Sports Daze

NRL 2013 - Drugs, Cruisers and Tom Waterhouse

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:34:00 +0000

Well what a start to the 2013 league season.

As usual there is the never ending circle of problems that seem to arise from the arrival of a new season in league and already some great matches.

It would be great for one season to start without the usual off field dramas but as it stands our players and the upper nrl hierarchy have not failed to deliver once again.

Firstly there is the issue of the drug scandal that is threatening to derail the perpetual nrl train off its tracks. What a mess. My thoughts on this subject are one of amazement and anger. We have ASADA promising to weed out drug cheats and the people that have assisted them along the way, the NRL commission standing on the side lines scratching their heads, and politicians as far as the eye can see lining up for camera opportunities to throw their two cents in.

The sharks board have made an absolute meal of the whole situation and have sacked some great front line people who vehemently deny any involvement in the whole scandal and without anyone coming forward with the promise of protection or severe penalties if they don't, it seems ASADA are looking like a pack of witch hunters.

Don't get me wrong i agree that if there are drug cheats in the game then by all means name them, ban them for a significant amount of time and lets all move on. The fact that ASADA have come out and said we have a number of interested parties at more than one club but hey this could take months to sort out, is both detrimental to the game to keep and attract sponsors and unfair to fans of the game.

What I find funny is the disappearance of John Grant during this whole mess. It seemed that before this mess he was in every promotional opportunity that he could, to the point where alot of people were asking is this guy going to actual let someone else run the game, the CEO maybe? Which brings me to my second point point regarding player behaviour.

To start the season we have the Ben Barba issue. I think the Bulldogs and Ben have handled the situation quite well. Firstly they have kept it out of the public eye, and there has been a great deal of speculation over what exactly Ben did. But at the end of the day they stated its a private issue, nothing he did was illegal,he asked for help and the Bulldogs stood him down to deal with his issues.

Better now than six years down the track when he has blown all his cash and is caught in an awkward public situation, there has been plenty of those moments to mention, Ala Sonny Bill engaging in a restroom rendezvous.

Now we have the issue of Josh Dugan and his antics with Blake Ferguson on the roof of a Canberra house, giving the bird, drinking pineapple cruisers. This one I have trouble understanding.

Josh surely must realise that the game wholly supports the responsible consumption of Wild Turkey and cruisers are not in the best interests of the game in line with their target market.

The issue here however is his complete lack of respect for his team mates and club. The Raiders have come out and stated that Josh's indiscretions were long and numerous and that there was a great deal of pressure from his team mates on the club to terminate his contract.

When will players learn that when you are drinking or socialising with friends that they should maybe think twice before uploading any pictures or text to Twitter or other social media?

I have met Josh a couple of times once at one of my sons Rugby League matches, where I found him to be pleasant and willing to engage with the younger kids to promote the sport and the Raiders. Mind you that particular time that I encountered Josh, he and Blake were stood down for the week for a drinking session the previous week.

I hope that any club that takes him has the management in place to get him on the straight and narrow. However there is no way i would be paying anywhere near the $650,000 per season he was commanding at the Raiders.

I suppose what doesn't help the game is the fact we are now being bombarded by constant alcohol and gambling advertisements and on the other hand trying to communicate the need for our young athletes to deny all that the game promotes so unashamedly.

I don't know about anyone else but I sure am sick of seeing Tom Waterhouse plastered across my T.V. every two minutes. Tom if you knew what punters wanted you wouldn't be annoying us at half time while were getting the teams analysis.

As far as the actual game is concerned the competition looks juicy again, Melbourne are of course as dominant as usual with the Eagles, Bulldogs, Cowboys, and Souths looking to have the goods this year.

The new rule changes are for me a bit ordinary. I agree with the stricter control of the ruck, but they still haven't sorted out the obstruction rule. The Bulldogs, Storm game last night was testament to that. Cooper Cronks try in the second half that was disallowed was nothing short of a joke. The dummy runner was no where near the play the ball and if the defending player was not touched had zero chance of stopping a try.

I think the NRL got the interpretation right a few years back when they said that there would be a penalty only if the ball runner stepped into the space that a dummy runner had made by interfering with a defending player. It was at least an easier rule for me to grasp, and I think fair for both teams.

So tell us your thoughts.

Is our commission doing a great job?
Are the new on field rules to your liking?
And is Tom Waterhouse your favourite half time analyst?

Country Of Origin

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:34:00 +0000

Well sports fans welcome to another week of sport.

The big issue over the last couple of weeks seem to revolve around the upcoming representative season.

For most supporters of Rugby League it gives most of us,both Kiwis and Aussies alike,a sick feeling to see James Tamou put on the green and gold for the upcoming match against New Zealand. Tamou was born in New Zealand, was in the train in squad for the four nations, is of Maori heritage and has clearly taken an opportunity because he was knocked back for a spot within the Kiwi squad.

I have a huge problem with this, especially if players are pledging allegiance with Australia, purely so that they can play State of Origin. A classic example of this is Tonie Carroll, who played for Qld, Australia and New Zealand.Of course he played for Qld first and although I wouldn't have liked him omitted from Origin his heart was obviously to play for New Zealand.

Personally I believe that we should let players play state of origin if they have played their first games in either state but still opt to play for their home countries if they still wish. Jack Reed is one player that springs to mind for me. Even though he would be eligible to play State of Origin, he has opted to play for England and therefore omitted from origin, even though he has lived here most of his life and would no doubt be of benefit for the Cane Toads. Another example is Karmichael Hunt, would he have played for Australia if he could have played State of Origin, regardless of whether he played for the Kiwis?

I also think that if players could play for their country of heritage without expulsion from origin, it would further enhance the representation of the game on an international level. Robbie Farah expressed his wishes to play for Lebanon, yet of course if he were to change preferences then he wouldn't be eligible to play state of origin.

Some fans will say that by giving players free will to play for their countries of birth, it would water down the state of origin series and there would be an influx of international players taking over the contest. But really isn't that already the case?

It may go to prove that players will choose to play for Australia anyway, but I don't believe that they should be blackmailed into missing out on the toughest contest in Rugby League purely because they want to play for their home country. If the Australian team has to win by taking a couple of players from the kiwis then it doesn't make the victory very sweet, at least not for me anyway.

Tell us what you think. Should players be allowed to play state of origin and still play for their home countries?

2012 Our best year ever?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:19:00 +0000

Well what a great couple of weeks for sport.

Firstly a big congratulations to the Aussies who trounced an unlucky Sri Lanka who looked the goods throughout the one day series, capping off a great year for our home side. Although I was skeptical of the Australians both on and off the field earlier on in the season, they shone through with a dominate display over the Indian team in the test series and fought tooth and nail to capture the one day series.

Michael Clarke looks as though he will be a great captain showing humility and true leadership in leading our side to victory. It seems as though he has gained the trust and respect of his fellow cricketers which will hopefully see us dominate for years to come.

On to my favorite subject, what a great first couple of weeks for the NRL. On a personal note I have done absolutely terrible in the tipping, this year proving to be hard to pick with some unlikely winners in the first few games. So far this year there have been some contentious issues raised that have stirred a lot of heart felt debate.

