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Mason Divides Qlders
'); document.write('The NQ Cowboys fans have been reported as being very much divided over Willie mason joining the team. Mason is a goose, yes, but in terms of misbehaviour he is a choir boy. Tipping him for a BIG year.'); document.write(''); document.write('

An Eventful Day in NRL
'); document.write(' Yesterday was certainly a news day for the NRL with many exciting announcements made.Firstly, Big Willie Mason has signed with the Cowboys. This is good news for the game and was tipped exclusively by THEFOOTY.com and never wavered from for the last month. Willie will start afresh in NQ and whichever way he goes should have a top season. Strange how he polarises the fans, with the thought that 50% hope he has a great season and the other 50% believe he will show up to be a dog. Lote Tuquiri is back in league, and following the exploits of Wendell, is tipped to have a great season. One of the reasons why Wendell was welcomed back so warmly was his larger than life personality, and his outward enthusiasms for the game and the team. Lote has neither of these characteristics and I personally believe his return does nothing for the game. The NRL AllStars game has been rocked by injury with four Aussie Allstars out, including Englishmen Gareth Ellis. The Indigenous All Stars are also rocked by injury. I am not sure of the replacement program yet, but will advise once announced.'); document.write(''); document.write('

NRL All Stars Game should be Huge
'); document.write(' I just sat and watched the NFL Pro Bowl game, and the new scheduling for the game interested me. Previously played in Hawai, the week after the Super Bowl, it is now played in Florida the week before the Super Bowl and fills the empty weekend prior to the Bowl. The teams are decided by voting from the fans, players and coaches. Of course the Super Bowl team representatives sit out the game, but with both the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl being played in Florida this season, the Pro Bowl has been the ideal lead in.Which led me to thinking. After a hards finals series, would it not be advantageous for both teams to have a fortnight off. The first week off they prepare seriously in their home ports for the game and get their more serious preparation done. Then in the week leading to the game, both teams set up shop in Grand Final town annd set the buzz happening.Now imagine if you will, the NRL Allstars game being held on the spare weekend before the Grand Final. Both of the these teams (minus the GF teams players selected) converge on Grand Final town and dominate the media, leaving the two GF teams in peace in their home port to seriously prepare for the GF and even get over some of the niggling issues.Just call me an ideas man, but this could work brilliantly and would work better than the February Time slot. '); document.write(''); document.write('

Cowboys and Big Willie!!!
'); document.write('Willie Mason has been rumoured to be in the sights of the North Queensland Cowboys and Manly. Maybe a change to Townsville is just what the doctor ordered for the human wrecking ball.Many would agree that a charging Willie Mason is a great sight! It's about time we see the deeds back on the footy field and not in the gossip pages! The Cowboys fan base are split 50-50 on the Mason issue, but personally I reckon they will be getting a player that will have so much to prove it isn't funny. The Cowboy Players seem to want him, the coach is keen but is the board prepared to take the risk? I hope he does go to the Cowboys and he has an amazing season.'); document.write(''); document.write('

Folou to Union???
'); document.write(' Well I guess I have heard it all now. Israel Folou has expressed an interest in Union. Why, oh why, do league players feel the need to entertain thoughts on joining Rugby Union. The game is crap, ruined by referees and certainly not the sporting nirvana that it is painted up to be. Additionally, one would have to guess whether Folou would actually succeed in Union. I don't see too many high kicks to the corner, which appears to be Folous specialty. Union has fast agile backs, and I don't see this in Folou. Just another leaguie attempting to raise his money, I guess'); document.write(''); document.write('

Do we need Johny Larkin?
'); document.write(' A well-meaning friend delivered the Johny Larkin book, The Cockroach tells all, to me for Christmas. I must say it did start with some promise with his photo and disclaimer on Russell Crowe. After that it went downhill and fast. It had the usual predictable humour, based around booze, out-dated anecdotes, self-gloating bullshit and the gratuitous use of a fat middle aged man in various photos of distaste. Predictable use of the nickname in an attempt at humour to sell beer and the odd g-string shot. I am pretty sure that the vast majority of league fans will see some humour in this, but by mid-book will be bored shirtless, much like the Reg Reagan book of a few years back. The book isn't even well written as a parody, with contradictory pieces, snippets and cannot even keep its own historical context. Heaven forbid, if anyone actually took this book as a serious piece of journalism. Now some may describe this rant as a bit hypocritical seeing that we churn out the ole Myth and Legend, Snowy "Bloody" Fraser on our completely independent footy.com site. We don't trot Snowy out as anything Snowy isn't. A real reserve grade bush legend , with some outdated views but a real grip on the new world of Rugby League and the expectations of the fans and games. Snowy lives in our world, everyone knows a Snowy. No-one would ever admit to knowing a Johny Larkin. Not sure how the NRL stops this sort of crap from going to print. The American NFL has such strict controls on how their game is depicted, that some movies have been forced to create their own league for their stories. A case in point is "On Any Given Sunday" in which a fictitious league was created as the NFL did not approve the movie script. It's time we moved the humour of our game to the next level, Lets get rid of the "fart" joke toilet humour and embrace some originality. '); document.write(''); document.write('

