18 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Here's a link to the highlights of last night's game.

State of Origin

NSW vs QLD

https://www.nrl.com/news/2026/06/17/blues-v-maroons---game-ii-2026/

Enjoy 😁

Qld were great. Staggs and Daley are useless. Worst centre and coach of all time.

2 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Qld were great. Staggs and Daley are useless. Worst centre and coach of all time.

Agree, the best.

NSW will be destroyed playing Suncorp.

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Agree, the best.

NSW will be destroyed playing Suncorp.

NSW have the cattle but Daley is clueless. They need recognised props and a hooker who can run and deceive the defence. Grant can but Robson is only a defender. Haas only made 80m cause the dummy half is too obvious with passes and no ability to run. Id pick Wade Egan and Brake Bailey. Sack Radley, Lucas and Staggs. Bostock right centre who is a threat in the air and playing way better than Staggs. Liam Martin 2nd row on right edge. He is a gun. Saffiti in front row. Murray to start at lock. Strange 5/8. Moses on bench. That team could go close. Egan plays 30 min then Bailey comes on. Daley is too dumb to work out what works.

NRL goes ok... the rest is just white noise to be ignored.

Well, anyone who is Islamic detests everything from sport to dancing to music to enjoyment to busines to all sorts, unless okayed by some crusty old killjoy cleric... so billions of people probably.

Why do you think so many Malayasian and Middle-Eastern types go places like Thailand etc. in order to get away from such oppressive nonsense for a holiday? Haha... obvious when these border towns are party central.

20 hours ago, Stocky said:

20 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

We actually need more opera houses, and symphony halls.

These bring people together.

Football stadia (thank you for the correction) are completely divisive and cause arguments at home, and elsewhere.

That's rather an elitist attitude.

In reality, football stadia, and sporting arena in general, do a splendid job of bringing together people from all walks of life, unlike opera houses and symphony halls that, I would contend, pander to a largely wealthy minority.

I wouldn't describe it as elitism. It's simply the OP doing what the OP always does; trolling while attempting to project some kind of intellectual superiority, positioning himself as a refined connoisseur of the more cultured and sophisticated aspects of life. Elitists are usually intelligent enough to understand the difference between culture and self-importance.

The problem is that he invariably ends up proving the exact opposite. He displays a remarkable inability to recognise the limits of his own understanding, and mistakes contrarianism for intelligence - mediocrity on parade.

The world undoubtedly benefits from symphony halls, opera houses, theatres, galleries and museums. It also benefits from football stadiums, rugby grounds, cricket pitches, race circuits, golf courses and countless other places where people come together through shared interests and experiences.

Sport is one of the great social levellers. It transcends politics, class, nationality and language. Yes, football can occasionally create division among a tiny minority, but far more often it creates friendships, communities, hope, dreams, heartbreak, joy and memories shared by millions. The same can be said for rugby, cricket, Formula 1, golf, darts, hockey and countless other pursuits people enjoy together.

For the OP to start a thread asking who hates football is transparently what it is; a troll thread. Not an insightful one, not a clever one, just another attempt to harvest attention through trolling and attempting to trigger people.

At this point I'm less interested in the topic itself and more fascinated by how many increasingly inane threads one person can create before realising that being deliberately provocative is not the same thing as being interesting - Bob Smith's trolls were better.

Normally I'd ignore such obvious bait, not give it oxygen and let it die quietly.

I've made an exception simply to point out that, yet again, the OP has confused being provocative with being clever, and failed at both.

20 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

NSW have the cattle but Daley is clueless. They need recognised props and a hooker who can run and deceive the defence. Grant can but Robson is only a defender. Haas only made 80m cause the dummy half is too obvious with passes and no ability to run. Id pick Wade Egan and Brake Bailey. Sack Radley, Lucas and Staggs. Bostock right centre who is a threat in the air and playing way better than Staggs. Liam Martin 2nd row on right edge. He is a gun. Saffiti in front row. Murray to start at lock. Strange 5/8. Moses on bench. That team could go close. Egan plays 30 min then Bailey comes on. Daley is too dumb to work out what works.

Well said. 👍

NSW are toast.

I like Daley, nice guy, no good coaching Origin.

3 hours ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

True, but you wouldn't know it by watching the drama unfold as they fall to the ground crying and squirming in agony at the touch of a feather. If they're hurt that bad, they should be removed from the game.

To be fair, players are conditioned to react that way, and there is a reason behind it.

I dislike most of it myself. The diving, the rolling around, the theatrical antics. In my experience, when someone is genuinely seriously injured, they usually do the opposite. They stay still because they're afraid that moving may make the injury worse.

The problem is that modern football has created an environment where players are constantly trying to influence the referee. I don't like it, but I also recognise that what we see on television, whether at full speed or in slow motion, doesn't always accurately reflect the force of the impact experienced by the player.

