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Gibraltar Football and Ian Kiernan win October 2018 Hero of the Month

By
Kaaps Loche
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1
ian kiernan clean up australia day

Clean Up Australia pioneer Ian Kiernan, the one of World Football’s smallest nations – Gibraltar get the nod from our very website as October 2018 Hero of the Month.

One man sailed around the world, and came up with Clean Up Australia, the other only won their first competitive matches.

Both are great, not grape, and both deserve their title of October Jerk of the Month

 

October 2018 Hero of the Month Winners

IAN KIERNAN

Why such a hero?

Known for convincing people to give up one of their weekend days to clean up crap around Australia. He recently passed away, giving us a reminder of his fine work.

He also set an Australian record for a solo circumnavigation of the world, which gave him the inspiration for the Clean Up.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

GIBRALTAR FOOTBALL TEAM

Why such a hero?

Didn’t know Gibraltar had a Football side? Did you know they won their first ever competitive match in October since finally being allowed to be a FIFA nation in 2016.

Gibraltar beat Armenia 1-0 away from home, and after the Armenians played the wrong national anthem at the start. It was their first win in a competitive match. Happily they doubled down a few days later against European powerhouse Liechtenstein. Who says UEFA Nations League D would be boring.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

RESULTS – October 2018 Hero of the Month

[socialpoll id=”2524801″]

 

 

October 2018 Hero of the Month – Other Nominations

PETER BEATTIE

Why such a hero?

The former Queensland Premier, Commonwealth Games head honcho and current NRL Chairman Peter Beattie gets an unexpected Hero of the Month nomination for his fine work of broadcasting the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII game via his Twitter account when the NRL couldn’t be arsed.

Solid work, and hope for him yet. 

Hero Factor – 3/10

 

USMAN KHAWAJA

Why such a hero?

For showing backbone and scoring plenty of runs in the unlikely draw in the first test against Pakistan in Dubai.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

FRIENDLY ANIMALS WHO INVADE FOOTBALL GAMES

Why such a hero?

There’s rarely anything funnier (non Football related) at a Football game than an animal getting into the ground and interupting play. Except for maybe a half time proposal that doesn’t end in Yes.

This month’s nomination comes from a top flight game in Georgia. But is a nomination for all animals in general who feel like stopping a game of football.

Hero Factor – 8/10

 

KIMI RAIKKONEN

Why such a hero?

Kimi is a lot of people’s favourite F1 driver because he’s different, and he doesn’t appear to take himself too seriously, like most of the others.

The Finn gets a nomination for his drought breaking win in the US Grand Prix, the first in 113 races.

Hero Factor – 10/10

 

USAIN BOLT

Why such a hero?

For having a go at making the A League and scoring two goals in a trial.

He probably won’t make it but he should. It may make the A League even more exciting than it currently is.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

 

2018 Hero of the Month Honour Roll

Here are the monthly winners of the Hero of the Month so far.

February 2018 Hero – Adebayo Akinfenwa aka The Beast

March 2018 Hero – Peter Dasent aka Play School Piano Guy

April 2018 Hero – Billy Monger & Dean Repacholi

May 2018 Hero – Netta and Bishop Michael Curry

June 2018 Hero – Marco Trungelliti

July 2018 Hero – Lee Lin Chin

August 2018 Hero – no nominations – no winner

September 2018 – John Millman and Stubby Coolers

Quick European Football Highlights #10 2018-2019

By
Theydon Bois
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0
European Football Predictions

The weekend is here, and that means way too much European Football to keep up with, so we offer up our quick European Football Highlights for the weekend. A weekend that features the best of the Turkish Super Lig for something different. There’s also 1st v 2nd in Ligue 1, as token a battle as that is for the record breaking undefeated PSG.

Some might call our European Football Highlights hipster football, we don’t, it’s pure sports nerd and football goodness. Gives us an Eibar, Sassuolo, or Borussia Monchengladbach any day and time one.

And too much football is barely enough we like to say. 

But if you have a life and can’t watch everything, we offer up our quick European Football Highlights, to help you follow the best of it, without the need to stay up for absolutely everything. With added TV times 

 

Quick European Football Highlights – The Matches

It’s not all about Galatasaray v Fenerbache this weekend, so here are a few more games worth keeping an eye on. 

There are TV Times for those in Australia lucky enough with Bein Sports.

TURKISH SUPER LIG – GALATASARAY v FENERBAHCE
EURO KICK OFF FRIDAY NIGHT 

We haven’t paid enough attention to Turkish Football this season for some reason, but what better time to tune in for a first time than the Intercontinental Derby between Istanbul’s biggest clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Galatasaray haven’t been beaten at home for 24 matches, and sit in second just two points from the lead of the Super Lig. Their rivals Fenerbahce are two points from last place and sit fourth last, just above the relegation spots. 

Prediction: Galatasaray 2-0
TV – Bein Sports Australia Kick Off Time – ADST Sat 4:55 – Bein Sports 1


LIGUE 1 – PSG v LILLE
EURO KICK KICK OFF – FRIDAY NIGHT

It’s first v second in France as PSG go for 12 straight wins to start the season. Lille have been holding onto second place for a while and come into the game on a run of four straight wins. They are still eight points behind PSG, and will have to overturn PSG’s 100% home record and average of four goals a game.

Prediction: PSG 3-1
TV – Bein Sports Australia Kick Off Time – ADST Sun 8:40 (Delayed) – Bein Sports 2

 

LA LIGA – REAL MADRID v REAL VALLADOLID
EURO KICK KICK OFF – SATURDAY EVENING

Following the 5-1 loss to Barcelona, manager Julen Lopetegui was predicably fired, and now a new era begins under Santiago Solari where Real will probably win the Champions League again. They might have to given their league woes. Hard to imagine that the might of Real Madrid would head into a match against recently promoted side Real Valladolid having lost twice more, and sit 9th to their 6th. Surely it will all turn around now. 

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0
TV – Bein Sports Australia Kick Off Time – ADST Sun 2:10 – Bein Sports 2

 

SERIE A – FIORENTINA v ROMA
EURO KICK KICK OFF – SATURDAY EVENING

After a few weeks of big games, there’s no big derby this weekend, so as our token Italian Football game of the week we go for two teams who may have grand designs on the top four but current sit 7th (Fiorentina) and 9th (Roma). There’s only three points covering 6th to 15th, with those elusive Champions League places another three points further away.

