EYE-BALL’s “SNOOP POOP” on – NRL 2013: – NRL 2013: Round 7 – Rabbitohs [20] defeat Manly [12] -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: - 8th Mar – NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 2 – SeaEagles [22] defeat Broncos [14] - - 7th Mar – NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 1 – Rabbitohs [28] defeat Roosters [10] - 2nd Feb – Women journalist writing about Men’s Sport – they had better be good - - July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review - June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview - June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … - June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview - May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review - May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: - NRL 2013: Round 7 - - Rabbitohs [20] defeat Manly [12] - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 26th Apr 2013 |

This match-up had great expectations and one of the few times where the hype was matched by the performances of both teams. It was a war of attrition – Manly’s uncompromising in your face defense, the Rabbits held their ground with equally resolute defence, but Manly are experts at the intimidation tactics and it is a detriment to their game. Coach Geoff Toovey has his players of a mould to show no quarter, and this defense intensity lends itself opportunities for teams to find weakness’ in other areas.  For mine – it is just up to teams to exploit the compressed defence and take advantage of this singular motive Manly tend to play with – that is to try their best to physically hurt the other players. No doubt – this game was by far the best of the season and the intensity never died.  When it seemed all was lost when Manly trailed 20-0 with 15 to go – you just knew South’s were still vulnerable – the crowd stayed and willed the home team for a fight back and it came to make for an exciting finish. The fans watching TV wanted a Souths victory – nobody really likes Manly – even their own fans have a ‘hick’ like love hate relationship with their team – parochial to the end, but equally willing to bag their team when they disappoint. Manly’s ‘Brookvale’ is the new coliseum and this clash of the Titans was fitting for the occasion.  Other teams should dread the ‘hurt’ they will feel whenever they visit. Manly are viewed by many as the ‘grubs’ in the competition – nothing they do on the field is done without the intention to try to hurt the opposition player.  That is not footy in the true sense.  Their intensity in the gang tackle will seriously hurt a player at some point – it is not matched by any other team.   Footy is a physical contest – and players do get hurt – but Manly take that probability to another level. There were four (4) incident reports against Manly players coming out of the game.  There is another that escaped the referees that will most likely be placed on report as well. Two of the charges belong to Fa’aoso and committed on the same player [Inglis} for the same breach – a spear tackle. Matai’s swinging arm is his trademark and the intent in this tackle may have bene to strike the ball but the player has to be responsible for when aggression goes wrong.  He has to get a long stint – that swinging arm could kill someone if he gets it wrong and he has enough form to give him a Les Boyd type suspension. Brett Stewart took a cheap shot as he lifted an elbow on the Rabbits winger and he should also get a week or two.  It all just shows a ‘grub’ mentality and the image of Watmough puling out his old fella to have a piss in public when the camera’s were rolling in a premiership after party a few years ago give evidence to the culture within the club. Hope all these reports get the players responsible sent down big time – every one was a cheap shot. The most hated player in the Manly forward pack is Watmough – and again tonight was amongst the chief offenders in the niggle factor with the work he does in the wrestle and on the ball stuff. He can be a gifted player and to see him go that way stains his natural talents. Whenever he plays SOO he has been found wanting at that next level – if he had an attitude like Burgess, Webkie, Petro, or some other player who just worked hard in defence and attack without the niggle – his chances of making a difference at the higher level would be improved. He just gives away cheap penalties and it cost his team. I take nothing away from the intensity of tonight’s game,  they are a side that make you earn the win and their intimidation tactics wins them a lot of games. Playing that type of game can have its drawbacks … backing up the following week and the next … and the next … players get injured or begin to carry injuries into games. Manly have a habit of losing to lower ranked teams and to look for a reason you have to consider how they play their football on a physical level. Souths proved they are the real deal this season and the next time these two teams meet – Manly will be out for revenge and Souths will again be out to prove themselves.   We’ve been blessed with some stella performances in these first seven rounds. The top-tier of this competition has already established itself – Storm, Rabbits, Manly, and Easts … Before the season started I would have said the Bulldogs would have been in that four … but after six rounds they sit at the bottom of the table. These four teams have set a high bar for all the other teams and I can’t see any other team breaking into a top four spot. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s “SNOOP POOP” on – NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 2 – SeaEagles [22] defeat Broncos [14] -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: - 7th Mar – NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 1 – Rabbitohs [28] defeat Roosters [10] - 2rd Feb – Women journalist writing about Men’s Sport – they had better be good - - 18th Jan - Beyond the Lance Armstrong Confession - - 8th Jan 2013 – The Shane Warne on-field Episode - - July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review - June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview - June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … - June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview - May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review - May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: - NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 2 - - SeaEagles [22] defeat Broncos [14] - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 8th MAr 2013 |

The Broncos had this game in the bag until the 55th minute – Manly muscled up and the Broncos turned to water – it is the underbelly of the Broncos. They don’t like the rough stuff and since Thorne left two seasons ago, and Petro’s retirement last season – they look as weak in the middle as they have ever done. Manly played in 2nd gear for the first half – a bit rusty being first round and all – but the 14-6 half time lead to the Broncos was flattering. Broncos mistake rate in the 2nd half under pressure skyrocketed.  Hodges had a shocker 2nd half – Prince was also lacking in defence … the forward pack were done at the 65th minute after Manly had rushed to a 22-14 lead.  They put on 16 pts in five minutes and had two ot three other try’s pulled back.   If you were a Bronco’s fan it was woeful. Snoop Poo’s – Best on Field - Cherry-Evans – 3 pts, Matai – 2 pts, Foran – 1 pt. Snoop Pop’s – Worst on Field - Hodges – 3 pts, Gillet – 2 pts, Prince – 1 pt. Coach Griffin had better work out his halves combo – Prince at Five-eight does not have the defence and Foran showed him up all night.  Wallace was also out of sorts with errors in the 2nd half when the team was under pressure.  Norman the other half in the mix played full-back and was pedestrian safe.   But it was the forwards who let them down badly with their poor 2nd half performance under Manly pressure. Manly deserved winners – Broncos will struggle to make the 8 on tonight’s performance.  Manly are top 8 contenders. Link to NRL Match report, match stats, and video highlights  … EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s “SNOOP POOP” on – NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 1 – Rabbitohs [28] defeat Roosters [10] -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: - 2rd Feb – Women journalist writing about Men’s Sport – they had better be good - - 18th Jan - Beyond the Lance Armstrong Confession - - 8th Jan 2013 – The Shane Warne on-field Episode - - July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review - June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview - June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … - June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview - May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review - May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: - NRL 2013: Week 1 – Game 1 - - Rabbitohs [28] defeat Roosters [10] - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 7th MAr 2013 |

The evidence is more than conclusive – the Roosters are pussy’s … There is no way Mitchell Pearce retains the State of Origin half-back position on tonight’s performance up against his main opposition. The match was highly entertaining and the Rabbitohs are a top four team this early in the season.  Their forward pack looks more consolidated and played for 80 minutes which was a failing last season.  They were clinical and merciless – the Roosters were outclassed across the paddock and so undisciplined for a first grade side … silly stupid penalties that allowed Souths out of their 22 so many times. Their new coach has a lot of work to do – the penalty count at one point was 10-1 in favour of Souths. The Roosters trailed 28-4 until the 75th minute before Souths let in some easy points. SBW [Williams] had a very quite reintroduction and he will realise that his comeback in a team like the Roosters will be hard work all season. Snoop Poo’s – Best on Field - Sutton – 3 pts, Inglis – 2 pts, Luke – 1 pt. Snoop Pop’s – Worst on Field - Pearce – 3 pts, Waerea-Hargraves – 2 pts, Friend – 1 pt. There were many Rabbitohs players who out performed their opposite number – the only Rooster’s players to hold their head up were Kenny-Dowal and Jennings. A comprehensive performance by the Rabbits and if they keep up this form Crowe will be upping the price for his shares. Link to NRL Match report, match stats, and video highlights  … EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s “SNOOP POOP” on – Women journalist writing about Men’s Sport – - they had better be good -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: - 18th Jan - Beyond the Lance Armstrong Confession - - 8th Jan 2013 – The Shane Warne on-field Episode - - 28th Aug – NRL Round 25 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - - Aug 20: – NRL Round 23 & 24 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - - Aug 13th: – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - - Aug 10th: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - - Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - - July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review - June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview - June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … - June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview - May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review - May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: - Women journalist writing about Men’s Sport - - they had better be good - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 3rd Feb 2013 |