Where to now for Big Willie?
'); document.write('As a father of many kids around the nation, I have become prone to advising them of the need to get on with people and then in turn this helps you get on with the world. Don't be the person that people don't want to play, work or be with. Be the one they want to be with. Now if only Willie Mason had been given that advice, OR had chosen to use it if it had been given to him. Be the big personality does him no favours at the moment. Unwanted at his club, and indeed inside the NRL, Willie has limited options. He has apparently recieved big money offers off-shore, but whether this is true or an attempt to keep his name in the media is arguable. By appearing to be a wanted commodity, also helps drive the type of money, Willie has become used to. Desperate to remain in the NRL, the NRL doesn't appear desperate to keep him. Good luck Willie. What will he be remembered for???? News : www.thefooty.com '); document.write(''); document.write('

NRL All-Stars Game has Mixed Appeal
'); document.write('The Rugby League community has embraced the concept of the All-Stars game to be held in February, between the Aboriginal Dream Team and the NRL All-Stars. Most league fans are excited by the prospect of the game, but the voting for the game is the testing point in the game. While the concepts of having fans pick the players and having just one player from each club is admirable, it will limit the game as a spectacle and as an avenue to further increase revenue. The public are notoriously bad at voting for the right people. Witness any reality TV show, when popularity usually wins as opposed to actual talent or worthiness. Additionally, how many pub fights have come about due to footy team selections and the arguments from incensed patrons. Clubs would certainly not relish having multiple players involved in a Public Relations game, and I am sure that the limitation of players from clubs was one of the deciding factors behind allowing the game to go ahead. However it leads to the question of which player from which club. Why should Parramatta chosse between Nathan Hindmarsh, Fuifui Moimoi and Jarryd Hayne as their single representitive. Why should Brisbane be "allowed" to have captain Darren Lockyer and another player in the side. Here are the Top 10 Players voted. John Sutton is unavailable due to injury Player Club 1. Israel Folau Brisbane Broncos 2. Fuifui Moimoi Parramatta Eels 3. Nathan Hindmarsh Parramatta Eels 4. Jarryd Hayne Parramatta Eels 5. Michael Jennings Penrith Panthers 6. Billy Slater Melbourne Storm 7. Anthony Watmough Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8. John Sutton* South Sydney Rabbitohs 9. Josh Morris Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 10. Ryan Hoffman Melbourne Storm Here is the remainder of the squad. The following 64-players have been shortlisted for the NRL All Stars selection: Club Name Position Brisbane Broncos Corey Parker Forward Nick Kenny Forward Israel Folau Back Peter Wallace Back Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Michael Ennis Forward David Stagg Forward Josh Morris Back Luke Patten Back North Queensland Cowboys Luke O?Donnell Forward Antonio Kaufusi Forward Ashley Graham Back John Williams Back Parramatta Eels Fuifui Moimoi Forward Nathan Hindmarsh Forward Jarryd Hayne Back Feleti Mateo Back Newcastle Knights Ben Cross Forward Chris Houston Forward Kurt Gidley Back Jarrod Mullen Back New Zealand Warriors Michael Luck Forward Sam Rapira Forward Manu Vatuvei Back Simon Mannering Back Penrith Panthers Petero Civoniceva Forward Frank Pritchard Forward Michael Jennings Back Luke Lewis Back South Sydney Rabbitohs Dave Taylor Forward Issac Luke Forward Fetuli Talanoa Back Colin Best Back Canberra Raiders Alan Tongue Forward David Shillington Forward Terry Campese Back Joel Monaghan Back Sydney Roosters Nate Myles Forward Jason Ryles Forward Anthony Minichiello Back Mitchell Pearce Back Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Anthony Watmough Forward Glenn Stewart Forward Michael Robertson Back Kieran Foran Back Cronulla Sharks Anthony Tupou Forward Luke Douglas Forward Trent Barrett Back Luke Covell Back Melbourne Storm Ryan Hoffman Forward Aiden Tolman Forward Billy Slater Back Brett Finch Back Gold Coast Titans Anthony Laffranchi Forward Luke Bailey Forward Mat Rogers Back Ashley Harrison Back Wests Tigers Gareth Ellis Forward Robbie Farah Forward Chris Lawrence Back Tim Moltzen Back St George Illawarra Dragons Ben Creagh Forward Jeremy Smith Forward Matt Cooper Back Darius Boyd Back '); document.write(''); document.write('

