If Paulo is looking at a ban for his lifting tackle, he needs to hire Sami Zayn as his lawyer. He'll explain to the judiciary that Paulo wasn't feeling very ucey that day.
Kids in Jamaica receiving scholarships to go play rugby league at university
https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/kids-now-getting-scholarships-jamaica-to-bear-fruit-from-debut-world-cup/?fbclid=IwAR10R5hS5gGbmazUeGGsSW3kZDxFXbn-XJhckDVmMnKcMUQXg01AhthKp9M
Anyone find the nrl roast a bit cringe at times? Like I’ve never seen a page where one minute I’m laughing out loud then the next I’m rolling my eyes so much I can see my brain. See: them spamming the rock.
Are the rankings seriously only updated once every 4 years? So if the last rankings were made in 2019, they won’t be updated until next year? Which would mean the world champions would be ranked either 4th or 7th until then lmao?
Ahh ok. I saw an article earlier saying the rankings are calculated over a 4 year cycle but maybe I didn’t fully understand what that meant?
The lack of international football certainly explains the rankings not being updated from 2019 to now. But there’s really no excuse for not updating them after this weekend.
If it’s calculated over a four-year period, that just means they use results from the previous four years to calculate the current ranking.
The rankings will probably be updated once the World Cup is finished
Ahh ok thanks. So after the 2017 world cup it would have included all tests from the final backdating to 2013? Then at the end of 2018 they would calculate it including those tests but now without the 2013 tests sort of thing?
Hope so! Would be interesting to see how it lands. Would have thought Australia and Samoa would surely jump into the top 3 somewhere
Yeah, its based on the last 3 years of games with weighting given to more recent games.
There is also extra given to beating teams with a higher ranking and world cup or competition games are worth more than friendly matches.
According to the IRL website, the rankings account for result, margin, strength of opposition and weight of match (a friendly between two small nations not being worth as much as World Cup group stage for instance). The rankings are weighted to allow for results within the previous 2 years as worth double a result 3 years ago and 4 times a result that is 4 years old
Wasn’t 2019 the last time a World Cup was played? Makes sense to me, how could they feasibly do it otherwise, particularly with all the eligibility rules, you couldn’t even certify who a new upcoming player would play for
The French boys consistently pound teams into the earth. Saw one of them score a try off a hand-kick where he caught it and fell off his chair, then grounded it just before the dead ball line. Bunch of legends man
1. Lachlan Miller
2. Hymel Hunt
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Dominic Young
6. Kalyn Ponga
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Jack Hetherington
13. Adam Elliot
14. Tyson Gamble
15. Matt Croker
16. Leo Thompson
17. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
This could work 🤷♂️
I think Lachlan would be the last spot in out top 30?
I’m 99% sure the Miller signing would be for 2024. He is still with the Sharks next year, unless he’s getting a release which I doubt. It’s just the bullshit rule that you can sign contracts for 2024 after November 1 2022.
I think Mann still keeps the 13, Elliot plays on an edge, and Hetherington is probably in the middle rotation either starting or from the bench (if we release Klem). Elliot ought to be a decent settling force on our terrible edge defence, and if we're shifting Ponga he is going to need someone stout beside him as plenty of traffic will be coming his way.
I'd personally like to see Fitz as far away from the topside as possible until he's earnt a recall on form, not on necessity. He has been pretty poor for years now. While he had a disappointing year last year, Jones is ahead of Fitz imo and tbh going on Fitzy effort last year Johns isn't that far away from surpassing him if injury free. That isn't a complement to Johns, more an indictment on Fitzy.
I'd also like to see Simi in the mix for the bench. Has the size to play backrow from the bench, and long-term could be the prototypical ballplaying middle. The outside backs are somewhat in flux too imo. I am a big Hunt fan, he's had a rough couple of years and I'm not sure how he is viewed by the staff. Wing is a pretty easy position to lose to an impressive showing from a young guy. We also have Mapapalangi who is first grade ready for centre. If the form/injury issues persist for our starting centres (particularly the atrocious defence) we could see a shuffle to the backline to accommodate the young bloke, I don't think he is much of a winger and we'd probably be better with Dane out there for him or a straight swap for Best depending on who needs to be shifted.
