P-man

Rugby league fans and commentators alike fully accept that the scrums are a farce, and many would like to see them done away with altogether but otherwise couldn't care less. Likewise I'm pretty sure many would argue the leniancy towards the forward pass adds to the "excitement of the modern game". So neither of these things are contributing to the game struggling as far as attracting fans imo.

I lost my respect for rugby league a fair while ago, but this is a particularly sad story as far as how it will affect the players, fans, and the innocent parties associated. Hard to see how the club can survive this. And not not playing for points this early into the season? Every Storm fixture will become farcical. I agree the penalty seems exceptionally harsh, but really what choice did the NRL have? They breached the cap causing them to retain the likes of Inglis, Slater, Smith...the best players in the competition. And they reaped the benefits. Deserve to have their titles stripped. Interesting to see how this impacts State of Origin as far as the psyche of the players, given a bulk of Queensland players come from the Storm.

That's a ripper stat. I've been telling everyone whose questioned me on our chances this weekend that we haven't lost to the Lions at the G in ten years...no further explanation required.

Dees by 4 pts.

I lost interest as soon as I saw Melbourne in Div 2.

As it should be. Fantastic news.

Scully says that he and Moloney are the main players that have taken him and the other young guns under his wing, and for that alone he deserves recognition. His skills aside, I love the fact he has a bit of mongrel about him. It does mean he attracts opponents but to his credit he usually finds a way out of traffic. He's a battler in the good sense of the word.

Unlucky against Wigan. That was the comeback to top all comebacks. It took them 80 minutes to realise that Sol Campbell is too old and slow these days and you can just run around him. Meanwhile my beloved Blues got done in the dying seconds against Man-ure. Again. Although I do like Scholes so if anyone was to head home a late winner I'm glad it was him. This season was heading towards a fitting and quite pleasing conclusion with Chelsea or Arsenal to steal a fourth title from Ferguson's claws (Chelsea to do so comfortably), and Citeh to play Champion's League football next year. In one week it's all gone to [censored].

He'll be back to his silky best this Saturday night. Just you wait and see. I have noticed a change in his kicking style for the shorter passes, but seeing as he usually hits targets I couldn't care less.

I'm not convinced any changes are really needed, although Jamar may need some support. He's not superman...is he? Worth bringing in Rivers to cope with some of the bigger bodies perhaps? Problem is the out. Bennell would be a tough call as I am liking more and more the spark that he gives us running out of defense. Brennan is the danger man for me and I think MacDonald is up for the job. Hopefully Frawley can rewind two weeks and bring that sort of form to keep JB quiet. Very much looking forward to this one.

I liked Bailey's interview, especially his reaction to the question of whether we should've picked Natanui ahead of Watts. Deserved the reaction it got.

Well, one exception springs to mind..

Fair enough. Those stats do speak pretty loudly. Anyhow I'm not gonna disagree with the bloke who lists him as his favourite player.

I've never given him a proper slagging because I think he's a decent kick and is a handy target for us up forward when he uses his size. Yesterday was definitely his best game so far and you can see incremental improvements in him this season. That being said I don't think he's done enough to warrant apologies from the slaggers, unlike say J Mac or even Dunn. His speed is still a big issue - that includes not just his running speed but his ability to play the ball on quickly.

I'd agree with that actually. The filth also have a good one. It pains me to admit that.

I can't get over how awful the Weagles team song is. Truly horrible. A tad biased but ours is definitely one of the best, if not the best.

haha..Petty Cash. I like it.

That diving goal assist by Petterd to Bate where it was centimetres from the boundary deserves a special mention. That was brilliant. Petterd is really developing into a potential star of the competition.

He's gonna get one eventually. May as well get it out of the way early.. I think it's what he does with his touches that impresses. I'd be interested in his hitouts to advantage stats cause I'd be surprised if they weren't already very good, and his mobility for his size particularly down below his knees is freakish. I concede that he wouldn't be as hyped as he is if he didn't have the novelty factor going, but you can see why he gets crowds coming through the gates.

The way he's playing, it's not unreasonable to mention him in the same breath as Brett Kirk. Great leadership qualities, hard working, runs all day and has moulded himself into one of the best tacklers in the competition.

I think NicNat will have them all pipped this week. That being said I'd go either Bail or Scully today.

He had a good game no doubt. I know he was second(?) in possessions but I don't remember him doing anything particularly remarkable with the footy in his hands. In retrospect he deserves a nod but I stand by my votes. Top 3 hopefully speak for themselves, Bail was outstanding around the clearances and had the poise and confidence of a senior player, Jamar continued his dominance, and Warnock was far and above our best in the backline.

I did question whether he was the right man to lead the team, but that question has been emphatically answered. He is usually the man that turns games around for us as he did today in the first quarter when it looked as though the Tiges were getting on a roll.

No team song at the end = robbed.

Apologies to Joel Mac who played his best game so far.