By Casey OÇonnor
Against the odds the NRL comepitition has passed the halfway mark of the 2020 season. As the competition stumbles past the milestone and into the second stanza of the season supporters of all three Queensland teams will need counselling if the appalling performances continue.
All I can offer is, thank heavens for the Sunshine Coast Melbourne Storm.
The best that can be said about the Titans is, they helped the Melbourne Storm settle into their new home at Sunshine Coast Stadium. The Titans were simply outclassed but their performance was nothing compared to the rubbish the Brisbane Broncos served up.
The Broncos celebrated the halfway milestone by turning in what has to be the club’s worst ever on field performance.
Just when, according to well placed sources, Coach Seibold had been given a performance-based ultimatum, apparently even better placed sources at the club deny the rumour.
After an improved performance by the Cowboys in Round 10 many were caught by surprise when news broke on Monday that there had been a high noon duel between the Cowboys Club and their Coach. Paul Green not the last Cowboy left standing. He parts ways with the club he led to its maiden premiership apparently on good terms and at a time of his choosing rather than at the end of the season.
The Cowboys become the third NRL team in 2020 to pull the trigger on their Coach.
Green’s departure highlights the undisputable fact that despite past successes, the NRL is a results driven business. Green now joins Stephen Kearney (Warriors) and Dean Pay (Bulldogs) on the 2020 coaches bench but looks well placed to quickly find a new home.
It begs the question so many Broncos supporters are asking “What is saving Anthony Seibold’s bacon and how bad does it have to get before the Broncos load their gun?
As Spin is finalised, the Broncos are holding their AGM. The Brisbane Broncos like any publicly listed company answers to shareholders and there is sure to be plenty of scrutiny.
Their biggest private investor, Property tycoon Phil Murphy has already taken aim at the club’s lack of direction and leadership.
Directors, Board Members, CEO’s and Coaches can’t take the field in games but their decisions certainly influence the culture and health of a club. Sadly, the Broncos appear to be on life support.
There is no excuse to be found for their performance by looking at their injury count. Other club’s face similar predicaments with injury filled casualty wards and key players out for the season. Players in those teams are “putting in” often finding a way against the odds to win or at the least be competitive.
As Murphy said earlier in the week, ” Everybody goes through tough times but if you are backed into a corner, you don’t lay down. “Watching some of those tries over recent months, it makes you crook in the guts.”
There has been little or no sign of commitment or fight in the Broncos players. Fans will be hoping following the much touted player shake up this week, some “E” for Effort will be apparent against Melbourne / Sunshine Coast Storm.
If not, another high noon duel may soon be brewing. This time in the Broncos’ O.K. corral despite those strenuous denials.
Casey
CASEY’S NRL ROUND 11 TIPS
Eels; Sea Eagles: Roosters; Storm; Sharks; Rabbitohs; Knights; Panthers
SIR BEEFY IN THE LORDS?
Is Beefy Botham set to take a seat at Lords – no not the cricket ground, the House of Lords. There is rumour that Sir Ian is soon to be elevated to lordship status and could therefore take a seat in that other Lords.
Botham was knighted in 2007 not for his contribution to cricket but for his charity work, raising millions of pounds for Leukaemia Research.
If he is to elevated to the peerage, it would be some achievement for the young man from Yeovil who once served on the MCC ground staff at Lord’s — the cricketing Lord’s that is.
As a young player Botham was sent by the Somerset Club to Lord’s in part because the club like many others in the Counties could not afford to pay many of their young players. Those dispatched to Lord’s were not considered to be the cream of the crop. Many failed to make it to county cricket never mind beyond; (ouch Botham was one that clearly got away).
Botham cleaned boots, washed pavilion windows, hauled the tarpaulin covers on and off the field, and pulled the heavy roller. He was also required after morning training to bowl in the nets to any MCC member that demanded the service. It’s not too much of a stretch to understand that what he perceived as servitude to the Lord’s players did not sit well with Botham.
In the nets he was known to take the Mickey – bowling full tosses and bouncers – trying to hit the batsmen – in one of his first — but by no means last — acts of rebellion against authority.
Hard to believe that of the mild mannered Beefy – never.
