Did Wests Tigers make the right call in sacking Jason Taylor, is the NRL doing the right thing on concussions, can we do more on forward passes, and who is the most unlucky team in the NRL so far this season?
Did the Wests Tigers make the right decision?
The answer cannot possibly be 'yes' if the decision-makers at the club had Jason Taylor coach the side all off-season, and then patted him on the back after a big win in Round 1.
The only conclusion you can reach is that the club lacks real leadership. If Taylor wasn't the right man for the job, then that was a decision that had to be made last October or November.
Then comes the revelation that the team captain says he found out via Twitter that Taylor was going to be sacked. We live in a social media world but does anyone think that's good business?
I've always had a soft spot for the Tigers, but I can't defend them on this one.
And the damage here has all been self-inflicted.
Is it time to change the send-off rule?
Yes it is. Given the reluctance of our officials to use the send-off option, even with the assistance of the Bunker reviewing incidents as they happen, we have to scrap the system we have.
I say still enable the referee to dismiss a player for good, but only for the most serious and clear-cut of cases such as a king hit, a late/high tackle, or deliberate physical contact with an official.
But for the other offences where a send-off should be a consideration, such as the incident involving George Burgess last Saturday, the referee should be able to send that player off to the sin bin, however on completing his 10 minutes, he is ruled out of the remainder of the game and replaced.
If the referees knew they were still keeping the game 13 v 13 after the sin bin period, I think they would be more inclined to use the revised send-off system.
Is the NRL on the right track with its concussion law edict?
I am behind what they are doing 100 per cent.
My stance was reinforced after attending a seminar at Rugby League Central last week that explained all that is being done, what research has been uncovered in relation to concussions, and how the best interests of the player are at the absolute forefront of all decisions.
If along the way clubs are penalised for failing to adhere to the guidelines then so be it. They have the right to defend their case. There is no question we are on difficult ground, but this is an aspect of the game that we have changed for the better.
Is there any technology that could help police forward passes?
My answer is no. Not that I'm aware of.
I don't want to go to the video to check on forward passes. We tried that before and it was a disaster.
Anything such as virtual lines would involve a stop in play. Again, you'll get no support on me for that.
The only extra human intervention I can think of is a sideline official in each half on both sides of the field to better keep up with the run of play.
Just remember, no matter what we can do, don't for one moment think that we can ever have perfection.
Who has been the unluckiest side so far this season?
It has to be Brisbane.
They could be sitting on top of the ladder at 3 from 3.
Instead they are 1-2, after back-to-back losses. The golden point episode in Round 2 against the Cowboys was obviously touch and go and I, like many, thought they were the better side against Melbourne in Round 3.
The reality is though that if they are beaten by Canberra on Friday night they could slip down to the bottom three, pending other results.
Is there any such thing as a certainty in the NRL?
No!
Well come to think of it, the only "certainty" is probably the inconsistency of my tips.
I demand that the punter who locked in a pick-the-score last Saturday night of Manly 30 - North Queensland 8, to come forward and share their secrets.
I know the home team had a few out, but how did the end result happen?
The Cowboys had won 15 of their last 16 home games averaging 32 points per match. Then with a better than 50 per cent share of the ball, and more than 50 tackles in the Sea Eagles' 20 metre zone, they only managed the one try from dummy half.
Tell me you couldn't possibly have forecast that.
If I was a mess after Rounds 1 and 2, I'm now in the fetal position heading in to Round 4 trying to come up with eight winners!
I'm off to Penrith on Friday night for the early game on Fox League, and will back up on Saturday night at the Gold Coast. I've tipped 1 from 7 in the matches I've actually called so far this season.
On that basis, the Panthers and Cowboys might need a lot of luck.
Giddy Up!
Twitter: @AndrewVossy
