Round 5 Farah vs Johns

Firstly lets start with the 'Big Issue' 'No I don't want your stupid magazine!! here is a dollar!! just use it for food and not cheap smokes and drugs for gods sake!!'
Anyway the big issue is Robbie Farah being grilled by Matty Johns on NRL on Fox this week. For those of you who haven't seen it here it is-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaUGIv1sK_s
After the show Farah took to his Twitter account to say he had been ambushed and was pissed off. Johns has  said he told Farah an hour before the show what topics he was going to ask about.
My take on it is fair enough if Johns wants to ask the tough questions and put the pressure on Farah as it was intriguing and interesting to watch, but don't be surprised by the answers Farah gave.
First of all Robbie Farah is a renowned grumpy sort of a guy and never seems overly happy or joyous. Couple that with calling his team mates and fellow forward pack as 'soft' which no player ever in the history of Rugby League has or will ever agree to, and he was fired up. Having to dispel the same old rumours of a rift between him and Benji Marshall and Coach Tim Sheens also added fuel to the fire.
I personally think Robbie's responses were fantastic!!!!! In the respect of he was speaking his mind. It was refreshing to hear someone actually say what they want and mean, he could of just agreed with everything Johns said and just said no to the rumours but to say 'Its Bullshit!! It pisses me off and it pisses Benji off' was gold!! I think he was right to question where Johns heard these rumours and who started them because 95% of all rumours in Rugby League are Bullshit so why should players have to continually have to deny them. I think it was great to see some passion and feeling in what would have been just your average boring interview without it.
One of the best off field speakers in Rugby League is Manly's Daly Cherry Evans, he is obviously intelligent and a well spoken lad, the only problem I have is that he is a bit too predictable in his answers. He always says the exact answer that should be said coming straight from a media course. You pretty much know what the answer will be as soon as the question has been asked like most players these days, it's usually ending with a cliché such as 'we're taking it one week at a time'. I would like to hear more players just say how they feel and not what they are supposed to say!!!!!!!!!!!!  

It's now time to take a seat in the Light Hearted Lounge,
The Bulldogs new recruit this season is Englishman James Graham and since he has been in Australia his new nickname is 'Bupa' as in the health insurance company, in particular from the TV add about meeting the healthier you. Have a look at the you tube link below-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=berJxcbPrj0
Well fellow Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman is the healthier version of James Graham so nickname has stuck with poor old James. Good stuff.

 Aiden Tolman

 James Graham

Right now its time  for a new segment called-

Making Withdrawals from the TAB

I certainly love a punt, who doesn't??? and I defy you to find someone who doesn't love the TAB's resident market updater Jamee Rodgers who I'm reliably informed also loves a punt and not just a Teleprompter reader.

So here goes with the bet of the week-

Storm- Tough to beat in Melbourne and a decent price at $1.40. Into

Sharks-Playing Penrith I think it will be close but may have the brilliance to just get over the line. Into

Canberra- Good form last week so let it ride I say, the Cowboys won't like it down there on a Monday night.

The return is a fairly safe $5.08, so 10 on gets you $50.80

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous I'd go for Sharks to win 1-12 in the same multi which bumps the winnings up to $86.50 from a $10 bet.

Yet another new segment to finish up with, this one is simply called 40/20 

It is a player who is in his 20's but looks like he is in his 40's and the inaugural inductee is Michael 'Horse,get out of my' Weyman. Now Michael is 28 years of age but I can assure you looked exactly the same when he first burst onto the scene in his early 20's. A picture says a thousand words though. I have also added the Michael Weyman statue which was erected in his home town of Moruya on the N.S.W South coast a few weeks back.

As usual your thoughts and feelings are welcome as this is the peoples blog, obviously on the Farah/ players speaking their mind, the light hearted lounge, the state of Weyman's head or any suggestions on other topics, we are also taking nominations on the lookalike wall for the next edition so put yourself or someone else's name forward.

