Round 9 vs Cowboys - Game Day Thread

[Chipmunk]

He can't defend all that well at centre tbh. He's not poor, but he's got a weakness in terms of defence.

But maybe

Is his defence reallh any worse than Takairangi though?

 

[Forty20]

Morgan is a strong ball runner with some play making ... but he's not able to control a game ... similar style of player to blake austin

Difference is that Blake Austin is much more decisive when he wants to run. Forcing the defence to make a decision early can be just as effective as executing a great play-making option. Merkins panic when they are rushed to make decisions.

Austin is also an absolute demon when it comes to backing up in support.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Being reasonably pedantic but he was too old for 20s when he moved to Penrith.

He was the NSW Cup five-eighth of the year though so the point is much the same....

He played in the halves in 2014 but after that he backed up Moylan at fullback.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Gee, our attacking would be bloody good with Moses. Still a lot of pressure on Norman.

Hope he can get that release!!

 

[Happy MEel]

Actually he missed a few tackles tonight.

He did. I'm surprised by the 9 figure on nrl stats because it seemed like his defence was better than that. I've had a few beers though so perhaps I was delirious with joy over a near 80 minute performance that I glossed over the missed tackles.

 

[Bazal]

Is his defence reallh any worse than Takairangi though?

I didn't pass judgement either way tbh, just making a comment about his defence in general.

But for the sake of discussion, I think Taka is a worse defender but offers more in attack than Auva'a

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Difference is that Blake Austin is much more decisive when he wants to run. Forcing the defence to make a decision early can be just as effective as executing a great play-making option. Merkins panic when they are rushed to make decisions.

Austin is also an absolute demon when it comes to backing up in support.

If he was a QLD'er Austin probably already has a few games there!!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'd suggest he meant solid, taking a back seat to the other playmakers and doing his job without f**king up, but you'd argue the point anyway

He appeared to be in the team for nothing but his defence. I suppose his support play was a factor as well.

 

[Bazal]

Difference is that Blake Austin is much more decisive when he wants to run. Forcing the defence to make a decision early can be just as effective as executing a great play-making option. Merkins panic when they are rushed to make decisions.

Austin is also an absolute demon when it comes to backing up in support.

At his best Morgan does that too tbh. But he is in struggle town

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

He did. I'm surprised by the 9 figure on nrl stats because it seemed like his defence was better than that. I've had a few beers though so perhaps I was delirious with joy over a near 80 minute performance that I glossed over the missed tackles.

I wonder how many he missed after the head clash.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Also Cowboys may have Thurston / Coote / Granville out but we also have our first choice hooker/fullback out too.

 

[Happy MEel]

Five from nine and six of those games were played away.

...with roadtrips to Canberra, NZ, Townsville and the Goldie included in those 9 games. I'd say we're sitting pretty well on the ladder considering we only have 4 more games away from ANZ (of which one is our home game in Darwin).

 

[Happy MEel]

I wonder how many he missed after the head clash.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I'm surprised he passed TBH because he was stumbling around out there for a while.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Difference is that Blake Austin is much more decisive when he wants to run. Forcing the defence to make a decision early can be just as effective as executing a great play-making option. Merkins panic when they are rushed to make decisions.

Austin is also an absolute demon when it comes to backing up in support.

I like Austin but my impression is that Morgan is a superior player, probably even more so in defence. He's just been in bad form for a good while. I'd be curious to see their stats comparison up to Morgan's injury last year.

 

[Chipmunk]

I didn't pass judgement either way tbh, just making a comment about his defence in general.

But for the sake of discussion, I think Taka is a worse defender but offers more in attack than Auva'a

I think they're two different attacking players and RVarR offers more in our half and power plays, which we're probably going to need more if Semi isn't around.

 

[Bazal]

I wonder how many he missed after the head clash.

He does lead our missed tackle count for the year regardless (he has 36)....9 is high and maybe the head knock didn't help but he's missing rather a few even when he's not iffy in the head.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I'm surprised he passed TBH because he was stumbling around out there for a while.

Did he even get checked? I wasn't paying close attention.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Oh, you mean 5 runs for 58m, 4 tackle breaks, and 1 try. He also made some crucial one on one tackles, although he still missed a few.

Most importantly, our attack wasn't devoid on his side like it was each time Kelly took the field.

Probably because we had all the ball. Our right side attack made plenty of metres but nothing was created on that side. I rate Will Smith as an attacking player but tonight it looked like Kelly without the kicking game.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I got drilled for saying morgans most over rated player seen, He is ok but he makes qld and Aus team. I dont get that part. I dont see anything thst special from him.

Ordinary kicking game. Lucky the Cows have Thurston and Coote. Usually.

 

[Bazal]

I think they're two different attacking players and RVarR offers more in our half and power plays, which we're probably going to need more if Semi isn't around.

Possibly. Although Taka is no slouch with go forward either.

He's certainly more creative and more likely to generate a line break or a try than Auva'a....it's not a bad problem to have I suppose.