Crawley Files: You can forget the conspiracy theories

There was some noticeable tension between Greg Alexander and our own Paul Kent during an interview on Fox Sports’ NRL 360 on Monday night.

There was some noticeable tension between Greg Alexander and our own Paul Kent during an interview on Fox Sports’ NRL 360 on Monday night.

Kenty was his typical outspoken self during the build-up to State of Origin II — and he certainly made his feelings known that he did not agree with the team selections NSW had come up with.

As it turned out, the Blues brains trust got it right and Kenty, along with me and probably half the state, got it wrong.

Now, I put my hand up and admit Kenty is my mate and colleague at The Daily Telegraph. But I also know for certain his opinion had nothing to do with any so-called agenda against Blues coach Brad Fittler or his senior adviser Alexander.

Blues coaching adviser Greg Alexander.

Kenty just stated his case like he does on every topic, with no fear or favour.

I understand how it could upset anyone working on the NSW coaching staff.

But after all his years working in the media, Alexander of all people would also understand that sometimes you can make a statement that might be unpopular or, in hindsight, incorrect. But you say it because that is your job, to give your honest opinion.

It wasn’t so different to last year when Alexander said on Fox Sports that Johnathan Thurston might have played a year too long.

That also created a wave of protest from many, not just Queenslanders.

To Thurston’s credit, he responded only by saying that Alexander was entitled to his opinion.

I thought it was also worth mentioning that, at the time, Kenty was one of the few people who jumped to Alexander’s defence.

In fact, he used his segment on Triple M’s “I Call Bullshit” to have a crack back at those who claimed Alexander’s comments were unfair.

WHY DO WE LOVE GOING IN TO BAT FOR POMMY HARD MEN?

What is it about the English cricketers that Aussies love to hate?

Yet when it comes to their rugby league players, we can’t seem to get enough

of them.

Think back through the years. From the likes of Tommy Bishop and Mal Reilly to Adrian Morley, James Graham to the Burgess brothers.

Now throw in the Canberra Raiders’ Englishman, John Bateman.

His coach Ricky Stuart summed up Bateman perfectly when he explained earlier this season how there are some players who want to win, and there are others like Bateman who just have to win.

Artwork by Scott "Boo" Bailey.

Bateman has gone from a virtual unknown to most NRL fans at the start of the year to being rated among the best forwards in the game.

And you still get the feeling the hard-as-nails 25-year-old is nowhere near his peak yet.

While in recent seasons the Raiders’ hopes have depended largely on the fitness of star English hooker Josh Hodgson, Bateman’s arrival has added extra steel to a team that has been missing it for some time.

Canberra take on Parramatta in Darwin on Saturday and Hodgson will return from injury.

But in Hodgson’s absence, Bateman has continued to drive the side’s finals hopes.

The Raiders are still fourth on the NRL ladder going into round 15, despite a stack of injuries this year.

They now have the chance to jump as high as second by the end of the weekend on points differential, if results go their way.

Now, who would have thought that was possible at the start of the season before Bateman arrived?

SMITH THE COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED RECORD-BREAKER

Cameron Smith might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But for all the amazing achievements throughout his illustrious 18-year NRL career, what still astonishes me most is the ease in which he continues to go about being arguably the greatest player of all time.

Despite turning 36 last week, his unbelievable composure was captured perfectly when Smith was leaving the field at halftime during Melbourne’s most recent game against Newcastle.

Smith stopped for a sideline chat with Fox Sports’ Hannah Hollis and appeared so calm he looked like he was ready to sit down for a cup of tea. Remember, this was smack-bang in the middle of an NRL game.

While Smith still has three games to play before he reaches the previously unimaginable 400-NRL game milestone, Melbourne’s clash against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night will be Smith’s final regular-round appearance against his old mate-turned-rival Cooper Cronk, who coincidentally will be playing his 360th NRL game.

Cameron Smith keeps setting new marks. Picture: Getty Images

Fox Sports Stats has looked up some amazing records Smith has compiled.

This will be Smith’s 398th NRL game, which includes 43 tries, 1155 goals and four field goals for a staggering 2486 overall points.

On top of that he has played a record 42 Origins, 56 Tests and has recorded the most wins (283) of any player in history. He has also clocked up 30,569 minutes of play, including 2394 runs and 14,671 tackles. That is 4000 more tackles than his closest rival during this period, Corey Parker.

While Smith maintains there is no chance of him making a State of Origin return, you’d imagine a late injury to Ben Hunt would be the only way Smith would possibly contemplate making an Origin comeback.

While this match in Adelaide is being built up as a possible grand final audition, it is also worth mentioning that on the past two occasions the loser of this game, both decided by a field goal, has won the grand final.

Originally published as Crawley Files: You can forget the conspiracy theories