Botham like many other players from the “Home Counties” viewed Lord’s as a bastion of cricketing and social privilege. When he was overlooked as the English captain he complained “a bunch of southern public-school smoothies are determined that no miner’s son from Yorkshire will captain England.”
Botham of course had the last laugh and now the worm will have completely turned if that miner’s son who is now Sir Ian ends up in the House of Lords. I wonder if that bastion of the landed gentry, the House of Lords is ready for Beefy Botham and a few well placed bouncers.
Watching Sir Beefy serve it up to the House of Lords could become a new spectator sport. At the very least you would think it would spice up their parliamentary sittings.
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH TERRY PRICE
The Noosa Golf Club will host a series of Terry Price Golf Schools at the Noosa Golf Course from Friday July 24 until Sunday July 26. Golfers of all levels are invited to learn from Australian Golfing legend Terry Price and Noosa Golf Club head Coach Jimmy Douris. Not only will anyone participating improve have a great time and improve their overall golf game they will also hear some of the stories from his time on the tour.
The half day schools cost $100.
On Friday One on One Trackman sessions with Terry will include swing analysis, ball flight and club distances.
Another One on One Trackman School will be held on Saturday from 9.00am – 12.00pm.
From 1.30-4.30 it is Driver School with Trackman.
The early session on Sunday from 9.00am – 12 noon is an Irons and Fairway Woods school with Trackman and in the afternoon from 1.30-4.30pm it is Short Game school.
To book contact Noosa Golf Club 0420 975 546 or email your inquiry tocoach@jimmydouris.golf.com.au.
SPINNER MAKES HIS MARK
For those with a passion for cricket and especially the Spin bowlers out there, the recent win by the Poms in the second Test against the West Indies is enough to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling.
The performance of rookie spinner Dom Bess in his debut Test was exceptional. He is one of only a small number (perhaps three or four) English spinners whose figures at the end of a Test match show they have gone for only two an over. Not bad for a Spinner at the top level.
Not only did Bess bowl the West Indian opener Elgar at a crucial point in the game, when the opposition looked to be getting the upper hand, but his solid bowling allowed the seamers at the other end to rotate effectively causing the batsmen plenty of headaches.
After losing a day’s play at Old Trafford due to rain, game two of the three game series had something for all Test cricket enthusiasts. There were mini collapses, fight backs, excellent bowling and some outstanding knocks with the bat.
But who would have thought adding a spinner to your line up and bowling him on the opening day would prove effective. Remind me – I’m sure we have heard that winning formula somewhere before. Something about a bloke call Warne seems to spring to mind.
The win by the Poms levels the three Test series. The deciding third Test will also be played at Old Trafford and commences on July 24. A few more late nights or early mornings ahead for those true believers among us.
NOOSA TIGERS OPEN THEIR ACCOUNT
The Noosa Tigers were finally back on the paddock last weekend. Despite all that has happened in the past few months the Tigers began the 2020 season with as much bite and roar as they showed in their premiership year 2019 scoring a solid win over Mayne.
The 2019 premiers certainly made a statement of intent with a big win in their opening game. Defeating Mayne 72 – 49.
The women’s seniors also started 2020 with a bang. They held their opponents Redcliffe scoreless with a 62 -0 score line.
It may only have been game one but it bodes well for the season.
JUNIOR PIRATES READY FOR ACTION
The Noosa Pirates junior rugby league teams will be back in action on Friday and Saturday when the 2020 Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League season kicks off.
The Friday night kick off heralds what will be a full on three month season for the junior teams.
The Noosa Pirates play at Christensen Oval, Cooroy with a 6.30pm kick off on Friday night. Then there will be games from 9.00am on Saturday morning at Noosa District Sports Complex at Tewantin.
It has been a long road to get to this point but everyone involved believes that it has been a worthwhile journey with players coaches officials and parents keen to see the season get underway. Details of the full draw which is quite extensive are available by going to the Noosa Pirates Facebook page and clicking on the link to the Sunshine coast comepitition.
Although kick off is only a couple of days away there is still time to register and become a Pirate in 2020. There are teams from U6 up to U18’s including our U16 Girls team.
Just jump on the following link on the Facebook page and you’re ready to get onboard the Pirate Ship in 2020.
