Round twenty-one selections

Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

The Chooks are chasing their seventh successive victory and are giving every indication they're near their best for a tilt at the title. In their last three outings they've conceded just 12 points (while scoring 81) and it's reminiscent of their 2013 season. This is their toughest opponent in some time but I still doubt the attacking capabilities of their Bulldogs halves. The Roosters aren't exactly leaking points at the moment and I can't see the Bulldogs playmakers tearing them apart. Close in the first half, but the red, white and bluesters will run away with the game when its there to be won.

Verdict – Roosters by 16

Result - Roosters 38 defeated Bulldogs 28

Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Leichhardt Oval

The Tigers would love to win at least once at Leichhardt Oval this season, but they're terrible. Robbie Farah returns and he'll be keener than any of them, but they're terrible. Given the movements in the NRL coaching ranks, Jason Taylor would love his side to notch up a win too, but they're terrible. Storm surely. Tigers terrible.

Verdict – Storm by 13

Result - Tigers 34 defeated Storm 16

New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

Sharks fans are getting excited, and I suppose that is their right. At the risk of dousing their enthusiasm a little, I will mention that the five teams above them on the ladder all won last week...and won convincingly. They couldn't time their trip across the Tasman much better, what with the season-ending injury to Shaun Johnson. That all but ends the Warriors finals hopes, but I think they'll deflate slowly rather than pop in an instant. They've had a week to come to terms with the new normal, and I think they'll be desperate to show us they aren't a one-pony trick. The absence of Fifita for the Sharks, and the rub of the green at home, gives the Warriors enough of an edge in the forwards. They don't win a lot of games the hard and boring way, and their opponent does that better than just about anyone, but not this time.

Verdict – Warriors by 2

Result - Sharks 18 defeated Warriors 14

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

Probably the game of the round, and the last time these sides met was one of the games of the season. An 80th minute field goal to Jonathan Thurston proved the difference in round 15, but there's a few important things to remember about that game. The Raiders were at home, coming off a bye and close to full strength. Matt Scott, James Tamou and Jonathan Thurston were backing up 4 days after an Origin match, and Michael Morgan was a late withdrawal. Another fairly quick turnaround for all the Cowboys this weekend but at least they got to stay in their (allegedly controversial) homes.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

Result - Cowboys 32 defeated Raiders 24

Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos – Saturday night – Central Coast Stadium

To be at the top of the table you need to win games away from home, and the Broncos have done just that (7 from 9). At home in recent times they've been nigh on unstopabble, racking up 164 points in their last four home games while conceding just 48. The wins away from Lang Park have been tighter (with an average winning margin of less than 8), but the wins keep on coming. Their last loss was way back in round ten - to the Cowboys in Townsville. Manly pulled out one of their typical backs-to-the-wall victories last weekend, but it wasn't enough to save the coach. Can they dig deep and find again? I doubt it. The neutral venue doesn't help either. The last time these sides met the Broncos won 44-10. It will be closer. Slightly closer.

Verdict – Broncos by 22

Result - Sea Eagles 44 defeated Broncos 14

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Jubilee Oval

How much do the Dragons like their coach Paul McGregor? I say the answer is 'lots', and I'm hoping they'll show it this weekend. I'm sure the Knights like Danny Buderus, but I doubt that's enough. In round 19 the Rabbits beat the Dragons by 16, and in round 20 the Rabbitohs beat the Knights by 46. That's all I need to hear.