Prediction: Draw 2-2
TV – Bein Sports Australia Kick Off Time – ADST Sun 3:50 – Bein Sports 1

 

LA LIGA – EIBAR v ALAVES
EURO KICK KICK OFF – SUNDAY LUNCHTIME

Always time for our favourite Spanish team Eibar, who need all the support they can get after being flogged last weekend and dropped to 15th. Alaves on the other hand are flying, the surprise second placed team currently, and just one point from leaders Barcelona. Some feat.

Prediction: Eibar 2-1
TV – Bein Sports Australia Kick Off Time – ADST Sun 21:55 – Bein Sports 3

 

Quick European Football Highlights – The Big Multi

Here are our favourite tips from all of the European football this weekend. We try and pack as many tips in there as possible, just so we can fall one short.

ATLETICO MADRID to beat Leganes
REAL MADRID to beat Real Valladolid
BARCELONA to beat Rayo Vallecano
NAPOLI to beat Empoli
INTER to beat Genoa
JUVENTUS to beat Cagliari
BORUSSIA DORTMUND to beat Wolfsburg
BAYERN MUNICH to beat Freiburg
BOR MONCHENGLADBACH to beat Fortuna Dusseldorf

$1 for $11

 

Bein Sports Australia Football Highights on TV

FULL SCHEDULE OF ALL LIVE BEIN SPORTS FOOTBALL

Missed most of the above action or couldn’t be bothered in the first place? 

Follow the below Highlights shows to see the best of each competition, and impress your friends and family, with your newly acquired football knowledge.

FRANCE – 6pm – CH513
SCOTLAND – 6pm – CH514
EFL FOOTBALL LEAGUE – 6:30pm – CH514
GERMANY – 7pm – CH513
SPAIN – 8pm – CH513
ITALY – 9pm – CH513

All shows on Monday, and all repeated later, many times.

 

EUROPEAN TABLES

Haven’t caught up with all of the tables in a while? Why not now.

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[soccer-info id=’6′ type=’table’ style=’red_light’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,F,A,G,P’ title=’LIGUE 1 TABLE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’4′ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’PORTUGUESE LEAGUE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’7′ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’DUTCH EREDIVISE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’8′ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’BELGIAN PRO LEAGUE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’265′ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’GREEK SUPER LEAGUE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’491′ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’TURKISH SUPER LIG’ /]

[soccer-info id=’35’ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’SPANISH SEGUNDA DIVISION’ /]

[soccer-info id=’24’ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’BUNDESLIGA II TABLE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’25’ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’SERIE B TABLE’ /]

[soccer-info id=’23’ type=’table’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’LIGUE 2 TABLE’ /]

Premier League Predictions Week 11 – Gurgler v Leicester City

By
Theydon Bois
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4
premier league predictions week 14

We have our Premier League Predictions Week 11 ready, and in a tribute to the recent sad events we using Leicester City for our opponent tips this weekend.

Before moving on with Premier League Predictions Week 11 and preview, we’d like to acknowledge Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who died in the tragic helicopter accident along with pilot and staff, the man who made the most absurd dream a reality.

We’re no Leicester fan, but we do support the very mediocre Ipswich Town, so can really appreciate what Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha did for a run of the mill Football League club.

He took a club with not much Premier League pedigree, who had floated around the top two divisions mostly and occasionally the third, and got them to the Premier League. He continued to support manager Nigel Pearson and the team as they looked busted arse at Christmas, but just survived somehow. Then hired Claudio Ranieri to take a title that will never be forgotten.

There wasn’t any massive, ridiculous spending. A lot of the players played in the second division, others were sourced from teams that were heading in the direction of the second tier, and everyone loved them for it. And they loved Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Onwards to our Premier League Predictions Week 11. It’s very much like BBC’s Lawro vs Somebody preview, but better. Arguably. 

For our Premier League Predictions Week 11 we put our selections up against tips based on each club’s performance against Leicester City under the ownership of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

 

Premier League Predictions Week 11 – Gurgler v Leicester City

Opponent Tips Background: This one is quite simple. We have taken every competitive league and cup match against Leicester City under Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and have come up with an average points per game for each side.

Whichever side has the most average points against Leicester, get the tip.

For the record, Leicester averaged 1.55 points per game under Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

But first, our Premier League Predictions. A solid 6/10 last week. More to come this week.

 

Premier League Predictions Week 11

Premier League Predictions Week 11 – The Gurgler House Tips

BOURNEMOUTH to beat Manchester Utd (2-1)
LEICESTER to beat Cardiff (2-0)
EVERTON to beat Brighton (2-0)
WATFORD to beat Newcastle (1-0)
WEST HAM to bet Burnley (1-0)
LIVERPOOL to beat Arsenal (3-1)
SPURS to beat Wolves (2-0)
MAN CITY to beat Southampton (6-0)
CHELSEA to beat Crystal Palace (1-0)
FULHAM to beat Huddersfield (2-0)

Premier League Predictions Week 11 – v Leicester City Record

Average points v Leicester City in brackets. Full records at end.

MANCHESTER UTD (2.1) to beat Bournemouth (1.3)
DRAW – Cardiff (1.6) v Leicester (1.6 own avg points for same period)
EVERTON (1.4) to beat Brighton (1.3)
WATFORD (1.4) to beat Newcastle (0.8)
WEST HAM (1.3) to beat Burnley (0.9)
ARSENAL (2.2) to beat Liverpool (1.9)
SPURS (1.6) to beat Wolves (1.0)
MAN CITY (2.2) to beat Southampton (0.8)
CHELSEA (2.4) to beat Crystal Palace (1.5)
HUDDERSFIELD (0.6) to beat Fulham (0.0)

 

Premier League Predictions Week 11 Quick Mini Preview

GAME BY GAME PREVIEW IN 25 WORDS OR LESS – SAVING YOU TIME

BOURNEMOUTH v MANCHESTER UTD

The more we watch Bournemouth, the more we are impressed. The Fraser-Wilson-Brooks trio is working a treat along with Josh King when he plays. The same can’t be said for Manchester United usually, although they have looked good in patches the last three Premier League games. They seem to perform well after going behind, and the way Bournemouth are going, they might just get that scenario again.

