john1420
It's Bronco Time
Contributor
- Aug 27, 2008
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That makes no sense B'Man
If the Titans screwed it up, how is it QLD's fault?
It would be the Titans fault
The Titans are a rugby league team based in a QLD city; they are not QLD
That makes no sense B'Man
If the Titans screwed it up, how is it QLD's fault?
It would be the Titans fault
The Titans are a rugby league team based in a QLD city; they are not QLD
Broncoman
State of Origin Rep
- Oct 9, 2011
- 7,691
- 1,118
I never knew the Gold Coast city council which controls the region the Titans run is actually in NSW not QLD and that the Tweed shire is in QLD.
You learn something knew each day
Bull Shark
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 4, 2008
- 6,216
- 5,655
I've been eluding to this for the past couple of years in in-game threads ... the worst position a team can be in during an NRL game now is ahead at halftime with the penalty count in their favour - that first 15 min after the break is guaranteed to be a living hell.
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Morkel
International Captain
Contributor
- Jan 25, 2013
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I'm going to move on to the next part now, and that's how, potentially, refs can influence a game. I wish I had more time up my sleeve to watch some replays and observe if these things actually go on as often (and as accurately) as I recall from watching live, but let's look at it in theory.
To influence momentum in a game, there are two main avenues - penalties and marking the 10 metre defensive line. Penalties are an easy one to explain. Simply look for easy excuses to blow the whistle. You'd be hard presses to catch a ruck that doesn't have some kind of infringement, an unfortunate side-effect of "letting the game flow". So finding a slow defender, hand on the ball, etc, is easy.
I think the 10 metres is just as important though, and is one aspect that is very rarely scrutinised. It also influences the game more in terms of momentum with the ball-in-hand, not just field position. For starters, most tackles & rucks don't just stop at a certain point that the 10 can be ruled off. Everyone is struggling to force dominance, they dance side-to-side, forward and back, collapse in a heap, the player steals an extra metre standing up etc, there is easily a discretionary metre or two in there. And remember, for every extra metre for the "10", it's actually two metres for the defensive line (back & up). Make it 12 metres? It's a huge disadvantage to the defence, it puts them on the immediate back foot as they'll likely still be running back as the ball is played, meaning the runners will be meeting a retreating defensive line. Conversely, set it at 8, and the defence will be ready to sprint off the line before the tackler is even on the ground.
To force the point at how important that 10 metres is, the Storm's wrestling was purely to hold up the ball-player longer so the defence can be set early and be ready to move up off the line fast. Shortening the 10 does the same. And the Roosters are well known for conceding penalties when under pressure defensively (read: with a retreating or staggered defensive line). It shows just how important the mark is for helping & hindering momentum. And like I said, that mark is very, very easy to manipulate.
To influence momentum in a game, there are two main avenues - penalties and marking the 10 metre defensive line. Penalties are an easy one to explain. Simply look for easy excuses to blow the whistle. You'd be hard presses to catch a ruck that doesn't have some kind of infringement, an unfortunate side-effect of "letting the game flow". So finding a slow defender, hand on the ball, etc, is easy.
I think the 10 metres is just as important though, and is one aspect that is very rarely scrutinised. It also influences the game more in terms of momentum with the ball-in-hand, not just field position. For starters, most tackles & rucks don't just stop at a certain point that the 10 can be ruled off. Everyone is struggling to force dominance, they dance side-to-side, forward and back, collapse in a heap, the player steals an extra metre standing up etc, there is easily a discretionary metre or two in there. And remember, for every extra metre for the "10", it's actually two metres for the defensive line (back & up). Make it 12 metres? It's a huge disadvantage to the defence, it puts them on the immediate back foot as they'll likely still be running back as the ball is played, meaning the runners will be meeting a retreating defensive line. Conversely, set it at 8, and the defence will be ready to sprint off the line before the tackler is even on the ground.
To force the point at how important that 10 metres is, the Storm's wrestling was purely to hold up the ball-player longer so the defence can be set early and be ready to move up off the line fast. Shortening the 10 does the same. And the Roosters are well known for conceding penalties when under pressure defensively (read: with a retreating or staggered defensive line). It shows just how important the mark is for helping & hindering momentum. And like I said, that mark is very, very easy to manipulate.
Mr Fourex
International Rep
Contributor
- Apr 9, 2012
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Get 'em onside ref !!!!
A catch cry I've been hearing since I was a boy.
A catch cry I've been hearing since I was a boy.
