It’s time to see a preview of Melbourne’s most original sports show! We need your help to promote it!

The Sport Sideways official tv pilot episode is below.. click “LIKE” in the Youtube video and here if you think it should be on our tv screens! The more we get the better shot we have! Created, produced and hosted by myself and our fantastic little team.

Published on The Roar website today:

Author John C. Maxwell once wrote, “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” In rugby terms, you would be talking about the number 10.

So Berrick Barnes, the Wallabies’ saviour in the June Test matches, must be replaced if the Wallabies want to win in the Rugby Championship.

Barnes is not a leader – he will be the first to admit circumstance has forced his hand to play as a first five-eighth. His play is characterised by quiet determination to play a solid and secure game.

He is a cog in the machine, rather than the one pulling the lever.

Great, but we aren’t talking about the English team. Or Ireland. Or any team who base their game around a no-frills five-eighth. We are talking about Australia, a team gifted with back-line flair. They need someone who can pull the rugby strings.

While Barnes is at the helm, Australia plays a predictable game. We saw it last night in their 19-27 defeat to the All Blacks. It’s not his fault. A regular number 12, Barnes has a sound kicking game and is a solid tactician.

If he wore the blue of Scotland or the green of Ireland, he would do well. But the Wallabies’ strength is their exciting backs and they need someone who can unleash them. It’s fine to have Digby Ioane and Kurtley Beale out wide, but at the moment Barnes is not giving them the space to work their magic.

Quade Cooper has dazzling rugby skills – the ability to throw flat 50 meter passes, vision to create opportunities and skill to unlock defenses – but his biggest attributes are confidence and inspiration.

It is no fluke that Australia’s most recent All Black defeats were when Cooper was at his incandescent best – a 25-20 win in Brisbane last year and a 26-24 victory in Hong Kong in 2010.

When the Wallabies have all their key players back – including James O’Connor – their backline is on par with many others in terms of skill and pace. Cooper is just the man to re-ignite the Wallaby fire.

Cooper reminds me of former All Black five-eighth Carlos Spencer. The Aucklander had a bag of rugby tricks like few others – and his instinctive confidence inspired the All Blacks to a stellar attacking rugby year in 2003, including scoring more than 50 points over Australia and South Africa during the Tri-Nations.

The Wallabies could do better than watch how Spencer unlocked the exciting talents of Joe Rokocoko and Mils Muliaina that year.

If Australia hopes to win a game in the Rugby Championship, Cooper needs to play and channel his inner Carlos.

(http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/08/20/barnes-must-go-if-wallabies-want-to-win/)

Andrew talks to Anthony Kierce on Racing and Sport’s Sport Overnight program previewing all the NRL matches in Round 24.

http://www.rsn.net.au/audioplayer/1345165643.mp3

As published on popular Australian sports website The Roar today: http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/08/11/the-five-fastest-men-in-the-nrl/

Usain Bolt might be the fastest man alive but who is the quickest man in rugby league? The game is filled with genuine speed merchants and here we pick the five fastest players currently in the NRL.

1. Billy Slater

The Australian and Queensland incumbent fullback literally burst on the scene in 2003 and his incisive runs from the back have littered many a Test match, Queensland and Melbourne Storm game. His electric pace and ability to find a hole in the defensive line has been a hallmark of his consistent pace, causing Titan’s coach John Cartwright to describe him as “a freak”. He is now the greatest try-scoring fullback in NRL history.

2. Matt Bowen

It is a measure of Bowen’s extreme pace that he has been able to score the same end-of-length tries this year as before serious injuries curtailed his career in 2008. Bowen is probably best known for his brilliant tries for Queensland and the North Queensland Cowboys during a golden period between 2003 and 2007. Former Australian and Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer called Bowen “a little freak”. That’s why he is number two in this list behind Slater.

3. Ben Barba

Everything you need to know about Barba’s speed is demonstrated after watching his stunningly pacey try against the Parramatta Eels this year. After collecting a grubber kick on his own goal-line, he accelerated past the first defensive wave, jinked and stepped three players, overshot the fullback and ran 50 metres untouched. His Canterbury Bulldogs’ teammate Jonathan Wright commented, “he’s just pure talent. There are no words to describe Benny.” How about lightning quick?

4. Kevin Locke

The Auckland product’s light-footedness was on display before he’d played NRL level, after scoring a blistering 100-metre try and dominating try-scoring feats in the Toyota Cup. His speed off the mark was never in question after scoring a dummy-half try in his Kiwis debut against Australia last year, sidestepping through four defenders to score. Like Barba, he has natural pace and seems to accelerate past defenders with ease.

