#Turnstiles Installation in Auckland | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

theseaeaglelives · 5 years

Text

Round 7

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 7 Manly Sea Eagles 24 Defeated Canberra Raiders 20

In the Sea Eagle’s humble opinion, this was one of Manly’s finest hours in recent memory and definitely a win that would not have been possible under the previous Trent Barrett coaching system. Played in ideal conditions, at Brookvale on a sunny Sunday, the Raiders opened the scoring after 8 minutes when delinquent Raider Jack Wighton strolled through some feeble Manly defence. Only minutes later, Wighton doubled up, again through some feeble Manly defence and in the blink of an eye Manly were starring at a 12-zip deficit and a rout was in the offering. Unlike last year, Manly then managed to muscle up in defence and slowly the momentum turned. To a man, Manly lifted and Marty Taupau scored after a slick pass from new-comer Cory Wardell. Wardell looks a real find for Manly, big, strong and with good hands, his performance, particularly when the chips were down in the second half was most encouraging. Even the much-maligned Brad Parker was playing well, setting up the second Manly try forcing the Sea Eagle to concede that this was his best game in the maroon and white.

And let’s not forget the performance of Croker, not Raider Jarrod, but the unheralded Lachlan, who prior to this game was best remembered for his effort last year in playing the ball in the wrong direction. Coach Hasler seems to have eradicated this deficiency from his game and his two try effort, contributed greatly to the Manly win. He also stepped up to the plate big time in the second half when Cherry Baby was forced off the field with a concerning ankle injury. Apart from the first 10 minutes, Manly’s defence was outstanding, continuing the trend from previous outings this year. Coach Hasler has in quick time managed to install a level of steel into the Manly defence that was not seen in recent years. Last year Manly had the worst defence in the NRL and leaked more than 600 points. Fast forward to 2019 and Manly’s defence has been up there with the best and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out why. Des Hasler simply put, will not tolerate a turnstile defensive pattern.

Thus far this season, Manly have far exceeded expectations especially given that they have been without Turbo Tommy (injury), Finua-Blake (suspension), Dylan Walker (banned for having been charged with a crime he is defending in court) and Cherry Baby, who missed most of the second half in this game (and are under a $300k salary cap penalty imposed by the questionable NRL, an organisation who seemingly think the Roosters are salary cap compliant whilst everyone else isn’t). After 7 rounds Manly find themselves well entrenched in the Top 8, and well away from the bottom feeders bringing up the competition’s rear-end. Manly’s form line reads in recent time, wins against top 4 teams the Raiders and Souths, and two away wins in Auckland and Newcastle neither of which is easy. They have been beaten by St George (At Win Wollongong narrowly), West Tigers (at Leichardt Rd1) and the salary cap compliant (and defending premiers) the Roosters (at Brookvale). On balance, given their roster and injuries, it is a fair effort, showing yet again, that a good coach who actually is a Manly man and a winner (ie Des Hasler), was desperately needed in place of Trent Barret (a non Manly man and a man with no premierships either a player or coach).

NRL boss Todd Greenberg tells court sex scandals have put his daughter's friends off game

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg is reported to have claimed in the Federal Court that his daughter’s friends are among the women turned away from rugby league as the showdown with Jack de Belin continues over the league’s new no-fault stand-down policy. Greenberg concluded his testimony on Wednesday apparently by citing his daughter, her friends and a touch football competition they play in, claiming they’re examples of women disassociating from rugby league because of poor player behaviour. St George Illawarra star forward de Belin became the first player to be stood down under the controversial rules after he was charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman. “I’m the father of a daughter who plays regularly,” he said “And a number of her friends have shared with me… the conduct of players is the reason why they will no longer play.” Greenberg admitted: “The only evidence I had was the charge he was facing.” Mr Greenberg apparently produced 500 emails sent to the NRL from fans of which a majority supported a hard line stance in standing down players accused of serious crimes. Under the “no fault” rules, the NRL can stand down any player charged with a crime that carries a jail term of 11 years or more. Mr Greenberg has apparently said it was done to protect the reputation of the game and ensure it retains corporate and public support.

NRL chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo took the stand following Greenberg.

Melbourne Storm chairman Bart Campbell - who strongly advocated for de Belin to be stood down - will also give evidence.

