Official 2024 NRL General Discussion (no off-field controversies/rumours)

[HaroldBishop]

Same woman?

Dunno mate

 

[Western Sharkie]

Dunno mate

Poor form just the same

 

[Western Sharkie]

Welcome from Japan BTW!
Any (real) site seeing recommendations?

 

[Sparkles]

Welcome from Japan BTW!
Any (real) site seeing recommendations?

I always recommended opening the eyes just a little bit more...

I'm not allowed back. Enjoy.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

I always recommended opening the eyes just a little bit more...

I'm not allowed back. Enjoy.

Thats racist

 

[Sparkles]

Thats racist

It's dumb humour, I know

 

[Frenzy]

Boo ****ing hoo. Anyone who wants to lay their hands on a woman doesn’t deserve ****. Hope the prick gets ****ing smashed every week in nsw cup.

Speaking of.............

Sports journalist Paul Kent pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges​

A prominent rugby league journalist will fight allegations he assaulted a woman at his Sydney home.

Paul Kent outside Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

NRL​

Sports journalist Paul Kent has been hit with a third domestic violence charge as he prepares to fight the allegations in a matter of weeks.
The 53-year-old Daily Telegraph and Fox Sports rugby league journalist is fighting charges he attacked a 33-year-old woman at his home in Lilyfield in May following an alleged domestic dispute.

NSW Police charged Mr Kent with common assault and intentionally choking a person without consent. He pleaded not guilty in court in May.
During a brief hearing on Monday, a more serious charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was laid.

“Can we just clarify I think a third charge has been laid since the last time we were before the court,” Mr Kent’s lawyer, Jon-Pierre Elias told the court.

Sports journalist Paul Kent is fighting allegations of domestic violence on a 33-year-old woman. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Assault occasioning actual bodily harm.”

Mr Elias confirmed his client would also be pleading not guilty to the charge.

NSW Police allege Mr Kent was involved in an “altercation” with a 33-year-old woman before she was “allegedly assaulted”.
Officers attended and initially arrested both Mr Kent and the woman, but she was released without charge.

The 53-year-old did not attend Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, where it was confirmed he will fight the allegations at a hearing on December 11 and 12.

The court heard the full brief of evidence was yet to be served, with Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis ordering it to be served by December 4.
The court was previously told there were three defence witnesses.

Outside court in May, Mr Kent told reporters he was looking forward to the “full story” coming out.

He will fight the charges at a hearing in December. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

When asked what his employers thought about the charges, Mr Kent said “they fully support” him.

“I’m embarrassed about it, but unfortunately it’s beyond my control so I’ll just let the court process see its way through now and once we get to the end then we can hopefully see some things through different eyes,” he said.

“It’s the rugby league soap opera, it’s the way it rolls … that’s fine, people are entitled to their opinions and we’ll get to the end of it and everything will be OK.”

The 53-year-old has been temporarily stood down from his roles as a senior writer for The Daily Telegraph and host of Fox Sports show NRL 360.
He will return to court in December for a hearing.

Originally published as Sports journalist Paul Kent pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges

 

[bort]

Very much also a piece of ****, I'm not just talking badly about Jennings

How often do you hear "looking forward to the full story coming out" then they get found guilty or settle and it's just crickets on this supposed full story. Bronson Xerri had a full story for his **** up too, didn't he?

Doesn't look good for Kent's full story they have added an additional, more serious charge.

Hopefully the Roosters can take him on as an intern for their marketing department.
I know our social media is a bit lacking but like it or not he doesn't meet the no ********s policy

 

[Gal The Goat]

Very much also a piece of ****, I'm not just talking badly about Jennings

How often do you hear "looking forward to the full story coming out" then they get found guilty or settle and it's just crickets on this supposed full story. Bronson Xerri had a full story for his **** up too, didn't he?

Doesn't look good for Kent's full story they have added an additional, more serious charge.

Hopefully the Roosters can take him on as an intern for their marketing department.
I know our social media is a bit lacking but like it or not he doesn't meet the no ********s policy

Yeah that one annoyed me.

Xerri first tell all interview since his suspension. Then goes on to say things like “the truth will come out soon” “no one knows my side of the story” as if it wasn’t his fault and Cronulla have went and done something wrong

 

[bort]

Yeah that one annoyed me.

Xerri first tell all interview since his suspension. Then goes on to say things like “the truth will come out soon” “no one knows my side of the story” as if it wasn’t his fault and Cronulla have went and done something wrong

TBF I don't remember ever thinking he was suggesting Cronulla did anything wrong - we actually kept paying him far longer than he deserved to be, while he went through appeals and what not (seemingly just to drag out getting a wage).