5. Marika Koroibete

He’s only played two NRL matches but already the Fijian-born winger is being talked up as one of the fastest in the league. Four tries against the Paramatta Eels is just the start of the Koroibete legacy. According to Joel Greig, the man responsible for luring him to the Wests Tigers, he clocked 10.75 in the 100 metres when he was 17 and travelled 20 kilometres each day to get to school. With fellow countrymen Lote Tuquiri and Akuila Uate among those to make their speedy mark on the NRL, Koroibete will surely be next in line for the moniker “Fijian Flyer”.

Match facts article for tonight’s NRL Round 23 match between Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans, as published on the Melbourne Storm website.

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Rd-23-v-Titans–Match-Facts/61377

Rugby league celebrated its centenary in Australia in 2008. We now have a book which captures Australian rugby league history, celebrates what makes it great and invites the reader to review the sports’ journey so far.

Written by New Zealander Will Evans, A Short History of Rugby League in Australia is accessible and is structured in a way that caters for die-hard rugby league fans as well as general sports fans and stats gurus. It is as if Evans, a follower of the sport for 20 years, is giving a fan’s take on the history of the game.

The book is made up into easy to read sections, starting with the history of how rugby league was formed in Australia.

It then gives short histories into all the current and extinct Australian rugby league clubs, discusses players and key records, State of Origin history as well as a strong focus on international rugby league. A short history of Test match football is covered and focuses on rivalries with New Zealand, Great Britain, France and Papua New Guinea as well as providing an insight into countries such as the United States and South Africa’s rugby league progress. Its final chapter invites a discussion on Australia’s Top 50 players of all time.

The book provides easy to navigate sections on specific topics and areas of interest. Despite it’s 752-page length it gives a succinct summary of seemingly everything a general sports fan or rugby league aficionado could want on Australian rugby league.

Among the most interesting parts of the content are found in “The Players” section where everything from “Cult Heroes”, “Goal Kicking Feats” and “Ironmen” give an insight into some of the personalities making up rugby league in Australia. Keen fans will be able relate well to this section.

Evans’ book took more than 18 months to compile and says it caters for rugby league fans as well as those more statistically minded. His favourite part of the book is Brad Fittler’s foreword, the great Kangaroo and New South Wales skipper giving his thoughts on rugby league history and his impressions on the sports’ future.

The overall impression is A Short History of Rugby League in Australia gives a good summary of how far rugby league has come so far while bringing out some of the greatest players and moments in the sports’ history.

Books could very well be written about any one of its chapters, yet A Short History does not try and pretend to be either a know-all account or a brief introduction. It speaks to any sports fan and doesn’t assume any rugby league knowledge from the reader. This is a good thing given its topic and length.

If you appreciate sporting history books, are a rugby league fan or want to gather an overview of the game in Australia, A Short History of Rugby League in Australia is well worth a look. 4/5.

A Short History of Rugby League in Australia (RRP $39.95) is out in all major bookstores in Australia on 1^st August 2012.

Match facts article for Friday’s NRL Round 21 match between St George Illawarra Dragons and the Melbourne Storm, as published on the Melbourne Storm website.

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Rd-21-v-Dragons–Match-Facts/60202

Stephen Kearney’s departure from the Parramatta Eels is a major boost for the Kiwis and their World Cup defence next year – article published in popular Australian sports website The Roar today.

http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/07/22/kearneys-eels-departure-good-for-kiwis/

Match facts article for tonight’s NRL Round 14 clash between Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels, as published on the Melbourne Storm website.

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Rd-20-v-Eels–Match-Facts/59733

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Rd-14-v-Wests-Tigers–Match-Facts/56790

Andrew Marmont brings you Rugby League in a Minute: Episode 5. This episode covers best bets and previews for NRL Round 14 matches: Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers, Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans, Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors. I also cover England’s squad to face the Exiles on June 16. Their most experienced Test forward Adrian Morley misses out on selection.

Listen back as I talk to Rod Ball on ‘Sports Overnight’ to all the latest team changes and news from the NRL, Round 14, as heard on Racing and Sport Radio this morning.

http://www.rsn.net.au/audioplayer/1338942009.mp3

Andrew Marmont brings you Rugby League in a Minute: Episode 4. This week I cover David Gallop’s resignation as ARLC CEO, NRL Round 14 team news and State of Origin team news for game 2 featuring New South Wales and Queensland changes. NRL matches include Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers, Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans, Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors.

As published on the Melbourne Storm website today.

As heard on Australia’s Racing and Sport radio this morning – my preview of NRL Round 13 action including best bets and tipping.

