Please, I’m begging you, stop saying Brodie Croft is good (and other 2022 Super League stuff)

Please, I’m begging you, stop saying Brodie Croft is good For a shining moment in 2017, Brodie Croft was the wunderkind heir apparent to Cooper Cronk at the Melbourne Storm. By 2019, the club had given him every oppourtunity, decided he wasn’t up to it and he was punted for Jahrome Hughes. Hughes, then a… Read More Please, I’m begging you, stop saying Brodie Croft is good (and other 2022 Super League stuff)

August 23, 2022August 23, 2022 pythagonrl

A Deep Dive into the 2022 NRLW Premiership

We only witnessed the grand final of the last season four months ago, but we’re back again with a new season of women’s football to look forward to. This season is the first official Deep Dive™ into the women’s game, so let’s get into it. Note: in line with the convention of the NRL, I’ll… Read More A Deep Dive into the 2022 NRLW Premiership

August 15, 2022 pythagonrl

Storm feeders, Capras, Magpies and the race to the 2022 Queensland Cup

What the hell happened to the Storm? One of the Storm’s strengths during its golden era has been its next-man-up conveyor belt of talent. Somehow, they always have someone ready to step up to capably fill gaps. Need a fullback to replace Billy Slater? You got a choice of Scott Drinkwater, Nicho Hynes or Ryan… Read More Storm feeders, Capras, Magpies and the race to the 2022 Queensland Cup

August 8, 2022August 8, 2022 pythagonrl

The death of the rep weekend

Everyone can see the potential of international rugby league. The people who allegedly run the sport are not quite that blind. However, no one seems quite sure how to get there without upsetting the entrenched interests that actually run the sport. Hand waving away this aspect of the problem is fine for people shooting the… Read More The death of the rep weekend

June 29, 2022June 29, 2022 pythagonrl

Benny, Vossy and Bluey: it’s been a week and then some

One of the tough things writing about homogenised rugby league was trying to ascribe the direction of the sport solely to the cravenness of the Sydney clubs. But at that time, we hadn’t actually seen the Queensland clubs rise to the defence of the state’s rugby league heritage. They’d been mute and I was going… Read More Benny, Vossy and Bluey: it’s been a week and then some

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022 pythagonrl

The 2022 NRL Rivalry Survey

The NRL broadcasters’ marketing really kicks into overdrive for a rivalry game. Often, this is framed as a long running grudge match between proximate Sydney suburbs that have been fighting the same grudge match for decades and sometimes the Broncos and Cowboys play a derby game. I’ve found it a little mystifying what gets played… Read More The 2022 NRL Rivalry Survey

April 14, 2022April 14, 2022 pythagonrl

Homogenised rugby league

I didn’t think we’d be here again so soon. I had planned to take it easier in 2022, after writing several splitte-flecked screeds in 2021 vehemently demonising what passes for the administration of rugby league in this country. I assumed that the same admin might lie a little lower after a constant stream of disasters… Read More Homogenised rugby league

March 29, 2022August 29, 2022 pythagonrl

A Deep Dive into the 2022 Queensland Cup & QRLW

For my 300th post on pythagonrl.com, we’re down to brass tacks. The real deal. The big dance. None of that phoney baloney NRL. It’s time for Queensland rugby league. This year’s men’s Queensland Cup, the Hostplus Cup, kicks off at 3.30pm on Saturday, March 19 with the Brisbane Tigers facing the Tweed Seagulls and runs… Read More A Deep Dive into the 2022 Queensland Cup & QRLW

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022 pythagonrl

A Deep Dive into the 2022 NRL season

The men’s NRL returns on Thursday night, kicking off the season with Penrith, who I am told won last year’s grand final, playing Manly. This small market duel is an odd way to start the season but it seems they are actually quite good and no one wants to watch the Broncos lose by 50… Read More A Deep Dive into the 2022 NRL season

March 7, 2022 pythagonrl

A Dive into the 2021* NRLW premiership

The 2021 NRLW season, like the Tokyo Olympics, bears of the name of the year it was meant to be contested, rather than the year it is actually going to be contested. The premiership will comence on February 27 with a triple header at Newcastle and wrap up with a grand final in mid-April. Let’s… Read More A Dive into the 2021* NRLW premiership

February 21, 2022February 22, 2022 pythagonrl

Pythago NRL

Rugby league Elo models, player ratings and statistics

Category: Analysis & Opinion