The Grapple on Sport 101.5 2020-10-22
Grapple: 22 October 2020-Special GF program
6.05-6.15: Segment 1: GA and Patchy
Start our GF show tonight with a live and exclusive interview with Frank Ponissi: Football Manager Melbourne Storm
· Can we refer to the team as the Sunshine Coast Storm??
· What has it been like living in the bubble?
· What type of game expecting?
· Viliame Kikau returns from a one-game suspension in the back row for Panthers
· Skipper Cameron Smith will make his eighth appearance in a decider-last game!!!
· The same 17 that beat the Raiders last week have been named again.
· The Storm boast 34 games of grand final experience, compared with three for the Panthers.
6.15-6.19: Segment 2: GA and Patchy
Latest RL news:
Coming up after the break we’ll be joined by our resident NRL expert Greg ‘Macca’ McCallum– dissect the Dally M’s, update the SOO squads and predict the results in the NRLW and NRL Grand Finals- all that and more here on the Grapple 101.5fm sports
6.22-6.38: Segment 3: GA, Patchy and Macca – 3-way turf talk
Dally M’S
The count went down to the wire with just two points separating Jack Wighton, Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson and the Panthers’ Nathan Cleary heading into the final round of the season. However, none of the main contenders claimed votes in the final round for Wighton to be the first Raider since Laurie Daley in 1995 to win the award.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Fullback of the Year: Clint Gutherson (Eels)
Wingers of the Year: David Nofoaluma (Tigers) and Josh Addo-Carr (Storm)
Centres of the Year: Kotoni Staggs (Broncos) and Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
Five-Eighth of the Year: Jack Wighton (Raiders)
Halfback of the Year: Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
Props of the Year: Josh Papalii (Raiders) and James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
Hooker of the Year: Cameron Smith (Storm)
Second rower of the Year: Viliame Kikau (Panthers) and Tohu Harris (Warriors)
Lock of the Year: Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
THE AWARDS
Dally M Player of the Year: Jack Wighton (Raiders)
Dally M Female Player of the Year: Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)
Coach of the Year: Ivan Cleary (Panthers)
Provan Summons: New Zealand Warriors
Top Pointscorer: Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs)
Rookie of the Year: Harry Grant (Tigers)
Ken Irvine Medalist (Highest tryscorer): Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs)
Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year: Project Apollo
Captain of the Year: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
NRLW Rookie of the Year: Kennedy Cherrington (Roosters)
NRLW Try of the Year: Madison Bartlett (Warriors)
NRLW Tackle of the Year: Hannah Southwell (Roosters)
Hard Earned Player of the Year Award: Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) and Tohu Harris (Warriors)
Try of the Year: Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
Tackle of the Year: Josh Papalii (Raiders)
· Now ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has suggested that the votes system for the Dally M Medal could be changed so players on dominant teams aren’t disadvantaged. V’landys’ call came after this year’s hot favourite Nathan Cleary was beaten to the award by Canberra’s Jack Wighton, despite Cleary’s Panthers finishing the year as minor premiers. The current system sees the best players awarded three, two, and one Dally M vote per game, but V’landys suggested that a better alternative may be to rank each player out of 10 every game, before adding up the ranking points to determine the Dally M Medallist at the end of the year. While he suggested that Wighton was a deserving winner of the award, V’landys indicated that a change to the voting system could be on the cards.
State of Origin squads update:
Maroons:
· Coach Wayne Bennett opted to select more rookies with five more players added to Queensland’s extended squad for the November series. South Sydney Rabbitohs trio Jaydn Su’A, Corey Allan and Dane Gagai have been selected, along with Canberra forwards Dunamis Lui and Josh Papalii, after the Raiders and the Rabbitohs were eliminated from the NRL finals. The 21 players currently named will enter camp with Bennett on Sunday on the Gold Coast and will watch the decider together. The Maroons will name their full 27-man squad after Sunday’s NRL grand final. The remaining six players are expected to join camp a few days after the Penrith v Storm clash. Melbourne’s Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi are locks for selection if they come through unscathed. Others tipped to take the remaining spots include Christian Welch, Brenko Lee, Kurt Capewell and Tino Faasuamaleaui.
Jai Arrow (Gold Coast Titans) AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans) Phillip Sami (Gold Coast Titans)
Edrick Lee (Newcastle Knights) Hymel Hunt (Newcastle Knights)
Valentine Holmes (Cowboys) Coen Hess (North Queensland Cowboys)
Xavier Coates (Brisbane Broncos) Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons) Josh Kerr (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Harry Grant (Wests Tigers / Melbourne Storm)
Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles) Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters)
Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters) Jaydn Su’A (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Corey Allan (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Dunamis Lui (Canberra Raiders) Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
NSW:
Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders) and Cody Walker, Damien Cook and Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs) were selected after their teams were eliminated from the NRL’s finals series.
