is Robbo playing russian roulette with a busted Mini

[Jacks Fur Coat]

But, at this point in the year and in his magnificent career, I'd rather risk losing the comp than disrespect a club legend.

I think Spirit this is kind of my mentality too.

Its not about win at all costs for me.

The other part disturbing here is the negative energy that these comments are giving when we all should be pushing in the one direction and supporting each other within the club as a whole. Its ironic the expressions of disfavour to our players is actually counter productive to the critics main goal they aspire to....winning.

[Guest]

We won the minor premiership off the back of 6 consecutive wins to close out the season. We stopped "coasting" months ago.

If we were ever in danger of missing the finals Robbo would have asked Keegan to step it up a long time ago.


On a sliding scale of Kouparitsus to Freddy, I believe we will miss Mini as much as we miss Perrett. Time will tell. That doesn't mean Mini can't play his part in helping us go back-to-back.

[mightyrooster]

Wow. What a thread. It is true Mini had an absolute shocker last game. And his decision to not take the ball out in the Penrith game lead to a freakish try for the pamfers which ultimately gave them the game.

But seriously Mini is our captain and brings other things to the team which counter-balance his errors. We've seen what has happened over the past 2 years when he has been out through injury. We are almost a rabble in defence.

The decision was made at the start of the year that Mini would play again and be our captain. He was never going to play for Newtown. And it seems that Mini's blunders always cop closer scrutiny from the fans here. I see JWH give away pot plant penalties nearly every game. Maloney gives away his fair share too. Jake putting in a short kick on the second tackle last week. I don't think Mini is any more likely to stuff up than SKD throws the ball into touch, JWH / Napa get put on report, Maloney gives away a dumb penalty, Jennings touches the ball and gives away 6 again, FPN knocks on, RTS drops a bomb, Pearce kicks the ball too deep etc etc....

Go EASTS!!!

[Johnny Tobin]

I think Spirit this is kind of my mentality too.

Its not about win at all costs for me.

The other part disturbing here is the negative energy that these comments are giving when we all should be pushing in the one direction and supporting each other within the club as a whole. Its ironic the expressions of disfavour to our players is actually counter productive to the critics main goal they aspire to....winning.

Negative energy!

Do you seriously think that what we put on here makes one iota of difference to what happens on Friday night?

[Johnny Tobin]

Likewise JT. But I was referring to the proposition of dropping Anthony Minichiello for this game. That would be both idiotic and shameful.

I agree there is a risk attached to Mini. There's also a risk attached to SKD and, on recent form, even SBW.

Life is full of risks. I'm just saying I will accept this particular risk in these circumstances. Part of that involves the respect that is owed to Anthony.

I have never advocated dropping him for this game. That would be suicidal.

[Johnny Tobin]

The stats speak for it as well. Prior to Mini's retirement announcement, we were running in 4th position with a win loss record of 11-8.

After his retirement announcement we won 5 straight games to end the season minor premiers with a 16-8 record, and in those 5 games scored a whopping 166 points compared to only conceding 64.

That's how much sending Mini out a winner means to this team.

Do you think if Mini had been dropped at the start of year and was finishing up his career for the Jets that we'd have the same sort of motivation that the side has shown in the past 2 months? Not a ****ing chance.

On top of which, RTS has shown nothing in his time in first grade to show that he is above making the same errors that Mini has made occationally this season. Indeed Roger has dropped his share of bombs and conceded some dumb tries through failing to clean up grubbers as well. Again, not a slight on RTS as people make mistakes, its just laughable to think that removing the captain and soul of the side would do anything but greatly damage the team this year.

"Let's do this for Mini" is virtually no motivation at all. It's all paper talk.

I would have much preferred he retired last season and Roger was our fullback now.

[stsae]

SmellMaFinga, Tubby Taylor, Kieran Perkins, Michael Clarke etc come to mind.

Champions who proved the eggspurts wrong.

Let's hope Mini does it again.

Cos remember Newmans, he did it last season.

2 more games.

I will never understand how the Newmans feel watching Us play. It must hurt so good. We win but deep down they want Mini to lose.

I guess last Friday night was perfect for them. We won and Mini had a bazza. Win win moment, I guess.

I'm happy to just be the average fan if that's how it feels to be a special one, a Newman.

Go Mini.

Go Easts.

[Darkone]

Harden up wimps!

let's unequivocally support our captain!

[Spirit of 66]

"Let's do this for Mini" is virtually no motivation at all. It's all paper talk.

I would have much preferred he retired last season and Roger was our fullback now.

OK. Much ado about nothing then.

If Mini stuffs up, we can say that he played a year too long. If he is a hero and we win it, I am sure we'll all be singing his praises for years to come.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

OK. Much ado about nothing then.

If Mini stuffs up, we can say that he played a year too long. If he is a hero and we win it, I am sure we'll all be singing his praises for years to come.

Lol...that's it I think mate...JT can't lose!

[Johnny Tobin]

OK. Much ado about nothing then.

If Mini stuffs up, we can say that he played a year too long. If he is a hero and we win it, I am sure we'll all be singing his praises for years to come.

I will be singing loudest - either way.

[Johnny Tobin]

Lol...that's it I think mate...JT can't lose!

I would much prefer to have egg on my face with a win than be a smug dickhead with a loss.

[Guest]

Yes, Mini has scored 15 tries this year, but he has made 41 errors, the most of any player in the NRL. His last match for NSW was a horror. I sincerely hope his last match isn't this Friday night, and is not another shocker. If he is not fit, why is he playing? He's not a Greg Inglis or a Billy slater. He is way past his best. Fingers crossed , it's not 3 shit matches in a row for Mini

[Guest]

Wow. What a thread. It is true Mini had an absolute shocker last game. And his decision to not take the ball out in the Penrith game lead to a freakish try for the pamfers which ultimately gave them the game.

But seriously Mini is our captain and brings other things to the team which counter-balance his errors. We've seen what has happened over the past 2 years when he has been out through injury. We are almost a rabble in defence.

The decision was made at the start of the year that Mini would play again and be our captain. He was never going to play for Newtown. And it seems that Mini's blunders always cop closer scrutiny from the fans here. I see JWH give away pot plant penalties nearly every game. Maloney gives away his fair share too. Jake putting in a short kick on the second tackle last week. I don't think Mini is any more likely to stuff up than SKD throws the ball into touch, JWH / Napa get put on report, Maloney gives away a dumb penalty, Jennings touches the ball and gives away 6 again, FPN knocks on, RTS drops a bomb, Pearce kicks the ball too deep etc etc....

Go EASTS!!!

His last 2 finals matches have been insipid.

[Danish]

Yes, Mini has scored 15 tries this year, but he has made 41 errors, the most of any player in the NRL. His last match for NSW was a horror. I sincerely hope his last match isn't this Friday night, and is not another shocker. If he is not fit, why is he playing? He's not a Greg Inglis or a Billy slater. He is way past his best. Fingers crossed , it's not 3 shit matches in a row for Mini

I've got Mini's stats at 36 errors this year from 26 games played. 1.38 per game

Slater is sitting on 34 errors from 20 games played. 1.7 per game

Funnily enough Storm fans don't death ride Slater for dropping the occasional bomb