Firstly the issue of shoulder charges and should they be outlawed from the game. Growing up, I think the defining moments that cemented my love of the game, came from those hard fought matches involving plenty of fire. None could be as hard fought or more passionate than our very own State of Origin. The series has been successful on its ability to deliver a brutal display of power, determination and endurance.With big hits shown, some freaky tries and the odd dust up it is nothing short of spectacular.

I suppose that is why every year the referees in these games relax the rules to suit the popularity of the contest. With the surrounding debate on concussion and the effect it has on players, the issue is highlighted by some misdirected shoulder charges that have made contact with the players head.

Personally I believe that the shoulder charge is a great part of our game. Whilst players that make contact with the head should be punished, it also opens a window for attacking players to exploit. A classic example of this was Josh Reynolds efforts last weekend when the Bulldogs took on the Panthers. He attempted no less than three shoulder charges and on each occasion was ineffective, in doing so he opened up gaps in defense which made the Bulldogs line vulnerable.

In taking this form of defense away from the game I feel as though we would miss the x factor that separates the game away from sports like Rugby Union. Maybe the answer is to only tackle below the nipple line, or wear helmets as Des Hasler suggests the game will head, but I believe that there needs to be a stronger penalty for defenders as an incentive to adjust their tackling style.

The other issue up for debate is the current player transfer system currently being utilised by NRL clubs. While no team likes to see players strike deals with clubs mid season I don't know if the draft system is the answer the game is looking for.

While some clubs will be licking their fingers at the prospect of an open market, it does pose the question of whether it will open opportunities for juniors that will be in their best interests. I think that the current system works fine for our game although the window of opportunity should be narrowed as to when player transfers can occur so as to protect the marketing efforts of individual clubs. Also there could be more done to increase the attractiveness of juniors and seniors such as greater concessions on the cap.

So, tell us what you think. Should the shoulder charge be outlawed? Should a draft system be implemented? Hopefully whatever decision the new commission comes up with will serve the game justly and make 2012 the best year ever.

Taking our bats and going home

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:14:00 +0000

The other day I was sitting at work reading through the national papers and was excited by the upcoming Bigbash Twenty20 tournament and the prospect of seeing my favourite and I'm sure a lot of others favourite cricketer in Shane Warne turn out for the Melbourne Stars.

It got me thinking about our current cricket side and what is missing when it comes to recapturing the hopes and dreams of today's australian public when they turn over to watch our boys compete against the best cricket nations on the planet.

The truth is that cricket is fast becoming the game that everyone is turning away from and it may have more to do with the attitudes and image of the players than the evolution of the game from what it was twenty years ago. It seems that cricket Australia is not only losing the interest of the younger generation, but that of our older and wiser generation. A generation that could tell us stories of how they had family barbecues where cricket was the number one backyard sport and a WII was something you did after you'd had three cans of VB.

When I suggested to my dad the other day that we switch on the cricket and watch the Aussies battle the Kiwis I was horrified to hear him say "I hope the Aussies get flogged, their nothing but a bunch of pretentious sooks". I immediately jumped to the defense of the green and gold and as I was flicking through the Telegraph came across an article on the ousting of Simon Katich and the excommunication of Darryl Hare and thought, maybe he has a point.

My heroes growing up came in the form of a chubby David Boon, a determined Dean Jones and a no nonsense larrikan in the form of Mervin Hughes. Now I'm bombarded by advertisements for vitamins from Ricky, KFC from Clarke and shaving cream from who knows who else. The trouble is the character and cheekiness have gone out the window for a serious business based approach and correct me if i'm wrong but the fun seems to have disappeared as well.

I hope that Michael Clarke can build a team built on not only competitiveness, but humility and friendship. No one wants to see infighting and the string of ads aimed at the viewers do nothing except confirm the public's belief that cricket Australia wants nothing more than to line its own pockets and look after their own interests.

The upcoming test of Australia vs India will more than likely show that our cricketers need to get back to our roots and focus on the things that are important. They need to show the world and more importantly the Australian public, that we are a nation of great competitors and not just a bunch of spoiled brats.

Tell us what you think. Has Australia lost it's personality?

Another week in sport

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:06:00 +0000

Hi sports fans and welcome to another great week of sport.

Firstly I just wanted to say how great it was to see Bernard Tomic reach the quarter finals at Wimbledon. If your an Aussie and not behind this lad, you should be. On sheer belief and determination the 18 year old beat ranked 42 Xavier Malisse. Watch this space for a great finish for the young champion, I'm sure there will be more great things to come.

On Saturday I had the honour of seeing the Ice Hockey in our nations capital. The Canberra Knights went down 10-3 to the Goldcoast Blue Tongues in what was a thrilling game. Being my first time at the Ice Hockey I was in awe at the speed and toughness shown by both sides. There were a couple of dust ups during the game which only added to the magnificent intensity of the game and saw players from both sides binned several times. The cosy, yet chilly confines of the arena made it a memorable night for myself and my wife and definitely got me jumping out of my chair. If you haven't already, get down to see the boys get into it every Saturday night, you won't be disappointed I know i wasn't.

On to League, everyone is awaiting the impending State of Origin match at Suncorp stadium. There is an injury cloud surrounding the blues at the moment, most noticeably the hamstring injury to Jamie Soward. I'm sure Jamie will be fine and we will see another fast paced fiery encounter when the two sides meet at next Wednesday. Having the series now levelled I'm sure that both sides will be out to prove which state deserves to be victors.

It will be great to see Darryn Lockyer play his final game for the maroons and I hope that he gets the send off that the great man truly deserves. We as league supporters have been blessed to see him perform week in an week out and I'm sure that he will try his hardest to lead the Broncos to another premiership victory.

Speaking of injuries, there is debate at the moment over the "Cannonball" tackle currently being used by a few players. Anyone unfamiliar to the tackle, a player is held up whilst another player hits the legs of the player with a great deal of force. This no doubt will be banned by the NRL and will be another grey area for referees to police. There is a fine line however when it comes to the attacking player still fighting in the tackle. I guess the players that are guilty of these tackles need to remember that what comes around will surely go around.

So what was your memorable moment in sport for the last couple of weeks? Do "Cannonball" tackles need to be abolished and who will win the State of Origin?

The downside of being a Sports Twit

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 31 May 2011 02:16:00 +0000

I was reading the Daily Telegraph the other day in relation to the hoo ha over Tigers players expressing their views on Twitter and couldn't help thinking that this was one topic that will be sure to bring on some hard fought debate.

It got me thinking about the role that social networking sites play in relation to our sporting clubs. There is no doubt that they have a huge benefit in promoting sports and are sometimes used unashamedly by some stars to promote other entrepreneurial endeavours they may have. A couple of examples of this are of course Shane Warne with his "Spinners" line of underwear and Russel Crowe with the announcement of the Rabbitohs Star City Casino sponsorship.

Sites like Twitter and Facebook create the perfect medium for our sports codes and for that matter any organisation to engage their audience head on. If conducted in the right way they are able to give themselves a free plug at zero cost. This type of promotion can be invaluable for organisations that wish to raise money for charity, we seen this all too recently with the news of devastating Queensland floods. Social network sites enabled users to discuss the event , share photos and create links so that people could donate money. Personally my first footage of the tragedy was through a link on Twitter.

Not only are these sites free, but they offer users an interactive relationship with their sporting heroes. I've never had the pleasure to meet Wendel Sailor, but I can easily grab my HTC and write him a message and if he's kind enough then he will send me a message back. It's this type of networking that benefits both the clubs and their fans and perhaps that could explain the massive increase in club memberships for the past couple of years.