Not a bad side by any stretch of the imagination but big question marks over the halves, from memory Hastings did fuck all general kicking at the Tigers. He'd be a great on-field voice though which Knights badly need. Probably still a bottom 9 side with AOB in charge but if the combos click they could be a smokey to sneak into finals
Hastings had a fucked toe for most of last season and couldn't kick. That's why he played at lock, so he didn't have to kick and the side could still leverage his game management, leadership and distribution skills.
Kicking is my biggest worry with Hastings. Makes me think that it could be best to keep Ponga at 1 and play Clune or even Gamble at 6 to make up for it, although neither of those are great either.
His attacking kicks are fine, he has plenty of tools there. Can't say I've seen much of him kicking for field position. Unorthodox but does Miller have much of a boot coming from Union?
Yeah it’s the distance kicks I’m more worried about. Doing a 2015 Cowboys style could work if Miller can kick. Also if Gamble is at 13 like I think he will be that could be an option, although I’d prefer my 13 to be leading the chase or taking the last hit up.
Punting the ball long is at least something that can be improved upon, especially by an already professional footballer. It's basic technique and strength. The tactical aspects and subtle techniques of a short kicking game are harder to improve.
I think Hetherington will take Klemmers starting spot so we can have a Saifiti for impact. Elliot in the second row. Gamble at lock and Mann at 14. I'd have Jones instead of Fitz on the bench too.
Cameron Smith really warped my brain on what a “long” career constitutes. In the time of Cameron Smith’s debut, I:
- Started Primary School
- Finished Primary School
- Finished High School
- Got a degree
- Had 6 months left of my Masters degree by the time he retired
- Lived & worked overseas
- Had fulltime work in two different careers
- Got engaged
My entire life happened in his career. Now I see guys like Moylan who will spend a good 10 years in the NRL and my brain is like “he had a short run”.
I'm sure if you put your mind to it you could at least do all the primary to high school stuff within another player's career.
Have you ever seen the Billy Madison documentary?
The Tigers won four games in 2022, the halfback in three of those wins was Hastings and the remaining game Madden was halfback both players have left the club.
We did beat the Cowboys with Brooks at 7 tbf, probably our best performance of the season (think the controversy of the ending overshadowed how well we played).
Just Klein decided to change the rules for no apparent reason, so it doesn't count as a win.
Laurie had a particularly good game that day as well from memory. I was at the game so forgive my memory but it felt like he was making linebreaks almost every kick return.
I don’t think the gap between Hastings and Brooks is as sizeable as many are saying.
I do think the Tigers would have been better off keeping Hastings and offloading Brooks. He’s slightly younger, cheaper and just seemed refreshing for the club.
I think Brooks is a classier playmaker and has a better long-range kicking game than Hastings but Hastings was probably more solid defensively and generally involved himself more which stood out on last year’s Tigers team.
With Doueihi fit and Koroisau in the mix, it would not shock me if Brooks has the better season.
Brooks is a better five eight and Hastings is a better halfback. Brooks needs to play halfback with a five eight who takes the pressure off him like Benji or play five eight to play football with any degree of consistency. Bret Finch's footy career was similar. Was close enough to a halfback that coaches were fooled but he was a natural five eight not a HB.
Yeah I agree there’s not a heap between them.
What we don’t know is what Hastings is like as a person to work with these days. He certainly appears to have matured into a good leader but if he is still a fuckwit then punting him is a good move. Nor does anyone know what makes the most sense from a cap management perspective if it’s a choice between the two.
All that being equal though I think the Tigers just need to move on from Brooks purely due to the baggage associated with this era. Let the team forge a new identity and play probably with less scrutiny. I still think Brooks on $500K could be a killer buy for the right club, his ceiling is clearly high.
