The Kiss

[Captain Moondog]

The changes that were made back then were made with the game in mind. For the good of IT.
They were made by people from the game who knew the game who knew what fans wanted to see.
Now decisions are made by people to please corporates or to please broadcasters.
The latter can be understood to a degree but the difference now is these people don't know the game therefore don't know us, but continue to feed what they think we need.

The game is a business now, once that mantra was accepted its fate was sealed

 

[Michael Clare]

I agree wholeheartedly regarding your first two points, but disagree with the notion that contested scrums necessarily contributed to plodding football. Take a look at the 1988 Grand Final and you'll see football at its finest. Fast, tough and a variety of skills on display - not just constant kicking into the in-goal area for another six tackles. Scrums were tense, skilful contests where games could be won or lost. The game has certainly sped up after scrums changed, but at the cost of the game becoming way too predictable. In my view, the contested scrum gave the game greater variety and an "x factor" coaches could not so easily put into their calculations. I've seen so many games lately where teams go fifteen minutes without possession of the ball with a seemingly endless barrage of penalties and constant line drop outs. It looks like a modern version of the old unlimited tackle era.

 

[Harvies elbow]

Also rule changes were submitted to the Referees Association for ratification .. a process was followed that took time and allowed comment and opposing views to be expressed.

Now Greenslime has a brainfart and the ref's are told the new rule the night before a game.

I remember as a junior back then we were all issued with a rule book.
It was about a 5 page pamphlet and had a ref demonstrating the signals and such.
It was all you needed to know.
Love to see today's !!

 

[Captain Moondog]

I remember as a junior back then we were all issued with a rule book.
It was about a 5 page pamphlet and had a ref demonstrating the signals and such.
It was all you needed to know.
Love to see today's !!

 

[Woodsie]

I agree wholeheartedly regarding your first two points, but disagree with the notion that contested scrums necessarily contributed to plodding football. Take a look at the 1988 Grand Final and you'll see football at its finest. Fast, tough and a variety of skills on display - not just constant kicking into the in-goal area. Scrums were tense, skilful contests where games could be won or lost. A hooker could win or lose you a game. The differential penalty eliminated the major problem with contested scrums. The game certainly sped up after Super League when the game became incredibly fast, but at the cost of it becoming way too predictable for my liking. In my view, the contested scrum gave the game greater variety and an "x factor" coaches could not so easily put into their calculations.

My plod comment was for the unlimited tackle rule ... look at some of the old St George games of the era and for 20mins it would simply be a forward plodding up making 2 yards at a time, remember it was also only a 5 yard rule. And St George were the masters of holding the ball for nearly a whole half ... just plodding up.

Your view of the skill and flow of the game in the early 80's is good ... but all that happened away from scrums .. not because of them. And yes the contested nature of scrums and play the balls certainly added some unpredictability .. other than the predictable 2/3 re-settings and the inevitable and predictable scrum penalty that could have gone to either team for 5/6 different reasons. waiting 3 to 4 mins every time there was a scrum became boring and a blight on the game. Not to mention the risk of injury that became more prevalent with the twisting, screwing and collapsing of the scrum.

 

[Woodsie]

I remember as a junior back then we were all issued with a rule book.
It was about a 5 page pamphlet and had a ref demonstrating the signals and such.
It was all you needed to know.
Love to see today's !!

You would need a new edition every month. Plus interpretations.

 

[Captain Moondog]

You would need a new edition every month. Plus interpretations.

Here's a recent amendment...

 

[wombatgc]

Ian Roberts is also one my favourite players of all time because he is a great bloke who could love a man or kill a man

I dare say he could do both at the same time.

 

[CBreeagles]

Bugger to this thread, I'd kiss all the boys tonight.

 

[TokyoEagle]

I can't believe how they can change the rules half way through a competition. If you start the season using a rule, sure, change it at the end of the season after the GF has been played. But you can't change a rule half way through and expect to be respected.

Why did they get rid of the rake from dummy half, it would get rid a lot of the crap that goes on at the ruck.

 

[globaleagle]

Bugger to this thread, I'd kiss all the boys tonight.

lol.

I was going to post something along the lines that this thread is having a bit of a go at the love the players show....

Yet apparently the highest praise a player can get here is for a heterosexual male to want to shag him....?!

 

[Harvies elbow]

I wasn't specifically looking for this but the amount of forward passes yesterday, from dummy half and general play, was incredible.
It would have to have reached double figures.
Then the play the balls.
Rolling the ball back with the foot is now in the minority.
That little aspect is unique to our game.
Who the f*ck gave these caretakers the right just to f*ck with the rules like that.
P*ss these halfwits off.
I want my bloody game back !!!!!!!

 

[Dan]

Ive been advocating for shirts v skins forever