Just a thread for all the members of Boonta to post their articles leading up to tribal council.

The Coffs Harbour Wyrms occupied first place on the first division ladder until recently. This is despite the fact that they have had a season marred by injury. At one stage the team had nine players missing. Despite this fact they managed to string together enough wins to hold onto first place. The question is whether they can fight their way back to the top. If we look at their history this season we can see that the team had a habit of winning most games by a large margin early on in the season but more recently they have begun failing when they meet the tough sides. The prime example comes from round 14, the top of the table clash with the Redlands Rhinos. This game could have gone either way but was lost in the last fifteen minutes as the Wyrms failed to hold strong in defence and lacked their usual attacking flair. Similarly they lost to the Tamworth city Titans last round. The shoe is usually on the other foot with the Wyrms often staging last minute surges to overcome tiring sides or posting insurmountable leads early on in the match.

One possible reason for the Wyrms flagging season is the early use of their PDF monies. Documents that have recently come to hand suggest that the PDF funds of the Wyrms are at a critical low. Their injury list and low depth has meant they have had to dip into the PDF to hire players from other sides. One of these players was Craig Emmerton at a rumoured 75,000 dollars for a four week deal. The money could be better spent on enhancing the form of a lower rated player if they were available in the side. This, however, is a problem with the side having only 20 players. At one stage the Wyrms had nine players out with injury as was reported by the club and further comments made that show all players in the Wyrms lineup have had an injury at some stage. The continual use of funds to supply the sides with physio money and player hiring has meant the club has little to spend on flagging form. Reports from sources within the club say form is now becoming a problem for the club and with few players available to gain form from the sidelines McElroys options are limited.

Suggestions from an outside source say that Coach McElroy has recently come to regret his quest to sign only big name players at the cost of depth within his club. There are both negative and positive aspects associated with the purchase of his quality players. The most obvious positive is that the team will play well when all players are available and in fair form and few could argue that this has been the case thus far. However in this case the negatives seem to have a high bearing on the Wyrms end to the season. Limited options in the playing roster could cause the Wyrms to fall into an end of season slump that will shock most fans. What coach McElroy has got in store we shall have to wait and see.

Perhap the team that has been the home of most of the controversy in recent ASRL history is none other than the Hawkesbury Mavericks. The Mavericks exploded into the limelight in the same season that the ASRL first became an internet phenomenon (2001-2002). This year proved to be a lacklustre year for the hapless Mavericks as they failed to make the finals. The frustration felt by the players at the club soon manifested itself through coach Andrew Sumner's shock resignation. Although Sumner 'regretfully resigned' it is hard for this editor to not be questionable.

Bad boy Jewish sensation Guy Rob then took over the helm and proceeded to drag down Hawkesbury's image by engaging in a public slander war with then Manly Cannons coach, David McElroy. The names of both teams were continually dragged through the dirt and this had two major consequences. Firstly, Guy Rob soon midway through the 2002 -2003 season due to stress and a refusal to continue a futile and seemingly conclusionless argument and secondly there is speculation that McElroy allowed this argument to spill into his business life and found himself allowing a major rift to form through the Cannons board which chiefly caused the well documented split to occur after season 2001-2002.*

After this crisis the Hawkesbury board found themselves coachless and with major losses of sponsorship revenue due to rightfully disenchanted backers pulling the plug. This saw the Mavericks put into administration and under direct control by Max Donnelly who was in turn under direct supervision by ASRL CEO Christopher Walker-Bush. After dismal 2002 and 2002-2003 performances the Mavericks failed to qualify for the new ASRL Premier League and were resigned to perform in 1st Division. This was the lowest point that the Mavericks had hit since 1986 when they collected the wooden spoon.

In 2003 the Maveriocks managed to drag themselves out of administration and the newly appointed board voted unanimously for controversial 'scandal machine' Brian Randell to take the helm as coach. Whilst Randell proved himself to be apt coach, dragging the Mavericks to qualifiying for Premier League he also proved to be a loose cannon, becoming involved in assualt, rape and alcohol related charges. Although the Magro brothers, Anthony and Michael definately came away the worse for wear Randell appeared to pull through it unscathed and proceeded to sue chief Channel TEN ASRL reporter Harry Potter for defamation.

Randell reign of terror seemed to end recently as he was fired as his coaching incompetence placed Hawkesbury in outright last postion. This seems to have been a blessing in disguise as since Randell's departure, an enigmatic mystery coach has taken the coaching job and coached Hawkesbury to a close loss against North Sydney and a victory over North Melbourne.