Women journalist choosing to write about men and their sport is a gender divide not yet accepted – not by this blogger anyway. Snoop Poop blogged about the The Shane Warne on-field Episode by The Age’s Chief cricket writer – namely Chloe Saltau some weeks ago and she has come back for more. Again she dips her quill in ink she is not qualified to use.  She has picked Shane Warne again to vent her hormonal weakness and in response it is time to do some research on Chloe Saltau.   How dare she think herself qualified to try and tear down an Australian legend. Her stories come with links to promote her personal profile – not something normally used by journalist, but if you’re struggling to get creditability in a new gig – ‘by all means necessary’ right!!! Her linked profile has this to say - Chloe Saltau is the chief cricket writer at The Age, regularly covering international cricket and providing news, comment and analysis on international cricket. She joined The Age as a trainee in 1998 and spent several years writing for general news (chiefly as a social policy reporter covering welfare and family issues) before moving to sport. A social policy reporter covering welfare and family issues – then thrown in as the ‘Chief cricket writer’ for The Age. ‘The Age’ is Melbourne based – home of Shane Warne for decades from where he played his Shield and Test cricket – you would think the Melbourne media would be friendly and respectful. Saltau wrote the following piece yesterday – make your own judgement … Warne’s time may be up after season of discontent | Author: Chloe Saltau | Date: Feb 3rd, 2013 | Link to On-Line Story. | The spinner’s latest antics may mean he has played his last elite game, whether he likes it or not, writes Chloe Saltau. EVEN if Shane Warne wanted to return to the Big Bash League, there is no guarantee the Melbourne Stars would have him back. As Warne penned the first part of his plan to save Australian cricket last week, the Stars worked through meetings with players to review the season. Teammates are divided in their attitude towards Warne; some stand by him, and are prepared to put his tantrums (both in public and private) down to passion and frustration with a team that didn’t live up to its on-paper potential. Others have simply had enough of him. How did it come to this? How did one of Australia’s greatest cricketers, a legend who was worshipped, especially by the Stars’ younger players, fall from favour? How did one of cricket’s few genuine celebrities, whose presence boosted crowds and television audiences for the new league and brought sponsors flocking, take some of the lustre off the Stars’ ”brand”? Many of the answers have been well-documented but one incident helps explain how some of Warne’s teammates lost patience with him. Advertisement Warne is said to have berated the Stars’ English import Luke Wright after a game at the Gabba. The captain had called Wright, who was out of position, into a catch that Warne himself was better-placed to attempt, then demanded to know why the Englishman didn’t go for it. Off the field, the Stars are trying to salvage a partnership with the Transport Accident Commission after neither was made aware of a speeding fine Warne clocked up in Scotland in September. Warne fronted the TAC’s Home Safely campaign with Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch. The TAC is this week expected to hand down a penalty to the Stars, which could range from a heavy fine to ripping up the contract. Routine season reviews are under way with commercial partners Jenny Craig and Energy Australia, and the feedback is that they are happy with their association with Warne and the Stars. Warne, with friend and Stars president Eddie McGuire by his side, met chief executive Clint Cooper last week to talk about the season. Though friends of the 43-year-old are under the impression he has played his last game of competitive cricket – he is expected to be involved in television commentary of the Ashes next summer – Cooper said neither Warne nor the Stars had made a decision about the future. ”He hasn’t made up his mind, we definitely haven’t made up our minds, but we’re working together, and I just think the dust needs to settle,” Cooper said. ”He was as disappointed as anybody with the way we finished.” The Stars scraped into the semi-finals, then suffered a last-ball defeat in Perth. Warne, who had served a one-match ban for his part in an altercation with Marlon Samuels, failed to turn up to a second Cricket Australia hearing after he handed over the captaincy to avoid being rubbed out a second time for a slow over rate. On Twitter, he shifted the blame to the Stars, claiming he didn’t know about the rule. Cooper said Warne’s relationships at the Stars were intact, and that he had been hugely important to the team and the BBL. ”He’s a different type of leader but he’s team-first and trying to get the best outcome,” he said. ”Probably some people mightn’t perceive that. ”It’s premature for me to say I’ve spoken to all 20 players on our list, all management and all staff, and got a fair opinion of what’s going on. But we all knew going in that there’s Shane Warne and then there’s the team, there’s a lot of Hollywood around him … It’s a unique circumstance compared with what most players are used to. ”I don’t think there’s been damage to relationships, things are said in the heat of battle on or off the field but the sign of a good team is one that can move on from those.” Though Mike McKenna, CA’s executive general manager (commercial), who runs the BBL, acknowledged ”some things happened that we wish hadn’t happened”, Warne’s enduring celebrity, even as he spun out of control in the final month of the season, suggests the league would have him back. The three biggest crowds in season two were for Stars games. Warne’s team also had the best TV audiences, featuring in six of the games rating in the top 10, while opponents pulled more viewers when they played against the Stars. Warne was paid about $1 million over two BBL seasons, including a marketing fee from CA. Despite venting his spleen about the ”muppets” running Australian cricket, he could yet be asked to stay involved in a non-playing capacity. Whatever happens, Warne’s latest missives suggest he won’t fade into the background. … Read more … Warne has obviously moved on from his Test cricket days – a new wife, a new lifestyle, yet he still has the pulling power with Australian fans and Cricket Australia pay him handsomely to bring the fans through the turnstiles  Why would a social media reporter given a prestigious cricket writing gig set about making her name by bagging one of Australia’s, and the Worlds best cricketer ever? Women writing on male sport – what does it say – particular when their creditability has not been established. I blame The Age editors – what were they thinking. If one scrolls down Saltau’s column and read the comments to her on-line stories – there is nothing complementary, it is all anger and rage about Saltau and the focus of her story.  She obviously touches the raw nerves of men who doubt a women’s objectivity to write about Australian male heroes, but in attacking Warne from her level of understanding about the game can only make her a laughing stock. Saltau looked at Warne’s on-field behavior and made a judgement call without understanding the art of ‘gamesmanship’, or the tension the game carries when pressures build. In other words as a women she has no understanding of men’s cricket and the juices that flow when combat happens. She just saw what she though was an ‘ugly’ moment and blamed Warne for that moment.  To be objective in her slant against Warne – what has she written about Marlon Samuels part in the altercation? A male cricket journalist would not be so ‘girlish’ in the interpretation of the events. When Lillee and Miandad had a bat threatening issue many watching understood the moment – women who saw it did not understand and only saw the facial threats – the same with Saltau’s take on what happened.  The fact that her editors allow her diatribe to go through to the printing presses says as much about them as it does about media coverage in general. To all cricket fans – watch the whole video below and decide for yourself if Chloe Saltau knows what she is talking about. Please if you either agree or disagree – Saltau wants to hear from you – she is big on people giving her feedback – her e-mail is linked here csaltau@theage.com.au, she also has Twitter links via the above linked story.  I have sent her a link to this blog hoping she gets a message that will make her a better journalist. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

A SNOOP POOP – Beyond the Lance Armstrong Confession -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: - 8th Jan 2013 – The Shane Warne on-field Episode - - 28th Aug – NRL Round 25 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - - Aug 20: – NRL Round 23 & 24 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - - Aug 13th: – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - - Aug 10th: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - - Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - - July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review - June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview - June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … - June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview - May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review - May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: - Beyond the Lance Armstrong Confession - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 18th Jan 2013 |

The staged confession by Lance Armstrong on Disney’s OPRAH show yielded nothing to appease the millions of cycling and sport fans across the globe.   YouTube have many short clips of the interview and a full replay is eagerly awaited. From the evidence the consensus is there was no contrition, no unreserved admission that what he did was wrong, no ‘sorry’, and as this scandal escalates in the public forum – the next question turns to the Doping agencies and how Armstrong was allowed to continue his drug assisted cycling career whilst others around him were being thrown out. Armstrong sued those who claimed he was a drug cheat – he received hefty settlements as compensation.   Surely that represents a ‘fraud’ on the media publications, a ‘fraud’ in his misrepresentation of the truth … This matter is in its infancy, and as much as Armstrong would like it to go away and be allowed to live his life as if he can just turn the page and move on, and more importantly continue to live that life in the luxury of his ill-gotten gains,  to allow him to keep his lifestyle is a massive injustice. Those who should have been victors will never have the chance to live in the limelight as Armstrong did after each of his seven ‘Tour de France’ victories. The sport, and all sport for that matter, has to get serious about drugs and doping if it wants any creditability from the public.   How was Armstrong allowed to claim that he never tested positive over the hundreds of tests he was subjected to? There had to be corruption with the drug agencies and then the question – what was the motive to allow Armstrong to dope and not be outed, whilst his closest rivals and other contenders produced positive tests and were banned. This went on for seven (7) ‘Tour De France’ victories – the ‘EPO’ scandal broke during one of his victories and he now confesses to being a part of that ‘EPO’ usage. No – this confession is too packaged … the Administrators of the sport have to clean house and review all Armstrong’s doping test records and question all those associated with the testing procedures and find the people who assisted the ‘fraud’. Armstrong must go to jail – his wealth is based on a fraud – his wealth comes from drug use – his wealth comes from sponsors who were lied to – his wealth comes at the expense of the runner-up in each of his victories.  Where do they go for compensation because Administration failed to do their job in keeping the sport free of drugs? There has to be the perception of punishment – else all sports persons will say to themselves – do the drugs, make the money, and if you get caught you get to keep the ‘booty’ anyway. Hell the reason for being a professional sportsperson is all about the money – cheating to get the cash is just not sport. Amateur sport it is about the will to become the victor, the training, the sacrifice, the living frugally until you make the grade … athleticism is the base line … turning that ability into something akin to a National Champion in a professional context should be about the hard work – using drugs to become victorious is the cowards way – it should never be allowed to go unchallenged and without the severest retribution. The Armstrong confession is more a reflection on the Sport Administrators and their inability to do their high paying jobs.   Because this has the highest profile and represents the largest of any drug confessions … the retribution has to match the fraud.  This is criminal activity and no one is talking about jail time. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

