**Official** NRL 2010 thread

[Son Of Coco]

Turns out Michael Gordon is from Tweed Heads. Surprised he isn't playing for Queensland

Wow, didn't know that! QLD claims enough credit for people born in my area it's about time we got one back

 

[Craig]

I hate Gould. We were traveling alright until he started talking us up.

And his love of the Football Gods.

 

[Blewy]

We were woeful last night... But as they say, those are the games you need to win to be a threat...

 

[Ausage]

Parra really don't know how to do it in half measures do they. They're either really good (Melbourne game) or completely woeful (every game since).

 

[Ausage]

Equal first after outdragoning the Dragons. Anyone tipping us for the title yet?

Reckon we're a real shot if we stay healthy.

 

[Prince EWS]

I called it proper early. August 7th 2009

 

[Ausage]

Loving that thread

Only issue I've had is our big game experience. You mention in that thread that we'll have played finals footy in 09 but that didn't happen because when we really needed big performances we played horribly. Last night was the first really big game we've won in the last couple of years.

Interesting thoughts on Walsh, particularly last year. My opinion at the time (and that of a fair few people on PI) was that he was entirely too one dimentional. He got us more organised largely by doing nothing but playing an inside ball to a forward for a hit up. While that's fine for a team with a strong forward pack, he didn't seem able to pick his moment to run it or spread it. Didn't want him dropped or turfed though as I was hoping he'd end up doing what he's done this year with a bit more experience. He's playing brilliantly atm.

Completely agree re Wade Graham. Gun player who really compliments Walsh. Hope the Sharkies don't get him.

Hope you put some money on it. We were paying big a few weeks into the comp

 

[Prince EWS]

Only issue I've had is our big game experience. You mention in that thread that we'll have played finals footy in 09 but that didn't happen because when we really needed big performances we played horribly. Last night was the first really big game we've won in the last couple of years.

Yeah, immediately after I started that thread you started playing terribly and failed to make the finals. I revised my thoughts a bit after that - not because I thought the team was worse but because they missed out on that valuable experience a finals campaign can give (even if it's only one game and you go out the back door) - from "will win the comp" to "will surprise everyone, make the top four and perhaps challenge" which is looking pretty spot on. I'll find my post about it if you like; it's not in that thread.

Interesting thoughts on Walsh, particularly last year. My opinion at the time (and that of a fair few people on PI) was that he was entirely too one dimentional. He got us more organised largely by doing nothing but playing an inside ball to a forward for a hit up. While that's fine for a team with a strong forward pack, he didn't seem able to pick his moment to run it or spread it.

Hmm, I tend to have different requirements when I rate halfbacks than most. I don't think it should necessarily be the halfback's job to lay on a lot of tries - for mine, his job is to give the team structure up the middle, kick well and provide good service to the five-eighth and fullback when the time is right to lay something on. I don't think it should really be his job to be particularly creative; merely to have high class core skills and good awareness of momentum. I think the creative work should be left principally to the five-eighth and fullback - teams these day tend to just play their halves left and right though and make them do a bit of both instead of being primarily first or second receiver and I think the lack of specialisation in these positions is actually to the detriment of most teams. But I'm waffling a bit.

Walsh has always been a perfect example of my classic halfback. With a genuinely creative five-eighth and fullback he's absolutely perfect. Last year I agree he was a little too conservative if anything and went back to forward runs a little often (although Lewis playing a lot of five-eighth and Graham being a rookie probably didn't give him too much confidence) but he still give the team genuine direction and purpose as oppose to the Sammut-drive rabble we saw before. This year he's shown more confidence in Graham and Coote to lay on points and it's working even better. I'm a big fan of the guy.

Hope you put some money on it. We were paying big a few weeks into the comp

Yeah I have quite a few bets on you guys; I'll have to check to see exactly what I did bet. I remember having a large wager on a top four finish; I think it could've been in the $200 range. I bet on a premiership too but IIRC it was a much smaller bet.

 

[Ausage]

Hmm, I tend to have different requirements when I rate halfbacks than most. I don't it should necessarily be the halfback's job to lay on a lot of tries - for mine, his job is to give the team structure up the middle, kick well and provide good service to the five-eighth and fullback when the time is right to lay something on. I don't think it should really be his job to be particularly creative; merely to have high class core skills and good awareness of momentum. I think the creative work should be left principally to the five-eighth and fullback - teams these day tend to just play their halves left and right though and make them do a bit of both instead of being primarily first or second receiver and I think the lack of specialisation in these positions is actually to the detriment of most teams. But I'm waffling a bit.

