***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[Craig]

Matt Bowen is out for the season.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Matt Bowen is out for the season.

What a shame.

 

[Craig]

Heard Kyle is dancing in the street aws.

 

[James90]

Thurston is the only thing standing between the Cowboys and the wooden spoon now. Honestly, I hope they get it. Don't think it's good for the sport when Souths win the spoon. Happens far too often.

 

[Mister Wright]

Heard Kyle is dancing in the street aws.

While I don't think Bowen is the best fullback Queensland can choose from, in fact far from it, he's still a good player and it will be disappointing to see another N.S.W. side make the 8 instead of N.Q. unless it's Canberra of course.

 

[Simon]

Thurston is the only thing standing between the Cowboys and the wooden spoon now. Honestly, I hope they get it. Don't think it's good for the sport when Souths win the spoon. Happens far too often.

Disagree, Souths can never get too many spoons, sooner they are out of the league (this time for good) the better.

 

[Burgey]

Chad Robinson has signed with London Harlequibs apparently.

Parra has lost, from their squad at the start of this season:

T Smith, Riddell, T Williams, Robinson.

None of those guys are exactly duds. Have not heard of a single signing to make up for their loss.

 

[Simon]

Chad Robinson has signed with London Harlequibs apparently.

Parra has lost, from their squad at the start of this season:

T Smith, Riddell, T Williams, Robinson.

None of those guys are exactly duds. Have not heard of a single signing to make up for their loss.

I'm presuming its cause the likes of Finch, Mateo, Inu, Hayne have all had upgrades in their contracts.

 

[Burgey]

I'm presuming its cause the likes of Finch, Mateo, Inu, Hayne have all had upgrades in their contracts.

Yeah I think they have. Can't keep 'em all. Of course, Manly have just signed Hopoate's 15 year old son to a $100K p.a. contract for 3 years.

Now, if I'm a hard working Manly NRL back rower making 45 tackles and 15 hit ups a game, I'd be pretty filthy on that.

If he's been signed on the Toyota Cup list, there's a $250K cap for the 25 players, so Manly will have a **** Toyota Cup side for the next few years.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Disagree, Souths can never get too many spoons, sooner they are out of the league (this time for good) the better.

Good to see a traditionalist amongst us Why do you want to see Souths gone?

 

[Son Of Coco]

They should put Mullen back in the NSW team, so Joey can claim him as his pet project (providing Mullen has a good game). I notice Joey didn't align himself too closely to Wallace after Game 2, unlike after Game 1.

They're hardly going to go bursting into the sheds so Joey can give a halfback a wrap in a team that lost 30-0. I see the Sunday Mail was back to form though Went from very quiet post mortem the weekend after the game, to latching onto the ref's performance the weekend before the 2nd match (along with the rest of QLD), to pages and pages of hyperbole and outright rubbishing of everything NSW. It's what the fans want though!

I'm just praying for a miracle in Game 3, although by rights we shouldn't even get close. If QLD actually turned up for the first match (and picked the local milkman instead of Hunt at 5/8) then the series would be over already.

 

[Simon]

Yeah I think they have. Can't keep 'em all. Of course, Manly have just signed Hopoate's 15 year old son to a $100K p.a. contract for 3 years.

Now, if I'm a hard working Manly NRL back rower making 45 tackles and 15 hit ups a game, I'd be pretty filthy on that.

If he's been signed on the Toyota Cup list, there's a $250K cap for the 25 players, so Manly will have a **** Toyota Cup side for the next few years.

Yeh I'd be very interested to see where his salary is coming from, I'd have to presume his $100k would be appearance based as well, meaning he's unlikely to see it all.

 

[Simon]

Good to see a traditionalist amongst us Why do you want to see Souths gone?