A SNOOP POOP – The Shane Warne on-field Episode -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: 28th Aug – NRL Round 25 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - Aug 20: – NRL Round 23 & 24 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - Aug 13th: – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - Aug 10th: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: – The David Gallop Story … June 8th: – The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: – NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: - The Shane Warne on-field Episode - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 8th Jan 2013 |

Australian Cricket legend Shane Warne has been taken to task by a no-name, no-brain journalist, and feminist to boot. Her story was about his on-field antics that caused Cricket Australia – another bunch of boof-head Administrators who know little about how to manage champions – to issue Warne with a one match suspension. I have to confess – watching this minnow Australian Cricket season and the Australian Test team in particular, go through its paces during the summer thus far has allowed me to switch off watching all cricket without any withdrawal issues. The 2nd Adelaide Test against Sth Africa was an exercise in Australia being so close to victory yet so far.  Then the Perth test capitulation served notice that Australian cricket still has far to go to reach the highs of the Warne, McGrath and company era. And now as the greatest leg-spin bowler ever ventures back into the arena in the 20/20 bash – a giggle fest at best – and largely as a marketing ploy to drag paying patrons through the gates, some nondescript female pretend journalist thinks she has the kudos to write a negative story about Shane Warne.  See Story of incident below: – use on-line link to view video of Warne’s on-field incident.   Warne does himself no favours with Star turn | Author: Chloe Saltau | Date: Jan 8th, 2013 | Link to On-Line Story. | In his short time as Melbourne Stars captain, Shane Warne has made self-aggrandising statements about his ability to return to Test cricket and dominate if only he felt like it, denigrated a national captain on live television and victimised a vulnerable opponent. It suited Cricket Australia and the Stars nicely for Warne to pump himself and the fledgling Big Bash League up on demand. Indeed, CA, the Stars and Fox Sports pay Warne to do just that, handsomely, even if on that occasion it made Nathan Lyon’s quest for credibility as the incumbent Test spinner more difficult than it already was. Photo Caption and Credit: 7th Jan 2013 – Shane Warne makes a brief statement outside Cricket Australia after receiving a fine and a one match suspension for his unruly on field performance during the last Big Bash match against the Renegades. The Age/Sport/News, Picture Michael Clayton-Jones, East Melb., Story Jon Pierik. Even Warne’s comments while wired up for Fox Sports and bowling to George Bailey, conveying his thinly disguised contempt for the Tasmanian’s promotion to the position of national Twenty20 captain, could be dismissed as ”typical Warnie”. Fronting up … Shane Warne speaks after being sanctioned on Monday. Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones But with his final, outrageous outburst at Marlon Samuels on Sunday night, Warne has trashed his own reputation and piddled on the league that enabled his highly-paid comeback. Thank goodness Australian cricket officials had the sense not to make him Test captain. Advertisement Warne’s status as the BBL’s biggest personality has brought the intoxicating mix of sport and entertainment that CA craved, but if any of the 46,000 people who were at the MCG on Sunday night left the ground thinking his obscenities and threatening gestures were ”part of the game”, then he and the tournament’s makers have sold cricket short. Not that Samuels was blameless. When he can see through his swollen eye again, the West Indies batsman will face two charges, one for making inappropriate physical contact with David Hussey when he grabbed his shirt to block him from taking a second run, and another for ”unbecoming behaviour”, which presumably covers tossing his bat in Warne’s general direction after he was struck on the body by a throw from the spin legend. Samuels, an emotional man, has a history of getting into trouble. He was banned from international cricket for two years for liaising with a bookmaker, a charge he denied, and his bowling action has been reported in both Test cricket and the Indian Premier League. It had also been ”mentioned” by at least one BBL umpire before Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann publicly accused Samuels of chucking. Lehmann might have been entitled to voice an opinion held privately by others but he was wrong when he said Samuels had been suspended from bowling in the IPL. From the moment Lehmann made those comments, Samuels has been hounded as if by a pack, and he does not deserve that. Lehmann’s Adelaide Strikers counterpart Darren Berry joined in, reportedly provoking Samuels by warning him not to bowl his quicker ball. Warne, his much-vaunted team on the way to being thrashed and a place in the semi-finals under threat, took up the attack, and there was little doubt that the Stars’ aggression escalated when Samuels walked out to bat on Sunday night. All three – Lehmann, Berry and Warne – have been hauled before CA disciplinary hearings with Samuels as the central figure in the drama. The enduring image, though, is of Warne ranting at a fed-up opponent. The fear when he came back to professional cricket at the age of 41 was that the legacy of the world’s greatest leg-spinner could be damaged, that he might not be good enough any more, or that he might cost someone a sponsorship by doing something dumb off the field. With the exception of some inept fielding and a speeding fine in England, those fears have not materialised. The bigger shame is that a legend like Warne would demean himself with his on-field behaviour, all for the sake of a place in a T20 semi-final. Some will say the episode provides the ultimate endorsement of the BBL’s potential to incite passions among players and spectators. If that is true, it really is faux sport. Twitter -@chloejane32 Read more on-line: This canary journalist with her comment - “… Warne’s status as the BBL’s biggest personality has brought the intoxicating mix of sport and entertainment that CA craved, but if any of the 46,000 people who were at the MCG on Sunday night left the ground thinking his obscenities and threatening gestures were ”part of the game”, then he and the tournament’s makers have sold cricket short. … … proves her credentials to be crowned ‘IDIOT’ and demands that Fairfax media consider sacking her for being an idiot on duty. Not only do we have a canary coloured dressing GG, and a Commie Red PM dresser, and a ‘black hides my fat’ AG dresser, and a boutique dresser for a Welfare Minister who claims she can live on $35 a day … this collection of witches personify the ugliness within women … not the physical stuff but the soul within stuff … This collection of flag waving feminista’s insult all women and give men reason to shun the new breed of women who open their mouths and speak as if to catch flies … It is a serious issue as it gives other pretenders to greatness a sense of false bravado that makes them think they are qualified to offer an opinion about which they know nothing – they are better off not saying a word as opposed to tackling a subject matter far above their intellect and/or understanding. Fairfax Media sacked Mike Smith you might remember for wanting to report the Gillard/AWU story on his 2UE program late in 2011 – what he was attempting to do was real journalism – what this idiot Chloe Saltau has tried to do is a feminist kneecapping of an Australia Cricket icon … for what purpose I ask … she has not earned nor will she even have the right to tackle such a task … what were Fairfax editors thinking letting this wannabe try and take down a cricket legend. Fairfax Editors continue to give more reasons everyday to shun their publication … Singleton’s buy-in will hopefully clean out much of the deadwood collecting wages for pathetic copy … editors included. I saw red when I started to read this story, and I have to admit my mind was made up to write this blog-post as soon as I saw the female name as the author … give Warne some respect for gods sake and put a real cricket journalist on a story like this and you might not look so stupid. Whatever Warne’s faults – Australian cricket lovers still love him because he gave us so much over such a long period, nothing he can do will ever tarnish who he was or what he was capable of. I feel the same way about John McEnroe – it was always drama and theatre for both of them and they thoroughly entertained us with their magic … I enjoyed the theater of McEnroe’s on-court tantrums because I could see the motivation behind the outburst … fierce competitiveness … and the outcomes often resulted. True champions are good enough not to stoop to these types of tactics … but with McEnroe people bought the court side seats hoping to get sprayed with liquid when he sent a cup flying  … it made for the experience … and television viewers loved it … ratings always soared when McEnroe was on court … people were entertained … this Fairfax journalist writes as if she knows nothing about competitive sport and the on-field happenings between players … Other Cricket retirees this season in Ponting and Hussy could not lick Warne’s boots as a measure of their contribution or achievement in the game.   the ball that bowled Mike Gatting in Warne’s first Ashes test was the ‘Ball of the century’ and announced his greatness … no other cricket moment in past television history can match the magic of that ball … We miss you Warnie … long live the King … EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – Rugby League under threat – Do referees have too much influence -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: 28th Aug – NRL Round 25 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - Aug 20: – NRL Round 23 & 24 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - Aug 13th: – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - Aug 10th: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: – The David Gallop Story … June 8th: – The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: – NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – Rugby League under threat – - Do referees have too much influence - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 16th sep 2012 |