CARDIFF v LEICESTER

It will be an emotional day in Leicester, and who could blame them if they didn’t want to play. Cardiff defied their own season record at their last home game by scoring 4 goals against Fulham, Both teams are conceding at two or more goals per game home/away respectively, so should be a good chance for goals.

EVERTON V BRIGHTON

Everton’s three game winning streak came to a halt last weekend against Manchester United. Their opponent for this weekend is coming into the match on the back of three straight 1-0 victories. Can they add a fourth? Their only away win of the season was against Newcastle, and Everton should provide a little more opposition.

WATFORD v NEWCASTLE

Two teams with a similar yet different narrative a few weeks ago. Everyone waiting for the Watford turnaround and slump towards the bottom, and Newcastle’s turnaround and movement up the table with an easier run of fixtures. Neither happened, Newcastle are still winless and Watford looking good again and winning. People keep saying Newcastle won’t go down, but it has happened twice in 10 years and they aren’t playing well at all. 

WEST HAM v BURNLEY

Burnley have been beaten 9-0 in the last two weeks, albeit against Manchester City and Chelsea. West Ham haven’t won since September, and have the short turnaround from the League Cup. This could be the  0-0 special.

ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL

The game of the weekend. Not just because it is the only game between two top six sides, but both teams are plenty entertaining. Although, a top six clash usually means a 0-0 draw is a coming…hopefully not. Arsenal’s massive winning run came to an end last weekend thanks to Crystal Palace. Liverpool could and probably should have beaten Cardiff by more. Maybe this is the weekend when Liverpool put it all together in the league and are going to break free and score 5 or 6 at the Emirates. Arsenal seem to have more backbone these days to allow that to happen.

SPURS v WOLVES

Is the talk of Real Madrid looking for Mauricio Pochettino to clean up their mess of a season going to become a weight for the Spurs manager and players. Few could argue against taking the opportunity, he has done plenty at Spurs to deserve it. Or the distraction of the delayed home ground. Despite all that and the loss to Manchester City on Monday, they should beat a Wolves side who have now lost two in a row. We hope they don’t start a nosedive down the table. Wolves are nice to have hanging around in the Premier League and have impressed thus far.

MAN CITY v SOUTHAMPTON

Manchester City are starting to look really good again, so an arriving Southampton team could provide their players with goals. Manchester City have so much depth and talent they could probably play with nine against Southampton and still triumph with a couple of goals. Southampton have won just once this season, and after seeing what they served up last weekend, they will struggle to win many more. This could be the flogging of the weekend.

CHELSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE

Another game that looks like a big win to the hot favourites. But Crystal Palace did very well last weekend to draw with Arsenal. That draw was the first of a dreadful run of games against most of the big sides. Any points here in this run of fixtures is a huge help to the  Palace in the race for avoiding the bottom.

HUDDERSFIELD v FULHAM

This could very well be a relegation six pointer already. A team who can’t score goals, against a team who can’t stop conceding them. It will probably end up the most exciting game of the weekend, or a big, fat 0-0.

 

THE 0-0 SPECIAL

No 0-0 Special this week, although West Ham – Burnley wouldn’t surprise.

Season Progress – three correct from nine attempts – Southampton v Newcastle last week was a gimme..

 

EPL BETTING – SUPER PREMIER LEAGUE Week 11 MULTI 

Time to make some money – here’s our best five tips rolled into one money-making machine.

EVERTON to beat Brighton 
LIVERPOOL to beat Arsenal
SPURS to beat Wolves
MAN CITY to beat Southampton 
FULHAM to beat Huddersfield

$1 for 

 

 

2018-2019 Premier League Tipping Competition Results

THE GURGLER

2018-2019 Results – 56/100 – 56% – (7 Correct Scores)

Last Week – 6/10 – (2 Correct Scores)

Best – 7/10 Week 1, 3, 4, 7

 

OPPOSITION

2018-2019 Results – 43/90 – 48%

Week 1 – 6/10 – Week 1 Form from last 5 seasons
Week 2 – 5/10 – Change in Market Value after Transfer Window
Week 3 – 4/10 – Red Cards from last 5 seasons
Week 4 – 7/10 – Form v Post Sir Alex Man Utd
Week 5 – 5/10 – Post International Break Form
Week 6 – 3/10 – Avoiding Russian Spies
Week 7 – 4/10 – Brexit
Week 8 – 6/10 – v Jose Mourinho
Week 9 – 4/10 – Sacked Managers / Tenure
Week 11 – 4/10 – Fighting Managers

 

SEMI INTERESTING STATS – RECORDS V LEICESTER CITY

In Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha era.

EPL RECORD

Team Matches Average Pts
Chelsea FC 11 2.4
Arsenal FC 9 2.2
Manchester City 12 2.2
Manchester United 10 2.1
Liverpool FC 10 1.9
Tottenham Hotspur 11 1.6
Cardiff City 7 1.6
Crystal Palace 14 1.5
Everton FC 10 1.4
Watford FC 16 1.4
West Ham United 12 1.3
Brighton  8 1.3
AFC Bournemouth 9 1.2
Wolves 3 1.0
Burnley FC 14 0.9
Southampton FC 11 0.8
Newcastle United 8 0.8
Huddersfield Town 9 0.6
Fulham FC 1 0.0

TOP FEW ALL CLUBS RECORD – BEST

Team Matches Average Pts
Shrewsbury Town 1 3.0
Chelsea FC 11 2.4
Charlton Athletic 4 2.3
Arsenal FC 9 2.2
Reading FC 6 2.2
Manchester City 12 2.2
Manchester Utd 10 2.1
Millwall FC 9 2.0
Liverpool FC 10 1.9
Spurs 11 1.6

TOP FEW ALL CLUBS RECORD – WORST

Team Matches Average Pts
Derby County 11 0.363636
Bolton 4 0.25
Sheffield Utd 4 0.25
Rotherham  1 0
Carlisle United 1 0
Bury FC 2 0
Torquay United 1 0
Fulham FC 1 0
Wycombe 1 0
Macclesfield 1 0
Scunthorpe 2 0
Swindon Town 1 0

An Obituary – Ipswich Town Championship Status

By
Theydon Bois
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1
ipswich town championship

We are gathered here today to say goodbye to Ipswich Town Championship status.

For years now Ipswich Town Championship status has been a beacon of mediocrity, sometimes almost a point of humour. Certainly has been at Carrow Road where the home crowd applaud on whichever minute represented the amount of years of Ipswich Town Championship status.

