Season 2008: Round 30

From The Couch

Harry Bath… Rugby league lost another icon of the game over the weekend when the great Harry Bath passed away. Bath was one of the great players of his era, an innovator and a star, before taking those qualities to the coaching ranks. A skilful ball-player and one of the great goal-kicking forwards, Bath’s greatest attribute was his ability to win. When he joined Balmain in 1946, he took them to a grand final and a premiership in two years at the club. He then travelled to England where he spent the best years of his career at Warrington, where he played 346 games in nine seasons, taking the team to a Challenge Cup victory in 1954. When he returned to Australia with the reputation of a star, he played in three consecutive Dragons titles in his three years at the club, where he amassed an amazing (for the day) 510 points in sixty matches. His coaching career was just as successful with World Cup victories in 1968 and 1970 and premierships in 1977 and 1979 with the team that became labelled as “Bath’s Babies”. The 1977 victory was particularly impressive as he guided the Dragons to victory in the first-ever replayed decider, drawing on his memories of the 1954 Challenge Cup replay to inspire his team. Bath contributed to every facet of rugby league with many old-timers placing him on par with Jack Gibson as a coach. Commiserations go out to his family and friends.

Grand Final Analysis… Manly went with the Blitzkrieg Bop and it worked a treat in what turned out to be the most lopsided Grand Final in history. Credit must go to Des Hasler, who devised a gameplan that took full advantage of Melbourne’s tough run in and loss of Cameron Smith. The Eagles came out full of intensity and the Storm never recovered. Manly’s defence was outstanding all game with the Eagles rushing off the line to shutdown a tired, lifeless and uncreative Storm. With the ball, Manly attacked with great effect. It was no surprise they ran away with it in the second-half after destroying Melbourne’s morale and depleting their energy levels in a brutal first half. Brent Kite played the game of his life in laying the platform for the victory, Glen Stewart placed himself in the top echelon of backrowers with a tireless performance, Matt Orford went some way to dispelling the notion he is a big game failure and Michael Robertson showed what a quality winger he is with some great try-scoring instincts. Melbourne had few stars. Billy Slater was solid at the back and Israel Folau looked dangerous with the ball but behind a forward pack that could not hit the advantage line, the Storm stood no hope. Russell Aitken was not up to the task, Brett White cost himself an Australian jersey with a terrible performance, Antonio Kaufusi and Adam Blair were shocking in limited minutes, Steve Turner was dreadful marking Robertson and Cooper Cronk took plenty of ordinary options. Manly were deserving winners and finished the game off in style with tries to retiring champions Menzies and Bell. The Eagles will again be the benchmark in 2009 with a fantastic young list that will be bolstered by the arrival of young Tony Williams. For Melbourne, the future is not so rosy. The team will no doubt be devastated at having won only one premiership in their three year window of dominance and with the loss of key players such as Folau and Crocker, a fourth opportunity may not come. Melbourne, however, cannot be written off with a classy list and a top-class coach. They will be in the finals mix again but a return to the Grand Final is not all that certain.

Vale, Steven Menzies… I always thought of Beaver as my favourite non-Dogs player. He has kept that title for well over a decade with his staunch loyalty, his graceful manner and his irrepressible work ethic. Menzies had it all as well as a fine set of headgear. In the early part of his career he made his name as a wide running forward who would slice through defences when running off Cliff Lyons. As he matured, The Beaver added to his attacking prowess with some stout, technically correct defence and the leadership skills of a champion. As his career drew to a close, Menzies became a jack-of-all-trades, filling in where required, while evolving into the spiritual heart of a Manly team that would send him out a Grand Final winner. In between all that he played twenty Origin matches for New South Wales and fifteen Tests for Australia. He retires as the second leading tryscorer of all-time, an incredible feat for a player who spent the majority of his career in the pack, and the equal leader in games played, a title he shares with the brilliant Terry Lamb. With Beaver’s farewell, an era of rugby league and Manly-Warringah draws to a close. Menzies is as fine a rugby league player as ever existed and rugby league will be a little less heart-warming in 2009 without the man known as Beaver running around.

