For those of you back from Mad Monday celebrations - feel free to chatter away on this page until season 2017 begins...if you want.
The Thinker
NRL tips from the biggest mind in Rugby League
The latest in NRL news
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Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Talk about upset results.
Denis Istomin was a $2 chance to win his AUS Open Rnd 1 match.
He was $21 to beat Djokovic in Rnd 2. So $42 all up.
He was $3 to win Rnd 3 which he did last night. So $126 all up.
In his next game Monday morning, he is paying $6.50.
That would be $819 all up if his winning trend continues.
Might be too late to get 819/1, but you can have $6.50.
Would be about $3 against most likely Thiem in the quarters.
Would be about $4 against Nadal or Raonic in the semis.
Would be about $6 against Federer or Murray in the final.
That's nearly 500 to 1 starting today.
All very unlikely though isn't it ?
Or is it?
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Don't follow the tennis, but what was that German guy paying to roll Murray? The papers listed his brother pushing that Spanish guy to 5 sets.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Just a thought on the nines, to make it a more emergent tournament, how about limiting it to players under 25 and with less than 100 games in the NRL? Just not looking forward to seeing another bunch of former greats go around again.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No more Istomin but was refreshing to see.
ischa Zverev is a serve-volleyer ala Tim Henman, Pat Rafter, Pat Cash, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras.
I'm sure there are more but my list shows there's not many of the species.
Some players these days are guilty of getting carried away with practising the stock standard plays, and become unstuck when something new is thrown their way. Playing a serve-volleyer really tests your return of serve. That first ball back into court has to be constantly good. Murray got found out in this area and may I say, has broadcasted to the world, a chink in his armour.
Federer's first ball back is one of the best. His game would need to drop two notches, and Zverev's go up another two notches to cause another boilover there.
I like Feds to equal Jack Nichlaus's 18 Majors.
I also like part-Aussie, Jo Konta to take Serena Williams in straight sets next round, and go on to take the women's title.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
So Ben Hunt is off to the Dragons after this year.
What does that mean for the Broncos?
Are they looking at extending the playing career of Marshall when he hasn't proved his worth at a club for about 8 years?
What does it mean for the Dragons? Whoever plays half must know they only have 12 months to find another club.
The old one-year-in-advance signing. Two clubs buggered in one move.
Submitted by The Thinker on
James Roberts is set to be cleared....no case to answer.
Apparently someone else pulled the girls hair.
I apologize for my premature speculation....as Mark Twain might say:
Reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Moreso, it's the tried and true Broncos and Sharks tactic of "say nothing, admit nothing, and they won't be able to prove nothing". It's worked everytime. Why change now?
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Was it claimed he did it because he did it, or was it simply because he is James Roberts and it had more likelihood of sticking?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If James Roberts was in the vicinity of any kind of trouble, the likelihood would be, it was him.
Submitted by a on
James Roberts cleared WTF are you serious
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ahh another tennis bet slip now called a piece of paper.
If only Serena had played like this again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZeAQRhb66U
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If you can't stand the Heat, let Sydney take over your kitchen.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Pretty disgraceful that the Broncos again represent the NRL again in the World Club Series. Fair enough they were part of it the last series, but last year they were lucky to be in the top 6 teams.
Fans of the game treated like fools again. Go on Marshall. Show the Poms how mind-blowingly stupid you can make yourself look.
Pommy Super League stayed with tradition and will play their winner and runner-up, Wigan and Warrington. Both get to play at their home grounds. No bloody stupid stadium policy over there. Common sense prevails, sparing everyone having to endure watching games at Wembley / Old Trafford / Anfield or any other tennis court size pitch.
http://www.nrl.com/2017-nrl-pre-season-fixtures/tabid/10874/newsid/10256...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
V. Williams age 36
S. Williams age 35
M. Lucic-Baroni age 34
----------------------------
C. Vandeweghe age 25
R. Federer age 35
S. Wawrinka age 31
R. Nadal age 30
----------------------
G. Dimitrov age 25
Youth v Experience. Who wins ?
Will we be asking the same question come the finals?
Submitted by a on
So Thinker are you going to do a Nines page or not
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Slightly excited for the nines, nice to see the new wave of potential players coming through the ranks, and happy to see it back on the box (admittaly on pay). But I think I'll get fix from the short micro bursts of summaries from NRL.com. Don't plan on losing a weekend to it.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Just don't get too excited for your own team in the nines.
