Just Footy
MONDAY JUNE 27 2016
SPORT 15
M O N D AY R E V I E W
AFL LEADERS
HAWKS
SWANS
CATS
GIANTS
KANGAS
Wadda bout that,
Hawks now sit at the
top of the pile after
rolling Suns >> P18
PRETTY
IN PINK
44
40
40
40
40
Bradley Hill in full flight for
Hawthorn during yesterday’s 26point win over a gallant Gold Coast
Suns in the AFL premiership at
Aurora Stadium in Launceston
Picture: BOB BLAKERS
Clubs need their Origin stars now Game Three’s a fizzer
PHIL ROTHFIELD
THE NRL should allow State of
Origin stars to play for their club
sides in Round 18 considering the
final game of the series is now a
dead rubber.
There is absolutely no reason
the club competition should suffer
any more considering the Origin
series is over and only NSW pride
is on the line. It was revealed last
week that crowds and viewers
slump when the best 34 players in
the competition and $20 million
worth of talent is unavailable.
In Round 18, the Panthers play
the Sharks in what should be one
of the best games of the year.
Yet Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour and probably Bryce Cartwright will be unavailable for the
home side. Cronulla will be without Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita,
Jack Bird and James Maloney.
One game missing the seven
best players.
The same weekend the Canberra Raiders host the premiers
North Queensland.
The home side is without Josh
Papalii and possibly blockbusting
centre Joey Leilua. The visitors
lose Johnathan Thurston, Michael
Morgan, Matt Scott, James
Tamou and Justin O’Neill.
Another game missing the
seven best players.
Fans buy their season memberships to watch not only their own
team but also the world’s best
players. It’s a huge thrill to have
the future Immortal Thurston in
your own back yard.
You only get to see him live
once a season and you take home
lifetime memories from seeing the
little master apply his skills.
Obviously State of Origin is the
showpiece series of the NRL season. There is nothing quite like it
in any other sporting code in this
country. Yet there is little or nothing to play for on July 13 at ANZ
Stadium.
CLARKE
GEARS UP
FOR TRIP
TO SYDNEY
KANGAS
HONOUR
FOR GUTSY
STEVENS
STORM
PUSHED TO
THE LIMIT
BY TIGERS
NEAFL >> P16
AFL >> P23
NRL >> P24
V1 - NTNE01Z01MA