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| Another trophy for the Cabinet |
Queendland Firebirds Dominate
The Queensland Firebirds travelled over the Tasman for the ANZ pre-season tournament at Tauranga and the expectation was good but the main thing was to ensure not only a solid performance but to try a few different combinations and tactics and come back with no serious injuries. The Firebirds managed to not only do that but have put out a warning to all the teams that they will be the force again in 2012 and are in a good position to go back t back.
Undefeated for the tournament with 3 wins and a draw in the round robin fixtures culminated in a comprehensive 50-30 defeat over the Melbourne Vixens. The Firebirds are now perfectly poised to head into the season proper and defend their title. Such a commanding performance on top of last year will have every team wary of the Firebirds who will now have the mental advantage before they even hit the court.
NRL is Under Way
The NRL season has started and fans have had a chance to see how their team and new signings look for 2012. First point of contention for 2012 is Golden Point. Is it fair taht a team wins through luck rather tahn skill. In extra time, rarely will you see a ref give a penalty that will result in a team kicking for a goal. Yet a ref will give a penalty without question to a team to piggyback down the field to set up for a field goal. If the NRL wants a result every game then it should look at extra time in the way it is designed. Why not play out the fully allotted time allowed for extra time and the team in front at the end is the winner.
Brisbane showed that life after Lockyer is not as bad as the media built it up to be and never let the Eels look like they could win the game. Poor old Parrramatta might soon find out that Sandow is not the wonder buy of the season. As for the Broncos though the forward pack is what is going to make them a formidable team this year. They tackled hard, missed few tackles and still have plenty of improvement to come.
I didn't watch the Panthers v Bulldogs game but managed to catch the highlights and in particular the hit Pritchard put on Simmons. Looks like Pritchard will be the first player to be sidelined by the judiciary this year and if not then the new Commission has some work to do. The Panthers have come out of the game with a few injuries and it might be long year if that trend continues. I did catch the Cowboy v Titans game and saw one of the worst Cowboys performances to date. Will be a long season for the Cowboys if they can't hold the ball. The Titans were a vast improvement of last year but with all the possession they got in opposition territory, they really should have blown the Cowboys away. Only game one though and plenty of game to go.
The Storm were lucky to get away with a victory and Canberra should be kicking themself for not getting the win. Canberra should know that the Storm will always think they can win and showed why. Although if not for the freak, Slater, the result would have been the other way round. And after watching the games today I will stand by the following comment. If you think the cricket commentators are bad then don't watch channel nine's coverage. It is a totally self serving biased coverage that only wants a team they support to win. If you want unbiased commentary watch the game but listen to ABC Grandstand for the truth of what is happening. If you don't believe me then get a copy of the Broncos vs Eeels game and wait for the moment when Ray Warren admits that he wasn't watching the game and refused to make a comment on what happened.
Liverpool Needs Help
After the glory of the Carling Cup victory that they struggled to win and made hard work of they yet again showed that they can control the possession, create the chance but lack the final touch. I am a diehard fan of Liverpool and will never change allegiance like many of the fairweather fans that follow the current champion teams. It is time that Liverpool started laying for the fans like myself and showed the commitment on the field. Talk after the game is one thing but a player will always be judged by what he achieves on the field. If Liverpool are serious about making the top four then they need to start playing like a team in the top four. Signings are important but it is better to say you made a mistake in signing and let them go then to stick with them hoping they will shine. As for the continued abuse that gets hurled at a certain player I can only put those in one category. HYPOCRITES. You are no better than what you complain about. If you want forgiveness and respect you have to give it,
The Queensland Reds Run Supreme
Two games gone and the Reds are two from two. The media and Greg martin (sorry Greg but after last nights game you have shown your new colours) want nothing more than to see any other team but Queensland to be the number one team, but thankfully for Rugby it is not happening. Even without the magical touch of Quade Cooper, the Reds are showing that back to back is more than a possibility. If the other Australian teams want to take over this mantle then they need to look at how they play with the ball rather than the tactics they use to get the ref to help them over the line. And if being the reigning champions is not enough for the Foxsports commentators then you can see why Australia will not be a force. Rugby is strong with our without SYdeny and it is time that that part of Australia realised it. As for Greg Martin, you can keep hi,. He returned home and still couldn't find much acknowledgement for this team. Marto needs to look at Beau Robinson, here is a man that wasn't wanted by NSW, came north ans is now the best player that couldn't play in the World Cup.
Twitter Quotes for those who don't follow:
Response from Ben Tapuai - Robbo from dubbo is the man RT @MichaelDrewett: @bentapuai you little bewdy. You better thank @beaurobbo for that one though.#REDvFOR
Love it. Radike the flying fro intercepts and scores a brilliant try.@Reds_Rugby #REDvFOR
FINAL NOTE
This is for the sideline commentator. It happened today and it happens on most days we watch sport. I make call and well after the fact it is noticed by the commentators or is totally missed. These commentators are well paid and I am sure that I am not the only one out there with the feeling that is is a time for change. Just looking at the mugs of the idiots in the box, you know they are not paid for their looks. So why are they paid for their comments? I don't care what someone may have achieved on the field, if they can't call a game as it is then don't call it. If you are going to be biased then they need to state it up front. Anyone that knows me knows I am parochial to the teams I support and I stand proud. I cannot attest to a commentator that won't admit their bias or changes it to suit their contract.
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