Season 2010: Round 2

From The Couch

The Frustrations of Having Robert Finch in Your Life: Phil Gould penned this Click Here fantastic and incisively accurate article blaming dopey referees boss Robert Finch for the flood of irrational, illogical, mind-numbing and excessive number blown penalties over the first two rounds of the competition. Gould even had the discipline to avoid mentioning Finch by name, undercutting Finch’s desire to be a bigwig in rugby league by reinforcing the notion that we should not know the name of the referees coach. Gould highlighted that Finch was trying to change the way rugby league is played by removing all refereeing discretion and forcing referees to adhere to his strict interpretation doctrine. Gould should have gone further, however, and called for Finch’s head. He is ruining rugby league. The game on Friday night between Souths and the Gold Coast, an abhorrent affair before the referees got involved, became almost unwatchable as they continually made a mess of the match with an overzealous use of the whistle and an ability to get every decision wrong. The NRL can consider themselves lucky the Gold Coast got the money because it looked, for all intents and purposes, that Ashley Klein and in particular Tony Des Las Heras had loaded up on South Sydney. The sin-binning of Nathan Friend was just a disgraceful decision. The referees then chimed back in during the Eels-Eagles game, costing Manly victory after Joel Reddy received a six yard slant pass to score the winning try. No whistle. Unbelievable. This all comes back to Robert Finch. Fire him and fire him now. If Gus and Punt are calling for it, it must be necessary.

Polar Bear Hunting: Ben Hannant has always been my kind of player and from a young age at Brisbane I have been an unabashed fan of his style. He is a bullocking type with the footwork of Baryshnikov and the strength of MacGyver. He knows no fear and he fears no man. Courage is his hallmark and the game of rugby league is his future as no prop in the game possesses the potential of Hannant. That is why Canterbury should not be releasing him and that is why the Bulldogs should make him stick it out until the end of the 2011 season or send him broke by suing his ass if he doesn’t want to keep on keeping on in the blue and white. Todd Greenberg is a shrewd businessman and will surely make this happen. Hannant signed a contract and if he is the honourable man he says he is then he should see out his deal. If that means he has to be apart from his family because they do not like Sydney then so be it. God doesn’t like a liar, Benny. Loyalty is big to me but more important is the contract and Hannant signed a rich one that not only positioned him in the top tier of prop forwards but took a good chunk of the Bulldogs salary cap up meaning they have not been able to make a play at other props available over the last eighteen months. That is fine and if Hannant wishes to move on afterwards then so be it but unless the Bulldogs get a player of Hannant’s ilk in return then he should be at Belmore until Grand Final day, 2011. To my eye that means Michael Searle had better be prepared to trade Scott Prince or Anthony Laffranchi if he is to get Ben Hannant this year or next. I should have known when I read preseason that his first priority was family, his second religion and his third his footy club. Rugby league and Canterbury should always be first. From then on I should have been wise to the fact that trouble was brewing.

Ten Out of Ten: It was pleasing to see that Channel Ten has unofficially approached the NRL with an interest in acquiring the television rights once they are up for grabs in 2011 for the 2013 season. Ten will treat rugby league better than Nine, who smacks the game around like a pimp does a cheap aging whore. Seven also seems to want to do the game no favours by refusing to broadcast nationally The Matthew Johns Show. So now support from this column goes behind Ten. They have the infrastructure with One HD and the want to be involved so lets hope they, along with Fox Sports, get the sweetest chunks of the rugby league pie when it is divided up for a pretty penny in the very near future.

Welcome Back Rylesy: I was a little disappointed in the opening round when Jason Ryles seemed to play reasonably competently in his debut for the Roosters and his return to the NRL after a year away. Old Rylesy was back yesterday, however, with a typical Jason Ryles performance. In only 31 minutes of play, Ryles made two handling errors, gave away two penalties and was apparently legless with heat stroke despite only running the ball 5 times and making 15 tackles. Your ineptitude has been missed Big Man.

Coaches Challenge: Graham Lowe has always been one of rugby league’s finest warriors, an intellectual with a progressive bent and a headkicker when the occasion requires. This week Lowe called for coaches to be empowered with the right to challenge a refereeing decision after Manly were robbed against the Eels. While coaches should not be allowed to challenge forward pass calls, coaches should have the right to challenge similar to the way it works in the NFL. Here is how it should work in rugby league.

• The current video referee should be abolished with the “head” on-field referee reviewing the decision in a booth behind the in-goal with one of these booths located behind each in-goal.
   
• Only plays where a try has been scored can be challenged.
   