I took it more as he was suggesting some info would come out that would either exonerate him or at least garner some sympathy/understanding.

Instead he just dragged it out, tried to play the victim without actually being sorry and then proceeded to keep doing steroids* through most of his ban. Then he signed with a club nobody cares about and there is no heat on him. He's served his ban, and it certainly wasn't a light one, but I think we'd hear a lot more about him if he signed with us or a Penrith or something.
Roosters drug cheat is getting a bit more heat but he's also weirdly old to be signing and guilty of DV/SA

There were also rumours which supposedly existed before Xerri was caught that he was always on steroids as a kid. People after he was caught saying they know someone who heard he was on steroids before he was caught just doesn't carry enough weight for me to fully believe it. Far from the biggest bloke to ever come out of juniors (Bradman Best is the same age group for starters). Maybe he was but I haven't heard anything convincing.

*I don't know this but not many people seeing the photos think otherwise

 

[Gumby]

TBF I don't remember ever thinking he was suggesting Cronulla did anything wrong - we actually kept paying him far longer than he deserved to be, while he went through appeals and what not (seemingly just to drag out getting a wage).

I took it more as he was suggesting some info would come out that would either exonerate him or at least garner some sympathy/understanding.

Instead he just dragged it out, tried to play the victim without actually being sorry and then proceeded to keep doing steroids* through most of his ban. Then he signed with a club nobody cares about and there is no heat on him. He's served his ban, and it certainly wasn't a light one, but I think we'd hear a lot more about him if he signed with us or a Penrith or something.
Roosters drug cheat is getting a bit more heat but he's also weirdly old to be signing and guilty of DV/SA

There were also rumours which supposedly existed before Xerri was caught that he was always on steroids as a kid. People after he was caught saying they know someone who heard he was on steroids before he was caught just doesn't carry enough weight for me to fully believe it. Far from the biggest bloke to ever come out of juniors (Bradman Best is the same age group for starters). Maybe he was but I haven't heard anything convincing.

*I don't know this but not many people seeing the photos think otherwise

Mate he has shot up like a balloon. 100% he was on steroids up until at least 4-6 months ago. Blokes a *******. Don’t give a **** about his side of the story. He ****ed up, got caught then dragged our club through it all with him. ****ing dog

 

[bort]

Mate he has shot up like a balloon. 100% he was on steroids up until at least 4-6 months ago. Blokes a *******. Don’t give a **** about his side of the story. He ****ed up, got caught then dragged our club through it all with him. ****ing dog

That's the thing - he never offered the promised his side of the story. Clearly just a stalling tactic to keep getting paid as long as he could. Keeping us in the mud (/headlines) even longer too

 

[Vichyssoise]

Mate he has shot up like a balloon. 100% he was on steroids up until at least 4-6 months ago. Blokes a *******. Don’t give a **** about his side of the story. He ****ed up, got caught then dragged our club through it all with him. ****ing dog

in so many ways

 

[Gumby]

in so many ways

Mitchell Pearce just entered the chat.

 

[Gumby]

Madge has been spared the axe and will remain as the kiwis coach until at least the end of the 2026 World Cup. Bloke has them firing, would have been the stupidest thing nz could have done by sacking him.

 

[XGinga]

Madge has been spared the axe and will remain as the kiwis coach until at least the end of the 2026 World Cup. Bloke has them firing, would have been the stupidest thing nz could have done by sacking him.

Yeah never understood why coach NSW would effect his NZ job. If anything isnt him being NSW coach provide NZ an advantage by madge knowing some of the AUS squad in the NSW team.

 

[Seenoevil]

Was reading comments in different threads, but wanted to comment on both Talakai and Iro
I think it is a joint failure on both the GM and the Coach, the players retained and the lack of recruitment.
I would've thought part of the intention of getting Fitzgibbon was not only to bring success but to ensure future security by attracting top tier talent?
Just not seeing it personally.
I have said this in the past , but will die on this hill, Sifa is not a center, he doesn't read well in defence , and his lateral speed is what would you would expect from a 300 pound guy.
No question he is silky smooth in the passing department, but this isn't flag football, you need to tackle, cannot at all fathom Coach Fitzgibbon's stubborness with Sifa other than he doesn't like to admit mistakes.
As for Iro, he is ready, like anybody with talent, you cannot show it till you are given the opportunity, if what I read is true that Sifa will be a center again next season, God help us.
Like I get retaining people, but there also needs to be development and recruitment , key components in any successful organization , next season has to show results , but I remain skeptical of it.
Injuries has played a major factor in results over the past few seasons, but there comes a point where it cannot be used as an excuse.
If the Sharks have such a stellar pathways program , then it needs to be utilized and shown to be what it is touted to be.