Going beyond this, Footy Social a product of the social networking universe, allows ordinary people to learn more about their stars and get a glimpse into their private lives.Players offer their photos, what they like to eat, videos on events they have been to and much more. The site also enables players to promote their own wares and all through the use of interactive networks.

This type of technology is changing the way that people interact with one another and it is even spreading to mainstream television. Foxtel offer viewers full HD viewing, T.V. now can be Internet enabled and we can view the state of origin in 3D. We can even view the games from our mobile phone, just in case your out fishing on lake Jindabyne and don't want to miss Billy Slater score a winning try.

As stated in earlier articles the confusion starts when celebrities don't like what is written about them. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way endorsing the spreading of rumours, especially when it involves family members of the said celebrity, but if you invite people into your lives then you have to unfortunately deal with the not so kind ones that come with it.

Like it or not there is always going to be someone that disagrees with the way that you play the game or how you behave in public. I think in this instance the Tigers need to be careful how they approach this situation, the fans that they condemn on these sites today, could be the same one's that they need to fuel a special event in the future. Although not everyone is engaged with these sites the users of the sites will often talk about what they read around the office or with friends and family.

Maybe before some high profile people write messages, they should think about what they have written before they push send.

Tell us what you think.

Are social network sites a great thing for our sports?

The deal of the century

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:55:00 +0000

Well what a few great weeks in sport!

The AFl was successful in securing a huge t.v. deal that was worth over a billion dollars to secure the future of the game. This is great news for anyone that wants easier access to viewing the game, with a dedicated channel for foxtel viewers and access over the web through Telstra services.

The NRL is anticipating a similar Television rights deal which will see a huge injection of badly needed funds into the game. Not only will it give the players of the game a pay rise, but it will also filter through to junior development and the strengthening of the individual clubs.

In watching the announcement of the sacking of Penrith Panthers coach Matthew Elliott, it was troubling to hear of the cutbacks that the club has had to endure to keep a first grade side on the field. Cutbacks to medical staff, trainers and by Matthews own admission junior development for the club. This deal will hopefully build clubs like Penrith back into the great clubs that their loyal fans wish to see.

Perhaps the power brokers within the game could even make way for the possibility of a Reserve grade competition that has been badly missed since being axed. In the Daily Telegraph today they reported that one of the key issues in the game was player burnout and the game was considering extending the play roster from 25 to 30 players. Surely bringing players straight up from NYC into first grade when their bodies aren't fully yet matured could contribute to burnout and early injuries.

Well its on again! State of Origin is just around the corner and New South Wales with the leadership of new coach Ricky Stuart has picked the opening team to take on Queensland. From my initial view of the team it seems like a good side to be taking on Queensland. For once players are picked in their respective positions and we see the omission of some stars namely Jarrod Hayne. Personally I think that Ricky has made the right decision in regards to Hayne and the team. Josh Dugan has shown that he has the fight to be an origin star and has the form to back it up, even though injury has plagued his initial few games.

If Dugan is the NSW fullback then it is hard to pick Hayne on either wing. Brett Morris has been in great form for the Dragons and Akuila Uate has been dominating for the Knights. Speaking of the Dragons it is refreshing to see Jamie Soward in the team. His kicking game combined with Mitchell Pearce at Half back and Michael Ennis at Hooker should make for an interesting match up for the likes of Thurston, Smith, Lockyer and Slater.

Our front and back row looks strong. Paul Gallen has earned the captaincy showing that he has what it takes to lead a team into battle shown by his dominating performance against the kiwis in the Ashes test. With Bird, Scott, Snowden, King and Creagh, Young, Merrin and Mannah off the bench there's a whole lot of angry ready to take on the Queensland pack.

One of the shock omissions from the side was Jamal Idris. I believe that he has shown that he belongs in the side if not in the starting side, then surely from the bench. Who knows this may make him hungrier for a spot in the next game. One thing I can't fathom though, is how a player can represent Australia and not be deemed worthy enough for NSW. If he keeps playing the way he is then there is no doubt that we will see him as a representative of the game for years to come. At least the new T.V. deal will hopefully ensure that we don't lose stars like Jamal to the English League or Union as we have done in the past.

So what do you think?

Is the new T.V. deal going to be everything the fans and NRL hope for? Will it give the game an edge on rival codes?

Has Ricky Stuart selected the right team to take on Queensland?

This week in sport - Captains, loyalty and more

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 03:39:00 +0000

Well another week has passed and another great week in sport has been witnessed.

India deservedly won the Cricket world cup. After losing the "Little Master" early, India chased down Pakistan's 274 to win in stylish fashion. In other cricket news the ICC has reduced the number of teams for the 2015 world cup to ten instead of 15 in order to shorten the competition and make it more competitive. I think this is a great move by the ICC. By reducing the number of teams in the World Cup fans should see more quality matches and all within a reasonable time frame.

That being said though I don't believe that teams should gain automatic selection. To be considered for the World Cup, teams should have to prove that they belong there in the first place. I guess the ICC needs to work out whether the World Cup means letting all countries compete and not just member countries. According the the Daily Telegraph (April 5, 2011) Ireland Cricket Chief executive Warren Deutrum stated that he would not take the ICC's "outrageous" decision lying down. So it will be interesting what happens from here hopefully it is in the best interests of the game, however it is hard not to be sympathetic with any team that gives the English a hiding.

Ricky Ponting also announced that he was resigning from the top job as Australian cricket captain and has handed the reins over to Michael Clarke. Personally I find it strange that Ricky is not resigning himself altogether.

Obviously the choice is Punters alone, but how much more can he achieve as a cricket player? I believe he should leave on his own merits and let an up and coming star make their way into the side. In saying that if he does stay, I hope that when he does leave it is a gracious exit and not because of a falling out with other players. I say this because i think it must be hard for a player to completely remove them self from the top job while still being a part of the side, and I think he needs to do that for Michael Clarke to be able to captain effectively.

The NRL had some close games over the weekend with three games having a two point or less differential. With the Bulldogs losing their first game to the Storm, the top four now stands with the Broncos in the lead followed by The Storm, Dragons and Bulldogs. It looks like this years competition is going to be one hard fought out competition and each week so far has left tipsters and punters alike scratching their heads.

This week also brought up the question of preselection for State of Origin. I'm speaking of course about the announcement that prop Martin Kennedy will be playing for Queensland (should he be selected). There will be much debate on the issue and everyone will have their opinion, but at the end of the day if that's where Martin wants to play then I see no reason why anyone should stand in his way. It seems that the NRL has no problem with a players pledging their allegiance for the Kangaroos even though he may not have been born in Australia, so I personally see no problem with Martin choosing Queensland if that's where he believes he belongs. This is also coming from someone who has been a blues supporter their whole life.

The AFL this week saw why NRL stars shouldn't play AFL after watching Israel Folau fumble around the field to finish the game without even laying hands on the Steeden. I still have to wonder if the AFL made the right move in signing Israel Folau, purely to promote their game. From the outside it looks like an Almighty flop. Israel Folau belongs in Rugby League not on an AFL field and anyone who tells you otherwise is kidding themselves. Although he was obviously focused on money in the beginning, I hope that he comes back to us soon, so we can see more of that magic that he has showed us in the past.