Now we are left with the question: have Hawkesbury and their new coach the fortitude to shrug off the black cloud of relegation that hangs over them or will they just spiral to new lows?

A definate Premier League premiership contender this year the Central Coast Falcons are living up to expectations straight from the start of the year as they charge through the premier league this year showing there power and looking in very good stead to have a shot at the prized ASRL premiership for the 2004 season. A star studded line up throughout the whole squad with great depth which will definately help them through the tough ASRL premiership season this year.

Members of the ASRL competition since 2001 the Central Coast Falcons have had a very successful run through the years they have been in the competition with winning the Crown Casino risk in 2002/2003 season and also being the Minor Premiers in Division 1 in 2002/2003 and then backing up that year and becoming Premiers in Division 1 in that same year. With a huge amount of players playing rep football which includes : Robbie O'Davis (QLD), Matt Utai (New Zealand),
Braith Anasta (Europe), Steven Price (QLD), Michael Vella (NSW, Europe), Terry
O'Connor (Ireland), Paul Harrigon (QLD), Jason Hetherington(QLD), Hazem El Masri (Lebanon), Braam van Straaten (South Africa), Gunter Franz (Europe), Phillipe Bernat-Sallas (France), Sebastian Azema (France), Willie Talau (New Zealand) Nigel Vagana (New Zealand), Graham Mackey (Scotland), Brian Tabuli (Lebanon), Guiseppi Magro (Lebanon), Brent Sherwin (NSW), it is no wonder they have had such a huge amount of success in just a small amount of time in ASRL.

Self confessed "super coach" Anthony Magro has done an amazing job with his team each year, stating his love for the Central coact having been born there is a definate reason to help him want to bring pride to the Falcons players and makes sure they are always putting in 110% every week. This year he has said " we are currently in 5th position, and we do not want to go any lower then that, we are aiming at taking out the Premiership this year and we have the troops to do it. Everyone in my side has been playing good football and under Priceys great captaincy I think we can do big things this year". Anthony Magro himself is no stranger to representative honours in his coaching career with a very successful stint with City Origin team winning 3 from 4 games played with them. Which prompted his promotion to the NSW coach when current coach Chris Walker-Bush called it quits. Magro has also coached Lebanon to be 7th in the world ratings.

Captain Steven Price is having an amazing year also, the powerhouse forward has been in great form all year and has said "my form is helped by an amazing team around me, we have a great mixture of youth and experience with good defense and alot of firepower in attack, I think we can go all the way this year I really do, we have 3 youngsters in great form which are Sonny Bill Williams, Samer El Masri and Hutch Maivia coming through the ranks".

The current squad looks like this:
1. Robbie O’Davis (QLD Origin Rep)
2. Matt Utai (New Zealand Rep)
3. Tony Gonzales
4. Nigel Vagana (New Zealand Rep)
5. Hazem El Masri (Lebanon Rep)
6. Braith Anasta (NSW Origin Rep)
7. Brent Sherwin (NSW Rep)
8. Steven Price (QLD Origin Rep)
9. Gunter Franz (German Rep)
10. Dean Walker
11. Terry O’Connor (Ireland Rep)
12. Corrin Barry
13. Travis Norton (QLD Origin Rep)

14. Luke Davico (County Rep)
15. Steven Wild
16. Jonathan Thurston
17. Reggie Cressbrook

18. Sebastian Azema (France Rep)
19. Craig Emmerton
20. Craig Smith
21. Corey Hughes
They will be very hard to beat, and only time will tell how they go this season.

The Million Merger Team.

Mergers have been a part of sports competition from the dawn of time, starting when all sports competitors in Greece formed together to invent the ancient Olympics. In team sports many great teams have merged with all old Manchester soccer clubs merging to create the great Manchester United to compete in the FA Cup and continued on to be one of world sports biggest forces. Rugby League also has its mergers, one of the most successful is the 2 Perth clubs merging in the ASRL to create the Perth Taipans which went onto appear in a grand final. Though there is one club in the ASRL which as more former clubs being the backbone of its success and that’s the Brisbane Bulls.

The Bulls have had much success in the past, appearing in a grand final and being a regular in the top 8. Then the unthinkable happened, they were relegated to division 2 but after one season there, they showed their might and won promotion to Premier League also winning the Division 2 Grand Final.

Much hope was pinned on the Brisbane bulls to perform but a strange occurrence came about when the coach went missing, that’s when rookie South Queensland Drovers [haha] coach Josh Hussey took the reigns.

