The FRONTROUND 11 2021 ROW VOLUME 2 · ISSUE 11 Constant change Are Newcastle already in need of a rebuild? DISCOVERING THE MAGIC FINDING THE POSITIVES FROM A TUMULTUOUS WEEKEND OF NRL INSIDE: NRL Round 11 program with squad lists, previews & head to head stats, Round 10 reviewed LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM AUSTRALIA’S LEADING INDEPENDENT RUGBY LEAGUE WEBSITE THERE IS NO OFF-SEASON 2 | LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM | THE FRONT ROW | VOL 2 ISSUE 11 What’s inside From the editor THE FRONT ROW - VOL 2 ISSUE 11 Tim Costello From the editor 3 Well isn't the NRL at an interesting juncture? While I've personally been critical of the current administration for some Feature Finding the Magic 4-5 time, I can appreciate the support they've had, particularly Opinion Adam O'Brien: Under the Pump 6-7 in bringing the game from the COVID-19 pandemic. A pretty astonishing achievement. NRL Ladder, Stats Leaders. POTY standings 8 But we now find ourselves at a crossroads. If the top brass are GAME DAY · NRL Round 11 9-25 serious about the future of the game and its on-field product, a LU Team Tips 9 big re-think of the rules and interpretations will be vital. 14 sin bins, 3 send offs and 24 match review citations isn't in anybody's THU North Queensland v Newcastle 10-11 interest. Neither are long-term concussion issues for players - a balance needs to be struck somewhere along the line between FRI Warriors v Wests Tigers 12-13 an entertaining game and protecting the welfare of players. Cronulla v St George Illawarra 14-15 That said - Magic Round was largely fantastic. We have a recap SAT Gold Coast v Canterbury 16-17 from Victoria Garry, who made the trek up on the weekend and has positive moments to share from across the round. Paul Sydney Roosters v Brisbane 18-19 Jobber looks at the growing criticism in the Steel City as well. Canberra v Melbourne 20-21 Enjoy your Round 11 NRL match program. Happy reading! SUN South Sydney v Penrith 22-23 Parramatta v Manly 24-25 NSWRL Teamlists 26-27 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup R11 26 The FRONT ROW ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jersey Flegg Cup R11 26 We’d like to thank RugbyLeagueProject.org for their support and use of Harvey Norman Womens' Premiership R11 26-27 various statistics throughout this publication. Ron Massey Cup R11 27 Magazine content originally appears on LeagueUnlimited.com © 2021 Sydney Shield R11 27 unless otherwise noted. Interested in advertising with The Front Row QRL Teamlists 28 or LeagueUnlimited.com, or just want to provide feedback? Contact us by email [email protected] Intrust Super Cup R8 28 Cover image courtesy Victoria Garry (The Inner Sanctum) BHP Premiership Women's R7 28 MANAGERS Steven Williams & Coby Delaney U21 Hastings Deering Colts R6 28 EDITOR Tim Costello UK Watch 29 CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Ferguson Paul Jobber Victoria Garry NRL Round 10 Wrap 30-33 Robert Crosby Josh Robertson Match Centre: NSWRL & QRL results 34-35 Adam Huxtable Hamish Parker Andrew Jackson Jason Hosken NRL Match Review & Judiciary - Round 10 35 Emile El-Azar Justin Davies 2021 NRL Draw 36-37 Lachy MacCorquodale Sam Bourke LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM | THE FRONT ROW | VOL 2 ISSUE 11 | 3 THE MAGIC OF MAGIC ROUND SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT THE STATE OF THE GAME - BUT BRISBANE TURNED IT ON FOR AN AMAZING WEEKEND he buzz around the game following Magic Round Stadium has held in the past, is primarily negative, due to the rule changes this is a huge positive for Tenforced earlier in the week. Brisbane as well as Magic Round going forward. Many fans were frustrated and disappointed as they watched 14 sin bins and three send-offs across eight Josh Addo-Carr scoring games. A level of discipline that the game has never nine tries in two games seen before and that many had never wanted to see. In round 9 we saw Josh Addo-Carr make club With the disciplinary action that has now seen 24 history as he scored 6 judiciary charges, Magic Round has been tainted for tries in Melbourne’s beat many fans. down against South Sydney. The Fox is no Without discrediting any frustration, there are still stranger to scoring many positives to have come from the weekend. These tries although, there weren’t positives prove why this event is in the NRL calendar too many fans that thought he would rack up similar and why it is one that many fans want to see stay. statistics in Magic Round. However, the flying winger overcame a leg injury to score a hat-trick and bring The Suncorp Stadium field his fortnight tally