Best of all and good!

Smarter Sin-Binning in the NRL

November 19, 2007

As the Rugby League officials meet today in Sydney to discuss all things League - the group will not only be covering grapple tackle discussion in the NRL forum, but also toying with the idea of bringing back the 5 minute sin bin to our game.

It certainly seems like a smart move, after being scrapped in the 1990’s - the option of the 5 minute sin-bin meant that for a minor offence such as backchat or repeated infringements - referees can send players to cool their heels for 5 minutes instead of 10 minutes. The problem with 10 minute spells is that in many cases it can blow games wide open and ruin any close battle or spectacle that might have been unfolding.

The other modification around the 10 minute sin-bin rule to be discussed today; is the possible adoption of an ‘early return’ by the player in the bin - if the opposing team scores while he is spending time in the bin. Something that happens in NHL hockey and seems to work successfully.

Its a good thing that the sin-binning variations are being discussed, because its an area many of the smarter players take advantage of. Knowing referees are reluctant to send players for 10 miunte spells in the bin unless it’s a serious offence, smarter operators will push the envelope by delaying play during defending periods or repeatedly infringe and play Russian roulette with the referee.

Discussion around a 5 minute sin-bin is a good step to bringing this old favourite back and its something that can help the game stamp out foul play, professional fouls and backchat - without ruining the game or making things hard for the referee.

Mint Credit Card

November 19, 2007

How does no interest on balance transfers for the first 13 months sound? Pretty good right? Well that’s just the start of things with the Mint Credit Card.

As a further introductory bonus you will also receive a 0% interest rate until June 2008, even once the introductory offers are over - you can still enjoy a competitive 14.9% interest rate.

The benefits for the Mint Credit Card are many, you can also experience top notch customer service, total security when shopping online, a 56 day interest free period on your purchases. The Royal Bank of Scotland backed card ensures you piece of mind, but what impressed us most was the management of the card by mobile phone TXT service! What a smart idea and an ideal way to keep a close eye on whats happening with your card; making security and management a breeze.

The Mint Card also receives the worldwide recognition of MasterCard - giving you even more coverage and once again the backing and security for total piece of mind.

To get the complete picture and even more benefits, check out the credit cards home page at Mint: http://credit-cards.mint.co.uk/

Have a perfectly behaved dog

November 19, 2007

Training your dog is something many of us try, but ultimately don’t have the patience or the skills to completely fulfill - leaving our best friend confused and misunderstood by all.

Perfectdogtraining.com is a site that pulls together all the best information and reports from the expert trainers and provides the articles free of charge. Just a quick glance at the available topics gives you an instant idea of how comprehensive the dog information database is.

From simple training techniques you might not know about, to dog training secrets and even information on dogs around babies - it truly is comprehensive.

Their dog training library also contains videos and recommendations on the best food for your pet. Have you ever wondered about the condition of your dogs teeth or maybe you’ve wondered if dogs actually have thoughts? All this is answered at the one place for all your dog training needs.

If you love your best friend, then you need to check out everything he or she needs at PerfectDogTraining.Com the place where all your dog questions are answered.

Everest College

November 19, 2007

The benefits of making yourself more attractive to potential employers are many. Higher earnings, greater chances of promotion are just a few of the advantages of additional training and tuition.

Everest College offers real world, hands on training for students - ultimately giving them the edge in todays competitive employment marketplace.

Depending on your situation, some students may even qualify for financial assistance and access to the programs are offered through various college campus locations.

The mission of Everest College is to help students gain all the vital skils employers really value and ultimately increase the chances and opportunities for success in the workplace.

Visit the Everest College site for further information; their assistance and guidance can be truly life changing.

Who will innovate in NRL 2008?

November 18, 2007

By Adam Sutcliffe

Innovation in Rugby League wins Premierships. Daring to bring in new techniques and break new ground can be risky for NRL clubs, but the rewards are well worth it.

As the NRL officials and heavyweights gather tomorrow for a thinktank around the game for 2008; the grapple tackle is high on the agenda and is reported to be outlawed even further after getting plenty of headlines in 2007.

Regardless of what you think of the grapple tackle, the initial development and further refinement by Craig Bellamy and his Melbourne Storm group was ground breaking. Employing wrestling coaches and squeezing every advantage from the ruck had rival clubs clammering to keep up. Other clubs complained, cried foul and did everything they could to prevent the dominant Storm getting further ahead.

Instead of complaining, rivals should have been researching and developing the next trend.

