Hypothetical Question – Bird or Barrett?

[Capital_Shark]

I didn't know first grade professional sports had positions where 19 year olds are expected to dominate. Granted guys who play in the pack tend to develop a bit later, but that doesn't take anything away from the achievements of backs. But there is plenty who think Greg is a 5/8th anyway.

Who had the better coaches and played in the better teams probably all comes back to who took better options, but I guess that also comes back to who was offered more and that all depends on how good they play their footy.

You've got no right to say Lockyer is nothing but a junkie, in any context. You don't know the bloke, you don't live in the same State as the bloke, I doubt you've ever met him or anyone who actually knows him. Lockyer has played the game at the highest level for something like 90-95% of his professional career that is in its 12th year at the moment and has accomplished everything the game has to offer whether it be team, State, Country or personal awards and will go down as one of the best to have played our brilliant game. Greg will be remembered as the grot who glassed his missus and got kicked out of the Aussie game.

Look this isn't a Lockyer vs. Bird beat up by me, that, as we've seen, would be way unfair on Greg he's at a hiding to nothing. Lockyer was just one example as the first bloke who come to mind. As I said, go read the CVs of Andrew Johns, Trent Barrett, Brett Kimmorley, Freddy Fittler, Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Gorden Tallis, Peter Sterling.. mate the list goes on and on. I honestly believe Greg Bird's best footy was infront of him and he could of turned out lucky enough to be something really special in our game and I really wish things didn't turn out how they did and that he was still at the Sharks. By no means am I trying to lay the boot into Bird I'm just keeping people's perceptions of the bloke's footballing ability a little grounded and where they belong.

 

[hitman124]

I think my judgement was impared a little because he is the only shark that Ive witnessed play the game that was a genuine superstar. Your not a queenslander by any chance are you mate? lol.

 

[Ibanez]

It depends on the circumstances. If the whole Greg Bird affair never happened, and never would, I would probably rather Bird because he has/had such a big future ahead of him. Not to mention he and Gallen were a great combo. That's nothing against Barrett though, because he's a superb player in his own right, but I think he's starting to get a little past his time.

But if it were a matter of Bird returning after all he's put the club through? No, I would easily choose Barrett. A smart ball player, who's in control and aware of his actions on and off field.

 

[Capital_Shark]

I think my judgement was impared a little because he is the only shark that Ive witnessed play the game that was a genuine superstar. Your not a queenslander by any chance are you mate? lol.

I wear maroon during Origin, but that doesn't change a thing.

I know you've got a limited League background and I reckon its great that you've embraced this great game but I don't think Greg was a genuine super star. He was a potential super star who didn't make it. The last genuine super star to wear a Sharks jersey was ET. Rogers could have been but he went to Union in what would of been his prime.

 

[IceSharky]

I would choose Barrett on the grounds that if Greg Bird was to return to our Club... or any other NRL Club then the level of scrutiny within the media on our Club would be amplified.

We have been in the spotlight way too much lately an it is our time to rebuild our reputation. Hopefully, we can do that without the spotlight squarely and brightly on us.

To the larger Australian society, Greg Bird is a pariah and is not someone we want to attach to the new and improved, revitalised Sharks.

I am not saying that Greg is good or bad or whatever... what I am saying however, is that we need to go to extraorinary lengths to re-establish the wholesome image that was once our trademark.

I agree with you completely fitz.

 

[hitman124]

I wear maroon during Origin, but that doesn't change a thing.

I know you've got a limited League background and I reckon its great that you've embraced this great game but I don't think Greg was a genuine super star. He was a potential super star who didn't make it. The last genuine super star to wear a Sharks jersey was ET. Rogers could have been but he went to Union in what would of been his prime.

what about peachey? wasnt he something like a phenom? And was Stevo seen as one of the best in the country at the time he was playing? Or didnt those guys quite have it?

I really like matt rogers, watching him on the footy show thursday night, a genuine good guy of the game, the NRL needs more people of his character if it wants to continue to develop.

