The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

Tom Rock

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Joined February 2016

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As a full-time pharmacist, part-time Roarer and fair-weather Newcastle Knights fan, Tom doesn’t leave anything on the field. He always gives 110% and never forgets to give full credit to the boys. But in a game of two halves, it’s important not to look too far ahead, so Tom’s just taking it one week at a time. Follow Tom on Twitter @_TomRock_

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But then who will coach the coaches to make sure they’ll are aligned???

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

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Jul

I’m modern Origin, you can’t play centres in the centres. Just doesn’t work. If fullbacks aren’t available, conventional wisdom suggests beach sprinters or hobbled second rowers who have previously spent time in the centres ‘coming through the grades’.

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

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Jul

I was going to suggest Rick Stone for the job but this scenario feels more plausible

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

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Jul

Don’t rush him Muzz, he’s got a plan

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

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Jul

Has anyone got Wayne’s number?

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

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League
 
Jul

I’m not arguing that he’s not a good player. I’m arguing that being in that Penrith system is a major contributing factor to him performing at that level.

Will his defence have the same urgency if those around him aren’t as committed as his former teammates? Will his attacking skills look as sharp if the service from dummy half and halfback isn’t as sublime as he’s used to? And if he’s playing longer minutes (have you seen Canterbury’s bench?) will his runs have the same venom??

Just asking….I’ve occasionally been proven wrong before (see Cowboys, North Queensland).

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

I really hope you’re right about the Roosters! Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to see them underachieve and miss the 8….

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

Comparing any team to Pearce is a bit rough to be honest….I really hope he comes back for a Rooster swansong so I can go back to hating him and that club in peace.

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

Morning Barry. Always love your feedback mate.

Regarding Kikau, I could have pecked out a thesis on the things he did well at Penrith. An edge back rower that call tally 10 tries and 10 try assists in the same season is a rare beast. I highlighted his defence on kick chase as this was something that stood out to me every time I watched Penrith play. They control field position like no other side I have seen, and Kikau was the primary driver of that. Not sure why that’s odd, but to each their own. And in terms of him being a dud buy but still ravaging Penrith’s roster, I just feel he holds much more value to the Panthers than to the Dogs. He will be a bigger loss to Penrith than a gain to Canterbury.

And I think the Origin logic holds up. Talent trumps spirit. I agree that it won’t be as lopsided this year than the dynasty v Pearce years, but the best of NSW is far better this year than the best of QLD. Just my opinion, but I’ll put a case of beer on it if you like?

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

It’s a long season. That bloke who couldn’t crack the Dogs team is being replaced next week by the current Golden Boot winner and arguably one of the best players in the comp

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

Injury luck……but I hope all those things you listed happen as well! Except maybe Tino. I don’t mind the mullet.

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

Twice the amount of tears

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

I really wish I could spend more time in QLD, but honestly I can’t afford it. All of that extra toothpaste, multiple hats, tubes and tubes of sunscreen. Having two heads must be expensive, especially with the cost of living these days.

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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Mar

Hi Paul. I agree with everything you said. The recruitment, retention and development at Newcastle has been on the nose for years. They are paying the wrong players, and as a result the team sucks on the field. When they do finally luck into a good player like Dom Young, he doesn’t want to saddle his future to the Knights. Hard to blame him. It’s a vicious cycle…

I would have preferred for Newcastle to let Ponga walk. Spend the money in other areas and focus on the next generation. The Knights are multiple seasons away from being competitive, so why waste that much cash on a bloke who gives a poor account of himself both on and off the field.

On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023

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League
 
Feb

I think my worst ever prediction was that bands with stupid sounding names are never any good. The Red Hot Chili Peppers put that to bed pretty quick. Not to mention Limp Bizkit…

Stay tuned for my season predictions next week. They are sure to disappoint.

On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023

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Feb

It’s good to be back!

Kevy’s list this year is close to Top 4 material. Outside of a quality dummy half, I rate only the Panthers, Chooks and Sharks in terms of a better overall roster. If he can’t make the 8 with that squad, watch out!

Honestly, I reckon Rick Stone could do a better job with this current side. Is big Mal still kicking?? Maybe the Knights will make him an offer to come back…

On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023

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Feb

Distracting click bait is the biggest compliment an article of mine has ever received

On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023

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League
 
Feb

As a Newcastle fan, I certainly won’t be shedding any tears if and when O’Brien gets the sack.

I like Kevy and I really hope he keeps his job. But with the amount of off-field drama associated with that club over the last few years, and again this year, he could be in trouble. If they fail to make the 8, I reckon he’ll get canned and Ikin will assume more control.

On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023

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Feb

At the risk of sounding like Gordon Tallis, I think BA did a pretty solid job last year. Parramatta probably overachieved based on the strength of their roster. The fact that the Eels finished above the likes of Melbourne and the Roosters is a testament to Arthur getting that team up every week. He’s a keeper. But no doubt he’ll face the usual barrage of criticism if they don’t win the comp.

On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023

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Feb

Wayne does it better. He creates the issue, leaks it to the media, then denies it when the media bring it up and blames them for spreading rubbish. A true master.

The coaches’ companion: Six steps to surviving life in the NRL

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League
 
2022

You need to flag in the post-game press conference that you’ll be making ‘sweeping changes’ and then drop the winger on Team List Tuesday.

The coaches’ companion: Six steps to surviving life in the NRL

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2022

Maybe this forms part of Step 5? Strip the captaincy from your star player and make every other player in the team a captain. If you can have 5, why not 12?

The coaches’ companion: Six steps to surviving life in the NRL

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2022

Cheers Womblat. Bring on the footy!

Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season

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2022

Reckon they’d give me a start??

Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season

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2022

I checked his Wikipedia page but it hasn’t been updated to include his pre-season fitness.

Eight reasons to be excited heading into Round 1 of the NRL season

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2022
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