The obstruction rule, feat Hudson

I’ve conducted an interview with a friend (Hudson, name changed for privacy) who is equally passionate about the NRL reguarding the at times controversial obstruction rule. I personally think the way it’s interpreted is a joke and so many tries have been disallowed that shouldn’t have been this year, mostly from decoy runners coming into contact with defenders.

The rule itself makes sense, if they’ve impeded another player from defending then it should be a penalty, but I think what they interpret as impeded the player is ridiculous. Take for example this week Broncos vs. Souths, Matt Gillet’s try should have been awarded but since the Rabbitoh’s defender purposely hit into another Broncos player (in my opinion).

I think what needs to be done is a CLEAR definition of what impeding the play is, until that time the refs can call obstruction or not obstruction on a whim, although they have been fairly consistent.

Anyway, here’s the interview:

D: What are your thoughts and opinions on the obstruction rule?

H: The decoy runners have to get their act together and not bang into an opposing player. But still, if the opposing player gets a small bump they shouldn’t be falling over like soccer players.

D: So what you’re saying is a small bump is okay, but a push isn’t?

H: Basically, yeah. But since the players all try to milk it and fall over then cry obstruction the decoys should simply stop running into players.

D: You think the players need to adjust, rather than the rules?

H: Well not much can be done about either, so I don’t really know

D: So you think leave the rule as is?

H: Yeah, just get the players to pull their heads in.

D: Did you see Matt Gillet’s disallowed try this week?

H: Yeah, the defender clearly ran into the Broncos player without the ball. Clear case of milking it.

D: I’ll agree with you there, thanks for the interview mate

H: No worries

There you have it, folks. Two sides to the obstruction rule. What do you guys think?

- Daniel Arthur

What a difference two players can make.

40-4, that’ll surely help our F/A points this season after that shocker against the Roosters. The Bulldogs played well for the first time this season, really. And before you say “THE TIGERS HAVE SO MANY PLAYERS INJURED”, watch the game. The Bulldogs got back their short passing from the forwards with James Graham and Sam Kasiano returning (somehow I knew Kasiano and Graham would return at the same time). Even Tony Williams did something! Scoring his first try for the Bulldogs, soft try I’ll admit but he was positioned perfectly, and it looks like Des Hasler’s been teaching him the short passing, he showed a few good displays of it in the game.  But even with our full forward pack back, he played 70 minutes which I don’t think is a good idea.

I’d like to see him explode onto the field in the 20 minute mark and go off at 60. As a comparison, Josh Jackson played 63 minutes and got 33 tackles, as opposed to Williams’ 19. Jackson got around 8 more metres too. Hodkinson played well, again, I’m thinking he could definitely replace Keating given the depth of his game and his goal kicking accuracy (Only missed one) he could do a lot more than Keating. Reynolds was on fire, returning to form (hopefully), and Barba yet again had a quiet game.

Reynolds beautiful short ball to Tony Williams started the scoring off for the Bulldogs, and they just kept on coming. A lucky bounce from a Hodkinson kick sent Michael Ennis over the line around the 20 minute mark. Literally the next set a cut out ball opened up the Tigers line out wide and sent Perett over, I would’ve been frustrated if I was a Tigers’ supporter. 30 seconds to half time a two on one on Perett’s wing send Lafai over.

Second half, and Bulldogs open the scoring with Reynolds spinning away from two, which was admittedly a soft try from a frustrated Tiger’s side. A HUGE fend by Tony Williams set the defence scrambling and sent Perett over for his second. 12 minutes to go and Farah’s trademark dummy half run sent him straight through, who passed to Tedesco for an easy try. The game’s scoring ended with Morris going over for a well-executed try.

[Reynolds going over to score after spinning away from two players. Source: http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2013/05/04/1226635/014240-bulldogs-v-tigers.jpg]

Our first back-to-back win since 2013 feels pretty darn good. The forward pack was significantly motr sizeable with both our international forwards returning. I’m not sure why he got Halatau in over Tim Browne, or even Taupau could play in the second row, but I guess Hasler has his reasons. All in all a good game for the doggies supporters J Hopefully we can make it 3 in a row next week!

-          Daniel Arthur

Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 0

 

[Source:http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2013/Apr/manchester-united-v-aston-villa-match-report.aspx?pageNo=1]

 

 

What a great performance! Robin van Persie's hat-trick score at first 2 minute, 13 minute and 33 minute. After this match there are four left for this season, United is in first place with 16 score ahead to the second place - Manchester City, which means it is set that Manchester United is the champion for the season.

- Shiu Heng Tong (Wilson)



Mariners lose on the night... but still go through to ACL knock out stages!!!

Despite losing 3-0 to Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in Gosford tonight the Mariners are still going through to the knock out stage of the ACL for the first time in their history.  Thanks has to go to Suwon who despite having nothing to play for held on to draw 2-2 with Guizhou Renhe.  Guizhou needed to win that game to overtake Mariners in the league.  See below for the final table and stay tuned for more updates as the ACL progresses.

Image: ACL Table [Source: http://www.the-afc.com/en/acl-2013-fixtures.html]

- Scott Copland

All the best Western Sydney Wanderers!

Westerm Sydney Wanderers have released three players since they big lose at last grand final side , they moving on and look ahead to the next season's A-League Asian Campaign. wow, seems like they looking for a big solid back.