I think I love Jamee Rogers but I know I'm Loving League with Lavers

Round 4, Manly Poem

G'day there guys and welcome to Loving League with Lavers,

This segment is called 'Big Issues' not the magazine that homeless people sell to support their drink, drug and smoking habits but the big issues in Rugby League right now-
Daly Cherry Evans asking for a release from his contract- All part of the negotiations, its not his fault that when he signed his contract he was an unknown so therefore was on modest pay, and now has won a premiership and played for Australia. In saying that its not Manly's fault either so I think sanity will prevail and his contract will be upgraded for next season and offered a new larger one after that. It will be interesting though as I believe Manly will have to lose at least 2 out of Cherry Evans, Foran, Glen and Brett Stewart, Tony Williams and Darcy Lussick due to salary cap constraints.
Introduction of a Draft- Players are signing contacts for other clubs 12 and 18 months in advance, it is a pretty poor system at the moment but I don't think a draft is the answer as you wouldn't then have any 1 club players, I would prefer a transfer window when players can officially sign for the next season.
Now it's been only 3 rounds but here is how a few of the clubs have been travelling-
The Best
Bulldogs-Probably looked the best, 3 good wins to start the year.
Melbourne- Have won 3 close games which is always good when you win the tight ones.
Manly- Picked up where they left off last season albeit with a slip up against the Sharks.
The Worst
Parramatta- Have been pretty woeful so far especially the mauling by the cowboys at the weekend.
 Tigers-Were exposed against Manly and smashed by the Dragons especially through the forwards. The potential signing of Willie Mason would help.
Pretenders-
Roosters- Have won 2 from 3 but have looked ordinary in attack in both wins with plenty of mistakes.
Raiders- Are in the top 8 but their attack is poor as well, these two played each other last weekend and it was tough to watch, combined completion rate of 45 from 75!!!
Hit Form-
Souths- Played pretty well when lost their first 2 but then put it all together smashing Penrith on the weekend.
Dragons- A dominant win over the Tigers where everyone played well to a man.
Will win soon-
Warriors- looked good in their loss to the Bulldogs and almost scored with 10 to go to win it, have only marginally lost to the 2 form teams in Manly and the Bulldogs.
Titans- Were brave in their defeat to the Storm last week, only some Billie Slater magic pulled the Storm clear.


Look to the Future
I have identified a player from each club for you too look to have have a big season, a break out season in some cases, so here goes.
Canberra-  Jack Wighton- Looks to have a good future, usually a 5/8 or center but debuted on the wing in round 2 and had some very good touches including flying high with a knock back for a try assist from a bomb.
Penrith- Lachlon Coote- Has played a fair bit of first grade and been hampered by injuries throughout, I think he is primed and needs a big season and maybe even push for representative honours.
Storm- Matt Duffie- A New Zealand representative already and will want to push on and cement his place in the Kiwi team by scoring tries for the Storm using his pace on the wing.
Cowboys- James Segeyaro- Originally from Papua New Guinea he is an exciting player at hooker, he's quick, a good defender and loves to put a big hit on!!!! James Taumalolo is a rampaging front rower and only 18 too!!!
Broncos- Corey Norman- Some shoes to fill in taking over the no 6 jersey from Darren Lockyer, so far so good though, he's a big 5/8 and has a big left boot on him.
Warriors- Konrad Hurrell-He is built like a tank, 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide playing center but very effective having an amazing amount of tackle breaks last season in the Toyota Cup. Glen Fisiiahi is another to look out for if given an opportunity at fullback.
Titans- Jordan Rankin- Was the 3rd youngest debutant (16years 238 days) back in 2008 but has only played 10 games since, playing 5/8 needs to take pressure off Scott Prince for the Titans to excell.
Bulldogs- Josh Reynolds- Is preferred at 5/8 by Des Hasler over Kris Keating which is a big opportunity to play well behind the Dogs Forwards.
Tigers- Ben Murdoch Masila- A big solid front row/second rower who has some balls skills too, has been at the Tigers for a few seasons now and is time for him to step up. The same goes for Junior Moors.
Roosters-Tautau Moga- Has been compared to Israel Folau- big, strong, fast and aggressive. Will be interesting to see if he can live up to his hype.
Manly- Darcy Lussick- A real good prospect in the front row, he has good size and aggression, should be in for a big year and Manly will hope they can hold onto him if he does!!!
Souths- Josh Reynolds- Plenty of pressure being the dominant halfback in his debut season but doing an ok job so far, should go better when Souths start winning.
Sharks-Chad Townsend- Fourth string half at the moment but the Sharks have already used 3 so he should get an opportunity during the season and if he produces he will stay in the top grade.
Dragons- Jack De Bellin-Was Toyota Cup player of the year last year and is backing that up in first grade starting at lock and making some crunching tackles. Has some impressive blonde locks too.

