Gallen Let off After NRL Judiciary Farce

Cronulla Sharks lock Paul Gallen has escaped his one match ban after successfully pleading not guilty for a grade 1 careless high tackle.

Gallen was charged after he clearly hit Craig Wing high with a stiff, swinging arm last Friday night. The tackle forced Wing off the field where he spent half an hour recovering from a dizzy state before retaking the field. The incident did not even get penalised during the game, a ridiculous miss by two referees who have lately been intent on finding anything to penalise. The high shot was referred to the judiciary after the game.

After the Sharks learnt that Gallen faced a one match suspension, and that if they fought the charge and lost that there would be no further penalty, they of course decided to plead not guilty. Most logical people thought this decision pointless as they saw the tackle as a more than legitimate offense to be charged and in fact didn't worry to much about just presuming that Gallen would be suspended. But they let him off.

Reportedly Ricky Stuart delivered a passionate plea to the judiciary which was aided by him giving a physical demonstration of the tackle on Gallen himself. He explained how his arm bounced off his chest, and contact with the head was unavoidable. What a load of rubbish, look at the image below and tell yourself honestly that there wasn't large contact with Wings chin. What are the judiciary doing, watching Ricky or watching the tape?



Ricky also stated "He did not react as though 'I'm stuffed here'... There was no reaction". OK Ricky, so if Gallen went onto the field with a knife and lopped somebodies leg off and then looked one hundred percent innocent afterwards, he should be let off right? He couldn't have done it.

The Sharks skipper is a common face around the judiciary and is well known as an aggressive and particular dirty player, particularly after it was revealed a while ago that he ripped out the stitches from beneath an opposing players bandage during a tackle. Now they have let him off for a blatant high tackle, what is this showing to him and other players? This is not going to help Gallen clean up these blemishes in his game.

Last Sunday on the Footy Show, Mark Geyer remarked that the incident had only been sighted because of his reputation. Wrong. Incidents like this build his reputation.

Players have conducted tackles much more harmless than this in the past and have been suspended for it. Perhaps the panel just felt sorry for the hapless Sharks or perhaps they pitied Ricky after he was blasted by Phil Gould in the paper. Whatever the reason, they have gone mad.

The boys over at the judiciary have set a new precedent: its open slather on high tackles this week in the NRL! Go get 'em fellas!

Covell Award Special: Round 7

After a long dry spell, the Covell Award is back in full force! 5 of our goal kickers decided to entertain us last weekend with spectacular misses.

First off, on Friday night Rabbitohs halfback Chris Sandow got the ball rolling with this poor attempt from the sideline.



In hindsight this kick probably isn't even that bad after seeing some of what is still to come!

From the sideline again, this time is was Cameron Smith's turn to butcher a kick. He completes an amazing feat as he manages stuff up his goal kick so bad that the ball makes it all the way from one sideline to the other.



Isn't it great how the commentators talk him up before he kicks it?! In the same game, we move to extra time. Our first field goal attempt is added to the collection. Stacey Jones' addition is extra special: he was right in front, had plenty of time and... It would have won them the game!!!



A man with one leg could have knocked that one over! To Sunday, and a relatively new name in the league stuffed up this goal kick from nearly right in front.



Well done Josh Dugan. And finally our last edition for this massive weekend. Benji Marshall, who was instrumental in the Tigers comeback victory over the Knights, also managed to get himself a nomination. Take note of the great build up commentary by our friend Gus Gould.



Damnit Benji!

Anyway, that completes our collection from Round 7. In the end we think we may have chosen too many, so if you believe that any of those kicks aren't good (or bad) enough to be a final nomination, then you can cast a vote for that kick to be excluded in the poll located in the right column at the top (Go to the blog homepage if you are viewed this as a feed). Hopefully you can help us out there.

That wraps up last weekend horrible kicking showcase. We hope you enjoyed this special presentation of the Covell award and heres to there being more stuff ups in the weeks to come!

Footy Theory Rounds 7-8

After a dismal showing from the theory in round 7, it hopes to bounce back in round 8. The theory stated last week that Broncos and the Bulldogs would lose or at least struggle. Well, that didn't exactly happen. In fact the Broncos delivered another crushing defeat, 40-8 over Parramatta.

Next week the Broncos come up against the Knights, in Newcastle. The Knights have been looking good lately and will be looking to bounce back after giving up a big lead against the Tigers last weekend. The Broncos have been in hot form and surely they are about to burn out, well that's what the theory says.

Another form team, the Dragons, flogged that Roosters 29-0 on Anzac Day. The Dragons are at home at Win Stadium to the Warriors this week and it is shaping up to be a cracker of a game. The Warriors squandered opportunities to win their game against the Storm last week in extra time, which ended in a 14 all draw, and will be looking to make up for it. The theory says the Dragons wont be convincing in this game, but it looks like it will be very close and could go either way.

