2013 NRL Discussion
- Thread starter Ms.Nobody
- Start date
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Rugby league suffers as the Jurassic fight club element of the game trade blows
These are great days for rugby league. The game’s finest performing deeds of outrageous skill and courage before huge audiences both in the stadiums and on the couch.
A time when the game emerges from the shadow of the season-long drugs controversy and reminds us why it continues to thrill and excite.
When players are evaluated, for better and sometimes worse, under the most arduous circumstances.
A time when the game’s administrators deserve rich praise for reforming and, consequently, improving the sport to ensure it remains relevant to a wider audience.
Not merely the preserve of those who yearn for the days of blood and biffo.
Because, as the finals will prove, the game was no better when a raised shoulder could inflict permanent damage to an unprotected head. The world’s toughest sport was no tougher when you were allowed to punch an opponent in the face then trot back to position.
It is a time when rugby league is so good, you wonder why more is not being done to spread the word.
Why a second team in Brisbane, a franchise in Auckland and even expansion west to Perth or Adelaide is not on the agenda.
The answer, from one leading NRL official, was telling: "You can’t build on shifting sands."
Despite the brilliant football we are watching, the NRL commission believes the game is still held back by poor club administration. And you could hardly have chosen a better week to make that point.
At Manly, if the court documents are to be believed, they no longer gather in the board room. They hold their meetings in a cage.
Since Peter Peters was moved to take out a apprehended personal violence order against fellow board member Darrell Williams, it has been hard to tell if Manly was trying to win a premiership or bidding to host the UFC at Brookvale.
There is always a place for robust discussion at board level. Some creative friction.
But if, as Peters alleges, Williams threatened several times to knock his block off, then you wonder if some shaping Manly’s destiny are fit to run the lemonade stand at a kindergarten fundraiser. Let alone a high profile multi-million business on behalf of thousands of passionate and emotionally invested fans.
Although, Manly’s recent courtroom history, we might consider the conduct of Peters and Williams something of a breakthrough.
Yes, Williams protecting himself from the photographer’s lens with a piece of paper in the manner of a dodgy used car salesman looked unseemly. But at least, this time, Peters wasn’t moved to describe a female reporter as a "good sort".
A description that, given Peters claimed Williams had threatened "I’m going to bash you, you fat c..," was not likely to be made about him. Meanwhile, at Parramatta, the balance of power is like the Melbourne weather.
If you don’t like it, just wait a minute. When Ricky Stuart was hired by Parramatta, Roy Spagnolo was the president. Now the spagnolo is just a dish on the past menu in the league’s club bistro and someone else is in charge.
Probably someone else again by the time you read that sentence.
Like Manly, the Eels’ board room comes with a blood bin and a revolving door. Departing directors get a complimentary set of steak knives, although you have to pull them from your back.
No wonder Stuart’s tenure with the Eels lasted only slightly longer than his old friend Mal Meninga’s political career.
Is Ricky Stuart a great coach, or even a good one? He gets his next — and possibly last — chance to prove that in Canberra.
However, while the scepticism about Stuart is justified by his lukewarm club record, judging a coach on his performance at dysfunctional Parramatta is like judging a gourmet chef on what he can do with a loaf of stale bread and half a jar of pickled herrings.
Still, in returning to his old stomping ground, perhaps Stuart should have been careful what he wished for.
In Canberra on Wednesday night, there was the joyful news that the favourite son would return as coach.
Joyful for everyone, that is, except the acting coach Andrew Dunemann who had not been told. Woops. Which makes you wonder what else the Raiders have forgotten to tell key people in their organisation.
Like that, generally, it is not a great look to climb on the roof with a six pack of pineapple Cruisers and take a selfie.
As noted league fan Oscar Wilde might have observed, losing one talented back to behavioural problems may be regarded as a misfortune. Losing half a dozen, as the Raiders have, looks like carelessness.
The type of carelessness that is in the NRL commission’s sights. Because, before a brilliant game takes another step forward, it needs functioning club administrations and board rooms. Not comedy capers and barbaric bloodbaths.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...game-trade-blows/story-fni3fh9n-1226719148351
- - - Updated - - -
No loyalty in NRL's annual sack race
It’s even more the case for coaches than players or officials and it’s why Ricky Stuart was perfectly entitled to walk out on Parramatta when he did.Ask Ivan Henjak about loyalty.
Ask Kevin Moore or Dave Furner, who were all punted more than a year before their contracts were up.
Neil Henry is another. He signed a new deal with the Cowboys this year then got sacked two months later.
Ask Manly fans about Des Hasler, who left a year early to go to the Bulldogs because he couldn’t work for a dysfunctional board.
And Rick Stone at the Knights. He took Newcastle to the semi-finals but got punted for Wayne Bennett.
Parramatta are the biggest farce of all. They sacked Daniel Anderson a year after taking the club to the 2009 grand final.They dumped Stephen Kearney two years into a three-year deal. Stuart was likely to be next.
The Panthers sacked Matt Elliott within weeks of Phil Gould’s arrival. Speaking of Gus, he quit while under contract at Canterbury, Penrith, Souths and the Roosters.
The Roosters have been through more coaches than any other club. Stuart, Graham Murray, Chris Anderson and Brian Smith all left before their time was up.Smith joined the Roosters after walking out mid-contract on the Knights.
The same with the Warriors. Brian McLennan got axed after just one year for Elliott.
And the Wests Tigers … they axed Tim Sheens two years before his contract was up.They signed Mick Potter and want to get rid of him too.
It’s the proof rugby league coaching is the most insecure employment in the country.You’re safer being a politician.Stuart knew the knives were out for him at Parramatta.
Two directors on their dysfunctional board wanted him out.So he got in first to get the security of three years in the national capital.Not that there is any certainty he will be there for that long. It’s the nature of the game and the job.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...annual-sack-race/story-fni3fbgz-1226719233388
- RICHARD HINDS
- THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 15, 2013 12:00AM
These are great days for rugby league. The game’s finest performing deeds of outrageous skill and courage before huge audiences both in the stadiums and on the couch.
A time when the game emerges from the shadow of the season-long drugs controversy and reminds us why it continues to thrill and excite.
When players are evaluated, for better and sometimes worse, under the most arduous circumstances.
A time when the game’s administrators deserve rich praise for reforming and, consequently, improving the sport to ensure it remains relevant to a wider audience.
Not merely the preserve of those who yearn for the days of blood and biffo.
Because, as the finals will prove, the game was no better when a raised shoulder could inflict permanent damage to an unprotected head. The world’s toughest sport was no tougher when you were allowed to punch an opponent in the face then trot back to position.
It is a time when rugby league is so good, you wonder why more is not being done to spread the word.
Why a second team in Brisbane, a franchise in Auckland and even expansion west to Perth or Adelaide is not on the agenda.
The answer, from one leading NRL official, was telling: "You can’t build on shifting sands."
Despite the brilliant football we are watching, the NRL commission believes the game is still held back by poor club administration. And you could hardly have chosen a better week to make that point.
At Manly, if the court documents are to be believed, they no longer gather in the board room. They hold their meetings in a cage.
Since Peter Peters was moved to take out a apprehended personal violence order against fellow board member Darrell Williams, it has been hard to tell if Manly was trying to win a premiership or bidding to host the UFC at Brookvale.
There is always a place for robust discussion at board level. Some creative friction.
But if, as Peters alleges, Williams threatened several times to knock his block off, then you wonder if some shaping Manly’s destiny are fit to run the lemonade stand at a kindergarten fundraiser. Let alone a high profile multi-million business on behalf of thousands of passionate and emotionally invested fans.
Although, Manly’s recent courtroom history, we might consider the conduct of Peters and Williams something of a breakthrough.
Yes, Williams protecting himself from the photographer’s lens with a piece of paper in the manner of a dodgy used car salesman looked unseemly. But at least, this time, Peters wasn’t moved to describe a female reporter as a "good sort".
A description that, given Peters claimed Williams had threatened "I’m going to bash you, you fat c..," was not likely to be made about him. Meanwhile, at Parramatta, the balance of power is like the Melbourne weather.
If you don’t like it, just wait a minute. When Ricky Stuart was hired by Parramatta, Roy Spagnolo was the president. Now the spagnolo is just a dish on the past menu in the league’s club bistro and someone else is in charge.
Probably someone else again by the time you read that sentence.
Like Manly, the Eels’ board room comes with a blood bin and a revolving door. Departing directors get a complimentary set of steak knives, although you have to pull them from your back.
No wonder Stuart’s tenure with the Eels lasted only slightly longer than his old friend Mal Meninga’s political career.
Is Ricky Stuart a great coach, or even a good one? He gets his next — and possibly last — chance to prove that in Canberra.
However, while the scepticism about Stuart is justified by his lukewarm club record, judging a coach on his performance at dysfunctional Parramatta is like judging a gourmet chef on what he can do with a loaf of stale bread and half a jar of pickled herrings.
Still, in returning to his old stomping ground, perhaps Stuart should have been careful what he wished for.
In Canberra on Wednesday night, there was the joyful news that the favourite son would return as coach.
Joyful for everyone, that is, except the acting coach Andrew Dunemann who had not been told. Woops. Which makes you wonder what else the Raiders have forgotten to tell key people in their organisation.
Like that, generally, it is not a great look to climb on the roof with a six pack of pineapple Cruisers and take a selfie.
As noted league fan Oscar Wilde might have observed, losing one talented back to behavioural problems may be regarded as a misfortune. Losing half a dozen, as the Raiders have, looks like carelessness.
The type of carelessness that is in the NRL commission’s sights. Because, before a brilliant game takes another step forward, it needs functioning club administrations and board rooms. Not comedy capers and barbaric bloodbaths.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...game-trade-blows/story-fni3fh9n-1226719148351
- - - Updated - - -
No loyalty in NRL's annual sack race
- PHIL ROTHFIELD
- THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 11:00PM
THERE is no such thing as loyalty in rugby league and only the naive would suggest otherwise.It’s even more the case for coaches than players or officials and it’s why Ricky Stuart was perfectly entitled to walk out on Parramatta when he did.Ask Ivan Henjak about loyalty.
Ask Kevin Moore or Dave Furner, who were all punted more than a year before their contracts were up.
Neil Henry is another. He signed a new deal with the Cowboys this year then got sacked two months later.
Ask Manly fans about Des Hasler, who left a year early to go to the Bulldogs because he couldn’t work for a dysfunctional board.
And Rick Stone at the Knights. He took Newcastle to the semi-finals but got punted for Wayne Bennett.
Parramatta are the biggest farce of all. They sacked Daniel Anderson a year after taking the club to the 2009 grand final.They dumped Stephen Kearney two years into a three-year deal. Stuart was likely to be next.
The Panthers sacked Matt Elliott within weeks of Phil Gould’s arrival. Speaking of Gus, he quit while under contract at Canterbury, Penrith, Souths and the Roosters.
The Roosters have been through more coaches than any other club. Stuart, Graham Murray, Chris Anderson and Brian Smith all left before their time was up.Smith joined the Roosters after walking out mid-contract on the Knights.
The same with the Warriors. Brian McLennan got axed after just one year for Elliott.
And the Wests Tigers … they axed Tim Sheens two years before his contract was up.They signed Mick Potter and want to get rid of him too.
It’s the proof rugby league coaching is the most insecure employment in the country.You’re safer being a politician.Stuart knew the knives were out for him at Parramatta.
Two directors on their dysfunctional board wanted him out.So he got in first to get the security of three years in the national capital.Not that there is any certainty he will be there for that long. It’s the nature of the game and the job.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...annual-sack-race/story-fni3fbgz-1226719233388
Last edited:
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
$1 million wasted, punters furious at referee blunder resulting in Cronulla try on seventh tackle
IT was the referee blunder which cost rugby league punters almost $1 million in wasted bets and puts the NRL at serious risk of litigation from furious gamblers.