As published on popular Australian sports website The Roar today:

Every so often a match rolls around which has hallmarks of a special occasion – a history of close results, players in both teams who are at the peak of their powers and coaches who are as passionate as they are skillful.

Enter the Warriors and the Storm this Sunday at Mount Smart Stadium.

Both sides have fiercely close records when they do battle. The New Zealand side has the best record against Melbourne out of any team in the competition with 13 wins and 2 draws from their 30 matches.

In the last ten, it reads Warriors five, Melbourne four and one draw. Storm supporters will say they ran out winners in Round 8 this year 32-14, courtesy of a last ten minute burst.

Warriors’ fans will talk of their classic 20-12 victory in last years’ preliminary final.

Both sides have Test match players or young guns who are carving out impressive careers.

The Storm’s much-vaunted trio of Billy Slater – who continues to lead the try-scoring table this year, Cooper Cronk – surely cemented his place as Australia and Queensland’s number one halfback – and Cameron Smith – newly appointed Australian captain to go with his Queensland and Storm duties – are well spoken about.

Yet England Test player Gareth Widdop continues to develop in his role at five-eighth, Dane Nielsen is one of the form players in the side and one-Test Kiwis winger Matt Duffie continues to excel. These players complement a strong forward pack led by Jesse Bromwich and Jason Ryles.

The Warriors don’t have as much star power but can still point to a side with a young look who complement more experienced players. Young halfback Shaun Johnson – handed his first Kiwis jersey this year – is back after injury and probably the most exciting player to come out of these shores since Stacey Jones.

His halves partner James Maloney is a calming influence on the team who was close to Kangaroos selection last year and is an accurate goal kicker. Then there is Manu Vatuvei, an enigma winger who has 20 Kiwis caps and 92 tries in 132 NRL matches. He is a strike weapon despite fluctuating form. Prop Ben Matulino has matured into the competition’s form forward and captain Simon Mannering is a vastly experienced player with 28 Kiwis games and 150 NRL matches.

Then there are the coaches. Melbourne’s Craig “Bellyache” Bellamy has led the team for nine seasons and with a 68% record is one of the NRL’s most successful coaches. He has also had stints with Country Origin and New South Wales. Bellamy is regarded as the key behind Melbourne’s transformation into a consistent powerhouse where everyone knows their role in the side.

On the other side, Brian “Bluey” McClennan is regarded as a “people’s” coach, much like former Warriors and Kiwis coach Frank Endacott. McClennan led the Kiwis to a history-making Tri-Nations title in 2005 to go with two Super League titles with Leeds Rhinos before taking over the Warriors this year.

Both coaches are 110% passionate about their sides and are refreshing in age of reserved corporate sporting theatre. Just don’t get your kids to read their lips when the cameras focus on their reactions.

Bring on Sunday.

Racing and Sport’s Rugby League Analyst Andrew Marmont brings you Rugby League in a Minute: Episode 3. This episode previews all matches and best bets if you are a taking a punt. Matches include Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys, Manly Sea Eagles v St George Illawarra Dragons, Canberra Raiders v West Tigers, Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks. Subscribe to the channel if you like, check out more rugby league articles and video at http://www.sportsideways.com or on Twitter @sportsideways.

Andrew Marmont brings you Rugby League in a Minute: Episode 2 – NRL Round 13 team news and changes. Matches are Manly Sea Eagles v St George Illawarra, Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders v West Tigers, Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks.

Amidst the fallout from Queensland centre Greg Inglis’ controversial try in the 1st State of Origin match on Wednesday night there is one crucial takeaway from it which has seemingly gone unnoticed.

NSW captain Paul Gallen’s treatment of rookie referees Matt Cecchin and Ben Cummins was disgraceful and should not be tolerated. In fact, Gallen should be made an example of for other captains and apologise.

It sends a poor signal to players at all levels, not just the elite. Referees should be treated with the utmost respect.

After video referee Sean Hampstead ruled NSW hooker Robbie Farah had deliberately played at the football and awarded a try to Inglis, Blues skipper Gallen went out of line.

Gallen vented his frustration to referee Matt Cecchin in a way that was disgraceful, completely disrespectful and should have warranted a trip to the referee’s association to please explain.

“Why the hell is that a try? He f—ing dropped the ball! This is out of control, this is ridiculous,” Gallen said.

But this was the last act by the NSW captain in a long line of performances occurring throughout the match.

There were three further incidents where Gallen debated with and tried to intimidate Cummins and Cecchin, who were in their second and first Origin matches respectively.

Gallen’s frustrations began after Queensland centre Michael Jennings was sin-binned in the 20th minute by Cecchin, who explained it was for Jennings entering the all-in-brawl as a non-protagonist.