Verdict – Dragons by 8

Result - Dragons 46 defeated Knights 24

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

The last time the Panthers won a game was in round 17...against the Rabbitohs. Oddly enough that was the last game the Rabbitohs didn't win. Since then the Bunnies have scored 76 points and conceded just 14.  And since then the Panthers have scored 38 points and conceded 110. Momentum is everything in this game, and right now the Bunnies have plenty of it while the Panthers look like they're pushing a medicine ball up a hill with the tip of a billiard cue.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 20

Result = Rabbitohs 20 defeated Panthers 16

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels – Monday night – CBus Super Stadium

Parramatta are in Queensland for successive Monday night fixtures, but this should be closer than their last effort. Taking a team to the Gold Coast at this time of the year is risky when your side aren't in finals contention. For some, it ends up being a Mad Monday warm-up, and the Eels look like the sort of side that could do something that silly. The Titans on the other hand, will pencil this game in as one to win if they want to avoid the wooden spoon. The duck egg against the Broncos doesn't look great, but they had their competitive moments in that game, and if they can sustain that level for most of the 80 minutes that's good enough to beat the Eels. To the Titans fans that head out to the game on Monday night - I salute you.

Verdict – Titans by 2

Result - Titans 24 defeated Eels 14

Wally Lewis - round twenty-one selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

  • ROOSTERS vs Bulldogs
  • Tigers vs STORM
  • Warriors vs SHARKS
  • COWBOYS vs Raiders
  • Sea Eagles vs BRONCOS
  • DRAGONS vs Knights
  • RABBITOHS vs Panthers
  • TITANS vs Eels

Comments

Michael 's picture

all warrious key player all was injury so i believe sharks will win this game..cheers

Coach Potato's picture

So lets strip back the Cowboys and see what their streaks reveal. No, Footy Chick. The other sort.

Year - Streak Score - Table Finish / Season Result

1995 - 0 - 20th / 20 - Wooden Spoon (what a start)
1996 - 2 - 17th / 20 - slight improvement
1997 - 2 - 10th / 10 - Wooden Spoon (oh dear)
1998 - 6 - 16th / 20 - back to slight improvements
1999 - 2 - 16th / 17 - bloody laughing stocks
2000 - 4 - 14th / 14 - Wooden Spoon (OMG)
2001 - 0 - 13th / 14 - No words left
2002 - 4 - 11th / 15 - Still no fun being a Cowboy
2003 - 8 - 11th / 15 - was that a streak I saw?
2004 - 8 - 7th / 15 - Another streak and now semis???
2005 - 9 - 5th / 15 - Another streak ...and Grand Final !??!! You gotta be kidding me
2006 - 8 - 9th / 15 - Another good score but miss semis
2007 - 11 - 3rd / 16 - Top 4. Magic 10+ Ka-ching!! another Prelim
2008 - 3 - 15th / 16 - Ahhh that's what we're used to
2009 - 6 - 12th / 16 - Average Joes yet again
2010 - 0 - 15th / 16 - You still the half Thurston ??
2011 - 9 - 7th / 16 - Good streak again, but out in Week 1
2012 - 9 - 5th / 16 - Good streak again, out Week 2 - bloody Manly
2013 - 10 - 8th / 16 - Only 8th, must been a hot year, out in Week 1 again to the Sharks. Stupid unlimited tackle rule
2014 - 10 - 5th / 16 - Streaks can't be faulted but out again Week 2 to Roosters
2015 - 12 and counting ....

Coach Potato's picture

My mistake 14 and counting ...

Coach Potato's picture

..definitely something different this year. 1 1/2 times their best streak score I would guess when the dust has settled and the tumbleweed stops a- blowin'.

Baggy_Gee's picture

The only game that I was 100% behind the Cowboys was that semi where they beat Brisbane 10-0. It was pure passion and effort, three men in the tackle even in the last 10 minutes. It was a great moment to watch.

Coach Potato's picture

Just reminded me of something Baggy. I saw Thaiday interviewed recently and he told that their secret was committing numbers in defence. Now you say the same thing is the Cowboys key? And Roosters no different?

Against structured attacking plays relying on decoy plays to come off, seems to be working fine. Sharks seem to be the team that play more ad-lib, less structure in attack, more unpredictability. No surprise that they are the team that causes the big teams lots of trouble. Even the orange peeler knows that if you keep committing too many players to the ball carrier, you create gaps in your own defence . Blueprint for the other 5 teams semi finalists is to take a leaf out of the Sharks book.