Sea Eagle Comment: Can we now conclude that current NRL policy is dictated by teenage, touch football playing, school girls? In fairness, given the standard of NRL management the appointment of teenage girls to senior positions may be a step in the right direction sparing us from the avalanche of embarrassment emanating from Messrs Beattie and Greenberg. Dear Mr Greenberg, touch football is to NRL what billycart racing is to Formula 1, and could it be that teenage girls simply do not want to play anymore because (i). touch football is a shit game, played in the main by failed amateur soccer players who don’t have to fear being hit when they run through the middle of the ruck (ii.) they have better options and prefer to spend their spare time on social media; or (iii.) They have discovered an interest in the other gender and if so, they would be well advised as you would well know to stay away from rugby league types? Furthermore, the 500 emails as suggested is hardly a tsunami of support and one can only assume that these came from either management of teams that don’t currently have players suspended under this ridiculous policy or their fans. Finally, the last word in court is apparently reserved for Mr Bart Campbell, chairman of the filthy wrestling rorting cheating Storm who has to front court at some point. In the ultimate irony, following years of inappropriate and shameful behaviour, the filthy wrestling rorting cheating Storm are now taking the moral high ground, a position highly unlikely if Cameron Munster, Cameron Smith or any of their stars were also cooling their heels on the sideline.

Mr Greenberg should watch out. The Sea Eagle suspects the real agenda behind the support of Mr Campbell for this crusade against Jack de Belin may well be that Mr Campbell sees an opportunity to get Mr Greenberg’s job. Let’s face it, the NRL can hardly be said to be running on all 8 cylinders at present and if the NRL lose this case, Messrs’ Beattie and Greenberg must be held responsible for the debacle, and will need to consider their futures very carefully indeed.

Wests Tigers backrower Michael Chee Kam stood down after pleading guilty to assault

The Wests Tigers have stood down utility Michael Chee Kam from Saturday’s NRL clash with the Gold Coast after he pleaded guilty to common assault. Just hours after boarding a flight to Tamworth with teammates for the match, Chee Kam was told on Friday evening he would miss the game after admitting to assaulting a ride-share driver in December 2018. It’s understood the decision to stand Chee Kam down came after discussions with the NRL on Friday afternoon, as the club continues to work with the integrity unit (what an organisation that is!). The 27-year-old was charged in January with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, however that was withdrawn and dismissed at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday. Instead the New Zealand-born forward pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of common assault. Chee Kam’s matter was one of several dramas the NRL had to deal with over the off-season as has been well documented. Sea Eagle Comment: Notwithstanding the stupidity of the current NRL “no fault” stand-down policy, how is it that Chee Kam has been allowed to continue playing when Dylan Walker has been stood down since the start of the season. It is the Sea Eagle’s understanding that neither the charges against Chee Kam or Walker carries a jail term of 11 years or more and as such do not warrant mandatory stand-down and that any suspension of playing privileges is then deferred to the discretion of NRL CEO, Todd Greenburg. Surely the inconsistency of the application of the NRL’s discretion in both these cases demands as Tooves once called for “some form of investigation”.

Let’s not forget that ride share drivers are people too and an assault against them is no less serious than a domestic assault. It’s also worth noting that Chee Kam was initially charged with the more serious crime of “assault occasioning actual bodily harm” whereas the complainant in Walkers case (i.e. his partner) has, it is reported in the press, recanted, rescinded or simply changed her mind about what gave rise to the charges against him (but as the Court has to decide ultimately about all of that, it is wise not to pre-empt what her actual position might end up being). In the words of Senator Hanson, “Mr Greenberg please explain”.

Reserve Grade Free to Air TV Games

The Sea Eagle has been captivated in recent weeks with the weekend afternoon reserve grade live fixtures in Channel 9. This is a step in the right direction, the Sea Eagle being well recognised as having called for a pure 24/7 league channel devoted purely and solely to matters rugby league.

One thing Channel 9 could do however, is stop giving air time by way of pre, mid, and post game interviews with reserve graders. The public do not need to hear the opinion of a reserve grader. Remember the rules, if they are a reserve grader, they are entitled to be there, and entitled to F7(*ck it up. Just show the game and commentate. But please, spare us the need to hear the opinion of reserve grade players who in the main, none of us have ever heard of, and for good reason. That is to say, if they are reserve graders they are by definition hopeless, and cannot be considered competent until they are playing first grade.

THE SEA EAGLE

0 notes