NRL Repeat Set: Preseason 2.1
The preseason Repeat Set is back for another week as we countdown to the new-look Round 3.
The preseason Repeat Set is back for another week as we countdown to the new-look Round 3.
We’re almost there, folks.
One more footy-free weekend until it consumes us through to October 25.
In the meantime, we have a few more days of off-field chat before dissecting Round 3.
Piling pressure on referees
Despite saying “no more doomsday referee chat after this” there is one more thing…
Referees are quite rightfully filling a complaint with the Fair Work Commission after Peter V’Landys cut the assistant referee, demoted full time referees to the touchline, and got rid of what are usually full time touch judges entirely. V’Landys did so without consulting Professional Rugby League Match Officials Incorporated and while ignoring the recommendations of almost every expert and respected voice in the game.
But, that’s not the worst thing.
While talking about possible strike action, he threw the referees that do remain in the game under the bus in an attempt to pander to the worst sort of footy fan:
“I don’t think they’d get any sympathy whatsoever if they were to sabotage the game with such an action. It would be risking the game’s future if they were to do something like that.”
They’re not sabotaging the game…
Just like V’Landys vs broadcasters and the NRL vs RLPA, the referees want to be involved in discussions that directly involve their livelihood. They understand the possibility for changes just like everybody else, but haven’t been given the opportunity to discuss them.
V’Landys knows what he’s doing when using the word “sabotage”.
He’s wound up the most highly strung group of people in rugby league, and turned them further against referees than they already were.
This from the man who once said, “the pressure on the referees at those moments in time is immense, so I don’t envy them. Our job is to support them, help them and improve them to make less mistakes.”
Not only has he added pressure to referees on the field by removing their assistant and implementing a new rule without trialing it, a section of fans off the field will focus on them more than ever.
NRL: One referee is back, but why?
The NRL will go back to one referee for the rest of the 2020 season, but the reasons for such a move don’t wash with…medium.com
Warriors looking for a loan
Jackson Frei, Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau and Jazz Tevaga have all been ruled out for extended periods, and the Warriors can’t replace them.
The NRL rejected their request to loan players from another club.
This normally wouldn’t be much of an issue. For better or worse, players being loaned between clubs has never picked up in the NRL.
However, this is a strange decision given the circumstances. With the reserve grade competition not likely to run at all in 2020, players otherwise pushing for a first grade spot may go without footy for the full season. Loaning fringe players is something clubs want to do given some have already offered players to the Warriors.
Already on the back foot, the Warriors now have $1 million worth of talent in one area of the field stuck on the sidelines. Let’s hope they’re provided with the assistance they deserve.
Bookies reopen
With the length of the season set and the next two rounds in the draw confirmed, bookmakers have reset their ‘premiership winner’ odds.
The Storm and Roosters are once again expected to be in the hunt. I wrote about the two clubs and their different approaches to sustained success for StatsInsider.com last week. Fittingly, the Raiders have been installed as equal favourites ahead of a deep dive into how they can win the premiership in 2020.
While the Storm and Roosters achieved success upon the arrival of Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson, Ricky Stuart and the Raiders have taken the long road. But should things go the way they plan in 2020, there’s a good chance that road links up with one of the Storm or Roosters in the Grand Final.
Storm vs Roosters: Comparing the NRL Premiership Blueprints
The Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters are the benchmarks in rugby league. They have accounted for the last three…www.statsinsider.com.au
Afternoon Grand Final
With the 2020 Grand Final being pushed out to October 25, there are calls for the time of the match to be moved forward.
The idea of an afternoon Grand Final seems to come up every other year. Some fans are hung up on the idea that playing the match earlier in the day is the only way for it to be successful.
For many, it’s another example of wanting what we had in the ‘good old days’.
Broadcasters weren’t feeding hundreds of millions into the game in the ‘good old days’, though. They’re going to be given a say on when the biggest game of the season is played.
Personally, it’s never been something worth worrying about.
Breakout players
The experts at NRL.com recently released their list of breakout players for the 2020 season. Some good names pop up — Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Eliesa Katoa (Warriors) and Tom Flegler (Broncos) are all excellent suggestions.
However, they all missed what should be the unanimous choice: Harry Grant.
Having completed his move to the Wests Tigers for the remainder of the 2020 season, Grant will finally play regular first grade football. The 22-year-old would already have 30+ appearances had he signed with any other club. Instead, he’s been stuck behind Cameron Smith, forced to wait for the old boy to retire.
Tigers fans will be pleading for Smith to play on in 2021. If he does, Grant has an option in his contract to end his time with the Storm and sign elsewhere.
Instead of sitting here and describing his lightening quick feet out of dummy half, his ball-playing at the line, and the surprising tackle-breaking ability for a little man, his 2019 Queensland Cup highlights tell you everything you need to know.
Fizz up, Tigers fans!
Jason Taumalolo — The GOAT
We’re going to be talking about Jason Taumalolo as the best forward in rugby league history by the time he’s done. That’s if we aren’t already. Few have been able to compete with him in the NRL era.
Thankfully, we’re starting to see more footy chat in the buildup to the new-look Round 3.
Chris Kennedy put together a great piece on Taumalolo’s career so far, and the possibility that the best is still to come from the 26-year-old.
For those that have forgotten what went down in Round 2, Taumalolo ripped through 345 running metres — the most by any forward, ever.
Good luck to the Titans middles tasked with wrestling him to the ground in Round 3 after two months to rest…
NRL Repeat Set: Preseason 2.0
Ah, rugby league — what would we do without it?medium.com