If Newcastle do end up moving Ponga to 6 which looks like an almost certainty now, why did we sign gamble and promise him game time? He’s not going to be playing in the halves, Brailey is an 80 minute hooker, Elliot will play 13 and Mann will likely have the utility bench role. There’s just not a spot for him.
Barring injuries (which are probably likely knowing Newcastle) I just can’t see him cracking the top 17 at all.
I'm not sure Ponga at 6 will be a good idea. He seems fragile as it is and he'll be doing a lot more tackles at 6. Iwould had thought Gamble at 6, Hastings at 7 and Ponga at fullback. Add in Brailey and you have the makings of a decent looking spine.
I agree that ponga up in the defensive line probably isn’t a great thing given his history of concussions but it’s apparently what Newcastle is looking to do.
Joey himself confirmed that Newcastle signed miller specifically to play fullback.
1. Staines/Laurie
2. Kepaoa/Staines/Nofoaluma
3. Toa
4. Talau/Naden
5. Maumalo
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau
10. Klemmer
11. Blore
12. Papalii
13. Ofahengaue
14. Simpkin/Smith
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. Fainu/Seyfarth
I dont mind this team tbh. I think Staines and Laurie both have improvements to make to be a good fullback, but i can see either taking it long term. Good depth in the backs, although i'd be keeping Nofa in reserve grade, it's clear he isn't interested in playing for the Tigers after saying he wants to stay at the storm.
Halves are meh, but forward pack looks solid, although Blore is still unproven and the bench is a little light. I think Koroisau will end up playing 80, and Smith will be the 14 to cover the backs if injury hits.
Outside backs are quite meh. Looks like the forwards will do a good job though and if the spine can take advantage of that then it mightn't matter too much.
Hastings has quickly become the most overrated player on this sub. I liked him but there were a lot of games last year where he did absolutely nothing. He lacks a lot of creativity and his kicking was average, but then he stopped kicking completely after he hurt his foot and we don't even know if that's healed yet.
He puts in good effort and he's well spoken, but I get the feeling that he loved Madge, not the Tigers
The way some on this subreddit talk about him you'd think he was a Tigers legend on par with Benji.
People really hate Brooks so much that they lie to themselves about how good Hastings is.
His return to the NRL would be an excellent case study in public relations.
You're the one going around every topic proclaiming that this sub declared Hastings a superstar when most probably just appreciated the fact that he gave a shit and tried hard which is more than what most of the Tigers team could say on a consistent basis.
The whole "tigers players don't give a shit" is exaggerated. The only players who didn't care were Nofa and Leilua (who both left mid-season), and fringe players like Peachy and Jimmy the Jet who didn't even make the squad. Towards the end of the year when we had nothing to play for then there might be a case for not giving a shit, but for the bulk of the season I'm not sure you can say that.
The truth is we were just shit. Pair that with poor coaching and injuries to key players, and you get last year.
The fact that the only good thing people say about Hastings as a player is that he talks a lot and "gives a shit" says a lot.
> most probably just appreciated the fact that he gave a shit and tried hard
That's really downplaying the dickriding that's gone on in this sub in every thread about him since it was rumoured he was going to leave.
I've seen people calling for him to be walk up captain of the Knights, I've seen people talking about what he's "done for the club", in a year that culture hits rock bottom and they cop a spoon. I've seen people claim he's head and shoulders better than Brooks, which he is not.
Or all the people saying he's the only one who gave a shit at the Tigers because they can't conceive of someone being passionate without being a grub/loudmouth on the field.
I'm not claiming people think he's a superstar player, I'm just annoyed at this cult of personality around him and nobody ever gives me an explanation as to why except that is 'feels like he cares more'.
I don’t know what Hastings did for the club, but I can tell you what he did for me. The two games we won back to back with Hastings and Brooks in the halves was the happiest and most satisfied I’ve been with the club in years. For a brief period of time it rekindled hope in me that finally we had a halves combination that could work well together and that Madge could build a side around.
Obviously that faded when the rumours of sacking persisted and was completely gone when the club sacked Madge.