• Coaches are allowed two incorrect challenges per game. The penalty for a failed challenge is a 20-metre tap to the opposition if the attacking team who was not awarded a try fails to correctly challenge while a defensive team who challenges a try and fails to get it overturned then give the opposition the conversion from underneath the posts.
   
• Benefit of the doubt is scrapped. The ruling on the field shall stand unless there is conclusive evidence to the contrary.
   
• Referees are given only 60 seconds to review.
  Forward passes cannot be challenged. Double movements and grounding can only be reviewed in real time.
   
• Only referees can call for a review in the last 5 minutes of the match.

The benefits of this system are plentiful. First, the decision is put in the hands of coaches meaning they have some control to overturn horrible decisions. Second, the onus is put back on the on-field referees. They will have to make a decision and then find overwhelming evidence to overturn it. This means they will have to take more on-field responsibility yet they won’t be hesitant to overturn their own decision. Thirdly, it will eliminate those overzealous show-ponies like Bill Harrigan who do not understand the rules of the game. Finally, and most importantly, it should lead to more correct decisions. The NRL needs to implement this in 2010 regardless of what the coaches want or argue.

Power Rankings:

Rank	Team	Record	Last Week	High	Low
1	Dragons	2-0	2	1	2
2	Melbourne	2-0	1	1	2
3	Parramatta	1-1	3	3	3
4	Roosters	2-0	8	4	8
5	Gold Coast	2-0	4	4	5
6	Wests Tigers	1-1	6	6	6
7	Canterbury	0-2	5	5	7
8	Brisbane	1-1	7	7	8
9	Manly	0-2	10	9	10
10	Newcastle	1-1	11	10	11
11	Penrith	1-1	9	9	11
12	Cowboys	1-1	14	12	14
13	Warriors	1-1	13	13	13
14	Canberra	1-1	15	14	15
15	Cronulla	0-2	12	12	15
16	Souths	0-2	16	16	16

 

Fun Fact #1: Cronulla have now lost 12 matches in a row, the longest in their history.

Fun Fact #2: A loss to South Sydney next Monday night and the Sharks will tie the record for the biggest losing streak in the NRL era, tying the 13 game losing streaks of the Knights in 2005, Souths in 2006 and Cowboys in 2008.

Fun Fact #3: The all-time record is 42 straight losses by University between April 1934 and August 1936 but the Roosters second placed 25 straight losses from July 1965 to April 1967 is most achievable.

Rumour of the Week: The rumour mill has been in overdrive over the weekend suggesting Ricky Stuart is off to the Tigers with Tim Sheens moving on to Souths. Other parts have Nathan Brown as the possible successor to Stuart at the Sharks with Adrian Lam, Shane Flanagan, Steve Folkes and Michael Maguire also mentioned in pub dispatches and corner talk. Stuart’s move to the Tigers may or may not be true but it would be one of the dumbest coaching moves in rugby league history. For starters, why hire a coach who has an unfinished record losing streak at a club and whose resume also includes Australia’s first lost World Cup in four decades? Tim Sheens’ time at the Tigers is probably coming to an end but the worst thing the club could do will be to hire Ricky Stuart. Stuart has one winning season in his last five as an NRL coach with his record and astonishing 52-72 since Brad Fittler retired. Stuart cannot coach. He has no attacking philosophy. He has not been able to win once since his gravy train made his last run. He is temperamental and emotional, neither of which is a positive trait for a rugby league coach. He works his players too hard too early in the season. He is a terrible judge of talent. He is clearly an idiot with claims like Mitchell Pearce should be New South Wales captain, something he said over the weekend, showing what a fool he is. The Tigers will surely be smart and avoid Ricky Stuart like the plague.

The Willie M Award: For outstanding achievements in laziness, ineptitude and negative impact…

Canterbury-Dragons	3-Ben Roberts (Bul)
	2-Gary Warburton(Bul)
	1-Brett Kimmorley (Bul)
Souths-Gold Coast	3-Chris Sandow (Sou)
	2-Mat Rogers (GC)
	1-Fetuli Talanoa (Sou)
Cronulla-Warriors	3-Luke Covell (Cro)
	2-Trent Barrett (Cro)
	1-Grant Millington(Cro)
Cowboys-Penrith	3-Michael Gordon (Pen)
	2-Adrian Purtell (Pen)
	1-Ty Williams (NQ)
Newcastle-Storm	3-STeve Simpson(New)
	2-Anthony Quinn (Mlb)
	1-Scott Dureau (New)
Parramatta-Manly	3-Michael Robertson(Man)
	2-Luke Burt (Par)
	1-Josh Perry (Man)
Roosters-Tigers	3-Robert Lui (Tig)
	2-Jason Ryles (Roo)
	1-Blake Avshford (Tig)
Canberra-Brisbane	3-Denan Kemp (Brs)
	2-Trevor Thurling (Can)
	1-Jarrod Croker (Can)

