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The finals have arrived and the scene is set for an absolutely insane opening week with four blockbuster match-ups. The Tip Sheet has its finger on the pulse of it all with Spiro reporting back to Sixties and Forty20 with exclusive content from the NRL Captain’s Call including some brilliant chats with Clinton Gutherson.
Fresh Manly drama warrants an inspection before the suburban grounds arguments rears its head once again in light of Paul Kent’s experience at Leichardt Oval. The New Zealand Warriors have turned over a mammoth 15 players heading in 2023 and the podcast looks at what lies ahead for their franchise.
The Taylan May Precedent was set this week in an honestly baffling move from the game’s governing body. Sixties, Spiro and Forty20 all rip into one of the biggest can of worms ever opened for the code and what is all means. One drama backs into another as the efforts of The Bunker in the NRLW come under intense scrutiny following a series of brutal calls against the Eels on Sunday.
The show caps off on a bright note as Parramatta’s journey to the Top 4 is reviewed. The lessons learned from prior campaigns look to have yielded the club’s best run into the finals for a long, long time and there are some positive superstitions that could be in the favour of the Blue & Gold!
Great listen. I enjoyed Spiro’s interviews with Gutho. Gutho seems to be in a good space.
the May decision is indefensible, indescribable, inconsistent and incompetent. The NRL suffers from a lack of good leadership from the chairman down. This situational approach to a suspension will come back to bite them.
The bunker should only rule on tries. Of course, they seem to get those wrong as well. But the expansion of the bunker’s oversight has not worked as well as it should. Their needs to be a better framework on how the bunker works as it is effectively reffing the game. This was never what is was meant for.
And yes, I stand guilty of some overreaction but in the warm glow of the finals, a top four finish is well deserved. The final 9 games were 7 wins and two losses. Which is not bad and suggests things were coming together. Parra had one of the toughest draws as well.
Bring on the Panthers!
Shaun, I agree about Gutho’s head space. Was he in a different space about 6 weeks ago. It seemed so based on his form, but I could be wrong.
As for the May situation, PVL has stated that he made this decision for the fans. His decision? That seems like he’s stepping into an area where he hasn’t read the room!
PVL has read the room. Trouble was he was the only one in it.
With Manly as I have already said. Their roster is in a mess due to their salaries being unbalanced based on what is being paid to the Turbos and DCE.
In fact there are issues around DCE getting special privileges in the bubble last year. He was allowed to live off site by Des whilst other players were forced to stay together in the bubble.
Spiro talked about Marty coming to the Eels for 2023. I also read that the Eels are talking to Andrew Davey.
The Taylan May situation is an absolute joke. Not least but it shows that Andrew Abdo is totally out of his depth.
They have to change the way stadiums are allocated for finals. For starters they they should not be playing finals at facilities that seat less than 20,000.
Surely we should be more professional than what we are doing this year.
Well said John. I have been over the NRL for a long time and they are worse; but the issue is they do not listen or want to listen. They are an arrogant bunch who seem to just assume people will follow the game. The same people who are probably bleeding in the hip pocket now, and yet they expect us to believe this rubbish.
The game is in a worse state admin wise than when TG was in charge i feel, and he was another poor leader.
Milo, is PVL running the game like a dictator without consultation? I think it’s a fair question given his ownership and explanation of the May disgrace.
John, your last comment nails many of the issues. The NRL needs to be more professional.
Spiro is a champ and i think we will win this week.
NRL has not had a strong leader for some time i believe. Its spiralling away from the fans in many ways.
One thing i will say for Manly is that Des has some of the best press conferences, and Penn left him in the lurch over the jersey political mess….and again we hear issues with DCE. Enough said.
Milo, I don’t mind Des. I even *gasp* feel a bit sorry for him. But Manly’s troubles seem to stem from the boardroom as well people competing for influence. It is no coincidence that since Parra stopped the ridiculous going ons in the backrooms the club became stronger.
We do have some knowledge of factionalism!
Does Manly have a board?
They are privately owned.
Not sure how they are structured. Delmege used to have shares too. Does Manly Leagues have any level of ownership?
Does this all come back to private ownership?
Possibly. Given the factionalism, the club seems to lack a strong form of governance and I think Penn spends his time in the US. Obviously the Fulton family still is an influence and through this a player/manager. Not good signs.
They used to be driven by the us against them mentality – even against forces from within. Not so now.
It hasn’t come up on my apple podcasts yet. Looking forward to listening.
I’ll chase that up.
Sorted. Cheers
If you’re referring to me Chief, I didn’t want him replaced but I was very critical of his form. I stand by that, because I wanted him to return to his strengths. Eg, lurking around the ruck, jumping into dummy half, being an elite support player. He’s found his mojo again by doing all of those things.