This author made a comment some weeks ago about how a Referee’s mistake would decide the outcome of important games leading up to the finals series. That comment proved correct when in two Friday night games in round 23, both the Broncos and Tigers were punished with game losses on the back of video ref’s calls. Last Friday night Manly and Cowboys played a final for the right to play in the preliminary final round.  The loser was eliminated and during the game there was not one mistake, but there were two controversial calls that advantaged Manly and allowed then to break from a tight game to win comfortably. Bad calls have always been a part of Rugby League and it is these calls that make fans so passionate. The NRL just signed a $billion+ deal and with that type of money now invested in the game – the Game has no right to allow mediocrity from referees who have the power to dictate the outcome of games. I again refer to another incident in the same Friday night game when a  penalty in the third minute of the game was awarded.  The lead up was a set from Canberra when perennial Manly grub Watmough prolonged in a 5th tackle on halfway.  It deserved a penalty – yet when Manly were under pressure and on their 10 meter line in the immediate kick chase after that fifth tackle – a similar tackle was penalised against the Cowboys early in the tackle count.   From that penalty and the next set of six, Manly score. The point being that the call on both those tackles was subjective and in the hands of Referees – with two referees on the field, one man’s opinion may have been harsher than the other  – this is where the crackdown needs to happen. Ref Hayne gave the Manly penalty – was he in charge of the ruck when Watmough made his indiscretion that went unpunished.  Had Cowboys received the penalty on half-way – who is to say that it would not have been Cowboys who scored first and the whole context of the game changes from the 4th minute. This is the area of the game that needs to be looked at.   Penalties lead to tries and it has been shown all season that back to back sets are the highest precursor of factors that lead to tries. Players are allowed to lay around the play the ball and then get penalised for the same infringement at other periods of the game. The Ruck: This is the single area where most penalties are generated.  Why not look at this area and try to define what is too much when it comes to ‘slowing the play the ball’. When a team gets a roll on and is allowed quick play the balls, retreating defences are often caught off-side and called out of the play.  So the coaches drill their players to slow down the play the ball and are happy to yield the penalty so defensive lines can reset from the ensuring penalty.  It is the lesser of two evils in a defensive line. If the query Is in the ‘time’ between when a player is deemed to be ‘held’ and when he plays the ball – the solution for a coach is easy – he just says put more defensive players on top of the ball runner and have them peel off individually.  A Fer can’t penalised that! If the rule was a count of say ’3 or 4′ by the referee from the time he calls ‘held’ – and if the ball carrier was not attempting to play the ball at the end of that time count – then the penalty is automatic – that then gives no excuse for the arbitrary call from referees depending on their interpretation of the speed of the play the ball.   Coaches knowing the rule is standardised – then has to adjusts its defensive response to comply to the rule interpretation. This ‘ruck’ area is the single most contentious area in the game – the scrums were previously, and the rule was changed to whoever feeds the scrum now gets the ball.  Scrums are no longer a part of our game in the context of what they represented before the rule changers.   That is sorry for the game and has made the game more predictable. Hookers are not required to be skilled anymore – they are now dummy-halves and that is a completely different skill set. Over a season – 1000′s of ref’s calls have a direct impact on the result of a game.   It is time for the League to do something about the ‘Ruck’ and take the poor and inconsistent decisions out of the game. What is seen as a penalty in the first 10 min’s or so when Ref;s are trying to stamp their efforts on the game – is not penalised in the back-end of a game.  Markers standing square in midfield – is somewhat not an issue when teams are defending near their own line.  The ball carrier playing the ball with his foot touching the ball is seen as important in some games but overlooked in others. The number of examples are numerous and if League wants to keep its fans – it has to get the important calls 100% right.   For a referee’s call to have the influence it now has on the result of a game, it only opens the League up to all types of claims of rigging and team favouritism.   EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL Round 25 – Points galore and The Run Home …

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: Aug 20: – NRL Round 23 & 24 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - Aug 13th: – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - Aug 10th: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: – NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: – The David Gallop Story … June 8th: – The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: – NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: – 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – NRL Round 25 – - Points galore & The Run Home continues - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 28th Aug 2012 |

There is only one (1) round left in the regular season. The ‘run home’ below is from Round 20 – 26.   The Predictions for each round are made with a (W) or (L) indicator and the ladder points are updated after each round with [bold] points indicating an incorrect selection. The green highlight represents a correct selection, the red indicates an incorrect selection. Snoop-Poops ‘The Run Home’ – with thanks to Rookie Bookie … Canterbury 30 points (+156) – Cowboys (h), Knights (a), Broncos (h), Tigers (h), Raiders (a), Roosters (h) – Prediction WWWWL – W = 40 pts … Storm 28 points (+155) – Saints (a), Panthers (h), Titans (h), Broncos (a), Sharks (h), Tigers (a) – Prediction – LWWWW – L = 36 pts … Rabbitohs 28 points (+77) – Tigers (h), Titans (a), Manly (h), Sharks (a), Eels (h), Knights (a) – Prediction – LLWWWW – L = 34 pts … Cowboys 26 points (+83) – Bulldogs (a), Manly (h), Warriors (h), Saints (a), Knights (h), Sharks (a) – Prediction – LLWWW – W = 34 pts … Broncos 26 points – (+82) – Eels (h), Raiders (a), Bulldogs (a), Storm (h), Manly (a), Panthers (h) – Prediction – LLLLL – W = 28 pts … Sharkies 25 points (-11) – Panthers (h), Warriors (a), Knights (a), Souths (h), Storm (a), Cowboys (h) – Prediction – WLLLL – L – 27 pts … Manly 24 points (+33) – Warriors (h), Cowboys (a), Souths (a), Knights (h), Broncos (h), Titans (a) – Prediction – WWLWW – W = 34 pts … Tigers 22 points (+4) – Souths (a), Eels (h), Saints (h), Bulldogs (a), Roosters (a), Storm (h) – Prediction – WWWLW – W = 32 pts … Warriors 20 points (+25) – Manly (a), Sharks (h), Cowboys (a), Panthers (h), Saints (a), Raiders (h) – Prediction – LWLWL – W = 28 pts Titans 20 points (-22) – Roosters (a), Rabbits (h), Storm (a), Eels (h), Panthers (a), Manly (h) – Prediction – WLLWW – L = 28 pts … Knights 20 points (-34) – Raiders (a), Bulldogs (h), Sharks (h), Manly (a), Cowboys (a), Rabbits (h) – Prediction – LLWLL – W = 24 pts … Raiders 20 points -(39) – Knights (h), Broncos (h), Panthers (a), Easts (h), Bulldogs (h), Warriors (a) – Prediction – WWWWW – L – 30 pts … Dragons 20 points (-58) – Storm (h), Roosters (a), Tigers (a), Cowboys (h), Warriors (h), Eels (a) – Prediction – WLLLL – W = 24 pts … The final 8 would then be: (Use Last Number after adjustments [in bold] for incorrect picks in Rounds 20-25 results.) Bulldogs – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40 – (+167) Storm – 36 – 36 – 36 – 36 – 36 – 36 – (+198) Rabbitohs – 34 – 36 – 38 – 36 - 34 - 34 – (+109) SeaEagles – 34 – 34 – 34 – 36 – 36 – 36 – (+86) Cowboys – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 – (+138) Sharkies – 27 – 25 – 27 - 27 – 29 – 27 – (+18) Raiders – 30 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – (-11) Broncos – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – (+27) Tigers – 32 – 30 – 30 – 30 – 30 – 28 – (-25) Titans – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 26 - Knights – 24 – 26 – 26 -26 – 26 – 26 - Dragons – 24 – 24 – 24 – 24 – 24 – 26 - Roosters – who cares … current pts – 21 Warriors -28 – 26 – 26 – 24 – 22 – 20 - Penrith -  who cares … current pts – 20 Eels -  who cares … current pts – 16 Round 21: Total Points scored = 379 Total Margin = 121 with an average of 15 pts per game. Round 22: Total Points scored = 344 Total Margin = 160 with an average of 20 pts per game. Round 23: Total Points scored = 321 - Total Margin = 129 with an average of 15 pts per game. Round 24: Total Points scored =343 Total Margin =  55 with an average of 7 pts per game. Round 25: Total Points scored = 346 (Sunday games to go) Total Margin =   148 with an average of 18 pts per game. Round 25 Comment: Next week – the interest is in three teams vying for 7th and 8th place – and the three teams vying for 3rd and 4th place,  see above for predictions.  Rookie Bookie plans to update his weekend’s wrap on Friday. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL Round 23 & 24 – Points galore and The Run Home …

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: Aug 13th: – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - Aug 10th: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: - NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – NRL Round 23 & 24- - Points galore & The Run Home continues - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 21st Aug 2012 |

