Roar Guru
Joined June 2014
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James is an anchor with Fox Sports News and commentator for NSWRL TV, Kayo, Stan Sport and NPL TV. An ACRA award-winning broadcaster, he produced and hosted The NRL Offloaders on EON Sports Radio. He has a passion for all sports with a special love for Rugby League.
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Hi Ken,
I’m not calling for fans to be able to sit in a room and grill the referee. I think the following day a compilation of ‘controversial calls’ which could be delivered via a submission form or a composite of social media, can then be passed onto said referee, and they can talk through why they made the call, and this would also include 3-4 questions from respective coaches.
They could then deliver this in a video.
As mentioned in the article, the goal is not to demonize officials, but to avoid howlers and claims of favoritism by having genuinely poor calls questioned and explained.
With particular reference to the hip drop call, everyone with eyes could see it was not a hip drop, the MRC has confirmed this, yet somehow because Kennedy in the first instance called time off for an issue that was not a HIA and then allowed the bunker to butcher this call, we have this situation.
Players and coaches held accountable for mistakes - so should refs face media, too?
The difference is Ash Taylor had not shown anything near the level that Grant has. His purchase was more on the fear of a lack of quality half backs at the time.
It’s time for ‘the Taumalolo’ to be tabled to Grant
Plenty of good points mate, I fear though that Brooks is a protected species. Grant could deliver a 30m cut out pass to his chest at speed and Brooks drops it with the line open and Tigers coaching collective minds it would be viewed as “but the ball was greasy from the surface”…sigh. Arguably the best thing about Grant is that he’s reduced the impact of the halves with the way he plays – direct and controlling of the overall team style/direction; it’s almost as if the halves are now surplus.
I’m hopeful but I think the Storm would be him go…I also can’t see Smith rolling over quietly though.
It’s time for ‘the Taumalolo’ to be tabled to Grant
Haha that would be BJ’s self assessment 😂
That is most definitely in relation to the legend, one B Marshall!
It’s time for ‘the Taumalolo’ to be tabled to Grant
More focusing on your comments as opposed to the article, you’re very quick to label the Balmain side of the venture as now dragging down the merger but at the same time you’re huge on history.
Let’s focus on your comments of the “dead Tiger.” In the first instance the NRL would have accepted the application from the Tigers NOT the Magpies, independent assessments also established that Balmain could have continued operating (for at least a few years – yes, they were by no means in great shape) whereas Magpies were completely shot with no capital behind them – not to mention truly horrendous on field performance for several consecutive years. At the time it was Balmain who offered a lifeline albeit through a merger of convenience.
The Magpies logo has been included on EVERY kit since the clubs inception and over the last 10 years the amount of orange/gold – a distinctly unique colour in the competition has continued to be reduced, to suggest that Magpies history/legacy is fading in a visual sense is completely false. WESTS TIGERS pays homage to both sides.
On history itself, BOTH, are foundation clubs. You’ve raised a point of Magpies having 8 decades of history thrown out, yet, you’re more than comfortable doing so to Balmain despite having 11 premierships to Magpies 4, despite featuring in what many believe the greatest grand final (and one of the best ever matches) in ’89, despite the likes of Laurie Nichols, despite calling Leichardt Oval – a ground steeped in history and nostalgia and still viewed as the ultimate venue in Rugby League and despite the countless legends that have played for the club.
The bias is staggering.
Very few are calling for more games in Campbeltown (crowds are rubbish to start with) and the current split is even – despite there being a strong desire for more Leichardt games. The key problem as others have illustrated is there should be more use of suburban grounds in general.
But, you either need to pick history or current standing as your argument, they contrast one another, and if you’re going for the current situation then put simply the branding is too strong amongst fans and the NRL and you risk disenfranchising more than half of the current supports – Balmain holdovers and those who have only known Wests Tigers. The idea of a Magpies standalone is inane.
An open letter to the Wests Tigers and the NRL
@Roberto – I agree with you I feel I have certainly taken some upsets here, namely Titans and Knights to get up. Same with Warriors, far from confident they will perform.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 3, 2017
Out of interest, who did you miss out on last week?
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2, 2017
Plenty of good games this week but I agree with you, this should be the best one!
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2, 2017
Not sure I agree with that Jacko – RTS is the captain and a NZ international at 23, Lolohea could be anything and players like Fusitua have been in first grade and excelling in it for a number of seasons. If there was a huge influx of new players for this season under 25 I would agree with you, but, again on paper – this is a premiership contending side as opposed to a Manly type rebuild.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2, 2017
@Dogs – Yep that was him mate. Could do some freakish stuff on his day though!
NRL Friday Flashbacks: Jason Bulgarelli
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@Rossco and @David – Apologies! Oversight on my part not to include Rabbitohs as having not been mentioned. That said I stand by my selections. I thought Cody Walker was your best player this season – but not quite worthy of a notable for the five-eighth or fullback spots – Burgess has been pretty average in my opinion, far too many errors this season.
