Cue the numbnuts .. 1st in .. Bryce Cartwright

[Jacinta Martin]

Mate .. to be honest I think the biosecurity advisor that helped pen the NRL's submission to the Gov't to allow themback by the 28th just wanted to tick every possible box in the health dept's register ...

But once submitted and agreed to by Gov't they expected it to be adhered to ... the only reason I think the flu was raised is because reports suggest that having the double dose of Covid and the flu is much worse .... and on a practical level .. if flu hits a squad then blokes would have to be sat out, isolated and tested for Covid on a regular basis disrupting training and possible game squads for the whole 20 weeks ...

I think you have hit the nail directly on the head. If one member of the playing or coaching squad develops symptoms, and has been in close contact with the core group, then the whole squad would be isolated. This would disrupt training and matches. With flu season upon us, it is way more likely that symptoms would be common cold or flu related, however, if all member have the flu injection then this could realistically remove that problem and prevent the whole squad being isolated until cleared. If this situation occurs once the season starts, it could potentially change the outcome of fixtures with teams potentially forfeiting.

 

[Shoe1]

If people catch flu, and also have non-symptomatic covid19, they will spread both. That is a reason my workplace gave when advising to get the flu shot.

Break it down - people can have asymptomatic covid19 - then they get the flu too, and cough both sets of germs everywhere.

 

[The better Robbo]

Seems very little effort was made by NRL (and Manly) to educate players and explain the reason flu shots are necessary. Judging from Walker's instagram comment, he's talking about his purported right to look after his own health his way - whereas I assumed the whole point was that it's not just about the players' health but rather to reduce risk to the wider community? ? Makes me think no-one has even explained it to him

Certainly there was nothing I saw in the NSW health ministers comments that explained that point, he simply made a little rant about anti-vaxers, which to my mind is not helpful. This is not about measles, polio or smallpox. Flu shots are not mandatory for the general populace (in fact, the players are not even among various groups recommended by the govt to have the flu shot).

Pity the NRL forgot to sort stuff like this out with the players before telling the govt and tv, 'Yep we're good to go'.

There is the problem right there. The NRL and possibly the players union have obviously passed this without consulting the players. This should never have got to this point. It seems odd at the same time the Government is telling the rest of Australia we are pretty much back to normal and we can all socialise and go back to work that they are forcing this flu shot on the players. Why isnt the rest of Australia stood down from working until they get the flu shot? Seems a massive contradiction. In my opinion anyway. As it is the QLD government that has made that decision to stand down players not the NRL

 

[40 years an eagle]

There is the problem right there. The NRL and possibly the players union have obviously passed this without consulting the players. This should never have got to this point. It seems odd at the same time the Government is telling the rest of Australia we are pretty much back to normal and we can all socialise and go back to work that they are forcing this flu shot on the players.

It is all about trying to stop the flu going through a team and/or their support staff I think mate.

If 1 team can't play then the NRL is in breach of their broadcast deal of 8 games per week.

 

[manlyfan76]

So much talk about flu shots and armchair experts about these matters, yet no doctors, premiers, nrl ceo's or heads of medical associations talking about our actual immune systems and how to have a healthy one or if elite athletes do or should have a healthy one. No plan to help players or the public improve their immune system. Which will fight everything for you. Kill things you never knew you had. Heres something, regardless of the flu shot or not if your immune system is bad you will have a bad flu.

But lets crucify those who we disagree with about a flu shot.

Widen your field of view a bit.

 

[madmax]

While I agree with your thoughts on this mate, Dylan Walker: aka the illegally obtained prescription med OD'ing, door punching, spouse abusing, serial on-field dickhead; is hardly the NRL/MWSE poster-boy that should publicly view his opinion on this matter.

STFU up Dylan and show us you are anywhere near worth the trouble you are.


I wish they would end the alcohol ban here...the boredom and insomnia is killing me.

The prescription med he overdosed on was not illegal......he was out injured after surgery so the meds were LEGAL & yes stupid for drinking alcohol whilst taking them! Punching a door? So what? Spouse abuse? Ummmm he was acquitted & you have zero proof! Serial on-field dickhead? What in the game against the Storm? Again so what? He only hurt himself! What other games are you referring to? Against Canberra he was the one getting baited & he responded by winning us the games! What else has he done to deserve all this? He's nowhere near the dickhead other players are! How come no one on here bagged him last year, especially in the finals? I'll give it anyone when they deserve it but on this occasion i'm on his side until he proves otherwise.

 

[40 years an eagle]

The prescription med he overdosed on was not illegal......he was out injured after surgery so the meds were LEGAL & yes stupid for drinking alcohol whilst taking them! Punching a door? So what? Spouse abuse? Ummmm he was acquitted & you have zero proof! Serial on-field dickhead? What in the game against the Storm? Again so what? He only hurt himself! What other games are you referring to? Against Canberra he was the one getting baited & he responded by winning us the games! What else has he done to deserve all this? He's nowhere near the dickhead other players are! How come no one on here bagged him last year, especially in the finals? I'll give it anyone when they deserve it but on this occasion i'm on his side until he proves otherwise.

Good for you buddy, we all have our own opinion.

I never liked him and have always "bagged him",as you said and I didn't want him re-signed.

They bait him coz he has dished it out before...many times. An A grade sledger.

We have each said our piece on him. Cheers.