Because they arent relevant to Rugby League in the 21st century. They have had their day in the sun and it's time to let go. They represent a small part of Sydney that is easily replaceable, we have too many Sydney teams and them along with the Sharks are the first that should go.
I admit they have tried very hard to reinvent their brand under PHC and Crowe, but it's failed, this was their last chance and its time they went. I'd be happy for them to move to the central coast full time, have the players live there, train there, be known as the Central Coast Rabbitohs. I think thats whats best for rugby league.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Because they arent relevant to Rugby League in the 21st century. They have had their day in the sun and it's time to let go. They represent a small part of Sydney that is easily replaceable, we have too many Sydney teams and them along with the Sharks are the first that should go.
I admit they have tried very hard to reinvent their brand under PHC and Crowe, but it's failed, this was their last chance and its time they went. I'd be happy for them to move to the central coast full time, have the players live there, train there, be known as the Central Coast Rabbitohs. I think thats whats best for rugby league.

What changes though apart from location? I really can't see the point in sending them somewhere else if it's not going to improve their chances of being competitive. It's certainly tough being a football club in Sydney at the moment, but I'd wager those that are surviving have some pretty substantial help from outside agencies.

When one of the oldest clubs in the league becomes irrelevant then maybe it's time to sit down and have a good hard look at where the league is going.

 

[Simon]

What changes though apart from location? I really can't see the point in sending them somewhere else if it's not going to improve their chances of being competitive. It's certainly tough being a football club in Sydney at the moment, but I'd wager those that are surviving have some pretty substantial help from outside agencies.

When one of the oldest clubs in the league becomes irrelevant then maybe it's time to sit down and have a good hard look at where the league is going.

They get the central coast juniors, ready built fan base, a good stadium, they'd get bigger crowds due to more promotion and being a one city team. Thats even before the financial benefits the NRL have offered clubs that want to relocate.

 

[Craig]

I'm presuming its cause the likes of Finch, Mateo, Inu, Hayne have all had upgrades in their contracts.

Heard Hayne took a pay cut so they could keep Inu. Mind you they are very good mates though, so such a thing is not a problem.

Yeah I think they have. Can't keep 'em all. Of course, Manly have just signed Hopoate's 15 year old son to a $100K p.a. contract for 3 years.

Now, if I'm a hard working Manly NRL back rower making 45 tackles and 15 hit ups a game, I'd be pretty filthy on that.

If he's been signed on the Toyota Cup list, there's a $250K cap for the 25 players, so Manly will have a **** Toyota Cup side for the next few years.

Manly - the new Sydney Roosters. There has to be some rorting or "creative accountancy"
going on.

 

[Mister Wright]

Steven Bell off to France.

 

[chaminda_00]

Yeah I think they have. Can't keep 'em all. Of course, Manly have just signed Hopoate's 15 year old son to a $100K p.a. contract for 3 years.

Now, if I'm a hard working Manly NRL back rower making 45 tackles and 15 hit ups a game, I'd be pretty filthy on that.

If he's been signed on the Toyota Cup list, there's a $250K cap for the 25 players, so Manly will have a **** Toyota Cup side for the next few years.

Yeh I'd be very interested to see where his salary is coming from, I'd have to presume his $100k would be appearance based as well, meaning he's unlikely to see it all.

Manly - the new Sydney Roosters. There has to be some rorting or "creative accountancy"
going on.

Steven Bell off to France.

In theory Hopoate replaced Steve Bell in the senior list, interms of the salary cap. Will play the first two seasons in U20s and maybe some NSW Cup atleast. If anyone would be pissed about his signing it would be Bani and David Williams as his money likely to cut from their potential increase and basically they been told they are short term fixes before some 15 yo comes through. It likely Menzies and Luke Williams will get released or retire if we can't keep Bryant and co.

Reckon he is well worth the money tbh, the guy is just gun. Whoever still thinks we can't produce youth players can **** off. Hopoate, Cuthbertson, Mauro, Watmough and King ftw. Two St Pauls boys to boot.

 

[alternative]

Broncos v Wests Tigers
Dragons v Panthers
Bulldogs v Raiders
Storm v Cowboys
Warriors v Sea Eagles
Knights v Roosters
Sharks v Eels
Rabbitohs v Titans

 

[howardj]

This might inform your tips or your betting this weekend.