sidelined

This time of year is always one of great anticipation for footy fans. The trial games are just around the corner and excitement builds. For the past two seasons the center piece of the pre-season has been the Indigenous All Stars Game. Unfortunately, the advent of the The All Stars game always brings out accusations [...]

Pending results this weekend, the NRL could have that supposedly terrible situation of no Sydney team in the final. What utter rubbish. What almost excessive parochialism is what makes State of Origin, it serves not place in the overall scheme of the competition. Next weekend could see two non-Sydney teams play in the Grand Final. [...]

While the Women in League round is a more than worthy recognition of the women who make the great game great, it would be nice to see more focus on women in the NRL than just during these rounds. Which is why I believe it is essential that NRL director Katie Page be part of [...]

Sad news for league fans with the passing of Rex Mossop. A dual international and Manly great he is best remembered for being the voice of league during the 70s and 80s. And also fondly remember for his Mossopisms. He was a tough man on the field and, for good and bad, just uncompromising off [...]

The prodigal son is to return home as Timana Tahu has signed with the Knights for the next two years. It is an interesting move as Tahu has been plagued by injuries and on and off field meltdowns over the past few seasons. I think this is more of a Tinkler move rather than a [...]

Confessions of a blues fan: the queenslanders are right by Sassy over at Oh Errol. An excerpt: We may not have had a quarrel before, but fuck all y’all if we don’t have one now. Queensland have been fuelling their hate with inadequacy since 1930 and NSW has been waaaay behind the 8 ball. We [...]

You get the feeling some teams played out of their skins last week. But I’m not sure which ones. Every season sees a few surprises in what teams rise above expectations and what teams fail to match hopes. But such a pattern has yet to emerge. It has been a frustrating opening for tipsters. But [...]

Already some games played last (Friday night). The Melbourne Storm played Brisbane Easts and Ipswich. Manly trounced the Sharks 18-0 and Wests Tigers got over the Cowboys 22-10. Don’t read too much into the results and it seems all sides were trying various combinations and testing out NYC and new players to the clubs. Tonight [...]

Back in March I made a series of predictions for coming season. Let’s see how I did.

You’d have to say the Bulldogs’ accountant would fielding a few offers from other clubs at this stage. Obviously the Doggies are good with numbers with the signing of Pritchard from the Panthers a big surprise. And not just for stealing him away from the mountains but in fitting him under the cap with the [...]