Coach Tony Popovic has made it clear, he will try the best of he can to make the best improevement next season. The former soccero has shown on Tuesday he will not shy away from making decision to cut players who has not shown their stunniong 2012/13 debut A- League campaign.  Forward Dino Kresinger has defened Tarel Elrich and midfielder Rocky Visconte which played in the Wanderer;s has loss to Central Coasr earlier this monthe in 2-0.

Wanderers chief executive Lyall Gorman thanked the player's excellent contribution at the first season.  Gorman said on Tuesday to the players: "  The inaugural season for the Western Sydney Wanderers has been an amazing journey for the players, coaching staff, club, partners and fans. Dino, Tarek, Joey and Rocky were all part of this journey and all played an integral part in the success of the club and winning the Premiers Plate in this historic season."

They still show their strong wants to Dino, Tarek, Rocky and Joey. They said they will always open the door for them and shown the strong appriciatnt to their contribution.

Kresinger, who developed a cult following at the fledgling club and scored in the Wanderers' 2-0 semi-final win over defending champions Brisbane Roar, played 25 of the Wanderers' 29 games and scored two goals.

Sources : http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8650891

All the best Wanderers!!!
- Cathy

Can the Mariners make it to the last 16 in the ACL?

After an amazing 3 days... winning the A-League Grand Final victory on Sunday night, hoping on a plane to Korea on Monday morning (hungover) and then beating  Suwon Bluewings - one of the best teams in the K-League on Tuesday night (whilst jet-lagged and still hungover) the Mariners have somehow set themselves up with a great chance to progress to the next stage of the Asian Champions League competition.

 

 Image: ACL Logo [Source: http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc6/276840_152840578119175_1398815655_q.jpg]

A win tonight against Japan's mighty Kashiwa Reysol in Gosford would be enough to ensure that the Central Coast Mariners become only the third Australian team to make it to the final 16 stage of the competition.  Kick off is Tue 30th April, 8:30pm AEST at BlueTongue Stadium if you want to get along to cheer on the boys!

- Scott Copland

Round 7 - A Much Needed Win

With two teams who were tipped to make the eight, who are both underperforming this was going to be an important game for both teams, perhaps a kick start to their season. Thankfully the Bulldogs won, but more of a loss for the sharks than a win for the Bulldogs. 4 completely bombed tries in the game, their error count was shockingly high and as a result completions incredibly low.

Todd Carney’s return really seemed to lift the Sharks, despite their inability to complete tries, he looked good all game. Possibly fired up for the possibility of missing out on origin? He set up a break down the wing, but a shocking pass led to a knock on. Hodkinson also played well at Halfback for the Bulldogs, setting up Perret on the wing with a beautifully placed bomb for the first try of the match. Then on the other wing, Beau Ryan and his Lewis were on a break but Ryan was up too far and Lewis just threw it over the sideline. Shocking stuff, that was their second try gone begging.

Shortly after Ennis put in a grubber that rebounded off a Shark’s player, ended up with Barba who offloaded for Mitch Brown to score one of the easiest tries of his career. Halftime score 12-2 to the Bulldogs. Just after half time Lewis and (Wade) Graham combined to score a try, and a halfway decent one at that. 10 minutes later another botched try, Paul Gallen drops the ball when he only had Barba to beat, 3 metres out from the line. I’ve never been so glad I don’t support the sharks.

Then the Dogs went into score their third, Mitch Brown was unmarked on the outside and all it took was a quick play the ball and two passes to send him in to score. What also looked like a sure try from Cronulla, two on one on Perett’s wing, but instead Perett plucked it out of the air and went in to score. Final Score 24-8.

[Mick Ennis the captain of the Bulldogs on Sunday Afternoon. Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4656056-3x2-940x627.jpg]

The game saw a slight (note the use of the word slight) return to form for Tony Williams. He made his first line break of the season (gasp!) and some pretty solid metres. Onya T-Rex. And next week marks the return of James Graham and the possibility of Sam Kasiano. This dynamic duo was what really put the Bulldogs a notch above the rest last season, and hopefully they come out guns blazing. Kasiano might not be fit but let’s hope to god it’s not a repeat of his early 2012 season. I’ve heard Keating was able to return this week but the coach decided to ensure he was fit. On the back of Hodkinson’s performance, I’d really like to see him play instead of Keating. Sure he did shocking vs. the Roosters, but almost everyone did really.

I’m also wondering if both Graham and Kasiano return who would be dropped, the bench as it stands is Finucane, Halatau, Tim Browne and Pritchard, although Pritchard was moved into the starting squad and Jackson to the bench at the last minute. I’m going to assume they’d drop Browne and Halatau, Halatau almost for sure but Browne has been playing well. It’ll be interesting to see where Hasler takes it. And I’m about to say what I’ve been saying for what seems like forever now, this should allow Tony Williams to play less minutes and be more dynamic when he is on the field.

Next Friday at ANZ Bulldogs vs. Tigers, if we can’t win that then there’s something really wrong. They’ve got about 7 injuries and no halves that have first grade experience (off the top of my head, anyway). Stay tuned anyway, the post should come on Saturday night. Watch this space!

 - Daniel Arthur