I'm also going to class the Panthers win over the Titans as a big win. They travel to Canberra who put up a decent showing against the Dogs last weekend. Some may say that the Raiders are due for a victory and that the Panthers are due for a loss so the theory might be in business here.

So in summary TC's Footy Theory for this week says:
- Knights over the Broncos
- Warriors over the Dragons
- Raiders over the Panthers


Coming soon on TC Ink: The Covell award. We are still sifting through the many bad kicks and preparing the special presentation!

England Tour Blog

TC has launched his blog for his much anticipated Cricket tour of England.

He will be updating it frequently, reporting on his progress.

To follow TC check out the blog here.

Also coming up this week:
- Special edition of the Covell award
- Footy theory
- And more

Coming up on TC Ink...

We have a packed out lineup for this week after an eventful round of footy amongst other things.

TC will be launching a personal blog, more of a journal in which he will track his much anticipated tour of England with Collaroy Plateau Cricket Club. He will cover all the build up events as he prepares to make his mark on the other side of the world.

The Covell award is back with a very special edition. This weekend provided us with plenty of disgraceful kicking efforts, we have a lot to cover and there is still one game to go!

We take a look at failings of our Footy Theory.

And after all that if we still have time, some referee analysis/discussion could be thrown in, because... well there has been some dodgy stuff going on lately. We'll also talk some cricket and perhaps F1.

Stay tuned!

TC's Footy Theory: Round 6-7

No, we haven't gone and hidden this under a rock because it was a total flop. In fact, if you look at the first installment and then check the results, you will find that TC's Footy Theory delivered some predictive genius. Since then there has been some close scores, so there wasn't really a need to push the theory on inapplicable results.

Anyway, round 6 saw a return to comprehensive victories. We'll drag out the theory and see how it goes for round 7. First off last Friday night the Broncos ran in a 20 point victory over the Panthers. This weekend Brisbane come up against the more-than-struggling Eels. To be honest, the theory is going to be standing on shaky ground for this game, in fact it probably would be wise to just forget it. Tipping the Eels to win in Brisbane would be far too risky. Lets move on.

This coming round the Cowboys are up against a resurgent Sea Eagles side. Now, the Cowboys had a big win last round - as did the Eagles. The big wins cancel each other out, and means the theory does not apply here. However, despite the loss of Brett Stewart, the Eagles are looking good for this game.

Finally, the Bulldogs belted the Eels 48-18 on Sunday. The Dogs come up against the hot and cold Raiders this Sunday, in Canberra. The theory says the Dogs will struggle in this game. They are due for a off game and the Raiders have looked good over the past couple of weeks. This is a potential special for the theory. Perhaps the bookies have stolen the theory, that would explain why they have installed the high flying Bulldogs as underdogs in the game!

Stand and Deliver, You Mugs!

THE Aussie cricket team have lost the plot. While the Saffers are belting us to all ends of the park, we are struggling to find the boundary at crucial times. What has happened to the Aussies that has sapped us of our ability to tonk?

Well guess what folks, the problem may be more obvious than you think. Whip out the highlights from the 4th ODI (Port Elizabeth) and compare Gibbs' slogs out of the park to Michael Clarke's pathetic attempts to score quickly. There is a bleedingly obvious defect in the Aussies attempts at belting and it has been apparent for quite a while now, it may have crept in somewhere in the Aussie Summer, or it could have been even earlier. If another Aussie tries BACKING AWAY again, the television will be switched off until that batsman gets out - which in the current climate wouldn't be long. Stay in front of your damn stumps and stand and deliver!

Michael Clarke has been a serial offender. In looking for a big shot he backs off to leg side and ends up having one fired at his body which he fails to play, or he suceeds in punching one through the off side for a single. His available scoring shots are severely limited after backing away. It gets even worse against spin. Everyone knows how good Clarke is at playing spin, and how well he uses his feet. He has completely left this behind, backing away to leg side is not using your feet well. Watch how Clarke got out in the last match. Bowled by van der Merwe after the ball beat the outside edge. He was all at sea because his body somewhere outside leg stump. Clarke isn't the only one, most of them are doing it.

Two that aren't (or didn't last time I checked at least) are Haddin and Johnson. Haddin scored a fashionable and fast 78 at Port Elizabeth and we all know what Johnson has been doing lately. Perhaps it would be a bit harsh on Ponting as well, but thats probably it.

Its ugly to watch, its losing us games and its easy to stop. Watch as Gibbs stays in front of his stumps, clears his front leg and belts one over cow corner. Phil Hughes is a specialist at that, he displayed it to us in the test series. Maybe its time to throw him into the One Day team. But I think perhaps all that could be needed to is a good drilling of the team: Stand and Deliver, You Mugs!

Lyon to be Forced to Stand up for Origin

Manly centre Jamie Lyon has failed in an application to be exempt from playing representative football, meaning that if he gets selected for the New South Wales Blues, he must play for the New South Wales Blues - or be stood down from Manly.