While North Queensland players and fans come to grips with the fact their season was ruined by the inability of referees Matt Cecchin and Henry Perenara to count to five, spare a thought for the unlucky punters nationwide.
The Courier Mail contacted five of the biggest bookmakers in Australia – Tattsbet, TAB Sportsbet, Sportsbet.com.au, Sportingbet and Centrebet – and found that $855,000 was blown by fans who had backed the Cowboys in head to head or premiership markets.
Wages placed with other agencies would almost certainly put the figure lost on the Cowboys' result well beyond $1m.
With the NRL immediately confirming an error with the tackle count resulting in a try in Cronulla’s 20-18 win over North Queensland, Gerard Daffy of Tattsbet warned it won’t be long until punters threaten lawsuits against the governing body for such costly mistakes.
"You run the risk of litigation for results like that from errors," Daffy said. "Particularly when the governing body comes out and says that was a mistake. "It will happen one day. We sit back and laugh about some cases in the courts and the bizarre things people sue for that it must be a realistic chance. "I’m not saying this incident, but it will happen one day when punters sue the governing body or the referee for an error.
"That is just the society we live in now. In every walk of life you can be sued for an accident and lose. Is there really that big a difference here?"
Over $600,000 was wagered on the Cowboys to win in head-to-head markets and given the Cowboys had started as outsiders the payout alone would have been in excess of $1.2m for frustrated North Queensland supporters.
On Sunday, sportsbet.com.au refunded $180,000 worth of bets on the Cowboys in head-to-head and premiership markets.
"It’s the right thing to do. The Cowboys were duded but we won’t stand by and let our punters miss out so they’re getting their bets refunded in full," sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.
For many bookies, the Cowboys were the worst possible result in premiership betting due to their odds blowing out to as much as $151 this year. Tattsbet took over $20,000 on North Queensland for the premiership in the last week as fans began to dream of a repeat of Parramatta’s 2009 surge to the grand final.
TAB Sportsbet held over $500,000 on the elimination final alone and the decision impacted upon almost every exotic market too including line betting, margins and half-time lead.
Despite the frustration from fans everywhere about the final result, the Cowboys still had their chance to win the game and the whole farce would have been less embarrassing for the NRL had Kane Linnett’s foot not gone out as he attempted to score the match-winning 11 seconds from full-time.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n-seventh-tackle/story-fni3fbgz-1226719622419
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Sudden-death final sees Manly Sea Eagles dive in deep end ahead of clash with Cronulla Sharks
A MIDNIGHT swim at Narrabeen was the first step in Manly's bid to be physically healthy for Friday night's sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla.
The Sea Eagles left Allianz Stadium on Saturday night battered and bruised after a torrid 4-0 loss to the Sydney Roosters.Both teams endured enormous physical punishment although the Roosters now have a week off to recover.
Manly though face a short turn-around before confronting the Sharks at Allianz Stadium.After Saturday night, Manly players caught the team bus back to their Narrabeen base and headed straight for the indoor pool for recovery.
It was about midnight by the time Manly players emerged from the pool and headed home to rest."It was a physical game," conceded Manly coach Geoff Toovey."If you look at the stats there were a lot of tackles and a lot of sets for both sides."It is a matter of getting them up mentally.
"Physically it has been a long season but they are tough players and they'll be fine."Everyone pulled up well. Richie Fa’aoso (head cut and concussion) has recovered well which is a good sign for next week."It is a short-term turn-around for us."With the intensity of the game, we will only be able to fit in a couple of training runs with the ball this week."
Manly should still start favourites for the Cronulla game but it will be hard and confrontational.The Sharks will fancy their chances.Manly may though be boosted by the return of star fullback Brett Stewart, who missed the Roosters game through injury.
"We won’t know yet whether he will play," Toovey said."I think we will have to weigh that up later in the week."We will run as usual but I think there wouldn’t be a decision until Friday. We will play it by ear."
Manly assistant coach Andrew Johns raved about the performance of Stewart’s replacement, Peta Hiku."He was man of the match," Johns told Triple M. "I think he ran for over 200 metres."He has only been playing league for four years."Peta still has a lot of work."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3gnk1-1226719545363
- - - Updated - - -
The Monday Buzz: NRL a laughing stock after finals weekend of embarrassment
THE National Rugby League is officially in crisis with confidence in the game's administration at an all-time low.
The first weekend of the finals series will be remembered as one of the most embarrassing in the code’s history.
A seventh-tackle try, a scoreboard clock malfunction, poor crowds, no entertainment, inflated crowd figures and even shown up by the Swans and the AFL who got easily the biggest attendance of the weekend. Last Sunday I went to Moree for the Group 19 grand final run by a bunch of volunteers.
A $10 entry fee, a referee on $100-a-game and officials who get paid nothing put on a better show than our so-called NRL professionals.
For the second year in a row the Cowboys were bumped out of finals by an unforgivable refereeing blunder.Two referees, two touch judges and two guys in the video box all stuff up a tackle count. Six of them couldn’t count to six.
They should all be sacked immediately. I have been covering rugby league since the late 70s and cannot recall a more bungling administration.Yes we had seven-tackle tries in the old days but the referees like Greg Hartley were part time and there was only one of them.Mistakes were almost excusable.
The game now spends a million dollars a year on professional referees yet they can’t even get simple things right in our biggest games.
This annual apology to the Cowboys is not good enough.NRL CEO Dave Smith keeps telling us he wants to attract a whole new audience to rugby league.
He knows rusted-on fans will turn up every week but to grow the game, he needs to promote and take the sport to new customers. Where were the billboards around town, the flags or the buses to let casual observers know the NRL finals series was even on?
Four finals in one weekend in Sydney and half the town wouldn’t have known about it.Where was the pre-finals advertising blitz? Where was the lunch time activity at Martin Place? Instead we got this.
Semi-final 1: Rabbitohs v Storm: 60,000 empty seats at Homebush.
Semi-final 2: Sharks v Roosters: Seventh-tackle try blunder. Scoreboard clock breaks down.
Semi-final 3: Roosters v Eagles: No pre-match entertainment for more than an hour between games apart from a relay race.
Semi-final 4: Bulldogs v Knights: More than 50,000 empty seats at ANZ Stadium.
This is not good enough. Last week the AFL got more than 90,000 at one game.Rugby league recently got $1.2 billion from Channel 9 and Fox Sports.
Why hasn’t some of that money been spent to properly promote the finals and get bums on seats?
Why couldn’t they hire a decent band for entertainment in between games at the double header?
(I saw so many young women and families leave after the first game because there was nothing to do for more than an hour).All sports are about the game-day experience and entertainment. ANZ Stadium is a wonderful venue for State of Origin, grand finals, soccer internationals and British Lions rugby Tests.
But no rugby league semi-final should be played there unless there is a guarantee of a crowd of more than 40,000. The NRL has taken its eye off the ball at the most critical time of the year. Smith is concerned the entire game is being held back by poor administration around the clubs like Parramatta and the Wests Tigers.
He should throw his own administration into that category, too. That’s where the biggest issues are.
The dramatic fall in TV ratings, the poor crowds, the zero confidence in referees and the non-existent marketing.There’s no point fixing the struggling clubs unless the head office is in proper working order. The NRL needs to be setting the example. Right know they couldn’t run a chook raffle.
HIGHLIGHT
The physical brutality of the Roosters-Sea Eagles game. It was fierce and ferocious football for 80 edge-of-your-seat minutes in a throwback to the good old days when tries were a lot harder to come by.
LOWLIGHT
The seven-tackle try outrage. We’ll never know if it cost the Cowboys the game but they didn’t deserve to bow out on a refereeing blunder for the second year in a row.
NEVER SAY DIE
John Morris is nowhere near the best hooker in the NRL. Never has been, never will be. Still, the Sharks forward is one of the game’s great competitors. His try-saving tackle on Kane Linnett in the dying seconds of the semi-final was simply sensational.
CARTY CONNECTION
Keep an eye on rookie second-rower Bryce Cartwright in Penrith’s Holden Cup team. This kid is built and plays like his uncle, Titans coach John Cartwright. The same running action, the same offload. We will be hearing a lot more of him in the future.
WHO'S THE MAN
Who decides Channel 9’s man-of-the-match awards? Peta Hiku had a handy game as Brett Stewart’s replacement against the Roosters but was hardly the best player on the park.
END THE ERRORS
Surely a referee challenge system is the best way to stop future seven-point tries. The Wests Tigers Holden Cup team twice had penalties overturned in extra time against the Broncos yesterday to save the game from being decided by a ref error.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-monday-buzz-nrl-a-laughing-stock-after-finals-weekend-of-embarrassment/story-fni3fh9n-1226719496631
- TODD BAYLM
- THE COURIER-MAIL
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 12:00AM
IT was the referee blunder which cost rugby league punters almost $1 million in wasted bets and puts the NRL at serious risk of litigation from furious gamblers.
While North Queensland players and fans come to grips with the fact their season was ruined by the inability of referees Matt Cecchin and Henry Perenara to count to five, spare a thought for the unlucky punters nationwide.
The Courier Mail contacted five of the biggest bookmakers in Australia – Tattsbet, TAB Sportsbet, Sportsbet.com.au, Sportingbet and Centrebet – and found that $855,000 was blown by fans who had backed the Cowboys in head to head or premiership markets.
Wages placed with other agencies would almost certainly put the figure lost on the Cowboys' result well beyond $1m.
With the NRL immediately confirming an error with the tackle count resulting in a try in Cronulla’s 20-18 win over North Queensland, Gerard Daffy of Tattsbet warned it won’t be long until punters threaten lawsuits against the governing body for such costly mistakes.
"You run the risk of litigation for results like that from errors," Daffy said. "Particularly when the governing body comes out and says that was a mistake. "It will happen one day. We sit back and laugh about some cases in the courts and the bizarre things people sue for that it must be a realistic chance. "I’m not saying this incident, but it will happen one day when punters sue the governing body or the referee for an error.
"That is just the society we live in now. In every walk of life you can be sued for an accident and lose. Is there really that big a difference here?"
Over $600,000 was wagered on the Cowboys to win in head-to-head markets and given the Cowboys had started as outsiders the payout alone would have been in excess of $1.2m for frustrated North Queensland supporters.
On Sunday, sportsbet.com.au refunded $180,000 worth of bets on the Cowboys in head-to-head and premiership markets.
"It’s the right thing to do. The Cowboys were duded but we won’t stand by and let our punters miss out so they’re getting their bets refunded in full," sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.
For many bookies, the Cowboys were the worst possible result in premiership betting due to their odds blowing out to as much as $151 this year. Tattsbet took over $20,000 on North Queensland for the premiership in the last week as fans began to dream of a repeat of Parramatta’s 2009 surge to the grand final.
TAB Sportsbet held over $500,000 on the elimination final alone and the decision impacted upon almost every exotic market too including line betting, margins and half-time lead.
Despite the frustration from fans everywhere about the final result, the Cowboys still had their chance to win the game and the whole farce would have been less embarrassing for the NRL had Kane Linnett’s foot not gone out as he attempted to score the match-winning 11 seconds from full-time.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n-seventh-tackle/story-fni3fbgz-1226719622419
- - - Updated - - -
Sudden-death final sees Manly Sea Eagles dive in deep end ahead of clash with Cronulla Sharks
- DEAN RITCHIE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 12:00AM
A MIDNIGHT swim at Narrabeen was the first step in Manly's bid to be physically healthy for Friday night's sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla.
The Sea Eagles left Allianz Stadium on Saturday night battered and bruised after a torrid 4-0 loss to the Sydney Roosters.Both teams endured enormous physical punishment although the Roosters now have a week off to recover.
Manly though face a short turn-around before confronting the Sharks at Allianz Stadium.After Saturday night, Manly players caught the team bus back to their Narrabeen base and headed straight for the indoor pool for recovery.