At least Ipswich Town fans could say we hadn’t been down in League One like Norwich had in recent years. Used to be able to say that anyway.

 

IS THE IPSWICH TOWN CHAMPIONSHIP STORY OVER?

The Ipswich Town Championship story looks like it is coming to an end this season. They have gone from boringly mediocre to downright awful, and destined to go from the second tier to the third tier for the first time in 60 years.

A few years ago we even described them as the most mediocre sporting team on the planet.

Oh, how we wish we were still moaning about a 0-0 against a side we probably could have beaten by didn’t.

Currently after 15 games Ipswich Town are dead last, have won just once, and are already five points from safety.

They beat Swansea away just before the International break, and many thought perhaps this was the beginning of something good. 

It wasn’t, as Ipswich have been truly woeful since. No wins, no points and just awful.

If a win can’t spark a turn around, how can three straight awful losses. The QPR result was sad, a sign that things weren’t going to get better, but much worse was coming.

Maybe they needed to change managers….

 

A MANAGER CHANGE HELPS RIGHT?

And they have changed the manager. Paul Hurst is gone, and in comes former Norwich and Stoke City manager Paul Lambert.

Usually that can be a good thing, but we have done some digging.

Of the 23 teams that have sacked their manager while residing in the bottom three in the Championship in the last five seasons, just nine have made it to safety.

Even worse is that just two teams that were 24th and last have survived after changing managers from seven teams. However none in the last three seasons saw the team placed 24th stay up.

On average teams in the relegation zone over the past five season in the Championship have gained just 1.9 places at the end of the season from their table position when they sacked the manager.

So on average, the average 1.9 table position improvement won’t be enough. And it is hard to see Ipswich Town doing anything other than average.

So will a manager change help? Nope, not on average. Not for Ipswich Town Championship status.

 

WHAT ABOUT A FORMER NORWICH MANAGER?

The appointment of Paul Lambert came pretty quick, snapped up as if he were hot property. A Mick McCarthy type appointment without any of the Mick McCarthy.

Both have had promotions from the Championship, and both have had some awful seasons in the Premier League, including relegations.

Lambert’s signing pretty uninspiring, especially in a time where the club needs massive inspiration.

His win record from Aston Villa is in the low 30’s, and while we acknowledge that some of those seasons were spent in the EPL, some of them also weren’t. His promotions with Norwich are a handy stat, but so were Mick’s.

For now we can hope it doesn’t get worse.

 

WHERE DID IT GO WRONG

As much as many have been super keen to tell Ipswich fans you got what you asked for, Mick McCarthy hung around too long. Yes he did well under strict budget conditions, but with a chunk of the club getting bored of the football, and the results seeing Ipswich drift further down the table, perhaps he could have left in last year’s off season. Certainly under his watch very few of the potential superstars got game time, and a lot blossomed after going on loan or leaving completely. 

Every transfer window Ipswich were involved in got slightly worse. How many times have Ipswich chased a player only for them to take up elsewhere. Josh Windass being this pre season’s disappointment. Same with managers, with Gerrard and Lampard on the market, they couldn’t be convinced of the future.

Hell, even now Sunderland manager Jack Ross chose a busted arse third tier team over Ipswich Town. The Cowley brothers chose the fourth tier. Maybe all of them presume they’ll be a better chance at the Championship with their current clubs.

Ipswich just isn’t a place where anyone wants to go.

Maybe owner Marcus Evans just needs to add that little extra to get some action in January, and hopefully it isn’t too late.

 

IS THERE ANY HOPE?

Where there is still 31 games to go there is always hope.

Looking at the record of Paul Lambert from Aston Villa onwards, he has averaged 1.2 points a game. Add that average to the remaining fixtures and we get a total of 46 points. This total actually has meant survival in four of the last five seasons.

So yes there is still hope, but we need some sign of life soon to save Ipswich Town Championship status.

The silver lining is that the amount of TV games that Ipswich Town feature in won’t drop too much.

 

 

Ipswich will be survived in the Championship by Norwich City, which will really piss them off.

NOMINATIONS | October 2018 Hero of the Month

By
Kaaps Loche
-
0
January 2019 hero of the month

After the unveiling of October’s Jerk of the Month nominations earlier, it is nice to unveil people of differing qualities with our October 2018 Hero of the Month nominations.

The hero of the month was introduced to tone down some of the cynicism and hatred that can exist in the world from time to time, and our batch of nominations for this month are a great mix.

Here for your consideration and voting are the nominations for October 2018 Hero of the Month. You, the loyal or occasional reader get to decide who the ultimate winner is too. 

So Vote Early, and Vote Often.

 

PETER BEATTIE

Why such a hero?

The former Queensland Premier, Commonwealth Games head honcho and current NRL Chairman Peter Beattie gets an unexpected Hero of the Month nomination for his fine work of broadcasting the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII game via his Twitter account when the NRL couldn’t be arsed.

Solid work, and hope for him yet. 

Hero Factor – 3/10

 

USMAN KHAWAJA

Why such a hero?

For showing backbone and scoring plenty of runs in the unlikely draw in the first test against Pakistan in Dubai.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

GIBRALTAR FOOTBALL TEAM

Why such a hero?

Didn’t know Gibraltar had a Football side? Did you know they won their first ever competitive match in October since finally being allowed to be a FIFA nation in 2016.

Gibraltar beat Armenia 1-0 away from home, and after the Armenians played the wrong national anthem at the start. It was their first win in a competitive match. Happily they doubled down a few days later against European powerhouse Liechtenstein. Who says UEFA Nations League D would be boring.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

FRIENDLY ANIMALS WHO INVADE FOOTBALL GAMES

Why such a hero?

There’s rarely anything funnier (non Football related) at a Football game than an animal getting into the ground and interupting play. Except for maybe a half time proposal that doesn’t end in Yes.

This month’s nomination comes from a top flight game in Georgia. But is a nomination for all animals in general who feel like stopping a game of football.

Hero Factor – 8/10

 

KIMI RAIKKONEN

Why such a hero?

Kimi is a lot of people’s favourite F1 driver because he’s different, and he doesn’t appear to take himself too seriously, like most of the others.

The Finn gets a nomination for his drought breaking win in the US Grand Prix, the first in 113 races.