Now it time to look to the lookalike wall, its a very special one today, we have our no 1 ticket holder and distant cousin to our Asian drinks boy Jay Way Ling I speak of none other than Jeremy Weyling. We really need some help on this one as there are a few options-
Former Canberra, Newcastle and Manly great Ben Kennedy
Leeds Rhino Keith Senior.
Recently retired great Darren Lockyer
Adam 'Mad Dog' McDougall
Gordon 'The Raging Bull' Tallis

Now as promised the Manly Poem created after the Eagles dominated the Tigers to victory on the Central Coast a couple of weeks ago-

Manly Sea Eagles

Especially of late, they always put up a good fight,

That's Manly, in their iconic strip of maroon and white.

The wonderful Brookvale Oval still has a grass hill where you don't need chairs,

The fans are happy to be back after the ill fated merger with the North Sydney Bears.

Brett Stewart's amazing try scoring record at Brooky whips the crowds into frenzies,

Another try scoring freak and all time Manly great is Steve 'the Beaver' Menzies.

We try to forget Marcia Hines' horrible rendition of the club song the Eagle Rock,

Who could ever forget after the GF whilst on camera Robbo doing the windmill with his c*%k.

Some of Manly's best ever backs were Ridge, Innes and brothers Tony and Kevin Iro,

These players also double as some of Manly's best ever kiwi imports hey bro.

A winning culture where at least one premiership in each decade is the norm,

One of the best though was a 40-0 grand final drubbing of the Melbourne Storm.

Tradition, premierships and passion are some of the clubs features,

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, the pride of the northern beaches.

That's all for now,

I love Rugby League and I'm Nathan Lavers, therefore...........

I'm Loving League with Lavers

Round 2 Eagles vs Tigers preview amongst Jibber

Greetings all, I take it this finds you well and I'm sure it does cos FOOTY IS BACK!!!!!!!
If you were a bit slack like me and only got to see 6 of the games you were still rewarded in seeing some great Rugby League!!!!
A golden point win to the Dragons in Newcastle for the first match, a big upset with the Titans turning over the Cowboys in North QLD, two favourites winning in Brisbane and the Storm over the Eels and Canberra respectively. An absolutely beautiful day at the spiritual home of Rugby League Leichhardt Oval on Sunday to see another golden point game, this time won by the Tigers, the sharks were gallant in defeat and perhaps a little unlucky, kind of like getting caught staring at woman's 'side boob cleavage!!!'Seriously though side boob cleavage is fair game, I mean you are to the side of them....
 If you want huge upsets or last minute victories such as last seasons Raiders vs Dragons game in Canberra then MNF (Monday Night Footy) is for you. Rabbitoes leading 20-12 with 3 minutes to go and getting beat after a Minnichello try with 19 seconds to go!!!!
We have had a bit of feedback from loyal subscriber Ian Thompson in the form of some questions he would like cleared up, we'd like to thank Ian for his input by inducting him into the lookalike wall, we have a choice of former NRL English import referee Russell Smith, Current Eagles coach Geoff Toovey or former Illawarra winger great Rod Wishart, what do you think?

Now for Ian's questions-

I understand that the game was played in Newcastle territory but why does Andrew Johns deliver the trophy? Shouldnt it have been Lyon as he is the captain of the team who holds the trophy? Really was just a symbolic effort with no one really caring to much.

I agree with you on this one Ian, I dare say Lyon or any Manly player could of made it to Newcastle on a Thursday night after training especially when their game is on Sunday. Manly are the premiers and current holders of the Provan Summons trophy and should therefore be the ones to deliver it on round 1.

