Opening 4 Rounds Completed

The injury toll, Tinkler takes over and this weeks featured player - Matt Utai...

Never have I seen such an overwhelming number of high quality players sitting on the sidelines so early into a season. But where does the problem rest ? Is it the gang tackles and wrestling moves? Tougher training sessions? Does the NRL need to step in and limit the number of players in a tackle ? Is banning the shoulder charge the answer ? I think the problem focuses in on the heavy training sessions and heavy contact. The players are built bigger and hit harder these days. Their muscles are more developed physically, but their joints and ligaments aren't. Banning shoulder charges is not the answer.. It's a mans sport and the entertainment value of a shoulder charge should take precedence over the little number of injuries that can be directly related to the player receiving such brutal treatment. I think it's up to the coaches to curb the amount of training the players are doing and limiting the use of injured players, wherever possible, as it's all beginning to take it's toll.

Now to Newcastle and congrats to Nathan Tinkler and his Sporting Group for securing ownership of the Newcastle Club, with a 97% majority vote. I've always had my doubts about private ownership but I think clubs need to find a balance where their owners are taking a back foot in footballing decisions and keeping in mind that it's a club, not a business. Tinkler appears to be heading in the right direction with the Newcastle clubs and I'm impressed by his vision to pack out AusGrid stadium with Blue and Red. This coincides with the opening of their new grandstand, which takes the stadiums capacity to 30,000 !

Matt Utai... Returning from a season of park football, playing for the Auburn Warriors, the 29-year old is looking to resurrect his career with the Wests Tigers. Injuries to Beau Ryan and a career-ending one to Taniela Tuiaki have given the "pocket rocket" a real chance of doing so. Coming to the Tigers on an incentive based deal, Utai has impressed with solid performances in defence and attack, including an average of just over 115 metres and 12.5 hit ups per game, the winger has all but secured his spot on the flank and has IMO poured the cement!