The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Queensland Rugby League
COREY Normans inclusion for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls this weekend is another example of why the Brisbane Broncos should field their own Intrust Super Cup team.
Norman will provide a major benefit to the Seagulls, who are missing key playmaker Matt Seamark through injury.
Under current rules, the Seagulls have every right to play Norman, who has in the past played for Norths Devils and was transferred to the Seagulls for reasons unknown, so good luck to them.
If Norman continues to play for the Seagulls, as expected considering his move to the Parramatta Eels next season, he would not have racked up enough games to qualify for the finals.
That is a sound rule, but in the meantime he will help the Seagulls cull rival teams finals chances despite training with the side for the first time this week.
Again, I stress, the Seagulls are not at blame here, the system is.
To get a player of his quality for an extended stretch this late in the season is unfair to other teams.
The Intrust Super Cup deserves better than to have results hinge on players the Broncos rest.
Thankfully this week the Seagulls face their name sake in the Tweed Heads who will have Gold Coast Titans players to call upon, creating some level of balance.
The Norman situation was seen earlier in the year when Queensland star Dave Taylor played one game for Tweed Heads and dominated the Easts Tigers.
His presence was the difference.
A simple solution to the constant imbalance, and one gaining momentum, is for the Broncos to again field their own team.
The Toowoomba Clydesdales were a failure in several areas, but provided a great breeding ground for the Broncos and a magnet for NRL fans who were less interested in the old Queensland Cup.
The new Clydesdales could also produce excellent ratings for Channel 9 as Broncos fans would be drawn to see their next crop of stars coming through the ranks.
However, there may be an unfortunate temptation for Channel 9 to screen their matches at the expense of other clubs.
Norman is a player with an enormous future but unfortunately the Broncos will not see the best of him.
Hopefully Ricky Stuart produces that because his talent deserves consistency.
***
THERE are heavy whispers that former Wynnum Manly premiership-winning coach Paul Green is in line to replace besieged North Queensland Cowboys mentor Neil Henry.
Green led the Seagulls to back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012.
He produced one of the greatest transformations of a football team I have witnessed when the 2011 Seagulls lost their first six games and looked abysmal only to somehow take out the title.
Green is a smart operator who knows how to walk the fine line of instructor and mate.
Andrew Dunemann, another former Intrust Super Cup coach with the Pride, is also on the Cowboys shortlist.
Henry is a good coach but the list he is working with in Townsville demands a top four finish and they are likely to miss the eight.
In the cut-throat world of professional sport such a result demands change.
Henry deserves to find another senior coaching role as he is too talented to be lost to the code.
COREY Normans inclusion for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls this weekend is another example of why the Brisbane Broncos should field their own Intrust Super Cup team.
Norman will provide a major benefit to the Seagulls, who are missing key playmaker Matt Seamark through injury.
Under current rules, the Seagulls have every right to play Norman, who has in the past played for Norths Devils and was transferred to the Seagulls for reasons unknown, so good luck to them.
If Norman continues to play for the Seagulls, as expected considering his move to the Parramatta Eels next season, he would not have racked up enough games to qualify for the finals.
That is a sound rule, but in the meantime he will help the Seagulls cull rival teams finals chances despite training with the side for the first time this week.
Again, I stress, the Seagulls are not at blame here, the system is.
To get a player of his quality for an extended stretch this late in the season is unfair to other teams.
The Intrust Super Cup deserves better than to have results hinge on players the Broncos rest.
Thankfully this week the Seagulls face their name sake in the Tweed Heads who will have Gold Coast Titans players to call upon, creating some level of balance.
The Norman situation was seen earlier in the year when Queensland star Dave Taylor played one game for Tweed Heads and dominated the Easts Tigers.
His presence was the difference.
A simple solution to the constant imbalance, and one gaining momentum, is for the Broncos to again field their own team.
The Toowoomba Clydesdales were a failure in several areas, but provided a great breeding ground for the Broncos and a magnet for NRL fans who were less interested in the old Queensland Cup.
The new Clydesdales could also produce excellent ratings for Channel 9 as Broncos fans would be drawn to see their next crop of stars coming through the ranks.
However, there may be an unfortunate temptation for Channel 9 to screen their matches at the expense of other clubs.
Norman is a player with an enormous future but unfortunately the Broncos will not see the best of him.
Hopefully Ricky Stuart produces that because his talent deserves consistency.
***
THERE are heavy whispers that former Wynnum Manly premiership-winning coach Paul Green is in line to replace besieged North Queensland Cowboys mentor Neil Henry.
Green led the Seagulls to back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012.
He produced one of the greatest transformations of a football team I have witnessed when the 2011 Seagulls lost their first six games and looked abysmal only to somehow take out the title.
Green is a smart operator who knows how to walk the fine line of instructor and mate.
Andrew Dunemann, another former Intrust Super Cup coach with the Pride, is also on the Cowboys shortlist.
Henry is a good coach but the list he is working with in Townsville demands a top four finish and they are likely to miss the eight.
In the cut-throat world of professional sport such a result demands change.
Henry deserves to find another senior coaching role as he is too talented to be lost to the code.