It was about midnight by the time Manly players emerged from the pool and headed home to rest."It was a physical game," conceded Manly coach Geoff Toovey."If you look at the stats there were a lot of tackles and a lot of sets for both sides."It is a matter of getting them up mentally.
"Physically it has been a long season but they are tough players and they'll be fine."Everyone pulled up well. Richie Fa’aoso (head cut and concussion) has recovered well which is a good sign for next week."It is a short-term turn-around for us."With the intensity of the game, we will only be able to fit in a couple of training runs with the ball this week."
Manly should still start favourites for the Cronulla game but it will be hard and confrontational.The Sharks will fancy their chances.Manly may though be boosted by the return of star fullback Brett Stewart, who missed the Roosters game through injury.
"We won’t know yet whether he will play," Toovey said."I think we will have to weigh that up later in the week."We will run as usual but I think there wouldn’t be a decision until Friday. We will play it by ear."
Manly assistant coach Andrew Johns raved about the performance of Stewart’s replacement, Peta Hiku."He was man of the match," Johns told Triple M. "I think he ran for over 200 metres."He has only been playing league for four years."Peta still has a lot of work."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3gnk1-1226719545363
- - - Updated - - -
The Monday Buzz: NRL a laughing stock after finals weekend of embarrassment
- PHIL ROTHFIELD
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 12:00AM
THE National Rugby League is officially in crisis with confidence in the game's administration at an all-time low.
The first weekend of the finals series will be remembered as one of the most embarrassing in the code’s history.
A seventh-tackle try, a scoreboard clock malfunction, poor crowds, no entertainment, inflated crowd figures and even shown up by the Swans and the AFL who got easily the biggest attendance of the weekend. Last Sunday I went to Moree for the Group 19 grand final run by a bunch of volunteers.
A $10 entry fee, a referee on $100-a-game and officials who get paid nothing put on a better show than our so-called NRL professionals.
For the second year in a row the Cowboys were bumped out of finals by an unforgivable refereeing blunder.Two referees, two touch judges and two guys in the video box all stuff up a tackle count. Six of them couldn’t count to six.
They should all be sacked immediately. I have been covering rugby league since the late 70s and cannot recall a more bungling administration.Yes we had seven-tackle tries in the old days but the referees like Greg Hartley were part time and there was only one of them.Mistakes were almost excusable.
The game now spends a million dollars a year on professional referees yet they can’t even get simple things right in our biggest games.
This annual apology to the Cowboys is not good enough.NRL CEO Dave Smith keeps telling us he wants to attract a whole new audience to rugby league.
He knows rusted-on fans will turn up every week but to grow the game, he needs to promote and take the sport to new customers. Where were the billboards around town, the flags or the buses to let casual observers know the NRL finals series was even on?
Four finals in one weekend in Sydney and half the town wouldn’t have known about it.Where was the pre-finals advertising blitz? Where was the lunch time activity at Martin Place? Instead we got this.
Semi-final 1: Rabbitohs v Storm: 60,000 empty seats at Homebush.
Semi-final 2: Sharks v Roosters: Seventh-tackle try blunder. Scoreboard clock breaks down.
Semi-final 3: Roosters v Eagles: No pre-match entertainment for more than an hour between games apart from a relay race.
Semi-final 4: Bulldogs v Knights: More than 50,000 empty seats at ANZ Stadium.
This is not good enough. Last week the AFL got more than 90,000 at one game.Rugby league recently got $1.2 billion from Channel 9 and Fox Sports.
Why hasn’t some of that money been spent to properly promote the finals and get bums on seats?
Why couldn’t they hire a decent band for entertainment in between games at the double header?
(I saw so many young women and families leave after the first game because there was nothing to do for more than an hour).All sports are about the game-day experience and entertainment. ANZ Stadium is a wonderful venue for State of Origin, grand finals, soccer internationals and British Lions rugby Tests.
But no rugby league semi-final should be played there unless there is a guarantee of a crowd of more than 40,000. The NRL has taken its eye off the ball at the most critical time of the year. Smith is concerned the entire game is being held back by poor administration around the clubs like Parramatta and the Wests Tigers.
He should throw his own administration into that category, too. That’s where the biggest issues are.
The dramatic fall in TV ratings, the poor crowds, the zero confidence in referees and the non-existent marketing.There’s no point fixing the struggling clubs unless the head office is in proper working order. The NRL needs to be setting the example. Right know they couldn’t run a chook raffle.
HIGHLIGHT
The physical brutality of the Roosters-Sea Eagles game. It was fierce and ferocious football for 80 edge-of-your-seat minutes in a throwback to the good old days when tries were a lot harder to come by.
LOWLIGHT
The seven-tackle try outrage. We’ll never know if it cost the Cowboys the game but they didn’t deserve to bow out on a refereeing blunder for the second year in a row.
NEVER SAY DIE
John Morris is nowhere near the best hooker in the NRL. Never has been, never will be. Still, the Sharks forward is one of the game’s great competitors. His try-saving tackle on Kane Linnett in the dying seconds of the semi-final was simply sensational.
CARTY CONNECTION
Keep an eye on rookie second-rower Bryce Cartwright in Penrith’s Holden Cup team. This kid is built and plays like his uncle, Titans coach John Cartwright. The same running action, the same offload. We will be hearing a lot more of him in the future.
WHO'S THE MAN
Who decides Channel 9’s man-of-the-match awards? Peta Hiku had a handy game as Brett Stewart’s replacement against the Roosters but was hardly the best player on the park.
END THE ERRORS
Surely a referee challenge system is the best way to stop future seven-point tries. The Wests Tigers Holden Cup team twice had penalties overturned in extra time against the Broncos yesterday to save the game from being decided by a ref error.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-monday-buzz-nrl-a-laughing-stock-after-finals-weekend-of-embarrassment/story-fni3fh9n-1226719496631
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Jeepers, epic day of moaning from the DT! Go out and smell the flowers boys, that was a great weekend of footy!!!
packo
:) (:
Have to agree with the HIcku mom! Can't remember the last time they handed it out to a losing side.
I once got motm in an indoor cricket final when we lost, it was such a great feeling haha. I've got no dramas with it going to a player in the losing side, he had a top game and it was a very close match.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Hurt Cronulla Sharks ace Todd Carney needs miracle to be fit for NRL final against Manly
UPDATE: CRONULLA star Todd Carney concedes he needs a miracle to play against Manly on Friday night, even turning to Sea Eagles rival Brett Stewart for some divine intervention.
One of the NRL's great rivalries has temporarily been put to one side in recent days, with Carney consulting Stewart on recovery methods from hamstring injuries.
Carney twinged his hamstring late in Saturday night's epic elimination final win over North Queensland, in what was his comeback from two weeks out with the same injury.
Stewart - who has had a history of hamstring issues - is also in a race against the clock to play at Allianz Stadium on Friday night with a similar injury.
"I spoke to Snake (Stewart) yesterday. He's obviously had a fair bit of trouble with his hamstrings before,'' Carney told Fox Sports today."I rang him last week to see what he sort of does with his and I rang him yesterday. He didn't give much away, obviously. It was more just to see how he was going.''
Carney didn't do much to raise hope amongst Sharks fans wanting him on the paddock against the Sea Eagles, admitting the injury felt much like it did when he initially strained the muscle three weeks ago.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan indicated he would give Carney until the last minute to prove his fitness, with back-rowers Luke Lewis and Wade Graham along with back-up half Chad Townsend looming as possible replacements.
"I spoke to Flano yesterday and he just said, 'Do all you can','' Carney said."But for me I don't want to take the gloss off or take it all away from the boys with everyone worrying about if I'm playing or I'm not playing. I'll make a call probably earlier in the week rather than later.
"This time last week I was confident I was probably going to play on Saturday night. But two weeks before that, it's probably around the same thing."It took me two weeks then (to recover). Unless there's a miracle ...''
Prop Andrew Fifita is also battling a knee injury, the NSW State of Origin representative seen clutching scans as he arrived at today's recovery session.
While the loss of Fifita would be a blow, Cronulla's forward depth means cover for the front row is easily accessible.Carney is another story, however, with contingency plans already being put together."We'll give him right up `til the game, but we'll have a back-up plan tomorrow,'' Flanagan said.
"I might roll at some stage during the game with that sort of scenario - Wade or (Luke) Lewis at five-eighth and Chad could play as well.''
Flanagan meanwhile played down the conspiracy theories being pushed by the Cowboys as a result of the seventh tackle try scored by the Sharks on Saturday night."It had an impact on the game but it didn't decide the game,'' Flanagan said.
"There's definitely not any conspiracy theory to try and have a Souths-Roosters grand final."I know there's a couple of other teams - Melbourne, Manly and Newcastle - who would like to think they had a bit of a say in that.''
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...al-against-manly/story-fni3gol8-1226720111391
- STEVE JANCETIC, ROJE ADAIMY
- AAP
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 12:24PM
UPDATE: CRONULLA star Todd Carney concedes he needs a miracle to play against Manly on Friday night, even turning to Sea Eagles rival Brett Stewart for some divine intervention.
One of the NRL's great rivalries has temporarily been put to one side in recent days, with Carney consulting Stewart on recovery methods from hamstring injuries.
Carney twinged his hamstring late in Saturday night's epic elimination final win over North Queensland, in what was his comeback from two weeks out with the same injury.
Stewart - who has had a history of hamstring issues - is also in a race against the clock to play at Allianz Stadium on Friday night with a similar injury.
"I spoke to Snake (Stewart) yesterday. He's obviously had a fair bit of trouble with his hamstrings before,'' Carney told Fox Sports today."I rang him last week to see what he sort of does with his and I rang him yesterday. He didn't give much away, obviously. It was more just to see how he was going.''
Carney didn't do much to raise hope amongst Sharks fans wanting him on the paddock against the Sea Eagles, admitting the injury felt much like it did when he initially strained the muscle three weeks ago.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan indicated he would give Carney until the last minute to prove his fitness, with back-rowers Luke Lewis and Wade Graham along with back-up half Chad Townsend looming as possible replacements.
"I spoke to Flano yesterday and he just said, 'Do all you can','' Carney said."But for me I don't want to take the gloss off or take it all away from the boys with everyone worrying about if I'm playing or I'm not playing. I'll make a call probably earlier in the week rather than later.
"This time last week I was confident I was probably going to play on Saturday night. But two weeks before that, it's probably around the same thing."It took me two weeks then (to recover). Unless there's a miracle ...''
Prop Andrew Fifita is also battling a knee injury, the NSW State of Origin representative seen clutching scans as he arrived at today's recovery session.
While the loss of Fifita would be a blow, Cronulla's forward depth means cover for the front row is easily accessible.Carney is another story, however, with contingency plans already being put together."We'll give him right up `til the game, but we'll have a back-up plan tomorrow,'' Flanagan said.
"I might roll at some stage during the game with that sort of scenario - Wade or (Luke) Lewis at five-eighth and Chad could play as well.''
Flanagan meanwhile played down the conspiracy theories being pushed by the Cowboys as a result of the seventh tackle try scored by the Sharks on Saturday night."It had an impact on the game but it didn't decide the game,'' Flanagan said.
"There's definitely not any conspiracy theory to try and have a Souths-Roosters grand final."I know there's a couple of other teams - Melbourne, Manly and Newcastle - who would like to think they had a bit of a say in that.''
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...al-against-manly/story-fni3gol8-1226720111391
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rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Injured Manly Sea Eagles star Brett Stewart to be named to face Cronulla Sharks
INJURED fullback Brett Stewart will be named in the Manly side to be released on Tuesday afternoon.
Stewart missed last weekend’s game against the Sydney Roosters due to a hamstring injury.Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey will today name his team for Friday evening’s sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla and Stewart will be at fullback.
