on most points) about the possible make-up. The only QLDer tipped to be in the team is Lockyer going on what is printed in the paper, and he's at fullback...it would be nice to see some form players picked, as Gillmeister states, with Thurston at five-eight, yet he argues for Lockyer in that position saying 'he's getting his form back', which is a bit unusual considering he's justed blasted a possible decision to pick Barrett ahead of Thurston as a 'disgrace'.

Personally, I think Thurston should be at five-eight, Sing should be on the wing (if he's available for rep!?), and there's anumber of QLD forwards who could be considered for positions. I'm not sure of the merits of getting Kennedy back for this game, you'd think there must be other players who are long term prospects that are playing well enough to get in.

Ricky Stuart did say the team was going to be picked on form, unlike in the past, so the proposed team looks a bit strange. Bumping Minichello out of fullback to make way for Lockyer is ridiculous - appoint another captain and pick him again when he's the best in his position (that being the one he is currently playing at club level)...if Thurston doesn't get a place it's a bit of a farce as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Craig]

According to the Sunday Mail, that this year's ANZAC Day Test will consist of only one Queenslander and that is Darren Lockyer and by almost by virtire that he is captain.

This is the Test team from what it said in the article:

1. Lockey (c)
2. Minichello
3. Cooper
4. Gasnier
5. King
6. Barrett
7. Johns
8. O'Meley
9. Buderus
10. Mason
11. Hindmarsh
12. Fitzgibbon
13. Kennedy

14. Clinton
15. Menzies
16. Ryan
17. Gower

Now how on earth does Gower or even Barrett gets in ahead of Thurston I will never know, even if Barrett starts Thurston should be on the bench minimum. Minichello is a fullback not a winger and Lockyer as captain should be 5/8 anyway. And IIRC Kennedy has quit rep football so to bring him back would achieve what?

They can pick this side and the only people who will turn up are the Kiwis and the ex-pat New South Welshmen. Thier loss.

 

[Craig]

It's interesting to see the reaction in a QLD paper about speculation the Australian Team might be made up of predominantly NSW players. Trevor Gillmeister has a bit of a rant (and fair enough on most points) about the possible make-up. The only QLDer tipped to be in the team is Lockyer going on what is printed in the paper, and he's at fullback...it would be nice to see some form players picked, as Gillmeister states, with Thurston at five-eight, yet he argues for Lockyer in that position saying 'he's getting his form back', which is a bit unusual considering he's justed blasted a possible decision to pick Barrett ahead of Thurston as a 'disgrace'.

Personally, I think Thurston should be at five-eight, Sing should be on the wing (if he's available for rep!?), and there's anumber of QLD forwards who could be considered for positions. I'm not sure of the merits of getting Kennedy back for this game, you'd think there must be other players who are long term prospects that are playing well enough to get in.

Ricky Stuart did say the team was going to be picked on form, unlike in the past, so the proposed team looks a bit strange. Bumping Minichello out of fullback to make way for Lockyer is ridiculous - appoint another captain and pick him again when he's the best in his position (that being the one he is currently playing at club level)...if Thurston doesn't get a place it's a bit of a farce as far as I'm concerned.

Bah you beat me to it.

 

[chaminda_00]

Sing retired from rep football AFIK.

If Thurston isn't 5/8 there is something seriously wrong. But under the line you can only pick players in the positions they play for their club, then Barrett and Thurston can only play halfback, cus that is where they have played the last couple fews.

You pick the best side and if the best side has Locyker at fullback then why not, but Minichello is playing better then him and Hoges has to be in the side, but he plays on the same side as Gasiner, so why noy pick him on the wing. King only plays centre for Melbourne, so can't we pick him on the wing too. It seems stupid to say you can't pick players cus they don't play there for their clubs. That mentality is why Australia don't play to their abilty against the Kiwis. Vangana doesn't play much 5/8 for the Sharks, but he would play there anyday of the week if Benji not fit (like he is currently) for the Kiwis.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Sing retired from rep football AFIK.

If Thurston isn't 5/8 there is something seriously wrong. But under the line you can only pick players in the positions they play for their club, then Barrett and Thurston can only play halfback, cus that is where they have played the last couple fews.

You pick the best side and if the best side has Locyker at fullback then why not, but Minichello is playing better then him and Hoges has to be in the side, but he plays on the same side as Gasiner, so why noy pick him on the wing. King only plays centre for Melbourne, so can't we pick him on the wing too. It seems stupid to say you can't pick players cus they don't play there for their clubs. That mentality is why Australia don't play to their abilty against the Kiwis. Vangana doesn't play much 5/8 for the Sharks, but he would play there anyday of the week if Benji not fit (like he is currently) for the Kiwis.

