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Rugby league is back

Posted by: Peter Psaltis | 16 March, 2009 - 4:46 PM

Rugby league is back and don’t we love it!

What a great weekend of football we witnessed. The 2 games on Friday night were outstanding. Melbourne and Brisbane both setting up the first blockbuster of the year this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium when the two sides clash. Then we had the performance of both the Bulldogs and Souths. They were outstanding.

Now we have a couple of negatives –

What the hell was the NRL thinking in having yesterday’s game on the Gold Coast between the Titans and the Knights kicking off at 1pm? If Fox isn’t allowed to show live football during 4 and 6pm on Sundays because of channel 9 then the game yesterday should have kicked off at 6pm or it should have been played on Saturday night. Player safety should be put first – not last!

The other negative comes from Des Hasler! Now I must say I have been a fan of Des but for him to be critical of the 2 referees after a loss like that is a bit rough. C’mon Des, be real, your team was pathetic. Don’t blame the 2 referees, blame Brett Stewart, Anthony Watmough, the World Club Challenge, Premiership hangover, a better Bulldogs team and an all round inept performance by your side.

It’s great to have the season underway, there were some great matches and some great individual performances.

My Round 1 awards go to –

Player of the round – John Sutton – he was outstanding for the Rabbitohs

Best losing coach – Brian Smith – still praised the 2 referees even though his side lost (did you hear that Des)

Try of the Round – William Zillman – Welcome back to football Zilly

Underachieving team of the round – A DRAW – Parramatta and the Roosters

Blog comments

How about the player with the brightest future ..........

Jamal Idris is destined to be one of most marketable players ever.

Brian Tombs Tuesday 17 March, 2009 - 12:36 PM
Part 2....

Peter we all know that you are a massive fan of Zillman and yes his try was impressive. However i believe personally that the try of the round was Thurston's infield kick from the outside of his foot for Bowen to sensationally pick up and score. Welcome back Matty!!!!

And finally there is no way the Eels were anywhere near as bad as the Roosters, come on Pete?!?!? You clearly weren't watching the same matches as what i was watching. The roosters had NOTHING mate whilst the Eels got within 8 points points of a Warriors team who incase you missed were playing in memory of Sonny Fai and were clearly a team on a mission from the start and there wouldn't have been many teams who would have beaten them over there on a chilly Auckland night first up.

Yours in sport!!

Goldo6681

Goldo6681 Monday 16 March, 2009 - 5:08 PM
Peter Peter Peter!!!

As you would know the programming for round 1 was done quite a few weeks ago. Yes you do have some very valid points, but as a highly regarded media personality you would know as much as you would love to be able to predict the weather at this time of year, it's virtually impossible and who's to say that if the match was set for 1pm (2pm NSW & Victoria time) in one of the southern states that the temperature wouldn't have nudged the 30 mark there. It's pot luck mate and you know it. The players have been training hard in the off season for conditions like this and i believe the NRL did everything possible with the drinks break after 20 mins of each half and an extended half time break. The contract with Fox is water tight as you would be aware so the room to move in regard to match times especially at the last minute subject to the weather is virtually impossible as much as we would love as supporters of the sport for common sense to prevail.

Can't agree more on the Manly comments but i will say to Des Hasler's defence that they are the only team who has yet to play under the dual ref system prior to round 1 so in that respect they have a slight excuse for not being used to it. But in saying that he was wrong to blame the 2 referees for what was a disgraceful effort even in the conditions. Time to stand up Manly and snap out of the 40-0 honeymoon fellas!!!

To Be Continued.....

Goldo6681 Monday 16 March, 2009 - 5:07 PM
Totally agree re Des Hasler!
But Manly are still a strong team, they'll score some big points again when they get their heads sorted out. Can Souths keep up that form up for the season???

Chris Monday 16 March, 2009 - 5:04 PM