Yet Stewart still remains in some doubt.In fact Toovey may not make a final call on his former Test and NSW fullback's fitness until game day.
Replacement fullback Peta Hiku was named man-of-the-match in the 4-0 loss to Sydney Roosters.
"We're still undecided (whether he will play)," Toovey said."With a hamstring we will wait until later in the week before we test him out."We may make a decision on Friday."
Manly was battered and bruised after the Roosters game but have no other player is in doubt for the Sharks game.
Forward Richie Fa’aoso sustained a head cut and concussion but should play.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3gnk1-1226720409607
- DEAN RITCHIE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 12:00AM
INJURED fullback Brett Stewart will be named in the Manly side to be released on Tuesday afternoon.
Stewart missed last weekend’s game against the Sydney Roosters due to a hamstring injury.Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey will today name his team for Friday evening’s sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla and Stewart will be at fullback.
Yet Stewart still remains in some doubt.In fact Toovey may not make a final call on his former Test and NSW fullback's fitness until game day.
Replacement fullback Peta Hiku was named man-of-the-match in the 4-0 loss to Sydney Roosters.
"We're still undecided (whether he will play)," Toovey said."With a hamstring we will wait until later in the week before we test him out."We may make a decision on Friday."
Manly was battered and bruised after the Roosters game but have no other player is in doubt for the Sharks game.
Forward Richie Fa’aoso sustained a head cut and concussion but should play.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3gnk1-1226720409607
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Carney not named by Sharks
AAP
5:03pm Tue 17th September, 2013
In a huge blow to Cronulla's NRL finals hopes, Sharks playmaker Todd Carney has all but been ruled out of Friday night's clash with Manly due to a hamstring complaint.
A Sharks official said Carney would be monitored during the week despite not being named in their side on Tuesday.
However the official admitted Carney faced a race against time to be fit for their must win clash.
"Sharks medical staff will continue to work on the injury (but) he is not expected to be fit in time for the match on Friday night," the official said.
Carney suffered the hamstring complaint late in their controversial 20-18 elimination final weekend win over North Queensland.
Utility Luke Lewis has been named as Cronulla five-eighth.
http://www.nrl.com/carney-not-named-by-sharks/tabid/10874/newsid/74713/default.aspx
AAP
5:03pm Tue 17th September, 2013
In a huge blow to Cronulla's NRL finals hopes, Sharks playmaker Todd Carney has all but been ruled out of Friday night's clash with Manly due to a hamstring complaint.
A Sharks official said Carney would be monitored during the week despite not being named in their side on Tuesday.
However the official admitted Carney faced a race against time to be fit for their must win clash.
"Sharks medical staff will continue to work on the injury (but) he is not expected to be fit in time for the match on Friday night," the official said.
Carney suffered the hamstring complaint late in their controversial 20-18 elimination final weekend win over North Queensland.
Utility Luke Lewis has been named as Cronulla five-eighth.
http://www.nrl.com/carney-not-named-by-sharks/tabid/10874/newsid/74713/default.aspx
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Damning statistics give Cronulla Sharks no hope against Manly Sea Eagles
HISTORY emphatically suggests Cronulla cannot beat Manly this Friday night.
Ask the Sharks, however, and they scoff.The Daily Telegraph has obtained damning statistics which clearly show Manly's dominance over Cronulla since the two clubs started playing one-another way back in 1967.
Cronulla has won just 23 of 81 games for a miserable success rate of only 28.4 percent.Manly has won a whopping 56 games with two draws.
And it doesn't get any better for Cronulla in semi-finals.The Sharks have won only one of eight finals games, that being way back in 1978.Manly also beat Cronulla in the 1973 grand final and 1978 grand final replay.The Sea Eagles will start favourites to extend that dominance in Friday night’s elimination semi-final at Allianz Stadium.
Asked whether he was concerned by the historic stats, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said: "No, it doesn't make a difference when preparing for this game. "What's happened previously and in history doesn’t really hold anything for us."This generation of player, they take it with a grain of salt. They wouldn’t know too much about the history."It means something to us (older fans), the history and traditions.
"But the young blokes tend to look at what is in front of them, not behind."It won’t be spoken about in our preparation."I take a great interest in the club and rugby league in general but the players don’t really take that same interest."When it comes to preparation, there isn’t an interest."
Manly has won seven of the past eight games against Cronulla and won the only match this year by 25-18 at Brookvale back in round six.
"They got us over there but not too many teams win at Brookvale," Flanagan said."It was a game that was in the balance. We didn't get the chance to play them down here this year. "We are looking forward to the (Friday’s) match."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey said he wasn’t looking too deeply into Manly's historic edge."I don’t really get too involved in that," Toovey said.
"Cronulla is a physical side. They beat the Chooks a couple of weeks ago. They are right up there."It will be a brutal game again. They’re rugged in the middle and have some quality outside backs as well."They are probably suffering a few injuries but all teams are at this time of year."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...manly-sea-eagles/story-fni3fbgz-1226720375063
- - - Updated - - -
Cronulla Sharks playmaker Todd Carney gets radical treatment in bid to play against Manly
IT'S the miracle cure that surfing's Layne Beachley used to claim a record seventh world title.
Now injured Cronulla star Todd Carney has adopted the same $800-a-day treatment in a desperate bid to be fit for Friday night's must-win final against Manly.
Despite not naming Carney at five-eighth on Tuesday, with representative forward Luke Lewis chosen instead, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is refusing to rule out his playmaker, who is battling a strained hamstring.
The Sharks have employed highly regarded practitioner Dr Chris Mortensen to treat Carney's injury, using a method called scenar therapy.
The process involves an electronic device being applied to Carney's hamstring for 45 minutes, three times a day, which causes the nerves to settle around the injury, decrease inflammation and ultimately speed-up the recovery process in order for Carney to be back on the field running.
The former Dally M medal winner started the therapy on Tuesday under the guidance of Mortensen, who has left his Narrabeen clinic to spend the next four days in the Shire and by Carney's side.
"The medical staff looked at other methods like the hyperbaric chamber, but this was the therapy that after doing the research shows can get results," Flanagan said."We're not prepared to say Todd won't play yet. We've invested in this therapy process so we'll see how he is later in the week."
Mortensen's scenar therapy has been credited for not only helping Beachley overcome a crippling neck injury ahead of her seventh world title in 2006, but also assist in the recovery from injury of Olympic champions Torah Bright and Natalie Cook and NRL stars Jarryd Hayne, Jamie Lyon and Tim Mannah.
In a recent interview, Beachley commented how the treatment had saved her career.“With consistent treatment and maintenance, I was able to avoid surgery and retirement and return to competitive surfing without pain and go on to win my seventh ASP Women's World Championship," Beachley said.
Sharks physiotherapist Ian Austin said the club's bid to have Carney back on the paddock against the Sea Eagles began the moment he limped from Allianz Stadium following the Sharks narrow-win last Saturday night.And after speaking with Parramatta physiotherapist Vikki Locke, Austin picked up the phone to Mortensen.
“You end up being bombarded with a lot of options that you can use to try and accelerate the recovery, but this is the one that was highly recommended, especially by Vikki, who has had success with Hayne and Mannah in the past," Austin said.
“With finals football which is knockout football, you've got to look at every option and the best option. So we went with this.
“Every little bit helps to get him right and if it's not for this Friday then we want him ready to go next week in a potential grand final qualifier."
Carney claimed on Monday he would need a miracle to overcome the injury in time for the all-imporatnt clash with Manly at Allianz Stadium.“But maybe this treatment is the miracle I was talking about," Carney said. “In reality, I would’ve flown to Fiji if they told me I could get back on the field by Friday.
“Luckily the club have gone with this other method so I can stay here and do everything possible to try and get it right.“I can feel the treatment is working already, but I probably won't fully know if I'm right until Thursday or Friday."
Carney was nothing more than a frustrated onlooker at Sharks training on Tuesday, as Lewis, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend and Tyrone Peachey all spent time at five-eighth.Prop Andrew Fifita ran freely showing no ill-effects of a calf and knee complaint.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks-playmaker-todd-carney-gets-radical-treatment-in-bid-to-play-against-manly/story-fni3gol8-1226721201300
- DEAN RITCHIE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 12:00AM
HISTORY emphatically suggests Cronulla cannot beat Manly this Friday night.
Ask the Sharks, however, and they scoff.The Daily Telegraph has obtained damning statistics which clearly show Manly's dominance over Cronulla since the two clubs started playing one-another way back in 1967.
Cronulla has won just 23 of 81 games for a miserable success rate of only 28.4 percent.Manly has won a whopping 56 games with two draws.
And it doesn't get any better for Cronulla in semi-finals.The Sharks have won only one of eight finals games, that being way back in 1978.Manly also beat Cronulla in the 1973 grand final and 1978 grand final replay.The Sea Eagles will start favourites to extend that dominance in Friday night’s elimination semi-final at Allianz Stadium.
Asked whether he was concerned by the historic stats, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said: "No, it doesn't make a difference when preparing for this game. "What's happened previously and in history doesn’t really hold anything for us."This generation of player, they take it with a grain of salt. They wouldn’t know too much about the history."It means something to us (older fans), the history and traditions.
"But the young blokes tend to look at what is in front of them, not behind."It won’t be spoken about in our preparation."I take a great interest in the club and rugby league in general but the players don’t really take that same interest."When it comes to preparation, there isn’t an interest."
Manly has won seven of the past eight games against Cronulla and won the only match this year by 25-18 at Brookvale back in round six.
"They got us over there but not too many teams win at Brookvale," Flanagan said."It was a game that was in the balance. We didn't get the chance to play them down here this year. "We are looking forward to the (Friday’s) match."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey said he wasn’t looking too deeply into Manly's historic edge."I don’t really get too involved in that," Toovey said.
"Cronulla is a physical side. They beat the Chooks a couple of weeks ago. They are right up there."It will be a brutal game again. They’re rugged in the middle and have some quality outside backs as well."They are probably suffering a few injuries but all teams are at this time of year."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...manly-sea-eagles/story-fni3fbgz-1226720375063
- - - Updated - - -
Cronulla Sharks playmaker Todd Carney gets radical treatment in bid to play against Manly
- DAVID RICCIO
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 12:00AM
IT'S the miracle cure that surfing's Layne Beachley used to claim a record seventh world title.
Now injured Cronulla star Todd Carney has adopted the same $800-a-day treatment in a desperate bid to be fit for Friday night's must-win final against Manly.
Despite not naming Carney at five-eighth on Tuesday, with representative forward Luke Lewis chosen instead, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is refusing to rule out his playmaker, who is battling a strained hamstring.
The Sharks have employed highly regarded practitioner Dr Chris Mortensen to treat Carney's injury, using a method called scenar therapy.
The process involves an electronic device being applied to Carney's hamstring for 45 minutes, three times a day, which causes the nerves to settle around the injury, decrease inflammation and ultimately speed-up the recovery process in order for Carney to be back on the field running.
The former Dally M medal winner started the therapy on Tuesday under the guidance of Mortensen, who has left his Narrabeen clinic to spend the next four days in the Shire and by Carney's side.
"The medical staff looked at other methods like the hyperbaric chamber, but this was the therapy that after doing the research shows can get results," Flanagan said."We're not prepared to say Todd won't play yet. We've invested in this therapy process so we'll see how he is later in the week."
Mortensen's scenar therapy has been credited for not only helping Beachley overcome a crippling neck injury ahead of her seventh world title in 2006, but also assist in the recovery from injury of Olympic champions Torah Bright and Natalie Cook and NRL stars Jarryd Hayne, Jamie Lyon and Tim Mannah.
In a recent interview, Beachley commented how the treatment had saved her career.“With consistent treatment and maintenance, I was able to avoid surgery and retirement and return to competitive surfing without pain and go on to win my seventh ASP Women's World Championship," Beachley said.