to nine. As we close in on game one The mere thought of a damaged Suncorp Stadium after of the Origin series, many Blues fans are buzzing at eight games in three days is enough to force anyone Addo-Carr’s current form hoping he can replicate the against the idea of Magic Round but now, after the fact, same sort of performances for their state. Queensland we can celebrate how well the turf held up. Although fans of course, are hoping the opposite. Regardless, his the weather was great, the Suncorp field current form has rugby league fans watching in awe and maintained questioning whether he is the best winger the game has its condition seen. throughout the weekend 10 straight for Penrith and we saw The Penrith Panthers go into round 11 having not lost a minimal game yet. An accomplishment that injuries. has not been seen since the Sydney Given the Roosters in 1996. For context, reputation almost half the current squad Suncorp weren’t even born yet. This young 4 | LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM | THE FRONT ROW | VOL 2 ISSUE 11 STORY VICTORIA GARRY squad looks to just be getting better and better, leaving many questioning when and/or will they lose this year? Jakob Arthur’s try on debut There aren’t too many people who saw Jakob Arthur making his debut in round 10 of the 2021 season, including his father – and coach. When Dylan Brown was across suspended after the Sydney Roosters game however, the nation and New Zealand packed out Suncorp across Arthur’s name was thrown around. the three days, providing an unmatched atmosphere. The end goals were packed out with respective bays for Knowing that Will Smith remained sidelined with a specific team fans but the rest of the stadium was still broken thumb, the playing group fought for his debut. buzzing with neutral fans just enjoying the footy. When his father weighed up his options, it became a clear decision. The decision did not come without some There were Mexican waves, the singing of Hey Baby, hurdles to cross first, including Arthur being elevated dancing and even some lucky winners of $25,000. This to the top 30 just a day before flying to Brisbane. All of was a truly magical atmosphere which trickled out from the pieces of the puzzle came together however and the stadium and into the grounds, beer garden and the 18-year-old ran onto Suncorp Stadium alongside the Caxton Street. 130,059 fans left Suncorp having been likes of Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson. apart of something very special. Although it was not a debut to rock the history books, We, as a fan base, can choose to acknowledge the Arthur still found himself with a meat pie in the 75th changes and our disagreement while still applauding minute. A try that would usually see a subdued response the positives. from the coach’s box however, this time we saw not a coach’s reaction but a proud dad’s. A beautiful moment Do not let this weekend be ruined for you. Do not let the for the Arthur family, Parramatta Eels and game be ruined for you. There is still plenty to celebrate, Rugby League in you just have to want to. general. In the words of many fans across, we love to see it. This article appears thanks to our friends at The Inner Sanctum. Crowd You can read the original including attendance embedded tweets by clicking here. Fans from LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM | THE FRONT ROW | VOL 2 ISSUE 11 | 5 UNDER THE PUMP WINDS OF CHANGE BLOWING AGAIN AT MCDONALD JONES STADIUM OPINION PAUL JOBBER f you have been a fan of the Newcastle In doing so, the gap between the Knights best and Knights over the last 15 years you would be worst performances has seen what started as a Iused to change by now. monkey slowly morph into a gorilla on their back. So why is it when the man capable of changing the But when O’Brien dares mention some of the Knights’ fortunes suggests a way forward, some other systems he has been involved in – namely punters and pundits suggest he’s merely shifting with the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters – the blame? some experts spin it into a crisis narrative. Not taking responsibility for the team’s Why wouldn’t a man who has seen what success is shortcomings they would say. want to replicate it? But the fact remains the Knights are so far away More to the point, why wouldn’t fans of a from the top sides in the competition it’s not funny success-starved club want the man and Adam O’Brien is aware of that. capable of replicating success to be able to … attempt to replicate "We've got to find a way in this club to learn how to success? win again," O'Brien said after the game on Friday night.