What better time than Magic Round, when everyone who’s anyone in the NRL and three full houses of fans gather in the biggest country town in Australia to tell some lies, eat some pies and play some footy, to make a thorough forensic investigation of the game.
Or, in true rugby league fashion, complain about this, bitch about that, ridicule this, mock that, but with the addition, for the purists, of some clever observations, accurate descriptions and sound advice.
Let’s rip in, starting with the shot heard around the world – or at least from the Gold Coast down to Sydney. David Fifita, one day a Titan, next day tipped to be a Penrith Panther, then officially (or so we thought) a Sydney Rooster, and finally a Titan again.
Care to explain, big fellow?
Seriously, those clubs that missed out on him have dodged a bullet – or a cannonball when you consider big Feef’s price-tag.
Better for them he got homesick before even leaving home, rather than in 12 months’ time.
But there’s always a winner, in every situation, and in this case it’s Angus Crichton.
If the Roosters now want to keep him, after previously being prepared to bring Fifita in over the top, it’s likely going to cost them. He’s playing better than Fifita anyway.
When is someone at South Sydney going to have the guts to tell Latrell Mitchell he’s not a fullback?
How the hell has Newcastle won three games in a row without Kalyn Ponga? What in God’s name has happened to the Warriors?
I’m just putting that stuff out there – I haven’t got an answer for everything.
I’ll tell you one thing for free though: NSW coach Michael Maguire isn’t stupid. If he thinks Joseph Sua’ali’i should be in his team, he’ll pick him. He’s not the type to tumble into the rubbish about not picking him because he’s switching to rugby union next year.
And that’s the right attitude. It’s the only attitude, if you want to win.
What would Queensland do?
They wouldn’t care what a player was doing in 2025 if they wanted to pick him this year.
They’ve never even cared if they’re Queenslanders or not!
Macksville, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand – they’re all in Queensland!
Sua’ali’i is killing them in the centres for the Roosters. He’s big, strong, looks for work and always makes his presence felt. He’s been tipped as a possible Blues winger and would be fine there or in the centres.
There has been hysteria in the media about the horrendous injury toll in the NRL this year and how it has particularly affected players who were in the front line of contenders for the NSW team.
But there’s been no sign of concern from Maguire.
Rooster Angus Crichton should have plenty to smile about after David Fifita changed his mind on leaving the Titans. Picture AAP
Rooster Angus Crichton should have plenty to smile about after David Fifita changed his mind on leaving the Titans. Picture AAP
What better time than Magic Round, when everyone who’s anyone in the NRL and three full houses of fans gather in the biggest country town in Australia to tell some lies, eat some pies and play some footy, to make a thorough forensic investigation of the game.
Or, in true rugby league fashion, complain about this, bitch about that, ridicule this, mock that, but with the addition, for the purists, of some clever observations, accurate descriptions and sound advice.
Let’s rip in, starting with the shot heard around the world – or at least from the Gold Coast down to Sydney. David Fifita, one day a Titan, next day tipped to be a Penrith Panther, then officially (or so we thought) a Sydney Rooster, and finally a Titan again.
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Care to explain, big fellow?
Seriously, those clubs that missed out on him have dodged a bullet – or a cannonball when you consider big Feef’s price-tag.
Better for them he got homesick before even leaving home, rather than in 12 months’ time.
But there’s always a winner, in every situation, and in this case it’s Angus Crichton.
If the Roosters now want to keep him, after previously being prepared to bring Fifita in over the top, it’s likely going to cost them. He’s playing better than Fifita anyway.
As the great Seinfeld character George Costanza would say, Crichton has got hand.
Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs is one of the NRL stars off contract at the end of the season
Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs is one of the NRL stars off contract at the end of the season
When is someone at South Sydney going to have the guts to tell Latrell Mitchell he’s not a fullback?
How the hell has Newcastle won three games in a row without Kalyn Ponga? What in God’s name has happened to the Warriors?
I’m just putting that stuff out there – I haven’t got an answer for everything.
I’ll tell you one thing for free though: NSW coach Michael Maguire isn’t stupid. If he thinks Joseph Sua’ali’i should be in his team, he’ll pick him. He’s not the type to tumble into the rubbish about not picking him because he’s switching to rugby union next year.
And that’s the right attitude. It’s the only attitude, if you want to win.
What would Queensland do?
They wouldn’t care what a player was doing in 2025 if they wanted to pick him this year.
They’ve never even cared if they’re Queenslanders or not!
Macksville, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand – they’re all in Queensland!
Sua’ali’i is killing them in the centres for the Roosters. He’s big, strong, looks for work and always makes his presence felt. He’s been tipped as a possible Blues winger and would be fine there or in the centres.
There has been hysteria in the media about the horrendous injury toll in the NRL this year and how it has particularly affected players who were in the front line of contenders for the NSW team.
But there’s been no sign of concern from Maguire.
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