As 2008 approaches, clubs that can adapt and derive advantages from somewhere in the game will win the comp.

Evolution has been interesting to watch in the Rugby League, even in the gladiatorial days of the 80’s - the likes of Warren Ryan developing the bombing raids and forcing rule changes around bomb defusion and Jack Gibson pioneering wedge plays and run arounds - each year was seeing teams pull something new out of the bag.

More recently we saw Brian Smith develop skin tight jerseys for his Parramatta Eels team in the late 90’s and move that was quickly followed by Penrith and other NRL clubs and in 2003 John Lang tasted victory after blooding big bookend props that ran straight and hard - tearing through opposition sides that went for skills based forwards and men that were smaller in stature.
As quickly as the success came, in 2004 big bopper props were out of fashion. With quicker play the balls needed, the Penrith side suddenly lost out and became followers as their props were suddenly too big and slow. First designed in 2002, another item on the increase in 2004 was the ‘gang tackling’ technique designed by Roosters boss Ricky Stuart - getting big numbers into tackles and slowing play the balls down heavily, giving his defence plenty of time to set itself. It was a move that worked well and kept the Roosters in the top batch of NRL teams.

Moving into 2005, it was all about speed. The Wests Tigers with a tiny forward pack started playing ‘touch football’. Their goal was simple, throw themselves into tackles and find the ground quickly. By submitting, their small forwards would nullify the gang-tackle and generate lightning fast game speed - allowing their impressive backline of Benji Marshall, Pat Richards and Brett Hodgson wreak havoc on the enemy.

Fast forward to current day. As the Storm enjoy their Rugby League triumph, you can bet Craig Bellamy and his crew are already discussing possible trends for 2008. Maybe other clubs should quit all the complaining and focus their energies into pioneering not constant crying. Who knows, some homework just might win them the NRL Premiership.

Payday Loans and Cash Advances

November 18, 2007

When unexpected things pop up; there are times when we can quickly need to get our hands on some cash prior to payday. A short term loan of cash to cover essentials in an emergency, just until our next pay packet arrives.

In the past, paperwork and red tape made things painful and slow- defeating the purpose of the cash loan. It also usually meant long waiting periods on the phone while approval was happening or simply just to chat with someone.

Well, now things are super easy and extremely fast using Payday Loan Quotes. It’s such a simple process, no paperwork - just an online form and credit approval in seconds in most cases.

It truly is No Fax Payday Loans - because gone are the days when you had to fax in hundreds of signed forms and pieces of identification. These days it’s quick, painless and very handy.

So next time you need some extra cash in a hurry, amounts from $200 to $1500 in as little as 24 hours, regardless of credit history - you need to get in touch with Payday Loan Quotes and submit your request online in seconds!

Parramatta Eels getting real for 2008

November 17, 2007

The Parramatta Eels have been a club that has promised so much in the last decade and not since 2001 have they faced a similar problem; where their junior talent is being chased heavily by other NRL clubs looking for to bolster their Rugby League playing rosters.

From the installment of Brian Smith at the Parramatta Eels back in 1997; the club has not only put in place some of the most ground breaking training equipment, technology and techniques - but they have harnessed and nourished a talented junior base.

The western suburbs of Parramatta and it surrounds are heavily laced with keen Rugby League juniors and a talent pool bolstered with the likes of Polynesian and Islander families heavily interested in Rugby League.

Back in 2001 as the new regime under Brian Smith all but took out the NRL Grand Prize; the well oiled machine began to fall victim of it’s own success. The salary cap, retiring players, unrest and eager clubs started removing the likes of Clinton Schifcofske, Brett Hodgson, David Vailiki, Jamie Lyon, Eric Grothe Jnr, Jason Taylor and Michael Buettner.

Somehow the club managed to remain competitive while in the midst of a so called ‘rebuilding phase’ - a period that has remained similar until as late as 2007. Even in 2005, when the Eels boasted a team of ’spare parts’ and rookie players - they managed to bump and grind their way to a minor premiership and nearly get themselves into the Grand Final.

Rookies in that year included the current half back Tim Smith and powerful new centre Ben Smith - young talent that the Parramatta Eels need harness before its too late. The Eels have now been within 1 game of reaching the Grand Final, 6 times in the past 10 years. A record that shows how strong they have been without having the final ingredient to go all the way.