What right do the NRL have to decide this? It seems a bit rough, to be forcing someone into representative football, if they would just prefer to focus on their club. It's ridiculous that the NRL can do this, in fact, it seems a breach of freedom, or something along those lines, to actually force a player to play Origin.

On the other hand, what is Lyon thinking? Who would turn down an opportunity to play in the biggest Rugby League clashes of all? It is understandable for older players to hang up the Origin boots, if they feel they are just not up to the toughness of the series anymore. But Lyon still has years left in him and is still playing great football - after playing seven origin games in the past, why give it up now? His state may need him for that centre position, Lyon is state of origin material. He is letting the Blues down. Could you imagine Mitchell Johnson refusing to be picked for Australia? Playing for New South Wales is what kids dream about, some players would give anything to play it, but Lyon wants to give it away at 27.

But now that this has all unfolded, would the selectors be insane enough to pick him? He has declared his clear intentions of not wanting to play origin, surely the selectors wont pick a player who wont want to be on the field. It could have a terrible influence and effect on the rest of the team. If the bloke doesn't want to be there, then don't pick him, let him have it his way. Pick another player who would be dieing for the spot and would give their all.

Let Lyon put his full concentration into the bottom placed team.

Thats Gould

We can't have footy players stuffing up goal kicks every week, so it's about time we added a new little segment here to TC Ink. And it will be giving due recognition to a commentator we either love, or love to hate.

While many people out there can't stand Phil Gould, I personally enjoy listening to his commentary, comments and ideas. He has a fantastic footy brain and can often read situations in games perfectly, giving viewers a good insight into the game. Gus is also not afraid to speak his mind on issues he has with the game of rugby league, such as News Limited ownership and dodgy rules, despite working for channel 9.

Unfortunately for Gus, he doesn't think before he talks and often comes out with rediculous statements that are stupid and wrong. He also can't admit when he's wrong.

But beside all this, Gus entertains us week in week out with expert, extravagant commentary which, basically, can be just plain funny. His trademarks include "No no no no no" and "Dear oh dear oh dear". Anyway this segment is a tribute to Gus Gould's corkers in commentary, we present to you: Thats Gould!

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f3Dj5W4zgM

The Who Review

Heading off to the Who concert yesterday I was really in two minds about what I was about to witness. I was about to see one of the greatest bands in history, one of my favourites and also my favourite song of all time live. But there was always that knowledge that only Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey remain... And they are in their 60s. So even though I had pumped myself up throughout the day and got really keen for it, having not seen or heard anything about their recent concerts I still didn’t know what to expect.

My fears were blown away from the very first song and the fact that I was about to experience something awesome set in. They got straight into it with their first ever hit, I Can’t Explain, during which Pete wasted no time in getting into his windmill like guitar playing antics. The sound was Who 21st century. Roger’s voice is still going as strong as it was in 60’s and 70’s.

They went on to play mainly their old well known hits, only playing two new songs. And it was just fantastic. Townshend is a genius, an unbelievable guitar player and entertainer, I felt privileged to be there watching such a rock legend. Even at the age of 63 he managed to do a bit of jumping around the stage.

Pete kept the crowd amused with funny comments and anecdotes in between songs. At some point he mentioned how good it was to still be playing in front of a packed house in Sydney, that it was tough following the likes of Coldplay and Kings of Leon who had the big stage these days. But I tell you what, I would have payed ten times the price to see The Who than the other two. Think about it like this, for some people at that concert, they would have seen The Who in their prime in the 70s. If you saw Coldplay this year, that would be like going to see them again in 2040. If Coldplay are still around then and still putting on unbelievable shows I will be very surprised.

The Encore was the best part of the night. Townshend – “Thanks for bringing us back out, I’m really glad you brought us back out... Even though we would have come back out anyway. Even if you all packed up and went home we still would have come back out and played!” The crowd went nuts as Pete launched into the opening of Pinball Wizard which was followed by a Tommy section to close the night. The instrumental Sparks was the highlight for me; Townshend played it with such amazing force.

The only thing missing from the concert was of course the people that just couldn’t be there. RIP Keith Moon and John Entwistle.

Oh, and they didn’t play Magic Bus... But you can’t have everything.

Overall, I can’t believe that I wasn’t going to go to that show. Thank God I got given tickets for Christmas. I would have regretted it forever if I never saw The Who live. You have to think that they would be struggling to get to Australia again... Surely they haven’t got long left in them. Now I’m willing to travel to see them again before they are gone. It was half The Who, but it was double the concert I’ve ever seen.

Setlist:
1. I Can’t Explain
2. The Seeker
3. Anywhere, anyhow, anyway
4. Fragments
5. Who are You
6. Behind Blue Eyes
7. Relay
8. Baba O’Riley
9. Eminence Front
10. 5:15
11. Love Reign O’er Me
12. You Better You Bet
13. My Generation
14. Won’t Get Fooled Again

Encore:
15. The Kids are Alright
16. Substitute
17. Pinball Wizard
18. Amazing Journey/Sparks
19. See Me Feel Me
20. Tea and Theatre