There is only two (2) rounds left and the top four spot is now between five teams.  Bulldogs, Storm, Souths, Manly and Cowboys.   The ‘run home’ below is from Round 20 – 26.   The Predictions for each round are made with a (W) or (L) indicator and the ladder points are updated after each round with [bold] points indicating an incorrect selection. The green highlight represents a correct selection, the red indicates an incorrect selection. Snoop-Poops ‘The Run Home’ – with thanks to Rookie Bookie … Canterbury 30 points (+156) – Cowboys (h), Knights (a), Broncos (h), Tigers (h), Raiders (a), Roosters (h) – Prediction WWWW – LW = 40 pts … Storm 28 points (+155) – Saints (a), Panthers (h), Titans (h), Broncos (a), Sharks (h), Tigers (a) – Prediction – LWWW – LL = 34 pts … Rabbitohs 28 points (+77) – Tigers (h), Titans (a), Manly (h), Sharks (a), Eels (h), Knights (a) – Prediction – LLWW – WL = 34 pts … Cowboys 26 points (+83) – Bulldogs (a), Manly (h), Warriors (h), Saints (a), Knights (h), Sharks (a) – Prediction – LLWW – WW = 34 pts … Broncos 26 points – (+82) – Eels (h), Raiders (a), Bulldogs (a), Storm (h), Manly (a), Panthers (h) – Prediction – LLLL – LW = 28 pts … Sharkies 25 points (-11) – Panthers (h), Warriors (a), Knights (a), Souths (h), Storm (a), Cowboys (h) – Prediction – WLLL – LL – 27 pts … Manly 24 points (+33) – Warriors (h), Cowboys (a), Souths (a), Knights (h), Broncos (h), Titans (a) – Prediction – WWLW – WW = 34pts … Tigers 22 points (+4) – Souths (a), Eels (h), Saints (h), Bulldogs (a), Roosters (a), Storm (h) – Prediction – WWWL – WW = 32 pts … Warriors 20 points (+25) – Manly (a), Sharks (h), Cowboys (a), Panthers (h), Saints (a), Raiders (h) – Prediction – LWLW – WW = 28 pts Titans 20 points (-22) – Roosters (a), Rabbits (h), Storm (a), Eels (h), Panthers (a), Manly (h) – Prediction – WLLW – WL = 28 pts … Knights 20 points (-34) – Raiders (a), Bulldogs (h), Sharks (h), Manly (a), Cowboys (a), Rabbits (h) – Prediction – LLWL – LW = 24 pts … Raiders 20 points -(39) – Knights (h), Broncos (h), Panthers (a), Easts (h), Bulldogs (h), Warriors (a) – Prediction – WWWW – WL – 30 pts … Dragons 20 points (-58) – Storm (h), Roosters (a), Tigers (a), Cowboys (h), Warriors (h), Eels (a) – Prediction – WLLL – LW = 24 pts … The final 8 would then be: (Use Last Number after adjustments [in bold] for incorrect picks in Rounds 21-24 results.) Bulldogs – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40 - Rabbitohs – 34 – 36 – 38 – 36 - 34 - Storm – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 - Cowboys – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 – 34 SeaEagles – 34 – 34 – 34 – 36 – 36 - Tigers – 32 – 30 – 30 – 30 – 30 - Raiders – 30 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 - Broncos – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 - Titans – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 – 28 - Warriors -28 – 26 – 26 – 24 – 22 - Sharkies – 27 – 25 – 27 - 27 – 29 - Knights – 24 – 26 – 26 -26 – 26 - Dragons – 24 – 24 – 24 – 24 – 24 Roosters – 19 – who cares … current pts – 19 Penrith – 16 – who cares … current pts – 18 Eels -  14 – who cares … current pts – 16 Round 21: Total Points scored = 379 Total Margin = 121 with an average of 15 pts per game. Round 22: Total Points scored = 344 Total Margin = 160 with an average of 20 pts per game. Round 23: Total Points scored = 321 - Total Margin = 129 with an average of 15 pts per game. Round 24: Total Points scored =343 Total Margin =  55 with an average of 7 pts per game. Round 24 Comment: If you recall – I made some predictions that Ref’s calls will be the difference between teams making the eight and missing out. Well last Friday night – [Round 24] – both Broncos and Tigers were on the end of two very bad video Ref calls in their respective matches against the Storm and Bulldogs.  Both teams lost by a point in the final result – but not before the visitor teams benefited from pathetic decisions that allowed tries that should never have been allowed. This is what was being referred to – a Team and Club’s season coming down to a Ref’s bad call as to whether they make the finals.   Should never happen – if referees were liable for their mistakes – perhaps an appeal process … but the Clubs have to wear it or cop a $10,000 fine if they speak out.  This in the age of professionalism. There are two rounds to go and how many more referee decisions are fans going to have to live with? EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – Olympics Comment Part III – Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: Aug 10: – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment Part 1 & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: - NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – Olympics Comment  Part III – - Sports Minister Kate Lundy and her Gender Equality - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 13th Aug 2012 |

The Australian Sports Minister Kate Lundy is an amateur – both at the game of Politics and in the arena of sport. The SMH ran a story today on Lundy’s big hope emanating from the games – ‘to push for an end to gender discrimination’ … who the fuck is she kidding.  To help readers understand from where Lundy is coming from the SMH story is copied below: Lundy, Opals to push for end to gender discrimination | Author: Samantha Lane | Date: 13th Aug 2012 | Link to On-Line Story. | THE second-class treatment of Australia’s female Olympic basketballers was tip-of-the-iceberg evidence of the gender discrimination that still exists in sport, which the federal Sports Minister, Kate Lundy, leaves the London Games determined to rectify. Her claim, on the eve of the closing ceremony, that ”basketball is not alone” came as the Opals captain and Australian team flag bearer Lauren Jackson, and her teammate Kristi Harrower, felt free to discuss the furore over the male and female teams’ different travel arrangements after they completed their competition with a bronze medal. Most of Australia’s national women’s team flew to London in premium economy class while their male counterparts travelled – as a general rule – in business class. Kate Lundy, Sports Minister for Australia Harrower said it was time for the Women’s National Basketball League to establish an active player union to work with Basketball Australia, while Jackson said she would happily brief Basketball Australia’s new boss, Kristina Keneally, on how it is for women in the game. Advertisement Senator Lundy said Australian sports, despite their progress, remained guilty of ”systemic discrimination”. ”Basketball is not alone,” she said. ”And though it’s easy to point to them because of the issue of the business class travel … we have other sports that I think still have some work to do. ”Rugby is one that has an opportunity. It now enters into the Olympic family with the Sevens coming on for Rio [in 2016], and that presents a fantastic opportunity for rugby to embrace the women’s game.” Senator Lundy cited Hockey Australia as a model national federation in terms of its gender equity programs and predicted that, in the aftermath of the Olympics, she would lead ”an increased focus on the sport that women play within our Australian sports system”. ”Post-Olympics, if we’re going to be genuine about building on our strengths for our next edge, women and how we support the sport that women play, will be a big part of that.” Basketball Australia has announced a three-month review. ”There are reviews after every major tournament and it’s one of those things where we’re like ‘here we go, we’ll tell them exactly how we’re feeling and see what changes’,” Jackson said. ”It’s on BA. There’s only so much you can say or do.” Jackson said she was optimistic with Ms Keneally at the helm: ”I think that’s a huge bonus for us. I think she’s very pro-women, she’s pro us getting exactly what we deserve.” …read more … It will only be at an event like the Olympics were women get to share the ‘big’ stage of sport – sport is a ‘mans’ domain in the true sense. Always has been and always will be. The expansion in womans sport – as with the ‘womans equality movement’ is driven by many things – they both emerged as mainstream political adjustments everybody had to make in the 70′s so as not to be seen as ‘sexist’.  The politicians mostly had to suck it up, then came the Corporate world, and then the filtering down to the management line and the equality in the workplace.   Women’s team sports picked up on in the 90′s and is still going strong. With reference to the above Kate Lundy story – Lundy needs to take herself a lot less serious.  She needs to understand how ‘ratings’ dictate sporting heroes – ratings dictate all things and as a Politician she should know this. For example – womans tennis is a fashion show for underwear at best – sure we marvel at some of the past greats,  but the last womans final in the Australian Open Tennis lasted less than an hour – the score was 6-3 6-0 and who can remember who played? How can a ticket to that final be worth the same as the Mens final that went for 4 hours and was a gladiator contest. So it is with all sport – women prefer to watch men play sport, men prefer to watch men play sport. Women playing sport is all about a political correctness.  I enjoy watching a contest – and in women – you get that in swimming, but only at the highest level,  basketball the same and yet again only at the highest level – netball, and why that is not an olpymic sport is hard to understand … but more common women’s sport like, cricket, league, soccer – well sometimes you get a freak who can play as good as men … but I’m still to see it.   Who would watch this sport on a commercial TV station.  If they played in a swimsuit it would have appeal but then they would be either sexist or degrading to women. Hang-On – didn’t we not just have an American Football series out here with women dresses in swimsuits or something more revealing? The women’s tennis tour as said is about the ‘grunt’, the underwear, and makeup unless you’re a Williams,  or similar amazon playing at being nice but unable to escape the hormone mix that is always on display. Women are also good at skill-set sports, gymnastics, synchronised swimming, but once again that is all eye candy for male viewers and very sexist and degrading for women. Women’s athletics is also watchable if only to appreciate how some women can train and dedicate themselves to a sport that plays havoc with their ‘cycle’, and has lasting effects on their ability to have children. Look – ‘gladiators’ don’t cry when they get beat – they’re either dead or maimed for life.  In the modern contest – death of disability is not the price for losing – women athletes ‘cry’ on camera and do so because the people watching want to see the emotional pain they are feeling.  Even some men cry – hell how soft have we become? All this crying represents a whole different contest going on out there and it has nothing to do with sport. Stephine Rice is the ‘drama queen’ of Australian sport – her ‘flirting’ media expose with Sullivan leading into the Beijing Olympics had all of Australia besotted before she had any success to prance upon – since then the drama outside the pool has been her bread and butter … For reality’s sake – Kate Lundy take a step backwards … in professional sport which is where the Olympics are these days – if athletes want to travel above the ticket price Australian Olympics is prepared to pay – it should be on their dime – if they want Australians taxpayers to fund their careers, training, competition, and travel costs – what is it that they do to deserve it? National Pride aside – reward ‘Gold’ and other medal performances, cover their expenses for the last four years in a pro-rata format for success if they are successful.  Anything less will help us pay off our National debt.   Athletes like 400m runner Stephenson who has another agenda entirely, just should not be on the team. We understand the mandate of the Olympics is to compete and to compete fairly, and equally.   I don’t recall reading about a drug test positive at these games during competition – if that’s the truth than one can say that these were the ‘cleanest games’ in several generations, and congratulations to the athletes for being so fair.  Or, was it that the drug testing just was not up to standard, nor too interested in catching ‘drug cheats’. Trivia:   Below are the top medal Nations at all Olympics going back to 1948.   Use it as a source to trip up your friends. London 1948: Helsinki – 1952 Melbourne – 1956 Rome – 1960 Tokyo – 1964 Mexico – 1968 Munich – 1972 Montreal – 1976 Moscow – 1980 Los Angeles – 1984 Soeul – 1988 Barcelona – 1992 Atlanta – 1996 Sydney – 2000 Athens – 2004 Beijing – 2008 Link to current London – 2012 Medal count …: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – The Fastest Man ALive – Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: Aug 8th: – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought - Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment Part 1 & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: - NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – The Fastest Man ALive  – - Usain Bolt – an Olympic Legend - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 10th Aug 2012 |