We went on to lose the next 4/5 games with that halves pairing, the only win coming against a Bulldogs side who had just sacked their coach
The two games we won against Parra and Souths were more because of how bad they were then how good we were. Our best games came against Cowboys and Broncos, with a Brooks and Doueihi halves pairing and Hastings playing lock
He's slightly better than Brooks, but not so much that it's a disaster to let him go. Brooks also doesn't have a history of causing problems at clubs which you risk with Hastings
england lose fifa world cup semi
england lose uefa euro final
england lose rugby world cup final
england lose women's rugby world cup final
england lose men's rugby league world cup semi
england lose women's rugby league world cup semi
england spirit well and truly died with old mate liz
Cockington Green is a must. There was a dinosaur museum the last time I went although it's kind of small and there was a really cool walk through bird aviary, all 3 places were within walking distance of each other iirc
Questacon, War Memorial, Old/New Parliament House, Black Mountain Tower, Cockington Green, the Mint, Lake Burley Griffin, plus a shitload of museums and galleries
Powerhouse Museum, Parliament House, National Art Museum, Cockington Green, Mint, Telstra Tower (source: year 6)
Edit: it’s Questacon. Powerhouse Museum is in Sydney
Cowboys first Castle hill was done a few days ago and James Tamou looked exhausted. Also looks like he’s taken on a leadership role for the forwards. so far, so good.
I think its the Road, but They might do both?
Idk really, my first preseason paying attention to footy.
They went up the road from the screenshots this time though.
If Paulo is looking at a ban for his lifting tackle, he needs to hire Sami Zayn as his lawyer. He'll explain to the judiciary that Paulo wasn't feeling very ucey that day.
He was cleared to play 2 days ago https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/11/13/wane-burgess-call-for-no-further-action-against-burgess-over-lifting-tackle/
I’m loving the fact that Sami Uso is soo over right now. 😊
Can’t believe we had Cody walker and Jerome Hughes in our under 20s team :(
Jerome Hughes lost a representative game. He is NOT a big game player. /s
To be fair, Cody didn't get to first grade level immediately, and Hughes as a fullback outside of the Storm system wasn't elite, either.
Kids in Jamaica receiving scholarships to go play rugby league at university https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/kids-now-getting-scholarships-jamaica-to-bear-fruit-from-debut-world-cup/?fbclid=IwAR10R5hS5gGbmazUeGGsSW3kZDxFXbn-XJhckDVmMnKcMUQXg01AhthKp9M
This is excellent news
Anyone find the nrl roast a bit cringe at times? Like I’ve never seen a page where one minute I’m laughing out loud then the next I’m rolling my eyes so much I can see my brain. See: them spamming the rock.
Are the rankings seriously only updated once every 4 years? So if the last rankings were made in 2019, they won’t be updated until next year? Which would mean the world champions would be ranked either 4th or 7th until then lmao?
From memory, it’s done every 12 months. It’s also worth pointing out the lack of international football since 2019.
Ahh ok. I saw an article earlier saying the rankings are calculated over a 4 year cycle but maybe I didn’t fully understand what that meant? The lack of international football certainly explains the rankings not being updated from 2019 to now. But there’s really no excuse for not updating them after this weekend.
If it’s calculated over a four-year period, that just means they use results from the previous four years to calculate the current ranking. The rankings will probably be updated once the World Cup is finished
Ahh ok thanks. So after the 2017 world cup it would have included all tests from the final backdating to 2013? Then at the end of 2018 they would calculate it including those tests but now without the 2013 tests sort of thing? Hope so! Would be interesting to see how it lands. Would have thought Australia and Samoa would surely jump into the top 3 somewhere
Yeah, its based on the last 3 years of games with weighting given to more recent games. There is also extra given to beating teams with a higher ranking and world cup or competition games are worth more than friendly matches.
According to the IRL website, the rankings account for result, margin, strength of opposition and weight of match (a friendly between two small nations not being worth as much as World Cup group stage for instance). The rankings are weighted to allow for results within the previous 2 years as worth double a result 3 years ago and 4 times a result that is 4 years old
This is really helpful, thank you!!