After two NSW players (Greg Bird and Farah) were penalized for lifting Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk, Gallen responded with, “Isn’t this your first Origin?”

Blues winger Darius Boyd scored again soon after and Gallen continued to debate with Cecchin and Cummins while Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston lined up the conversion, and as the two referees were leaving the field at half-time.

I understand sport is an emotional game – and Gallen is a passionate bloke – yet this was an example of a captain who was “out of control” himself with his own emotions and he should be warned against this.

In rugby league, players can be penalised further if there is “backchat” (players mouthing off at the referees). You can’t help but think if a more experienced referee – such as Shayne Hayne – was in charge of this match, Gallen wouldn’t have remonstrated how he did.

NRL Round 12: My latest match facts article for the Melbourne Storm website now published. This week check out key stats for Melbourne Storm v Brisbane Broncos, Round 12 of the NRL.

Storm v Broncos – NRL Round 12 Match Facts

Rugby League in A Minute 1: State of Origin preview, NRL Round 12 team news

Why do you need to book your tickets as fast as you can? Dust off your favourite jersey? Practice that great sledge? Melbourne hosting State of Origin matches is like seeing a shooting star: it only happens once every so often; blink and you’ll miss it.

In 32 years of State of Origin competition and 62 matches, the southern capital has hosted the Cane Toads and the Cockroaches on just five occasions – 1994, 1995, 1997 (all at the Melbourne Cricket Ground), 2006 and 2009 (at Docklands/Etihad Stadium).

So rugby league supporters in Melbourne must be rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

It is even more special as Melbourne hosts the first match. This is unprecedented. What a royal chance to fill out the stadium, put on a good showing and create a huge atmosphere. This is a chance for Melbourne to show Sydney and Brisbane how much they love rugby league.

The Melbourne Storm is essentially rugby league’s brand here and the faithful core of die-hard fans ensures AAMI Park is regularly at capacity. Outside of this, rugby league still plays the curious role of a sporting cousin – you might go see them every now and then.

Changing this attitude takes time. Staging regular State of Origin and Test matches showcases the sport at its highest levels and allows casual fans, lukewarm supporters and the generally curious to experience the game at its best. Melbourne sports fans are widely considered the country’s best sporting attendees so it is no surprise previous matches have been well supported. Both 2006 and 2009 State of Origin matches attracted more than 50,000 at the Docklands/Etihad Stadium, while 2010’s ANZAC Test managed close to 30,000 at AAMI Park.

The key for the NRL is to understand how passionate Melbourne sport fans are – and to harness this in the form of giving the city more big time matches. One off Tests or Origin games are great as a spectacle and create short-term interest but if the NRL and Australian Rugby League are serious about investing in rugby league support then consistent fixtures must be created.

Also consider competition for sporting interest rugby league has to contend with – the Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory (A-League soccer), Melbourne Rebels (Super 15 rugby union) and the massive Australian Football League. Rugby league put on a brave face when the Melbourne Storm made their NRL debut in1998. Success followed quickly with a title in their second year and soon became the most consistently dominant team in the competition. Melbourne fans only appreciate winners and in the sporting smorgasbord of Victoria, the Storm managed to build a band of loyal supporters.

So what will be the impact on Melbourne after hosting State of Origin game one this year? A capacity crowd, a mixture of Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland supporters, a great spectacle and dare I say front-page coverage on the sports newspaper pages. Well the latter probably won’t happen.

So come on Melbourne sports fans – a pledge to pack out Etihad Stadium on 23^rd of May – put on your Maroon or Blues jersey and makes some noise. Just how much noise you make may decide whether you see State of Origin in a year or a decade. At least there are shooting stars to look for…

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Rd-9-v-Panthers–Match-Facts/53901

Cipriani, 24, will join new English club Sale Sharks after signing with them weeks ago but it was thought he would see his Super Rugby commitments with the Rebels in 2012 first.

Cipriani scored 122 points in two seasons with the fledgling Rebels team and was signed as one of their marquee players. Yet his off-field behaviour let himself down at times. Cipriani was accused of taking a bottle of vodka from a Melbourne bar after their first match in 2011 and was stood down for a match against the Queensland Reds later that season after failing to meet team standards agreed by the playing group. Rebels CEO Steve Boland wished him all the best.

“Danny goes with our blessing and we thank him for his contribution to our club during his time here,” said Boland.

“Essentially the time is right for both parties to part company, the decision is amicable and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Cipriani has played seven matches for England scoring 49 points.

Sources: Daily Telegraph, Melbourne Rebels website.