Hero Factor – 10/10

 

USAIN BOLT

Why such a hero?

For having a go at making the A League and scoring two goals in a trial.

He probably won’t make it but he should. It may make the A League even more exciting than it currently is.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

IAN KIERNAN

Why such a hero?

Known for convincing people to give up one of their weekend days to clean up crap around Australia. He recently passed away, giving us a reminder of his fine work.

He also set an Australian record for a solo circumnavigation of the world, which gave him the inspiration for the Clean Up.

Hero Factor – 6/10

 

 

 

Vote for October 2018 Hero of the Month NOW

Vote for as many or as few as you like.

As ever, Vote Early and Vote Often.

[socialpoll id=”2524801″]

 

2018 Hero of the Month Honour Roll

Here are the monthly winners of the Hero of the Month so far.

February 2018 Hero – Adebayo Akinfenwa aka The Beast

March 2018 Hero – Peter Dasent aka Play School Piano Guy

April 2018 Hero – Billy Monger & Dean Repacholi

May 2018 Hero – Netta and Bishop Michael Curry

June 2018 Hero – Marco Trungelliti

July 2018 Hero – Lee Lin Chin

August 2018 Hero – no nominations – no winner

September 2018 – John Millman and Stubby Coolers

Who has the worst 2019 NRL Draw? A Pointless Puzzle

By
Max Layne
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2021 NRL draw

The 2019 NRL Draw was released last week, and as expected the various goods, bads and ugly were discussed in general and for each club.

Joining that discussion is this attempt to work out which NRL team got the silver spoon and plastic spork  or grapes for the 2019 NRL Draw.

There were few surprises in the new draw – Sundays at 4pm remain the domain of Sydney teams and easy access for Ray Warren to broadcast. The Broncos remain a Channel Nein favourite, and the same channel will only have to remember who plays for the Warriors just once.

Five day turnarounds increased on last year sadly, and the polarising Thursday football remains.

On a happy note, there are more games in the bush than after. Perhaps an entire round or forcing every team to take a game to the country isn’t far away.

But this was written to determine the biggest loser and winner from the 2019 NRL Draw. Several fields of the 2019 NRL Draw were used, and each one ranked 16th to 1st. All fields are tallied and the most points has the worst of it for 2019. According to this anyway.

Spoiler alert – the answers are reasonably obvious.

 

NRL DRAW 2019 STATS AND THINGS

TEAM TRAVEL

Pretty obvious that teams from New Zealand and North Queensland are going to top the overall travel for the 2019 season. The Warriors and the Cowboys will clock up to 50,000km in their travels this season, 20,000 or so more than the Storm, Raiders and Broncos. They will also travel ten times more than the Roosters.

But it wouldn’t be fair to have just the overall travel. So thrown in is the travel in the first six and last six regular season games. The Broncos do the most travelling early in the season, Parramatta get life much easier with a modest 315km of travel. The last six games’ most travelled will be the Cowboys and Warriors with 13,000km. The Wests Tigers bus won’t require much fuel at all, covering less than 100km to end the season.

Highlights

Most Travelled 2019 Season: Warriors 51,800km, Cowboys 49,300km, Storm 30,400km
Least Traveled 2019 Season: Roosters 5,000km, Tigers 9,700km
Most Traveled First Six Games: Broncos 3,700km, Storm 3,400km
Least Traveled First Six Games: Eels 300km, Roosters 900km
Most Traveled Last Six Games: Warriors 13,200km, Cowboys 13,200km, 
Least Traveled Last Six Games: Tigers 100km, Sharks 200km

 

LADDER POSITION FROM 2018

The ladder position of 2018 is a less trustworthy statistic when used to determine how bad the 2019 NRL Draw, due to the competition openness from season to season. It still won’t stop it being used here though.

Overall it is pretty tight across the season, with not much between the teams who has the hardest fixtures (2018 season average finishing position of 7.9)  to the Dragons with the “easiest” fixtures with 9.1.

It does change a little if you split it into the first six and last six games again. The Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Titans and Eels all face an opposition average finishing position of under 7.0. At the other end Warriors, Raiders, Tigers, Dragons and Sharks have an average opposition in double figures.

The run home see the Knights with the golden run, their opposition figures is 12.0 on average, at the other end the Rabbitohs are more than half of that with 5.5.

Highlights

Lowest 2018 Avg – all season: Cowboys 7.9, Bulldogs 8.0, Titan 8.0
Highest 2018 Avg – all season: Storm 9.0, Dragons 9.0
Lowest 2018 Avg –  first 6 games: Cowboys 6.2, Sea Eagles 6.5
Highest 2018 Avg – first 6 games: Warriors 11.0, Tigers 10.3, Raiders 10.3
Lowest 2018 Avg – last 6 games: Rabbitohs 5.5, Raiders 6.3
Highest 2018 Avg – last 6 games: Knights 12.0, Eels 10.8

 

CRAP NIGHT OUT

Thursday night and the Friday 6pm kick offs are often regarded as the worst home games for clubs, ready made for TV and that is it.

So to work out the worst 2019 NRL Draw, we highlight which teams have the most home games on these days.

Storm and the Broncos top the Thursday night home game count with three each, at least giving the game a chance to get 15,000 to 20,000. The Warriors unsurprisingly don’t get a Thursday night game given the kick off time in Auckland. The Raiders and Knights miss out on the Thursday home game too.

Kings of the Foxtel friendly timeslot of Friday 6pm are the Warriors with a solid 5 games, but this makes sense given the time zone. The Titans lead the Australian teams with three games. Four teams don’t have to play a home game at 6pm on a Friday.

Highlights

Most Thursday Night Games: Storm 3, Broncos 3
Least Thursday Night Games: Warriors 0, Raiders 0, Knights 0
Most Friday 6pm Games: Warriors 5, Titans 3
Least Friday 6pm Games: Broncos 0, Sharks 0, Roosters 0, Storm 0

 

FREE TO AIR

Free to Air football is a big thing for clubs, to get sponsorship and be featured for all rugby league fans, not just the smart Fox League snobs on 502.

So the more FTA games, the more value your club is seen as by the people who run the game – Channel Nein.

Once again there are no surprises with the Broncos dominating the early half of the Channel Nein weekly schedule, and Sydney teams with their own little Sunday afternoon club.

