The Daily Messenger: Have your say on all things rugby league

Your say

Kenneth Lupton, Killrney Vale, NSW: The captain's challenge has been a revelation. Yes, sometimes they have been used at the end of a tight game to give players a minute's rest.

However, so many times they have shown that the refs made an incorrect decision that was then corrected after review. I believe they should be able to have one in each half, but if it's not used, then they cannot be accumulated. 

Ken Armstrong, Nambour, QLD: The six-again rule should not be used on tackles 1 & 2. It would be far more advantageous to award a penalty on tackles 1 & 2. That may stop sides deliberately standing offside on those tackles.

Shayne Parry, Eight Mile Plains, QLD: If one player makes a tackle around the legs the opposing player should not be able to play the ball until the defending player is back at marker. This would bring back the skill of tackling around the legs instead of this wrestling with multiple defenders.

Anthony Gorman, Brisbane, QLD: How good is footy in September!!!! I know we have the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match in the grand final but how about adding in a player of the finals award as well, similar to the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series in Origin? 

Neville Comerford, Raceview, QLD: Can we get rid of the second marker? The markers are nearly always standing side by side now, limiting the attacking team's chances. With only one marker the smart playmaker can take advantage if he sees slack defence. It should speed up the play too.

Greg Matheson, Nyngan, NSW: Whilst the six again is pretty successful, I would prefer in your own quarter to get a penalty. Too many teams, especially on tackle one or two, hold on or rush up to stifle play. I think a tweak is required to make the game flow a little more - even a penalty in your own half might work.

Tony Yildiz, Woodcroft, NSW: I have always been of the opinion that good play should be rewarded. Bearing that in mind why is it that when a player charges down a kick he gets penalised with a new set of six tackles if the kicking team regains the ball? In my opinion the tackle count should not be restarted after a chargedown.

Best captain of 2021? 

Liam Travers, Sydney, NSW: Alex Glenn by far deserves captain of the year. He has done so much for the Broncos. What a great captain he has been for the Broncos this year. 

Richard Pongi, Port Moresby, PNG: I strongly believe Josh Jackson is the Captain of the Year or Decade. Despite the Bulldogs failing to finish their seasons well, he is the only one that performs quite strongly. And with all their recruits for 2022, watch Bulldogs fly under his captaincy.

Which pre-season prediction would you take back?

Joseph Kanowski, Brisbane, QLD: I predicted that Manly would come last after Turbo pulled his hamstring - how wrong I was.

Gareth Sutton, Blenheim: I said at the start of the season that it would be the Warriors' year, but hey I've said that for the past few years now ... always next year I spose.

Maggie McEvoy, Bellingen, NSW: My pre-season prediction that I wish I could take back was thinking that Titans were going to make top four. Their main players that they signed such as Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita just have not simply been firing consistently as they did in their former clubs, and when you're signing players with that huge potential you expect to see that on the field.

The Titans really were starting to look like a top-four team at the start of the season but they have fallen from that status since then.

Jameel Castelino, Wollongong, NSW: I definitely thought the Raiders would make the top 4, but I got a big suprise!

Tamara Mason, Sydney: I thought Manly would struggle like last season given the absence of Tom Trbojevic in the first few weeks and that they wouldn't be able to recover later in the season, and I was definitely proven wrong with performances from Tommy, Garrick, Saab, Parker, Harper, Schuster, DCE and many others.

Bellamy v Bennett: Steve Renouf's view

Glenn Chadwick, Melbourne, VIC: Totally agree with what Steve has said above. Craig is simply the best. My mate and I sometimes question his tactics but Craig is a winner. On and off the field. That is what I like about The Storm. Winning On and Off the field.

Ron Hohua, Gold Coast, QLD: Both great coaches but Pearl forgets one important stat here - head to head Bellamy has got Benny's number, some great clashes, the Broncos Storm semi-final where the Storm clinched it on the bell after Broncos prop Sims coughed up the ball from the restart comes to mind. Should've been Petero hitting that ball up but Benny let him go to Penrith and bought Sims.

Luke Saunders, Newcastle, NSW: I am a diehard Parramatta supporter and Fantasy enthusiast, and after claiming the minor premiership in my head to head league, also featuring Lone Scout, I bowed out in straight sets. Are these two factors related?

Laurence Hill, San Remo, NSW: Instead of trying to speed the game up further, I think that bring back the striking for the ball in the play the ball only when two defenders are in the tackle will add suspense to the game for the fans, it may also clean up the play-the-balls.

Also I think tries scored from the 75th minute to full-time should be worth five points, might stop golden point and help with player fatigue, especially if it's in the warmer months.

Who should be coach of the year? 

Sue Gala, Melbourne, Vic: Bellamy = 19 in a row and Storm is going for 20. Enough said.

Aiden Travers, Sydney, NSW: Des Hasler without a doubt for what he and Turbo have done to transform a Sea Eagles outfit who were looking like wooden spooners. To now being one of the biggest premiership threats in the competition is quite remarkable.

Nait Heathcote, Redlands, Qld: I reckon Kevin Walters is the best coach. He has done so much for the Broncos. The only way is up from this season. Next season the Broncos will be in much better form and strong through the middle with new signing Adam Reynolds. 

Valluvan Thillairajah, Sydney, NSW: I think Ivan Cleary has done the best job this year, managing a team with many out due to injury, suspension, and state representative commitments, he has kept the side in 2nd position, and he has also introduced so many new and young players.

George Larcher, Killarney Heights, NSW: Craig Bellamy by a mile .... they have coped a heap of injuries, relocation prior to others, have rarely been home seen 2019 season, multi years in the finals & grand finals .... a standout winner in my eyes.

Lance Maguire, Keysborough, Vic: Each of the coaches nominated has done a remarkable job. On balance, I have to go with Craig Bellamy. Storm have spent more time away from home (apart from NZ) and have still maintained an unbelievable win ratio. It will be great if we can get all of our stars on the paddock at the same time.

Liam Travers, North Ryde, NSW: Trent Robinson should get coach of the year. With so many injuries and people retiring for the roosters to still be a contender to come 4th that is pretty impressive.

Justin Fischli, Elsmore, NSW: It's got to be Des Hasler, because although Craig Bellamy is doing a good job at Melbourne, Des has brought Manly back into the Ppremiership race, and has brought some amazing talent into the Manly squad.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARL Commission, NRL clubs or state associations.