New rule a game changer in NRL

Dead set, I have been on about changing this rule for about five years so I am not surprised that it is being well received.

ALMOST CLEAR: Cowboy’s Scott Drinkwater against the Titans in Townsville last weekend. Picture: Alix Sweeney

MULTI-SPORT: Shock, horror, surprise. None of which I am, over the new six to go rule instead of another stoppage for a penalty.

Dead set, I have been on about changing this rule for about five years so I am not surprised that it is being well received and it is a real game changer, which should see a far quicker, more exciting game with hookers and utility bench players coming into their own as forwards run out of gas.

Chris Flannery’s new mate Pete V’Landys is on a winner. He also seems to be doing a pretty good job cost cutting. Take the referees for instance. Not only is there only one, which stops the whistle blowing competition when there is a pocket referee but also travel arrangements.

The officials for the Townsville game travelled up from Sydney on the charter flight with the Eels on Thursday afternoon had a sleepover and they then flew with the Titans to Townsville on Friday. Officiated at that game and then came back with them on the charter flight back to the Gold Coast and then had to drive to Sydney as there were no flights.

Wow. How times have changed? It is all pretty good stuff until there is a close game.

For instance the Raiders had a charter to Melbourne on Saturday and the officials travelled with them down and back, which was all good as the Raiders win was comprehensive.

Just imagine if it was a loss in a tight game and the referee possibly made a mistake. Deadset they would have to handcuff Ricky Stuart to his seat at the opposite end of the plane or it would be an expensive flight for the coach.

Last week I banged on about Justin Olam and the part the Sunshine Coast Falcons played in his development and some folk missed my point. It was not just the Falcons I was on about, it is all second tier clubs and what they contribute to players’ development.

Take Harry Grant as another example. I remember when he was first promoted to Intrust Super Cup by Melbourne from under 20s and I know there was some pushback from some Falcons staff about whether he was good enough. So it does work both ways, but my point is if they don’t get the opportunity to develop in that environment sometimes they could be lost to the game.

Now Harry is on lend to the Tigers and debuted last week and it was no surprise to anyone that has followed the Falcons how well he went. He was outstanding.

I still maintain Harry will be an Origin player in the near future but for the time being Tigers fans will be the beneficiaries.

Just on Harry and his debut last week, someone went on the Falcons; Facebook called ‘Balmain 1908’ and asked what Harry’s nickname was.

CEO Flannery replied that Harry loved surfing and loved the movie Point Break and went by either Bohdi or Zoffa as Patrick Swayze’s character was Bohdizoffa? I can see the resemblance as well?

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