It was a critical game for both teams, writes Pat Byrne, determining whether Brisbane Broncos could stick with the top four and if the Cronulla Sharks could get back on track and make a run for the finals.
Rugby league
Political snippets: Taxing addicts to overpay footballers
Rugby league clubs are joining in the campaign against federal government attempts to limit the losses of those unfortunate few addicted to playing poker machine.
Game-in-a-Box: Panthers scrape through over Titans
A second half domination of 10% and an overall domination of just short of 7%, should have been more for the Panthers. But alas, their own game let them down, writes Pat Byrne.
For errant footballers, it’s a win-loos situation
They’re a great idea these portable pissoirs, but for God’s sake let’s put them where they’re needed.
Like a greyhound, Canterbury chases and catches the Rabbitohs
Pat Byrne introduces “Game-in-a-box”: where he thinks outside the square in bringing you the game of the week as he sees it … in a box. This week its Rabbitohs vs. Bulldogs.
Timeline of misinformation: Twitter’s plane crash down to human error
Yesterday, in the real world, a Qantas A380 landed safely in Singapore. On Twitter word spread it had exploded and crashed — while distracted by the dog s-x. Crikey presents the timeline of misinformation.
Ant’s Analysis: NRL predictions finals week two
What a cracking start to the finals in 2010. The Sea Eagles got the boot they deserved, while the Warriors’ season probably ended a little prematurely, but that’s how we role in the McIntyre System, writes Ant Halstead.
Origin: New South Wales at a loss to find a win
So that’s Origin for another year. It’s clear that NSW is just too complicated a place to have a successful State of Origin side, writes Steve Mascord.
State of Origin: Blues marooned in role of second best
Just about the only thing that will get NSW a win in Brisbane is if Stilnox takes over from XXXX as the sponsor of the Maroons and they all skol a jug of it before kick-off, writes Steve Mascord.
Farmer: Storm scandal means it’s back to brown paper bags
There were clearly more than a few people with a little inside knowledge last week about the Melbourne’s Storm’s salary cap problems.
Albo gives Howard’s NRL dreams the boot
The SMH reveals how Labor MP Anthony Albanese played a key role in scrapping plans to give former PM John Howard a senior position administering the NRL.
Reading between the lines on the NRL-Howard coverage
Once again, Piers Akerman has written a story about a News Ltd investment without once mentioning that his employer has a deep involvement in the issue.
John Howard transforming NRL: there goes the black fan base
Rugby league has been a dying game for many, many years — is John Howard really the man to revamp it? It makes even less sense when you consider a large percentage of the hard-core league fan-base is black.
NRL’s naked truths laid bare by female journos
What’s it like being a female journalist in a sport dominated by sex scandal headlines and mistreatment of women? Rugby League journo Jacquelin Magnay tells how to play the game.
The catastrophic opening to the NRL season
In a lifetime of watching rugby league, I cannot recall a more catastrophic lead in to the start of a premiership season, writes Jeff Wall.
Warriors boost NRL stocks in NZ
NZ’s participation in the NRL is looking healthier and healthier, with the Warriors now shaping up as serious finals contenders, writes Jeff Wall.
Player exodus to the UK a challenge for the NRL
This week’s confirmation that the Melbourne Storm’s Matt King has signed a lucrative contract with the UK Super League club, Warrington, has alarmed many rugby league observers, and rightly so.