Walsh has always been a perfect example of my classic halfback. With a genuinely creative five-eighth and fullback he's absolutely perfect. Last year I agree he was a little too conservative if anything and went back to forward runs a little often (although Lewis playing a lot of five-eighth and Graham being a rookie probably didn't give him too much confidence) but he still give the team genuine direction and purpose as oppose to the Sammut-drive rabble we saw before. This year he's shown more confidence in Graham and Coote to lay on points and it's working even better. I'm a big fan of the guy.

Hmm interesting. You make good points, I just like my halfbacks to get a bit closer to the line when the defense is retreating. (JT is great at this) Tbf on the bloke he's doing it pretty well now. He laid on a try for Lewis (I think) against the Broncos that demonstrated how far he's come. The defense was retreating and they were short on the right. He got into dummy half, sprinted to the right and put the player through the hole in the backpedaling defense as he got to the line. It's that kind of awareness that's sent his game to a new level.

So really, I agree with you

I'm loathe to see yet another player thrown into the cacophony of NSW half selection but if he keeps this up consistently into next season with good performances in the finals he should be seriously considered.

 

[Craig]

Equal first after outdragoning the Dragons. Anyone tipping us for the title yet?

Reckon we're a real shot if we stay healthy.

I hope Penrith win.

Now going back to the rumours of Cooper Cronk going to Parramatta, wouldn't things be getting really tight with the salary cap as Cronk does not come cheap.

 

[howardj]

Other than a midweek excuse to have a few grogs down at the local (which is not such a bad thing) I don't really see much point behind this game tonight. I think she should be called off it's 2-0. Dead rubbers don't mean as much to the players as they once did imho.

 

[Ausage]

I hope Penrith win.

Anyway still no internet at my house (it's been 2 weeks ffs how hard is it to get internet working) and work is a bit crazy atm. I'll get to last weeks results probably tomorrow. Till then here are this weeks games.

Friday July 9
Wests Tigers vs Titans
Roosters vs Rabbitohs

Saturday July 10
Sea Eagles vs Raiders
Bulldogs vs Storm

Sunday July 11
Knights vs Sharks
Panthers vs Warriors

Monday July 12
Eels vs Cowboys

 

[morgieb]

I hope Penrith win.

Now going back to the rumours of Cooper Cronk going to Parramatta, wouldn't things be getting really tight with the salary cap as Cronk does not come cheap.

They're losing Mateo, Inu, Cayless, K Keating, Grothe, etc. Doubt those guys come cheap.

 

[Mister Wright]

Friday July 9
Wests Tigers
Rabbitohs

Saturday July 10
Sea Eagles
Bulldogs

Sunday July 11
Knights
Panthers

Monday July 12
Eels

 

[Ausage]

Other than a midweek excuse to have a few grogs down at the local (which is not such a bad thing) I don't really see much point behind this game tonight. I think she should be called off it's 2-0. Dead rubbers don't mean as much to the players as they once did imho.

The problem here is that you're thinking without your TV executive hat on.

This year in particular the problem is so pronounced because nobody really cares about this game. I mean that's the first post in this thread about Origin 3 afaik. There have been dead rubbers before, but this years one seems so irrelevant because NSW don't look like winning anything anytime soon.

Anyway off to homebush to cheer on Flash

 

[Craig]

Friday July 9
Wests Tigers vs Titans
Roosters vs Rabbitohs

Saturday July 10
Sea Eagles vs Raiders
Bulldogs vs Storm

Sunday July 11
Knights vs Sharks
Panthers vs Warriors

Monday July 12
Eels vs Cowboys

 

[Craig]

NSW turn the ball over after 30 seconds. Normal service resumes.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Hell of a drop goal from Lockyer!

Nice to be home from school early to watch an Origin...even if it is all over. Feel a bit like I'm cheering on the Under 13's though with NSW.

 

[Craig]

Hell of a drop goal from Lockyer!

Nice to be home from school early to watch an Origin...even if it is all over. Feel a bit like I'm cheering on the Under 13's though with NSW.

It's bit of a buzzkill isn't it? I almost cbf watching.

 

[nibbs]

I called it proper early. August 7th 2009

ews. buddy. how are things?

can you do me a favour and unban me from the social bar. it's only fair. i don't know what retread's agenda against me is. he just banned me forthright with no explanation. innocent.