 

[HoldenV8]

Pity the NRL forgot to sort stuff like this out with the players before telling the govt and tv, 'Yep we're good to go'.

I get the strange feeling that in their haste to get the competition re-started ASAP, the NRL might have overlooked a few things or simply glossed over them not realising what the consequences might be.

 

[robbiea]

So much talk about flu shots and armchair experts about these matters, yet no doctors, premiers, nrl ceo's or heads of medical associations talking about our actual immune systems and how to have a healthy one or if elite athletes do or should have a healthy one. No plan to help players or the public improve their immune system. Which will fight everything for you. Kill things you never knew you had. Heres something, regardless of the flu shot or not if your immune system is bad you will have a bad flu.

But lets crucify those who we disagree with about a flu shot.

Widen your field of view a bit.

Thought I would share my 2 cents here .
In regards to the no info on healthy or fit specimens on the effects of Covid.
Over here in Canada a lot of the first hit have contracted it from visiting Italians on ski holidays.
I know a lot of people in the industry and quite a few back country ski guides and heli ski guides were the first locals around here struck down.
These guys are young & super fit (athlete fit) and I know a couple that suffered hard for 3 weeks and thought they were actually dying.
They said "they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemies".

 

[lsz]

The prescription med he overdosed on was not illegal......he was out injured after surgery so the meds were LEGAL & yes stupid for drinking alcohol whilst taking them! Punching a door? So what? Spouse abuse? Ummmm he was acquitted & you have zero proof! Serial on-field dickhead? What in the game against the Storm? Again so what? He only hurt himself! What other games are you referring to? Against Canberra he was the one getting baited & he responded by winning us the games! What else has he done to deserve all this? He's nowhere near the dickhead other players are! How come no one on here bagged him last year, especially in the finals? I'll give it anyone when they deserve it but on this occasion i'm on his side until he proves otherwise.

Will not comment on the rest but much like the days of old with Hoppa and the head tapping I am not a fan of how he can carry on when playing

 

[globaleagle]

Thought I would share my 2 cents here .
In regards to the no info on healthy or fit specimens on the effects of Covid.
Over here in Canada a lot of the first hit have contracted it from visiting Italians on ski holidays.
I know a lot of people in the industry and quite a few back country ski guides and heli ski guides were the first locals around here struck down.
These guys are young & super fit (athlete fit) and I know a couple that suffered hard for 3 weeks and thought they were actually dying.
They said "they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemies".

Yep "being fit" or having a good immune system is no holy grail. In (medical) fact, getting a flu shot with a bad immune system greatly increases ones chance of not getting the flu, not the other way around as has been mentioned above.

 

[Woodsie]

Has anybody got an update on our two resident numbnuts, AFB and Walker ....

 

[globaleagle]

Has anybody got an update on our two resident numbnuts, AFB and Walker ....

Bit under the weather at the moment.

 

[Woodsie]

Bit under the weather at the moment.

???

 

[Shoe1]

The antivax wags keep quoting this from the Vaccination Guidelines:

"It must be given voluntarily in the absence of undue pressure, coercion or manipulation."

Fair enough - but the keyword is "undue" - I think in a pandemic situation it would be easy for the NRL to argue that there is "due pressure" in favour of vaccination. So suck it up.

I don't think the authorities can use the "due pressure" argument to force anyone to get vaccinated, but the NRL could use this to support their stance in court if any anti vaxer challenges their exclusion from the game on the grounds of not being vaccinated.

 

[globaleagle]

Bit under the weather at the moment.

???

Sorry mate, just throwing in a "He is sick" joke.

 

[Shoe1]

An example of what Walker's comment is doing to Manly:

The SMH website has him in his Sea Eagles jersey as the picture along with this headline:
Queensland bans NRL players who refuse flu jab on non-medical grounds

so Manly now becomes the face of the anti-vax issue.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

The antivax wags keep quoting this from the Vaccination Guidelines:

"It must be given voluntarily in the absence of undue pressure, coercion or manipulation."

Fair enough - but the keyword is "undue" - I think in a pandemic situation it would be easy for the NRL to argue that there is "due pressure" in favour of vaccination. So suck it up.

I don't think the authorities can use the "due pressure" argument to force anyone to get vaccinated, but the NRL could use this to support their stance in court if any anti vaxer challenges their exclusion from the game on the grounds of not being vaccinated.

Hopefully the issue peters out. If not, those refusing may still be entitled to get paid.
Either way the haste of the NRL and the lack of thorough vetting by the players reps has already caused angst and ill feeling from some fans, maybe even within playing squads? Very unfortunate, and this was avoidable.

 

[manlyfan76]

Thought I would share my 2 cents here .
In regards to the no info on healthy or fit specimens on the effects of Covid.
Over here in Canada a lot of the first hit have contracted it from visiting Italians on ski holidays.
I know a lot of people in the industry and quite a few back country ski guides and heli ski guides were the first locals around here struck down.
These guys are young & super fit (athlete fit) and I know a couple that suffered hard for 3 weeks and thought they were actually dying.
They said "they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemies".

Interesting story indeed. The elite athletes (and even military) often have little in reserve to fight off simple illness. Peak condition for performance is un-natural.

Also they are dying, we all are. Just at different rates.

 

[maxta]

I heard Walker and maybe 2 others may have not wanted a flu shot....does this effect them playing when we restart...I think Cartwright had this situation earlier and there was talk he may miss game time??
All a bit confusing atm....