Baggy_Gee's picture

True, but if you swarm and surround the ball, it makes a lot harder to off load. The game I was thinking about it was back in 2005, but the defence of the Cowboys is suspect. The Roosters and Broncos seem to have their edge defence set and also their center is solid. Sorry Cowboy fans, I think that the Final shall include the Roosters, unless the Cowboy conspiracy moves south.

Johnny Ray's picture

You want to talk about conspiracy's I still think Cowboys will win this year playing Roosters in final in the first ever "Thinkerbowl" between these two clubs. Never would of picked Cowboys and Roosters to be his two teams. Must be why I'm almost last in this year's competition. Let's get on with this week picks :

Roosters - Playing Bulldogs should keep scoring low but still would have to back Roosters to win this in tight competition. Roosters by four points.

Storm - Playing without their star fullback I give Tigers every chance to win this here especially playing them here at home. Still luck won't be enough for them this time. Storm by eight points.

Sharks - Warriors will struggle to win here without Johnson playing. Knowing that Hoffman is out won't help either. It hurts to admit this but after two bad performances I can't see them suddenly return to form this early from their loss against Manly Sea Eagles last week. It will be close game but yeah it's Cronulla for me. Sharks by six points.

Cowboys - I expect Raiders to struggle here. Cowboys by sixteen points.

Sea Eagles - After Toovey's sacking Sea Eagles will be determined this week to make statement that why I'm picking them to win here. That and I just have this feeling that they will. Sea Eagles by two points.

Dragons - Knights are struggling. Dragons by eight points.

Rabbitohs - Panthers will struggle in this game as well. Rabbitohs by twenty eight points.

Eels - Name me team right now worse than Eels and I would say Titans, Tigers, Panthers and Knights. That's why I am going with Eels to win this game against Titans. Eels by four points.

Awesome. Thanks again Thinker. Thanks again Everybody. Good luck with all your picks. Laters Laters ! ;-D

Coach Potato's picture

If Greg Inglis, Johnathon Thurston were true leaders. Leaders of their people. Leaders of unity amongst Australians, they would both celebrate tries with a spear. 100% support for the most humble yet fiercely competitive of sportsman is vital. The goanna, The spear etc are a show of indigenous pride and nothing else.

Kiwis do their Haka, and crowds go wild. Says a lot more about the closet feelings of this nation than anything else. Feelings that are now no longer in the closet. Telling people not to boo isn't going to change the thoughts that were in peoples closets. So ashamed for our country at the moment

Coach Potato's picture

My god, am I psychic or just super perceptive?? Just switched on the morning news to hear Inglis and Thurston's war dance plans.

mark ashford's picture

Good morning all
Adam Goodes is a great player and I don't give a rat's ass if he's white or black.
Coach there are heaps of indigenous players in all codes and they don't get booed. I think Goodes lost a lot of support when he called out that little 13 year old girl.....maybe needs a thicker skin.
Don't be ashamed for our country mate it's still the best place in the world.
I seem to be clashing with Coach on a weekly basis must be the NSW/QLD thing (just joking gotta keep SOO alive!)
Now for round 21
Cowboys
ragons
Rabbits
Roosters
Broncos
Storm
Warriors
Eels
Good luck with your tips this week.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Ok, everyone is kicking away so mid pack is about the best I can achieve. But happy to support the BOYS start to finish and hold my head high on principle.

Storm - In the old vernacular Storm first, Daylight second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, Tigers tenth. A blockbuster performance by the tigers would be welcome but very unlikely.

Roosters - It seems that the Roosters are starting to get their ducks all in a line, and a last start loss to the Sharks hasn't endeared the Bulldogs to me. Roosters at home conceding very little points.