In the same way that the par 3 comp before the US Masters has never produced a green jacket, no Rugby League 7s or 9s Winner (or Runner-up for that matter) has ever gone on to take the Premiership.
You can trace Parra's 2016 season of woe back to the dreaded trophy they lifted in the February.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The best players are getting better with age.
Margaret Court (24 Majors) won her last at age 31.
Steffi Graf (22) won her last at 30.
Helen Wills Moody (19) won her last at 31.
Martina Navratilova (18) won her last at 33.
Chris Evert (18) won her last at 31.
Billy Jean King (12) won her last at age 31.
Serena Williams (22) is age 35, playing Venus Williams (7) age 36.
This year's Women's title will be the oldest Grand Slam Winner in the history of tennis.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The best players are getting better with age - Part II
Pete Sampras (14 Majors) won his last at age 31.
Roy Emerson (12) won his last at 30.
Novak Djokovic (12) was 29 at last year's US Open.
Bjorn Borg (11) won his last at 25.
Rod Laver (11) won his last at 31.
Ivan Lendl (8) won his last at 29.
Andre Agassi (8) won his last at 32.
Roger Federer (17) is age 35, (possibly) playing Rafael Nadal (14) age 30.
I Roger wins he will be 2nd oldest Grand Slam Winner in the history of the game, (behind only Ken Rosewall age 37 Australian Open 1972).
Submitted by a on
I have an idea for the nines let's have a competition you have to pick a team and you will be the only 1 allowed the team and they will have to win I will start with taking Cowboys
Broncos
Bulldogs
Cowboys
Dragons
Eels
Knights
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Sharks
Storm
Titans
Warriors
West Tigers
Come on pick your team but it can't be Cowboys because I've already taken it
Submitted by a on
Broncos
Bulldogs
Cowboys : a
Dragons
Eels
Knights
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Sharks
Storm
Titans
Warriors
West Tigers
Submitted by Chriso66 on
I'll take the Titans
Submitted by christine on
I'll take souths '' a ''
Submitted by christine on
" a " I change mine to sharks in stead of souths , so sharks to win the nines for me " a "
Submitted by a on
Competition update
Broncos
Bulldogs
Cowboys : a
Dragons
Eels
Knights
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Sharks : christine
Storm
Titans : Chrisso66
Warriors
West Tigers
Got a choice of 13 teams other people
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings 'a'
You may struggle to find 16 competitors for your comp at this time of year...but good luck with it.
I will take the Tigers.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by a on
Compertition update
Broncos
Bulldogs
Cowboys : a
Dragons
Eels
Knights
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Sharks : christine
Storm
Titans : Chrisso66
Warriors
West Tigers : The Thinker
Got a choice of 12 teams other people
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Hmmmmmm Eels for me, but think we should have sent more rookies and less first graders.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello all -
"a", I will take Sea Eagles in The 9's Comp u r running, that is, if they haven't been swooped up already.
Think they might go a little better than last years.
Cheers - Big Pete Bx
Submitted by a on
Compertition update
Broncos
Bulldogs
Cowboys : a
Dragons
Eels : Baggy_Gee
Knights
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Roosters
Sea Eagles : BigPeteBx
Sharks : christine
Storm
Titans : Chrisso66
Warriors
West Tigers : The Thinker
Got a choice of 10 teams other people
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
"Swooped" nice one Pete, I'm sorry to rain on your parade but I think there might be a year of rebuilding at Brooky, with the departure of J. Lyon, and the uncertainty of the "Prince". At least it shouldn't be as bad as our 2016 was, but best of luck for the season.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
It can all seem so obvious in hindsight - Federer / S.Williams.
So how does it all seem as clear as mud at the starting gates?
Serena was the favourite at $3.50 two weeks ago, but Roger was paying $21.
A little double on the two players who have won the most times would have raked in $73.50 for every dollar outlayed.
Sometimes you can overlook the obvious.
** Sorry 'a', the Nines is a jinx, a curse, and I don't want to be part of it.
So I've got my fingers crossed that a Qld team wins, but apart from that , happy to be a spectator.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Well in that case 'a' put me down for the Panthers.
Submitted by a on
Compertition update
Broncos
Bulldogs
Cowboys : a
Dragons
Eels
Knights
Panthers : Baggy_Gee
Rabbitohs
Raiders
Roosters
Sea Eagles : BigPeteBx
Sharks : christine
Storm
Titans : Chrisso66
Warriors
West Tigers : The Thinker
Got a choice of 10 teams other people
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Everyone has their own opinions BG. I think the only rebuilding going on at Brooky will be the ground and the stands, eventually.