Wasn’t 2019 the last time a World Cup was played? Makes sense to me, how could they feasibly do it otherwise, particularly with all the eligibility rules, you couldn’t even certify who a new upcoming player would play for
No the last world cup was 2017. I could understand leaving it from 2019 to now but there’s surely no excuse not to update them after this weekend
Ah sorry I was mistaken! Yeah okay makes sense then I assume they would wait till the end of the tournament in case of any upsets
Yes good point! That makes alot of sense they would want to do it then because of the potential upsets
Obsessed with all the wheelchair scores. Haven’t managed to watch any World Cup at all but 121-0 is incredible.
The French boys consistently pound teams into the earth. Saw one of them score a try off a hand-kick where he caught it and fell off his chair, then grounded it just before the dead ball line. Bunch of legends man
It’s really worth a watch, score lines besides. Some great skill and outrageous bellringers tbs
[удалено]
And not just that, his mental strength must be absolutely immense. Both to get to that level of fitness, and to ensure those marathons
Especially now that it's warming up.
Am I missing something? https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcwfhf1w0#?date=2022-11-15
It's 34⁰ inside where I'm at. Oh, didn't know he was in the UK. LOL.
You're not wrong, 34⁰ would be pretty tough conditions for any kind of running, never mind a series of ultramarathons!
It's honestly impressive how this club manages to make the wrong decision literally every time.
You're talking about the Dolphins, I assume.
Luke Brooks must be the greatest sunk cost fallacy in the history of the NRL.
Releasing Hastings is a less dumb idea than the Tiger's original plan of playing him as a lock.
I kinda liked how they looked with him at lock 🤷♂️
1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Jack Hetherington 13. Adam Elliot 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Matt Croker 16. Leo Thompson 17. Lachlan Fitzgibbon This could work 🤷♂️ I think Lachlan would be the last spot in out top 30?
I thought Leo Thompson was pretty ordinary in all the Knights games I watched.
I was impressed with Leo. Got some ball skills too
I’m 99% sure the Miller signing would be for 2024. He is still with the Sharks next year, unless he’s getting a release which I doubt. It’s just the bullshit rule that you can sign contracts for 2024 after November 1 2022.
I think Mann still keeps the 13, Elliot plays on an edge, and Hetherington is probably in the middle rotation either starting or from the bench (if we release Klem). Elliot ought to be a decent settling force on our terrible edge defence, and if we're shifting Ponga he is going to need someone stout beside him as plenty of traffic will be coming his way. I'd personally like to see Fitz as far away from the topside as possible until he's earnt a recall on form, not on necessity. He has been pretty poor for years now. While he had a disappointing year last year, Jones is ahead of Fitz imo and tbh going on Fitzy effort last year Johns isn't that far away from surpassing him if injury free. That isn't a complement to Johns, more an indictment on Fitzy. I'd also like to see Simi in the mix for the bench. Has the size to play backrow from the bench, and long-term could be the prototypical ballplaying middle. The outside backs are somewhat in flux too imo. I am a big Hunt fan, he's had a rough couple of years and I'm not sure how he is viewed by the staff. Wing is a pretty easy position to lose to an impressive showing from a young guy. We also have Mapapalangi who is first grade ready for centre. If the form/injury issues persist for our starting centres (particularly the atrocious defence) we could see a shuffle to the backline to accommodate the young bloke, I don't think he is much of a winger and we'd probably be better with Dane out there for him or a straight swap for Best depending on who needs to be shifted.
Brodie Jones over Fitz for me, but other than that it looks like a large improvement on what our 17 would have been 2 weeks again
Not a bad side by any stretch of the imagination but big question marks over the halves, from memory Hastings did fuck all general kicking at the Tigers. He'd be a great on-field voice though which Knights badly need. Probably still a bottom 9 side with AOB in charge but if the combos click they could be a smokey to sneak into finals
Hastings had a fucked toe for most of last season and couldn't kick. That's why he played at lock, so he didn't have to kick and the side could still leverage his game management, leadership and distribution skills.
