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Post by hoskotafe3 on May 26, 2018 12:22:05 GMT
Dragons have gone from premiership favourites two games clear at the top of the ladder to 2nd having suffered a poor loss to the team that's now ahead of them. Some worrying signs in both their recent losses. Didn't really fire a shot in either game.
GWS have slumped to similar futility to GC17. No longer even a good team after a piss poor performance at home to Essendon. Tigers had an unimpressive win over struggling St Kilda. Brisbane backed up well after their first win and pushed Sydney hard in an 18 point loss at the gabba. Warriors brought their useless game against Souths and the Roosters thrashed Gold Coast.
Yesterday was a lot more interesting Canberra won a fun 1 pointer over Manly coming from behind with their 1990 premiership heroes in attendance and Melbourne ended the Cowboys slim finals hopes 7-6. Collingwood put down the Bulldogs efficiently after trailing by 26 at quarter time, eventually winning by 35.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on May 30, 2018 21:28:25 GMT
Commentary howler of the year:
Brian Taylor: There's a fire in the Blue Mountains? Jude, you're our local knowledge, how far's that from (Homebush) here?
Jude Bolton: About 10 ks
WTF? Has he never left the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in all his time in NSW. If that's where the AFL get their local knowledge from, then it's hardly surprising that a team nominally representing Mt Druitt, Blacktown and Campbelltown plays their home games a 35 minute train ride from the nearest of those locations.
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Post by weststigersbob on May 31, 2018 2:27:21 GMT
Commentary howler of the year: Brian Taylor: There's a fire in the Blue Mountains? Jude, you're our local knowledge, how far's that from (Homebush) here? Jude Bolton: About 10 ks WTF? Has he never left the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in all his time in NSW. If that's where the AFL get their local knowledge from, then it's hardly surprising that a team nominally representing Mt Druitt, Blacktown and Campbelltown plays their home games a 35 minute train ride from the nearest of those locations. Cmon Hosko - you know as well as I do the territorial nature of Sydney people. People that live in the following ‘regions’ have no reason at all to travel outside of their little cocoons - but as we all know, they are the very same people who can safely and adequately speak on behalf of all Sydney people on every possible matter known. And this phenomenon falls on both sides of the political spectrum too. Eastern Suburbs Northern Beaches North Shore Sutherland Shire Funnily enough, the first 3 areas are where Rugby Union and AFL rule the roost, and despite what the NRL alarmists crap on about, GWS isn’t changing this in a hurry. |
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Post by hoskotafe3 on May 31, 2018 6:25:58 GMT
I do remember having a conversation once at a Fairfax to do in Sydney when I was working in Orange.
Where are you from?
Out West.
So, Penrith?
I did read a good article by Roy Masters during the week. For the first time in 7 years the NRL is outrating the AFL at the halfway mark of the seaso . Brisbane and GC have the two lowest average viewerships, with GWS shockingly middle of the pack. Given the low standard of play in the AFL this year, the awful scheduling (Carlton, Bulldogs and Saints in a lot of Friday and Saturday night tine slots) and just a fairly dull premiership race have seen mutual fans (like me) watching more League than AFL. With SoO round the corner it's difficult seeing the gap doing anything but growing.
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Post by weststigersbob on May 31, 2018 8:07:46 GMT
I really hate the AFL / NRL war. It’s entirely possible to watch/follow/support both. This year though, the AFL has been a bit meh. And whilst the NRL hasn’t been a thrill a minute either, it’s been very intriguing with the whole penalty/referee thing going on (and the hilarious reading of Phil Rothfield whose convinced the sky is caving in).....
