Official NRL 2012 Thread | Boncos win worst jersey design

[Madmya]

Bullshit, really? That's fucked if so. Massive loss to the game.

[Madmya]

GIVEN the gutless manner in which Sonny Bill Williams slunk out of rugby league in 2008, the least he could have done was humbly return, admit his past mistakes and hope, rather than expect, to be welcomed back.

Instead, the exceptionally talented footballer looked like a man sentenced to a year of community service when he announced yesterday he would join the Sydney Roosters on a one-year deal.

Williams acted like he was doing us a favour by coming back to the NRL. He didn't even have the decency to talk in glowing terms about rugby league, or how he missed the game he grew up playing.

Instead he spoke at length of his "love" for rugby union and how it was a tough decision to leave the other code.

He couldn't even feign interest in playing for New Zealand in next year's World Cup because, "I have to see how my boxing commitments are going".

If not for an agreement he made with his "mate" and Roosters chairman Nick Politis three years ago, Williams would never have returned to league and would have been happy to continue playing as an outside back in union.

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Williams thinks honouring a handshake with a mate makes up for walking out on a signed legal document four years ago.

Walking out on Canterbury is the hot topic he refuses to discuss. Greats like Hazem El Masri, who won a premiership with Williams in 2004, don't want him back in the NRL and believe he should apologise for the way he abandoned his teammates.

"Haz is entitled to his opinion and that is what I have to say about that," Williams said.

He just doesn't get it. No doubt he is a brilliant footballer but he knows nothing of good grace or gratitude towards a sport which kick-started his lucrative career.

Yesterday he had his chance to start afresh and to be thankful for his opportunity, but the best he could muster was that coming back to league was a "glass half-full" scenario.

Like a scorned ex-lover, the NRL should throw the contents of that glass back in his face and tell him he is not wanted.

Boom, cop that. I hope he cops a ridiculous amount of shit at every away game.

[Madmya]

They'll probably win one before the Raiders though.

I'm wondering whether Brisbane should shift Hodges to fullback. How hard is fullback on the body? Worse than centre? Would his old man hammies handle it?

INSPIRED by a breakout season from superstar Greg Inglis, Brisbane Test centre Justin Hodges is keen to move to fullback to help end the Broncos' title drought in 2013.

Hodges revealed he was so keen to get an opportunity to play fullback next season that he'd actually begun preseason training a few weeks earlier than his teammates, knowing he would need to increase his aerobic fitness to become a constant attacking menace for the Broncos.

The 30-year-old gamebreaker's desire to become more involved is proof that the Broncos are still looking for that X-factor required to win a title after Anthony Griffin added veteran halfback Scott Prince to his squad two weeks ago.

And Hodges believes a move to fullback, the position he played in the Broncos' 2006 triumph, could be the catalyst to a title charge, with the fires still burning strongly following a 2012 fadeout.

"I've always played fullback when I was younger and it was something I always enjoyed," Hodges said.

Do it brother!

[Candy Arse]

Scott Prince in the halves, Hodges at fullback...the Broncos really want to run back 2006. When does Lockyer show up for pre-season training? Wayne Bennett must be excited for the team's chances next year!

[Madmya]

I'd love another 2006.

[westical]

Was saying that today, with Stagg back we need to reform the 2006 side. Hurry up and sign Tatey & Berro.

[pilonv1]

You can have Casey McGuire back too

[Madmya]

Sure. Great utility.

[Madmya]

So... how about them ARLC cunts?

[Candy Arse]

Now Chris Sandow has to learn to tackle.

[pilonv1]

I don't think he hit an effective shoulder charge all season, I support this rule change.

So who's hoping Quade Cooper ends up on the Broncos?

[Madmya]

Oh god I hope not!

[Candy Arse]

They don't need him. Lockyer at 5/8, Prince at half, Hodges at fullback....they'll probably start Steve Renouf in the centres and give Glenn Lazarus a start in the front row. The glory days are back in Brisbane!!!

[lexo]

News just in: Petero is back for another season.



...

[Madmya]

Petero actually is playing for Redcliffe this season.

The NRL draw sucks fucking dick. I'm so pissed off with it. Not only does NO ONE want the Broncos on Friday night, but even Broncos fans are over it. Of the first twenty rounds Brisbane are playing on Friday night or Monday night 16 of those times. Considering I'm very likely to be working nights next year, I don't get to see shit! To add salt to the wound, of the four games that happen on Saturday or Sunday NONE are home games! Every fucking home game is either on Friday or Monday!

When are these clowns actually going to do something for the fans? Seriously, can someone remind me of ONE THING they have done that has been what the fans wanted?

[Candy Arse]

Channel 9 and the NRL want the Broncos in the finals, clearly evident by a deliberately unfair schedule once again.

Fortunately the incompetence of the team will win out, just like it did this season.

[Madmya]

Through to the keeper.

[Madmya]

Actually you can argue the bulldogs have a better draw given they have a large number of Thursday/Friday games and no Monday games.

[pilonv1]

Manly have 7 Monday night games, only 2 at home. Not really an issue since no one goes to their games.

[pilonv1]

Parramatta Eels ask permission to bend salary cap rules to sign Israel Folau
Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
November 26, 2012 12:00AM

Parramatta have asked for permission to breach the salary cap in their pursuit of former Broncos star Israel Folau. Picture: Genevieve Worrell Source: The Daily Telegraph

PARRAMATTA will break next season's salary cap to get Israel Folau back to rugby league, but only if the ARL Commission grants them permission.

The Daily Telegraph understands Parramatta have approached the commission to spend more than the game's $5 million salary cap for next year and then operate under a reduced cap for 2014.

