Match Discussion: Round 2 vs Dolphins @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Burwood]

Ponga looks unhappy. Reckon he’ll be at the roosters by mid-season.

 

[Rod]

2-0 and a big improvement on last week so have to be happy.

I think we can already see what our biggest issue will be as the season goes on - bench minutes and forward depth. Our starting 13 looks nice but we went off the boil around the 28 minute mark when the reserves starting coming on. I've never been convinced by Croker and he looked out of his depth tonight. We need someone like Tyrone Thompson to come up and make an impact.

 

[Yosh]

Great win. Should have been a 40-0 game. The Storm or Penrith would have put 60 on tonight. I'm happy enough with the 2 points.

Any bad players tonight? KPP was pretty ordinary. Frizell was a bit hit or miss.

Elliot was excellent off the bench. Also best game From Jacko in a long time.

 

[Zoidberg]

Clocked off attacking wise 15 minutes into the 2nd half and made some sloppy mistakes giving the Phins good field position. Plenty to work on but plenty to work with.
Loving our defence for the most part. Good scramble out wide.

 

[Rod]

Elliot was excellent off the bench. Also best game From Jacko in a long time.

I think we've missed Elliott's link play in the 2 games this season. Love Friz but the ball died with him quite a few times. His spot might be off the bench.

 

[ryan.a87]

In frizz’s defence, it was his first game of the year and also playing in a new position

Weakest link was unfortunately Croker…..followed by fan favourite Cogger

 

[Woody90]

Can I just say how f**king consistently impressed I am with Best and Marzhew’s defensive combination? They’re absolutely brilliant together.

 

[Woody90]

In frizz’s defence, it was his first game of the year and also playing in a new position

Weakest link was unfortunately Croker…..followed by fan favourite Cogger

I thought KPP was the weakest link tonight.

 

[Rod]

In frizz’s defence, it was his first game of the year and also playing in a new position

He played last week.

 

[Burwood]

Can I just say how f**king consistently impressed I am with Best and Marzhew’s defensive combination? They’re absolutely brilliant together.

AOB deserves his own 10 year contract for how he’s turned the biggest weakness of Best and Gagai into their biggest strengths.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

All the forwards stepped up and played well.

 

[perverse]

Ponga looks unhappy. Reckon he’ll be at the roosters by mid-season.

Haha he gave the media some lip about it in the press conference, which I loved to see to be honest.

 

[perverse]

2-0 and a big improvement on last week so have to be happy.

I think we can already see what our biggest issue will be as the season goes on - bench minutes and forward depth. Our starting 13 looks nice but we went off the boil around the 28 minute mark when the reserves starting coming on. I've never been convinced by Croker and he looked out of his depth tonight. We need someone like Tyrone Thompson to come up and make an impact.

I agree, we just haven't replaced DSaf in our forward rotation at all. We're missing a good prop or two. Some promising kids coming through but still a bit down the track yet. I'm curious to see if McEwen gets a run this week with KPP likely unavailable. I'd much prefer to see him than a stopgap/plodder.

 

[Allstar Knights]

I agree, we just haven't replaced DSaf in our forward rotation at all. We're missing a good prop or two. Some promising kids coming through but still a bit down the track yet. I'm curious to see if McEwen gets a run this week with KPP likely unavailable. I'd much prefer to see him than a stopgap/plodder.

Hopefully it’s not Cant who I think will be a quality lock forward, but isn’t very good on an edge imo.

 

[Yosh]

I think we are pretty decent on the edge. We need 1 or 2 big bodies in the middle.

 

[Frederick]

Hopefully it’s not Cant who I think will be a quality lock forward, but isn’t very good on an edge imo.

Friz edge, Can't/Elliott lock

 

[Burwood]

Haha he gave the media some lip about it in the press conference, which I loved to see to be honest.

Further to that, you watch the press conference and you can also see why the team seem to like AOB and play for him.

Not sure if it was necessary for him to apologise 4 or 5 times to journalists about how he handled the media yesterday though- should have just stuck with how he was showing respect to Parra, fans and the current playing group who are focused on 2025 and not next year.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Further to that, you watch the press conference and you can also see why the team seem to like AOB and play for him.

Not sure if it was necessary for him to apologise 4 or 5 times to journalists about how he handled the media yesterday though- should have just stuck with how he was showing respect to Parra, fans and the current playing group who are focused on 2025 and not next year.

It wasn't necessary but you know what the media are like. I thought he handled it very professionally.
Loved KP's cheeky dig too

 

[mozza91]

I agree, we just haven't replaced DSaf in our forward rotation at all. We're missing a good prop or two. Some promising kids coming through but still a bit down the track yet. I'm curious to see if McEwen gets a run this week with KPP likely unavailable. I'd much prefer to see him than a stopgap/plodder.

I think Elliott going back to 13 will help our middle a lot. We miss his ballplaying at lock and if one of Saf, Thompson or more likely Friz goes back to the bench it immediately strengthens our prop rotation.

 

[aqua_duck]

2-0 and a big improvement on last week so have to be happy.

I think we can already see what our biggest issue will be as the season goes on - bench minutes and forward depth. Our starting 13 looks nice but we went off the boil around the 28 minute mark when the reserves starting coming on. I've never been convinced by Croker and he looked out of his depth tonight. We need someone like Tyrone Thompson to come up and make an impact.

Croker is a great top 30 guy, apparently very well liked by the team, good clubman, etc however I don’t think he’s the calibre of player you want in the top 17 every week. Just doesn’t have enough upside to counter the flaws