Welcome one and all to week three of Mercer’s Mondayitis, hopefully you’re getting through your Monday ok even if its taken a few cups of coffee to get going like me this morning.
There are a few to talk about in this weeks edition, lets get stuck into it shall we!
‘Joey’ Johns Tops Daily Telegraph 50 Greatest Player List
Last week a number of Journalists from The Daily Telegraph and the Courier Mail put together a list of the 50 greatest players in the NRL era of the game and I must admit they got it pretty right. Newcastle great Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns top the list and deservedly so with Cameron Smith coming in second. Off field behaviour aside, ‘Joey’ was a one of a kind player and knew that magic was going to happen when he got the ball in his hands. I wasn’t so sure about Cam Smith coming in second ahead of Darren Lockyer who made the list in third place; I feel like if anyone could come close to ‘Joey’ it’s definitely the Broncos stalwart. I also believe that former Dragons player and current Manly coach Trent Barrett should of rated higher than 43.
All hail, Joey! The Daily Telegraph’s panel of rugby league experts has named Andrew Johns the greatest player of the NRL era https://t.co/KzNAIfE6Nt pic.twitter.com/2FbegZfpQV
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) August 13, 2018
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Trading Places NRL Coaches Edition
If you want to be a coach in the NRL (or any sport for that matter) you may either need to have a good back-up plan or your partner should have a good job as you could lose your job at anytime. What’s happening in the NRL at the moment is unbelievable, and I don’t just mean with Panthers but also Manly and Broncos.
As far as we know Ivan Cleary is not going to be coaching his son Nathan at Penrith and will see out his contract with the Tigers, a place he is doing a great job at. Since they didn’t get their man, an option could be Trent Barrettwho has been threatening to walk out of Manly; Barrett was previously at the club as an assistant before heading to the Northern Beaches.
Wayne Bennett will be on the lookout for another job as well with the Broncos board deciding not to renew his contract. Bennett who is contracted till the end of the 2019 may not even be there next year. Bennett has also been linked to the Panthers but I don’t see him and ‘Gus’ being able to work together.
MONDAY BUZZ! 🐝
– Phil Gould to become CEO of the @NRL_Dragons 😲
– Anthony Siebold to the @brisbanebroncos 🤔
The Rugby League rumour mill is as out of control as ever, right now! Here’s the latest wild speculations from @BuzzRothfield
DETAILS: https://t.co/a7XQZfysUJ pic.twitter.com/7jPau1fXxl— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) August 12, 2018
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No case for Smith
Cameron Smith has escaped punishment for his awkward looking tackle on Sosaia Feki but it has again shone the spotlight on the Storms tacking techniques. The Storm have long used grappling techniques in an effort to slow the play the ball down and have been called out on it a few times. While the tackle didn’t seriously hurt Feki I do believe that Smith should have faced some sort of punishment. What do you guys think?
He got off for this – should he have? We discuss it on #100PercentFooty TONIGHT – 10:45PM AEST pic.twitter.com/fAK3pWndtQ
— 100% Footy (@100percentfooty) August 13, 2018
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YouTube star wants UFC Fight
YouTube Star Logan Paulhas expressed interest in Fighting in the Octagon saying in a video with gossip site TMZ that UFC president Dana White should set up a fight for him. Paul and his brother Jake are on their way to Europe to fight in a boxing match against another YouTube star in KSI. From reports, Paul used to be a pretty handy wrestler and would be keen to take on a UFC star after his fight with KSI. I know some guys shoot for the stars and want to go straight to the top but I think an MMA fight on a smaller scale would suit Paul better as we can get an idea of where he’s at first before jumping into the big leagues.
(Credit-YouTube/TMZSports)
McGregor Re-Ignites Feud
The ‘Notorious’ one Conor McGregor has re-ignited his feud with former sparring partner and retired boxer Paulie Malignaggiby posting the reposting a pic in where McGregor looks to have KO’d Malignaggi. Malignaggi denied that he was knock out saying that he was instead pushed down, Malignaggi was brought into the Irishmen’s camp to help him prepare for his blockbuster fight with Floyd Mayweather. Malignaggi responded back to remind us that all was not what it seemed even though a picture says a thousand words.
Time flies when you are on your ass. https://t.co/YDhLHi2p0o
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 11, 2018
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Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog, I hope it’s helping you get through your Monday.
Until next time, take care.
Merce