Sharks physiotherapist Ian Austin said the club's bid to have Carney back on the paddock against the Sea Eagles began the moment he limped from Allianz Stadium following the Sharks narrow-win last Saturday night.And after speaking with Parramatta physiotherapist Vikki Locke, Austin picked up the phone to Mortensen.
“You end up being bombarded with a lot of options that you can use to try and accelerate the recovery, but this is the one that was highly recommended, especially by Vikki, who has had success with Hayne and Mannah in the past," Austin said.
“With finals football which is knockout football, you've got to look at every option and the best option. So we went with this.
“Every little bit helps to get him right and if it's not for this Friday then we want him ready to go next week in a potential grand final qualifier."
Carney claimed on Monday he would need a miracle to overcome the injury in time for the all-imporatnt clash with Manly at Allianz Stadium.“But maybe this treatment is the miracle I was talking about," Carney said. “In reality, I would’ve flown to Fiji if they told me I could get back on the field by Friday.
“Luckily the club have gone with this other method so I can stay here and do everything possible to try and get it right.“I can feel the treatment is working already, but I probably won't fully know if I'm right until Thursday or Friday."
Carney was nothing more than a frustrated onlooker at Sharks training on Tuesday, as Lewis, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend and Tyrone Peachey all spent time at five-eighth.Prop Andrew Fifita ran freely showing no ill-effects of a calf and knee complaint.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks-playmaker-todd-carney-gets-radical-treatment-in-bid-to-play-against-manly/story-fni3gol8-1226721201300
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rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Cronulla star Luke Lewis confident he can fill Todd Carney role in Sharks semi-final against Manly
LUKE Lewis has no illusions about his playmaking ability but has scoffed at reports that the Sharks are preparing to pull a fast one by giving Chad Townsend a late call-up for Friday night's semi-final against Manly.
Despite not having pulled the No.6 jersey on since he filled in there for Penrith in 2009, Lewis has been named to replace Todd Carney at pivot for Cronulla's biggest game of the year.
Speaking exclusively for a League Central for a live blog on Wednesday afternoon, Lewis was quizzed about the possibility that Townsend would be parachuted into the line-up at the last minute.But based on their training sessions so far this week, that would come as a big surprise to Lewis.
"Chad's got a little niggle at the moment, so I'm not sure how he's going with it all. We'll see how he turns up with it over the next couple of days," Lewis said.
"I'm not too sure. A couple of the boys who aren't named are training and trying to get their injuries right. If they pull up fine on Friday, maybe they'll be named in the team. We're sort of playing it by ear at the moment."
Lewis is one of several Sharks backrowers who has the ability to move into the halves if required, but while there's still a feeling of experimentation about their training sessions at the moment, Lewis believes that if he takes the field in No.6, that's the position he'll be playing.
Asked whether he expected to switch positions with Wade Graham at times on Friday night, Lewis replied: "I don't think so, not the way we've been training at the moment. But anything could change between now and Friday night. It's a hard one to answer.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I love playing different positions, I think it keeps the mind pretty fresh."I think the game won't change too much. I'll just work really hard with the people around me in defence and just worry about just playing footy and not worrying about taking too much of an organisational role."
A winger and then a centre earlier in his career, Lewis has got the versatility to make an impact as a ball runner on the edges.And while Carney is the main conductor of the Sharks' attack, Lewis has made it clear that he'll be handing most of the responsibility over to halfback Jeff Robson.
"The biggest thing for me is probably not getting caught up in playing a ball-playing role, more just a running game," Lewis said."Jeff Robson can just lead us then.
"No one can replace Todd. He's a big part of our team. We're just getting out there to get the game under way and hopefully get a win and we can get him back sooner rather than later."It's definitely a loss for us not having Toddy out there but there's plenty of other guys who I think can step up and share the kicking duties.
"Hopefully we can get up to the 50 metre line when we're putting a kick in and I'm a big believer that your kick is only as good as it's chase."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...al-against-manly/story-fni3gol8-1226722241574
- BEN GLOVER AND NATHAN RYAN
- FOX SPORTS
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 5:37PM
LUKE Lewis has no illusions about his playmaking ability but has scoffed at reports that the Sharks are preparing to pull a fast one by giving Chad Townsend a late call-up for Friday night's semi-final against Manly.
Despite not having pulled the No.6 jersey on since he filled in there for Penrith in 2009, Lewis has been named to replace Todd Carney at pivot for Cronulla's biggest game of the year.
Speaking exclusively for a League Central for a live blog on Wednesday afternoon, Lewis was quizzed about the possibility that Townsend would be parachuted into the line-up at the last minute.But based on their training sessions so far this week, that would come as a big surprise to Lewis.
"Chad's got a little niggle at the moment, so I'm not sure how he's going with it all. We'll see how he turns up with it over the next couple of days," Lewis said.
"I'm not too sure. A couple of the boys who aren't named are training and trying to get their injuries right. If they pull up fine on Friday, maybe they'll be named in the team. We're sort of playing it by ear at the moment."
Lewis is one of several Sharks backrowers who has the ability to move into the halves if required, but while there's still a feeling of experimentation about their training sessions at the moment, Lewis believes that if he takes the field in No.6, that's the position he'll be playing.
Asked whether he expected to switch positions with Wade Graham at times on Friday night, Lewis replied: "I don't think so, not the way we've been training at the moment. But anything could change between now and Friday night. It's a hard one to answer.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I love playing different positions, I think it keeps the mind pretty fresh."I think the game won't change too much. I'll just work really hard with the people around me in defence and just worry about just playing footy and not worrying about taking too much of an organisational role."
A winger and then a centre earlier in his career, Lewis has got the versatility to make an impact as a ball runner on the edges.And while Carney is the main conductor of the Sharks' attack, Lewis has made it clear that he'll be handing most of the responsibility over to halfback Jeff Robson.
"The biggest thing for me is probably not getting caught up in playing a ball-playing role, more just a running game," Lewis said."Jeff Robson can just lead us then.
"No one can replace Todd. He's a big part of our team. We're just getting out there to get the game under way and hopefully get a win and we can get him back sooner rather than later."It's definitely a loss for us not having Toddy out there but there's plenty of other guys who I think can step up and share the kicking duties.
"Hopefully we can get up to the 50 metre line when we're putting a kick in and I'm a big believer that your kick is only as good as it's chase."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...al-against-manly/story-fni3gol8-1226722241574
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Crucial Manly star Brett Stewart given time to fly for Sea Eagles
IF you wonder how much Brett Stewart means to Manly, coach Geoff Toovey rates him just as important as Greg Inglis is to South Sydney and Billy Slater is to Melbourne.
That's why Toovey will give his champion fullback every second available to prove his fitness for Friday night’s elimination shootout with Cronulla at Allianz Stadium.
Stewart has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but will train on Thursday with the team in a desperate bid to take his place against the Sharks. Asked what Brett Stewart means to his team, Toovey didn't attempt to hide his worth.
"Well, you look at all the successful sides over the last few years and they all have that X-factor in a certain position and fullback seems to be the prime position over the past few years," Toovey said.
"Whether it be a Greg Inglis or a Billy Slater or Brett Stewart."You need those players who have that quality that makes the difference."In those close matches they can be the difference."Fox Sports Stats highlight Stewart’s impact on the Sea Eagles.
This year Manly have won 13 of the 17 games Brett Stewart has played — and in those games Manly have scored an average of 27 points and conceded just 13. But when the flying fullback is not on the field it is an entirely different story.
In the 8 games Brett Stewart has missed this year Manly have won just 2, drawn 1 and lost 5 — and in those games they have averaged 17 points but conceded 19.
Peta Hiku has filled in brilliantly at fullback in Stewart’s absence and in Saturday night's 4-0 defeat Hiku actually walked off the field as the Channel Nine man of the match despite playing in the losing side.
But as exciting as he is, one thing Hiku can't match is Stewart’s big match experience.Though Toovey said today’s captain run at Manly could be crucial to Stewart’s hopes of playing.
"In those close matches they can be the difference," Toovey said."We won't risk him if he's not right," Toovey said."He is still a bit stiff and sore and I wouldn’t want to risk him in such a big game.
"It's one of those things, if it is not right and he does it again in a game, you know, it's a tough one."It is one of those ones where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t because he is a very important player for us."
You could argue Todd Carney is just as vital to the Sharks hopes.Battling his own hamstring injury, Carney appears at longer odds than Stewart to play given he did more damage to his injury in Saturday’s win over the Cowboys.
Cronulla’s win-loss record without Carney is strikingly similar to Manly’s minus Brett Stewart.This year the Sharks have won 14 of 21 when Carney has played but only 1 of 4 when he’s been missing.
That sole win was over Canberra in the final premiership round when the Raiders had basically clocked off for the year.The 3 games Cronulla have lost without Carney were against the Cowboys, Manly and Parramatta.Carney hasn’t played Manly this year.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...y-for-sea-eagles/story-fni3gnk1-1226722277293
- - - Updated - - -
Paul Gallen, Cronulla's greatest forward - according to the stats
HE has done it yet again.
Remarkably, for the sixth successive season, Cronulla’s Paul Gallen is the NRL's number one forward for average running metres.The Sharks and NSW skipper, preparing for Friday night’s elimination semi-final against Manly at Allianz Stadium, is averaging 186 metres a game - more than any other forward in the game.
Gallen also ranked number one in 2012 (198m), 2011 (184m), 2010 (179m), 2009 (157m) and 2008 (153m). He ran second in 2007 (162m).
And The Daily Telegraph can also reveal Gallen has run for 35,880 metres over his career - a distance Taren Point Bridge in the Shire to Brookvale Oval in Sydney's north.
The question must be repeated. Is Gallen the Sharks’ greatest forward?"I don’t know how it happens," Gallen told The Daily Telegraph."I just try to have about 18, 19 or 20 hits-up a game and make nine to ten metres each one.
"There is no point having 20 hit-ups and only making 100 metres. That shows you are being dominated."I try and then get a quick play-the-ball and make every run a good one."Asked about running first for six straight seasons, Gallen said: "It's hard to believe because I am pretty useless at training."I try to be the best player I can be every week."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is adamant Gallen will be remembered as a Sharks great."He is one of the toughest men I have ever seen," Flanagan said. "He strong and has such a huge motor."His first run compared to his last run is very similar. I have never seen anyone like him."
Asked whether he was among Cronulla’s finest forwards, Flanagan said: "I don’t want to disrespect any other players but he is the greatest forward in my time here. "He is captain of NSW, vice captain of Australia and has made the most metres of any forward in the comp for six straight years. That is phenomenal.
" One of Cronulla’s greatest forwards, Gavin Miller, also spoke glowingly of Gallen."It (Gallen’s running metres record) doesn’t surprise me," Miller said."I am not going to compare eras but no doubt Paul Gallen will be long revered as one of the club’s highest great forwards.
"His contribution to the club is profound and he is an inspiration to other players."It is difficult gauge his popularity but other players love playing with him."
Gallen will lead from the front on Friday night.The Sharks and Sea Eagles will send out fierce and robust forward packs.There is no doubt the match will just as physical as the Manly-Roosters game last Saturday night.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ing-to-the-stats/story-fni3gol8-1226722270145
- PAUL CRAWLEY
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 12:00AM
IF you wonder how much Brett Stewart means to Manly, coach Geoff Toovey rates him just as important as Greg Inglis is to South Sydney and Billy Slater is to Melbourne.
That's why Toovey will give his champion fullback every second available to prove his fitness for Friday night’s elimination shootout with Cronulla at Allianz Stadium.
Stewart has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but will train on Thursday with the team in a desperate bid to take his place against the Sharks. Asked what Brett Stewart means to his team, Toovey didn't attempt to hide his worth.
"Well, you look at all the successful sides over the last few years and they all have that X-factor in a certain position and fullback seems to be the prime position over the past few years," Toovey said.