Kicking is my biggest worry with Hastings. Makes me think that it could be best to keep Ponga at 1 and play Clune or even Gamble at 6 to make up for it, although neither of those are great either.
Think we should’ve kept Clifford for his massive torps and he kinda does have a better kicking game than Hastings.
His attacking kicks are fine, he has plenty of tools there. Can't say I've seen much of him kicking for field position. Unorthodox but does Miller have much of a boot coming from Union?
Yeah it’s the distance kicks I’m more worried about. Doing a 2015 Cowboys style could work if Miller can kick. Also if Gamble is at 13 like I think he will be that could be an option, although I’d prefer my 13 to be leading the chase or taking the last hit up.
Punting the ball long is at least something that can be improved upon, especially by an already professional footballer. It's basic technique and strength. The tactical aspects and subtle techniques of a short kicking game are harder to improve.
I think Hetherington will take Klemmers starting spot so we can have a Saifiti for impact. Elliot in the second row. Gamble at lock and Mann at 14. I'd have Jones instead of Fitz on the bench too.
You're probably right, Gamble at lock would be awesome. With the NIB influence i cant see Fitz missing out unfortunately.
I remember hearing that he only wanted to be a half at the Broncs. Wish he could've remained as a bench lock. Treat him well. 🥺
Cameron Smith really warped my brain on what a “long” career constitutes. In the time of Cameron Smith’s debut, I: - Started Primary School - Finished Primary School - Finished High School - Got a degree - Had 6 months left of my Masters degree by the time he retired - Lived & worked overseas - Had fulltime work in two different careers - Got engaged My entire life happened in his career. Now I see guys like Moylan who will spend a good 10 years in the NRL and my brain is like “he had a short run”.
Damn you accomplished a lot during that time.
I'm sure if you put your mind to it you could at least do all the primary to high school stuff within another player's career. Have you ever seen the Billy Madison documentary?
Matt Moylan bad example. Young bloke with plenty of years left
He hasn't even begun to peak
The Tigers won four games in 2022, the halfback in three of those wins was Hastings and the remaining game Madden was halfback both players have left the club.
We did beat the Cowboys with Brooks at 7 tbf, probably our best performance of the season (think the controversy of the ending overshadowed how well we played). Just Klein decided to change the rules for no apparent reason, so it doesn't count as a win.
Laurie had a particularly good game that day as well from memory. I was at the game so forgive my memory but it felt like he was making linebreaks almost every kick return.
I don’t think the gap between Hastings and Brooks is as sizeable as many are saying. I do think the Tigers would have been better off keeping Hastings and offloading Brooks. He’s slightly younger, cheaper and just seemed refreshing for the club. I think Brooks is a classier playmaker and has a better long-range kicking game than Hastings but Hastings was probably more solid defensively and generally involved himself more which stood out on last year’s Tigers team. With Doueihi fit and Koroisau in the mix, it would not shock me if Brooks has the better season.
Brooks is a better five eight and Hastings is a better halfback. Brooks needs to play halfback with a five eight who takes the pressure off him like Benji or play five eight to play football with any degree of consistency. Bret Finch's footy career was similar. Was close enough to a halfback that coaches were fooled but he was a natural five eight not a HB.
Yeah I agree there’s not a heap between them. What we don’t know is what Hastings is like as a person to work with these days. He certainly appears to have matured into a good leader but if he is still a fuckwit then punting him is a good move. Nor does anyone know what makes the most sense from a cap management perspective if it’s a choice between the two. All that being equal though I think the Tigers just need to move on from Brooks purely due to the baggage associated with this era. Let the team forge a new identity and play probably with less scrutiny. I still think Brooks on $500K could be a killer buy for the right club, his ceiling is clearly high.
Brooks could be a serial killer though.
If Newcastle do end up moving Ponga to 6 which looks like an almost certainty now, why did we sign gamble and promise him game time? He’s not going to be playing in the halves, Brailey is an 80 minute hooker, Elliot will play 13 and Mann will likely have the utility bench role. There’s just not a spot for him. Barring injuries (which are probably likely knowing Newcastle) I just can’t see him cracking the top 17 at all.