No surprises that two of the competitions most entertaining/unpredictable teams get the fewest FTA games – the Warriors and Raiders. Some of the recent underperformed sides like the Knights and Titans get just a handful of FTA games, where as 2018 underperformed teams Bulldogs and Eels still get as many games as the Rabbitohs and Storm respectively. Panthers continue a good run of TV games, although having Gus helps, at least they are entertaining. Mostly in the second half.

Highlights

Most FTA Games: Broncos 16, Roosters 14, Dragons 14, Panthers 13
Least FTA Games: Warriors 1, Titans 3, Knights 4, Raiders 6

 

FIVE DAY TURNAROUND

The five day turn around sucks, and is the best indicator of a crap 2019 NRL draw. Sadly there are more 5 day turnarounds than last season. Getting rid of Thursday night football would help, but that won’t be happening in this broadcast deal.

Two Sydney clubs have the season high 5 Day Turnaround with three – Dragons and Tigers, whereas two teams miss out completely – the Rabbitohs and Panthers.

The full list is below.

Dragons 3
Tigers 3
Broncos 2
Bulldogs 2
Eels 2
Raiders 2
Roosters 2
Sharks 2
Storm 2
Titans 2
Cowboys 1
Knights 1
Sea Eagles 1
Warriors 1
Panthers 0
Rabbitohs 0

 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL

Sunday afternoon is the best time for football fans and clubs alike, but the 4pm kick off remain the property of Sydney mostly. So for other teams there are the scraps of Sunday 2pm kick offs as well.

So one would expect teams like the Roosters and Dragons to be leading the way with five Sunday games, the Sharks, Bulldogs and Panthers one game behind.

The highest non-Sydney team for Sunday games was the Titans with three. The Broncos do get one again this year. The Cowboys get none, but not a surprise given their love for a Saturday night game for travel reasons.

Note: only the daytime kick offs of 2pm and 4pm are included, as we’re talking Sunday daytime football.

Highlights

Most Sunday Afternoon Games: Roosters 5, Dragons 5
Least Sunday Afternoon Games: Cowboys 0, Broncos 1, Knights 1, Eels 1

 

SO, WHO HAS THE WORST 2019 NRL DRAW OVERALL

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Factoring in all of the above, and ranking the teams from 16th to 1st in each category, the North Queensland Cowboys have the most points across all of the various measurements. Not a surprise giving their distance away from the rest of the NRL.

Teams outside of Sydney also fared badly, with the Titans and Storm the next worst.

The Sydney team with the worst 2019 NRL Draw, according to this, are the Eels in fourth.

At the other end, eight of the best nine 2019 NRL Draw results are from Sydney, the Roosters with the “easiest” according to this, followed by the Dragons and Tigers.

For what it’s worth, here is the overall order. Worst to best.

Team
Cowboys
Titans
Storm
Eels
Raiders
Warriors
Broncos
Sea Eagles
Rabbitohs
Bulldogs
Knights
Sharks
Panthers
Tigers
Dragons
Roosters

 

 

NOMINATIONS | October 2018 Jerk of the Month

By
Kaaps Loche
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november 2019 jerk of the month

The end of 2018 is coming, and so is the Jerk of the Year, but first there’s the October 2018 Jerk of the Month to sort out.

Each month we unveil a raft of nomination for Jerk of the Month, all with an explanation of why they were nominated, and it seems to be expanding every month. October 2018 Jerk of the Month nominations are varied and plentiful as usual.

Of course you can always nominate one yourself by contacting us at contact@thegugler.com.

We have already included the suggestions from our many reader, and they are all assembled here for the nominations for October 2018 Jerk of the Month.

 

 October 2018 Jerk of the Month Nominations

Donald Trump

Why nominated for the Jerk?

Standard monthly nomination for the Trump, the list of reasons for nominations – recent and general – are way too many to list here. So we won’t.

Jerk Rating: 10/10

 

Conor McGregor

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For his part in the recent big Conor McGregor – Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC bout. Before the fight with the antics and afterwards with the all in brawl.

The Irishman in particular has been a world class jerk for many years.

Jerk Rating: x/10

 

Khabib Nurmagomedov + Crew

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For his part in the recent big Conor McGregor – Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC bout pre match rubbish. And him and his Russian crew with the aftermath of the fight.

Although a nomination for Jerk of the Month could be dicing with trouble with Putin and his crew in his corner.

Jerk Rating: 4/10

 

Shane Warne

Why nominated for the Jerk?

Did you know Shane Warne has a book out? Did you know he’s part of the new Fox Sports cricket team?

Of course you did, that’s why Australian sporting websites are full of his big, fat opinion.

There’s grudges to settle, opinions to deliver, all to prove that he was/is the greatest of all time.

The worst recent bit was this story about Wimbledon.

He was half the problem of the Channel Nein cricket commentary team. Thankfully the other half of the problem ended up on Channel Seven.

Strap yourself in though, if you like cricket this summer you’ll be hearing more from Shane Warne.

Jerk Rating: 8/10

 

NRL 

Why nominated for the Jerk?

The NRL has been nominated (and won) a lot of times this year for the Jerk of Month, and they have deserved it?

So how can they get a nomination out of NRL season.

Simple.

For not showing the PNG Kumuls v Prime Minister’s XIII match from Port Moresby.

They came up with some pissweak excuse and promises of better next year.

We won’t be holding our breath, waiting for that or any other decent change to happen from the Muppets HQ.

And for the ridiculous nature of player/coach contracts.

Jerk Rating: 8/10

 

Storms

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For bringing hailnado misery to some, and pea/grape/golf ball/cricket ball sized hail to others every summer.

Although the rain that accompanies it is welcome, so hardly a jerk.

Jerk Rating: 2/10

 

Alan Jones

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For his involvement in the Sydney Opera House Everest furore.

And just about everything else.

Jerk Rating: 7/10

 

Andrew Fifita

Why nominated for the Jerk?

The Kyrgios and Tomic of rugby league.

Had a giant sook when not getting enough recognition for his Tonga work. Perhaps if he was a nicer human being he would.

Jerk Rating: 9/10

 

Liberal / National Party

Why nominated for the Jerk?

Sacking Malcolm Turnbull and then to blame him for the loss in Wentworth by saying he didn’t help campaigning, but was sacked because he wasn’t a great campaigner.