 

[IceSharky]

can we stop talking about lockyer before I get sick........blah! I'm in QLD UNFORTUNATELY, it drives me nuts and i'd prefer NOT to hear that man almost glorified on a SHARKS forum. Keep it bird v barrett PLEASE.

 

[hitman124]

I would choose Barrett on the grounds that if Greg Bird was to return to our Club... or any other NRL Club then the level of scrutiny within the media on our Club would be amplified.

We have been in the spotlight way too much lately an it is our time to rebuild our reputation. Hopefully, we can do that without the spotlight squarely and brightly on us.

To the larger Australian society, Greg Bird is a pariah and is not someone we want to attach to the new and improved, revitalised Sharks.

I am not saying that Greg is good or bad or whatever... what I am saying however, is that we need to go to extraorinary lengths to re-establish the wholesome image that was once our trademark.

I too agree with you mate. I wouldnt want Birdy back in a sharks jersey, for a couple of reasons.

One - I believe if he comes back to the nrl, he will be able to play for any other club without scrutiny from fans and media, but if he ever came back to play for us it would be a case of "you dirty wife bashing scumbag sharks" from every other supporter of every other club, for some reason we just carry a negative tag of getting little recognition for good stuff, and a lot of recognition for the bad.

Two, I dont believe greg will make his full potential now, ive seen pictures of him recently and he looks much different, the stress of the past 13 months look to have really taken thier toll, he has lost muscle mass and put on fat, even his face looks much different. Stress can cause real illnesses and can cause people to really detiorate.

I wish him every success to come back here, I think there are many clubs he could play for where he could not cop one ounce of flack for what has happened. He could even go to the storm where no one knows him, or the broncos where the supporters dont care who you are, what you have done, if your playing for them you are royalty.

can we stop talking about lockyer before I get sick........blah! I'm in QLD UNFORTUNATELY, it drives me nuts and i'd prefer NOT to hear that man almost glorified on a SHARKS forum. Keep it bird v barrett PLEASE.

Doesnt his voice just turn you on sooo much icey?

I know his shaved head does it for you! Dont deny it!

 

[IceSharky]

ooooooooooooooooooooooooh don't even go there!!!!! You don't know how much he angers me. If he was the last man on earth I'd make it my personal mission to be on whatever side he wasn't. *CRINGE*

 

[baanya]

That’s harsh!! But i guess a Canadian cant be expected to understand the pride Queenslanders have in Lockyer.....your comments are disappointing for being against a guy who has not really done anything wrong...or brought the game his club or team mates into disrepute! suxs to be you in brisbane!

 

[sandman77]

okay, hypotheticaly I would like to also include ET if he could recapture his youth,

These hypotheticals are terrible

 

[Mark^Bastard]

That’s harsh!! But i guess a Canadian cant be expected to understand the pride Queenslanders have in Lockyer.....your comments are disappointing for being against a guy who has not really done anything wrong...or brought the game his club or team mates into disrepute! suxs to be you in brisbane!

Pfft go post that crap on a Broncos forum, I'm with icesharky

 

[Capital_Shark]

what about peachey? wasnt he something like a phenom? And was Stevo seen as one of the best in the country at the time he was playing? Or didnt those guys quite have it?

I really like matt rogers, watching him on the footy show thursday night, a genuine good guy of the game, the NRL needs more people of his character if it wants to continue to develop.

Peachey and Stevo were great, but they weren't what I call super stars. I'm talking freaks who were just better at what they did than anyone else around at the time. Johns was a super star. Thurston is a super star. Lockyer was a super star. Inglis is a super star. Meninga was a super star. Then there are guys who had patches of super stardom in their career - Anthony Minichiello - for instance which throws it all up in the air.

Peachey and Stevo were super stars for the Sharks, as were lots of other blokes. Not recognised super stars of the game though I mean the Peach was laughin' if he got a Country Origin jersey.

My opinion anyway.

 

[IceSharky]

That’s harsh!! But i guess a Canadian cant be expected to understand the pride Queenslanders have in Lockyer.....your comments are disappointing for being against a guy who has not really done anything wrong...or brought the game his club or team mates into disrepute! suxs to be you in brisbane!