The AFL ladder sees Collingwood and Carlton on top, followed by West Coast and Geelong. With Collingwood and Carlton facing off on Friday night, this weekends action promises to be riveting. Geelong will be boosted by the return of some key players for this weeks match against Port Adelaide and should strengthen their position on the ladder.

So what are your predictions for the week ahead?

Who is the Dark horse in the NRL and/or AFL? and has Michael Clarke got what it takes to lead our great side?

A week of Carnage

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:44:00 +0000

This week in sport was at its brutal best, producing some of the best footy we have seen in a while. The AFL season kicked off in fine fashion with some close games. Firstly with a one point differential between Geelong and St. Kilda and then with a remarkable comeback from Melbourne to draw their game with the Swans.

Rugby League looks like a casualty ward this week, with some horror injuries to some star players. Newcastle were decimated in their match against the Eagles with injuries to the likes of Beau Henry- who was though to have a broken ankle, Cameron Ciraldo and Zeb Taia. Then there was Chris Lawrence's hip injury which could rule him out for the season and Lote Tuqiri's broken arm which will rule him out for about three months.

The AFL had its own injuries with a sickening facial injury to Lions Captain Jonathon Brown who suffered a knee to the head which required him to have hours of facial surgery. The string of concussions in previous years has forced the AFL to implement it's new concussion rule where players need to get passed by a doctor to continue playing after sustaining a knock.

So it got me thinking. There seems to be an awefull amount of injuries this early in the season? Are sports injuries just part and parcel in any sport? Is it worrying that kids are entering sports where more and more injury's are occurring? or do the positives out way the negatives.

Some may argue that the social skills, coordination skills, self esteem and physical benefits of a child playing a sport are worth the risk of injury. All codes attempt to protect players as best they can but at the end of the day it comes down to how hard the players themselves play.

It also doesn't only effect football.

In one of my favourite sports I have seen concussions, broken ribs, broken and sprained ankles, broken noses and fingers, and dehydration. The said sport mentioned, was good old Cricket. Playing A grade cricket meant that I have seen players at a very high level giving everything they had to beat their competitors and sometimes something has to give.

It seems nowadays that players are far bigger than what they were say twenty years ago and obviously this has come down to sport science and the training and recovery sessions that players undertake. Players are bigger, faster and are able to sustain a huge amount of impact. On some of the games i watched on the weekend there were times when i thought that a player had taken a big enough hit that they might possibly never get up, but they rose to their feet, shook it off and continued playing.

The NRL has been stricter on the head high tackle rule for past few seasons which is a concern for parents when they let their kids play the game, but can more be done? and if we protect the players too much will it make the game boring to watch?

I guess the reason that people like any sport is that you get to see the best of the best do battle against one another. Rugby League, Rugby and AFL fans alike will boast to their friends during season that their team is tougher, stronger and quicker. So by just accepting that injuries will come regardless of rule changes are we not protecting the game as much as the players?

I believe that all codes have found a great balance between rules governing the protection of players and the overall interests of the game. I see no problem with the new concussion law in AFL and think the NRL should adopt the same law. If you are watching two boxers fighting and one gets knocked down, generally the referee will get a doctor to inspect them. So why should other sports not do the same.

In saying that, I love nothing better than seeing a player give a huge shoulder charge or a player evade certain injury to score against the odds. I do like the fact however that Rugby league has deleted the rubbish from our game such as spear tackles, grappling and hitting players in the air.

One player that stands out in my mind when I think of head injuries is Adam Ritson. When it comes to high shots and knocks to the head sports need to avoid incidents like what happened to Adam. Sports have come a long way in ensuring that players have the best medical treatment to bounce back from severe injuries and it looks like the science of keeping players on the field will only get better.

So tell us what you think.

Are sports doing enough to protect the players? And if not what could they do better?

Sports week in review - A bit of Everything

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:02:00 +0000

Well what a week in the world of sport.

In case you missed it these were some of this weeks memorable moments:

Firstly Casey Stoner taking out the Qatar Grand Prix from Jorge Lorenzo. The Queenslander gave up the lead early to finally take the bull by the horns and streak away with a solid win. Honda would be ecstatic, after Casey joined Honda after giving four years service to Ducati Corse. Let's hope his arm gives him less trouble than it has done in the past.

In Cricket, the Pakistanis beat Australia ending a 35 match winning streak by the Aussies. In another unsportsman like moment Ricky Ponting refused to walk after snicking a ball from Mohammad Hafeez. After the match Ponting chose to defend his actions claiming that it was what he always has done, besides admitting that he knew he had snicked the ball. Obviously the days of cricket being a gentleman's game have long since disappeared.

This is also on top of Ricky having another dummy spit after running into Steve Smith on the field. Surely it is time for him to go? It seems that Ricky is getting more and more agitated with the game and as I have stated in earlier posts, this is not the kind of behaviour that we should expect from our captain. Most of us have a hard enough time trying to teach our kids that the games they play are not about winning at all costs, without them seeing our Australian captain behaving like a spoilt brat.

The week in league was harder to pick than a broken nose. Teams that went down horribly last week came back to prove everyone wrong. The Panthers dominated the Eels, after a Round 1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle. It was great to see Michael Jennings and Lachlan Coote in fine form after being caught with their pants down last week.

The Manly Sea Eagles were inspirational in their victory over the Sydney Roosters. When they were down and out they reached down deep and through the leadership of Kieren Foran produced a stunning win, giving a clear reminder to everyone of what they are capable of.

Finally for the round, the Cronulla Sharks shocked everyone by bringing down reining premiers St.George Illawara in a gutsy well fought victory. They overwelmed the Dragons with hard hitting defence and attack, which resulted in the Dragons making constant errors. Well done Sharks, if they can be consistent then they can win games and as they showed big games at that! I'm sure every coach will be pausing and rewinding like crazy to find the chinks in St.Georges armour.

This week also means the start of the AFL season. Players and fans alike will be licking their lips in anticipation of the round ahead. After some pre season embarrassments with the likes of Fevola and Nixon, all will be forgotten for the opening game this Thursday when Carlton take on Richmond. I hope the season gets off to the start that everyone is hoping for.

We have been blessed with great performances from some talented athletes this week. We have seen bravery, determination, skill and power at its highest levels.

So tell us what made this week, a memorable week in sport for you. Was there a game or moment that particularly stood out?

Is Ricky Pontings time up as captain? and is it o.k. to stand your ground as a batsman?

Also, what are your predictions for the AFL season ahead?

Round 1, the best week ever?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Well here we are Monday night and a great weekend of Rugby League was to be had by all.

First of all I would just like to say how great it is to see the attendance figures for the first round topping 200,000!! That is absolutely fantastic news for supporters of the game and builds a solid foundation for the season ahead.

In cast you missed it, the results for the first round were as follows:

Roosters 40 over Rabbitohs 29
Cowboys 16 over Broncos 14
Eels 24 over Warriors 18
Storm 18 Manly 6
St. George 25 Titans 16
Raiders 40 Sharks 12
Knights 42 Panthers 8
Bulldogs 24 West Tigers 14

Unless you were a Panthers or Sharks supporter I think that you would have been reasonable happy with the way that your team started the first round. Each game was a battle to the finish and gave the fans who attended the spectacle that they deserved.

