Finals prediction

[trewhella]

This whole round has got me spooked.

I only like the cowboys as my anchor.I am convinced they will be in the GF even if they lose.
The rest has me confused. I can make a case for the titans, sharks and dogs.

I might as well just back all the upsets and to hell with it.

[Chooksforme]

For me its a Storm Vs Raiders grandfinal, with Storms experience to carry them to a close win.

[Maxy Walker]

Looks pretty clear cut the Storm's year to me. Can't stand em but they are so effective at controlling the game. The Cowboys probably next best but they are not going as well as last year. Canberra are a wild card. No doubt they are going very well. I think the pressure of the big games will be too much for them though. Would hate to see Stuart win it. Please no....

Forget the Sharks they are cooked. No one else outside the top 4 going well enough.

Storm to beat Cowboys in GF.

[bondi paul]

Likely another all Murdoch aligned teams in the GF just like 2015.
Interesting with last years team the predictable media never spoke of the Murdoch allegiance.This is one of the many countless reasons why I refuse to watch the 2016 semis or GF.

[Mickie Lane]

Likely another all Murdoch aligned teams in the GF just like 2015.
Interesting with last years team the predictable media never spoke of the Murdoch allegiance.This is one of the many countless reasons why I refuse to watch the 2016 semis or GF.

When you say Murdoch aligned teams what do you mean?
The Melbourne Storm were sold to a private consortium of NZ entrepreneurs in 2013.
North Qld Cowboys were sold to the Cowboys Leagues club in 2007.
The Brisbane Broncos are a publicly listed company. Nationwide News Pty Ltd which is a subsidiary of News Limited has 68.87% of the shares but anyone can buy shares in it.

[bondi paul]

The stench remains for me Mickie - as so too with the silent partnership News Limited has with the NRL. Murdochs mystery man banker Dave Smith no hear or see once Murdoch got what he wanted. Has anyone seen or heard what Smith is doing professionally - no

[Mickie Lane]

The stench remains for me Mickie - as so too with the silent partnership News Limited has with the NRL. Murdochs mystery man banker Dave Smith no hear or see once Murdoch got what he wanted. Has anyone seen or heard what Smith is doing professionally - no

Smith did the dirty on Murdoch & sold the exclusive TV rights to channel 9 so I dont know why you think Smith is in with Newscorp.
If Optus or any other pay tv broadcaster were to pay a shitload of money for the rights to show the NRL they then also would gain the right to have input into the game. Until the NRL start their own TV station they will always be in some sort of partnership with some telecommunication company.

[eddie]

If Optus or any other pay tv broadcaster were to pay a shitload of money for the rights to show the NRL they then also would gain the right to have input into the game. .

Why?

[Mickie Lane]

Why?

Because money talks.

[eddie]

Because money talks.

Lazy response and it don't answer the question.

[Mickie Lane]

Lazy response and it don't answer the question.

It's the way business is done.
When a telecommunication company puts millions of dollars into the game they do so under the priviso that they have a say in how the game is run. Its always been that way.

[eddie]

It's the way business is done.
When a telecommunication company puts millions of dollars into the game they do so under the priviso that they have a say in how the game is run. Its always been that way.

No it hasn't.
Broadcasting rights had zero to do with the running of the game itself pre-super league.

Greed is detrimental to sport.

[Mickie Lane]

No it hasn't.
Broadcasting rights had zero to do with the running of the game itself pre-super league.

Greed is detrimental to sport.

Packer & his channel 9 had much to do with the running of the game pre-super league.

[bondi paul]

Smith did the dirty on Murdoch & sold the exclusive TV rights to channel 9 so I dont know why you think Smith is in with Newscorp.
If Optus or any other pay tv broadcaster were to pay a shitload of money for the rights to show the NRL they then also would gain the right to have input into the game. Until the NRL start their own TV station they will always be in some sort of partnership with some telecommunication company.

The so called media beat up about Smith doing the dirty on Murdoch a complete hoax. At this level of business both parties had a win win and soon as done Smith did the disappearing act. Bit like Waterhouse taking the bullet with his gaming company for the Sportsbet partnership whilst then becoming CEO of William Hill - another win win case scenario

[Mickie Lane]

The so called media beat up about Smith doing the dirty on Murdoch a complete hoax. At this level of business both parties had a win win and soon as done Smith did the disappearing act. Bit like Waterhouse taking the bullet with his gaming company for the Sportsbet partnership whilst then becoming CEO of William Hill - another win win case scenario

Your saying Smith didnt do the dirty on foxtel?
Smith agreed to give the exclusive rights to channel 9 after he had told foxtel they were getting the exclusive rights.
The winners were channel 9 who on sold 5 games to Newscorp for more than what they paid for them .
Why did Smith then resign who knows & unless Dave Smith has told you personally then we will never know. My guess is that he stepped down because the job is a very very stressful job that has your every move scrutinised & that he could make as much money working for a merchant bank with the spot light not blaring on him?