I thought Lockyer had surgery on his voice box in the off season and yet his voice is still the same.

I believe the problem with Lockyer's voice is that he is missing his entire throat, I understand that he has been moved to the top of the list and is currently awaiting a throat donor which is compatible with his tone and accent.

Just wondering on your thoughts of what Michael Slater can bring to the footy show, a dying franchise.

I don't know if the footy show is a dying franchise but I don't know what they are thinking with the appointment of Slater, sure he was a great batsman, is a good cricket commentator and a good bloke but surely channel 9 could find someone with a league background to co host with Fatty, I'd love to know what our readers think on this one??

Ceechin i hate you

Perhaps not a question in the classical sense but fair enough, lets face it though I don't think anyone can 'like' a referee can they? I mean that is why they become refs in the first place, no one turned up to their 18th or 21st birthdays and they generally were abused most of their life until they become a ref and take their revenge on the world.

However I can tell you that Matt Cecchin is a favourite of our very own research man Kyle who coincidently came out as a gay man recently, Cecchin that is, not Kyle.....yet...........

Having a TV without Foxtel is like having a pornstar girlfriend and taking a vowel of celibacy!!!!!
for those of us lucky enough to have Foxtel here is a run down of your potential viewing week.
Tuesday 9.00pm
Chooseday Night Football- Fox Sports 2
Fox delve into the archives and give you a choice of three cracking games voted on the fox website.
Wednesday 7.30pm
NRL on Fox. Fox Sports 2
Always been a good show but with a new cast. Warren Smith doing a good job of hosting but with new editions of the  sensational Matty Johns even in a serious role, and the 2 former hard men boof heads in Gordon Tallis and Mark Geyer. An informative show which discusses league issues and previews the games ahead.
Thursday 9.30
The Footy Show, Channel 9
An oldie but a goodie, an easy to watch show more based on entertainment, fatty is always entertaining as the host with some funny segments such as Beau Ryan's 'Beau knows'
see video 'Beau knows AFL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQFTORvXEcA
 Thursday 8.30
The Game Plan- HD 1
Surprisingly good with a lot more serious content than the Footy Show, hosted by Andrew Moore with Blocker Roach and the impressive Joel Caine, usually have some good player guests too.
Friday 7.30pm
Friday Night Footy, channel 9
The voice of Rugby League Ray 'Rabs' Warren with the best accent in the world calling the action and the sometimes humorous sometimes painful banter between himself and Gus Gould.
Saturday 5.30pm
Fox Sports Super Saturday
I recall going to the famous party house at Mona Vale affectionately known as 83 (house number), all the boys and some girls were there to drink many beers, order in pizzas and watch 3 games straight before going out. good times indeed.
Sunday 2pm Fox Sports/ 4pm Channel 9
The Fox game into the delayed game at 4, a great way to spend Sunday arvo working off a hangover, if your really keen you can check out the young talent coming though by watching the Toyota cup at midday on fox.
Monday 6pm
Fox Sports
New line up for the pre game show with Matty Johns running it along side Gordon Tallis and Mark Gasnier. Woz, Loz and Brandy calling the game.