The squad will be added to after the NRL Grand Final on Sunday 25 October. They will gather at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Monday 19 October for medicals before departing for their Origin base at the Pullman Magenta Shores Resort.
Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels) Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)
Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)
Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders) Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
Tyson Frizell (Dragons) Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)
Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos) Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)
Zac Lomax (Dragons) Cameron McInnes (Dragons)
Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights) James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
Cody Walker (Rabbitohs) Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders
Grand Final Day on Sunday:
· Gates open at 3.15pm AEDT with the NRLW grand final kicking off at 4.05pm and the NRL decider to follow at 7.30pm.
· There will be a tribute to retiring players before the NRL grand final as well as the presentation of the Ken Stephen Medal.
· Aussie indie pop star Amy Shark will headline the grand final entertainment
The retiring class of 2020
Mitchell Aubusson (Sydney Roosters) John Bateman (Canberra Raiders)
Gerard Beale (New Zealand Warriors) Adam Blair (New Zealand Warriors)
Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos) Shannon Boyd (Gold Coast Titans)
Jamie Buhrer (Newcastle Knights) Jayson Bukuya (Cronulla Sharks
Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Gavin Cooper (North Queensland Cowboys)
Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos) Tim Glasby (Newcastle Knights)
David Gower (Parramatta Eels) James Graham (Dragons)
Tim Grant (Penrith Panthers) Aidan Guerra (Newcastle Knights)
Kerrod Holland (Bulldogs) Chris Lawrence (Wests Tigers)
Ethan Lowe (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Ben Matulino (Wests Tigers)
Sam McKendry (Penrith Panthers) Chris McQueen (Wests Tigers)
Joel Thompson (Manly Sea Eagles)-St Helens
Young Tonumaipea (Titans) Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm)
Decisions pending
Cameron Smith Benji Marshall Josh Morris Brett Morris
Aiden Tolman Bryson Goodwin Tony Williams Issac Luke
Jake Friend Ben Te’o Elijah Taylor Nathan Peats
NRLW – Grand Final:
· Brisbane has lost just one match in their NRLW history and have won their two grand finals against the Roosters and Dragons by a combined margin of 64-18.
· Referee: Belinda Sharpe; Review Official: Jared Maxwell-not the main game???
· Touch Judges: Liam Kennedy and Drew Oultram
· Standby Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
NRL Grand Final Preview:
Panthers:
· Viliame Kikau returns from a one-game suspension in the back row, with Kurt Capewell named on the bench and Mitch Kenny out of the 17.
· Brent Naden has been named to start at centre after not getting on the field from the interchange last week, with Tyrone May reverting to the bench. Ivan Cleary could still opt for a late change.
· The Panthers have the chance to equal their 2003 club record of 21 wins in a season.
Storm:
· The same 17 that beat the Raiders last week have been named again.
· The Storm boast 34 games of grand final experience, compared with three for the Panthers.
· Referee: Gerard Sutton- sixth Grand Final and his fourth consecutive decider.
· Review Official: Steve Chidd
· Touch Judges: Chris Butler and Todd Smith
· Standby Referee: Ashley Klein
· Standby Touch Judge: David Munro
Coming up after the break we’ll chat about everything else that’s happening in RL – all that and more here on the Grapple on 101.5fm sports
6.42-6.58: Segment 4: GA and Patchy
SEQ Grand Finals last weekend:
Saturday:
o Brisbane A-Grade: at Nundah: Wynnum 41 d Wests 6 to claim a 3-peat. Junior Pauga – who featured in last year’s Intrust Super Cup grand final loss to Burleigh Bears – was outstanding for Wynnum Manly, scoring a try and slotting six goals in the seven-tries-to-one-win. It was also the last game in charge for West Brisbane Panthers coach Craig Ingebrigtsen who has served in the game for many years and was a successful day all around for Wynnum Manly who also took out the BRL Reserve Grade final with a 22-20 win over Valleys Diehards.
o 2020 award winners
o Player of the year: Matthew Milson (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
o Coach of the year: Darren Ferricks (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
o Top try scorer: Jayden Corrigan (Valleys Diehards)
o Top points scorer: Scott Prince (Valleys Diehards)
o Ipswich: at North Ipswich Reserve: The Goodna Eagles’ d Norths Tigers 44-14 after a perfect start to lead 28-4 at half-time. Fa’ata’ape Timai 2 tries for Goodna while Norths were able to end their day on a high with Tonga Moungra scoring on the right-hand side; but it wasn’t enough with Goodna completely dominating not just the grand final but the entire comp only losing one match all season.