The ARLC is looking to register Folau at $400,000 for next season, knocking back the Eels' original plan to declare a far lower salary for the AFL defector. That would mean Parramatta's cap is increased to $5.4 million for next year but reduced by $400,000 - to $4.6 million - for 2014.

Over two years, Parramatta would spend the same amount - $10 million - as every other club.

Should the Eels be allowed to break the salary cap to sign Israel Folau? Have your say below.

However, Parramatta's 2014 cap would easily be the lowest of any club in the NRL.

Eels chief executive Ken Edwards met with ARLC chairman John Grant last Friday morning at NRL headquarters.

A second option facing Parramatta is to shed up to $400,000 worth of talent, culling up to three players.

Parramatta claim to have been open with the NRL, but it's understood they have not submitted a Folau contract to salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.

Izzy's gap year rugby threat

It's believed the Eels were pushing to register Folau's contract for roughly $150,00 for the first year of his deal - very cheap considering he left the game as an Origin and Test star.

One source inside the NRL confirmed Parramatta had asked to break the cap next year but then be reined back in 2014.

"Maybe there should be some adjustments to the rules," he said.

"Over the next two years Parramatta will spend exactly the same amount as all rival clubs. It will even out.

"I think the ARLC must think outside the square on this one. The game has to decide whether it wants Israel Folau back."

There is danger in allowing Parramatta to bend the salary cap rules because other clubs are sure to make use of such wriggle room.

It is understood overseas rugby union clubs have already heard about the NRL's resistance to register Folau and are preparing offers.

Folau could easily end up in French or Japanese rugby union for 12 months. He is managed by Isaac Moses, who sent fellow AFL convert Karmichael Hunt for a stint in French rugby before the former Bronco started with Gold Coast Suns in the AFL.

But if Folau thought AFL was boring and not suited to his skills, wait until he sees the ball only a couple of times a rugby match.

The former AFL player wants to play for one club, Parramatta, but is understood to be frustrated with the delay.

Hopefully the ARLC will come through and rightfully grant the Eels this concession.

[Madmya]

No chance. And so they shouldn't.

[pilonv1]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-l ... 1240b.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THESE are the figures that will leave rugby league fans confused, sceptical and even envious about how Brisbane lured Greg Inglis to their club.

The Sun-Herald asked leading player agents to independently assess the market value of all the players on the Broncos' books. And when the average prices of the top 25 are added together, the final figure comes to $5.15 million - $450,000 more than that permitted under the salary cap. The figure represents the estimated cost to your club of assembling the same roster of talent.

The Broncos have a tradition and culture that have enabled them to retain players for far less than they would receive on the open market. But the revelation that Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer, one of the best players of all time, is on the books for a mere $250,000 a season raises further concerns over the salary cap's ability to fairly distribute playing talent - its stated purpose. One statistic that belies the NRL's aim of equalising the competition is that News Ltd clubs Melbourne and Brisbane have played in seven of the past 12 grand finals, including 2006 when they both made the decider.

The prized signature of Inglis has given the Broncos a ''Fab Five'', comprising a Maroons Origin quintet of Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant and Inglis. It's estimated that Thaiday and Hodges could command about $400,000 a season each on the open market but the NRL has ratified deals under the salary cap worth significantly less. Former NSW halfback Peter Wallace, veteran lock Corey Parker and a chunk of the game's best playing talent - including Josh Hoffman, Corey Norman and rookie-of-the-year contender Matt Gillett - have also been shoe-horned into the top 25.
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There is no suggestion that there is any impropriety on the part of the Broncos, and salary-cap enforcer Ian Schubert has given the Inglis deal the green light. However, the club's ability to source third-party sponsorships outside the cap has left rival clubs believing the Broncos have an unfair advantage.

They are able to tap into The Thoroughbreds, a group of mainly Brisbane-based businessmen, and a vast network of corporate contacts throughout Queensland.

Brisbane CEO Bruno Cullen has pointed to the departure of AFL-bound Israel Folau, Lagi Setu, Steve Michaels, Ashton Sims and Antonio Winterstein as proof that the club can afford Inglis, those departures freeing $1.1m in salary cap space. Broncos officials have also pointed to the increase in the salary cap next season (to $4.2m), increased marquee player allowances (to $300,000), further exemptions for long-serving players ($200,000) and the relaxation of third-party rules.

But the fact that Inglis will be on the Broncos' books for the meagre total of about $300,000 a season has left fans scratching their heads about the supposed level playing field the salary cap is meant to create.

Several club CEOs, speaking off the record, have aired their concerns over the deal that has dominated league talk.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-l ... z2DJ0NR8nd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Madmya]

Haha what? Not only is that article over two years old but it is misinformed. Karmichael Hunt had left us and we bought no one in his absence. Instead we paid a good chunk of Lockyer's contract for the following year so that according to the salary cap he'd be getting a pittance. Parramatta is a club with a big fanbase and history, if they were run half as good as the Broncos they'd have benefits too.

[Madmya]

Parramatta Eels' attempt to sign code-hopper Israel Folau thwarted by NRL salary cap auditor
By Stuart Honeysett The Australian November 27, 2012 7:51AM

In 2004 the NRL facilitated talks with its sponsors to help keep champion halfback Andrew Johns away from rugby union.

In 2010 St George Illawarra was able to sign Mark Gasnier for only $100,000 as part of a massive back-ended deal. In 2011 Brisbane was allowed to sign Darren Lockyer for only $200,000.

Yet Parramatta Eels' attempts to sign Israel Folau at a cut-price rate next season continue to be thwarted by the ARL Commission.

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl- ... z2DPTMp6Db" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Reka]

Knights, Dragons, Boncos. What do they all have in common?



(the other answer was Darius Boyd).