Then Liberal / National Party for their Ok to be White backflip.

Finally someone suggesting to bring back Barnaby Joyce.

Jerk Rating: 8/10

 

Marsh Brothers

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For continuing to do just enough to get selection into the Australian Cricket team, but not enough to perform to any great standard and feel the love of the Australian cricket public.

Jerk Rating: 2/10

 

Manly

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For hiring a coach before officially sacking their previous one.

By the sounds of Trent Barrett’s time, it doesn’t sound like a fun place to be.

And they’re Manly.

Jerk Rating: 4/10

 

David Warner

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For storming off the field beause of a sledge.

Such hypocarcy from one of the worst behaved cricketers of the modern era.

Jerk Rating: 8/10

 

Red Bull F1 Team

Why nominated for the Jerk?

For providing a busted arse wheelbarrow of a Red Bull to Dan Ricciardo whilst handing out a perfect piece of machinery for their golden child.

That’s after a history of dudding mark Webber.

Also Renault’s fault too, which makes his move to the works team next year even more worrying.

Jerk Rating: 7/10

 

 

VOTE FOR OCTOBER 2018 JERK OF THE MONTH NOW

Here’s your chance to decide this month’s ultimate jerk.

You can vote for as many people who you think are deserving of the October 2018 Jerk of the Month award.

[socialpoll id=”2524711″]

 

 

THE 2018 JERK OF THE MONTH HONOUR BOARD

All of the below are automatically in the running for Jerk of the Year.

Jan 2018 – David Warner

Feb 2018 – Barnaby Joyce, Anthony Mundine, Bernard Tomic

Mar 2018 – Bernard Tomic

April 2018 – Bill Cosby and MKR

May 2018 – Cricket Australia, Delta Goodrem, Todd Greenberg, Meghan Markle’s Dad

June 2018 – Optus Sport, World Cup Divers & Gus Gould

July 2018 – Neymar, Channel Seven & Todd Greenberg

August 2018 – Peter Dutton

September 2018 – Serena Williams, Phil Rothfield, Strawberry Saboteurs

Who Cares EFL Football League Predictions Matchday 15 + Preview

By
Theydon Bois
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After yet another weekend-midweek double header it is time for our Who Cares EFL Football League Predictions Matchday 15 & Preview.

Each matchday we will try to bundle up the EFL Football League into a tight package for those who sort of care, but not too much. We care a lot as an Ipswich Town fan.

As much as we love the Premier League with our weekly predictions, our first true love is the 72 teams below the big money, hence the effort put in for our Who Cares EFL Football League Predictions Matchday 13 & Preview.

Why do we say a Who Cares preview? Mainly because it is a league often ignored by the sport masses, and our previous weekly previews were literally read by no one, they may not care until promotion season, but we certainly do all season. And we’ve got to be different to the big websites previews.

Of course you could get a better preview elsewhere with more in-depth stats like from Who Scored, but we’re trying to give just enough information to stay in touch with a minimum of effort.

 

Who Cares EFL Football League Predictions & Preview Week 15

To kick off our EFL Football League preview we’ll go through the good, bad and ugly of each division, with the barest minimum of stats to help you find a winner or impress a friend.

CHAMPIONSHIP

GOOD WEEK

  • Leeds United looked to be heading down the table in a similar slide to last season, but Ipswich Town helped them back to the top of the table with a 2-0 win midweek.
  • Middlesbrough defence – 14 games and just 7 goals conceded. Despite that record and their second place, they probably wanted to do better than a 0-0 draw to Rotherham at home midweek.
  • QPR looked busted arse early in the season, a 7-1 loss to West Brom the low point. Three wins in four and they are up to 12th.
  • Birmingham – it only takes a couple of wins to make a long unbeaten run look even better. They have now won their last three games and are up to 11th.
  • Derby and Norwich were the other teams to do the Weekend-Midweek double. Both are in the top six.

BAD WEEK

  • Paul Hurst has been given the arse from Ipswich Town after one win. It was as quick a sacking as you ever see at Ipswich. Hard in one regard, as he had a long term project with a pile of League One and League Two players, but also understandable, so not to wait until they are fully cut adrift at the bottom. Depending on who they hire, it may not make a difference.
  • Brentford looked really good against Leeds United not long ago, now they are 15th and lost their excellent manager to Aston Villa.
  • Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom were the other two teams to suffer double defeat this week.

TOP 4 WHO CARES FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS MATCHDAY 15 – CHAMPIONSHIP

NORWICH CITY to beat Brentford
BIRMINGHAM CITY to beat Sheffield Wednesday
SHEFFIELD UNITED to beat Wigan
DRAW – Bolton v Hull City

$1 for $20

[soccer-info id=’20’ type=’table’ style=’blue_light’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ highlight=’685||Ipswich Town’ title=’CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE’ /]

 

LEAGUE ONE

GOOD WEEK

  • Former Premier League sides who are on the way up, and on the best runs in League One. Sunderland have won three in a row, a rare good run after several seasons of misery. Coventry City have gone one better with four straight wins and are up to 8th now. Sunderland are third and just one point from the automatic promotion places.
  • Portsmouth remain on top, and have a sneaky four point lead at the top of the table.They won and drew in the latest fixture double.
  • Wycombe are slowly moving away from relegation with straight wins. And yes, Adebayo Akinfenwa has been amongst the goals. The Beast is the best.
  • Blackpool have only lost once this season, the equal best Football League record, and now have added the double win. No less than their fans deserve, if not the owners.
  • One of our favourite strugglers Plymouth won another game.
  • Minnows Accrington Stanley may only have a 1-1 record from the double header, but they are still 4th.

BAD WEEK

  • Just to ensure both of our favourite Football League teams are in miserable form, AFC Wimbledon have now lost 5 in a row and are in the relegation places. They have earned it, they have lost ten of their last 12 games.
  • Hard to think that Bradford City would be dead last. A big club, with home crowds bigger than some Championship clubs, that made a League Cup final not long ago.
  • Scunthorpe Utd have lost four in a row, happily they are still six points from the drop.
  • Fleetwood an Barnsley both suffered a double loss this week.