I think another reason why we haven't played to our ability against anyone much of late is the policy of picking players based on their past efforts in the green and gold. There was the train of thought that it didn't really matter who we picked, we'd still win...it doesn't seem to be working now.

You're right as far as picking the best side goes, Lockyer isn't in it as far as I'm concerned, but yeah, Hodges has to be there somewhere. I don't agree with moving players around to accommodate them though if there's someone playing better in that position already...it seems quite obvious I suppose, and you'd think that wouldn't happen but selections seem to be a funny thing.

 

[Craig]

I agree Lolesi is Lucky, however i think Laffranchi is unlucky, 2 years ago his hit would have been classified a a top tackle, now the game has gone soft and he is looking at 1 week because of a strong driving tackle...

Slater, well what a GRUB.. I wish Skando would have got his hands on the little slimy worm... He deserves every single week of that suspension...

On another note, if Queensland dont select Clinton Schifcofske they deserve to lose the origin series.. This guy is by far and away the best fullback they have and has twice as much ticker then the likes of Bowen and Wesser...

Even though Skandalis was holding him back from getting back into play?

 

[chaminda_00]

I think another reason why we haven't played to our ability against anyone much of late is the policy of picking players based on their past efforts in the green and gold. There was the train of thought that it didn't really matter who we picked, we'd still win...it doesn't seem to be working now.

You're right as far as picking the best side goes, Lockyer isn't in it as far as I'm concerned, but yeah, Hodges has to be there somewhere. I don't agree with moving players around to accommodate them though if there's someone playing better in that position already...it seems quite obvious I suppose, and you'd think that wouldn't happen but selections seem to be a funny thing.

Yeah but the thing is with King and Hodges is that is there isn't better wingers, so why not play them out of position. With Lockyer there is a better fullback and better 5/8.

 

[Craig]

Yeah, that was a disgrace. Everyone knew the term "us" refered to 'The Dragons' and not 'us fans' as he would have liked us to believe.

And we all know that is what he was going on about had happened to him when he was coaching we all know how he would have reacted.

 

[Simon]

Gower injured today, he'll be doing well to get up for May 5...
Hodges has to be a test centre, if they r fair dinkum picking the team on form hes got one centre position, Cooper hasnt looked anywhere near as good this year...

 

[chaminda_00]

Gower injured today, he'll be doing well to get up for May 5...
Hodges has to be a test centre, if they r fair dinkum picking the team on form hes got one centre position, Cooper hasnt looked anywhere near as good this year...

Wouldn't it be better to play Gasiner and Hodges on the same side and Cooper and King on the other side and let them swap playing centre and wing. Rather then force them to play on the wrong side. That way you have the four best outside backs all in the side.

6/7 for me this week . Blooody 80% Johns, happy i went with my heart over my head and picked Manly over the Warriors. Not too often when i tip Manly when i think they might loss, they actually win. If Bell keeps his form up and isn't in the centres for QLD there is something seriously wrong.

 

[Simon]

Tonga had a pretty good game for Bulldogs today, Bell may deserve a spot but while Bowman and Tonga who are well known favourites of the selectors are playing well he's gonna be up against it to get picked...

 

[Blewy]

Even though Skandalis was holding him back from getting back into play?

So that allows him to kick him in the head... Your kidding... That happens every game but players dont kick others in the head....

I wish Skando got hold of him, would've been brilliant to see him kick the living crap out of him...

 

[Simon]

So that allows him to kick him in the head... Your kidding... That happens every game but players dont kick others in the head....

I wish Skando got hold of him, would've been brilliant to see him kick the living crap out of him...

while i agree that Slater was very much in the wrong, Skandalis kicking the crap out of him wouldnt have gained much...
Slater deserves the suspension he got, i dunno if thats naturally his go, but he has to cop it on the chin and put it behind him when he comes back in 7 weeks...

 

[Blewy]

while i agree that Slater was very much in the wrong, Skandalis kicking the crap out of him wouldnt have gained much...
Slater deserves the suspension he got, i dunno if thats naturally his go, but he has to cop it on the chin and put it behind him when he comes back in 7 weeks...

Skando kicking the crap out of him would've served plenty.... Slater is a smug little grub... it would've served alot of satisfaction :P :P