By Casey O’Connor
The end of the NRL fixtures have arrived and it couldn’t come quickly enough for me.
We have certainly had to endure some shabby football in the past few weeks.
The performances of some of our leading clubs has many asking the question, “Do players clock off when they can’t make the eight or is pride in your club, its history and its jersey worth naught in this day and age.”
I read an article recently in which respected Rugby League scribe Paul Kent suggested that the season is too long and should be reduced.
Well, 2022 has certainly been too long for this black duck.
I get no pleasure in watching teams, no matter who they are, constantly copping a shellacking. Cricket score results belong just there – on the cricket field. It is bad enough being an armchair observer where you can change the channel if you wish, but I am sure there are those who would not have been too pleased to have shelled out their hard earned to attend some of the farcical games in the past couple of rounds.
Wiser men than I seem to think we need 25/26 rounds. They also think the NRL needs a bunker to prop up the referees, but I think most league followers (and probably many of the players) wish it would disappear into one of those holes Jared Waerea-Hargreaves tried hard to bury the odd Storm player in this past round. And about that, just don’t start me on the judiciary or match review panel.
Just one more painful round of tipping before the finals kick in and hopefully, we will return to normal transmission and see some excellent football.
As the semi-finals get underway some of those clubs not involved will no doubt begin their navel gazing to review yet again ‘what went wrong’. I am sure however that the ‘boys’ will still enjoy their overseas end of season holiday to recuperate from the tough year when in fact some should buying their long suffering fans a holiday.
I will be pleased when attention turns to cricket in a few weeks.
In the mean-time it was heart-warming and at the same time a bit of a tear jerker to see the late Roy Symonds wife, children and mother invited to help kick off the 2022/23 international season in Townsville through the week.
Cricket Australia comes in for its fair share of flack but whoever organised the tribute to Symo in Townsville deserves a pat on the back. His kids running the drinks and water, and his blue dogs present before the start of play. His cap, shirt and bat placed over the stumps and of course don’t forget the obligatory crab pot on the pitch. I didn’t catch sight of a beer anywhere, but I’ll bet money good mate Jimmy Maher raised one or two schooners to Roy as the day wore on.
For the record Australia won the first International game of the season against Zimbabwe. All-rounder Cameron Green took his first five-wicket haul in an international match.
Reckon that would have brought a smile to Roy’s face.
Casey
NRL TIPS ROUND 25 (and apologies to any unfortunate reader who has followed them this season)
Storm; Sea Eagles; Roosters; Warriors; Dragons; Cowboys; Sharks and Raiders.