Now lets preview the biggest game of the round and the fixture I look for every year when the draw is released, the Wests Tigers- the team I grew up following, the team I support and the team I love (yes I dropped the L bomb) vs the Manly Sea Eagles, the area I grew up and live in, the team most of my mates support and the team where I know a few of the players who are not only fantastic players but great blokes too. Still though the team I love to beat the most is Manly and the team I most hate to lose to is Manly.
Obviously it is only round 2 so there is not much to go on with form, however it must be said Manly looked the better team taking care of the Warriors in New Zealand. It is being played at Bluetongue Stadium on the Central Coast which is a neutral venue so I am am going to look purely at the two teams and rate who is the best.
 The Tigers have lost fullback Tedesco for the season which is a blow, a bigger loss is big Keiffy Galloway for the Manly game.
A huge loss for the Eagles is Glen Stewart who will have surgery on a dislocated finger, he has a big influence on Manly's direction and plays, I rate him as one of the best backrowers in the world and he will be sorely missed.
Manly have lost Steve Matai who has succumbed to one of his 45 injuries which he manages to sustain every game.
                  Wests Tigers                        Manly                                                                                      
Fullback Tom Humble,                     Brett Stewart,  
Stewart easily, amazing player up against Humble with only a handful of games.                     Manly 1-0                                                                  
Wing-     Beau Ryan,                        Michael Oldfield,
I'm going with Beau Ryan, not a sensational player, both are quick but Ryan has more experience and scored 2 last week.                                                                                                                                     1-1
Center-  Chris Lawrence                  Jamie Lyon (c)
Chris Lawrence because he is young and in his prime, should play state of origin this year where as Lyon in his last years but still solid.                                                                                                   Tigers 2-1
Center-  Blake Ayshford,                  Dean Whare
Ayshford, big strong and has more experience than Whare who has only played a few in the top grade.
                                                                                                                                           Tigers 3-1
Wing-    Matt Utai,                            David Williams
I'll go with the Wolfman, Utai can make some good meters in his own half but is susceptible under the high ball, Williams is a bit more consistent.                                                                                   Tigers 3-2
5/8-        Benji Marshall,                    Kieran Foran,
Unlucky for Foran, he is a great player and would beat his opposite in most teams but he is up against the best in the business on this one.                                                                                             Tigers 4-2
Halfback-Tim Moltzen,                      Daly Cherry-Evans,
Cherry Evan wins the halfback battle, break out year last year ended in him playing for Australia while I'm still not sure halfback is Moltzen's best position.                                                                                 Tigers 4-3
Prop-      Aaron Woods,                    Jason King (c)
Have to go with King purely on experience.                                                                                 4-4
Hooker- Robbie Farah (c),                 Matt Ballin                                            
Farah for hooker, both good defenders and 80 minute players but Farah edges it with his kicking game and skill out of dummy half.                                                                                                           Tigers 5-4
Prop-     Matt Groat,                          Brent Kite
Same as the other front row position, Kite on experience.                                                              5-5
2nd Row-Gareth Ellis,                     Tony Williams
Have to go Williams, he is an absolute wrecking ball and causes huge damage to defensive lines. He has really come of age.                                                                                                                           Manly 6-5
2nd Row-Adam Blair,                         Anthony Watmough
This was the most difficult to choose from for me, I have to choose one though so I have gone with Watmough by a whisker.                                                                                                         Manly 7-5
Lock-     Chris Heighington.                Jamie Buhrer
Luckily for Heino, Glen Stewart is out so he takes the point, great work-horse lock forward.
                                                                                                                                                Manly 7-6
Interchange- Liam Fulton, Matt Bell,       , Vic Mauro, Daniel Harrison
Ben Murdoch-Masila, Sean Meaney,      Darcy Lussick, Tim Robinson
The benches are very even, a point for Fulton who is a proven performer, a point for Lussick who is a real player of the future. Coach Sheens has a reserve back (Meaney) who will only play in case of injury and I haven't seen any of Harrison so we can't really compare them, a point each.
                                                                                                                                               Manly 8-7                                                                                                              
Coach- Tim Sheens                                  Geoff Toovey
Huge mismatch in terms of experience and premierships.                                                                 8-8

So there you have it, two very even teams in what is the match of the round and could well be the two teams in the grand final at the end of the year!!!!
Manly will play a physical style of game and will try and go through the Tigers forwards and in particular their very inexperienced front row.
The Tigers will have to hang in there and stay with the Eagles and hope for some individual brilliance from a Marshall, Lawrence or Blair in order to snatch it.
I will of course be backing the Tigers and cheering extremely loud for them, in fact if I were a betting man............which I am, I am prepared to make a bet with the Manly LLwL readers that if Manly win I will pen a Manly Sea Eagles Poem about all the highlights and great things which make the club and publish it in the next edition, however if the Tigers win there will be Wests Tigers poem glorifying everything Wests Tigers!!!!!!
I also take bets of cash, alcohol and in some cases sexual favours and
I'm Loving League with Lavers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!