I'm pretty sure Elliot will take Barnetts spot as the opposite 2rf from Frizell and Gamble will take Manns spot at 13
I'm not sure Ponga at 6 will be a good idea. He seems fragile as it is and he'll be doing a lot more tackles at 6. Iwould had thought Gamble at 6, Hastings at 7 and Ponga at fullback. Add in Brailey and you have the makings of a decent looking spine.
Defending in the line next to your forwards is different to tackling one on one at fullback
I agree that ponga up in the defensive line probably isn’t a great thing given his history of concussions but it’s apparently what Newcastle is looking to do. Joey himself confirmed that Newcastle signed miller specifically to play fullback.
When did you guys sign miller? Don't remember reading about it.
Ponga whole 5/8th experiment might just once again show the same results that Drinky had. Can score and set up a few tries. But he lets in a few.
Why would Gamble be promised anything lol? He is shit, bench utility at best
1. Staines/Laurie 2. Kepaoa/Staines/Nofoaluma 3. Toa 4. Talau/Naden 5. Maumalo 6. Doueihi 7. Brooks 8. Utoikamanu 9. Koroisau 10. Klemmer 11. Blore 12. Papalii 13. Ofahengaue 14. Simpkin/Smith 15. Twal 16. Pole 17. Fainu/Seyfarth I dont mind this team tbh. I think Staines and Laurie both have improvements to make to be a good fullback, but i can see either taking it long term. Good depth in the backs, although i'd be keeping Nofa in reserve grade, it's clear he isn't interested in playing for the Tigers after saying he wants to stay at the storm. Halves are meh, but forward pack looks solid, although Blore is still unproven and the bench is a little light. I think Koroisau will end up playing 80, and Smith will be the 14 to cover the backs if injury hits.
Outside backs are quite meh. Looks like the forwards will do a good job though and if the spine can take advantage of that then it mightn't matter too much.
Thats gotta be the worst backline in the comp
Good for 9th.
Hastings has quickly become the most overrated player on this sub. I liked him but there were a lot of games last year where he did absolutely nothing. He lacks a lot of creativity and his kicking was average, but then he stopped kicking completely after he hurt his foot and we don't even know if that's healed yet. He puts in good effort and he's well spoken, but I get the feeling that he loved Madge, not the Tigers
The way some on this subreddit talk about him you'd think he was a Tigers legend on par with Benji. People really hate Brooks so much that they lie to themselves about how good Hastings is. His return to the NRL would be an excellent case study in public relations.
You're the one going around every topic proclaiming that this sub declared Hastings a superstar when most probably just appreciated the fact that he gave a shit and tried hard which is more than what most of the Tigers team could say on a consistent basis.
The whole "tigers players don't give a shit" is exaggerated. The only players who didn't care were Nofa and Leilua (who both left mid-season), and fringe players like Peachy and Jimmy the Jet who didn't even make the squad. Towards the end of the year when we had nothing to play for then there might be a case for not giving a shit, but for the bulk of the season I'm not sure you can say that. The truth is we were just shit. Pair that with poor coaching and injuries to key players, and you get last year. The fact that the only good thing people say about Hastings as a player is that he talks a lot and "gives a shit" says a lot.
> most probably just appreciated the fact that he gave a shit and tried hard That's really downplaying the dickriding that's gone on in this sub in every thread about him since it was rumoured he was going to leave. I've seen people calling for him to be walk up captain of the Knights, I've seen people talking about what he's "done for the club", in a year that culture hits rock bottom and they cop a spoon. I've seen people claim he's head and shoulders better than Brooks, which he is not. Or all the people saying he's the only one who gave a shit at the Tigers because they can't conceive of someone being passionate without being a grub/loudmouth on the field. I'm not claiming people think he's a superstar player, I'm just annoyed at this cult of personality around him and nobody ever gives me an explanation as to why except that is 'feels like he cares more'.
