Let them play footy
Let’s focus on the 2012 NRL season. On the field, the action has been everything a rugby league fan could want and more.
It’s only Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership and we have already had some fantastic and unforgettable games of league. The season has started with a bang and exploded on social networking sites, with the game riding unprecedented levels of interest.
The ending of the Rabbitohs-Roosters clash in the opening round was spectacular. The finish to the Broncos-Cowboys derby was equally dramatic. Hard, fast-paced, exciting rugby league from the first minute to the 80th.
This is where the focus should be; the amazing feats our NRL stars are performing each and every week on the field. We should be talking about the two blockbusters on Friday night, both promise to be absolute classics.
There are so many reasons to be talking about our NRL stars, just look at this week’s hit and try voting. There are five outstanding tries to choose from, so much so that not even Daly Cherry-Evans’ 80 metre solo effort against the Wests Tigers was deemed by our producers enough to validate a spot in the top 5!
Instead that honour goes to the magic of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen combining, the Warriors' and Titans' razzle-dazzle to keep the ball alive, Billy Slater’s millimetre perfect put-down and the Raiders flying rookie Jack Wighton's miraculous leap to assist his teammate to score. If you haven’t seen these tries – check them out now!
Let’s have less talk about contracts and more talk about what inspires the juniors across the country, our super athletes doing the impossible, the unimaginable and the awe-inspiring.
Taking on the world
Monday’s game between the Eels and Warriors was the top trending Twitter topic around the world. Jarryd Hayne and Konrad Hurrell also both reached the fourth-highest talked about topic worldwide.
Rugby league fans are voting with their feet and with their connected devices. The way we watch and interact with live sport is changing and it’s happening now!
Inglis being wasted?
This week Greg Alexander wrote in his exclusive NRL.com column that South Sydney were wasting their biggest strike weapon by not giving him enough early ball. There is strong mail Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire will shift Inglis to fullback on Sunday afternoon against the Panthers in an attempt to get him more involved. It will be interesting to see how he goes at the back and equally interesting to see if the Panthers are willing to kick him the ball.
Playing the name game
Leila McKinnon’s column this week about player names on the back of jerseys certainly sparked a lot of debate. Over 1,200 people ‘liked’ the article on our Facebook page and it generated over 400 comments.
While player names on the back of jerseys works really well in State of Origin and the All Stars game, it is a bit tougher in a 30-week NRL campaign to execute. But there are certainly pros and cons for the concept. Join the discussion on our Facebook page.
Titans' win-win ticket offer
If you buy a ticket to the Titans' clash with the Storm this Saturday at Skilled Park and they lose, you will get a free ticket to their next home game against the Bulldogs. Be careful what you wish for!
Field Day
The Sydney Roosters will host a specially-themed Family Fun Day with a focus on different cultures in celebration of Harmony Round in their match against the Canberra Raiders this Sunday, March 18 at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park.
Also adding to the excitement of this Sunday’s Family Fun Day is that the Sydney Roosters will be inviting spectators to ‘Take To The Turf’.
Once the game has been completed and after the second siren has sounded, spectators will be able to run out onto the field. Just like old times.
$1 hotdogs!
The Panthers clash with the Rabbitohs at Centrebet Stadium is sure to be a highly entertaining contest, made even better by $40 family tickets and the piece de resistance: $1 hotdogs! Sign me up.