April 2008 - Posts

• Snowys Rant and Rave

  This week my rant is about the way the game is being played, especially in the media. This is mainly a rant and I want to look at it from two things. Decent tackles being ostracised and blown up in the media, and this whole Souths fiasco of zero alcohol. Jacob Lillyman tonight was found guilty of a dangerous throw, in which three players waltzed around with Michael Crocker. He got two weeks for it. No harm done, no intention and absolutely no sense in the decision. It is crap. We saw Matt Rogers in a CLASSIC one on one tackle, got charged and got off. AND SO HE SHOULD. Lillyman should have as well. We really need to look at the way our game is being policed. We do not want to see a return to spear tackles, blatant stiff arms and the like. And the game does not even bear a resemblance to these types of tackles now-a-days. BUT we are looking for other things in their place. Players are exploiting it as well, as Crocker did as he looked up at the ref to ensure he got his attention. Get real boys, the real thugs are not in our game anymore (with the sole excpetion of the one called Paul Gallon) and what happens on the field is not illegal, intentional or of any real consequences. This is a tough game...let it be played tough.  Now lets talk about this ZERO ALCOHOL crap. The media has created far too much attention on the exploits of footballers after dark, and now we see clubs creating rules of zero alcohol after games. This is just bullshit. The club will be the first one that comes forward with the news that the players come up with the rule. What self-respecting footballer wants to say NO to a quiet drink after a game. Only the type of players that are scared to step out of line, and the ones that succumb to the pressure applied to the club. At the end of the day, WE created these situations. Every time we bought papers highlighting the latest hi-jinks, or winged about the latest tackle that somehow came up around the neck/shoulders area. OUR FAULT. Where it ends, I just don't know. Lastly, I just reckon the folks criticising the City-Country match need to get some stuff in perspective. This is part of our traditions of the game. We have stuffed it around enough, we need to keep some tradition. From a Nambucca Head boy like myself, I will be putting my heart and soul into cheering for Country this Friday, and I will be joined by Guyra-born Curly, who wears his NSW Country jersey to the Broncos home games he endures for his family. Keep this game, guys. We need the tradition behind it. Posted Apr 30 2008, 12:44 AM by snowy with no comments

• Fire Up Saints : Bulldogs say You're Soft

  Being hammered on all fronts the St George-Illawarra Dragons have been deserving of every bit of criticisim fired at them so far this season. Playing insepid, without pride and passion, mistake-ridden and frustrated. Attempting to play a flambouyant brand of hi-risk football is fine, but to do so without enthusiasim is stupid. The final shot accross the bow is, the Bulldogs Captain Andrew Ryan has come out and bagged the Dragons after last weeks Bulldogs victory over the Saints. Speaking in this weeks Rugby League Week, Bulldogs Luke Patten and skipper Andrew Ryan spoke of the Bulldogs dominance over the Dragons and details the reason. The Dragons have not responded to the Bulldogs physical game, to which the Dragons do not respond. In other words : You're Soft. SOFTCOCKs. When will this team fire up? Criticised, relentlessly since the season opened, this team just keeps putting up the same soft performances. It is about time, they stood up. For the fans of their club, for their coach who slides further into mediocrity each week, for the traditions of the club and most importantly for their future. Posted Apr 23 2008, 08:05 PM by snowy with no comments

• Snowys Rant and Rave Round 6

  After picking myself up off the floor after watching the Dragons give away another game, it just seems fitting that we start with my rant. THE RANT How the hell, can self respecting fans of the Dragons stay positive from the crap they are being dished out from their team. A team without soul and heart and with absolutely no commitment to the tradition of the place and the expectations of their fans. They must lift their game and do it now, or else any possible corporate success from the appointment of Wayne Bennet will be stuffed up. While we are on the Dragons, I have to say I hate their red strip.They are the big Red V, not a Manchester United clone. Get rid of it guys. Tradition is part of this club, the team devalues it, the club shouldn't. What is the go with The Tigers jerseys. Just how many do they have? They seem to have about 6. I hate the Sharks Away strip, they look too much like the Warriors too me, with the main difference being that the Sharks win away from home. The obstruction rule is still pissing me off. Legitimate tries disallowed, confusion amongst fans. Its crap, the fans are confused. Depending on who the video ref, seems to be the sole reason why some are allowed and some are disallowed. THE RAVE I have really been impressed by the Titans. Last year they would not have won that game last week against the Eels. They are tougher and more resiliant and they are a force to be reckoned with. The form of the Roosters is also something to rave about and is great for the game. Again they really look the goods this year. Lauire Daley. He is simply the Best. Thursday Night Footy Show, Friday Night footy on Nine. Backs up on Saturday on the Continuous Call team, Sunday Channel 9 again and then Monday Night Football. He leaves the others in his dust. Obviously paid well, but is always backing up. Well Done he adds some real integrity to our game. I'm Snowy, You're all Bloody Legends. Posted Apr 15 2008, 03:23 AM by snowy with no comments

• Jason Ryles in the spotlight!!