Re-Edited 11th Aug 2012- The 2008 & 2012 Olympic links have been substituted with links to YouTube videos direct. Some copyright issues with having them play in a separate window as linked previously. Bolt’s 100m 2012 final is not included. Apologies for any inconvenience. The World has witnessed the greatest sprinter ever in the last week – and not only is his talent confined to the track – he has engaged a cult following like no other. As a tribute to one of the two greatest track athletes in Olympic history – the other being Michael Johnson – their past and 2012 Olympic performances are presented below … 2008 100M Final:  Usain Bolt – No official sanctioned video available … 2008 200M Final:  Usain Bolt – YouTube Link here … (link available while it lasts.) 2012 100M Final:  Usain Bolt – YouTube Link here ... 2012 200M Final:  Usain Bolt – YouTube Link here … The only other Athlete in track to come close in matching Bolt’s track performance is Michael Johnson who took the 200m and 400m double at Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). His performances are below: [The quality of these last two videos are not HD.] 1996 200M and 400M Finals:  Michael Johnson 2000 200M Final:  Michael Johnson 2000 400M Final:  Michael Johnson Johnson was King of his era as is Usain Bolt of his.  How they would have measured up in a 200m match race is a promoters dream. Johnson still holds the world record for the 400m – Bolt holds the 100m and 200m records.  A history of these records is produced below – [Courtesy Wikipedia.  Click on images to enlarge (Ctr +) in a new window.] 100m Records: 200m Records: 400m Records: Johnson’s 400m record has stood since 1999 and its longevity suggests that his era of performances holds a special place in history. Take a bow Michael Johnson and Usain Bolt.  You are both athletic legends. Another olympic moment bought to you by Snoop-Poop. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – Olympics Comment Part II – The Gold Medal Drought -

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: Aug 7th: – Olympics Comment Part 1 & NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home continues - July 30th: - NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – Olympics Comment  Part II – - The Gold Medal Drought - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 8th Aug 2012 |

The tide has changed and Australia’s three Gold medals in the last two days has given Channel Nine’s coverage a much needed boost. The Swimming performance at these games prompted some research – the results appear below with comments following. A snapshot of Australia’s medal performance at all Post War games – and the Swimming contribution as a comparison. [Please click on all images to enlarge in a new window.] Since Sydney Australia’s Olympic ranking in Swimming has been number 2 behind the USA. The London rankings of 6th, and even if Seabohm and Magnusson had won gold the ranking would only improve to be 4th. Our overall haul of 10 medals ranked equal 3rd with China – Japan ranked 2nd with 11 medals. The USA had a total 30 medals. The last time we won a single swimming Gold medal was Barcelona – Kerin Perkins in the 1500. Australia’s total haul that year was 7 Gold and a total of 27 medals.   We sit at 25 medals and are assured of more in coming days.  Our Gold haul will increase as well thanks to the sailing crews.   It’s possible that the sailing team will lead the medal count for Australia. The AOC website carries a medal forecast for Australia – top 5 in Gold – top 5 in overall – and to medal in 14 of the 38 different disciplines.   We currently sit 11th in Gold,  11th in overall, and have medaled in 7 disciplines. One ponders whether the Channel Nine broadcast is responsible for the diminishing interest in Australia’s viewing.  Original thoughts were the time difference – and then it was the disappointment of the swimming teams efforts – but reports out now suggest Channel Nine are looking good for why Australians are switching channels.  Read story here … It’s a hard call on Channel Nine – but I agree – some of the first week commentary left egg on many faces.  With Foxtel and social media the alternatives – much of Australia are forced to watch Channel Nine if they want to watch live or delayed broadcasts. I have to admit – I was disappointed at the swimming performance – but looking at the team it is young and in a rebuild period after greats like Thorpe, Hackett, Henry, and Tricket have passed the baton.  Rio should be better but Europe’s successes are a concern.   Our climate has always been our advantage in swimming and whether ‘climate change’ and melanoma campaigns have impacted on participation rates is research still to be undertaken. The Olympic movement has come a long way in the modern era – the pressure athletes are under to perform has never been greater under the professional era.  We still have five days of competition – Hooker in the pole vault final tomorrow, canoeing, equestrian, basketball (mens and women),  BMX, hockey, sailing and a few other sports just starting their qualifying rounds. Go Aussies … Trivia:   Below are the top medal Nations at all Olympics going back to 1948.   Use it as a source to trip up your friends. London 1948: Helsinki – 1952 Melbourne – 1956 Rome – 1960 Tokyo – 1964 Mexico – 1968 Munich – 1972 Montreal – 1976 Moscow – 1980 Los Angeles – 1984 Soeul – 1988 Barcelona – 1992 Atlanta – 1996 Sydney – 2000 Athens – 2004 Bejing – 2008 Link to current London – 2012 Medal count …: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – Olympics Comment and NRL Round 22 – Points galore & The Run Home …

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: July 30th: - NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home … July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – Olympics Comment & NRL Round 22 – - Points galore & The Run Home continues - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 7th Aug 2012 |