Sharks - A good win at Belmore last week, coupled with the Warriors starting to gain a huuuuggggeeee injury list. Sharks should win comfortably. But the Sharks have been patchy in games where they should be favourite.

Raiders - They have the form, and the skill to take it to the Cowboys. It will be a great game and the boys in green should stand up to be counted this weekend.

Broncos - As we have previously discussed I am not a brave man to stand up for Manly. And the top of the table Broncos should have a field day on the central coast.

Dragons - Knights have had their bounce, and it's all down hill from here. Dragons to pick up a very much needed moral boosting win.

Rabbits - The way the Rabbits played last week should carry on to this weekend, and the Panthers keep losing players as they come back from a lay off.

Eels - The BOYS can travel and plan mad Monday at the same time, Sami should get on top of the try scoring list by himself with a pair. The BOYS will prove themselves as potential top 8 for next year even with this rubbish from the previous mob hanging heavily over our heads.

Shanghai's picture

Hi everyone,

Firstly, congrats to all who competed in the Aust Darts Championships over the last two weeks:

Teams Champions: WA (men) and NSW (women)
Singles: QLD (men) and TAS (women)
Doubles: VIC (men) and WA (women)
Mixed Doubles: NSW

Champion State: WA

A replay of the singles finals will be shown on Foxtel on 24 August and if you look hard enough, you might just get a glimpse of yours truly.

Onto my tips:

Roosters
Storm
Sharks
Cowboys
Broncos
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Eels

Good luck to everyone ..............

Johnny Boney's picture

Hi guys my tips for this week are:

Roosters by 10- Roosters too good and too strong here.

Storm by 10- Storm to continue on their winning ways here but I wouldn't be surprised if Tigers win.

Sharks by 4- Sharks to win in a tight one here.

Cowboys by 19- Cowboysto make it 15 and counting (possibly) here against Raiders Coach.

Brisbane by 14- Broncos just too good at the moment and can't lose at the moment.

Dragons by 14- They have been waiting for this one, well... I have.

Rabbitohs by 26- Rabbitohs to absolutely smash the Panthers here.

Eels by 8- Titans just can't score points at the moment.

Thganks a lot Thinker and the crew and cheers!!!!!

Coach Potato's picture

You've never been called a gorilla on-mass have you Mark. You've never actually been racially abused have you Mark. I have, and I will all my life. I guess I too need to toughen my skin up somehow as you suggest. People from minorities need to shut the hell up and don't shout to the rooftops how proud the are of their culture. Let's all just shut our mouths hey Mark. Truth be known I don't need to be around bigoted sites a minute longer.

tigerholic's picture

Evening Folks
Just the one comment from me in relation to the Adam Goodes saga"come on aussie come on".
We are all mighty proud Australians, where is the separation between white and black, I don't see any difference.
Lets concentrate on the footy, I won't be tipping the Tigers but they might be a slight chance of an upset.
Have a great weekend, for me I have soccer with the kids Saturday morning then straight to golf for 12.22 tee time, my lovely wife has given me a pass to play golf again on Sunday, between that I will of course watch as many games of NRL as possible can life get any better.
Of course the Tigers could win the PRIEMIERSHIP
Cheers

newbie from perth's picture

Hi everyone,

Given my current tipping abilities and position on the ladder, one question springs to mind. How the hell could I have won the tipping last week? Is my “mojo” back or was it just more posterior than panache? All I can do is feel grateful and hope that it continues. I just feel stoked that I’ve actually won something this year! It makes a change I can tell ya.

Yeah I got the Rabbitohs and Knights game wrong but I was throwing it out there and went out on a limb hoping to crack an upset or two. It was no surprise the Bunnies cantered in though. Oh well, that’s how the Violet Crumbles I suppose. OK, let’s get into it …

Roosters - Dogs were ordinary last week against the Sharks. They should’ve won that but got sucked in by the Sharks’ well-rehearsed “frustrate them” style of play. Regardless, I don’t think they have enough in the tank to topple my boys. Mighty Chooks for me.

