Absolutely agree, and I hope these games never get seen as in inconvenience for SL sides as the more the better for development. Melbourne seemed very serious about it and turn out was good too.

Thank goodness it is or we might all be forced to don Theresa May hair cuts!

you don't have to be middle class or be any kind of snowflake to realise its an anthem of Empire which the ruling classes lorded over ,but you cant just condemn Keinhorst for not singing when you don't know why

Whichever anthem is played, it will not please everyone, and as for outdated (do you want a referendum on it). Whether people like it or not it is supposed to bring a patriotic pride to the nation, so get behind it. I would prefer "Land of Hope and Glory" but some would say that is outdated, but it brings a tear to my eye when it is sung at internationals.

It highlighted why players like Cuthbertson and Parcell couldn't command a regular position in the NRL - both looked very average. Not easy against the best club side in the world. Men against boys.

I'm an atheist, so saying the word god is something I didn't even do in my wedding vows. And they don't even specify which of the thousands of historical mythological deities it even refers to! I also don't support the royal family. This isn't just because people think the tune isn't catchy enough, it's the very specific messages that I (and many others) couldn't care less about. Though I don't know why you asked if I want a referendum on it? Was that some nod to my snowflake lefty liberalist agenda?

All it really highlighted is that we need to be at our strongest 17 to have a chance against them.

What it showed is plays that will work for these two in SL simply don't cut the mustard when the standard increases which explains why both are playing in SL and not in the NRL

Judging them on one game where they had a lack of front row support and a 2 man bench for almost 3/4 quarters is quite silly.

I actually thought Parcell was one of our best, he was one of few who looked likely, and I thought he did his best to take it to em in both attack and defence. He seemed to have a bit of fire in his belly. Made a few poor choices, but was having a good old dig.
After saying I thought Sutcliffe is guilty of letting the game pass him by on the other thread earlier this week, I have to be balanced and say I thought he involved himself plenty today, would like to see that happen more consistently.
Top and bottom of if for me is that their pack is pretty awesome, and they've got some superstars pulling the strings and game breakers in the backs, we're a long way off them talent wise, and we were depleted.
I always do the 1-17 comparison - how many of our players would have got a gig in that Melbourne 17? Watkins possibly, I'd choose Hall over Addo-Carr, but doubt they would (can't replace his speed, and they don't need a winger doing the donkey work that Hall does for us), other than that, I don't think anyone gets a game.

I think that’s harsh and incorrect. What it showed is that it’s difficult to shine behind a lightweight pack. I don’t think anybody looked out of their depth to be honest, and that we’d have run them much closer had we had a fully fit pack. The first half gave me great optimism for the season ahead.

Did it really?
Cuthbertson had a pretty long career in the NRL did he not?
Parcell will play regular 1st team games in the NRL if & when he decides to return home.

If you only watched Melbourne games in 2017 and no other NRL games then I'm sure you'd think plenty of opposition players including proven NRL players were just average or worst and wouldn't make it in the NRL.

I haven’t read all of the posts. I hope someone else has congratulated your fans on educating the Melbourne fans how to support your team. Your fans were outstanding. Most Australian teams only have one song, and it’s the same song, plus they have to be revved up to make any noise. Your lot sang throughout and even drowned out the few Melbourne chants. The result didn’t go the right way but you gave the Aussies a lesson in how to get behind your team.

Who's the real snowflake here? The derogatory term is for people who are prone to take offence or are too emotionally vulnerable to cope with views different to their own. But it's YOU who is getting incredibly offended by someone not singing a song

It's a classic form of projection by someone who clearly isn't capable of independent thought.

I remember Tommie Smith and also the other US athlete on the podium John Carlos. Not forgetting the Aussie silver medalist Peter Norman who wore an anti racist badge with them. Norman was for years pilloried back in Aus but was finally vindicated by a Government apology. At his funeral Smith and Carlos came from the US to be pallbearers.