"Whether it be a Greg Inglis or a Billy Slater or Brett Stewart."You need those players who have that quality that makes the difference."In those close matches they can be the difference."Fox Sports Stats highlight Stewart’s impact on the Sea Eagles.
This year Manly have won 13 of the 17 games Brett Stewart has played — and in those games Manly have scored an average of 27 points and conceded just 13. But when the flying fullback is not on the field it is an entirely different story.
In the 8 games Brett Stewart has missed this year Manly have won just 2, drawn 1 and lost 5 — and in those games they have averaged 17 points but conceded 19.
Peta Hiku has filled in brilliantly at fullback in Stewart’s absence and in Saturday night's 4-0 defeat Hiku actually walked off the field as the Channel Nine man of the match despite playing in the losing side.
But as exciting as he is, one thing Hiku can't match is Stewart’s big match experience.Though Toovey said today’s captain run at Manly could be crucial to Stewart’s hopes of playing.
"In those close matches they can be the difference," Toovey said."We won't risk him if he's not right," Toovey said."He is still a bit stiff and sore and I wouldn’t want to risk him in such a big game.
"It's one of those things, if it is not right and he does it again in a game, you know, it's a tough one."It is one of those ones where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t because he is a very important player for us."
You could argue Todd Carney is just as vital to the Sharks hopes.Battling his own hamstring injury, Carney appears at longer odds than Stewart to play given he did more damage to his injury in Saturday’s win over the Cowboys.
Cronulla’s win-loss record without Carney is strikingly similar to Manly’s minus Brett Stewart.This year the Sharks have won 14 of 21 when Carney has played but only 1 of 4 when he’s been missing.
That sole win was over Canberra in the final premiership round when the Raiders had basically clocked off for the year.The 3 games Cronulla have lost without Carney were against the Cowboys, Manly and Parramatta.Carney hasn’t played Manly this year.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...y-for-sea-eagles/story-fni3gnk1-1226722277293
- - - Updated - - -
Paul Gallen, Cronulla's greatest forward - according to the stats
- DEAN RITCHIE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 12:00AM
HE has done it yet again.
Remarkably, for the sixth successive season, Cronulla’s Paul Gallen is the NRL's number one forward for average running metres.The Sharks and NSW skipper, preparing for Friday night’s elimination semi-final against Manly at Allianz Stadium, is averaging 186 metres a game - more than any other forward in the game.
Gallen also ranked number one in 2012 (198m), 2011 (184m), 2010 (179m), 2009 (157m) and 2008 (153m). He ran second in 2007 (162m).
And The Daily Telegraph can also reveal Gallen has run for 35,880 metres over his career - a distance Taren Point Bridge in the Shire to Brookvale Oval in Sydney's north.
The question must be repeated. Is Gallen the Sharks’ greatest forward?"I don’t know how it happens," Gallen told The Daily Telegraph."I just try to have about 18, 19 or 20 hits-up a game and make nine to ten metres each one.
"There is no point having 20 hit-ups and only making 100 metres. That shows you are being dominated."I try and then get a quick play-the-ball and make every run a good one."Asked about running first for six straight seasons, Gallen said: "It's hard to believe because I am pretty useless at training."I try to be the best player I can be every week."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is adamant Gallen will be remembered as a Sharks great."He is one of the toughest men I have ever seen," Flanagan said. "He strong and has such a huge motor."His first run compared to his last run is very similar. I have never seen anyone like him."
Asked whether he was among Cronulla’s finest forwards, Flanagan said: "I don’t want to disrespect any other players but he is the greatest forward in my time here. "He is captain of NSW, vice captain of Australia and has made the most metres of any forward in the comp for six straight years. That is phenomenal.
" One of Cronulla’s greatest forwards, Gavin Miller, also spoke glowingly of Gallen."It (Gallen’s running metres record) doesn’t surprise me," Miller said."I am not going to compare eras but no doubt Paul Gallen will be long revered as one of the club’s highest great forwards.
"His contribution to the club is profound and he is an inspiration to other players."It is difficult gauge his popularity but other players love playing with him."
Gallen will lead from the front on Friday night.The Sharks and Sea Eagles will send out fierce and robust forward packs.There is no doubt the match will just as physical as the Manly-Roosters game last Saturday night.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ing-to-the-stats/story-fni3gol8-1226722270145
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
NRL preliminary finals schedule released
THE Rabbitohs will kick-off next week's preliminary finals with a Friday night clash at ANZ Stadium against the winner of Manly and Cronulla.
The following night - Saturday, September 28 - minor premiers the Roosters will host their preliminary final at Allianz Stadium against either the Storm or the Knights.
The entertainment has also been confirmed, with Grinspoon to perform at ANZ Stadium and indie pop group Sheppard at Allianz.Family passes start at $70 for members and $90 for the general public, and tickets start from $10 for junior members and $15 for the general public.Tickets go on sale Monday.
***PRELIMINARY FINALS DRAW***
Friday, September 27, at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
7.45pm: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Winner of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks
Saturday, September 28, at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
7.45pm: Sydney Roosters v Winner of Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-preliminary-finals-schedule-released/story-fni3fbgz-1226722590908
- NEWS LIMITED NETWORK
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 10:11AM
The following night - Saturday, September 28 - minor premiers the Roosters will host their preliminary final at Allianz Stadium against either the Storm or the Knights.
The entertainment has also been confirmed, with Grinspoon to perform at ANZ Stadium and indie pop group Sheppard at Allianz.Family passes start at $70 for members and $90 for the general public, and tickets start from $10 for junior members and $15 for the general public.Tickets go on sale Monday.
***PRELIMINARY FINALS DRAW***
Friday, September 27, at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
7.45pm: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Winner of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks
Saturday, September 28, at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
7.45pm: Sydney Roosters v Winner of Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-preliminary-finals-schedule-released/story-fni3fbgz-1226722590908
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
THE LURKER - NRL RUMOUR FILE - WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
Ricky feeling board
We keep hearing it - but can hardly believe it. One of the reasons Ricky Stuart quit the Eels for Canberra was the club's current and former board of directors. Insiders keep telling us some of the previous board of directors actually gave themselves the power to sign players.
Can you believe that?! No wonder the board was recently overthrown.
Eels show some fight
There was drama at Parramatta's presentation night even before outgoing coach Ricky Stuart was heckled during his speech. I hear a member of the Eels staff and a well-known league reporter exchanged insults at the start of the evening, with ASADA the hot topic of conversation. It looked like it could become physical before the antagonists thankfully went their separate ways.
Blockheads
NRL Head of Football, Todd Greenberg, has been forced to block a heap of Twitter followers after copping abuse over the decision not to fine Johnathan Thurston or Neil Henry for their conspiracy rants. "Always happy to receive feedback from fans/members but had to block several people over last few days for foul language-Keep it clean folks!" Greenberg wrote.
While in no way do I condone the abuse, I completely understand fans' anger over the apparent double standards being applied at NRL HQ.
Fast track to infamy
There were concerns over Henry Perenara's refereeing long before last week's seven-tackle drama. Players and coaches have let their feelings be known to refs' boss Daniel Anderson throughout the season but the former Sharks player still kept getting assigned to big games.
He may well turn out to be a top flight whistleblower – and certainly wasn't the only one to blame for the Cowboys debacle – but many (including some in the ref ranks) believe he has been fast-tracked far too swiftly. He'd only refereed 12 first grade games before this year.
"They are desperate to create a pathway for former players to make it as NRL refs and there's no doubt Henry has been shuffled along ahead of his time. I hope this doesn't shatter him completely," one official told me.
http://www.sportal.com.au/league/news/the-lurkernrl-rumour-filewednesday-252618
Ricky feeling board
We keep hearing it - but can hardly believe it. One of the reasons Ricky Stuart quit the Eels for Canberra was the club's current and former board of directors. Insiders keep telling us some of the previous board of directors actually gave themselves the power to sign players.
Can you believe that?! No wonder the board was recently overthrown.
Eels show some fight
There was drama at Parramatta's presentation night even before outgoing coach Ricky Stuart was heckled during his speech. I hear a member of the Eels staff and a well-known league reporter exchanged insults at the start of the evening, with ASADA the hot topic of conversation. It looked like it could become physical before the antagonists thankfully went their separate ways.
Blockheads
NRL Head of Football, Todd Greenberg, has been forced to block a heap of Twitter followers after copping abuse over the decision not to fine Johnathan Thurston or Neil Henry for their conspiracy rants. "Always happy to receive feedback from fans/members but had to block several people over last few days for foul language-Keep it clean folks!" Greenberg wrote.
While in no way do I condone the abuse, I completely understand fans' anger over the apparent double standards being applied at NRL HQ.
Fast track to infamy
There were concerns over Henry Perenara's refereeing long before last week's seven-tackle drama. Players and coaches have let their feelings be known to refs' boss Daniel Anderson throughout the season but the former Sharks player still kept getting assigned to big games.
He may well turn out to be a top flight whistleblower – and certainly wasn't the only one to blame for the Cowboys debacle – but many (including some in the ref ranks) believe he has been fast-tracked far too swiftly. He'd only refereed 12 first grade games before this year.
"They are desperate to create a pathway for former players to make it as NRL refs and there's no doubt Henry has been shuffled along ahead of his time. I hope this doesn't shatter him completely," one official told me.
http://www.sportal.com.au/league/news/the-lurkernrl-rumour-filewednesday-252618
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
In this week's issue of RLW The Mole has reported the following...
- When Todd Greenberg left Canterbury The Broncos made a massive bid for Des Hasler, He was apparently very close to signing but backed out at the last minute
- Ben Barba has had a secret meeting with the integrity unit over the Domestic Violence allegations
- Former ARL Boss and Parramatta player John Quayle has obtained support from certain directors at Parramatta to become their next CEO
- Steve Menzies reportedly interested in taking up coaching
- Tim Sheens has reportedly put his name forward for the vacant head coach role at Parramatta
- Eric Grothe Snr has threatened to walk away from the Eels forever unless the in-fighting between rival factions stops
- Warrior are set to extend Matt Elliott's contract
- The Dragons were angry last week when their star recruit Gareth Widdop came back early from injury, They rang the Storm about it and were told to "Mind their own business"
- When Todd Greenberg left Canterbury The Broncos made a massive bid for Des Hasler, He was apparently very close to signing but backed out at the last minute
- Ben Barba has had a secret meeting with the integrity unit over the Domestic Violence allegations
- Former ARL Boss and Parramatta player John Quayle has obtained support from certain directors at Parramatta to become their next CEO
- Steve Menzies reportedly interested in taking up coaching
- Tim Sheens has reportedly put his name forward for the vacant head coach role at Parramatta
- Eric Grothe Snr has threatened to walk away from the Eels forever unless the in-fighting between rival factions stops
- Warrior are set to extend Matt Elliott's contract
- The Dragons were angry last week when their star recruit Gareth Widdop came back early from injury, They rang the Storm about it and were told to "Mind their own business"
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Celebrating a bumper crop of NRL retirees
WITH 119 Tests and 116 Origins between them, the NRL farewells a bumper crop of retirees this season.
The list is chock-a-block with players who transformed the way rugby league is played - from redefining their position (Danny Buderus), to toughness (Dallas Johnson and Ben Ross), to breathtaking play (Matt Bowen), to versatility (Shaun Berrigan), to defence (Matt Cooper), to barnstorming running and awesome haircuts (Matt King and Lote Tuqiri).
These players started their careers in an era when, as retiring Melbourne larrikin Brett Finch recently put it, you’d “have six beers before you left the dressing room”.