I've played both rugby and football at university level, and despite rugby's reputation, I was injured far more often playing football.

A heavy rugby tackle, a split lip or a black eye is all part of the game. Football was different. A clash of ankles at speed, a twisted ligament, studs raked down the shin, a stud driven into the ankle bone or the top of the foot, these can produce instant, intense pain. In the first few seconds you genuinely don't know whether you've suffered a minor knock or done something more serious.

Most of the time it's something you can run off. The problem is that you don't know that immediately. For the first 20 or 30 seconds the pain is flooding the area and you're assessing whether you've actually done damage.

So I understand the caution. I understand players staying down briefly to assess themselves before getting back up.

What I object to is the acting. The exaggerated rolling, the feigned agony, the appeals to the referee and the attempts to manufacture a decision.

Some call it the "black arts" of football. I call it cheating.

7 hours ago, atpeace said:

A bunch of harry sweaty men grunting in a pile isn't exciting for me. It is for you and that is really all that matters from your perspective:) You and Jing Jing probably share this excitement ;)

Maybe you'd be more interested if I told you there are some gay players in the AFL.

Edited June 19Jun 19 by dinsdale

I don't "detest" football (soccer), but I don't care to watch it either.

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Maybe you'd be more interested if I told you there are some gay players in the AFL.

Apparently there are 3 or 4 straight guys who play AFL.

10 hours ago, atpeace said:

A bunch of harry sweaty men grunting in a pile isn't exciting for me. It is for you and that is really all that matters from your perspective:) You and Jing Jing probably share this excitement ;)

Who's harry and Jing Jing ??.... Only you think its gay - projecting anything ?

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Who's harry and Jing Jing ??.... Only you think its gay - projecting anything ?

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Who's harry and Jing Jing ??.... Only you think its gay - projecting anything ?

Just projecting and not really funny:) JingJing is a poster here.

If you don't like it don't watch it.

No need to start a thread on AN about it it.

Unless you have psychological problems and feel the need to start incessant threads about obtuse subjects.

I feel sorry for you.

So lonely.

Hopefully things will pick up in China for you.

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

To be fair, players are conditioned to react that way, and there is a reason behind it.

I dislike most of it myself. The diving, the rolling around, the theatrical antics. In my experience, when someone is genuinely seriously injured, they usually do the opposite. They stay still because they're afraid that moving may make the injury worse.

The problem is that modern football has created an environment where players are constantly trying to influence the referee. I don't like it, but I also recognise that what we see on television, whether at full speed or in slow motion, doesn't always accurately reflect the force of the impact experienced by the player.

I've played both rugby and football at university level, and despite rugby's reputation, I was injured far more often playing football.

A heavy rugby tackle, a split lip or a black eye is all part of the game. Football was different. A clash of ankles at speed, a twisted ligament, studs raked down the shin, a stud driven into the ankle bone or the top of the foot, these can produce instant, intense pain. In the first few seconds you genuinely don't know whether you've suffered a minor knock or done something more serious.

Most of the time it's something you can run off. The problem is that you don't know that immediately. For the first 20 or 30 seconds the pain is flooding the area and you're assessing whether you've actually done damage.

So I understand the caution. I understand players staying down briefly to assess themselves before getting back up.

What I object to is the acting. The exaggerated rolling, the feigned agony, the appeals to the referee and the attempts to manufacture a decision.

Some call it the "black arts" of football. I call it cheating.

I played hooker in 1988 for PLA (Port of London Authority). We played against Barking in Dagenham. In those days it was quite customary to pass around around a few four pint jugs of Guinness with 4 shots of Port in it prior to the game (and not unheard of during). That particular Saturday a certain Jason Leonard was playing prop for Barking. I think it was only a year before he went to play for Saracens and on to most probably be the best prop England has ever had.

I wasn't great on most days but that day was an absolute shocker. They really were different gravy compared to us. It was a Saturday and back in the days when it was 5 Nations, not 6 Nations. We were 60 odd points behind with 15 minutes to go (and about an hour until the England game) and the Ref gave us the sympathy option of calling it a day. I asked Jason if he had had enough? He smiled, gave me a bear hug and we went and had a beer.

In the bar after he was an absolute Gent. I think that personality followed him for his entire career and up until this day. I met him and several other Top sportsmen subsequently during my business career in the City and am struggling to think of any of them who was not a complete Gent. That encompassed playing and retired footballers, Rugby players (used to have a pint with Brian Moore at the Moon in Leadenhall Market) cricketers and boxers in the main. The only one I found to be a bit of a knob was Chris Eubank - the nicest, probably Frank Bruno.

Back on topic, nobody play acted in our rugby days. If you were hurt it was genuine and everyone knew so. It wasn't like footy now where you sometimes wonder if there is a sniper in the crowd the way some of them hit the deck and writhe around.

