NRL General Discussion Thread

[Dexter]

I could understand the outrage over the Asofa-Solomona crusher and Kamikamica bumper. This story surrounding Cameron Smith and the jersey pull is ridiculous. It's just another way for the journalists to string the story along and feed into the public's insecurities surrounding Melbourne.

The issue is by carrying on in the fashion that they are, they're taking attention away from those valid issues.

I agree with the general opinion that the Storm introduced the wrestle and that its not good for the game.
I hate the way the discussion only involves Melb like no other club does it and I hate that the Sydney media have waited until 5 weeks before the semis to focus on it.
I honestly hope Melb win the comp barring some epic run from us of course.
The refs just have to penalise when they don't win the contest and wrestle anyway.
That's something that has been lost in the debate. So many times in a game the ball runner actually wins the contest but they let defenders wrestle instead of allowing a quick play they ball.
Imo that's how you fix it, ref to rules.

 

[tommy]

Smith is not pulling the fucking jersey. He is grabbing and rubbing the head and ears. He attacks the head and neck all the time. He also dropped his knee into a Raiders player near the end there. How could anyone swallow that pulling on jersy crap?

 

[broncos4life]

The Mole, nailing it again. In fact, is that the quickest proof of being wrong ever?

What did the mole say?

 

[Big Pete]

Smith is not pulling the fucking jersey. He is grabbing and rubbing the head and ears. He attacks the head and neck all the time. He also dropped his knee into a Raiders player near the end there. How could anyone swallow that pulling on jersy crap?

That looks like the back of the collar to me Tom.

I agree with the general opinion that the Storm introduced the wrestle and that its not good for the game.
I hate the way the discussion only involves Melb like no other club does it and I hate that the Sydney media have waited until 5 weeks before the semis to focus on it.
I honestly hope Melb win the comp barring some epic run from us of course.
The refs just have to penalise when they don't win the contest and wrestle anyway.
That's something that has been lost in the debate. So many times in a game the ball runner actually wins the contest but they let defenders wrestle instead of allowing a quick play they ball.
Imo that's how you fix it, ref to rules.

The annoying thing is, because they screwed the pooch over Asofa-Solomona to the point where even Melbourne admitted they were surprised they got away with it, the NRL have over-reacted and made an example out of Pangai.

As it goes, there will be another incident that's touch and go, some poor player will be charged, it will dominate the press and the NRL will bend over backwards trying to appeal to the media.

Regardless, I honestly fail to see how this issue with Smith is news. A forward worked another forward over in the ruck and got penalised for it. So what?

This is seriously right up there with the great knee-crowding controversy of 2014.

 

[Morkel]

Are people not seeing Smith's forearm on the other side of the Raiders' player's head, deliberately holding his head in place, and on an uncomfortable angle, so that he gets maximum impact from his wingnut? Look at the way he uses that other arm to get leverage, and twist and distort the neck and head. There is zero reason for Smith to have both of his arms around a player's head in a tackle.

 

[tommy]

That looks like the back of the collar to me Tom.



The annoying thing is, because they screwed the pooch over Asofa-Solomona to the point where even Melbourne admitted they were surprised they got away with it, the NRL have over-reacted and made an example out of Pangai.

As it goes, there will be another incident that's touch and go, some poor player will be charged, it will dominate the press and the NRL will bend over backwards trying to appeal to the media.

Regardless, I honestly fail to see how this issue with Smith is news. A forward worked another forward over in the ruck and got penalised for it. So what?

This is seriously right up there with the great knee-crowding controversy of 2014.

That must be why the 21yr old greenhorn got up and struck out at the most "respected" player in the game. Because he pulled on his jersey.

 

[Big Pete]

Are people not seeing Smith's forearm on the other side of the Raiders' player's head, deliberately holding his head in place, and on an uncomfortable angle, so that he gets maximum impact from his wingnut? Look at the way he uses that other arm to get leverage, and twist and distort the neck and head. There is zero reason for Smith to have both of his arms around a player's head in a tackle.

Smith has a hold of the jersey and is pressing his hands against his face. It's hardly the crime of the century or some brand new innovation.

Grubby? Sure, but penalty sufficient.

 

[Sproj]

What did the mole say?

He said Brown was safe as Newcastle coach, less than two hours later it was announced he was gone.

 

[broncos4life]

He said Brown was safe as Newcastle coach, less than two hours later it was announced he was gone.

lolz.

 

[Wolfie]

Sad News about Matt Scott. Hopefully he recovers well. Shame his career has ended on that note.

 

[broncsgoat]

Sad News about Matt Scott. Hopefully he recovers well. Shame his career has ended on that note.

A very inauspicious end to a champion career. Hope he's all good.

 

[broncsgoat]

Brown having another shot at Bennett while he's heading out the door. Couldn't possibly be the fact he's a shit fucking coach could it?

 

[Accept]

Sad News about Matt Scott. Hopefully he recovers well. Shame his career has ended on that note.

Very few fairy tales in RL. Thankfully, it only appears to be minor and hopefully isn't an issue for him post playing career.

 

[Morkel]

Smith has a hold of the jersey and is pressing his hands against his face. It's hardly the crime of the century or some brand new innovation.

Grubby? Sure, but penalty sufficient.

No, the other arm. What's it doing there, in that position?

 

[Big Pete]

No, the other arm. What's it doing there, in that position?

Grabbing a hold of the jersey. Look at 0:07 of the clip, what is his hand holding onto? You can even see his other hand have a piece of the fabric as Simonsson is about to shrug him off.

I understand that by calling it a 'jersey pull' it might come across as an innocuous action not deserving of a penalty. I agree with the decision to penalise Smith, but media outlets are making out that Smith has directly attacked the ears which isn't the case.

 

[Kimlo]

Brown having another shot at Bennett while he's heading out the door. Couldn't possibly be the fact he's a shit fucking coach could it?

What did that useless coach say now?

 

[Kimlo]

Sad News about Matt Scott. Hopefully he recovers well. Shame his career has ended on that note.

Absolute legend of the game. A no nonsense good bloke and great player. I was very sad reading that news yesterday, he deserved to end his career on a better note but nothing is more important than his health, at least it didn't happen mid game or something. Hopefully he makes a full recovery ASAP and the Cows look after him post retirement.

 

[broncsgoat]

What did that useless coach say now?

Something along the lines of he’ll always have a job because thereare selfish coaches out there striving for short term success and it’s his job to fix the teams they leave behind.