They ended their careers in an era of ice baths, electrolytes and peptide scandals. Now it's time to celebrate their great careers
DANNY BUDERUS
Born: 06/07/78, Taree, NSW
Junior club: Taree United
Position: Hooker
Height: 178cm
Weight: 89kg
Rep honours: 24 Tests for Australia, 21 Origins for NSW
Clubs: Newcastle (1997-2013), Leeds Rhinos (2009-11),
Debut: v South Queensland Crushers, Marathon Stadium, 23/03/97 (Round 3)
Profile: Buderus was considered the best hooker of all time through much of the 2000s. He eventually passed the mantle on to Cameron Smith following some epic Origin battles late in the decade. Buderus formed a brilliant playmaking combination with good mate Andrew Johns at club, state and Test level, with career highlights including a 2001 NRL title and 2004 Dally M award.
BENJI MARSHALL (not retiring, but unlikely to return to NRL)
Born: 25/02/85, Whakatane, New Zealand
Junior club: Keebra Park High School
Position: Five-eighth, halfback
Height: 182cm
Weight: 93kg
Rep honours: 25 Tests for New Zealand
Clubs: Wests Tigers
Debut: v Newcastle Knights, 27/07/2003
Profile: One of the most electrifying playmakers ever to play rugby league, Marshall brought fans through the door and had kids across the globe imitating his trademark sidestep and flick pass.
Despite being plagued by inconsistency during his career, highlighted by a poor final season, Marshall hit some incredible highs, including the 2005 premiership with Wests Tigers (where he was involved in one of the most famous grand final moments of all time in setting up Pat Richards with a flick pass), 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations victories with New Zealand, and the 2010 Golden Boot as world’s best player.
MATT BOWEN
Born: 09/03/1982, Cairns, Qld
Junior club: Abergowrie College
Position: Fullback
Height: 175cm
Weight: 86kg
Rep honours: 1 Test for Australia, 10 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: North Queensland
Debut: v Brisbane, Dairy Farmers Stadium, 17/02/2001 (Round 1)
Profile: With blistering pace, acceleration and ball-playing nouse to rival most halfbacks, Bowen never failed to entertain.
Playing his entire career at the Cowboys and setting their all-time games and tryscoring records, Bowen played a key part in North Queensland’s breathtaking surge to the 2005 grand final.
Bowen revolutionised Origin by shredding NSW on numerous occasions as a second half super sub. His big moment came in 2005 when he intercepted a Brett Kimmorley pass in the dying stages to snatch victory for the Maroons.
SHAUN BERRIGAN
Born: 04/11/78, Brisbane, Qld
Junior club: Wests Mitchelton
Position: Utility
Height: 178cm
Weight: 87kg
Rep honours: 14 Tests for Australia, 15 Origins for Queensland
Previous clubs: Brisbane (1999-07), Hull FC (2008-10), Warriors (2011), Canberra
(2012-13)
Debut: v Balmain, Leichhardt Oval, 16/05/1999
Profile: Berrigan will be remembered as one of the most versatile men ever to play rugby league. He started his career as a playmaker, debuting for Queensland in 2002 as a halfback. He played the next series at five-eighth, before finding his “home” in the centres.
Berrigan dominated in that position for two seasons, topping the trycorers list in 2005, before switching to hooker for Brisbane’s 2006 premiership season.
He enjoyed success in England, mostly as hooker, before returning to the NRL in 2011, but never regaining his form of the mid-2000s.
MATT COOPER
Born: 18/04/1979, Port Kembla, NSW
Junior club: Shellharbour
Position: Centre
Height: 186cm
Weight: 96kg
Rep honours: 7 Tests for Australia, 13 Origins for NSW
Clubs: St George Illawarra
Debut: v Cronulla, Stadium Australia, 05/02/2000 (Round 1)
Profile: Cooper started his career by sending female hearts aflutter as league’s sexiest
man. He finished with a reputation as one of the best defensive centres of all time.
He was a mainstay of NSW teams during the mid-to-late 2000s and formed a formidable centre combination with Mark Gasnier at the Dragons, where he played his entire NRL career and won a premiership in 2010.
MATT KING
Born: 22/08/1980, Casino, NSW
Junior club: Casino Cougars
Position: Centre/wing
Height: 193cm
Weight: 100kg
Rep honours: 10 Tests for Australia, 9 Origins for NSW
Clubs: Melbourne (2003-07), Warrington (2008-11), South Sydney (2012-13)
Debut: v St George Illawarra, WIN Stadium, 22/08/2003 (Round 24)
Profile: King barely played an NRL game since 2007 due to injury and a stint in
England, which masks the fact he was once branded “the best winger in the world” by England counterpart Brian Carney.
King didn’t miss a Test or Origin between 2005 and 2007, before leaving for Warrington on a high after claiming the 2007 premiership with Melbourne (which was later stripped due to the salary cap scandal).
LOTE TUQIRI
Born: 23/09/79, Korolevu, Fiji
Junior club: Souths Sunnybank Rugby League (Qld)
Position: Wing
Height: 191cm
Weight: 102kg
Rep honours: 9 Tests for Australia, 3 Tests for Fiji, 6 Origins for Queensland, 67 Test
for Wallabies
Clubs: Brisbane (1999-2002), rugby union (2003-09), Wests Tigers (2010-13)
Profile: Tuqiri burst onto the scene in 1999 by winning the Brisbane Rookie of the
Year Award and soon rocketed into the Queensland Origin and Australian Test sides.
Forming a fearsome wing combo at club, Origin and Test level with Wendell Sailor, Tuqiri had the rugby league world at his feet before, like Sailor, switching to rugby union on a huge contract. Tuqiri became the best league convert of his era, notching 67 Tests, before returning to the Tigers after being sacked by the Wallabies for off-field issues.
Sadly, Tuqiri barely made an impression in four years back in the NRL due to a string of serious arm injuries.
JASON RYLES
Born: 17/01/1979, Wollongong, NSW
Junior club: Eugowra Golden Eagles
Position: Prop
Height: 194cm
Weight: 116kg
Rep honours: 15 Tests for Australia, 8 Origins for NSW
Previous clubs: St George Illawarra (2000-2008 Catalans (2009), Sydney Roosters (2010-11), Melbourne (2012-13)
Debut: v Parramatta, Parramatta Stadium, 14/05/2000 (Round 15)
Profile: At a hulking 116kg, Ryles revolutionised front row play in the early 2000s. He was catapulted into the Test side just one season after his debut (very rare for a young prop) and was considered the best front rower in the world over the next few seasons.
He formed a fearsome forward combination with Luke Bailey in a golden era side at the Dragons, who won almost everything but a grand final.
His finals curse continued at the Roosters in the 2010 decider, ironically won by old club the Dragons, before playing a key role in Melbourne’s surge to the 2012 title, only to miss the grand final due to a hamstring injury.
BEN ROSS
Born: 23/05/1980, Chinchilla, Qld
Junior club: Nambour Crushers
Position: Prop
Height: 193cm
Weight: 110kg
Rep honours: 6 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: St George Illawarra (2002), Penrith (2003-05), Cronulla (2006-09), South Sydney (2010-11), Cronulla (2012-13)
Debut: v Melbourne, Olympic Park, 20/04/2002 (Round 2)
Profile: Ross burst to fame when, in his first game for the Panthers, he copped a flurry of punches to the face from Gorden Tallis in one of the most talked-about and one-sided NRL stoushes of the modern era.
But Ross’s career skyrocketed following the setback, leading the Penrith pack to a premiership later that year.
He forced his way into the Queensland Origin side the next season, playing every game of the 2004 and 2005 series. Serious injures and suspensions stunted his development in the next few years, but then came his crowning moment.
Ross redefined the notion of toughness in the NRL by returning to the field two years after breaking his neck in 2009.
SCOTT PRINCE
Born: 27/02/80, Mt Isa, Qld
Junior club: Townies Leagues
Position: Halfback, five-eighth
Height: 177cm
Weight: 83kg
Rep honours: 4 Tests for Australia, 5 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: North Queensland (1998-00), Brisbane (2001-03), Wests Tigers (2004-06), Gold
Coast (2007-12), Brisbane (2013)
Debut: v Canberra, Malanda Stadium, 04/04/1998 (Round 4)
Profile: Always earmarked as a player of immense talent, Prince’s career got off to a rocky start due to a string of severe injuries, including two broken legs. His crowning moment came relatively early in his career when he steered a Wests Tigers team of young but talented unknowns to the 2005 title, winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the grand final.
Yearning for a return to Queensland, he became Gold Coast’s marquee signing for their inaugural season, before an ill-fated stint at the Broncos to end his career.
BRETT FINCH
Born: 20/08/1981
Junior club: Valentine Devils
Position: Halfback, five-eighth
Height: 183cm
Weight: 88kg
Rep honours: 3 Origins for NSW
Clubs: Canberra (1999-2002), Sydney Roosters (2003-06), Parramatta (2007-09),
Melbourne (2009-10), Wigan (2011-12), Melbourne (2012)
Debut: v Melbourne, Bruce Stadium, 04/06/1999 (Round 7)
Profile: Finch was hardly the greatest halfback of his era, but managed to compile a list of great moments many playmakers would envy. Finch played in the glory years at the Roosters from 2003-06. He arrived after the 2002 title, but made the grand final the following two seasons.
In 2006, he was thrust into the NSW side at the last minute as seventh-choice halfback. He scored a try, set up two and kicked the winning field goal in his career-defining moment.
Following an ill-fated stint at Parramatta, he got his revenge – and finally a first premiership - by beating the Eels in the grand final (although the title was later stripped due to the salary cap scandal). Finch retires as one of league’s great characters and will embark on a post-footy career as a media personality at Channel Nine.
DALLAS JOHNSON
Born: 23/11/1982
Junior club: Herberton Magpies
Position: Lock
Height: 183cm
Weight: 93kg
Rep honours: 1 Test for Australia, 12 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: Melbourne (2003-09), Catalans (2010), North Queensland (2011-13)
Debut: v Cronulla, Toyota Park, 16/03/2003 (Round 1)
Profile: Johnson’s fearless low tackling played a key role in Melbourne’s dominance throughout the late 2000s and in Queensland’s record streak of eight Origins.
Described by many as the toughest forward of his era, Johnson was also the smallest at just a tick over 90kg. Famous for rising from the canvas countless times after being knocked out, Johnson made an Origin record 62 tackles in game II of 2007 and was described by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy as “the toughest player I’ve seen”.
And honourable mentions to …
NATHAN FIEN - Scored one Origin cap before defecting to the Kiwis. He played halfback in the victorious 2008 World Cup campaign and won a premiership with the Dragons in 2010.
STEVE TURNER - The ever-reliable winger notched two premierships with the Storm (later stripped), but will always be remembered for THAT shocker in his only State of Origin match.
NEVILLE COSTIGAN - The tough-as-teak back rower will be remembered for his big hits and six brutal Origin displays. Followed Wayne Bennett to the Dragons, where won a premiership ring in 2010.
ASHLEY GRAHAM - A prolific finisher who topped the NRL tryscorers list for much of 2012 before Ben Barba pipped him in the finals. Graham came within a whisker of a Queensland berth in the last few seasons, before a wrist injury forced him into premature retirement.
LUKE O'DWYER - Started under Brian Smith at Parramatta, before becoming an inaugural team member at the Gold Coast Titans, where he played over 100 games.
JOE GALUVAO - Played a key role in two premiership sides (2003 at Penrith and 2011 at Manly) and notched six Tests (four for New Zealand and two for Samoa).
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-farewells-a-bumper-crop-of-retirees/story-fni3fbgz-1226722051440
- TOM SANGSTER
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 2:11PM
WITH 119 Tests and 116 Origins between them, the NRL farewells a bumper crop of retirees this season.
The list is chock-a-block with players who transformed the way rugby league is played - from redefining their position (Danny Buderus), to toughness (Dallas Johnson and Ben Ross), to breathtaking play (Matt Bowen), to versatility (Shaun Berrigan), to defence (Matt Cooper), to barnstorming running and awesome haircuts (Matt King and Lote Tuqiri).