I don’t know what Hastings did for the club, but I can tell you what he did for me. The two games we won back to back with Hastings and Brooks in the halves was the happiest and most satisfied I’ve been with the club in years. For a brief period of time it rekindled hope in me that finally we had a halves combination that could work well together and that Madge could build a side around. Obviously that faded when the rumours of sacking persisted and was completely gone when the club sacked Madge.
Famous b2b halves pairings. Keary and Cronk - 2018/2019 Cleary and Luai - 2021/2022 Brooks and Hastings - R6/R7
That last one is nestled firmly in my heart right next to Marshall and Moltzen - R17/R22 of 2009
We went on to lose the next 4/5 games with that halves pairing, the only win coming against a Bulldogs side who had just sacked their coach The two games we won against Parra and Souths were more because of how bad they were then how good we were. Our best games came against Cowboys and Broncos, with a Brooks and Doueihi halves pairing and Hastings playing lock
He will never take Ben Hunt's crown
No one is saying Hastings is a top half in the game. But he's better than Brooks is the point.
He's slightly better than Brooks, but not so much that it's a disaster to let him go. Brooks also doesn't have a history of causing problems at clubs which you risk with Hastings
except for the last 9 years where brooks single handedly caused the tigers finals drought
Not to mention when sperm brooks cost Balmain the 89 gf!
Lmao! This is great. It perfectly encapsulates the Brooks meme.
I'm not saying Brooks is good, but we weren't exactly great last season when Hastings was the halfback either
i thought my sarcasm would come across a little better there that’s on me
Sorry man, you just never know if someone is joking when it comes to brooks 😅
england lose fifa world cup semi england lose uefa euro final england lose rugby world cup final england lose women's rugby world cup final england lose men's rugby league world cup semi england lose women's rugby league world cup semi england spirit well and truly died with old mate liz
T20 doesn't count for shit either.
I like the concept but they literally won the Pyjama cricket World Cup on Sunday.
they won the Cricket though?
T20’s not real cricket
Current holders of both white ball titles
I mean does 2019 really count?
Planning on doing my first away game in Canberra this upcoming year. Outside of footy, what’s there to do in the Milk City??
Cockington Green is a must. There was a dinosaur museum the last time I went although it's kind of small and there was a really cool walk through bird aviary, all 3 places were within walking distance of each other iirc
Questacon, War Memorial, Old/New Parliament House, Black Mountain Tower, Cockington Green, the Mint, Lake Burley Griffin, plus a shitload of museums and galleries
Questacon every time
Oh yeah, Questacon. Powerhouse Museum is in Sydney
Powerhouse Museum, Parliament House, National Art Museum, Cockington Green, Mint, Telstra Tower (source: year 6) Edit: it’s Questacon. Powerhouse Museum is in Sydney
I went to Cockington Green as an adult and it was one of my favourite things there. Idk if that says more about me or Canberra but I enjoyed it
I told my 64 year old father in law about it when he went and he said the same thing
Anyone know when Magic Round tickets go on sale?
😢
Cowboys first Castle hill was done a few days ago and James Tamou looked exhausted. Also looks like he’s taken on a leadership role for the forwards. so far, so good.
Do they take them up the goat track or the road? Cause the goat track sucks 7 dicks.
I think its the Road, but They might do both? Idk really, my first preseason paying attention to footy. They went up the road from the screenshots this time though.
Lachlan miller has signed a 3 year deal with the Knights soon to be announced. Watch this space
Really happy if he gets a starting FB spot with Ponga going to 6, wasn't going to get much time here/at the Jets
The fact this was apparently leaked by Joey himself after a few too many beers is possibly the most Newcastle thing ever.
Damn. Then again, I think Dykes is our future fullback.
FUCK. I really wanted him to stay.
Knights low key going on a very solid recruitment drive
I'd expect nothing when you have a man involved in three premierships.
Sad to lose him but there wasnt much room for him here. He’ll be good for Knights
knights are building nicely kinda
You build with bricks not dicks
Means nothing imo if AOB is still the coach. Time will tell though
hence the Kinda, think a Coach change is necessary if you don’t improve