NRL GRAND FINAL MATCH

This a grand final match between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys. This game was a really close one. The cowboys managed to steal the game in the last second. Was a real thriller. I hope everyone enjoyed the game.

Andrew - Acting, Commentary
Hussein - Acting, Commentary
Dylan - Acting, Video Editing.

Sam Burgess to return to the NRL?

After England’s recent demise at the Rugby World Cup in their home country fingers have started to be pointed to who should be blamed, one man coming under the scrutiny is ex-NRL player Sam Burgess. Burgess played at outside center for majority of England’s dismal campaign and after a series of poor performances many are calling for his axing, something that would excite many fans in the NRL. England League Coach Steve McNamara who has previously worked with Sam in the Super league has even tipped him to come back to League in the “next six months”.

Although having another two years on his contract at Bath, is it definitely something to get Rugby League fans around the country excited, as Burgess would be a great inclusion into next years season. His stint at the South Sydney Rabbitohs proved this, proving much backing in his sides 2014 NRL Premiership. At this stage the ball hasn’t even started moving, but is a very exciting idea for fans around the country.

Carney too sue the Cronulla Sharks

After the emphatic Golden Point Victory in the NRL Grand Final the drama has ensued off the field with notorious ex-NRL player Todd Carney coming back into the spotlight. Carney was infamously sacked from the Cronulla Sharks due to a lewd photo surfacing online and throughout the media. Carney believes he was unfairly sacked and is suing the club for an amount believed to be close to 3 million dollars. The topic is a divided one throughout sport, some believing he was hard done by and others the opposite, believing the punishment was nothing but fitting. Carney has taken to the media to voice his opinion that he “doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else” and hopes to “change the future so no one else falls into his place. It is a big move from the superstar, something that will be on the tips of everyone’s’ tongues for weeks to come.

Bennett Farewell's skipper

Bennett's tribute to departing skipper

Wayne Bennett took the opportunity to farewell his skipper Justin Hodges. Hodges wasn't the only player to be singled out with fellow retiree David Stagg and UK bound Mitchell Dodds also receiving kind words from the master coach and Corey Parker and Jack Reed acknowledge for individual milestones. Despite the success of the team in 2015, having making it all the way to the grand final but after a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Cowboys, But Bennett had the large crowd in the palm of his hand whenever he spoke. On the stage before Broncos faithful is where Bennett belongs and the highlight of the evening was his tribute to hodges, the man he dropped to reserve grade 14 Years ago when he announced he was heading to the Roosters.
Hodges ended up coming backing after three years laters and after time at the Dragons and the Knights so did Bennett and said he had no hesitation in making the Queensland and Australia representative captain of the club. Bennett farewelling Hodges for the last time, saying that "Hodges will be never forgetting and will always be history".

Holden Cup Final

The Penrith Panthers have stormed their way to become the 2015 Holden Cup Champions. It was a strong showing by the team tipped to win, running out convincing winners 34 – 18 against the Manly Sea Eagle’s. Although only being up 16 -12 at halftime the Under 20’s Panthers were the much more convincing team, controlling play for lengthy amount of times and having numerous more chances. The title was the second for the team in just three years showing much potential for the future of the NRL side, some of the players even backing up for the Australian Schoolboys team. Well see next year if the in form team can take out a 3rd title in just four years.

The Golden Point Debate

 In a post match press conference Brisbane Bronco’s Coach Wayne Bennett reflected on his sides loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in Golden Point stating that the idea of losing a Grand Final in Golden point is “just unfair on everybody”, later stating that he would’ve been “happy to come back next week and play again.”

Bennett argues a divided point, is Golden Point the best way to decide a final? Something that both teams have fought the entire season for, just to be decided by the boot of one player. Although there is a level of bias involved in the comments, as Bennett would probably not of made the comments if his side was on the other end of the result, he does make a valid point. There are definitely other, fairer ways to end the biggest match of many players’ careers.

The best of these being the slight twinge to the idea of Golden Point, the idea of the “Golden Try’.  It is obviously a lot easier to make a field goal than to score a try and the idea of the Golden try, it allows for more of a contest to decide the match rather than giving the opportunity to win to the first team within 30 meters of the goal. Both teams have to instill that finishing touch or that extra bit of ‘magic” to win the game.

Unfortunately this is something that doesn’t look like it will be incorporated into the game anytime soon, especially with Wayne Bennett’s position on the Game’s rules committee in Jeopardy.

Cowboys 2015 NRL Champions

The Cowboys are NRL Champions after winning their maiden NRL premiership on Sunday. It was a nervous wait for the side after Jonathon Thurston hit the post in an 80^th minute conversion, drawing the game into Golden Point. Thankfully after a costly mistake from Brisbane Bronco’s Halfback Ben Hunt, JT managed to kick the game winning field goal early into Golden Point, an occasion only fitting for the Dally M Medalist.

Holding onto a narrow 4 point lead throughout the second half the Cowboys became increasingly frustrated, lacking in that finishing touch. Several attacking opportunities were blundered at the final stage, that was until a swift movement to the right, followed by a delightful flick pass resulted in the equalizing try with the last play of the game. There were emotions of astonishment, angst and joy as the 82,758 fans around the stadium cheered, all holding their breath waiting on the kick from Thurston, and as he raised his fist the ball clipped the post and catapulted outwards.  

What followed was both heart breaking and exuberant to say the least, Ben Hunt coming up with the costly mistake that you would want no player to make, dropping the ball deep inside his own half and allowing for JT to kick the game winning field goal. So there you have it after a tense and action packed grand-final, North Queensland Cowboys were now the 2015 NRL Champions!

Cowboys Coach Giving A Boost

Green's GF experience to boost Cowboys

When it comes to grand finals, Broncos have a lot experience than the Cowboys, both in the playing and coaching ranks, BUT don't think the Cowboys coach Paul Green is the slightest.  For
the Cowboys, some of the team mates have entered the the Grand final. Johnathan Thurston, which was a victory with the Bulldogs in 2004 and a loss with the Cowboys a year later.
Green saying it was his own experiences guiding Manly coach Wynnum to the back to back premierships then as an understudy to Rooster coach Trent in 2013, that would stand him and his side good stead. "The big thing is to keep it simple; what works for you through the year is going to work for you on the big day – that's probably the main thing," he said of his experiences in the Intrust Super Cup.

Dally M Player Of The Year

Thurston wins 2015 Dally M Medal

 
Cowboys Co-Captain Johnathan Thurston has won the 2015 Dally M Medal, with a record breaking margin in claiming the unprecedented fourth Dally M medal. After his two winnings from 2005, 2007 and sharing the award from last year 2014 with Jarryd Hayne, Thurston is the first player to be awarded player of the season four times, going one better than a former Knights half back and rugby leagues eighth Immortal Andrew Johns. Thurston finished the season with a huge 32 Dally M points, a 11 point ahead of the trio who finished second. Thurston preparing for his final game on the grand final game playing up against Broncos, up at ANZ stadium.
Thurston leaving the stage by saying "It's going to be a cracker of a night and we're all looking forward to it. It's going to be fun." mentioning about the grand final night. Good luck to both teams and congratulations Johnathan Thurston.