Vale, Steven Bell… Another classy player gone. Bell had little flash yet was bubbling over with substance and smarts in a career that saw him play 170-plus games with Melbourne and Manly. Remarkably effective, Bell scored 94 tries and played five Origin matches for Queensland. He was the perfect example of why rugby league must not cast aside young players who haven’t made it early as Bell didn’t debut until the age of twenty-five yet went on to achieve plenty. Bell deserves one last payday and he leaves these shores with the goodwill of all.

Vale, Luke Williamson… The Cougar played 219 first grade games. 219. Very few would have guessed Williamson would have played that many, even after his Australian rugby league career has finished. When it began at Adelaide during Super League, it looked doubtful he would get to 20. He also managed to score over 600-points. Few players have slipped as far under the radar as Williamson which is a real credit to Williamson and a real blight on the rest of us. He was the type of player I adored: hard working, flexible, humble, fit, full of heart, blue collar. It is a great shame that he did not get the Grand Final send-off he so richly deserved.

Vale, Matt Geyer… You can’t say a bad word about Matt Geyer: he was a quiet overachiever who built a career on mistake-free and intelligent rugby league. Better yet he did it in rugby league outposts Perth and Melbourne, where he acted as a missionary of sorts. A tradesman at heart, Matt Geyer was a master of many arts. A sound defender, skilful ball player, instinctive try scorer, fine game-reader and capable goalkicker, Geyer was called on to play every position one through six as well as some nine in the backend of his career. Geyer can be extremely proud of a fine career. Rugby league can be grateful of the contribution Boofa made even though we all mourn the passing of an era today.

Vale, Mick Crocker… Farewell to the luckiest man in league. Crocker sure must be a good bloke and an extraordinary teammate as his deeds have far outweighed his contributions. With the Roosters and the Storm, Crocker played in an amazing five Grand Finals in eight seasons and 130-odd first grade games. While at the Storm he only suffered his first loss at the club this season after three years at the club. He somehow became an automatic selection for Queensland and Australia when fit and available. He sure had the Irish luck on his side. To give Crocker his due, he played the game with a ferocious tenacity and thirst for blood rarely seen. He could hurt and play hurt and rarely left anything on the paddock other than broken bones and missing teeth. How he kept getting so lucky, however, still confounds many.

Vale, Russell Aitken… We may never see you again after a Grand Final performance marked by a lack of hustle out of dummy half and a number of costly errors. We will, however, always know where to find you. You will forever reside in the annals of Grand Final trivia, the answer to the question that will be often asked: who is the goose that replaced Cameron Smith in the 2008 Grand Final?

Day of the Field Goal… The NSW Cup Grand Final between Wentworthville and Newtown was a great spectacle for those who love The Field Goal. Well, those who appreciate quantity rather than quality, at any rate. Thirteen shots were taken in what was a real festival of the field goal as the scores sat locked at 8-8 from the 49th minute until the 104th and final minute. None went between the sticks. Kudos goes out for trying, however.

Amusing New South Wales Cup Grand Finalists… Joe Galuvao, the one-time feared Panthers backrower who only five seasons ago was celebrating a premiership victory with Penrith, and Sean Rudder, the former premiership winning Knight with over 130 games of first grade under his belt.

The Colin Best Express Fan Revue… The Colin Best Express suffered another snub from representative selectors throughout the week when Australian cricket selectors selected Cameron White to replace the injured Bryce McGain. The selection rebuff comes after the Dally M Winger of the Year missed out on selection for New South Wales, the Prime Minister’s XIII and the Australian World Cup squad. The Express is a renowned tweaker of the ball and with the dearth of quality spin options currently on offer, he should have been called up to fill the role. Best, ever the magnanimous chap would dually have accepted out of patriotism and national duty. The last game CBE rolled the arm over it is believed he took 6-3 from seven overs with his dismissal of Trevor Thurling the real highlight. Word has it that CBE deceived TT in flight and turn, leaving the talented backrower well out of his ground as the Zip Zip Man whipped off the bails.