Thanks to Bossy (Cro-War), Sting (Par-Man, Roo-Tig) and Vickers (NQ-Pen) for their contributions to week two of the Willie M Medal. They, along with other degenerate associates of mine, will be allocating points to all games that I cannot watch live and living colour.

Leaderboard:

6-Chris Sandow

3-Multiple

A Damned Shame: Word filtered through that Cronulla backrower/centre Reece Williams suffered another head knock which again sent him to hospital and is likely to end his season and possibly his career. Williams was playing NSW Cup as he was on the comeback trail after suffering a blood clot and bruising on the brain last year and suffering post-concussion syndrome earlier this year. Williams is a hard working backrower who played for City in 2007 and has 98 games under his belt. He hit hard and he worked tirelessly. He is exactly the kind of player Cronulla needs in these dire times. Here is to hoping he makes it back on the field and makes it back fit and healthy.

Coaching Stocks:

Craig Bellamy [5] It is a testament to Bellamy that the Storm has opened up with 2 wins with offseason disruptions.

Wayne Bennett [5] Have choked two teams out now. They play the perfect style perfectly for this time of year.

Kevin Moore [4] Not a lot lost in the Dragons game but two losses and problems at key positions concerning.

Brian Smith [4] Being viewed as a messiah at Roosters. Looked good but only beat two mentally weak teams.

Tim Sheens [3.5] Humiliating but typical loss to the Roosters. Flat track bullies. Being chased by Souths though.

John Cartwright [3.5] Tough win but the Titans looked dreadful again. Winning close ones is important though.

Daniel Anderson [3.5] Would be concerned with Eels start but huge comeback covered up dreadful effort early.

Rick Stone [3.5] Second courageous performance in a row from Knights. No shame in loss to Melbourne.

Ivan Henjak [2.5] Road problems continue. Still, the Broncs showed plenty of steel and will be better next week.

Des Hasler [2] Injuries are a big worry but more concerning are two blown leads. Pack is too fat and useless.

Matt Elliott [1.5] Butchered a big chance to go 2 from 2. Needs to re-evaluate his backline.

David Furner [1.5] Great switch to go with McCrone. Ground out a much needed win. Needs to work on attack.

Neil Henry [1] Thurston saved the day again, covering up the Cowboys major deficiencies.

Ricky Stuart [0.5] 12 straight losses but being touted as the next Tigers boss. Sharks bad financial possie saving him.

John Lang [0] Two games in and the knives are already out. Criticised for having 3 big guns off at once.

Ivan Cleary [-10] Got a win but it was at home against the Sharks so it doesn’t really mean much.

Game of the Year, Round 2: Parramatta-Manly, 24-20. Clearly the best game of the round. Manly were again involved in a dandy and again came out the worse for wear. The Eagles pulled out a 20-0 lead as big underdogs to an Eels team expected to be a force this year and were home for all money before the Eels surged late on the back of Jarryd Hayne, who saved Parramatta from an embarrassing home loss to a team rattled by injury and offseason player movement. The game was partially ruined by the refereeing but was still an old school afternoon thriller. The Tahu try was also one for the books and one that will be remembered and replayed for many years to come.

Kid to Watch: New Raiders backrower Shaun Fensom has played two games in first grade and already I am in love with him. The Raiders, simply, have a new Alan Tongue. Against the Broncos he made 46 tackles and didn’t miss one in 68 minutes of action. It was his second week topping the tackle count. Fensom is one for the future and will soon establish himself as a critical member of the Raiders backrow, a new Dallas Johnson-David Stagg-Micheal Luck type grinder.

Exchanges with Fisk:

Fisk on his Tigers: “A bad day at the office”

Tedeschi on his Bulldogs: “Jesus. When did we get so inept and old.”

Fisk on the Bulldogs: “This may be the year guys like Bobcat, Noddy and the General finally fall off the pace.”

Fisk on Ben Hannant: “I would not release him. He can get fucked.”

Tedeschi on Ben Hannant: “He absolutely can get fucked. Fat fuck just used the Dogs for the cash. The Titans can give us Scott Prince and then I will reconsider.”

