Sunday, October 05, 2008
The No Contest of 08
That was about as one sided as I think the NZ election is going to be in November as NZers vote for change for no apparent reason.
Manly were hell bent on making up for last year and clinically put away the Storm while barely breaking a sweat.
The sobbing tears from Folau would have been for a few reasons. Firstly he was about the only Storm player to have given it his all. Secondly, he is leaving the club to join the Broncos. And thirdly, the Storm were hammered so bad it was the worst defeat in grand final history. For a side with the best defensive record in the competition going into that game it was humilating. They simply gave up halfway through the second half. The Manly passes were sticking and they were playing as good a football as they're ever likely to but Melbourne turned on the green light and left it shining for as long as they could. Manly earnt about 2 or 3 of their tries but it was like Christmas as they rolled in for 8.
After their win last year they were probably a little lacking in motivation but the funny thing is that for all the players who won a premiership medal in 07 they will have had that absolutely shat on with todays performance. Whenever they think of the title in 07 their minds will instantly jump to 08 where they were pole-axed by the same team. Titles in whatever sport are generally thought of individually but because that was a rematch it will almost be thought of as part two, and Manly won it game set and mutha-fucken match.
Don't be surprised to see the Sea Eagles look to go back to back while the Storm will also be looking to make amends. The Storm will be a dead set cert to make the top 8 in 09 but without Folau, Geyer, Jeremy Smith, Antonio Kaufusi and Michael Crocker they may struggle to be the same force. Bellamy is an outstanding coach but he will have his work cut out to turn new players into the type of players he needs. Inglis will piss off half way through the year to play rugby for some shit arse French rugby team and Cameron Smith will get suspended again for a grapple tackle.
I almost wish the season would start now because I have a whole lot of questions that I will have forgotten by the time the season kicks off in March because of the time in between and the extraordinary amount of booze I feel like consuming in the next 5 months.
For example, can the Warriors get a half combination that really knows how to spark our backline and take us to the grand final? (Rovelli, Fien and Witt are OK but they lack a direct approach and have little go forward). They need to back themselves and attack like fuck. Maybe one or two of our signings will slot in there.
My other questions...
What will the Sharks do after their defense style took them to equal first at the end of the season but sold them down the river the second the going got tough?
Will the team that made the top 6 and had the under 20 champions really take the wooden spoon?
Will the Roosters learn how to play some creative footie and improve?
Will the Bulldogs signings turn the club around and get them into the top 8 (they still won't get near the final two weeks)?
Will the Broncos threaten the title without Bennett at the helm for the first time in their 21 year history?
Will the Dragons still wear white boots and crap out?
Manly were hell bent on making up for last year and clinically put away the Storm while barely breaking a sweat.
The sobbing tears from Folau would have been for a few reasons. Firstly he was about the only Storm player to have given it his all. Secondly, he is leaving the club to join the Broncos. And thirdly, the Storm were hammered so bad it was the worst defeat in grand final history. For a side with the best defensive record in the competition going into that game it was humilating. They simply gave up halfway through the second half. The Manly passes were sticking and they were playing as good a football as they're ever likely to but Melbourne turned on the green light and left it shining for as long as they could. Manly earnt about 2 or 3 of their tries but it was like Christmas as they rolled in for 8.
After their win last year they were probably a little lacking in motivation but the funny thing is that for all the players who won a premiership medal in 07 they will have had that absolutely shat on with todays performance. Whenever they think of the title in 07 their minds will instantly jump to 08 where they were pole-axed by the same team. Titles in whatever sport are generally thought of individually but because that was a rematch it will almost be thought of as part two, and Manly won it game set and mutha-fucken match.
Don't be surprised to see the Sea Eagles look to go back to back while the Storm will also be looking to make amends. The Storm will be a dead set cert to make the top 8 in 09 but without Folau, Geyer, Jeremy Smith, Antonio Kaufusi and Michael Crocker they may struggle to be the same force. Bellamy is an outstanding coach but he will have his work cut out to turn new players into the type of players he needs. Inglis will piss off half way through the year to play rugby for some shit arse French rugby team and Cameron Smith will get suspended again for a grapple tackle.
I almost wish the season would start now because I have a whole lot of questions that I will have forgotten by the time the season kicks off in March because of the time in between and the extraordinary amount of booze I feel like consuming in the next 5 months.
For example, can the Warriors get a half combination that really knows how to spark our backline and take us to the grand final? (Rovelli, Fien and Witt are OK but they lack a direct approach and have little go forward). They need to back themselves and attack like fuck. Maybe one or two of our signings will slot in there.
My other questions...
What will the Sharks do after their defense style took them to equal first at the end of the season but sold them down the river the second the going got tough?
Will the team that made the top 6 and had the under 20 champions really take the wooden spoon?
Will the Roosters learn how to play some creative footie and improve?
Will the Bulldogs signings turn the club around and get them into the top 8 (they still won't get near the final two weeks)?
Will the Broncos threaten the title without Bennett at the helm for the first time in their 21 year history?
Will the Dragons still wear white boots and crap out?
Labels: nrl, nrl grand final
Comments:
What will the Sharks do after their defense style took them to equal first at the end of the season but sold them down the river the second the going got tough?
A: Stay the course, Tricky Ricky Micky Mouse isn't one for change.
Will the team that made the top 6 and had the under 20 champions really take the wooden spoon?
A: No.
Will the Roosters learn how to play some creative footie and improve?
A: Probably not.
Will the Bulldogs signings turn the club around and get them into the top 8 (they still won't get near the final two weeks)?
A: Not a chance.
Will the Broncos threaten the title without Bennett at the helm for the first time in their 21 year history?
No.
Will the Dragons still wear white boots and crap out?
No. Bennett will have them firing . Top 4, no worries, and they'll be good to watch. Pity. One less team to hate. Luckily, I have enough Storm hate for two.
- Polar Bob
A: Stay the course, Tricky Ricky Micky Mouse isn't one for change.
Will the team that made the top 6 and had the under 20 champions really take the wooden spoon?
A: No.
Will the Roosters learn how to play some creative footie and improve?
A: Probably not.
Will the Bulldogs signings turn the club around and get them into the top 8 (they still won't get near the final two weeks)?
A: Not a chance.
Will the Broncos threaten the title without Bennett at the helm for the first time in their 21 year history?
No.
Will the Dragons still wear white boots and crap out?
No. Bennett will have them firing . Top 4, no worries, and they'll be good to watch. Pity. One less team to hate. Luckily, I have enough Storm hate for two.
- Polar Bob
# posted by 
: 9 October 2008 at 21:50
: 9 October 2008 at 21:50
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