Memo To Braith: You Started This Mess So Stop Whinging! You have to hand it to some of these players....they really think they can have their cake and eat it too. So last week, Braith Anasta heads over to have a meeting at the headquarters of the ARU and predictably, there are about 1000 journo's following. Who would have thought....I mean, it was just a few days earlier that headline were made when his management let it be known to everyone willing to listen that a letter had been sent to the ARAU along the lines of "We are willing to hear what you have to offer". Then, there was talk that Anasta future would be directly effected by his chances of making the NSW State Of Origin team.

Disclaimer: The thoughts and opinions expressed on this web site are not necessarily those of a human being.

The New South Wales Lineup That Will Take The Series Lead!!!

Well, its finally here. The NSWRL announced an 18 man NSW Blues Origin side on Monday and its a good looking lineup:

1.Anthony Minichiello
2.Matt King
3.Matt Cooper  
4.Mark Gasnier  
5.Luke Rooney
6.Trent Barrett
7.Brett Kimmorley
8.Luke Bailey
9.Danny Buderus (capt)
10.Jason Ryles
11.Nathan Hindmarsh
12.Craig Fitzgibbon
13.Ben Kennedy
Interchange:
14.Craig Wing
15.Steve Simpson
16.Andrew Ryan
17.Anthony Watmough
(18th man: Steve Menzies)

Pretty much the side I suggested they would name. Im a bit surprised Steve Simpson got a callup. I would have had
Waterhouse in his place but never mind.

I think this side. Its in form, experienced and is just a very good team.

Look at the size of the wingers, look at the attacking brilliance of the centers, two halves that ALWAYS play well at rep level....a
well rounded and experienced forward pack.....a very good side.

So there we have it....the side that will win the first game of the series.


The Queenslanders Thats Will Lose Game One!!!

The Queensland Rugby League always announced their team an hour after NSW has announced their side:

1.Billy Slater
2.Ty Williams
3.Shaun Berrigan
4.Paul Bowman
5.Matt Sing
6.Darren Lockyer
7.Johnathan Thurston
8.Steve Price
9.Cameron Smith
10.Petero Civoniceva
11.Michael Crocker
12.Brad Thorn
13.Tonie Carroll
Interchange:
14.Ben Ross
15.Carl Webb
16.Chris Flannery
17.Matt Bowen

I'm a bit worried about the QLD side. Its a very good lineup, but I think QLD could have picked a stronger side then this.

I think Rhys Wesser can consider himself very unlucky. He has been in good form while Slatter's form has fallen away a little
and he wont have played for a couple of weeks because of suspension and Origin camp.

I think of the QLD side both Crocker and Flannery can consider themselves VERY lucky to have made th squad. The form of
both has been below average.

Thorn and Carroll shouldnt be there because they are Kiwis and.....I think you can already see the Blue Blooded League
Freak hating the Queenslander cant you.


We're gonna smash them!!!!!!

So now, we have a lot of hype in the media about Anasta. Will he, wont he?

Then....just a couple of days ago.....what do we hear?

Braith pleading with the media and fans to stop pressuring him about this decision.

HELLO.....Earth to Mr Anasta!

Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen Braith get upset. Remember during the Bulldogs salary cap scandal when
the Bulldogs broke the cap by....oh...a few million dollars. Back then Braith Anasta was very upset because he felt he
was the face of the scandal.

Little did he realise that, in the eyes of the media and the fans....he wasn't that important. He was just one players getting
paid by a club that has basically been caught cheating in the worst possible way.

But, oh no....Braith felt like it was all about him.

You know, he is a young bloke. He isn't a child, but he is still pretty young. And I'm willing to say that he probably is one of
these people that takes things to heart a little to much.

But I would also suggest that he must be getting some bad advice. I don't know who from, but a lot of the moves he has
made in his short career haven't helped the publics perception of him.

And think about it....this isn't a player thats doing terrible things off the field. This isn't a player thats is harsh when fans
approch for an autograph or who looks disinterested when interviewed on TV.

In real terms, Anasta has done very little wrong, but just a few things stand out, a few quotes that don't sit well with fans.

I think Rugby league players these days should really think about the people they get advice from. Last year I felt that
Andrew Johns crushed his public image with the farcical way in which his contract negotiations were managed. I thought
that would have opened the eyes of other League players and make them question what was best for them over all.

Maybe, we need a few more lessons to be handed out before that happens. Maybe, Braith is just another example of a
good player getting bad advice and looking terrible at the end of the process....not matter what the outcome is.


League Freaks Quick Hits
Rugby League 2 On XBox 360?
There hasn't been an official announcement on Rugby League 2 and whether it will be available on the XBox. I haven't
really been able to this of a reason why they would hold off announcing the game would be on the XBox.

I cant see the makers of RL2 making the game exclusive to the Playstation 2.....but what if they were holding back and
looking at realising RL2 on the XBox 360?

Of course, I have nothing to base this on other then the fact nothing has been announced (As far as I know) in regards to
RL2 being on the XBox....Im just tossing it up now so that if something eventuates I can say "I told you so". :-)

Origin Preview On RLFans Radio On Tuesday
I will be taking part in a State Of Origin preview on Tuesday Night on RLFans Radio. If you have any questions or
opinions you would like to hear on RLFans Radio.....e-mail me at leaguefreak@hotmail.com with the word "Origin" in the
subject line. Make sure you include the user name you use on LU or RLFans so I know who you are. ;-)

The Panthers Are Just Killing Me!
How bad are the Panthers going? Its funny because when the Panthers win, Im ok. But when they lose, it just ruins my
whole week.

If you went on League Unlimited last week you will have seen that I predicted the big Dragons win before the game. The
panthers defence is just tragic at the moment and when you couple that with injuries, out of form players, and some poor
tactics....its just not looking good at all.

At this point in time, I think they'll miss the finals.

Souths Draw Three Men And A Dog Through The Gates
Ok, so they were followed by about 6,496 others, but still, thats a pathetic crowd for ANY club.

With so many people willing to point the finger at Melbourne when they get 8,500 people to a game, you have to wonder
where the critics are when Souths get even less to a game!

Where are all of those people that marched through the streets of Sydney a few years ago. How about all of the so called
celebrities that claimed to be Souths fans and have done nothing since the feel good PR dissapeared (Russel Crowe
excluded!)?

Souths fought to get back into the competition, now its about time they proved they belonged there.


Well, thats it from me this week. I'm spending alot of time trying to improve the web site so it doesnt become a weekly
destination but a daily stop for all your league opinions, info and news all on one site.

Be safe, enjoy the lead up to Origin, and most of all, enjoy your footy! :-)