In the Dragons Titans game there was some controversy over William Zillmans collision with Phil Haine. On this one I agree with Bill Harrigan. It is an unfortunate thing for a collision with a referee to occur, but players need to be mindful that the refs are on the field to do a job and they can't be impeded. The simple fact of the matter is that the ref couldn't see Zillman, the Dragons did nothing other than catch the ball, so can't be penalised and Zillman should have anticipated the referees movements.

Souths Sydney were also fined $15,000 due to having 14 players on the field against the Roosters. This was purely bad discipline from the Rabbitohs bench. Surely teams shouldn't be making those kinds of mistakes in today's game. There needs to be better communication between players and their management.

It was also refreshing to see teams penalised for being in front of the kicker on kick offs and for kicking over the try line on drop outs. Once again teams were warned before the season started, so it comes back to poor discipline. I think though that clawing back on little infringements like these make the game a far better product to watch and leaves less to interpretation.

So after the first round has anyone done a bit of a back flip on who they think will be in the top eight?

For me the Storm, Dragons, Roosters, Raiders, Eels, Knights and the Bulldogs looked great and I think as the rounds progress they will only get better.

I personally thought that the Eagles and Storm game was scrappy, with plenty of dropped ball. Storm in the end though, looked like they had it together more than Manly and were able to capitalise when it counted.

The Warriors were a little disappointing and will be without Manu Vatuvei after injuring his knee during the match. They may also be without James Maloney after a high shot on Jarrod Hayne.

The Titans were unlucky and will get a huge boost once they get players back from injury. I also think that once the Broncos get Hodges and Hannant back from injury they will be far more brutal in attack.

Penrith were riddled with mistakes and seemed to give up in defence and attack to a more polished outfit in the Newcastle Knights. If the Panthers think that signing Tamana Tahu will be the answer to saving their season, then they are surely mistaken. I think that if they do sign Tahu they will end up regretting it. Surely their are better centres in the game with far less baggage.

The Raiders looked great and as I anticipated they hammered the Sharks. Their forward pack is going to test a lot of teams this year and when they get Duggan, Orford and Campese back on the field they will be a force to be reckoned with. It was also good to see a bit of fire between Blake Fergusson and his old team mates. I think the Broncos will have to be right on their game this Friday night, especially if Duggan is back.

So the first round for me? I thought it was tops. There were record crowds, there was anticipation and excitement and there were some great, close games. Everyone can feel the level of excitement amongst the fans and if this is the start, I can't wait for the finals.

Hopefully round 2 can be just as good.

So tell us your thoughts. Was this weeks round the best you've seen in a while? What were the highlights for you? and Is the NRL doing a great job?

Tis the season to be excited!!

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:28:00 +0000

Well hello everyone.

I thought that I would dedicate this post to the wonderful game of Rugby League seeing that the season is only three days away.

I suppose what I wanted to talk about is how the game has affected me as a fan and what I hold dear to my heart when I watch a game.

I started watching and being involved in Rugby League when I was just seven years old, growing up in Manly. At that time everyone you spoke to in Manly was into their footy and the kids I played with the most were Manly tragics. We lived on North Head at the army barracks and for anyone who's been there you'd know there is plenty of room to kick a footy. At the time my hero was Phil Blake and I used to pretend I was side stepping though mountains of defence as I ran down the road in my little Velcro sneakers.

When I turned eight we moved to the country, where there was still alot of interest in league, however there was also alot of emphasis on Aussie Rules and Cricket. Be that as it may, family weekends were always spent watching the League or out in the yard playing it.Dad being a Saints supporter and myself a Bulldogs supporter would sit glued to the t.v. both intently biting our nails as our teams fought it out. I would spend hours saving money for footy cards and stickers and too this day I can still remember the smell of the chewy that went with it.

State of Origin time was like Christmas with our presents being the kick off and opening fight to start the contest. The best of the best taking to the field and absolutely smashing the stuffing out of one another for 80 minutes. For me there has never been a better contest with State of Origin showing us the true gladiators of our time, risking injury for fame and glory. In a hundred years they will be talking about the toughness of these men and what they achieved in their sport.

Now there is a new era in our family as I watch my son grow and learn the game. He is a Loyal Knights supporter (Don't know where that came from) and starts playing in his local team this year, which also happens to be the Knights. I look forward to many a game on the couch, cheering and booing till we are red in the face.

I suppose when I think about League, I think about the wins and the loses, but also the enjoyment of sharing those moments with my mates and family. I guess sport for me is about family. For us it was always about getting in there and supporting your team no matter what anyone else thought of them, an even if you lost, you still kept your head up high.

If you haven't already got the bug then its hard to describe, every game I watch my team play is the same feeling you get in your guts when your riding a roller coaster, those wonderful butterflies.I think that this season will be a great one and with the off field incidents aside I think all league supporters have united to keep the game alive for years to come.

I know for me this season, it'll be hard to leave the fingernails alone.

Tell us what League means to you and Why your club will go all the way this season.

Is that your knife in my back?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:12:00 +0000

What does it take to be a good coach?

Is it?

Being a good leader?
Having a strong character?
Being a mentor?
Committing to the success of your team?

You would think that after the revelations of the sacking of Andy Friend by the ACT Brumbies that he was devoid of all these characteristics. Andy Coached the Harlequins four the four years prior to the Brumbies promoting them to the premier league and earning them a place at the Heinekin cup, he also was an assistant coach to Chris Hickey coaching the Australian under 21s side in Argentina in 2005. It could be argued that to hold and be successful at the above positions you would need a certain amount of people skills.

It seems that player power has been responsible for the axing of Andy Friend and as sports fans you have to wonder if the timing was appropriate. Two weeks into a season? Surely the board should have seen that there were problems in the off season and dealt with it appropriately. Instead the Brumbies find themselves two weeks into a season with a Head Coach who has only ever coached Rugby league.

Perhaps there was a bigger picture in mind from the Brumbies and players with the introduction of Stephen Larkham as the attack coach and the favourite for next years Head Coaching role. Of course this wasn't the first time that Andy Friend had been sacked from a coaching role after the Waratahs sacked him in 2004 for inconsolable differences with Ewan Mckenzie.

On joining the Brumbies in 2009 Andy promised to bring Respect, Work Ethic and Personal Responsibility to the club. After two seasons it seems that his message has not been heard. At least from the players anyway.

The fact that Andy refused to step down and was prepared to take a public bullet from the Brumbies shows that he believed in his heart that he had done all that he could at the club. He stated that at the last meeting he asked everyone if there were problems that needed to be addressed and everyone remained silent.

So the big questions are:

Should players have this much control when it comes to their coach?
Was what the Brumbies did to Andy Friend unfair and
Will it backfire for them this season?

I personally believe that the mutiny at the Brumbies should not have been allowed to happen this early in the season. Regardless of whether or not there was tension at the club, it is bad management to make this type of decision this early into the year, the result being the Reds getting their first win in Canberra. It is going to be hard to move forward from such a change and I hope for the Brumbies sake they bounce back quickly. At the moment though they look like a bunch of spoilt, bullies who are getting their own back on the field.

I guess the next few weeks they will either prove us wrong or prove what everyone is thinking.

Tell us what you think. Is this an unjustified mutiny? Or did Andy Friend have to go?