  The first twenty minutes saw serial offender Jason Ryles at his worst. A stupid flop back pass under pressure, a mistimed hit on Jonathon Thurston after he had put through a kick, then was marched 10 metres for back chat. One must wonder what Nathan Brown sees when he watches the game. Three unforced errors in the first twenty minutes. I have to say that the quality from both sides is very ordinary, with dropped balls and ricchochet kicks. Balls being kicked out on the full, poor kicking games. Nothing to ecite anyone here. The Dragons have definetly had the best of possession and field position, but their own errors are once again letting themselves down. Score is 8-nil to the Cowboys after 20 minutes. If the Dragons reduce their errors, they may have a chance. Posted Apr 11 2008, 11:58 PM by snowy with no comments

• Was it worth 6 Weeks?

  When Michael Weyman of the Raiders, stood up and punched Daniel Conn, we just knew that we would see a massive trial by media. When the ref sent him off for a "king hit", general consensus between is THEFOOTY blokes was that the send off was punishment enough. We were heartened when Phil Gould on the Sunday Roast echoed our thoughts. He was charged. Dread appears in our collective minds. Surely the folks that run the judiciary have it wrong. SIX WEEKS. Does the crime suit the punishment? I guess the answer is NO in our minds. Yes in the NRL's. The future is clear. Throw a punch and expect a holiday. Thats the edict. And at a time that netball is being televised live on Fox. Posted Apr 10 2008, 04:09 AM by snowy with no comments

• Snowy's Round 4 Rant and Rave

  Round 4 in my mind had 4 stand out performers and that is the way I will start may Rave THE RAVE The Rave must consist of four things. The Storm bouncing back against the competitions only undefeated team, the Broncos, and walloping them. Just in case anyone forgot, these guys are the Premiers and have confirmed again that they are here as the real deal. Look for a real concerted dig in defending the Premiership. Freddy's Roosters and (you won't hear this too much from me) Willie Mason. Just how good were they? They held out the early pressure from the Dogs, gained some ball and just like a Batman episode, BAM CRASH WALLOP 40-12 victory with Mason first try scorer and double for the game. When Mason says he is over them, and focussing on his own game, he shows a maturity that many havn't until now. Well Done Willie and Freddy. The game needs a strong Roosters. The Queensland sides, the Titans and Cowboys showed just what they have in the water up here, with brilliant attacking displays on the weekend. Whether it be JT or Princey folding accross field, slipping inside balls and the like, it's poetry in motion. Much to like about their displays and both sides appear on this form anyway, to be heading to the finals. Finally, daylight saving is over and Qld fans now can reset the clocks on the footy; pick up the first hour of the Continuous Call team and actually watch Friday Night live. Yeehaa. Finally some credit also to the Panthers. A great, tough win based on raw courage and team pride.  THE RANT PUFF, PANT, PUFF. How quick was that game hey? Bullshit, stop it, Stop trying to convince me and every other viewer, listener and/or reader that the game is quicker. It isn't. SIMPLE. The lack-lustre games that we saw on the weekend. Some of the games were worthy of Wentworth Park and not major NRL grounds. Pick up your act guys. Too much dropped ball, poor completition rates and schoolboy errors. The last rant doesn't need much explanation: JASON RYLES. Well, that's it for another week, I'm Snowy Fraser and you are all Bloody Legends. Posted Apr 08 2008, 04:10 AM by snowy with no comments

• How far has the Game Slowed Down?

  Give me a bloody break, Will YA. I am sick of seeing highly paid NRL stars puffing as they get interviewed at the end of the game. I am sick of hearing how fast and how tough that game was. GIVE ME A BREAK. It is almost like they players have been schooled in this from the NRL spin doctor. The simple truth is the game is slower than last year, slower than 2006 even. At every scrum, they are getting the equivilant of an afternoon smoko break, there are rules in place for times for drop outs etc. The game is slower and the players are having more breathers than ever before. The only thing that has changes is the number of interchanges have reduced by 2.Big bloody deal. The average amount of play the balls and total team tackles are about 10% less I reckon. So the interchanges reduce by 2, and the game itself reduces by 10%. Good thing the players aren't on productivity payments. The game is boring and needs a spark up. I just can't see where it will come from. Posted Apr 06 2008, 12:00 AM by snowy with no comments