Josh Hussey had been successful with turning around the Drovers club after making a miserable start, he was quick to find the right formula and almost got the sometimes hopeless Drovers into the division 2 finals. The team that was sometimes referred to as "The Crushers" got a much needed boost for 2004 merging with division 2 wooden spooners, Ipswich Reds. Josh was quick to trade off some of the Reds stars in return for some new faces for the South Queensland club including Welsh International Iyeston Harris.

When Hussey took over at Brisbane, he was reluctant to let go all of the work he had done at South Queensland so he decided to merge the 2 sides together.

Now with the guile that Josh Hussey's side possessed, The Bulls were one of the favorites to win the 2004 season and everyone was very wary of The Bulls. The Season came and the Bulls were a letdown. Though it wasn’t due to bad form but a bit of bad luck with injuries and representative commitments left the bulls side short and have struggled all season.

Despite the poor 2004 season, The Bulls reserve grade side, Wests Panthers have had a strong season and they show the depth Hussey’s side has in every position. One player that has shined is rookie halfback Eron Bates who made the step up to the first grade side and has played some good football causing the Bulls fans to lick there lips in anticipation of the 2004/2005 season. But first the Bulls must escape relegation, whether they are able to or not all depends on the Bulls luck with injury, if they can manage to steer clear of any more injuries and get there stars back from the sidelines, they could push for a finals birth. But if Hussey’s bad luck continues, it could be another season in division 2 for the Bulls.

Punked

No I’m not talking about a Good Charlotte concert nor am I talking about Aston Cutcher MTV show, which by the way isn’t that funny. No I’m talking about Queensland’s second favourite son the Surfers Paradise Punks.

It’s hard to live in some bodies shadow and that is exactly how Surfers play week in and week out. Gold Coast this, Andrew Johns that, Jonny Wilkinson here and Billy Slater there, yet this is all the Queensland media reports on.

Previous seasons have been disappointing to the Punks, with crowds being drawn away to the Crusade and losing their strong financial base led to the eventual name change from the Sunshine Coast Wizards to the Surfers Paradise Punks.

The thing about the Punks is their ability to bounce back week after week. The Punks have been recorded as one of the friendliest teams in the comp, with records showing they invite opposition teams to private punks shows as well as fighting for the return of the Warp Tour back in Australia.

But where has it gone all wrong. Punks fans claim that Gold Coast and other power clubs are bleeding and stealing their players from beneath them. Surfers has the tendency of making awesome halfbacks such as Brent Sherwin (Central Coast), Domink Bush (North Melbourne) and Asuki Miamotyo (South Melbourne) who have all been dragged away from the Punks. Whilst they have no problems producing talent, fans are scratching their heads on why they can hold on to future stars.

Big signings like Rhys Wesser (former North Melbourne) and Carlos Spencer (former Christchurch) have added additional impact into their side. The Punks hold one of the most dominating forward packs with Kennedy, Wiki and Ricketson plus former New England work horse Bryan Fletcher. The question reminds why do they sit 11th on the ASRL Premier League ladder?

Though the Punks are mean in defense (which would explain why they have one of the best f/a differences despite being so low down the ladder) critics have pointed out the weakness in their kicking game. The former gritty defense and flat styles of Rugby League are over; the new generation of stars are kicking genius. More and more forwards are learning how to use the boot, such as Brashen Trell (Adelaide), Craig Fitzgibbon (Parramatta) and Craig Emmerton (Central Coast). Both Berrigan and Spenser lack the expertise of both long and short kicking styles and are no match to opposition halves like Wilkinson/Johns, Barret/Long, Anasta/Sherwin and Tepand/Jones.

Another fault in their game is the lack of line breaking forwards like Shane Webke (Perth), Ben Kennedy (Sydney) or Tony Puletua (Gold Coast). Former Central utility Anthony Himmler was quoted saying Surfers forwards are soft and don’t run the line.

Surfers shinning light is Rhys Wesser who is leading Surfers charge into the top 8 with his try scoring expertise and work rate week after week, which sees him as one of the leading try scorers and PoM earners.

The Origin series is over, allowing Surfers to hold a majority of their squad again. Consistency is the key for the Punks. I believe they can make the 8 this year but I fear they will die off like Carnarvon and Perth should they remain with the same squad for 2004 season. A possible move for Berrigan into the centres will allow a gap for a ground breaking halfback to slot in during the off-season. Andrew Johns is reported to be coming off contract, maybe Surfers can sway him to the club, not only would this be a huge lift to Surfer but they would be sticking it to their Crusade neighbors.