How many chances are enough?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:13:00 +0000

Over the last ten years there have been many scandals in the sporting world. It seems that as the profile of our players expand and with the transformation of sportspeople into Marketing opportunities, there has been a noticeable increase in the bad behaviour of players. The list extends to some extremely talented players. Superstars such as Nate Miles, Ben Cousins, Arana Taumata, Andrew Johns and Brenden Fevola. The list goes on and on.

There has been a lot of talk in the past week in regards to Todd Carney and his recent charge of low range drink driving. As a person that resides in Canberra I can definitely say that there is a great deal of animosity between the people of our nations capital and Todd.

During his time with the Canberra Raiders he had numerous opportunities to develop his career into one that someone could write a movie about. However he has chosen to repeatedly tarnish the reputation of himself and the clubs that he has played at simply because he can't stay on the right path.

The Roosters have already stated that they will not be sacking Todd and really, can anyone blame them? If they were to do the right thing and sack him you could guarantee that another club would offer him a new contract on the spot.

I believe that the NRL needs to step in on these matters and not only fine players but suspend them regardless of the actions of the club. As clear cut as his new indiscretion was Todd needs a swift backhand in the form of a suspension from club or representative football.

Maybe once a player commits an offence they would get a warning if they keep offending they need a flat out year on the sidelines. Play up again and it's two years and so on and so forth. Or perhaps what will happen is that if players wish to play NRL they cannot drink at all.
Maybe that's a little too soft or harsh depending on what side of the fence your on. However one thing is for sure, each indiscretion needs to be reviewed on a case by case basis.The NRL also needs to step in when cases are as clear cut as this one.

Is money the cause? What makes someone who has all the ability in the world constantly screw up? I remember when I was younger dad told me a story about a young guy that he served with in the army. The young man had a photographic memory and didn't have to study near as much as everyone else. He was destined to be signed by a big oil company for an engineering position but instead missed the final exam because he was drunk, playing a game of poker. He ended up being posted to Vietnam as a regular soldier. I never found out what did happen to him maybe the story ended well, but I think the lesson is the same. That young man never got a second chance he had to learn the hard way and so should Todd.

Tell us what you think. Do our stars get too many chances? What's the answer?

The Goliaths vs The Davids

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:08:00 +0000

There has been much talk this week about Nathan Tinkler's withdrawal of his offer of $100 million to the Newcastle Knights over ten years. As the father of a Knights tragic and as a League fan I have a keen interest in the deal, but at the same time I am a little bit sceptical on Nathan Tinkler's sell to the public on the issue.

I know that there will be a lot of knights supporters who are furious at the Knights board for not accepting the deal and perhaps they are all right. But didn't the deal look a little bit too easy from the outside?

The questions that I had that needed to be answered were:

What were the conditions on the deal? and
What role would Nathan Tinkler play once his money was secured in the club?

If the deal were so black and white when Nathan offered his money to the Newcastle Knights, then why wasn't it snapped up straight away? There has obviously been a breakdown at the negotiation table and Nathan has walked away with his lip dragging on the ground.

In his interview with the Daily Telegraph he stated that he would have significant influence in bringing Wayne Bennett to the club, yet he can't close the initial deal on giving away $100 million dollars? He put this down to the Knights Chairman Robbie Tew and CEO Steve Burraston roadblocking the deal, yet he admits that he never included them in any of the Knights plans for the future. It makes sense then that he hasn't conceived that the very people that work in the club day in and day out may want to still have some influence on how the club is run. I really couldn't blame them for being annoyed.

So it comes back to my original two questions. What didn't the board like about the conditions on Nathan's money? and remember that although boards can slow progress they are put there to service the interests of the members of the club. This means taking opportunities, but it also means that no one person can take total control of the club.

Footy aside isn't everyone sick and tired with big businesses taking over smaller businesses and no one having any say? So how is this any different?

In regards to Nathans role in the club, did he not show everyone what he was about with the whole Kade Snowden phone call fiasco? Nathan first denied that he spoke to Snowden then a few days later admitted that he did, but brushed it off saying "I don't need permission to use a telephone". If I were a Knights supporter I would be worried that someone who hasn't as yet secured an investment in the club is already trying to influence player deals and is talking about hiring coaches. Is that his job?

I believe that Nathans heart is in the right place and he does have a genuine love and interest in the club. However without sounding like I'm reading the script from the castle. Footy clubs are made up of people who love their team, their players and all believe they have a vested interest in its success. Nathan may have made a lot of money by barging his way through negotiations on mining deals, but when it comes to footy clubs, maybe he needs to take a leaf out of Rusty's book and realise he needs to include the knights community of followers before he takes over their club.

I think for too many people he has come in too fast and too forceful.

Tell us what you think is Nathan Tinkler a big bully or are the Knights a lost cause without him?

The day the West was won

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:04:00 +0000

Last night saw two codes play side by side competing for the hearts and minds of the people of Western Sydney. The new Greater Western Sydney Giants were given a good old fashioned thrashing by The Sydney Swans (83-4) and the whole experience has left many wondering if the AFL is wasting their money.

So it got me thinking. What is the motivation of the AFL in pursuing a team in the heartland of League? Is this payback for League intruducing the Melbourne Storm to those south of the border?

When the NRL launched the Melbourne Storm many believed that the club could not be successful in the heartland of Melbourne and with their recent scandal aside, they have managed to attract a loyal fan base and cement themselves in an area where AFL is a religion. Even with the drama of last year they still averaged crowd figures of 14,000 per game.

Could it be that there are chinks in the NRL's armour that have been exposed? The A league seems to have taken business away from both the AFL and the NRL.In the minds of parents the Soccer appears to be a friendlier sport for their children, and the AFL and NRL aren't doing themselves any favours with their recent off field scandals.

It could also be that perhaps Sydney is no longer the hub of Rugby League and that that mantal has been taken up by our Queensland brothers and sisters. As an example in 2010, 11 of the 20 highest attended games were in Queensland and 2 in Melbourne. The Broncos regularly hosted games that attracted crowds in excess of 30,000 people.

Whether the AFL see this as a genuine opportunity or are just there to niggle the NRL the truth is that the NRL can not afford to 'drop the ball' (excuse the pun). The NRL it seems are in a pretty good position with memberships up from last year, crowd figures are up, a new commission is onboard and a new T.V. deal around the corner. So maybe this is all a horrible mistake by the AFL and this venture will purely drain money from their coffers. The NRL will need to be focused and be on the offensive at every opportunity.

Thats why I found it suprising that the NRL have chosen not to view all the trial games. Surley there would be significant numbers to justify showing the games and they would prove as a booster to the season ahead. Without harping on too long, I will just say "not good enough" and hope it gets heard.

I believe that the AFL have launched their new team at the wrong time and will pay the price for their investment. For me they are about five years to late. League followers everywhere are excited about the future and one things for sure they have dug in for the long haul. The question is how long will it take for the AFL to pull back and count their loses?

Tell us what you think. Are the AFL doomed in Western Sydney?

Taking my bat and going home

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:39:00 +0000

Well after a thumping win over the English in the one day series, Australia have met a formidable and familiar opponent in their Indian counterparts. The Indian team put Australia to the sword in true fighting style on a nice turning pitch, led by spin masters Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla. Australia's ability to handle the savage Indian spin attack could be a sign of things to come in the forthcoming world cup.
Aside from the ability of our batsmen to handle the spin attack from the Indian team, their demeanour brought back memories of when Harbhajan and Andrew Symmonds had their all familiar run in. It seemed that the Aussies had their feathers ruffled in more ways than one and it seems that India is now able to get under the skins of our new ultra sensitive Cricket team. Our cricketers all of a sudden seem to have a chink in their armour and the Indian side is learning to exploiting it.