As 2008 approaches, the Eels seem to be at the top of their peak again. With a new talented coach settled in and an array of talent in the optimum period of their careers - the Parramatta Eels need to push hard in 2008 or risk being broken apart, as has happened in the past. Minor cracks may already be appearing; as the talented junior PJ Marsh is set free to join the Brisbane Broncos in 2008 and there are reports of hungry clubs chasing the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Kris Inu when they come off contract at the end of 2008.

The senior brigade of Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Mark Riddell are truly in the twilight of their careers currently and need to find something special again in 2008. Riddell in particular will need to find something extra to cater for the loss of PJ Marsh; possibly playing extra minutes but still retaining the passionate ’super-sub’ bursts he has become famous for. The same can be said for Nathan Hindmarsh; considered for many years one of the top second rowers in the NRL - the aging forward risks becoming a player in the mold of Craig Fitzgibbon who has become a work horse only player and rarely has an offensive impact on a game.

As the salary cap continues to keep clubs on a fairly level playing field; the Eels can only boast so much talent for so long - and their lives are fast running out. As 2008 approaches, they need to really make hay while the sun shines.

Smorty - Linking Advertisers and Bloggers

November 17, 2007

Smorty is a great service that allows willing advertisers to get in touch with bloggers and sites like NRL News - so they can gain exposure for their sites or services.

Advertisers; through Smorty can pay bloggers for their personal opinion or a general review of their product, site or service.. The Smorty service is simply a medium that allows sites like NRL News to continue their free service and helps grow and improve the website through the support of paid sponsors and advertisers.

If you currently run a blog, then you should get in touch with Smorty and blog for money. Regardless of the blogs niche or origins, Smorty have relevant advertisers willing to pay you to review their product.

Unlike banner advertising, using Smorty to blog for money is much more interesting to your readers and more productive for you as the blogger. The potential to earn more money is there and its a simple system - where only willing parties take part! Blogging for money could never be easier, so visit Smorty today and check things out for yourself.

Playing the Tables

November 17, 2007

With plenty of potential to make some money online from the tables of online casinos; maybe Willie Mason should turn his attention to the likes of www.pro360.com - as a review house for the online casino world, Willie would find plenty of information on where all the best internet casinos can be found!

Listing literally 100’s of online casinos, Pro360.com takes the time and guess work out of finding the best places to play. Since 1997, Pro360.com has been reviewing and ranking the best spots; across games such as; Poker, Slots, Craps and Roulette.

Not only do the staff at Pro360.com give ratings to the various casinos, but fellow players have also voted on the individual casinos - meaning as a visitor you get two rankings: an editor ranking and an overall player vote. This means you can be doubly sure of the value of the various sites and save time looking around the internet.

The other important factor is safety. You can be sure that the rankings take into account: your online security, the speed of payouts and the peace of mind knowing your personal data is in good hands.

And finally, Pro360.com also has banner offers - showing you where you can get sign-up bonuses and also free gambling chips at various times. So keep you eyes peeled for good deals when you visit Pro360.com.

Sydney Roosters courting Tevita Folau

November 13, 2007

By the sounds of things, the Sydney Roosters are making all the right moves as they work hard to rebuild and once again become an NRL powerhouse club.

The past fortnight at Bondi has been a busy one, not only have Nick Politis and his team been busy trying to woo big name Willie Mason over - but the once proud Rugby League outfit has also been quietly trialing the older brother of Melbourne Storm star Israel Folau. At 22 years old, Tevita Folau is certainly not past his used by date and after serving two years on a mormon mission overseas - he returns to Australia and is ready to prove he is every bit as good as his brother.

The Roosters have done a good job to keep things under wraps as they try and get the talented Folau on their books and if early reports are right - the quality is certainly in the bloodlines; as the older Folau is reportedly even more talented than his younger brother.

Managed by Issac Moses the same man that looks after Israel and family friend Kris Inu - the Roosters have played it smart and kept the new Folau from talking to the media. So astute are the Roosters in their recruitment at present; they also have the youngest Folau - 15 year old brother Eni signed to their books. The junior Folau is different to his brothers in that he is a ball playing second rower; in a similar mould to Dean Widders.

With Arthur Beetson continuing to scout the quality kids coming through and if Nick Politis can pull off the deal of the century by luring Willie Mason - the Roosters are well and truly back. With Brad Fittler now comfortably at the helm and troops happily following orders; unlike the Chris Anderson reign - 2008 promises plenty. We should see the Roosters back on the top of the Rugby League crop in the NRL season ahead.

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