NRL Fantasy 2020 Part 90 - Tumbleweed edition

Sam McIntyre declines 1 year extension at the Tigers and signs with the Titans for 2021

Various media are suggesting Cam Smith will either retire or play elsewhere (Titans/Broncos) in 2021.

This is based on book quotes, where he says he doesn't want to see the club lose either BSmith or Grant. But they aren't. So I dunno how they assumes he won't be at the Storm.

He also has said will make a decision before Christmas, as the worlds longest retirement decision continues.

All this, and he's not even the most successful Cameron Smith anymore.

Can anyone please tell me the contents of the courier mail article on the Cronk/Smith feud. ?

when does Origin Fantasy game 3 open ?

Standard Cam Smith, wants all the attention on him even before an Origin decider.

Remarkable footballer, shit house personality.

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I don't have the same nerves about this Origin decider as I normally do, I want to feel it but I just can't at the moment. Normally I'm buzzing. I don't know whether it's because we're expected to win and that's not a feeling that I'm used to or because it's at the end of the year. Anyone else the same?

No nerves here, but anticipation is high. Looking forward to NSW lifting that trophy for the 3rd year in a row.

Honestly can't believe we have to wait another 48 hours to do so. I figured Qld would just concede already, but I guess they're gonna go down Trump-style, kicking and screaming until the bitter, futile end.

Might help that I lost interest in fantasy awhile ago, so I've just been watching games where I care about the result the last few months. Maybe not as burned out as some.

The history books will still show a NSW victory, whether it's mid-season or the end, so that's enough for me.

Definitely the worst Origin period I've ever felt, whether it be the post season or the loss of game one, I ain't feeling it for the first time ever. I'm genuinely surprised people expect Nsw to win. We continuously show we have no heart. Game 1 was a joke of a loss.

robelgordo wrote:Various media are suggesting Cam Smith will either retire or play elsewhere (Titans/Broncos) in 2021.

This is based on book quotes, where he says he doesn't want to see the club lose either BSmith or Grant. But they aren't. So I dunno how they assumes he won't be at the Storm.

He also has said will make a decision before Christmas, as the worlds longest retirement decision continues.

All this, and he's not even the most successful Cameron Smith anymore.

The above suggests he goes elsewhere though ? If he means it.

Cam Smith can do what he wants as far as I'm concerned. I don't particularly like him, but I find it funny that media are so worked up about what he is going to do, and people just lap it up.

I still think he's going to the Titans (or less likely, Broncos).

Seems like a few reasons for delaying an announcement but I do think part of it is to show some respect to the Storm and their fanbase. Would be a bit rude to lift the shield and then next day be like "OH SEE YAZ".

Origin fantasy for game 3 is now up.

Feeling no hype at all about the game, but at the same time, looking forward to watching it on Wednesday evening. Leads into a bit of a long weekend away for me.

Thought it was interesting the GOVT allowed Suncorp to be full. Not sure if the demand is there for tickets, I saw yesterday they were doing 2 for 1... which makes them somewhat affordable.

At standard pricing of over $200 a ticket for anywhere that isn't the very back corner, its just too expensive to bother, and it has really killed off the atmosphere at Suncorp in the past few years. The Broncos vs Cowboys derbies became the better event to be at more recently.

my tv broke wrote:Origin fantasy for game 3 is now up.

Feeling no hype at all about the game, but at the same time, looking forward to watching it on Wednesday evening. Leads into a bit of a long weekend away for me.

Thought it was interesting the GOVT allowed Suncorp to be full. Not sure if the demand is there for tickets, I saw yesterday they were doing 2 for 1... which makes them somewhat affordable.

At standard pricing of over $200 a ticket for anywhere that isn't the very back corner, its just too expensive to bother, and it has really killed off the atmosphere at Suncorp in the past few years. The Broncos vs Cowboys derbies became the better event to be at more recently.

Sad to hear that about origin at suncorp. Have only been to suncorp once (magic round last year) and it was amazing to watch league there, way better than anz and scg. Thanks again for your work setting up the post season fantasy games mate. Will put up a link for bbl fantasy if it hasn't been done already in a couple of weeks.

Dttragic2016 wrote:

Sad to hear that about origin at suncorp. Have only been to suncorp once (magic round last year) and it was amazing to watch league there, way better than anz and scg. Thanks again for your work setting up the post season fantasy games mate. Will put up a link for bbl fantasy if it hasn't been done already in a couple of weeks.

I am probably overstating it, if you went to an origin for the first time you'd think it was amazing, no doubt. I think its just been watered down a little bit over the last 4 or 5 years because the majority of league diehards have been priced out of going and you end up with a lot of 'one offs' who will pay the premium to be there for the 'experience' and post about it on instagram, plus a lot of tickets end up having to be given away.. its just not what it used to be

It wasn't so long ago that Origin would sell out in under half an hour every year. Its now the day before a decider and you can buy 2 for 1 tickets.. haha (this isn't unique to 2020 either)

Throughout the 2000s I went to pretty much every origin in Sydney (plus 1 in mebliurne and 2 in brisbane)

One of the things that stopped me going was the games just became boring. Partly due to referees refusal to blow the whistle, and partly due to NSWs apparent game plan of not trying to score points.

The game when we finally broke the QLD streak was one of the most boring games of football you'll ever see. Combined with me becoming a grumpy old man and games finishing late on a weeknight I just lost my passion.

I was offered a free ticket last week by a stadium member, so went along to my first origin in a few years. I thought it was pretty good. Atmosphere was fine given the crowd restrictions, and obviously having your team win big is a bonus.

On the actual game tomorrow, won't be surprised at all if queensland win

On the other hand, if you go to origin, you don't have to put up with channel 9

Fucked around and chucked Grant at Hooker cause I think Friend will get HIA within the first 10 mins and Grant will play out the game.

Grant
Papa(c)
Yeo Tino
Munster
Capewell
Allan Teddy

All done and see ya's next year

my tv broke wrote:Origin fantasy for game 3 is now up.

Feeling no hype at all about the game, but at the same time, looking forward to watching it on Wednesday evening. Leads into a bit of a long weekend away for me.

Thought it was interesting the GOVT allowed Suncorp to be full. Not sure if the demand is there for tickets, I saw yesterday they were doing 2 for 1... which makes them somewhat affordable.

At standard pricing of over $200 a ticket for anywhere that isn't the very back corner, its just too expensive to bother, and it has really killed off the atmosphere at Suncorp in the past few years. The Broncos vs Cowboys derbies became the better event to be at more recently.

That's what happens when your main stadium is a glorified suburban ground and the grubby money hungry QLDRL want to bleed everyone dry for a profit.

Khany wrote:Can anyone please tell me the contents of the courier mail article on the Cronk/Smith feud. ?

If it’s the same as the Fox Sports one:

Believed Cronks are upset the Smiths didn’t attend their wedding. Only had 50 guests, and the inference is that they withdrew late.

Smith seems pretty oblivious to it/unlikely to elaborate in his bio

EDIT:
Herald sun somehow had it without the paywall.

Smith didn’t respond to the RSVP and when Cronk chased him up he just text replied “no”. This was late 2017, so when Cronk was about to start at the Roosters. So maybe Smith was bitter he was leaving the club. Makes Smith look like a dick if remotely close to truth

Article also throws shade that Smith has bought up the Yvonne Sampson rumours to publicise his book - which is a fringe story most RL fans wouldn’t have been aware of. but the book doesn’t have anything significant on his relationship with Cronk - which is an actual story everyone wants to know more about.