PARRAMATTA VIKINGS - THE PRETENDERS

In recent seasons, the Sydney Oilers have been tagged as the most underperforming team in the league. I think there is a STRONG contender for that title in the Vikings.
The Parramatta Vikings are a relatively new team to the ASRL. Marshal Boyd was the driving force behind the teams entry to the ASRL and has been coach since day one. Marshall had everything served to him on a platter :

* Wide junior base.
* Fantastic Leagues Club.
* Wide fanbase for his district.
* One of the best stadiums in the world in Parramatta Stadium.
* An attractive setup for players around the world to play for Parramatta.
* Marshall Boyd has rep coaching experience (New Zealand).

Despite all of their advantages for a new team, the Vikings have been unable to capitalise on any of their assets. I believe this is due to a number of factors :


* Extremely poor management at board level.

* Poor recruitment to form their first year side. Despite the large number of successful Parramatta juniors in the ASRL, the Vikings were unable to attact any big juniors back home. They were only able to recruit Dykes, Moodie and Richards to the club. Hardly a sign of confidence from the Parramatta juniors in the ASRL.

* Player Rentention and Recruitment. While Parramatta have recruited some big names in recent seasons, the players do not seem to gel under Marshall's coaching. It is a combination of buying the wrong players (ex Brent Webb), keeping players who seem burnt out (Jamie Lyon), keeping faith in underperformers (Francis Meli) and total lack of cohesion in the halves (Michael Witt, Chris Thorman and Brett Firman).
In regards to player recruitment, the board at Parramatta regularly loses out in player bidding to other teams. Their negotiating skills are very poor. Sydney were able to recruit player like Aaron Cannings and Willie Tonga with ease, despite interest from the Vikings board.
Another reason is, which player in their right mind would go to a sham setup like Parramatta?

* Poor rep coaching. Coach Boyd has struggled to motivate a league superpower like New Zealand for over two seasons. Like at Parra, he has all the aces in a team like New Zealand. How he struggles to beat minnows like Papua New Guinea is beyond belief.

*Team lineup.

1. Brent Webb (That kid on the footy show could tackle better than Webb. Liability at the back for Parramatta).
2. Francis Meli (Lazy, underperforming winger. Only makes rep teams because of his club coach).
3. Jamie Lyon (Suffering from motivation problems, could retire).
4. Mark Gasnier (Similar issues to Lyon, plus injury prone).
5. Marcus St Hiliare (His best form was three seasons ago. Well passed his use by date).
6. Brett Firman (Great at Penrith. Has'nt fired a shot at the Vikings).
7. PJ Marsh (Solid player, needs to stay at halfback).
8. Nathan Cayless ( c ) (Gold Coast reject. Past his prime).
9. Sione Faumuina (Good quality ute. He'd be a star at an organised club).
10. Luke Bailey (Great prop. Also would star at an organised club).
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (Legend second-rower).
12. Craig Fitzgibbon (Almost as good as Hindy).
13. Dean Widders (The player with the biggest heart at the Vikings.)

14. Chris Thorman ( Total underperformer).
15. Lee Hopkins (Can play good on his day).
16. Michael Witt (Goose).
17. Zeb Taia (Who!!!)

18. Chris Armit (Future star).
19. Kylie Leuluai (Big and useless).
20. Ronald Prince (Choker material).
21. Matt Dunning (Clown).

Due to a poor defensive structure, the Vikings WILL miss out on the finals. Their attacking structure will also falter as the season goes on.

Oiler

NEWS FLASH RIOT BREAK OUT IN REDFERN

Roger you have made some piss poor evauluations of the Vikings!

1. I was never handed an awesome team on a platter when i first got the Vikings they were litterd with no names or has beens, yet i bult them up into a big name team!

yet you on the other hand had a team served to you on a platter mind you with full of eels players including MICHAEL VELLA AND DAVID VAEALIKI! 2 players whom i know you have the upmost respect for. Yet even though with this team you constantly choke yet somehow manged to bring ya team into premier league god knows how!

2. Yeah you may have beat me for Tonga and Cannings but who won the Gasnier, Thorman and Hindmarsh battles me!

3. My team with a total bunch of names kicked the Oilers arse last time we met

4. I dont go wasting my money on powder puff fowards

5. My backline shits all over yours even when half of my players are MIA

6. Got more junior talent that Wests and Balmain

7. Am leading the ASRL Tipping Comp

8. Voted Sexiest Coach other than Magro in the ASRL

9. Dont have a personal relationship with pussy Greek Footballers

10. At least have a stand alone club!

muahahahahahahaha :MAD:

1. You're going to die alone.