Preston's NRL team of the year
Good points Joe, but as we know both the Tigers and especially the Warriors have been extremely disappointing lately with their seasons on the line.
Preston's previews: NRL Round 25
@Joe – Souths unfortunately went better than coming close mate! Ruined my round of tipping. I need a candlelight vigil.
Preston's previews: NRL Round 24
Haha figured you’d jump on Ken.
Credit where it’s due that was a much better performance.
Still can’t see them making the finals – I will be tipping the Roosters this week to be honest.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 23
@jamesb – check out my reply to Ken for why I think that.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 23
@Ken – That comment is referring to the football they play when on the field. They are truly awful. The Broncos are not a premiership contender, at least based on recent form. As mentioned in the article they are 3 from their last 10, Dragons and Souths accounting for two of those victories.
Two of the Dragons eight season victories also came against incredibly affected origin sides – Cowboys missing 6 players, Storm missing Cronk, Smith and for that match also Munster and Green. No way would they have won otherwise. That’s four points gifted.
So of the remaining six winning matches 1 was against Souths, the other against wooden spooners Newcastle and a third was against the Roosters when they were without Pearce, Cordner, JWH and more.
So whilst Newcastle are obviously dreadful and are the worst by a mile, I’d like you to take a look at the roster they possess and tell me of ANY coach that would not have that squad finish last. At the end of the day the Knights have shown improvement throughout the season and have thrown a serious challenge to both the Dogs and Storm in recent weeks.
In terms of how the are playing their football, the Knights are superior to the Dragons at present and I won’t be surprised if the Dragons loose to Newcastle in round 26.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 23
@Joe – You do love your 13+s mate! All 3 could go either way.
Preston's previews: NRL Round 22
@PNG – I know mate! I wasn’t happy either about the result! This week’s analysis is in the system ready for publishing though!
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 21
Honestly embarrassing from the Broncos – with the side they have results like that are not acceptable. Storm however, simply unbelievable – I based my tip on the absence of Munster and Green and whilst Green is very influential, his presence does not account for such a score line disparity, a poor showing from the ponies.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 17
I may just have to call you crazy Joe 😛
Dogs was a very difficult game to call for me – I feel better knowing they’ve lost four players since writing this BUT still not 100% the ponnies can snatch a win.
Tigers could surprise a lot of people, last few years they tend to play their best footy against Melbourne.
Titans and Raiders makes me more nervous than most to be honest.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 16
Only VERY occasionally mate. I’m not really a punter, when I go to the races my main idea is to have a few drinks with mates.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 16
Bugs – I actually did not delve into at all as said in the article. The only reason the point is raised is to acknowledge the roster that Bennett has at his disposal, which based on how the article begins is crucial to assessing the coaching performance in 2016. As a result it’s a fair point, are you honestly going to tell me that on paper that squad isn’t the most talented squad in the competition once again leaving the TPA issues for another time.
In regards to Hook and Henjak, no, they did not have a team like this on paper. Since Bennett has returned he brought with him Darius Boyd, Anthony Milford, Adam Blair and James Roberts – plus those players who were there under the previous coaches, who were young and full of potential have remained at the club as better players because they have had time to develop. I’m sorry but there is no comparison with those squads.
Which also means your point about me mentioning anyone could coach THIS SQUAD – THIS, 2016 SQUAD – to the finals is applicable. It is a completely different squad. I will tell you right now, I can coach this team to the top 8 and so can you.
I have also made zero comments about the draw and have merely stated that the Broncos lost their past 3 clashes at the time of writing the article. Which is a fact. Regardless of origin, they still had 7 representative players (8 if we include James Roberts in City v Country) play against the Tigers. I didn’t mention that Tigers were missing their only two players with first class international experience in Woods and Farah.
Directly addressing your comment about people using TPA’s intelligently Bugs – again that is a null and void notion. Brisbane is the biggest sporting franchise in the game…why? Because they are the only team in that city. A sporting mad city. It’s no surprise that North Queensland also enjoy the same privileges – again one city team in a rugby league mad state. As to why the Titans don’t get as much use out of TPA’s? They are on the glitter strip, interest in league is not particularly high in that region plus we need to look at the industry in the area. The Storm benefit from being a one state team I could go on and on but I won’t because it’s tiring and rather clear you’re a huge Broncos/Bennett proponent. His placing is a fair one.
NRL’s coaching mid year report card: Part 2
Genuinely curious what your solution is then?
Should we just accept mediocrity? If there is no accountability – which based on Kennedy now being ‘demoted’ to the bunker but STILL on a Tigers game following serious controversy, means there is not – or at the very least, no common sense from administrators.
And if we cannot question rulings and get legitimate answers? How exactly would you improve the standard of officiating? The NRL has made it clear that instead of the acceptable reffing provided rounds 1-4, they instead would prefer the cotton wool reffing of round 5 onwards, so it won’t come from a change of tact.
Players and coaches held accountable for mistakes - so should refs face media, too?