Set of Six: Why the NRL needs to change the Dally M's
Are the Dally M Award no longer fit for purpose? Also this week: Gus Gould sparks the NRL’s next great rivalry (hopefully), the ongoing soap opera at Wests Tigers, and the Rookie of the Year.
So… what is a shoulder charge, exactly?
In another example of the mystifying NRL judiciary process, Sam Burgess escaped a two-week ban after being cited by the match review committee for a shoulder charge on Bulldog Greg Eastwood. The conclusion was almost certainly the right decision given the incident in question. Indeed, the bigger mystery was why Burgess was cited in the first place, given the tackle didn’t remotely resemble the aggressive Sonny Bill style shoulder charge that the ban was designed to outlaw.
The NRL is obviously trying to clean up the game, but when it is nearly impossible to define what an illegal act such a shoulder charge looks like, something is amiss. There is an obvious disconnect between what the match review committee saw and how the judiciary interpreted the incident after hearing evidence – if these two bodies of experts are at odds with what constitutes a shoulder charge then how can the average fan figure it out?
Is this the NRL’s next great rivalry?
The history of the NRL is built on epic rivalries. Fibros versus Silvertails. The Dogs of War versus Sterlo’s Eels in the 1980’s. Alan Langer belting out ‘St George can’t play’ while hoisting the trophy. It’s these sorts of indelible images that burn themselves into the minds of league fans and makes rugby league the game it is.
These days there is a serious dearth of compelling rivalries in the NRL outside of Brisbane-North Queensland, but it looks like the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers are doing their best to bring back a little bit of animosity. The bad blood started when Penrith supremo Phil Gould suggested that Cronulla won a ‘soft’ Premiership, a comment the Sharks used as fuel to deliver a clinical smack down in their first showdown of the season. Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan followed it up post-match by suggesting that Gould’s comments were a result of the Panthers getting ‘rissoled’ in last year’s final series.
https://twitter.com/mm_newscorpaus/status/854487062069694464
This budding feud has all the hallmarks of a classic – two teams with contrasting playing styles and fan bases, an established team with a Premiership under their belt versus a group of exciting upstarts with designs on winning a title of their own. Hopefully the product on the field can live up to the stoush off it. While the teams don’t meet again during the regular season, hopefully they draw each other in the finals when the stakes are at their highest. It would be worth just for the press conferences alone.
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Are the Tigers finally going to make a call on Mitch Moses?
Another week and NRL fans have had to endure another seven days of speculation about where Mitchell Moses might be playing next week. Moses is still waiting on confirmation on whether the Tigers will let him move to Parramatta mid-season. Coupled with rumours that fellow ‘Big Four’ members Aaron Woods and James Tedesco are also moving on, Concord Oval has seen more soap opera than Summer Bay this season.
Assuming Tigers coach Ivan Cleary will actually block Mitchell Moses’ in-season move to Parramatta (and it’s not just a part of some brinkmanship to extract some form of compensation from the Eels) it seems like that part of the saga of the ‘Big Four’ is nearing its conclusion. Moses should move to Parramatta next season and spend the rest of the season with the rest of the ‘Big Four’ trying to help the Tigers towards respectability.
For Wests there was very little upside to letting Moses go early – there doesn’t appear to be a ready-made replacement in-house and the joint venture desperately to record some wins. It’s a fact of life that many NRL players find themselves suiting up for a club knowing they are going to move onto a rival club next season but the vast majority are professional enough to go about their business regardless. For Cleary’s part, taking a tough stance goes a long way towards establishing the sort of culture he is sure to demand at the Tigers – no single player is bigger than the club.
What’s the deal with the Dally M’s?
The Dally M’s are based on an antiquated system more suited to an under 10s carnival day than an elite professional competition. A total of six points are assigned per game with the best player receiving three. There is a slew of problems with this system – talented teammates cannibalise each other’s points totals and it allocates the same amount of points to a match regardless of quality or importance. By allocating a fixed total per match it rewards consistency over excellence and influence.
It might be easy to understand, but the current system does a terrible job of deciding who the best player in the NRL is. The Dally Ms rarely throw up a controversial result because the results are usually so bland – with the points totals public until round 16 the result is usually predictable. Because there is so little chance of the result surprising it sucks much of the drama (and consequently the interest) out of the Dally M Awards show.
For a sport that thrives on off-field drama as much as the product on the field the NRL is seriously missing a trick with the current set up. Imagine the weeks of debate that would ensue as talking heads battled over whether a prop can truly the ‘most valuable’ player, whether a strong finish to season outweighed season-long consistency or if Cooper Cronk could be a serious MVP candidate while playing alongside Cameron Smith.
The most interesting thing the debate around an MVP award would produce is illuminating what people value in rugby league – individual brilliance versus the ability to make teammates better, brilliant attack versus stolid allround play. Literally hours of programming has been filled with the likes of Buzz Rothfield and Phil Gould tearing strips off each other on the flimsiest of premises – at least this would give them an argument worth having. That’s even before someone started a debate about who gave a vote to Gould or Rothfield in the first place. Changing the Dally M voting structure is a no brainer.
Who is Rookie of the Year?
Speaking of awards season, it’s probably not too early to discuss who is in line to be crowned NRL Rookie of the Year. Seven rounds deep there has been a bevy of impressive young players make their mark on the comp but it’s hard to go past a rookie putting up serious minutes for a contender at one of the game’s most crucial positions.
The Sharks still miss arch-grub Michael Ennis, but the skilled Jayden Brailey has done his best to make them forget the Menace. With only a handful of first-grade games under his belt, 21-year-old Brailey has already shown hints of being a decade-long starter and future Origin player. Filling the gap at rake was a massive question mark over Cronulla’s attempts to repeat as premiers and Brailey has gone a long way to providing an answer.
And to top of the day, we wish our youngster a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
We're behind you Brailz!#SharksForever 🦈 #NRLStormSharks pic.twitter.com/aTGLYdQk6X
— Cronulla Sharks (@cronullasharks) April 9, 2017
Runner-up goes to Manly’s Brian Kelly who has made a great fist of playing centre on an over-achieving Sea Eagles side, one of the few outside backs in recent memory to make a smooth transition from under 20’s to first grade. Honourable mention goes to the armada of other young outside backs making an impact on the NRL this year including Canberra’s Nick Cotric, North Queensland’s Kalyn Ponga and Gideon Gela-Mosby, South Sydney’s Braidon Burns and Canterbury’s Marcelo Montoya.
Match of the Round: Eels vs Panthers
The battle of the west is usually one of the season’s most riveting clashes and this edition should be no different. Both teams started the season with aspirations of playing finals football (and contending for a Premiership in the Panthers’ case) but both have stumbled early and are in desperate need of a win.
Both teams have been hobbled by injuries to crucial players, with Penrith hoping that young gun Bryce Cartwright can finally make his back from his long-running ankle injury this week. Parramatta fought back to record a come-from-behind victory over the Tigers last week and will be looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 2.
At their best, both teams feature a host of inventive attacking players and revel in playing a free-flowing style that should provide loads of fireworks. Whoever loses this match will face falling out of touch with the eight – look for desperation to push the Panthers to the victory, but expect an entertaining contest regardless of the outcome.
Picks (Last Week 6-2, Season Record 35-21): Raiders over Sea Eagles / Broncos over Rabbitohs / Panthers over Eels / Cowboys over Knights / Sharks over Titans / Bulldogs over Tigers / Dragons over Roosters / Storm over Warriors.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to comments