I'm being harsh? That's laughable. Thanks for adding the Canadian bit too, it's so irrelevant that it makes your attempted jab all the more stinging. It's obvious I see the pride they have in this man, I hear it 24/7 (and I don't have to be canadian or swedish or even irish to see it) and it's pathetic. I know more about that man and that team than you would like hear. I'm 100% you wouldn't be so proud if YOU knew what I know. A guy who hasn't done anything wrong?? I can't wait for all the colours to come out in the wash. Sucks to be me in brisbane? I'd say it sucks to be brisbane when everything surfaces.

 

[BackRowMadness]

No brainer really. GB ****s on Barrett. I like Barrett but GB is younger, stronger and has less injury issues.

 

[Sharkspeare]

Would prefer both, but if a choice had to be made, I would take Bird, I think he will have learned a hard lesson & have a point to prove. As for all "you dirty wife bashing scumbag sharks" from every other supporter of every other club" they only come from 16 yo anti Shark supporters of other clubs with the mental ability of a house brick & should be treated as such..

 

[baanya]

I'm being harsh? That's laughable. Thanks for adding the Canadian bit too, it's so irrelevant that it makes your attempted jab all the more stinging. It's obvious I see the pride they have in this man, I hear it 24/7 (and I don't have to be canadian or swedish or even irish to see it) and it's pathetic. I know more about that man and that team than you would like hear. I'm 100% you wouldn't be so proud if YOU knew what I know. A guy who hasn't done anything wrong?? I can't wait for all the colours to come out in the wash. Sucks to be me in brisbane? I'd say it sucks to be brisbane when everything surfaces.

I am sorry you thought that what i wrote was meant to be a jab at you.... harden up butterfly!!

Also if theres anything you wanted to inform us about Lockyer then go for it! But making suggestions about the guy and not backing them up is poor form!

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Also if theres anything you wanted to inform us about Lockyer then go for it!

A good friend of mine had the following experience re Lockyer...

I first met Lockyer in 1996... he was a 19yr old reserve grade footballer, i was an 18yr old pizza hut driver. He opened the door and I instantly recognised him.
"Are you Darren Lockyer??..." I stammered.
Back then I was probably as big a broncos fan as you could get. He seemed really excited that I had recognised him... i guess it was still a novelty. He shook my hand and offered to sign my Pizza Hut hat. I wish I could've let him, but it was against company rules to besmirch the uniform.

I gave him the pizza and he then said "Do you wanna come in??" It was strange, not in a sexual way but strange nonetheless.
I had no more pizzas to deliver and I was pretty much done for the night, and how many times do you get a genuine offer of friendship from one of your heroes? I knew I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I said no, so I said 'Yes. Sure", and in I went.

"Here", Lockyer said, "Have a beer". He opened the fridge and passed me out a frosty one. I was still on my P's and I knew I could get in a lot of trouble for being over the limit, but this was Darren Lockyer. I had stars in my eyes. I was 18 and my hero had just handed me a beer. I cracked it open and slugged it down. After taking two big gulps and wiping the condensation from my mouth, I saw Lockyer looking at me with a big grin.

"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Nothing pal. Do you like chips?"
"What kind of chips?"
"Salt n vinegar", he rushed over into the kitchen and opened up one of his cupboards, pulling out a big bag of salt n vinegar chips. He held them out eagerly.
"Sure", I replied.
"Help yourself", he chucked them to me but he did it like it was a footy pass. I almost dropped my beer because I wasn't expecting it, but managed to catch it under my free arm. I laughed nervously. He looked very pleased with himself. I had just caught a footy pass from my hero.

"Here, do you want some of this pizza?" Lockyer had the box open and started scoffing a slice of pizza down. He ate it so quickly that he got grease all over his chin. It was almost endearing.
"Don't want to eat your tea" I said, "I got these chips to eat anyway".
He shrugged, "Suit yourself". He motioned to the lounge, "Take a seat". He remained standing, leaning against his kitchen counter and eating the pizza.