o Gold Coast: at GC Stadium: Influential five-eighth Guy Hamilton proved the difference for Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast’s A Grade grand final, with the Seagulls defeating the Burleigh Bears 22-14. In a shortened 10-round season, the Seagulls didn’t lose a single game in their premiership-winning year, with a draw against Ormeau in Round 2 the only hiccup in what was a near-perfect run for the Nick Gleeson coached side. The Seagulls got off to a flyer when James Poland broke through the line and linked up with Alex Bishop to give the Seagulls an early 6-0 lead.Some desperate defence late in the contest from the Seagulls denied Burleigh the chance of a last-minute comeback, holding on for a hard-fought victory.
o Earlier in the day, the Currumbin Eagles took home all the minor silverware, claiming the under 18 grand final with an 18-0 win over the Burleigh Bears. Their under 20s held on for a 22-20 triumph over the Helensvale Hornets and then the Eagles’ Reserve Grade team made it three from three with a 22-16 victory over the Tugun Seahawks, capping off a memorable afternoon for the club.
Sunday: Sunshine Coast RL GF at Caloundra-Caboolture had 4 teams in action-big day and a great crowd –
o U13 Div. 2 boys: Caloundra 28 d Kawana 16
o U13 Div. 1 boys: Kawana lost 18-16 to Maroochydore
o U14 Div. 2 boys: Maroochydore 34 d Caloundra 28
o U14 Div.1 boys: absolute thriller saw Maroochydore 25 d Noosa 24 with a field goal in extra time
o U/14 Girls: 1st placed Caboolture 32 d Kawana/Caloundra/Beerwah 14 – 1st of the day for the snakes
o U15 Div. 2 boys: Nambour 38 d Coolum 20
o U15 Div. 1 boys: wasn’t to be for Caboolture with Caloundra winning 32-14 in a spirited game as the snakes led 12-10 early in the 2nd half but Caloundra centre Franz Aguilo the difference
o U16 Girls: 1st placed Caboolture v Kawana/Beerwah after K/B led 14-4 before a determined snakes fightback with Jaydah Tofae outstanding- try and great off load to fullback Katelyn Leech for a late try which got them home 22-14- 2nd of the day for the snakes
o U16 Boys: Noosa 23 d Gympie 12
o Last match of the day U18 boys: 1st placed Caboolture got out of the blocks to lead Kawana 8-0 but lost 22-14; 5-6 consecutive defensive sets on own try line late in 1st half and try to Kawana right on the bell turned the tide. Forwards Jayden Usher and Rowdy Mc Sweeney and halves Logan Puohotaua and Trent Rooney best for the snakes
English Super League-
· Hull KR d Salford 24-22- 4 tries each Mikey Lewis double for the winners
· Hull FC d Huddersfield Giants 18-16 – 3 tries each this time –Aiden Seizer try and 2 goals for the Giants
· Warrington d Leeds 32-6, St Helens 48-6 over Wakefield –Tommy Makinson treble and Lachlan Coote 6 goals – Saints led 30-0 at half time
· Hull FC d Castleford 48-6-Marc Sneyd 6 goals
8 fixtures over the next 5 days:
· St Helens/Leeds, Wigan/Salford, Huddersfield/Wakefield, Castleford/Hull KR, Wakefield/Hull KR, Dragons/Warrington, Salford/St Helens, Tigers/Leeds
· The Dragons/Hull FC match has been postponed. Catalans now have three outstanding fixtures, following the previous postponement of fixtures at home to Leeds Rhinos and away against Wigan Warriors
Spoke about the bottom 12 getting ready for 2021; can now look at the Rabbits and Raiders
6.58: Sign off and close
TEAM LISTS
BACKS
1 Dylan Edwards Ryan Papenhuyzen
2 Josh Mansour Suliasi Vunivalu
3 Brent Naden Brenko Lee
4 Stephen Crichton Justin Olam
5 Brian To’o Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai Cameron Munster
7 Nathan Cleary Jahrome Hughes
FORWARDS
8 James Tamou Jesse Bromwich
9 Apisai Koroisau Cameron Smith
10 James Fisher-Harris Christian Welch
11 Viliame Kikau Felise Kaufusi
12 Liam Martin Kenneath Bromwich
13 Isaah Yeo Nelson Asofa-Solomona
INTERCHANGE
14 Tyrone May Brandon Smith
15 Kurt Capewell Tino Faasuamaleaui
16 Moses Leota Dale Finucane
17 Zane Tetevano Nicho Hynes