Storm - The short break shouldn’t affect Melbourne too much I think. Farah in and Taupau out sort of cancels out any sort of positive the Tigers might’ve had. The Storm Troopers, on paper at least, should be able to get the job done here.

Warriors - Don’t worry JR, your boys will bounce back this week. Last week’s “embarrassment” will want to be wiped away, especially seeing as they’re at home for the second week in a row. I’m thinking the Sharks’ annoying niggling style of play will unravel this week. Surely it can’t work all the time can it? Nah, it’s the Warriors for me this week. Peow! Peow!

Cowboys - The Cowboys are back! After last week’s effort against the Eels you would think that they should do this comfortably. Mind you, the Raiders won’t be a pushover but even so, it’s gotta be the Cowboys for me. Yee-Hah!

Broncos - This might be a lot closer than some might think. While I was lucky last week in tipping them to win, I just can’t make a case for Manly this week. Even with Toovey getting the ol’ heave ho! Nah, the Ponies in this one.

Knights - Both mobs lost last week, albeit to a couple of pretty good sides. Having said that, I reckon the Dragons weren’t as bad as the Knights were. So why am I tipping the Knights? Just think sacking their coach and the way it was done might fire up the Knights players enough for them to make a statement. We’ll see if that’s how it turns out I suppose. Yeah, I’ll tip the Knights.

Rabbitohs - Should I really waste my time here explaining why the Bunnies will win this? Seriously?

Eels - Again, both of these teams got beaten last week by good sides. This is a hard one to pick. I know I shouldn’t, but I’ll tip the Eels to win this. Maybe just a wee bit more attacking potential?

OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers.

P.S. When does it stop being partly cloudy and start being partly sunny? Hmmm…

Johnny Ray's picture

Again not to bang on about myself but as one of the only white kids who went to all black school growing up I know full well true extant of what racism can do to somebody. I really had hope in this day and age we as a species would be beyond it. I guess not. And we wonder why aliens still shoot pass this planet ... :-(

Tailspin's picture

Hey everyone, hope all is well, and here we go again
Roosters by 6 in a good game
Storm by 14
Warriors to come back by 4
Cowboys by 20
Broncos by 14
Dragons are over due by 10
Bunnies to cruise by 24
Eels have to be better than the titans by 6
Have a good weekend.

Baggy_Gee's picture

It is very sad that now most people will remember Adam Goodes for this rot and not the amazing football he has played. He did the correct thing calling that little girl out when it happened, and now he is being vilified for it. But from a club supporter mind set, if he can be put off be a bit of booing, what is the first thing you are going to do to stop him ripping your team a new one. Adam needs to be supported and there is NEVER a place for racism in sport or society at large, but Adam also needs to understand that this weakness he has shown to the people who are out to cause pain for the sake of it, can be a catalyst for a better performance. Reggie Miller is one who always kicked up a gear when faced with a hostile away game, lets get Adam to a point where he just destroys any team who's fans think that abuse is the way to express their feelings.

christine 's picture

a your tips please

Declan_S's picture

Roosters
Storm
Sharks
Cowboys
Broncos - game of the round
Knights
Bunnies
Titans

christine 's picture

coach stay on site don't let anyone get to you & a hurry up put your tips in

a's picture

Sorry I late quick preview this weekend

Roosters
Storm
Sharks
Cowboys
Broncos
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Titans

a's picture

Sorry I late quick preview this weekend

Roosters
Storm
Sharks
Cowboys
Broncos
Dragons
Rabbitohs
Titans

Johnny Ray's picture

And one of my childhood heroes just made racist comment about my team Warriors. Thanks for that Billy Moore. I hope guy is genuinely sorry for his remarks because that really sucks to hear something like that coming from him ... :-(

tonibet's picture

I discovered this site just a few months back, and don't post here that often.
But since coming here to peruse through the comments and insightful rants... Let me be the first to say: (well okay second christine ).