It is no secret that the Australian team have become masters of sledging over the years. We have prided ourselves on how we have been able to destroy the concentration of batsmen and bowlers by a few sly remarks. But now the tables have turned the real question is have we lost our fighting spirit? Do Australia now resort to tantrums when things don't go their way? and how will this impact on the next batch of up and coming stars? In the past nothing brought fear into a batmen like the piercing stare of a Denis Lilly or Merv Hughes. Now it seems we are intimidated by the very opponents we used to strike fear into.

It seems now that every time the Australian cricket team challenges decisions or makes an over the top celebration they are balancing on the fine line of good sportsmanship. Maybe over the years we have had it too good and other countries are simply improving their game. Either way no one likes to see our mighty side getting beaten, especially when it comes to the Ashes.

Tell us what you think is sport in Australia becoming too precious? and are our players tough enough to compete in today's sporting environment?

The Private lives of sportspeople - Is it our business?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Well, the much anticipated arrival of Liz Hurley has opened the media flood gates once again to shine the light on our very own king of spin, Mr Shane Warne. Shane has gone to great lengths trying to protect the integrity of his overseas guest and who could blame him? There is much talk that our Shane is punching above his weight and worry that Liz should distance herself from our prince of controversy, but really is it anyone's business? When can we draw the line when it comes to the private lives of our celebrities?

I have spoken to many of our older generation over the years and the general consensus seems to be when it comes to any big name personalities, "Well they chose that lifestyle, so they should have to deal with it" or " They use the media whenever they want publicity, so they can't just switch the media off when it suits them".

So it got me thinking, do they have a point? Should we be getting maximum value out of the dollars that we spend on our sports stars? If our sportspeople can leverage the media to suit their own agendas can the media leverage our sports stars to suit theirs? Is there a line that shouldn't be crossed for the sake of getting a big story?

My personal opinion is that there needs to be some accountability on behalf of the sportsperson if they want to utilise the power of the media. There have been plenty of stars over the years that have played their respective sports and kept out of the public limelight. The problem seems to be when a sports star wants to run their own under wear line or appear as the face of a particular deodorant company that there seems to be an issue. Maybe it's because by Marketing themselves a certain way to the public they are claiming "I am this type of person".

One example of this is the recent indiscretions of Tiger Woods. Tiger was Marketed as a clean cut, nice guy who played golf and then went home to drink diet soda in his million dollar mansion. By him straying outside the borders of his projected integrity he subsequently opened the door to public scrutiny.

Of course there is always unwarranted probing on behalf of the media and the public, such as the question of Ian Thorpe's sexuality. This type of probing has implications for all sponsors involved with our beloved super fish. If it's not o.k. for an Indian cricketer to heckle someone based on their race, why is it o.k. to pressure someone on their sexuality?

The flip side to all of this is our sportspeople get jaded by the media scrutiny and simply pack their things up and move overseas. We have seen this already with some of our movie stars.

So whats the answer? Do we just leave our sporting role models alone? Or do we have a right to know the ins and outs of their private lives?

Tell us what you think. Are our sportspeople our business?

Betting and sport. Is it a winning combination?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:46:00 +0000

So it has just so happened that in the same week that we talked about the sponsorship of Star City Casino The South Sydney Rabittos that we hear the announcement that Ryan Tandy has been arrested in relation to the Betting on a Canterbury Vs Cowboysa game.

This brings the ultimate question. Do Sports and gambling really mix? Is there a world where sports can co-exist with gambling institutions without corruption or should they be excluded from games altogether?

The NRL has also bought into question whether player agents should be able to gamble on games. Personally I believe that sport and gambling cannot do without eachother in todays sporting environment. Players want more money, the games are growing and fans want to place a bet. If its not on the two flies crawling up the wall, then it's on Brett and Josh Morris scoring the first tries of the match.

There is no doubt that gambling adds a great deal of money to our games and without it we wouldn't be able to enjoy our sports on the scale that we currently enjoy.

This does however put a dark cloud over the games that we watch. Are we really watching a fair even contest? Or are the players that we trust not trying hard enough to let the other team get those winning points? It does mean that if players in todays games do slacken off, or make the wrong decision, then their actions are scrutinised and examined to the tenth degree.

This doesn't only relate to the NRL we have also seen it rock the cricket world. The most memorable moment being the announcement that Hansie Cronje was paid to fix matches. This was particularly hurtful for a lot of cricket lovers because most followers of the game really liked the guy. He was charasmatic, marketable and seemed to be an honourable man. Upon the announcement came the realisation that if Hansie could be involved then surely anyone could be involved. To this day the thought of Hansie always makes me feel a little bit sad.

The earliest of the large scandals was in 1919 when gamblers bribed several members of The Chicago White Sox to throw the world series. One sport that has always been shrouded in suspicion has been boxing and because of the sports pursuit of the almighty dollar it has opened the way for the emergence of Mixed Martial Arts.

It seems that in sports as in life there will always be someone that is trying to take the easy road, that want more when they already get more than most. Thats probably why we feel so cheated when corruption enters sport. These sports people are the role models of our society. The people our kids look up too and the pinacle of human physical achievement.

In saying all that there is nothing that I enjoy more than having a quick "Twenty" dollar bet with one of my mates when our teams play each other. Then there is also our footy tipping competition which nets the lucky winner a cool seven hundred dollars and the odd bet on the horses.

So what does everyone think? Is there a place for gambling in sport? Can we seperate the two? Or does it make our games more exciting?

Tell us how gambling has affected your view of sport.

Reliving the Past

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:13:00 +0000

The other night I had just finished work and went down to the local club to enjoy a couple of beers with the boys when the Legends state of Origin came on the T.V. As we sat there thoroughly enjoying the game we started reminiscing on the great times that the sportsmen that were playing had given us over the years. The fire in the old fellas almost made me wish that they were in their prime again and we were watching a brutal mid 80's State of Origin bash fest.

Then it dawned on me how it must have felt for them. As hard as it must have been for our former champions, they never lost their composure and you could feel their passion. Benny Elias's dig at Andrew Symonds had every punter cheering and the enthusiasm of Mario Fenech tackling and hitting up the ball sent shivers down the spine. I'm sure for a moment that it almost brought a tear to their eyes.

I bring this up due to the upcoming announcement that Ian Thorpe may be re-entering the pool and what that will mean for Australian Swimming. Sometimes it takes a true champion to show everyone that what they have achieved in the past was not because they had an extra gene that made them perform better than everyone else, but purely because they were hard workers and had the determination to succeed. If Thorpe does jump back in the pool it will give Australia a much needed boost coming into the London 2012 Olympics. For younger athletes it will mean the opportunity to work beside "The Bradman" of the pool.

Some of Australia's best have made the path back from sporting retirement. Lisa Curry Kenny, Geoff Huegill and even Shaun Tait have made their way back into the field of competitive sport. Their successive comebacks were almost Rocky like in their determination.

But when should an athlete hang up his or her boots? Does it come down to proving that they can do it for themselves, more than doing it for their fans? and Are they holding up the line for a new generation of athletes?