 

[Deleted member 2543]

Was reading comments in different threads, but wanted to comment on both Talakai and Iro
I think it is a joint failure on both the GM and the Coach, the players retained and the lack of recruitment.
I would've thought part of the intention of getting Fitzgibbon was not only to bring success but to ensure future security by attracting top tier talent?
Just not seeing it personally.

They are definitely doing this with younger players since Fitz arrived. Just no big established signings last two years.

Riolo, Pollard and Ison were all very highly rated and would have been competitive signings. Likely several others too.

Also that Hynes bloke he signed goes OK.

I have said this in the past , but will die on this hill, Sifa is not a center, he doesn't read well in defence , and his lateral speed is what would you would expect from a 300 pound guy.
No question he is silky smooth in the passing department, but this isn't flag football, you need to tackle, cannot at all fathom Coach Fitzgibbon's stubborness with Sifa other than he doesn't like to admit mistakes.

Maybe he's just the best option available out of several bad choices.

As for Iro, he is ready, like anybody with talent, you cannot show it till you are given the opportunity,

Sifa is a boat, but Iro could be anything.

... even a boat!

if what I read is true that Sifa will be a center again next season, God help us.
Like I get retaining people, but there also needs to be development and recruitment , key components in any successful organization , next season has to show results , but I remain skeptical of it.
Injuries has played a major factor in results over the past few seasons, but there comes a point where it cannot be used as an excuse.
If the Sharks have such a stellar pathways program , then it needs to be utilized and shown to be what it is touted to be.

2 years is not enough time to judge the coach's contribution to pathways.

Lots of highly rated 17-19yo Sharks atm. All a few years away.

 

[Sharkfox]

Was reading comments in different threads, but wanted to comment on both Talakai and Iro
I think it is a joint failure on both the GM and the Coach, the players retained and the lack of recruitment.
I would've thought part of the intention of getting Fitzgibbon was not only to bring success but to ensure future security by attracting top tier talent?
Just not seeing it personally.
I have said this in the past , but will die on this hill, Sifa is not a center, he doesn't read well in defence , and his lateral speed is what would you would expect from a 300 pound guy.
No question he is silky smooth in the passing department, but this isn't flag football, you need to tackle, cannot at all fathom Coach Fitzgibbon's stubborness with Sifa other than he doesn't like to admit mistakes.
As for Iro, he is ready, like anybody with talent, you cannot show it till you are given the opportunity, if what I read is true that Sifa will be a center again next season, God help us.
Like I get retaining people, but there also needs to be development and recruitment , key components in any successful organization , next season has to show results , but I remain skeptical of it.
Injuries has played a major factor in results over the past few seasons, but there comes a point where it cannot be used as an excuse.
If the Sharks have such a stellar pathways program , then it needs to be utilized and shown to be what it is touted to be.

Would like to see Iro get a shot at left centre start of the season, give him a month or two there.

 

[Sparkles]

Was reading comments in different threads, but wanted to comment on both Talakai and Iro
I think it is a joint failure on both the GM and the Coach, the players retained and the lack of recruitment.
I would've thought part of the intention of getting Fitzgibbon was not only to bring success but to ensure future security by attracting top tier talent?
Just not seeing it personally.
I have said this in the past , but will die on this hill, Sifa is not a center, he doesn't read well in defence , and his lateral speed is what would you would expect from a 300 pound guy.
No question he is silky smooth in the passing department, but this isn't flag football, you need to tackle, cannot at all fathom Coach Fitzgibbon's stubborness with Sifa other than he doesn't like to admit mistakes.
As for Iro, he is ready, like anybody with talent, you cannot show it till you are given the opportunity, if what I read is true that Sifa will be a center again next season, God help us.
Like I get retaining people, but there also needs to be development and recruitment , key components in any successful organization , next season has to show results , but I remain skeptical of it.
Injuries has played a major factor in results over the past few seasons, but there comes a point where it cannot be used as an excuse.
If the Sharks have such a stellar pathways program , then it needs to be utilized and shown to be what it is touted to be.

Thoughtful post, cheers mate.

I think this coming season will show how well Fitz has done with the strategy to retain over rebuild. He seems to be taking on the Panthers model over the Roosters way, which with our setup does seem to be the most sensible approach. Ideally, he is setting up the team for some decent results now (finals footy every year) with some 4D chess thinking on the make-up of the squad in 3-5 years' time. Paying overs today will reduce our ability to get in or keep younger talent. And it doesn't necessarily work (cough, Bulldogs).

I'm willing to back the approach. So far it's working. But the time for it to have built into a genuine grand final window opening is coming and that's when we'll need to really judge him as a coach.