Manly have signed some good quality players that come with experience and are fast learners. You need to be mate, if u r playing 1st Grade.
Brett will try his hardest to overcome his niggling injuries, then I'd say it will be curtains or off to join brother Glenn.
Best to you also BG and with the refurb at Pirtek. Parra has gained some good players and that will also be a test.
Keep well - Big Pete
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The only thing that I'm not looking forward to is trying to get a full house at ANZ. A new stadium is going to be great, but 3 years at ANZ will just be painful. Hoping Brett gets back to form and all the best for the coming season.
Submitted by a on
Come on people I need more people to join nines
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I would say people want to know if they are doing just for the hell of it - or if theres a prize on offer ?
Submitted by a on
Well I ask the Thinket
Submitted by a on
Thinker
Submitted by Coach Potato on
COWBOY when it comes to footy.
INDIAN (giver) when it comes to running a comp.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Well I guess BG, that you/Eels could be on a level pegging as West Ham in EPL. They are at the London Olympics arena and heaven help what the charges are to use it as their home ground.
It isn't nice seeing great players still able to give the game a bit, crocking up and limping about. That's is the cruel part of sport.
NRL is nearing and I hope that the bad taste that has been seen here, on occasions - soon disappears. Life is short and sport is great way of mixing people and cultures. I've made some good friends here and who gives a rat's who we follow. If we all thought and felt the same, we'd get nowhere.
Bathurst 12 Hour Liqui Moly Car Race on here this weekend. Turn your tv's on early (nearing dawn/sun up) Sunday morning to see the start, under lights.
Cheers and have a good one - Big Pete
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Au revoir, Barba!
http://www.nrl.com/nrl-statement-regarding-ben-barba/tabid/10874/newsid/...
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Hear Hear big Pete. That is the hardest part to get across in text, the (hopefully) playful joking about others teams. But really what does it matter who wins this years comp as long as it the BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Really ?
Footy banter is dead ?
Can't have a dig at teams and players you dislke ?
Has political correctness enveloped the Thinker page in time for kickoff 2017.
F... that.
Who the hell has the thin hide to sit in judgement of me anyway, all the while having the ranting fortress as their favourite penpal ? In politically correct terminology : "Proceed and have sexual intercourse with yourselves"
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Sometimes BG, I've read into some text, that hasn't been all joking.
Now Coach, thinks I've been having a shot at him, but I have never, ever had a go at his "scripts". He has a knowledge of the game and knows where to research "blogs" he makes, when he needs to draw on facts.
Let me say the results have been excellent reading.
It will be interesting to see how Eels go this season with the players they have on their books. Arthur has been rather articulate with who he has picked up off "scrapheaps" as well. Much like Bozo had a reputation for doing and nurturing them along and made them better for it.
Yes, best of luck for 2017 Season mate. Auckland will be another test, to see what teams receive and how serious pre-NRL injuries amount to.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Nah Coach - far from all that.
Added....I have never once judged you or your comments, as I replied in a post to Baggy Green (BG), just recently. But I look at what others are known to point a finger at and bring you in on them.
I haven't heard from the "ranting" Fortress since end of last season. I was going to meet him in The Corso one day, but he never responded to an email I sent him, via Thinker, to send him.
It would have been nice to catch up with you as well, when I was down in Penrith District, post NRL G/Final. So I guess the friendliness stops at Thinker site.
Banter will always remain, along with the digs ones have. No skin off my boy from the bush nose. Thus, Lottoland will at least keep Manly on Nthn Beaches for another 3 years. As much as I detest the name change, a seven figure sum for naming rights, I guess we need to support, to get some cash/funding injection going at Brooky. Other clubs have done it, even Panthers to add.
Keep well Coach, have a rethink and pick a team in 9's comp that "a" is running. Who needs prizes, it's just pick a team and see how they go. Again, the fun of it. Cheers - BigPete
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Good news sports followers, instead of the multiple injuries of the first day last year, we only have Aaron Gray. Its still one to many serious injuries from a throw away competition that is still second fiddle to the Premiership but at least its no higher.
Submitted by a on
Yes exactly BigPeteBx who needs prizes when you can just have fun
Submitted by The Thinker on
I have to be honest - I didn't even watch today, but I expect I will watch tomorrow.
No idea who is playing well (obviously)....I note that the four teams that lost to the broncos and cowboys on day one all won their other game. Probably means nothing.
A bit like baggy when it comes to this weekend...a bit of fun and I just hope no one gets hurt.
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