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Post by weststigersbob on May 31, 2018 8:15:25 GMT
I do remember having a conversation once at a Fairfax to do in Sydney when I was working in Orange. Where are you from? Out West. So, Penrith? I’m surprised they didn’t say Lidcombe. I remember once working at Parramatta Station and a lady was trying to get back to Rushcutters Bay. She was mortified that she had to wait 10 minutes for a train, and that it was a 25-30 minute train trip back to central. “ I hate being so far away from the city, out here in the sticks” She looked at me strangely when I couldn’t muffle my laughter. She explained she was a barrister and had a case for a friend of her family at Parramatta Court...... |
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Post by hoskotafe3 on May 31, 2018 8:46:10 GMT
Two services a day from Bathurst to Sydney in a two car train. Lol
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Post by weststigersbob on Jun 1, 2018 0:40:35 GMT
Anyway, back to the footy. Nth Qld beat Manly at Brookvale minus the origin players 26-12. Brandy Alexander was right. Thurston looks like a bloke whose played a year too long. Continual dog shots wouldn’t be helping. Taumalolo proved again how good a player he is, and at peak form is the best forward in the world.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Jun 1, 2018 1:32:11 GMT
Pathetic performance from Manly. Hard to believe that two months ago DCE was considered a legitimate chance to wear the No.7 for QLD.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Jun 9, 2018 20:51:00 GMT
Absolutely miserable round in the AFL. Hidings all round yesterday. It's a good thing St Kilda take pride in LGB....alphabet soup rights because they don't take any in their footy and Gold Coast...it's best left unsaid. Oy highlight was Port downing Richmond despite only kicking 1 goal in the second half, they limited Richmond to just 3 and I can honestly say never looked in any real trouble.
In the NRL Souths and Roosters both scraped their way to wins in spite of being undermanned. Souths were bloody lucky. Manly got flogged by the Warriors and Jarryd Hayne had his best game in about 4 years as the Eels beat the Cowboys.
And the Wallabies beat Ireland 18-9 in the Rugby.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Jun 15, 2018 9:11:09 GMT
Reports this morning that one Robbie Farrah is looking at heading back home. Might be a good get if there's any trutg to it. Not great for their future, but could help to seal up a finals spot this year.
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Post by weststigersbob on Jun 15, 2018 10:31:58 GMT
I’ve heard he’s only interested in a 6 month deal. Cleary was keen before they signed Godinet. It’s apparently up to the board now. If they okay it, it will happen.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Jun 16, 2018 23:23:53 GMT
Dragons back on top after a big won following a heavy Penrith loss. Souths and Roosters looking increasingly like the major obstacles for the Saints in the premiership race, with Penrith capable of mixing it with anyone on their day. Warriors back on track, but will need to finish top 2 to be a threat given the way their Away performances have dropped off.
In the AFL, Swans have taken their rightful place as one of the 3 favourites to win the flag. Geelong can make a big statement in that regard against Richmond at the MCG, but you'd expect the Tiggies to win there. GWS, Collingwood, Port, Hawthorn and North are fighting it out for the last three spits in the 8. You'd think Collingwood and Port have the draw to get them in. Hawks have got the easiest draw of the other 3, but GWS are just as likely to run the table from here with their better players and confidence back. North look in real trouble, but they've already had a better year than anyone thought. Injuries and a poor pre season has decimated the Crows: they'll miss the finals.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Jun 29, 2018 0:08:37 GMT
Dragons were horrible last night, largely disinterested, but pulled themselves together in time to pull it out at the death. Season shaping up in a really fascinating way with Dragons'Souths, Penrith, Warriors (if their playmaker stays healthy) Roosters and Storm all in the hunt.
Opposite is happening in the AFL. Rapidly becoming a one horse race for the flag full of one sided and dull games. Only real interest for me is whether Collingwood can maintain their form and play finals, and which of the Giants, Hawks or Roos will grab 8th.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Jul 22, 2018 0:55:19 GMT
Went to the SCG yesterday to see the Swan's horror show against GC17. Lots of surprises: the result, the fact that May actually played like the dominant big man he should be, the fact that I actually saw about a half dozen fans with GC gear on. Previously I thought Andrew Demetriou was the only fan they had South of Coolongatta.
Good win for Collingwood. I can't think of a 5-10 possession player more important to a team's structure than Mason Cox. Pies with and without him is night and day.
Two crackers in the AFL. Crows just holding off a plucky Brisbane by 5 at the gabba and big Irishman Touhy winning a game for the Cats after the siren.
Great win for the Tigers and a nice steadier for the Dragons. Good to see Parra heat up the wooden spoon race by beating the Dogs too. Canberra have fought valiantly, but they're done.
Waratahs downed the Highlanders and furthered the case for straight seedings in the playoffs in the process.