JT Risking Being Alienated by League Fans
'); document.write(' When Jonathon Thurston came out and spoke about being a Wallaby, many in the league game openly have said, " Who Cares" League fans are genuinely tired of seeing their superstars, talking up Yawnion and many see it as a way to bump up their salary. We are sick of the lack of loyalty shown by the league superstars to the game that has given them everything they haveSo CYA JT. You will be forgotten '); document.write(''); document.write('

Birdie Tries Life on the Coast
'); document.write('Bad boy of league, Greg Bird has accepted a lifeline on the Gold Coast to take on life in the NRL from 2010. The redemption that he seeks, was the primary motivator behind the move, as he knocked back a much more substantial offer from Catalans In France, to sign with the Titans for a reported $100,000 for the season. Bird need to reshape his battered image. Apart from the charges that he successfully apealled, he has long been regarded as one of the Sharks Bruise Brothers with grub Paul Gallon. For Bird to sign with squeaky clean, Gold Coast, could well be a master stroke for his career and his personal life. Whatever happens, it is time for Bird to take ultimate responsibility for his issues and drive better standards, both on and off the field.'); document.write(''); document.write('

A Step Forward
'); document.write('The Sunday Papers screamed "Independance Day" and I wondered what Ruby League had to do with an invasion of aliens who attacked the White House. But then I realised, that this wasn't a Hollywood blockbuster, but an Australian version designed to bring the game of Rugby League to life. Can I tell you. It has the full support of the team here at THEFOOTY.com, with a very big "IT's ABOUT TIME!!"'); document.write(''); document.write('

Wendell Goes: And the Game is poorer for it
'); document.write(' Wendell Sailor announced his retirement today after 16 seasons of top grade football in both rugby union and League. It is hoped that Wendell will play his one last final match as one of the Indigenous All stars in the first all-stars game to be held in February at Skilled Park. He must be voted in to play, but understandably the public should get behind his selection.Sailor will be sorely missed as his personality is what is missing in our game at present. He leaves to take on community work with the Dragons and the NRL, and jokingly assisting Wayne Bennett in the coaches box. Sailor played 19 Tests for Australia in rugby league, five of which were in Super League, and 17 State of Origin matches for Queensland, three of them Super League. Sailor also played 37 Tests, including the 2003 World Cup final, for the Wallabies during his time in rugby union.'); document.write(''); document.write('

Strange Aussie Selections
'); document.write(' Every coach has the right to choose his team, and many have felt that Robbie Farrah was an undeserving selection ahead of the Bulldogs Michael Ennis. Lets face facts here. NSW looked rudderless in the first two Origins this year with Farrar, yet fired up to win with Ennis. Now Farrah has been selected on the bench to tandem with Cam Smith. Not sure of the benefits of this, however would believe that Smith would be a tad concerned for his Australian jersey.The Australians looked disjointed last weekend, and played nowhere near the calibre that they needed to. Yet the team annouced would be considered quite strange, and the changes made questionable. The Australian team is :Australia: Billy Slater, Brett Morris, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Jarryd Hayne, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Ben Hannant, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen, Nathan Hindmarsh. Interchange: Robbie Farah, Brett White, Luke Lewis, David Shillington, Trent Waterhouse, Kurt Gidley (two to be omitted).When you dissect game one. Hayne never got the ball outside of "go myself" Hodges. The front rowers never made the required metres they needed to. Thurston and Lockyer were disjointed.They were lucky to escape with a draw. While the need for some of the changes are warranted, Sheens will rest hos Kangaroo coaching ability on this team.'); document.write(''); document.write('

Australian Side Announced for Four Nations
'); document.write(' The side to kick off the Four Nations tournament has been announced by Coach Tim Sheens. It contains three debutants and involves a revamp of the forward pack and back row especially. The Side is:1. Billy Slater2. Brett Morris3. Greg Inglis4. Justin Hodges5. Jarryd Hayne6. Darren Lockyer �7. Johnathan Thurston8. Ben Hannant9. Cameron Smith10. Petero Civoniceva11. Trent Waterhouse12. Ryan Hoffman13. Anthony Watmough14. Brett White15. Sam Thaiday16. Paul Gallen17. Kurt Gidley Nathan Hindmarsh has been selected as 18th man, while this game will make Darren Lockyer the most capped Australian player beating Mal Meninga's old mark of 46 tests. '); document.write(''); document.write('

Folou Out: A DRAGON IN
'); document.write(' Israel Folou today pulled out of the Kangaroo squad and his place was taken by leading try scorer Brett Morris. I am not sure if twins have ever played for Australia before, but it is a unique event and one the Morris clan must be justly proud of. Brett joins his brother Josh in the Four Nations squad.'); document.write(''); document.write(''); document.write('

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