The Five Greatest Grand-Finals of the Last Quarter Century…

1. 1989: Canberra-Balmain, 19-14.
An absolute classic of any era with brutal defence, free-flowing attack and unparalleled drama making the match one of the greatest games of rugby league ever played. Balmain established an early lead but it was whittled away in the second half. Benny Elias almost snatched it for the Tigers but his drop goal hit the cross bar. The Raiders had too much in extra-time with Steve Jackson scoring the match-winning try. Balmain fans still have never forgiven Warren Ryan for dragging Roach and Sironen.

2. 2006: Brisbane-Melbourne 15-8
Melbourne were heavy favourites after running away with the minor premiership but the Broncos were the team of the day thanks primarily to Wayne Bennett, who devised a gameplan that shut down the Storm’s brilliance. Darren Lockyer was simply magnificent, Tonie Carroll played his finest ever game and the Broncos had won their finest title.

3. 1997: Newcastle-Manly 22-16
A tough game capped off by one of the great finishes; Andrew Johns sneaking down the blind and throwing inside to Darren Albert to shock the Eagles.

4. 1999: Melbourne-St. George-Illawarra 20-18
Forever remembered as The Penalty Try Game though it could also be remembered for the brilliant Dragons choke. It was also remarkable as it was only the Storm’s second season in the NRL.

5. 1995: Canterbury-Manly 17-4
Manly entered the Grand Final as huge favourites against a Bulldogs team who had defied the odds and made the decider from sixth but the Eagles could not match the hustle or the enthusiasm of Canterbury and were never in the match. It was a fine send-off for the incomparable Terry Lamb…unfortunately some treachery forced his return in 1996.

The Five Worst Grand Finals of the last Quarter Century…

1. 1986: Parramatta-Canterbury, 4-2
Dour beyond belief combined with a loss to the beloved Bulldogs. Rugby league, even at the time, did not get much duller.

2. 1996: Manly-St. George, 20-8
Manly got out to an early lead on the back of some very ordinary refereeing and weren’t challenged by a Dragons team who were lucky to be there.

3. 2000: Brisbane-Roosters, 14-6
The Roosters were never going to be able to tangle with a Broncos team who were the benchmark for the turn-of-the-century era. The Roosters blew their chances early and were subsequently choked out of the match in a game that caused many to fall asleep.

4. 1994: Canberra-Bulldogs, 36-12
A tragedy for Bulldogs fans, one of which didn’t get out of bed for two weeks after the horror show due to the brutality of the defeat. Martin Bella dropped the kick-off and that was about that.

5. 1993: Brisbane-St. George, 14-6
The Broncos left their renowned flair in Brisbane and just put the clamps down on an inferior Dragons team.

Rebecca Wilson, Shut Your Dirty Mouth… Those who indulge in Melbourne sports radio would have had the misfortune of hearing the least knowledgeable, most obnoxious woman in the world on SEN last week. Rebecca Wilson was, for some reason, invited on to comment on the NRL Grand Final and the plight of the Melbourne Storm. In her distinctly foul style she sat upon her high horse and slagged rugby league, the Melbourne Storm and anything else that crossed her predominantly vacant mind. She even had the temerity to tell listeners that she followed the Gold Coast Titans despite spending the better part of her “career” on hands and knees doing the bidding for the Sydney Roosters. It was heartening to hear, however, a number of callers phone and text in and “tell it like it is”, as it were, providing many accurate descriptions of Wilson and her tendencies.

And One Final Thought… Congratulations to Sportingbet who were kind enough to offer player metres, tackles and hit-up markets for the decider. Sportingbet shook the unfounded fear that has gripped most bookmakers who have abandoned this fine form of wagering. The NRL appears as if it will be of little help in eradicating this fear with the organisation taking its traditionally reactive and nonsensical stance in stating that they do not support the wagering and that the stats are “subjective in nature”. What bollocks.