Kimlo
International Captain
Senior Staff
- Apr 26, 2008
- 34,580
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Maybe not controversial since everyone hates him, but does anyone else feel Josh Reynolds is really insincere when he's talking to the media? It's like he's always trying to say whatever he can to make him look like a good guy and likeable.
Morkel
International Captain
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- Jan 25, 2013
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Reynolds, Ennis, Greenberg, it's a grub thing.
Broncoman
State of Origin Rep
- Oct 9, 2011
- 7,691
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I think that the players and commentators saying there is to much footy should just shut up and suck it up. I understand how important a players welfare and health is but these guys are complete professionals playing in a professional era.
theshed
Just a Game
- Aug 28, 2010
- 15,406
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Or maybe it's just a sport, and their actions on the field aren't a reflection of their over all personalities.
Maybe a player like Ennis knows that he is in a sport with a large peecentage of reactionary thugs with questionable IQs and that they are extremely easy to minuplate because of this, giving himself and his team a competitive advantage.
Cult
International Rep
Contributor
- Oct 17, 2013
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Reynolds and Ennis are both really different when it comes to their grubbiness. Ennis stirs, Reynolds tries to get the advantage by inflicting unnecessary pain on people. He is a dick.
gordjw
NRL Player
- Jun 29, 2013
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I agree. Also, I'll take Ennis over Bird, Gallen or any other members of the NSW forearm-to-the-neck/face squad.
1
1910
International Rep
- Apr 14, 2013
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What??? How can you blame the Titans they weren't even in the NRL.
Luke was born in Ipswich and lived there for his first 10 years. His family moved to Sydney. He stayed there and became eligable for NSW.
He was born in Queensland and only ever wanted to play for Queensland.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,098
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- Thread starter
- #247
I was happy when Melbourne won the 2012 premiership.
I know, I know, I should 'hate them Melbourne players' but I respect Smith, Slater & Cronk too much and I got sick of all the mocking 'they have zero premierships so they must be shit haw haw' comments doing the rounds.
Plus on a scale of taking peptides and all that shady stuff, lying about the salary cap wasn't as big a deal to me. Yes, they cheated and deserved to have their premierships taken off them and it really makes years like 2007 and 2009 seem pointless now but to an extent they were victims of their own success. No other club was developing talent like the Storm and tbh, I'd rather see them hold onto their talent then see a crap club like the Titans or Knights come along and ruin them.
Was especially happy when they beat the Dogs. They represented everything that sucked about the salary cap.
I know, I know, I should 'hate them Melbourne players' but I respect Smith, Slater & Cronk too much and I got sick of all the mocking 'they have zero premierships so they must be shit haw haw' comments doing the rounds.
Plus on a scale of taking peptides and all that shady stuff, lying about the salary cap wasn't as big a deal to me. Yes, they cheated and deserved to have their premierships taken off them and it really makes years like 2007 and 2009 seem pointless now but to an extent they were victims of their own success. No other club was developing talent like the Storm and tbh, I'd rather see them hold onto their talent then see a crap club like the Titans or Knights come along and ruin them.
Was especially happy when they beat the Dogs. They represented everything that sucked about the salary cap.
Anonymous person
Banned User
- Dec 16, 2008
- 4,635
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Couldn't agree more.
As players, Slater, Smith and Cronk didn't deserve what happened to the Storm. They are 3 of the most upstanding and respected players you'll ever see, not to mention 3 of the best we'll probably ever see, and it would've been an absolute tragedy to see them retire without a "legit" premiership to their name.
The sad thing is that I think Thurston will retire without ever taking his team to a premiership (yes I know he got one at the Bulldogs, but it's not the same). Such a shame, and if he had've taken the money from any other number of clubs he'd have probably won a few, but it shows what he's like as a person how he stuck with the Cowboys.
As players, Slater, Smith and Cronk didn't deserve what happened to the Storm. They are 3 of the most upstanding and respected players you'll ever see, not to mention 3 of the best we'll probably ever see, and it would've been an absolute tragedy to see them retire without a "legit" premiership to their name.
The sad thing is that I think Thurston will retire without ever taking his team to a premiership (yes I know he got one at the Bulldogs, but it's not the same). Such a shame, and if he had've taken the money from any other number of clubs he'd have probably won a few, but it shows what he's like as a person how he stuck with the Cowboys.
Morkel
International Captain
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- Jan 25, 2013
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Disagree wholeheartedly.
Anonymous person
Banned User
- Dec 16, 2008
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Care to elaborate?
Morkel
International Captain
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- Jan 25, 2013
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Yes. Yes I will.