This site will not be quite the same without you Coach, for it has been your informative and generous statistical insights that has kept me coming back.
I implore your reconsideration to return!

Thinker, here is my suggestion:
Coach (if he chooses to return), by default, gets both tonights picks wrong!
Any submission of the remaining matches by kick-off time tomorrow will be considered?

Racism on all accounts, is myopic at best!!

Bring Back The Coach!!!

Johnny Ray's picture

Wait what ? Coach come back ! Please come back ! Coach :-(

Johnny Ray's picture

Wait what ? Coach come back ! Please come back ! Coach :-(

Johnny Ray's picture

Coach :'(

The Thinker's picture

He'll come good Johnny Ray. Coach will come good.

christine 's picture

i'm all in bring back coach

Tailspin's picture

Wow, those 2 games last night, tigerholic - what's doing champ, your team come up and you didn't have your money on them, shame shame shame. And I think the Dogs were robbed, can anyone enlighten me on why, if the refs see that a call was missed, why in hells bells cant they go back to that point and make the correct decision. They would have if a try was scored so what's the #@#@ difference??? Spectators and sponsors pay good money to see their teams play, so why cant the NRL just make the correct decision and have a blanket rule, if there is a #@#@ forward pass or a knock on or a foot in touch, picked up by the video ref and the rest of the world watching it on TV, make the #@#@ call and lets have a fair game, wouldn't it be better that the crowd goes away from a game that their team won or lost not complaining about the stupid calls or calls that weren't made. Gus Gould made the comment last night that when the roosters foot went on the line when passing it back in play and it wasn't picked up at the time and play went through until the dogs had to do a line drop out and they put it on the big screen that it was too far back. WTF !!! These bad or missed calls have an impact on the game and the result in most cases, so NRL, lets start making this a fair game.
P.S. cmon coach, keep on keepin on, I will miss the banter too much if you don't return.

Tailspin's picture

Whew, I've had my rant, I feel better now, but would be interested on your thoughts on this.

tonibet's picture

^^ this
+110%

Sart0ri's picture

Hi Thinker,
I think you have lost what made you unique. In previous years you could always find an obscure but meaningful stat to base your decisions on, sometimes it was rare gem of incite. Now we just get wishful thinking - "They don't win a lot of games the hard and boring way, and their opponent does that better than just about anyone, but not this time."
Please have a long hard look at yourself over the off season and come back better and stronger next year.
Regards,
Sart0ri

Sart0ri's picture

or even insight.

Johnny Ray's picture

Yeah ! What did I tell you ? Sea Eagles ! Now if only I listen to myself and went with West Tigers on Friday Night I would be a godamn genius ! Oh who am I kidding ? This site is not the same now Coach has left ! Come back coach ! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bv5vMJKBAbo :'(

a's picture

Yeah I would love you back Coach

mark ashford's picture

Morning all
I've been moving house so have been off air for a couple of days and very surprised to see Coach's reaction to my comments.
Coach if you read this I HATE racism in any form whatsoever and yes I have been on the receiving end in my younger days being an English migrant to this country.
I believe the booing of Adam Goodes just shows a lack of intelligence from rival fans and not the attitude of Australians in general.
I am allowed a personal opinion regarding that young girl and will leave it at that.
IF my comment resulted in your decision then I unreservedly apologise and look forward to your return.
sincerely
mark.

Coach Potato's picture

Racial intolerance is not something one gets over after a good night's sleep. Irks me to hear that all Thinker would buy into, is that I would.

Similarly, Mark wants Adam Goodes to stop having a sook, also just get over it etc etc. Do you think the 13 year old was something he hadn't heard 10,000 times before? Of course not. The people surrounding that 13 year old were all laughing and jeering along with her, not pulling her head in, so lets face it. This isn't about picking on someone your own size kind of thing. This is a 13 year old whose voice told the country what half the population (if social media is any guide) actually felt and still feel like saying but didn't and dont want to wear the persecution or racist label you would have to then carry.

