Dave Chapman and Warrick Nicolson discuss the pros and cons of the Dragons signing Ben Hunt for half a decade and one million dollars a season...
Stream the Podcast below:
Plus Mr DC still isn't happy with NRL ticket prices (leading to a Big Bash League's success analysis) and we talk JT's announcement that he'll retire from rep footy in 2017 and possibly from the NRL in 2018.
Nigel Vagana opens up about his Rugby League career and just keeps talking in this one hour plus NOT The Footy Show special...
This is a good old fashioned chat about Nigel's road through an NRL career and what follows. Hope you enjoy it as much as Warrick Nicolson did talking to him. Stream the Podcast below:
And with that confirmation, Josh Hoffman's chances of starting 2017 as a fullback went from slim to none. In fact, the rest of the SMH article suggests that Clinton Gutherson would be next in line if French doesn't work out - not Hoffman. Gutherson looks set to partner Corey Norman in the halves (unless veteran half Jeff Robson is preferred, meaning Gutherson would shift to centre/wing) for Parramatta, with French slotting in at fullback. That means that Semi Radradra and Michael Jennings will remain partnered on the left edge, with Brad Takairangi looking like having Hoffman outside him on the right. Now Hoffman played in the centres for the Titans last year but Arthur is a Takairangi fan and Hoffman's work-rate is going to get better utilised on the wing than it was at centre. The reason this is intriguing decision is French made quite the impact on the wing last year - you know a 1000 tries in 9 games or whatever it was - and like Valentine Holmes, I actually think sometimes it's better not to move a freakish tryscorer from the wing and shift him to fullback too early in their career - because they get tend to get bashed on kick-returns.
Let them do their thing on the wing - especially if it benefits the team. That all said, things aren't looking too bad for Parramatta entering 2017... then again, when you look at that average forward pack and sheer lack of a quality #9... it tempers expectations a little.
Matt Duncan is joined by Warrick Nicolson at the Gabba in Brisbane for a quick recap of the 2016 NRL Season. This 15 minute episode is just us getting back on the horse - next week we'll be joined by Nigel Vagana for a good old fashioned chat about more than just footy. Stream the Podcast below:
Admittedly, Semi Radradra's exit from Parramatta seemed inevitable but after two years of denials and a number of trips to Fiji - he will join Toulon Rugby in 2017. Not even the lure of the green and gold (yep, him playing for Australia in Newcastle last May DID happen) could keep him in the NRL - and let's be honest: If he didn't really want to be here, then he should take the money and run. Whatever his situation - it is his call to leave. And he'll get paid - as the below quote from Parramatta's CEO indicates.
The offer from Toulon was substantially higher than our Club’s offer. We look forward to Semi being a most productive member of the 2017 Parramatta Eels playing squad and then we wish Semi well in his rugby union venture with Toulon.
Bernie Gurr, Parramatta CEO.
'Substantially higher' means - he's getting millions not hundreds of thousands per year - but the Eels have stood firm in wanting one more year out of the best winger in the game. And that's the key here for Parra - Semi is the best winger in the NRL (Valentine Holmes*, Josh Mansour and Corey Oates are in the queue behind him) and one of Parramatta's alternatives - Vai Toutai, is no longer at the club. Semi Radradra's Career NRL Stats (courtesy of RLP)
60 Tries in 68 games is, well... brilliant. The argument that the club should move on and make Semi play reserve grade simply does not make the Eels better in 2017 - and after the events of 2016 - the club can't afford to put themselves behind the 8-ball before a game is played by benching Semi. So they'll play him as long as they remain in playoff contention in 2017 - but should they be out of the picture, the Eels will likely release Semi as the French Top 14 comp begins around August... But right now - like 15 other teams, Parra will believe they are shot in 2017 and that means keeping and playing Semi in their top squad and enjoying his tryscoring benefits as long as they can. * Holmes will transition to fullback in 2017 with Ben Barba's departure but at the end of 2016 - he was a winger.
Easts - #NRL 2017
🗣 Sure they had a better squad than most 15th placed teams in recent history - but you are what your record says you are. pic.twitter.com/5DyORlwHoj
Parramatta - #NRL 2017
🗣 Copped medicine to finish as also-rans... no wonder team but if their fans show up to ANZ they'll be fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/CrsRgoZHJC
Manly - #NRL 2017
🗣 Old guard practically gone (a painful but understandably slow burn post success). Jumping from 13th to Finals isn't easy pic.twitter.com/FykEk70oeb
South Sydney - #NRL 2017
🗣 Got overmatched on a regular basis even with Sam back on board. Top heavy roster needs refreshed approach to rise pic.twitter.com/k8nXmJOuuj
Dragons - #NRL 2017
🗣 Just a hard team to watch. The Widdop/Marshall combo was as good it was allowed to be by a rigid boring structure. pic.twitter.com/bvdwZ7yZew
Warriors - #NRL 2017
🗣 10-14 record seemed spot on. A very ordinary team under McFadden so it might be a case of addition by subtraction. pic.twitter.com/YhG8Qh4MSL
Wests Tigers - #NRL 2017 🗣 How they were 80mins from a playoff spot in the final round remains one of life's great mysteries... seriously!?! pic.twitter.com/dxHoMa8fv5
Gold Coast - #NRL 2017
🗣 Lost a bunch of depth but is now a team with some serious difference makers (Hayne is worth every penny). Fans 😁 pic.twitter.com/iUGv1ILX75
Canterbury - #NRL 2017
🗣 Hard to tell if they're going to get better or worse... hey not all analysis is cutting edge. Kasiano MVP by a mile pic.twitter.com/EZa7sa7cMK
Penrith - #NRL 2017
🗣 So much to like about them on a number of fronts; if Rein can adapt to feeding their playmakers they'll be even better pic.twitter.com/uDhLF41ON7
Brisbane - #NRL 2017
🗣 Seemed out to prove they didn't lose GF but we're a spent force by #Origin - Bennett has job ahead but talent abounds pic.twitter.com/y5VfXwrpGy
Nth Qld - #NRL 2017
🗣 Were good enough to go back to back but didn't. Green had JT plugged into the charger the moment he got back from UK. pic.twitter.com/OWqCX6CMtK
Canberra - #NRL 2017
🗣 Heavy expectations are back in the capital for first time since Super League year... team has the parts to meet them. pic.twitter.com/hUKdTykxte
Melbourne - #NRL 2017
🗣 Remain in contention with Smith/Cronk in lineup but a title only comes with a fit Slater. #7 misses Proctor most. pic.twitter.com/jff0GFB7pp
Cronulla - #NRL 2017
🗣 All those easy wins won't be so easy next year. Had gas in the tank come Sept... and how do you not over-celebrate? pic.twitter.com/DYDXpfOWSW