Quote of the Week: After former Wales and British Lions rugby player Gareth Thomas was knocked out 10 seconds into his Super League debut, Crusaders coach Brian Noble told him: “welcome to rugby league.” You ain’t playing that pansy union anymore Gareth Thomas.

Nice Tips: Jessica Halloran pulled one of the gutsiest tips ever in The Sunday Telegraph tipping competition by selecting the Knights in the Cowboys-Panthers match. Sure, the Cowboys-Panthers looked a rubbish match and there was a cyclone on the horizon but taking a third team is a whole new tactic. Unfortunately for Jessica: no dice. The Knights not only failed to win the Cowboys-Panthers match, they also struggled to down the Storm at home on Saturday night as well.

Stats from the Penguin: Ben Pomeroy had another outstanding game that must surely have coach Ricky Stuart in a state of absolute delight. If the Retarded Penguin played at any other club, he would be a fair-to-middling New South Wales Cup player.

0 Tries, 1 Try Assists, 3 Errors, 8 Runs for 54 metres, 10 Tackles with 4 Missed

Beard Watch: Bulldogs prop Jarrod Hickey had a delightfully cropped little number on Friday night that would have meant at least fifteen minutes in the barber’s chair. The manicured beard somehow belies Hickey’ size and style though and he now looks like one of those weird garden gnomes without the full crop.

Fantasy Team of the Week:

1. Jarryd Hayne (Par)
2. Brett Morris (Dra)
3. Willie Tonga (NQ)
4. Israel Folau (Brs)
5. Manu Vatuvei (War)
6. Benji Marshall (Tig)
7. Johnathan Thurston (NQ)
13. Ben Teo (Brs)
12. Sam Thaiday (Brs)
11. Scott Bolton (NQ)
10. Aiden Tolman (Mel)
9. Isaac Luke (Sou)
8. Sam Rapira (War)

Waiver Wire Pick-Ups: There are plenty of cheap players well worth picking up this week with the list headed by Raiders back-rower Shaun Fensom. Fensom is going for $155k and had his second big game in a row. He is a tackling machine and looks to have cemented a spot in the Raiders pack. He plays big minutes and is like a cheap David Stagg. The long term injury to Eddy Pettybourne means Ben Lowe is now well worth acquiring. Lowe is going for $235k but should see his number increase. The big Bunnies pack also means he will get big minutes as the subs are used on Taylor, Burgess, Asotasi and Stuart. Aiden Guera is only $94k and has three tries through two games despite being a forward. The Roosters pack has few stars and he may be one. Get on this week before his price goes through the roof.

Lazy Long Bay Days, Part 3: Chris Houston and Danny Wicks are on their way to the laundry to wash their clothes. “Yo Danny Boy, come here” yells Stroke, one of the top henchmen of a prominent bikie gang. “Come tell us all about that long range try, bro.” Danny’s shoulders relax as he recounts the tale of his most famous try, a couple of the bikie boys slapping their knees with laughter. Houston goes on to do his washing but quickly finds himself cornered, alone, in the laundry by the rest of the bikie gang. “We’ve been waiting for a big boy like you to come along” chortles the leader. “Houston, we have a problem…”

Watch It: There is something very special about rugby league in the country and this video of the Bathurst Knockout final between Orange Cyms and Bathurst St. Pats shows why. A thrilling affair, St. Pat’s led 2-0 into halftime before getting away with it in the second half. Look out for Wilfred Williams, who played 45 games for Easts, Wests and St. George in the mid-eighties. Click Here

Correspondence Corner: Last week I mentioned that I couldn’t think of too many positives to say about P.J Marsh. Mark Taylor has written to me and informed me that Marsh and his wife Kelly have been feeding the homeless in Brisbane every Monday night for the last two years. They buy, prepare and distribute the food. While I may not have liked Marsh as a footy player, he clearly is a top class chap who contributes plenty to the community and it is good to hear about some of the wonderful work footy players do away from the field.

I also got a very good email from Matt Heyes discussing television rights. He notes, quite correctly, that the NRL should start showing a little bit of vision for the future and forego cash in non-league markets to allow the game to grow. That means showing NRL games on U.S television, allowing NRL games to be broadcast in the UK and providing an internet package where fans can watch games cheaply. This should apply to anyone outside of New South Wales and Queensland. The NRL should look at some kind of NRL package for live internet broadcasts that is value for money, not the current system that allows for the purchase of a single game for a silly amount of money. Hopefully the NRL will wise up with the independent commission and start acting in the best interests of the game’s growth.