This is not an AFL site I acknowledge, but the strong sentiment from rival codes, politicians and other non-sporting areas tells me this transcends sport. Far more important than that.

As a big AFL fan, I know that Goodes doesn't fall over any more than a single other player out there. What's more, he rarely wins a penalty. He cops stuff on the ball that would be a penalty any day of the week, and whistles dont get blown. Watch a few Grand Final replays, really just any Swans game over the years to know this.

As for the 13 year old, I urge everyone on this page to watch this story from the 730 project. If your feelings didn't change afterwards, that's fine. Just so long as your opinion was based on the full story.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153048590433441&id=1077870...

Media do a great job of only giving you the side of a story to skew it a certain way. To make someone look bad by taking their words out of context. That being said, wasn't it the plain truth that the Poms invaded two centuries ago? Horrible to think media want us to only hear half the story then have us form opinions and values from that. They friggin want people to think this way. Pack of a'holes.

So, I'm back but I'm on shaky ground. Hope Penrith win today, but hope more Inglis scores a treble.

a's picture

Adam goodes was doing a war dance

Coach Potato's picture

..and the Haka is a warm friendly greeting? Half wits

Coach Potato's picture

It's this very attitude that gives me no reason to share my thoughts on footy. Does it make sense to people that I don't feel like sharing with people that aren't very sharing people?

Baggy_Gee's picture

My hours at work have been changed so I get to listen to the Sunday triple M team ugh. We talk in the NRL about bridging the gap and we acknowledge the positive impact that multiculturalism has played in our game. How many great have been from an Aboriginal or non australian background, how many varied celebrations have we had when anyone gets over the line and scores. I know that I think we need to borrow game scheduling from the AFL, but lets give them something back, the ability for anyone to celebrate a great piece of football with whatever they damn well want to. No one ever said anything about (to my knowledge) about Nicky Windmar lifting his jersey to show his pride in his blood and origin and Adam Goodes should be allowed to take that same pride in his blood and origin. Ban the fans for life who are caught, and fine the club for their fans. Hit them in their hip pocket where notice will be taken, and use that money for OTHER clubs juniors.

On the other side of the "we boo because he's a diver", only racist thugs are saying that to self justify that they have the moral high ground. As Coach said he's a great player and great players don't become great by laying on the ground.

And didn't everyone start the test matches with a war dance? why is one ok and the other not 'a'?

Coach Potato's picture

Nice to hear Baggy but like I say, I'm not here to change everyone's attitudes and opinions. It's just horribly disappointing as a nation to know that a good percentage, if not a majority don't, can't, won't, will never change.

Not booing a guy, doesn't mean they've changed. Just means they are back in the closet. People don't actually get what the big deal with the 13 year old was. She was the voice of a nation. A nation full of intolerance.

Coach Potato's picture

Sorry that this week has been more philanthropy than footy. I don't want this page to be like that, and I'd rather leave that to everyone else for now.

Feels a bit like Australia's 9/11 just happened, and then asking "so who's playing tonight?"

Coach Potato's picture

I know I still like to contribute, and I know that a Nation is not gonna change.

I guess that means I need to be tolerant of intolerance. Sounds difficult, but maybe that's life.

mark ashford's picture

Welcome!! Coach and I mean that sincerely.
Like all others on this site I enjoy your stats and insights enormously.
We may not always agree but that's what makes the Thinkers site so good...being able to have your say.
Geographically it's probably impossible but I would love to meet all the regulars some day for a beer or whatever.
I live on my own now and you guys and girls seem more like friends than just fellow posters.

Coach has returned...my day just got better.

christine 's picture

mark things will return to normal soon well as normal as they can be on this website

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