The Rocket

I`d almost say the opposite, the quality we`ve had come down over the last forty plus years has led to the arrival of most new players being highly anticipated. If they don`t cut it, all well and good, that happens, but on balance there has been far more high performers than duds and the majority of fans would willingly recognise that.

I think it was in response to @DavidM before the season started when he said he saw no improvement in St. George this year that I stated that Flanagan was a winner and this would be reflected in our results, I recall you agreeing, notwithstanding the obvious bias a Sharks fan would have. Not much I have seen or heard so far changes my view on this, it seems that the players really want to perform for him. Btw, great to see Kyle Flanagan probably playing the best football of his career.

I know it`s Warriors` news, but this is massive for the Warriors` and Kiwi Rugby League in general. The sort of player who will attract other top shelf players to the club. James Fisher-Harris signs with One New Zealand Warriors from 2025 | Warriors " He`s one of the games` elite players, a super tough forward who sets and demands the highest standards. " Andrew Webster Warriors` Head Coach. “It’s a huge signing for us, undoubtedly one of the biggest in our club’s history." Cameron George Warriors CEO. "

NRL in Vegas was such a hit, my American mate wants a Canberra Raiders jersey (theroar.com.au) "If someone had told me a couple of months ago that I’d have friends in the small American town I live in asking me about how they could get their hands on a Raiders jersey, about how the Penrith Panthers were able to create a dynasty with a father-son coach duo – “dude how is that even legal” – or telling me about how electric they found Tom Trbojevic and James Tedesco to be I would have called you insane. "The simple fact that I, on a regular basis, see friends of mine watching NRL highlights is evidence enough that NRL Las Vegas has brought at least some people to the game. "Continuing the NRL Las Vegas will do wonders, but I also think holding NRL nines tournaments or international tests could do wonders, especially on the West Coast which has a decent Pasifika population." Interesting.

Not sure whether this has already been mentioned, I only found out yesterday. Warriors bar: Why club chose Kingsland site for themed pub as part of major investment strategy - NZ Herald The Warriors have found the location for their themed pub, which they hope will become the best sports bar in New Zealand. The club has bought the Holy Hop bar in Kingsland, which they will fully refurnish and refit, with an estimated opening date of August or September 2024. As revealed by the Weekend Herald in January, the branded pub is part of a strategy to diversify revenue streams – after the Covid period highlighted their massive reliance on NRL funding – as well as boost their visibility and footprint in the marketplace. As well as purchasing the business, the club has also bought the building, which houses a Domino’s outlet, a restaurant and a motorcycle accessories dealership (techmoto). The Weekend Herald understands the NRL franchise – through owners Autex – have spent close to $10 million on the venture. Seems the NRL`s push into diversifying income streams is inspiring the owners of the Warriors. The Warriors getting their own Gambaro.

For as long as I`ve been coming on here Irish you`ve been advocating for a concerted effort to develop Rugby League in the world`s biggest market. Intriguing thought your first sentence. I think you may have meant "simply the best" in your second, sounds better and I think I`ve heard it before somewhere.

Bernie Gurr was the Finance Director of the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the U.S. and resides now in the U.S. Joe Kelly spent three years in a senior executive role at Celsea Football club in the United Kingdom. The addition of Kelly and Gurr to the USARL board follows the NRL's recent appointment of John Vellis as General Manager - US Expansion in a sign of the NRL`s commitment to North America. These aren`t just anybody`s.

I don`t believe in coincidences so i think it would be unwise to underestimate the effect the Las Vegas venture is having on the optimism and excitement around Rugby League in the U.S. at the moment. It would perhaps have given those in the game over there a real focal point of something to aim for and the beauty is it has minimum 5 more years to run. A lot can happen in five years, especially in the U.S. These are two heavyweight appointments who I have no doubt done this in consultation with the NRL hierarchy. Who knows the growth in the local game and recruitment of the female players into the NRLW maybe two side benefits out of this whole thing we didn`t see coming.

Interesting interview with Nathan Cleary, touches on weight divisions for juniors, junior coaching and the Panthers` playing style. 'I don't agree': Cleary's insight into junior coaching | Watch (msn.com)

It`s interesting, I see a bit of Scott Hill in him. Tall, lean, classy five-eight for the Storm and later Harlequins, and who also played for N.S.W. and Australia, eventually moving into the lock position, a position where it has been touted Galvin will end up. Btw, I think at one stage Hill was described in the media "as the two-iron with ears".

It only holds about 19k now I believe due to restrictions on the hill. There was great concern that due to Saint`s form that this game may have hindered our ability to break the round record, but ticket sales were strong early and most crowd followers were very pleased with the turn-out.

If that`s Dodgy Dave I don`t think he made it.

I assume you`re are talking about a merger with the Central Coast, because the Bears` home ground problems are insurmountable and I severely doubt Bears` fans would travel in sufficient numbers across the bridge to Allianz to make that work. Central Coast Bears, possible, but a long way down the list, maybe if the competition goes to conferences.

Mate we do not need any more NSW sides in the (Inter)National Rugby League. The future is the Perth`s, the Christchurch`s, the Fiji`s, the P.N.G.`s, the Wellington`s et.al Let the central coast be absorbed into an existing team`s pathways.

Big news coming out of the North Sydney Bears AGM, appears non-negotiables are down to two now: Partner club must retain Bears Red and Black colours, and must retain/incorporate history of the North Sydney Bears into the new club. In addition it was mentioned that it would be desirable to have minimum one game a year at North Sydney oval. The big concession made though was that it appears the North Sydney Bears Rugby League club are prepared now not to own the franchise or the license to the new NRL team. This was a big sticking point for potential partner bids due to concerns that the franchise might be undermined with a plan eventually to get the club back to North Sydney. Another interesting development was that it was revealed that an official party from the W.A./Perth bid made a trip recently to Sydney to meet and discuss a joint venture. It also stated that the Bears are open to partnering with another entity, the most likely being a South Island New Zealand bid and that they must have plans for all contingencies - the hackneyed business term "nimble" was used - once the NRL reveal their preferred location for the new franchise. Interesting times.