Sports Confidential 2: Canberra’s “Viking Clap” will continue through the semi finals
CANBERRA have been permission to continue their Viking Clap throughout the semi finals as the club gears up for their premiership charge.
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CANBERRA Raiders fans have been given the NRL’s blessing to repeat their passionate pre-game Viking Clap during the finals.
The NRL takes complete control of all game-day content during the finals.
But they found it in their hearts this week to allow the Canberra faithful to persist with their pre-match ritual, which was inspired by the Icelandic football supporters at the European Championships.
More than 18,000 Canberra fans raised their arms in the air and clapped above their heads in wonderful scenes before the Parramatta victory.
How good would those scenes look on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the nation’s capital if they clinch a top-two berth?
Sport Confidential can reveal the Raiders made inquiries about playing on a Sunday afternoon in week one if they host a qualifying final.
In recent years, the Sunday afternoon timeslot has normally been reserved for an elimination final, with the past four seasons featuring sixth against seventh.
In all likelihood, Brisbane, provided they finish fifth or sixth as expected, will play at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon because the Wallabies and Springboks will play a rugby international at the venue on Saturday night.
That will mean Canberra — and their Viking Clap — will feature on a Saturday night. Plenty could change depending on results this weekend.
Meanwhile, Sam Williams, the man set to replace injured five-eighth Blake Austin, has been linked with a move to Parramatta next year. It’s understood the Eels inquired rather than tabled an offer.
Williams has more than held his own when brought into the top squad, but struggled to crack it for a spot in the top grade with the presence of Austin and Aidan Sezer. The Raiders also have Lachlan Croker waiting in the wings.
Canberra are chasing a ninth straight victory at Brookvale Oval tomorrow night. The loss of Austin hurts, but the beauty for the Green Machine is their entire squad is in brilliant form.
FROM BEIJING BRONZE TO BIG BASH
BEIJING bronze medallist Belinda Barnes and fellow softball star Kym Turnell have emerged as the latest pair to try their hand at securing a Womens’ Big Bash League contract.
As part of a Cricket NSW initiative to attract high-performance women from other sports, Barnes, a Newcastle schoolteacher and mother of two, ventured to Sydney on Wednesday night to try her hand at cricket.
Wright told us she picked up some handy cricket pointers from Sydney Thunder assistant coach Leah Poulton.
The 35-year-old Barnes, who represented NSW at the national softball titles at the start of the year, will now trial next Saturday (September 3) for the chance to pick up a WBBL training contract with the Sydney Sixers or Sydney Thunder.
Hockey ace Kate Hollywood is also in the mix for a code switch this summer.
BROWN HEADING TO PARRA
WITH their salary cap now in order the Eels are set to secure their first signing with South Sydney prop Nathan Brown close to agreeing to a two-year deal with Parramatta.
Despite being labelled a thug and the NRL’s dirtiest player, Brown has been a rare shining light in an otherwise dismal season for the Rabbitohs.
The 23-year-old joined the Rabbitohs last year after playing one top grade game for the Tigers in 2013.
The Eels have about $1 million in their salary cap for next season after officials met with the NRL last week and are on the hunt for a halfback.
And the talk of the Eels splashing out to entice South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds to the club just will not go away.
BUNKER SHORT CIRCUITS
VIDEO referee Luke Patten was making decisions from just outside Brookvale Oval last Saturday instead of the NRL’s bunker in Eveleigh.
A connectivity drama meant Patten was forced to make his decisions from the mobile bunker.
The mobile bunker was also in play for the Bulldogs and Cowboys clash on Friday night.
Regarding the bunker, the NRL has begun to crunch the numbers as it approaches its first season in use.
Some key points include; average decision making time is 11 seconds down on 2015, referrals have dropped slightly from 3.77 last year to 3.55 while the ball is in play by up to 47 seconds a game.
Interestingly, the bunker is intervening once every four games in relation to non-point-scoring incidents.
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TIGERS HEAD TO NZ
THE Tigers are treating their must-win game against the Warriors like a finals match, changing up their preparation for Sunday’s game.
The Tigers left for New Zealand on Friday and will have their captain’s run in Auckland on Saturday, which is different to their usual routine. For interstate games, the Tigers generally have their captain’s run at their Concord training base before flying out the day before the game.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS
The NRL has finalised its shortlist for the annual Ken Stephens Award — which recognises players contribution to the community. Kane Evans, Sia Soliola, Joel Thompson and Tim Mannah have all made the final list. The winner will be announced at the Dally M Awards.
PRICE IS RIGHT FOR SHARKS
Cronulla assistant coach Steve Price will remain at the club next season. Price has found a home as Shane Flanagan’s assistant since joining the club two years ago having coached arch rivals St George Illawarra.
Originally published as Sports Confidential 2: Canberra’s “Viking Clap” will continue through the semi finals
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