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Post by weststigersbob on Sept 22, 2018 14:49:38 GMT
Welcome Back Hosko ! I always wondered if anybody else actually read this thread and our posts last year. Didn’t see any of the Super Rugby, frankly because I had absolutely no idea it was on. The coverage before a ball was kicked was non existent in my neck of the woods. Anyways, from what I read on Monday, Qld sucked, ACT beat nothing, ditto Melb (who beat Qld) and Nsw was lucky to win the last minute. AFL - almost everything I’ve read has an Adelaide v Sydney GF. Richmond will have a premiership hangover, it’s now or never for GWS - it looks like their window is closing. West Coast, Freo and Hawthorn have seen theirs close, while Port and Melbourne especially the window is opening. The 2 intriguing clubs are Essendon and Western Bulldogs. They are the real wildcards IMHO. Geelong will be there or there about too. Personally, I just can’t see past Adelaide. Close last year, and by the looks of it, they have improved. NRL - With so much player movement and according to the rumour mill (which never stops in Brisbane and Sydney BTW) more to come, it’s almost impossible to predict what will happen in the NRL. 2 trials for most teams, and it’s probably even more confusing. The favourites for the Premiership are obviously Melbourne, but they have lost a third of their big 3. Nth Qld will be there again, given they were second last year with 2 of their best players missing most of the season and are my Tip for the premiership. Both Parramatta and Roosters have recruited well and will have many youngsters improve on last year and both will be gunning for Top 4 spots. Now, outside of those 4, it is a dead set lottery. The competition is so even, anything is possible and there are too many variables. So, I’ll say this. The next 3 teams will go good - Penrith, Dragons, Dogs. The next 3 sides will slide - Canberra, Brisbane, Manly. The next 3 sides will improve but won’t make the finals - Titans, Tigers, Knights. The next 3 god only knows what will happen - Souths (I can literally see them finishing anywhere from 3rd to 14th), Warriors (Probably wont make finals, but if they get on a roll they can do anything), Cronulla (Probably will make the finals, but they rely on a) some really old hands and b) some really unpredictable talents). The others : Penrith: I like Maloney there. Some issues with a few players and the coach might derail the season. A few early wins, and its all forgotten. Dragons : Hunt, Widdop, Graham with some great young talent headed by Dufty and Leilua. Good side, just a bit off the top few. Dogs : I reckon every move they have made is the correct one. They will surprise quite a few people, esp. if Foran gets going. Canberra : Without Hodgson, they’ll struggle. Teams have figured out how to keep Leipana quiet. Their forwards have to step up and improve. Brisbane : The biggest problem the Broncos will face is how they handle not having a dream draw and schedule this year. I don’t think they’ve recruited very well at all. Manly : let the ‘glue’ in their back line walk away in Blake Green. They’ve got the backs, don’t have the forwards. I think teams have gone past them. Titans : the key for them is injuries. If they can keep their best 17 healthy, they can make the finals. A few key players go down - it’s the spoon. Knights : Recruited very very well. How quickly they all get together is the key. We will see how good a player Pearce truly is in 2018. And Finally, my beloved Tigers. I’m hoping we can make inroads in the back half of the season, because our draw at the start could see us go 0-8 very easily. I think the finals are a bridge too far, but a respectable 10th-12th and a good springboard into 2019 might be the best us Tiger fans can hope for. Got most of the NRL right, except for 3 clubs - NthQld, Parra and Canterbury. |
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Post by weststigersbob on Sept 22, 2018 14:50:32 GMT
I have the Dragons 7th. I reckon they will go alright. It’s better to have more forwards than backs like the Dragons do provided that your halves are satisfactory. Hunt and Widdop fit that bill. Like I said, overall they are a good chance, should make the finals but are shaded by the top teams in overall quality. Collingwood - AFL isn’t my strong suit, and I just can’t get a read on them. I think they’ll be lucky to make the 8 Again - the NRL was pretty much spot on. And, yes, AFL isn’t my string suit 🤣🤣🤣 |
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Sept 22, 2018 21:07:24 GMT
I had Collingwood 7th to 10th and Saints needing to play finals. Both well and truly surpassed my expectations.
Of the big contenders I had Roosters (tick) Storm (tick) and Cowboys (uh..no) in the NRL. I also had Parramatta contending for top 4 (wooden spoon) alo g with Brisbane.
In the AFL I had Sydney (sort of) Adelaide (nope) Geelong (not really) and Port (again no) as the big contenders. I assumed Richmond would have premiership hangover. West Coast last year were a side who just barely scraped into the finals with an old looking lost who got blown away by GWS in the semi finals the year before. No one saw them as a factor in 2018, and now they really should be favourites.
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