Sam Thaiday packing into that Bulldogs scrum is one of the funniest things I've seen on a field though

That was pretty good. :lol: But it's a great example of Thaiday he's the funny man not a captain.

That was pretty good. :lol: But it's a great example of Thaiday he's the funny man not a captain.

Specially don't see the need for all of Brad Fitler's wanking over SBW.
-PB

:lol: Souffs once again choking when it counts.

If I were Manly or the Storm I wouldn't be worried about facing either of those 2 teams.

:lol: at Gus Worland getting his panties in a twist over this:


Christ, it's a good thing he's never been to the A-League - or watched a derby in international footall. :lol:

It's gonna be old fashioned footy, but if we can knock off Manly this weekend, having a week off then getting JWH (assuming he loses at the judiciary) and Cordner back for the qualifier I would be extremely confident. Whilst a team from the bottom 4 might snag an upset week 2, the premiers will certainly be coming out of that top 4

Commercial aspect of CQ NRL bid is sound

I HAVE explained the many opportunities that will be presented to the general and rugby league population of central Queensland as a result of the establishment of a NRL Club in the region.

The financial benefits to the economic activities of the wider community are immense, as is the social and cultural benefits that sit beside or a little downstream of the NRL business.

But in all honestly, these massive increases to our liveability and to our social wellbeing are irrelevant to the decision makers, the NRL, and more importantly to the current frontline stakeholders, the NRL clubs.

The NRL is mainly motivated by the commercial aspects of the business, which is understandable because without good commercial outcomes, the NRL cannot conduct its business of running and securing the future of the game.

I really mean revenues - money.

The NRL receives most of its income from media rights. We have spoken directly to the media partners of the NRL and they want and need more and popular television audiences, for which they are prepared to pay.

We talk of the ninth game when we discuss NRL expansion. This means having an 18-team NRL, expanding the NRL by two teams.

Now the clubs. The clubs are primarily motivated by commercial factors as well.

Again, I understand this because they battle sustainability and long term viability at all times.

They have three main revenue streams - NRL distribution, corporate investment (sponsorship) and game ticket sales, which includes memberships.

They are constantly facing cost pressures, so they distrust anything that may have an adverse effect on any of their income streams or add to their costs.

As a result, unless they see real benefit they will oppose expansion because of the unknowns.

Club revenue from the NRL comes from media rights, which will be increased because the media partners have more games which means more income and subsequent increases in club payments.

The other two revenue streams - sponsorship and ticket sales - are quite variable and can fluctuate with success of the team (win/loss), game scheduling, weather conditions, economic conditions, affordability, community goodwill, and a host of other issues including stadium attractiveness, useability and accessibility, the general reputation of the club and the NRL, and quantity and quality participation of locals in the club.

An expanded NRL cannot and should not address any of these issues with any real certainty, but a new NRL club in CQ can have a massive positive effect on these variables with respects to the existing three Queensland NRL clubs - Broncos, Titans and Cowboys, and take some pressures off southern based clubs because of one vital component - rivalry games.

Clubs favour local or rivalry games. A new CQ NRL team will add six rivalry games to the NRL schedule for the Queensland teams from day one.

This boost alone will take most if not all of the risk away from the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys, so CQ should have three strong allies at least.

This scheduling change will allow the southern clubs to have more local games as well. The NRL clubs should support NRL expansion because it is good for their business.

Support the CQ NRL Bid by going online at www.cqnrlbid.com.au and becoming a bid or corporate member.

Ricky Stuart officially leaves Parramatta.

:lol: Canberra. It's almost like they don't want to be successful at all.

Departing Eels coach Ricky Stuart has won just 20 per cent of games as an NRL coach since 2009

THE coach Canberra has invested in to return the Raiders to their glory days has won just 10 of 51 games since mid 2009.
Many clubs wouldn’t even consider appointing a coach with a winning record of just over 20 per cent (including four loses as coach of NSW) over the past four years.

But those clubs aren’t the Canberra Raiders and the only coach they would turn to with such a record is Stuart, one of the heroes of the club's golden age.
Stuart played more than 200 games for the Raiders and the brilliant halfback was integral in their 1989, ’90 and ’94 premierships.

Having started his coaching career in a blaze of glory at the Roosters, his time as coach of the Bondi club, the Cronulla Sharks and then the Parramatta Eels have ended in controversy with Stuart either being sacked or resigning despite still being contracted.
All up Stuart has coached 245 games at the NRL level for 121 wins and 123 losses with one draw. It represents a win percentage of 49.39 per cent boosted by success in the early years at the Roosters.
His 2013 season at the Eels significantly impacting those figures that he now has a losing record.

Sydney Roosters (2002 – 2006)
Games: 130 Wins: 78 Losses: 51 Draws: 1 Record: 60 per cent

Stuart finished his playing career in 2000 at the Canterbury Bulldogs and immediately took control of their Jersey Flegg team which won the competition. From there he was recruited to the Roosters, taking over from Graham Murray and he experienced immediate success.

Stuart guided the star-studded line-up captained by Brad Fittler to the premiership in his first year. The Canterbury Bulldogs, the 2002 favourites having been stripped of all their competition points for cheating the salary cap.

The rookie coach had the Midas touch and again guided the Roosters to the grand final in 2003 and ’04 but fell both times at the final hurdle, losing first to the Penrith Panthers and then the Canterbury Bulldogs having led at halftime.

Despite Fittler retiring at the end of 2004, the Roosters still had a quality list but missed the finals in ’05 and finished second last in ’06. Stuart was sacked two weeks before the ’06 season due to his lack of success with a roster the envy of other clubs.

Cronulla Sharks (2007 – 2010)
Games: 91 Wins: 38 Losses: 53 Record: 41.8 per cent

Stuart resurfaced at the Sharks the following year and despite missing the finals that first year although he managed 10 wins, the following year represents one of his great achievements.

The Sharks despite not having the depth or the talent of other clubs managed to finish equal first with Melbourne and Manly with 17 wins. A qualifying final win over Canberra ended in disappointment the following when the Sharks were thrashed by Melbourne.

The 2009 season was a disaster for Stuart who managed only five wins against a backdrop which included the Four Corners Cronulla Sharks sex scandal programme, Reni Maitua testing positive to drugs, CEO Tony Zappia being forced to quit and captain Paul Gallen having to stand down for racial comments. The Sharks finished second last.

The following year, Stuart said he had “lost” the dressing room and resigned.

Parramatta Eels (2013)
Games: 24 Wins: 5 Losses: 19 Record: 20.8 per cent

Against a backdrop of boardroom in-fighting Stuart’s first and only season in charge of the Eels has been catastrophic.

Stuart drew a line in the sand midway through the year when he told up to a dozen players that they would have to start looking elsewhere as the first phase of his rebuilding efforts.

Parramatta fans will never get to see just what kind of club he could have built with Stuart at the helm.

He hasn’t reached a grand final since 2004 and Raiders fans are desperately hoping he rediscovers the magic that earmarked his early coaching career. Since then apart from a backs-to-the-wall effort at the Sharks in ’09, the numbers haven’t looked good for Stuart.


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/departing-eels-coach-ricky-stuart-has-won-just-20-per-cent-of-games-as-an-nrl-coach-since-2009/story-e6frfkp9-1226717579952#ixzz2edy1mfSO

Disgraceful refereeing tonight.