I sat down, feeling a little awkward. Playing on the TV with the sound turned down was hardcore pornography. A rather buff gentleman with an aggressive look on his face was penetrating this blonde chick. Every couple of seconds it would cut to his grunting face and then cut back to his staunch member sliding in and out of the blonde chick's punani. It was a little disconcerting at first, but I soon got over it. I was 18 years old and watching mad porn at my hero's house.

"Pretty good, ay?" said Lockyer, his mouth full of pizza.
"Um, yeah. Pretty good" I nursed my beer and ate some of the salt n vingera chips.
"I like it when he penetrates her" said Lockyer.
"Er, yeah. Cool".
"Do you like pornos?"
"They're alright" I laughed nervously again. I suddenly felt very weird. I really didn't want to have a hand shandy match with Darren Lockyer. Even if he was my hero.
Lockyer closed up the pizza box and dusted his hands against the sides of his pants. He came over and stood next to the lounge I was sitting on.
"See how it goes in and out?"
Sure enough, the penis was going in and out of the vagina. I wish I didn't have to answer, but I could sense that he was waiting for me to reply.
"...Yes".
I felt very uncomfortable.
"It's exciting isn't it?"
"I guess".
"Put your beer and chips down, just put them on the coffee table".
I didn't really want to. I didn't know why he was asking me to do it.
"You don't have a coaster" I said lamely.
He laughed, loudly, "As if I care. Just put them down, okay?"
I put the beer and the chips on the coffe table and folded my hands in my lap.
"I should probably get going" I said. I made eye contact as I said this, and his eyes were wild and full of energy. He seemed to be holding back a lot of enthusiasm or something. I could tell that he had something planned for me.
"Sure. But just come out to the garage for a sec, I wanna show you something".
What the ****. My heart skipped beats, I felt sick to my stomach, my words came out stuttered and weak, "Um, maybe next time. I should be getting back to work".
"Yeah no worries, in a minute. Just come out to the garage with me". He made across the room and turned back towards me, "Come on".
There was a clear path to the door. I could've made a run for it. But something told me that Lockyer would've caught me quicksmart. After all, he was an athlete. I slowly stood up and meekly followed him as he walked through the house and to a door that must've led to the garage.
"Close your eyes" he said as his hand rested on the door handle.
"Do I really have to?"
His voice took on a mischievious tone, "Yes! Don't make me put a blindfold on you" and he laughed some more.
I gingerly closed my eyes. I was so scared. I felt his strong manly grip close around my wrist as he led me forward. I heard the door open and we stepped through into what he called the garage.
"Keep 'em closed!" he said in a sing-song voice, mercifully letting go of my wrist.
I heard him rummaging about for a bit. Then I heard some machinery turn on, a high-pitched whizzing sound cut through the arm alarmingly. I could hear little pistons going. There was a funny smell in the air, it stung my nose.
"Okay, you can open them!"

Oh my.

In front of me was the most ornate railway model set I had ever seen. Lockyer had built a whole little village full of people around his train set, it even had a bridge that went over a ravine and the train wound in and out of some model mountains covered in an intricately arranged forest. The air smelled of oil and the train made an aunthentic WOO-WOO sound as it raced around the track.

"Watch this, watch this!" said Lockyer excitedly.
The train wound around the mountain and through the little village, past the little train station and all the little people. It shot out of the town and through a little farmland-section.
"WATCH IT GO IN!"
The train sped down the line and towards a tunnel. The tunnel was set into a mountain, and around the entrance Lockyer had used crayons to paint a crude depiction of a woman spread-eagled across the surface of the mountain. The tunnel was her vagina. The train tooted once again and disappeared into the darkness. Lockyer started laughing loudly, and slapped me on the back heartily.
He hovered his hand over a switch at the edge of the model set and flicked it, the train came racing back out of the vagina tunnel, now going backwards. He began flicking the switch with a well-practiced rhythm, causing the train to go in and out of the vagina tunnel at a steady pace. He looked at me again, with that big grin.

"Beats rugby league any day!" He beamed at me.

My hero.

 

[Gibs]

Bird was a great player but I could never see him as a teacher, barrett is a teacher and a great player, ill take barrett

 

[sharkafar]

Is it OK to say neither?