Official Andrew Fifita

[slide rule]

They’ll have a list of 5 players who do bad play the balls.

They will get pinged, everyone else will be allowed to play tunnel ball.

Good to see they are making it a requirement to actually touch the ball though, rather than the vague “attempt” wording they’ve been going with the last couple of years.

 

[Gards]

i've seen this movie before

3 weeks later everyone has bitched about it and the refs stop policing it

 

[CrazyMatt]

I thought it's going to be a handover?

I copied and pasted that article mate, so I guess I don’t know for absolute certain.

 

[Paul C]

Papers reporting Fifs has been left out of the first round team.

 

[CHOGM]

Looking at you Fifs.

REFS TO LAUNCH PLAY-THE-BALL BLITZ

Stand by for a blitz on play-the-ball penalties in the opening round of NRL action this weekend.

Referees bosses have warned clubs that sloppy and incorrect play-the-balls will be one of their main areas of interest in the first few weeks of the comp.

With the new rules speeding up the game to never-before-seen levels, the play-the-ball is seen as an area that could give defences vital micro-seconds to regroup.

Attacking players must actually touch the ball with their foot as they roll it behind them, not just go through the motions.

Players have been warned - but more than one front-rower is certain to forget in the heat of battle.

Maybe in the process they can better police defenders having a hand on the ball well after held. **** happens all the time.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Papers reporting Fifs has been left out of the first round team.

He’s on the extended bench.

 

[Sparkles]

Looking at you Fifs.

REFS TO LAUNCH PLAY-THE-BALL BLITZ

Thought his play the balls looked pretty good in the All Stars and trials. Was looking out for them as I expected them to be laughingly terrible!

 

[puma1355]

Doesnt surprise me. I thought he struggled in the trial. Still luggish and behind the pace

 

[Tiger Shark]

Clearly no one has learnt the changes Bomber does before kick off. It’s more common for 1-17 to be changed than it is to be unchanged.

 

[Capital_Shark]

I thought it's going to be a handover?

Yep. Quality sports journalism in 2021.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Bomber has fooled the guys on BSB too. Not that it is hard to do that.

Dean Ritchie was saying he was surprised Fifita couldn't get a start in the top 17 and all sorts of fancy stories start getting thought of.

Ritchie needs to talk to Snowman before he says anything silly.

 

[Sharkmate]

Doesnt surprise me. I thought he struggled in the trial. Still luggish and behind the pace

He looked leaner in the All Stars game, they said he lost 12kg. I guess it's to get that weight relief off his knees.

 

[bort]

He looked leaner in the All Stars game, they said he lost 12kg. I guess it's to get that weight relief off his knees.

Rudolf said he’s half the man he used to be

 

[Sharkmate]

Rudolf said he’s half the man he used to be

What's his missus say?

 

[Sparkles]

What's his missus say?

Rudolf's missus plead the fifth

 

[Western Sharkie]

Rudolf's missus plead the fifth

Maybe check with Elliott then!

 

[Gards]

look fifs is never gunna be as quick or agile as he was half a decade ago but if he can just keep poking his head through the line and popping an offload while giving some inspiration to the rest of the team he can still bring us value - even better if he's a solid defender

 

[snowman]

odd decision this and even more odd that his calf injury came out after he wasnt named

 

[egg]

odd decision this and even more odd that his calf injury came out after he wasnt named

You reckon he'll play being named in the 21 ?
I'd like to see how he goes off the bench

 

[bort]

odd decision this and even more odd that his calf injury came out after he wasnt named

I’ve been thinking also odd not to name him in the 17 if they think he’s a chance to be fit (assuming good enough for 17) and if they don’t think he’s a chance why name at all