2 hours ago, emptypockets said:

If you don't like it don't watch it.

No need to start a thread on AN about it it.

Unless you have psychological problems and feel the need to start incessant threads about obtuse subjects.

I feel sorry for you.

So lonely.

Hopefully things will pick up in China for you.

It seems that Gamma has touched a nerve with some posters, he certainly did with me. The inert hatred for the sport has been festering for a long time and I have tried to avoid the hype as much as possible. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to elude unless I totally exclude myself from any mass media, internet, TV even walking in a mall. And the problem is........."If you don't like it don't watch it" is not an option.

On 6/18/2026 at 3:12 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

What percentage of the world's population detests football?

Dear Folks,

I detest football, and this includes football and American style football.

Also, I detest the fact that I must be reminded that football exists in the world.

And, these days, every time I open Google Search, I am reminded of what I detest most.

This BICYCLE KICK DISGUSTS ME, so much. Over, and Over, and Over, and Over. When will this madness end?

Do you feel as do I?

And, how do you deal with it?

If this continues much longer, I will switch to DuckDuckGo, which I also happen to detest.

I need help,

Best regards,

Gamma

Same, here waste of time !

9 hours ago, papa al said:

Shall I call you a Waaaambulance.?

Yes.

Please do.

Thank you.

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I enjoy it.

Happy for you....

AND, she has Thai-Girl Eyebrows......too....

We LOVE THEm...those very dark eyebrows.....

Right?

And: All Natural, too.....amazing....really.....

Her white briefs makes her look like....SUPER-GIRL......

Stand up on that chair...GIRL.....

That's Right.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You give me reason to live......

So much different than FOOTBALL....any old day.....

So very different.....but....BETTER.....

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

Anything is better than FOOTBALL....even this....

Comparatively......

Footballers are just such.......

NITWITS.....you gotta admit.......

Right?

Yeah....!!!!

Right....

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

And by the way.....

Just about EVERYBODY knows that the ONLY reason most guys watch football is because....

THEY can't get a piece of THIS.....

How many of you can't get....THIS...and so.....

You just sit back....

Drink yourselves silly....on cheap beer......

And, WISH you had a far better life.

I really do not know.....but.....

Maybe..YOU should look in the mirror, before...you spend another wasted hour looking in your bathroom mirror before you.......vicariously.....

Spend time on the pitch.....

Am I right?

I know that I am right.

So, yes, Folks....

Maybe, better than watching football players, ones you really don't even know....going round and round on the pitch.....

Why not just listen to a Vinyl Record, instead?

I tell you, I am so very tired of football, that you would not believe.....

And so, round and round we go......

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

It's simply the OP doing what the OP always does

Why would I NOT do what I always do?

Is this a particularly bad thing, do you think?

Just say the word.

Just say the Word, and I will stop posting new Topics.

Do you think this is EASY?

Say the Word.....

Greatest Album there ever was.....

Do you agree?

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

Please forget football....and row instead....

STROKE

STROKE

STROKE

And...NOW......

This is not as easy as it might look.....

The Americans are ahead.....!!!!

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

Footballers are pussies, compared to true oarsmen.....

In order to be a true oarsman, you cannot be a midget, as is true of footballers.

One must be TALL.

One must be a FINE physical specimen.

And, one must have TRUE GRIT and TRUE GUTS....

Footballers, as I say...are just pussies, by comparison to real oarsmen.

Everybody knows this.

Please just ask Noam.

And, read the literature.

Thank you.

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

14 hours ago, stevenl said:

Only fools detest something that is easy to ignore and of importance to many others.

What's the point of detesting something like football.

There is no real POINT in one's detestation.

One just detests.

It's a feeling, devoid of logic.

Therefore, please do not ask WHY......

Thank you.

33 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Please forget football....and row instead....

STROKE

STROKE

STROKE

And...NOW......

This is not as easy as it might look.....

The Americans are ahead.....!!!!

In my view, female COXSWAINS should be banned from Male Rowing.

I just hope that Trump will be able to put an end to this.

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

If you DETEST Football. then.....

You will probably love this.....

Enjoy........

SO NICE

SO NICE

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

In my view, female COXSWAINS should be banned from Male Rowing.

I just hope that Trump will be able to put an end to this.

America vs Great Britain

This is what we love to see.

And, every single person in the boats are .....

ALL WHITE......

This is the last sport in the world where we can see....

White People competing with White People.

And, this is the way it should be.

=====================

Better to be rowing than to watch things like this....

Edited June 19Jun 19 by GammaGlobulin

On 6/18/2026 at 2:04 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

You should practice the art of writing like Hemingway..........

Would it not be almost impossible to create one toopic........

Yes practice the art of writing. I know picking up on spellings is a bit anal. So is telling people how to write.