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| The neat display outside Hunter Stadium marking 100 years since the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli.
Kurt, It’s time to go.
In the words
of Gretel Killeen, It’s time to go. These words could not apply to Kurt Gidley
more after his complete shocker in the Knights’ loss to the cowboys on Saturday.
What’s more the Knights have Australian representative Sione Mata'utia playing
reserve grade or sitting on the bench. Sione’s impact was instantaneous when we
came on for the Knights in the second half. His runaway try was a sign of what
the kid can do, charging straight at, and through, Johnathan Thurston. Gidley
would be perfectly suited for the English Super League and would find his feet
in a permanent position, which is something he has struggled to do here in the
NRL.
Austin or Victor?
Is it just
me or is Blake Austin from the Raiders trying to impersonate their mascot
Victor the Viking? The goatee-beard and haircut are strikingly similar. If he
is looking for inspiration in the almighty Victor, it’s working because Austin
has been on fire in his now established five-eighth role. The Raiders are four
and four for the year which is a comfortable record to have at this stage of
the season. Their win against South Sydney showed the team Ricky Stuart has put
together has some potent players. Stuart has struggled for coaching success at
club level and no one gets hammered more than him if things go south, but if
there is one club he might actually put it together at, it’s the Raiders. Clubs
should look out around the end of the season if the Raiders are stalking the
top eight.
ANZAC Day brilliant
Those in the
media suggesting sport and ANZAC Day are bordering on crossing the line of
promotion and respect do have a point and will keep the governing bodies in
check, but the games and ceremonies held on the weekend in the NRL couldn’t be
more respectful. All games featured the New Zealand and Australian anthems, as
well as the commemorative ceremonies and the last post. For those who are
unable to attend Dawn or ANZAC services, the games provide another opportunity
to pay respect. They also provide an alternative to heading to a pub or club
for those who don’t drink to participate in ANZAC day activities.
Rebuilt Storm
The
Melbourne Storm might have lost in a close one on the weekend, but what’s clear
is they will remain a real player in this year’s fight for the title. They
currently sit in 3rd place with five wins and three losses. With an
injury-disrupted off-season to their ageing stars, many commentators predicted
the Storm would struggle this season. Craig Bellamy recently stated that
something “wasn’t right” with the team last year that he failed to see and
correct at the time. He’s sure found the solution this year, and the addition
of Blake Green to complement Cooper Cronk in the halves has been a sublime
compliment by Bellamy.
Dugan deserving of spot
Josh Dugan
has managed to turn his life around as has been well promoted by the media, but
was he really that bad to begin with? All Dugan has done is keep out of trouble
and put his best foot forward, which is all he needed to do. The raw kid that
emerged for the Raiders way back in 2011 had so much natural talent he was
drawing comparison to the great Brett Mullins, and Billy Slater at the time.
It’s a shame it didn’t work out for the Raiders as Dugan is potentially a
premiership-winning fullback such are his efforts and influence on the park.
With hard-head Mary McGregor now pushing Dugan to reach his best, we should
finally see him flourish. His Kangaroos birth is a just result of his talent
and hard work coming together.
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