TOP 4 WHO CARES FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS MATCHDAY 15 – CHAMPIONSHIP

PETERBOROUGH UTD to beat Burton Albion
WYCOMBE to beat Walsall
BARNSLEY to beat Bristol Rovers
COVENTRY to beat Doncaster

$1 for $26

[soccer-info id=’21’ type=’table’ style=’blue_light’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ highlight=’4593||AFC Wimbledon’ title=’CURRENT LEAGUE ONE TABLE’ /]

 

LEAGUE TWO

GOOD WEEK

  • Milton Keynes are on a Football League current high of five straight wins, and now are up to second. Convenient timing given AFC Wimbledon’s struggles.
  • Lincoln may have only taken two points from the double header, but they are still three points clear of second.
  • Things look less grim for Grimsby with three wins in four and are five points above the drop.
  • Cambridge are out of the bottom two with a win-draw double header

BAD WEEK

  • Macclesfield couldn’t back up their first win of the season with another one. They are still five points from safety.
  • The Notts County move for Harry Kewell seems to be wearing off, they have now lost two in a row.
  • Yeovil and Cheltenham are both clubs that are winless in seven games.

TOP 4 WHO CARES FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS MATCHDAY 15 – CHAMPIONSHIP

GRIMSBY to beat Crewe Alexandra
EXETER CITY to beat Milton Keynes
NEWPORT COUNTY to beat Morecambe
LINCOLN CITY to beat Colchester

$1 for $25

[soccer-info id=’22’ type=’table’ style=’blue_light’ columns=’#,Team,MP,W,D,L,G,P’ title=’CURRENT LEAGUE TWO TABLE’ /]

 

 

EFL Football League Predictions Matchday 15 – TV Games & Key Fixtures

Here’s the list of TV Games for those who love their EFL Football League in Australia. This week sees a good top 6 battle and a great local rivalry from the north.

TV GAMES IN AUSTRALIA ON BEIN SPORTS

SAT 05:40 AEDT – BEIN SPORTS 2 – QPR v ASTON VILLA
SAT 22:25 AEDT – BEIN SPORTS 2 – MIDDLESBROUGH v DERBY COUNTY
SUN 00:55 AEDT – BEIN SPORTS 2 – BOLTON WANDERERS v HULL CITY
SUN 03:25 AEDT – BEIN SPORTS 2 – LEEDS UTD v MIDDLESBROUGH

NRL Draw 2019 – The Frankington Occasional Rant

By
Frank Frankington
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A new addition to the Gurgler portfolio is an occasional rant brought to you by Frankington Stanley, and this edition sees him take aim at the 2019 NRL Draw.

Firstly, let me say that Thursday Night Footy is complete garbage.  With clubs protesting about the small turnarounds, and players banging on about welfare, let’s just do away with this abomination hoisted upon us by television rights.  They got rid of Monday Night Footy and the world rejoiced for all was great again, players rested, and fans continued to stay at home. 

But just as we all thought that maybe, just maybe, the NRL Draw 2019 has listed to all interested parties involved with the game, they introduced Thursday Night Footy. 

Seriously?  That’s going to solve the turnaround, and player welfare issue?  Complete fools.  They learnt nothing from the MNF disaster, and last couple of seasons showed that just like a Roosters home game, the fans will continue to stay at home.

So how do we solve our Thursday Night dilemma?  Simple!  Move it to Sunday 6pm.  It’s purely for TV purposes, so why not suggest to our friends at Channel Nein they have a 30 min news bulletin at 6.00pm, then at 6.30pm, we go to live coverage of the footy, which then leads into the Sunday night movie!  It’s such a great idea!  It solves the turnaround issue, and also eliminates The Block, 60 Minutes, The Voice, or any other reality trash they want to foist upon us.  It’s a winner. 

They should do it. 

Now.

Which then brings me to Friday.  The NRL had a sneaky plan to encourage people to stay out on a Friday night by playing a game at 6pm, and only playing it on Fox Sports.  Pubs and clubs rightly so gave a hearty “Hoorah!” to this cunning plan.  Again, as much as I hate hoisting the Roosters home games as examples of lousy crowd figures, but history (and television) shows you – people just do not turn up! 

Have you been in Sydney traffic?  Do you know how long it takes to get anywhere in peak hour parking?  It can’t be done!  Both games should be televised at 7.30pm.  Technology allows us to do that, let us choose which game we want to watch first, then swap the games over.  They used to do it in the past, so do it again!  We even enjoyed the fact that the second game was loaded with ads because that allowed us to have numerous personal breaks caused by the copious amount of refreshments we had during the first game.  Do it.

I do love the fact that the NRL Draw 2019 has miraculously achieved everything that our great friends at Channel Nein would have wanted.  It’s as if they produced the draw themselves. 

Surely not?  I mean, the Broncos have a favourable draw at the beginning of the season being on FTA either Thursday or Friday night for eight of the first ten weeks.  They do have a spell of seven weeks over the origin period where they are not given their favoured spot, but when you think about it, two of those weeks are byes.  And why would you want your annual origin period slump televised for the world to see?  But never fear Broncos fans.  Six of the last eight rounds return to normal Channel Nein programming.

The television coverage could be worse though.  You could be a Canberra Raiders fan.  Should you be one of these mystical people, then pencil these rounds in: Round 6, Round 19 and Round 23.  They are the only times you will see your game loaded up with plenty of Rabs and Gus arguing in between ads.  Who am I kidding.  Rabs won’t be travelling down the Hume Highway!  He hates travelling.  We will have Ray Hadley foisted upon us.

Warriors fans – pencil in Round 7.  This is the only game in the NRL Draw 2019 that you will see your team in action.  For free.  Let me give you a tip.  Call Fox Sports now on 131 999 to see your team make the semis again, while everyone who doesn’t have Fox wonders where did this team come from.

Finally, who doesn’t like their Sunday Afternoon Footy?  Did I mention Sydney?  Did I mention two Sydney teams?  Round 6, Round 12 and Round 23 are the only times you will not see a Sydney based team play Sunday Arvo footy at 4.00pm.  One of those Rounds is during Origin, so Ch Nein were forced to do something different.  Fifteen of the twenty-five rounds involve both teams being from Sydney, and twenty-one of these games involve the home team being from Sydney. All this means is that Rabs can still get his members golf game in at Castle Hill on Saturday, and call the footy on Sunday.

You see, the best thing that happened to us a few years ago was they the NRL allowed Fox sports to televise all matches.  That’s where I will be.  It’s where you should be too.  You know it.

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