Even today I still get that feeling deep down in my stomach yearning to be out on the cricket field again. I guess that feeling is nothing compared to that of a former professional athlete. I believe the reason that we get so much enjoyment out of watching our favourite sports stars is that they have a special quality that we all want to see in ourselves. That feeling helps us get through our daily jobs and gives a reason to unite, relax and enjoy our leisure time. These sports stars are our prodigal sons and daughters and when we see them compete we live through all their successes and failures.

I say good luck to Thorpie, I hope that his comeback is successful as I'm sure it will be. I would also like to thank the Rugby League legends for giving us some great memories and for god sake Warnie get back out there and win us back those bloody ashes!

Tell us what you think.Should Thorpie stay in retirement or are our former champions giving the public what they want?

Sports a gamble

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:59:00 +0000

Today I was browsing around the web and happened to notice the announcement by Russell Crowe and Co. that South Sydney has struck a deal with Star City as a jersey sponsor for the next three years.

I stated in my earlier post that it has become the norm now for players to disregard loyalty for the next big deal, so I guess that it's fine for Russell Crowe to "bend" the terms of his pokie free stance, right? Some may say that he is striking a deal with the devil in promoting star city on the clubs jerseys. But is that really the case? Or is he securing the future of the club and keeping alive the hopes of an army of fans?

When he made the original announcement that the Souths Sydney Leagues club would be doing without the use of poker machines, there were many critics out there who already believed that it was PR spin and that the club would not last without some form of cash cow behind it. So after this announcement can anyone honestly say that they didn't see it coming?

It was believed inconceivable that any NRL club could survive without Poker machines, however three years on, the club is in the best position that it has ever been in. In 2009 South Sydney had a ticketed membership base of 8,500 then in 2010 it increased to just over 10,000.This year the Bunnies have over 10,000 ticketed members already and lead the league on total memberships with over 15,000 members. This is ahead of the Dragons, who are promoting off the back of a Premiership.

In a world that is used to disappointments and back flips, there are really no surprises when it comes to life, especially in the entertainment world. What Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe promised was that they would keep poker machines out of the Leagues club where their supporter base is. In return they have grown the club and made it an exciting powerhouse with a host of talented stars that wouldn't have considered the club before.

As a league supporter I believe that if we had more organisers. promoters and ambassadors such as Russell Crowe, Rugby League would be in a far better position than it currently is in.

If anyone has any thoughts, please comment and tell us whether Russell Crowe has sold out or not.

Loyalty - Whats the point?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:51:00 +0000

In the wake of the news that the Sydney Roosters will not be renewing the contract of Braith Anasta it has left players, former greats and fans alike scratching their heads wondering what could be going through the minds of the people in charge of this decision.

Is it purely just that it is a bad decision or is everyone in shock that it could happen to a player and not the other way around. Usually it is the player that is getting a better deal elsewhere, whether that be with the Afl, Rugby or the English League.

How would the Broncos board have felt at the decision of Greg Inglis to walk out on a handshake deal? Or The Bulldogs when Sonny Bill ran away? It has become clear that clubs have chosen to carefully examine the relationship that the club has with its players and whether they are part of their overall plan.

The decision made not to extend Braith Anastas contract will eventually be proven to be wrong or right. But is it fair that clubs should have to justify their decisions on player contract negotiations when loyalty is clearly a word that depends on what dollars are on the table.

No one can blame the players for chasing more money especially since players only have a limited time to make their money before their bodies cannot handle the stress anymore. Maybe there should be more incentives to keep players at clubs so that they are not lost to other codes or other clubs?

On the other hand is this a way of accelerating the induction of a new breed of Rugby League players?

Give us your thoughts on the subject? Is Loyalty dead in sport?

E Sports - Is it bringing people together?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:43:00 +0000

When I was younger, I remember that sport was an essential part of life. I played cricket, Indoor and Outdoor, racquet ball, went to the Gym and played Golf. It seemed that sport was the drug and life was my addiction.

Then as it happens, we all need to grow up. We get a job, focus on paying the bills and before we know it our waist bands are expanding and the only time we catch up with our mates is to have a beer and too talk about work.

I was around one of my friends houses the other night and he had just purchased a WII. Before we knew it all the boys were engaged in a furious battle of who could get the highest score in bowling or get the quickest score in Mario Cart. All of a sudden the heart rate was up, blood was pumping and it seemed that everyone was having a great time.

It got me thinking. Is this the new era of sport? Are the days of playing footy in the park, swimming down in the local river, or just riding the pushy down to the shops gone? Is fishing just a past time reserved for day long expeditions to reefs off the coast or do people just go and drop a line at their local lake for the fun of it?

I think that E sports has actually had a positive effect on the way that people think about sport and the mental and physical effects of being healthy. At the end of the day if playing a game of WII tennis encourages one person to get off their backside and begin to take afternoon walks with their families, then it is definitely beneficial to the individual and to society.

According to Child Obesity (2006) there is an estimated 1.5 million people under the age of 18 that are considered overweight or obese. I believe that finding a balance between fitness within the digital world and fitness within the natural world needs to combine to tackle this ever increasing problem.

We need to get back to the basics and get outside but at the same time we need to embrace technology because division on this subject divides the younger generations from the ever increasing older generations.soon it becomes the parents who are too busy, wondering why their children are becoming more and more unhealthy.

As technology evolves we need to realise that our lives will be forever changing as our digital world grows and becomes more and more a part of us. We also need to realise that getting back to basics is always fun and can be enjoyed just as much as playing onlline poker or Angry Birds.

Give us your thoughts on this subject and how technology has made its was into your sporting life.

What makes a great game of sport?

noreply@blogger.com (TDY Marketing Solutions) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:40:00 +0000

Ever sat back and thought what makes a great game of sport? and why people love different sports?

I was thinking the other day that if you could create the perfect sport that everyone liked then you could possibly stop all wars, or start one! The glue that holds our favourite games together for us is our passion.

For me personally, its the NRL but for others they like nothing better than seeing Beckam bend one or Tiger Eagle the ninth. It's always great to reminisce on the great games that brought out the best of your sports people on the day.

One such game for me was the 1998 semi final Bulldogs vs Parramatta. Two great sides fighting for the grand final and my Bulldogs were 18 to 2 down with about fourteen minutes to go. At the time I was there with my future wife, who never had a strong following of league and i guess we were both overwhelmed by the number of people and the abuse we were coping from Parramatta supporters in the stands.

Sitting there biting my nails, the Bulldogs edged their way back and ended up winning the match. That moment to this day gives me goosebumps when i think about the adrenaline, excitement and joy at my team winning. I guess Parramatta supporters saw it a different way but it is one of the reasons I continue to love the game.

I have also had many great moments playing sport and I have always tried to instill into my son the importance of sportsmanship and the attitude of never giving up. Too many times playing indoor cricket we have thought that we would lose the game but never gave up and ended up winning or at least getting so close that we made the other team fight for the win.

Our sports stars are a valuable commodity for our community and that's why its important that they show the basic disciplines of sportsmanship and competitiveness. This attitude rubs off on their young fans and helps them get the most out of their sports and life in general.

The work that all the sports stars are doing in Queensland at the moment is unselfish and important for the community. The people of Queensland have always given us their all when it comes to sport. The record crowds that attend games each weekend are testament of that and the pride that players have in their state is undeniable.

Tell us about the best game that you have watched (no matter which sport) and what it meant for you.