From The Couch: Finals Wk 1 2018

 

Greenberg Plays the Populist Clown Again: Todd Greenberg is very good at one thing – sensing populist sentiment and playing to it. His decision to fine Canterbury $250,000 two days after a Bulldogs player was filmed naked at Mad Monday celebrations was nothing but a total overreaction to appease the people who really run the game – the journalists at The Daily Telegraph. To put that into context, the Bulldogs were fined half of what Manly were for their salary cap breach and one-sixth of what the Storm were fined for years of systemic salary cap breaches. There was no need for such a heavy-handed reaction. This was just the latest indication that he is in no way capable of leading the NRL.

Buzz The Laughingstock: There is almost nobody in the game who respects Phil Rothfield. His brand of gutter faux-reporting makes the comments directed at him by Andrew Fifita and Josh Dugan both fair and accurate. He does nothing but suck from the game like a leech. So for him to again get on his high horse about the Bulldogs Mad Monday sideshow  after it was revealed Eddie Hayson was putting money into his betting account and then claiming that there was nothing unethical or about it and that it “wasn’t money laundering” should see News Limtied, if they have any respect for their titles, kick him to the curb. It is the most blatant pay-for-positive-publicity breach imaginable yet he claims that it is in the public interest for the Bulldogs to be exposed and shamed in a Telegraph sting.

NRLW – Brilliant: It was absolutely sensational to see the launch of the inaugural NRL Women’s competition. The football was magnificent and the NRL is onto a real winner. Both games were sensational with some massive hits and some brilliant Rugby League. The Broncos were the pick of the teams with Chelsea Baker and Ali Brigginshaw both sensational. Don’t underestimate the Warriors though, who were fierce with their hitting. Seeing less structured football and more ad-lib thinking made for a magnificent watch.

Latrell Had To Go: There is absolutely no way that Latrell Mitchell could escape a potential suspension for his awful crusher tackle. He will now miss the preliminary final but should consider himself lucky not to miss the Grand Final.

10 Most Valuable Players: If every player was released from their contract and every club, in reverse ladder order, had to pick a player, here are the 10 players that would go first, in order.

1. Cameron Munster
2. Kalyn Ponga
3. James Tedesco
4. Roger Tuivasa-Scheck
5. Jason Taumalolo
6. Andrew Fifita
7. Latrell Mitchell
8. Sam Burgess
9. Jake Trbojevic
10. Ryan James

Refereeing Strike A Gee Up: Talk of potential industrial action from match officials could not come at a more laughable time. They should focus on doing their jobs at a semi-competent level before demanding more cash.

2018 Field Goal Update – 37: One of the great meaningless field goals of all-time wrapped up the regular season thanks to Adam Reynolds slotting one with his team up 50-10 before the first three finals featured field goals.

Fun Fact #1: Reagan Campbell-Gillard is a cousin of the Sims brothers

Fun Fact #2: The last Dally M Rookie of the Year to play for Australia was Daly Cherry-Evans in 2011

Fun Fact #3: James Maloney led his last three clubs before Penrith to a Grand Final in his first season

Betting Market of the Week: Shaun Johnson is:

$2.70: The Warriors halfback
$1.35: Legally missing and police need to be called

Rumour Mill: The drums are beating that Wayne Bennett has agreed to terms with the Dragons and will coach them in 2019. Brisbane are favourites to retain Corey Oates though a move to the Bulldogs is still a possibility. James Maloney has been spotted talking with Lyall Gorman and Scott Penn with a potential move to Manly discussed. The Eels are shopping Mitchell Moses around but unsurprisingly, there are no takers.

Key Stat for a Player Who Should Not Be in First Grade: Korbin Sims finished his career with Brisbane playing 44 first grade games, losing his only final with the club.

Game of the Year Nominations: Round 25: Gold Coast v North Queensland – 26 – 30
Finals Week 1: Melbourne v South Sydney – 29 – 28

The Coaching Crosshairs: Despite winning the club’s first title just three seasons back and taking the club to the Top 4 again, Shane Flanagan is reportedly in strife at the Shire with a number of powerbrokers looking to avoid re-signing him when his deal ends in 2019. It is an extraordinary move considering the success he has brought to the Sharks.

Moronic Coaching Decision of the Week: It probably wasn’t a great decision for Dean Pay to attend Mad Monday.

Beard Watch: Korbin Sims pulled off one of the worst ever finals performances – and without question the worst by a beard – in a shocker against the Dragons that near single-handedly cost the Broncos a final. It was a finals showing that belongs in the same conversation as Steve Mavin and Paul Carige.

Correspondence Corner: Mav63, you are right about the ‘it was an accident’ defence.

Jack Muir, that was fake news … it was one in 15.

Michael Butterfield, there have been some rotten colour commentators signed up this year.

Knight Vision, Justin Hodges is horrendous.

Norths Tiger, one of the great meaningless field goals of all-time!

Wes, luckily we never have to hear Ray Hadley.

Watch It: History was made on the weekend when the NRL staged the first round of the NRL Women’s competition. Both matches were crackers, reminiscent of 1990s football, before the wrestle and when teams played with some flair. It was a great spectacle, with some monster hits to boot. Watch the highlights of the Roosters-Warriors here.