These players started their careers in an era when, as retiring Melbourne larrikin Brett Finch recently put it, you’d “have six beers before you left the dressing room”.
They ended their careers in an era of ice baths, electrolytes and peptide scandals. Now it's time to celebrate their great careers
DANNY BUDERUS
Born: 06/07/78, Taree, NSW
Junior club: Taree United
Position: Hooker
Height: 178cm
Weight: 89kg
Rep honours: 24 Tests for Australia, 21 Origins for NSW
Clubs: Newcastle (1997-2013), Leeds Rhinos (2009-11),
Debut: v South Queensland Crushers, Marathon Stadium, 23/03/97 (Round 3)
Profile: Buderus was considered the best hooker of all time through much of the 2000s. He eventually passed the mantle on to Cameron Smith following some epic Origin battles late in the decade. Buderus formed a brilliant playmaking combination with good mate Andrew Johns at club, state and Test level, with career highlights including a 2001 NRL title and 2004 Dally M award.
BENJI MARSHALL (not retiring, but unlikely to return to NRL)
Born: 25/02/85, Whakatane, New Zealand
Junior club: Keebra Park High School
Position: Five-eighth, halfback
Height: 182cm
Weight: 93kg
Rep honours: 25 Tests for New Zealand
Clubs: Wests Tigers
Debut: v Newcastle Knights, 27/07/2003
Profile: One of the most electrifying playmakers ever to play rugby league, Marshall brought fans through the door and had kids across the globe imitating his trademark sidestep and flick pass.
Despite being plagued by inconsistency during his career, highlighted by a poor final season, Marshall hit some incredible highs, including the 2005 premiership with Wests Tigers (where he was involved in one of the most famous grand final moments of all time in setting up Pat Richards with a flick pass), 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations victories with New Zealand, and the 2010 Golden Boot as world’s best player.
MATT BOWEN
Born: 09/03/1982, Cairns, Qld
Junior club: Abergowrie College
Position: Fullback
Height: 175cm
Weight: 86kg
Rep honours: 1 Test for Australia, 10 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: North Queensland
Debut: v Brisbane, Dairy Farmers Stadium, 17/02/2001 (Round 1)
Profile: With blistering pace, acceleration and ball-playing nouse to rival most halfbacks, Bowen never failed to entertain.
Playing his entire career at the Cowboys and setting their all-time games and tryscoring records, Bowen played a key part in North Queensland’s breathtaking surge to the 2005 grand final.
Bowen revolutionised Origin by shredding NSW on numerous occasions as a second half super sub. His big moment came in 2005 when he intercepted a Brett Kimmorley pass in the dying stages to snatch victory for the Maroons.
SHAUN BERRIGAN
Born: 04/11/78, Brisbane, Qld
Junior club: Wests Mitchelton
Position: Utility
Height: 178cm
Weight: 87kg
Rep honours: 14 Tests for Australia, 15 Origins for Queensland
Previous clubs: Brisbane (1999-07), Hull FC (2008-10), Warriors (2011), Canberra
(2012-13)
Debut: v Balmain, Leichhardt Oval, 16/05/1999
Profile: Berrigan will be remembered as one of the most versatile men ever to play rugby league. He started his career as a playmaker, debuting for Queensland in 2002 as a halfback. He played the next series at five-eighth, before finding his “home” in the centres.
Berrigan dominated in that position for two seasons, topping the trycorers list in 2005, before switching to hooker for Brisbane’s 2006 premiership season.
He enjoyed success in England, mostly as hooker, before returning to the NRL in 2011, but never regaining his form of the mid-2000s.
MATT COOPER
Born: 18/04/1979, Port Kembla, NSW
Junior club: Shellharbour
Position: Centre
Height: 186cm
Weight: 96kg
Rep honours: 7 Tests for Australia, 13 Origins for NSW
Clubs: St George Illawarra
Debut: v Cronulla, Stadium Australia, 05/02/2000 (Round 1)
Profile: Cooper started his career by sending female hearts aflutter as league’s sexiest
man. He finished with a reputation as one of the best defensive centres of all time.
He was a mainstay of NSW teams during the mid-to-late 2000s and formed a formidable centre combination with Mark Gasnier at the Dragons, where he played his entire NRL career and won a premiership in 2010.
MATT KING
Born: 22/08/1980, Casino, NSW
Junior club: Casino Cougars
Position: Centre/wing
Height: 193cm
Weight: 100kg
Rep honours: 10 Tests for Australia, 9 Origins for NSW
Clubs: Melbourne (2003-07), Warrington (2008-11), South Sydney (2012-13)
Debut: v St George Illawarra, WIN Stadium, 22/08/2003 (Round 24)
Profile: King barely played an NRL game since 2007 due to injury and a stint in
England, which masks the fact he was once branded “the best winger in the world” by England counterpart Brian Carney.
King didn’t miss a Test or Origin between 2005 and 2007, before leaving for Warrington on a high after claiming the 2007 premiership with Melbourne (which was later stripped due to the salary cap scandal).
LOTE TUQIRI
Born: 23/09/79, Korolevu, Fiji
Junior club: Souths Sunnybank Rugby League (Qld)
Position: Wing
Height: 191cm
Weight: 102kg
Rep honours: 9 Tests for Australia, 3 Tests for Fiji, 6 Origins for Queensland, 67 Test
for Wallabies
Clubs: Brisbane (1999-2002), rugby union (2003-09), Wests Tigers (2010-13)
Profile: Tuqiri burst onto the scene in 1999 by winning the Brisbane Rookie of the
Year Award and soon rocketed into the Queensland Origin and Australian Test sides.
Forming a fearsome wing combo at club, Origin and Test level with Wendell Sailor, Tuqiri had the rugby league world at his feet before, like Sailor, switching to rugby union on a huge contract. Tuqiri became the best league convert of his era, notching 67 Tests, before returning to the Tigers after being sacked by the Wallabies for off-field issues.
Sadly, Tuqiri barely made an impression in four years back in the NRL due to a string of serious arm injuries.
JASON RYLES
Born: 17/01/1979, Wollongong, NSW
Junior club: Eugowra Golden Eagles
Position: Prop
Height: 194cm
Weight: 116kg
Rep honours: 15 Tests for Australia, 8 Origins for NSW
Previous clubs: St George Illawarra (2000-2008 Catalans (2009), Sydney Roosters (2010-11), Melbourne (2012-13)
Debut: v Parramatta, Parramatta Stadium, 14/05/2000 (Round 15)
Profile: At a hulking 116kg, Ryles revolutionised front row play in the early 2000s. He was catapulted into the Test side just one season after his debut (very rare for a young prop) and was considered the best front rower in the world over the next few seasons.
He formed a fearsome forward combination with Luke Bailey in a golden era side at the Dragons, who won almost everything but a grand final.
His finals curse continued at the Roosters in the 2010 decider, ironically won by old club the Dragons, before playing a key role in Melbourne’s surge to the 2012 title, only to miss the grand final due to a hamstring injury.
BEN ROSS
Born: 23/05/1980, Chinchilla, Qld
Junior club: Nambour Crushers
Position: Prop
Height: 193cm
Weight: 110kg
Rep honours: 6 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: St George Illawarra (2002), Penrith (2003-05), Cronulla (2006-09), South Sydney (2010-11), Cronulla (2012-13)
Debut: v Melbourne, Olympic Park, 20/04/2002 (Round 2)
Profile: Ross burst to fame when, in his first game for the Panthers, he copped a flurry of punches to the face from Gorden Tallis in one of the most talked-about and one-sided NRL stoushes of the modern era.
But Ross’s career skyrocketed following the setback, leading the Penrith pack to a premiership later that year.
He forced his way into the Queensland Origin side the next season, playing every game of the 2004 and 2005 series. Serious injures and suspensions stunted his development in the next few years, but then came his crowning moment.
Ross redefined the notion of toughness in the NRL by returning to the field two years after breaking his neck in 2009.
SCOTT PRINCE
Born: 27/02/80, Mt Isa, Qld
Junior club: Townies Leagues
Position: Halfback, five-eighth
Height: 177cm
Weight: 83kg
Rep honours: 4 Tests for Australia, 5 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: North Queensland (1998-00), Brisbane (2001-03), Wests Tigers (2004-06), Gold
Coast (2007-12), Brisbane (2013)
Debut: v Canberra, Malanda Stadium, 04/04/1998 (Round 4)
Profile: Always earmarked as a player of immense talent, Prince’s career got off to a rocky start due to a string of severe injuries, including two broken legs. His crowning moment came relatively early in his career when he steered a Wests Tigers team of young but talented unknowns to the 2005 title, winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the grand final.
Yearning for a return to Queensland, he became Gold Coast’s marquee signing for their inaugural season, before an ill-fated stint at the Broncos to end his career.
BRETT FINCH
Born: 20/08/1981
Junior club: Valentine Devils
Position: Halfback, five-eighth
Height: 183cm
Weight: 88kg
Rep honours: 3 Origins for NSW
Clubs: Canberra (1999-2002), Sydney Roosters (2003-06), Parramatta (2007-09),
Melbourne (2009-10), Wigan (2011-12), Melbourne (2012)
Debut: v Melbourne, Bruce Stadium, 04/06/1999 (Round 7)
Profile: Finch was hardly the greatest halfback of his era, but managed to compile a list of great moments many playmakers would envy. Finch played in the glory years at the Roosters from 2003-06. He arrived after the 2002 title, but made the grand final the following two seasons.
In 2006, he was thrust into the NSW side at the last minute as seventh-choice halfback. He scored a try, set up two and kicked the winning field goal in his career-defining moment.
Following an ill-fated stint at Parramatta, he got his revenge – and finally a first premiership - by beating the Eels in the grand final (although the title was later stripped due to the salary cap scandal). Finch retires as one of league’s great characters and will embark on a post-footy career as a media personality at Channel Nine.
DALLAS JOHNSON
Born: 23/11/1982
Junior club: Herberton Magpies
Position: Lock
Height: 183cm
Weight: 93kg
Rep honours: 1 Test for Australia, 12 Origins for Queensland
Clubs: Melbourne (2003-09), Catalans (2010), North Queensland (2011-13)
Debut: v Cronulla, Toyota Park, 16/03/2003 (Round 1)
Profile: Johnson’s fearless low tackling played a key role in Melbourne’s dominance throughout the late 2000s and in Queensland’s record streak of eight Origins.
Described by many as the toughest forward of his era, Johnson was also the smallest at just a tick over 90kg. Famous for rising from the canvas countless times after being knocked out, Johnson made an Origin record 62 tackles in game II of 2007 and was described by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy as “the toughest player I’ve seen”.
And honourable mentions to …
NATHAN FIEN - Scored one Origin cap before defecting to the Kiwis. He played halfback in the victorious 2008 World Cup campaign and won a premiership with the Dragons in 2010.
STEVE TURNER - The ever-reliable winger notched two premierships with the Storm (later stripped), but will always be remembered for THAT shocker in his only State of Origin match.
NEVILLE COSTIGAN - The tough-as-teak back rower will be remembered for his big hits and six brutal Origin displays. Followed Wayne Bennett to the Dragons, where won a premiership ring in 2010.
ASHLEY GRAHAM - A prolific finisher who topped the NRL tryscorers list for much of 2012 before Ben Barba pipped him in the finals. Graham came within a whisker of a Queensland berth in the last few seasons, before a wrist injury forced him into premature retirement.
LUKE O'DWYER - Started under Brian Smith at Parramatta, before becoming an inaugural team member at the Gold Coast Titans, where he played over 100 games.
JOE GALUVAO - Played a key role in two premiership sides (2003 at Penrith and 2011 at Manly) and notched six Tests (four for New Zealand and two for Samoa).
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-farewells-a-bumper-crop-of-retirees/story-fni3fbgz-1226722051440
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