Comment: – The Olympics: The Channel Nine coverage has been the worst in living memory – and on that point I have been pondering a few things … Snoop-Poop has a sports background.  Even since he was a teenager sport became his life.  His sporting career included playing at the highest level in many sports.  He was a professional Squash player, has represented QLD in Cricket, Swimming, Rugby League, Athletics – i.e. Discus, Javelin, Shotput.  He has played at the elite level in amateur Golf, played top grade baseball, soccer, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and basketball, was successful in short stints at volleyball and the beach version, dick measuring, and gollie throws, and many other assorted and lesser known sports.  He deems himself eminently qualified to make the following statement about the 2012 London Olympics and Australia’s performance. Silver medal is not gold … when athletes are required to front up to Grant Hackett or Gian Rooney and the like after failing to perform in their event – it is bad TV – it is distracting to the athletes focus, and it is a media intrusion. If anything or anyone has to be blamed for the Swim Teams lack of performance – social media, and athlete profiling is a good place to start. Look at the women swimmers nowadays – all with their facial makeup, fingernail artwork, and trimmed body hair – who are they selling themselves to? The TV camera picks up everything and these female athletes are thinking endorsements and the $ signs attached to how they look on TV.   Their managers are front and center telling them they have to smile and look good for the camera. It’s absolute bullshit – Channel Nine and any other broadcaster have etched their way into Olympic Management and gained clauses that give them exclusive access to athletes after their events.  It the interviewer had some respect and understanding on the sport they were covering – it might come across better. Shame on Grant Hackett and Gian Rooney – they should have known better,  they placed their media careers ahead of the athletes they should have been able to identify with. They of all people should have understood that putting Magnuson under the microscope after his first olympic event and his disappointment in his performance fucked his whole meet. If the athlete wins Gold then OK – but Channel Nine’s problem is how do they sell SILVER to an Australian audience – and the bigger problem is that the athlete has to go in there and smile for the camera and answer dumb ass questions from presenters trying to sell the Channel Nine coverage.  Disgraceful … I bet anyone that as soon as the GOLD drought started – Channel Nine execs were telling their presenters to talk up the SILVER performances, and put a positive spin on it. It’s all about the money as they say – GOLD performances translate to higher ratings and cash flow for everybody. Channel Nine could not sell an empty Olympic ad spot at the moment given the way things have gone. As an athlete you want time after your race – a time to reflect and measure the performance.  A time to let the emotional buildup of four years of hard work sweat and sacrifice take its course. But contractual obligations endorsed by Olympic Management  with Broadcasters and on behalf of athletes -  have them fronting a microphone seconds after they have competed.   The presenter is trying to get in the athletes head to extract an emotional moment all in the name of ‘good TV’. This does more harm to the athlete then you can imagine. This circus of ‘tears for TV ratings’ has evolved over many decades.   TV has demanded a bigger piece of the athletes as a trade-off for paying for TV rights.   It works in most sports – but not the pinnacle of events – The Olympic Games. Pure moments in Olympic history should be glorified – i.e. Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, the UK Cycling team, the absolute heroes in sport – mediocre performances or less than personal bests should not be hung out in public view allowing viewers to console themselves over their disappointment with the scraps of a spent athlete to feed upon. Chanel Nine are guilty of trying to build a ‘success illusion’ behind what will be Australia’s worse Olympic performance in many decades. Pre Games expectation of 15 Gold Medals by the Australian Olympic Admin sold us all a dump – and much of the disappointment back home is because of unrealised expectation. Buy the rumor – sell the fact – a trading strategy for all purposes. Please – let athletes be athletes – they are not media stars and if they are – then their athletic performance will always have been less than it could have been. For example – Stephane Rice – she knew her preparation was what it was – so did her coaching staff and the Swim team Management.  Yet the weight of a Nation was placed on her shoulders – the disappointment will cost her sponsorship and that will be why she retires if she does. Rice has made a social media career out of swimming – that distraction and the income it brings has been what has allowed her to continue in the sport.  Her shoulder operations – if it was not for the money would she have continued?   Athletes always get found out by their performances.  There is nowhere to hide in the arena. While the money flows, athletes will do what they do.  When poor performances prevail and the money stops, the real reason why athletes become athletes and do the sport comes back to why they did it in the first place – personal pride and achievement.   You ever ask yourself why do people climb Everest - The modern world of sports takes more than it gives back. NRL: There is only five (4) round left and after the upsets over the weekend – the final eight makeup is becoming a lottery. The ‘run home’ produced after Round 20 has been updated below.   The green highlight represents a correct selection, the red indicates an incorrect selection. Snoop-Poops ‘The Run Home’ – with thanks to Rookie Bookie … Canterbury 30 points (+156) – Cowboys (h), Knights (a), Broncos (h), Tigers (h), Raiders (a), Roosters (h) – Prediction WW – WWLW = 40 pts … Storm 28 points (+155) – Saints (a), Panthers (h), Titans (h), Broncos (a), Sharks (h), Tigers (a) – Prediction – LW – WWLL = 34 pts … Rabbitohs 28 points (+77) – Tigers (h), Titans (a), Manly (h), Sharks (a), Eels (h), Knights (a) – Prediction – LL – WWWL = 34 pts … Cowboys 26 points (+83) – Bulldogs (a), Manly (h), Warriors (h), Saints (a), Knights (h), Sharks (a) – Prediction – LL – WWWW = 34 pts … Broncos 26 points – (+82) – Eels (h), Raiders (a), Bulldogs (a), Storm (h), Manly (a), Panthers (h) – Prediction – LL – LLLW = 28 pts … Sharkies 25 points (-11) – Panthers (h), Warriors (a), Knights (a), Souths (h), Storm (a), Cowboys (h) – Prediction – WL – LLLL – 27 pts … Manly 24 points (+33) – Warriors (h), Cowboys (a), Souths (a), Knights (h), Broncos (h), Titans (a) – Prediction – WW – LWWW = 34pts … (Error in Cowboys Game – had both teams losing) Tigers 22 points (+4) – Souths (a), Eels (h), Saints (h), Bulldogs (a), Roosters (a), Storm (h) – Prediction – WW – WLWW = 32 pts … Warriors 20 points (+25) – Manly (a), Sharks (h), Cowboys (a), Panthers (h), Saints (a), Raiders (h) – Prediction – LW – LWWW Titans 20 points (-22) – Roosters (a), Rabbits (h), Storm (a), Eels (h), Panthers (a), Manly (h) – Prediction – WL – WWWL = 28 pts … Knights 20 points (-34) – Raiders (a), Bulldogs (h), Sharks (h), Manly (a), Cowboys (a), Rabbits (h) – Prediction – LL – WLLW = 24 pts … Raiders 20 points -(39) – Knights (h), Broncos (h), Panthers (a), Easts (h), Bulldogs (h), Warriors (a) – Prediction – WW – WWWL – 30 pts … Dragons 20 points (-58) – Storm (h), Roosters (a), Tigers (a), Cowboys (h), Warriors (h), Eels (a) – Prediction – WL – LLLW = 24 pts … The final 8 would then be: (Use Last Number after adjustments for incorrect picks in Rounds 21 and 22 results.) Bulldogs – 40 – 40 – 40 - Rabbitohs – 34 – 36 – 38 - Storm – 34 – 34 – 34 - Cowboys – 34 – 34 – 34 - SeaEagles – 34 – 34 – 34- Tigers – 32 – 30 – 30 - Raiders – 30 – 28 – 28 - Broncos – 28 – 28 – 28 - Titans – 28 – 28 – 28 - Warriors -28 – 26 – 24 - Sharkies – 27 – 25 – 27 - Knights – 24 – 26 – 26 Dragons – 24 – 24 – 24 Roosters – 19 – who cares … Penrith – 16 – who cares … Eels -  14 – who cares … When one looks at the scorelines over the past two rounds – Round 21 had a total points scored of 387.  The margin between all eight results equalled  121 – and average of 15 points a game. At a time when history shows that defence wins games at the business end of the season – this season is seeing a host of runaway games as the season closes.  Teams in the top eight are being beaten by lower teams by big scores – i.e. Parramatta beating Broncos 42-22,  St George 26-18 over the Storm in round 21. Round 22 saw the big scores and margins continue – this week the Warriors were belted 45-4 at home by the Sharkies, Broncos continued their exit from the top 4 going down to Canberra 28-12 in Canberra and never looking in the hunt.   Parramatta officially pulled up stumps on their season after two giant killer wins over the Storm and Broncos before the Tigers had a night out winning 51-26 last night. Total points scored across the weekend’s matches equalled 344 – with a margin value of 162 – an average of 20pts.  Last week the the margin average was 15pts – rather than games becoming more competitive as the season climaxes – one sided games are the norm. There are now 5 teams on equal 22 points (as at Sunday night) – and 8th spot with for and against having the Titans at the head of the pack.  Two ponts behind at the Warriors but you’d be a brave man to back them to make the eight after the Sharks loss.  On 7th on 26 points are the Broncos looking for an early season end – they look anything but final 8 contenders, their season highlight – well it was QLD’s actually with the SOO series win.  Broncos coach gifted 4 competition points when he rested key players after SOO matches – the only coach to do so in a formal way. Griffin has had a shocker year – his halves have been asleep all year in attack and their conversion rate when in the opposition 22 is the worst in the comp.  He has played a winger in Copely all year until he was injured in round 20, when his defence was worse than Michaels who the booted and signed with the Titans two seasons ago.   The forwards have done their job – Hodges and Reed in the centers with the misfiring halves have been the problem.   Very disappointing for fans. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home …

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore - - The Run Home continues - | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 30th July 2012 |

There is only five (5) round left and after the upsets over the weekend – the final eight makeup is becoming a lottery. The ‘run home’ produced after Round 20 has been updated below.   The green highlight represents a correct selection, the red indicates an incorrect selection. Snoop-Poops ‘The Run Home’ – with thanks to Rookie Bookie … Canterbury 30 points (+156) – Cowboys (h), Knights (a), Broncos (h), Tigers (h), Raiders (a), Roosters (h) – Prediction W – WWWLW = 40 pts … Storm 28 points (+155) – Saints (a), Panthers (h), Titans (h), Broncos (a), Sharks (h), Tigers (a) – Prediction – L – WWWLL = 34 pts … Rabbitohs 28 points (+77) – Tigers (h), Titans (a), Manly (h), Sharks (a), Eels (h), Knights (a) – Prediction – L – LWWWL = 34 pts … Cowboys 26 points (+83+ winning margin tomorrow night) – Bulldogs (a), Manly (h), Warriors (h), Saints (a), Knights (h), Sharks (a) – Prediction – L – LWWWW = 34 pts … Broncos 26 points – (+82) – Eels (h), Raiders (a), Bulldogs (a), Storm (h), Manly (a), Panthers (h) – Prediction – L – LLLLW = 28 pts … Sharkies 25 points (-11) – Panthers (h), Warriors (a), Knights (a), Souths (h), Storm (a), Cowboys (h) – Prediction – W – LLLLL – 27 pts … Manly 24 points (+33) – Warriors (h), Cowboys (a), Souths (a), Knights (h), Broncos (h), Titans (a) – Prediction – W – LLWWW = 32pts … Tigers 22 points (+4- whatever they lose to the Cowboys tomorrow night) – Souths (a), Eels (h), Saints (h), Bulldogs (a), Roosters (a), Storm (h) – Prediction – W – WWLWW = 32 pts … Warriors 20 points (+25) – Manly (a), Sharks (h), Cowboys (a), Panthers (h), Saints (a), Raiders (h) – Prediction – L – WLWWW = 28 pts … Titans 20 points (-22) – Roosters (a), Rabbits (h), Storm (a), Eels (h), Panthers (a), Manly (h) – Prediction – W – LWWWL = 28 pts … Knights 20 points (-34) – Raiders (a), Bulldogs (h), Sharks (h), Manly (a), Cowboys (a), Rabbits (h) – Prediction – L – LWLLW = 24 pts … Raiders 20 points -(39) – Knights (h), Broncos (h), Panthers (a), Easts (h), Bulldogs (h), Warriors (a) – Prediction – W – WWWWL – 30 pts … Dragons 20 points (-58) – Storm (h), Roosters (a), Tigers (a), Cowboys (h), Warriors (h), Eels (a) – Prediction – W – LLLLW = 24 pts … The final 8 would then be: (Use 2nd Number With Adjustments for incorrect picks in Round 21 results.) Bulldogs – 40 – 40 Rabbitohs – 34 – 36 Storm – 34 – 34 Cowboys – 34 – 34 SeaEagles – 32 – 32 Tigers – 32 – 30 Raiders – 30 – 28 Broncos – 28 – 28 Titans – 28 – 28 Warriors -28 – 26 Sharkies – 27 – 25 Knights – 24 – 26 Dragons – 24 – 24 Roosters – 17 – who cares … Penrith – 16 – who cares … Eels -  14 – who cares … The Sharkies v Panthers match was decided in the 79th minute with a referee call about a restart kickoff going the 10 meters – Panthers score from the ensuring scrum to tie the game and then win in extra time.  Replays show the linesmen was nowhere near the 10m line to rule and replays are contentious.  If Sharkies miss the eight – that ref’s call will most likely be the reason. The top four have not changed, the seventh and eight spot is not a three-way battle between, Broncos, Titans and Raiders with the for and against deciding. Given the form of all the teams outside the top four – this season’s contenders are those sitting atop the table at the moment.  Teams outside the top four are just gonna make up the numbers with five rounds to go. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …

EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson ???

Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts: 22nd July: NRL Round 20 – Upsets galore - Final 8 positions on the line… July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – - Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: - 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: The David Gallop Story … June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: NRL – Broncos Round 12 wrap … May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: click here …

Title: – NRL’s Parramatta areDelusional - - Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 28th July 2012 |

The big secret os out – Ricky Stuart has signed a three year deal with NRL Club Parramatta.  The hype around the ‘biggest known secret’ in League all year was confirmed yesterday. The drama does not end there – Stuart still wants to keep the State of Origin Coaching position or ties with the roll. Stuart’s coaching performances to date being compared with the signing of Jack Gibson as Parramatta Coach has to make Parramatta’s Chairman Roy Spagnolo look and sound like a goose. ‘Stuart the best Eels signing since Jack Gibson’ | Author: Michael Chammas | Date: July 27, 2012 | Link to On-Line Story. | Parramatta haven’t wasted any time heaping pressure on new coach Ricky Stuart, declaring him the best signing since Jack Gibson. “I think it’s huge,” chairman Roy Spagnolo said. “It’s probably the best signing we’ve had, probably since Gibson. “For us it’s a really positive way to go forward and return the club back to its glory days.” Advertisement The Eels officially unveiled their coach for the next three seasons at a press conference inside Parramatta Stadium this morning, but his appointment could’ve been mistaken as a sideshow, with Stuart left to answer questions about his future as NSW Origin coach. The Eels say they haven’t spoken to Stuart about the possibility of coaching at both club and state level, with Stuart to meet with the NSWRL next week. While the decision is out of Stuart’s hands, with the NSWRL yet to decide whether they will renege on their policy to appoint a coach with no NRL attachments, Stuart admits he feels strongly about the role. “Let me tell you, if they don’t make the right decision over the coming weeks in regards to NSW, Queensland will go on to win 10 series in a row,” Stuart said. “It’s a very important decision for NSW rugby league and if I can assist in that decision, I most definitely will, because I care for Origin football, I care for NSW and we’re not far away. “I want to win for the players sake, for NSW, as much as anybody.” He also wants that at his new club, admiring the attitude of all involved, who seek nothing but success for Parramatta. “When I sat down with Roy and Bob [Bentley], I could see how committed they were to their football team and wanting to win,” Stuart said. “It’s a big club out here, it’s a big challenge, and what I was excited about was the people who were involved are all desperate to be winners, and I like that attitude. “For anyone who knows me, as soon as I adapt to new colours, new club, that’s my club – that’s the way I feel.” … Read more … A grub like Stuart thinks he can do both jobs, SOO and Parramatta – greater coaches have tried and failed – i.e. Craig Bellamy during QLD’s recent 7-0 series wins. Stuart wants the cash, the payola – nothing but a greedy grab.  The man’s ego is beyond his capability as a coach – and for the record what is his career coaching record – working backwards: [Extracted from Wikipedia.] State of Origin 2011-12 On 17 November 2010 Stuart was appointed as the state’s first full-time coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team for two years with a get-out clause for the 2012 series should Stuart return to NRL coaching. Stuart remains as the last man to ever win a State of Origin series for New South Wales with Queensland having dominated ever since. Stuart coached the Blues for the 2011 series, which was lost to the Maroons by two games to one. Stuart, however, achieved his promise that the Blues would win at least one game that series, that being Game II. The Blues’ win in Game II brought belief amongst the NSW media and fans that the five-year losing streak would end, but New South Wales was beaten in the third and deciding Origin match by a scoreline of 34–24. Stuart continued in the NSW head coaching role for the 2012 series, which was once again lost by two games to one. For the second consecutive year however, New South Wales won Game II in Sydney. In the 2012 series he again lost 2-1 with the decider game going to the Maroons 21-20 thus giving the Maroons a 7-0 series winning streak. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2007-10 In 2007 Stuart took over from Stuart Raper as head coach of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks with a two year contract, which was then extended to the end of the 2011 playing season. But on 24 May 2010, with 18 months left on his contract, Stuart announced his resignation from the end of the 2010 season,ending yet another tenure prematurely and at loggerheads with club executives,members and players, handing the job over to current Sharks assistant coach, Shane Flanagan. Despite the Sharks making the preliminary finals in 2008, Stuart’s time with the club was marred by a horror year in 2009. Not only was the club in dire financial straits but the Cronulla Sharks club was also tarnished by media allegations about a 2002 group-sex incident involving former Sharks players, player Reni Maitua’s dismissal after testing positive to drugs, removal of the captaincy from key player Paul Gallen, accused of racist remarks despite evidence of his non-racist stance, several unsavoury incidents involving now-disgraced CEO Tony Zappia (including his assault of a female staff member and involvement in an insurance-fraud fan donation scandal). Australian Test Coach 2005-08 In December 2005 Stuart was appointed as coach of Australian national rugby league team, replacing Wayne Bennett after Australia’s loss in the 2005 Tri-Nations final to New Zealand by a scoreline of 24-0. This meant that Stuart had to stand down as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team. Stuart enjoyed success with the Kangaroos: winning the Anzac Tests of 2006 and 2007, as well as the 2006 Tri-Nations. In addition, at the end of the 2007 season, the team won a one-off Test against New Zealand. At the 2008 Rugby League World Cup the Kangaroos dominated their opposition and Ricky Stuart took the team undefeated to the final against New Zealand. Despite their favouritism, the Kangaroos lost 20–34. Afterwards he was reported to be so incensed by the defeat that he verbally attacked Geoff Carr, the Chief Executive of Australian Rugby League, claiming that tournament organizers and match officials conspired to cause the Australian loss. The next morning he had a chance meeting with Ashley Klein, who refereed the final, and Stuart Cummings, England’s director of referees, at their hotel. He is reported to have verbally abused both officials in front of a number of witnesses, calling Klein a cheat, and of being physically and aggressively intimidating. Following an outburst at officials Ricky Stuart stood down his position as Australian coach and was handed a $20,000 fine. Sydney Roosters 2002-06 In 2005, Stuart was appointed coach of the New South Wales. His coaching approach continued the Phil Gould legacy of matching the Queensland passion by focussing the NSW players’ pride in the jumper and achievements of those who have worn it before. Although Stuart only coached the NSW side for just one series, the Blues managed to win the series 2-1 after having lost the first match in high drama. Stuart began his first grade coaching career in 2002 with the Sydney Roosters, taking over from Graham Murray and winning the premiership in his first year as coach. The following season he took the Roosters to the 2003 NRL grand final but they lost to the Penrith Panthers. The 2004 Stuart-coached Roosters side was also beaten in the Grand Final, but the team struggled in 2005 and 2006 despite the high calibre of the player roster. Stuart’s contract was terminated and he left the Roosters two weeks before the end of the 2006 season. Comment: Stuart was a ‘grub’ as a player, niggling and always trying to get under the opposition’s skin – much in the mould of Priddis and the like. As a Coach at the Roosters where he had success – he was mentored by Phil Gould and it was Gould’s break with the Roosters in 2005 that saw Stuart’s Coaching career take a dive. Without Gould to hold his hand Stuart has no creditability as a coach as proved since 2005.   His record as Australian Coach – is best summarised by his egregious un-sportsman outburst at having lost the final against New Zealand. Yet Parramatta in yesterday’s signing openly state that he is the equal of Jack Gibson’s signing … why do stupid people show such disrespect to one of the games greats. The same Parramatta Administrators were saying the same about Chris Sandow after his signing last season for $550k from Souths … the Rabbits sold a dud and Parramatta were too stupid to understand what so many fans knew. It is the same with the Stuart signing. The history of Parramatta’s recent Coaches reads like a graveyard of career ending choices - Brian Smith (1997–2006) Jason Taylor (2006) Michael Hagan (2007–2008) Daniel Anderson (2009–2010) Stephen Kearney (2011-2012) Brian Smith had a stink at Newcastle after the Parramatta gig – he was unsuccessful there and then went to the Roosters – where he coached them to a losing Grand Final performance against St George in the 2010 final. Taylor went to Souths and no longer coaches an NRL side. Hagan quit NRL coaching and joined the QLD State of Origin coaching staff and been there ever since. Anderson is now a commentator on ABC’s Grandstand and other media outlets. Kearney was sacked a week ago by Parramatta – and it is not known what his intentions are. Stuart will be just another name on an empty list of coaches who came and then went without delivering Parramatta fans the flag they have been searching ever since Jack Gibson gave them three successive Premierships in 1981, ’82, ans ’83. Stuart is no Gibson, not now and never will be … but then what would the current Eels Chairman Roy Spagnolo know about history if he is so eager to pronounce Stuart’s signing the equal of Jack Gibson’s signing. Stupid … Stupid … Stupid … Parramatta deserve all the crap that is still to come their way if this is how they compare greatness. EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop …