Rd19: 405pm Parra v Penrith GAME DAY THREAD @ Commbank 13/7/25

[emjaycee]

Yesterday's game is the one that has concerned me the most all year.

It has been easy to see the "through line" of all Ryles' decisions this year and as frustrating as some losses have been, we can see the end goal.

But yesterday seemed to indicate that Ryles himself is fumbling in the dark a bit at this point.

The game plan was wrong for the players we have out there and the stage of their careers - this means that he either persisted with a game plan that is not right for the playing staff, or he needs new playing staff.

If it is the former, then it is a sign that he is misreading the development of the players, because the wrong game plan and structure can inhibit their development. If it is the latter, we are not seeing much by way off an enhancement of the roster at this point.

There is time and I get we must be patient, but yesterday was a real concern.

It wasn't the wrong game plan in the first half.
It was only when we were chasing points, pushing passes and missing tackles that it became the wrong plan.

Some of our attack and our defensive scramble in the first half was the best we have seen all year.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Nah it changed when we didn't clean up our errors and defense went to shit.. See the Tago try..

That's what I said ffs

We had plenty of errors in the first half but stayed in it by not having shit defense.

Because we weren't fatigued enough in the first half. By the 55th minute (Tago's try) we were.

 

[85 Baby]

Yesterday's game is the one that has concerned me the most all year.

It has been easy to see the "through line" of all Ryles' decisions this year and as frustrating as some losses have been, we can see the end goal.

But yesterday seemed to indicate that Ryles himself is fumbling in the dark a bit at this point.

The game plan was wrong for the players we have out there and the stage of their careers - this means that he either persisted with a game plan that is not right for the playing staff, or he needs new playing staff.

If it is the former, then it is a sign that he is misreading the development of the players, because the wrong game plan and structure can inhibit their development. If it is the latter, we are not seeing much by way off an enhancement of the roster at this point.

There is time and I get we must be patient, but yesterday was a real concern.

I think yesterday we saw a bit of frustration getting to Ryles. I think long term he’s made the right calls about signings/player development. And back when Brown announced I was all for if we couldn’t get a good trade then f**k with his development instead. But I think yesterday was a bad game plan on the day, but also in terms of development for finding our style and also if we frustrate Brown too much, he may just go to Newcastle and become the half we wanted out of spite to Ryles.

 

[King-Gutho94]

I don’t know if he was warned but ref said after penalty he let someone (presumably JAC) get away with one before. But if it’s based on some preconceived notion of JAC doing it regularly then that’s bullshit. That’s how unconscious bias is formed, that leads to the “better” team getting the calls.

Refs are so focused these days about not being fooled by players/struggling with speed of play, that they simply neglecting just making consistent calls. It’s a trap of professionalism, trying to be ahead of the players. The refs and NRL at large are the auditors of the game. They’re meant to be there to just call the rules, not guess when players might break the rules.

I also think we should go back to 2 refs. Not the shitstorm “let’s switch sides on the run” that it was. One ref as normal in defensive line, the other just observing the ruck. They don’t switch (other than ref game ending injury), the ruck ref only calls infringements in the ruck and the main ref should mostly defer if he does observe potential ruck infringements.

I don’t know what to do about forward passes. And clearly the NRL don’t either.

Paul Kent and Bill Harrigan had this massive argument years ago on MMM about the refs.

Kent called it BS that refs had a tip sheet and called out the refs on it.

They shouldn't be going into games with pre-concieved idea

Harrigan disagreed its apart of the prep.

But at the end of the day the club/JAC have to realise that Gough is nitpicking him on it so it has to be addressed weather we like it or not especially when we Gough next time.

 

[85 Baby]

It wasn't the wrong game plan in the first half.
It was only when we were chasing points, pushing passes and missing tackles that it became the wrong plan.

Some of our attack and our defensive scramble in the first half was the best we have seen all year.

We were pushing passes and missing tackles in the first half. We were just scrambling in defence better as well

 

[Gronk]

Yesterday's game is the one that has concerned me the most all year.

It has been easy to see the "through line" of all Ryles' decisions this year and as frustrating as some losses have been, we can see the end goal.

But yesterday seemed to indicate that Ryles himself is fumbling in the dark a bit at this point.

The game plan was wrong for the players we have out there and the stage of their careers - this means that he either persisted with a game plan that is not right for the playing staff, or he needs new playing staff.

If it is the former, then it is a sign that he is misreading the development of the players, because the wrong game plan and structure can inhibit their development. If it is the latter, we are not seeing much by way off an enhancement of the roster at this point.

There is time and I get we must be patient, but yesterday was a real concern.

Yes we need to be remined that he is a rookie as well. Is our aim to develop or win games here ? I highly doubt Belly or Bennett would bench or shift a world class 6 in July to benefit the advancement of a fullback to play 5/8 - who has only ever play 6 twice before in opens in his life.

Joash Papalii - Playing Career - Positions - RLP

A stats breakdown of positions played by Joash Papalii, a rugby league player who played for the Parramatta Eels.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

 

[eel01s]

It was frustrating to see an attacking structure effective against Penrith's defence, only to provide minimal points due to unforced errors. You can't beat good sides making that many mistakes.

The one sided officiating is getting really old. The "tip sheet" has got to go. Just Ref what you see.

On Joash, I was waiting to see this amazing speed and footwork that was breathlessly described over the preseason and in Cup. Unless he shows he can make breaks or create gaps for his edge I don't see him as a 6.

We are getting too predictable kicking for Lomax. Why not use him as a decoy on occasion and have someone else go for the ball? Also, nothing worse watching a successful bat back only for the opposition to fall on the loose ball.

 

[85 Baby]

Paul Kent and Bill Harrigan had this massive argument years ago on MMM about the refs.

Kent called it BS that refs had a tip sheet and called out the refs on it.

They shouldn't be going into games with pre-concieved idea

Harrigan disagreed its apart of the prep.

It’s an understandable move to try to ensure you’re making every call, but they need to push past that and just be black and white callers. Either that or we fans need to further accept every result is going to be somewhat tainted in both directions.

But at the end of the day the club/JAC have to realise that Gough is nitpicking him on it so it has to be addressed whether we like it or not especially when we Gough next time.

Alternatively go the All Blacks/Scum method. Do it every time and not just JAC. Ref even said he let one go. He clearly missed the Eisenhuth one and I thought we also got away with a few more. If the refs are getting themselves caught between catching JAC tunnel ball or being accused of overofficiating, especially when we’re the “bad” team, then force the work to be done.

Same with forward passes. Somehow the refs have done their homework that JAC tunnels but not that 90% of Kenny’s passes from ruck are forward?

 

[Legal Eel]

It wasn't the wrong game plan in the first half.
It was only when we were chasing points, pushing passes and missing tackles that it became the wrong plan.

Some of our attack and our defensive scramble in the first half was the best we have seen all year.

I disagree that it wasn't wrong in the first half. The toll of continually surrendering good ball and field position and of failing to press our advantages told in the second half. It didn't become the wrong plan - it was wrong all along and that manifested through the drop off in the second half and the late try on half time.

I don't disagree that we looked good in ball movement but I just think that there were double digit occasions where the pass was pushed rather than being the result of good shape, good movement and an available offload - all of these errors came from passes thrown for the sake of it.

Guymer threw a five metre pass directly into the path of a defender because he just didn't look as he passed. Paulo threw it straight to Casey Maclean. Multiple players attempted to squeeze an improbable offload and just fell into errors.

Like I said, it is not a "sack Ryles" post because I like the direction he is heading with recruitment, development and generally the team structures. But I also think it is fair to say that yesterdays game plan of "keep the ball alive at all costs" was misconceived.

 

[Legal Eel]

Yes we need to be remined that he is a rookie as well. Is our aim to develop or win games here ? I highly doubt Belly or Bennett would bench or shift a world class 6 in July to benefit the advancement of a fullback to play 5/8 - who has only ever play 6 twice before in opens in his life.

Joash Papalii - Playing Career - Positions - RLP

A stats breakdown of positions played by Joash Papalii, a rugby league player who played for the Parramatta Eels.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

View attachment 104144

I think your right and the aim is to develop and I think picking Papalii is more than defensible on those terms - I am just not sure that the game plan yesterday served development well

 

[85 Baby]

We were pushing passes and missing tackles in the first half. We were just scrambling in defence better as well

Which @emjaycee probably also indicates lack of fitness/attitude.

 

[lucablight]

Can't break the line
Can't draw and pass
Slow off mark
No power
Defense is solid

He is the definition of a back up

Penisini is making errors. If he can fix that he is miles above Russel. He has raw power and would be top 5 strongest centres in game. He just isn't fast and playing dumb. But still a damaging runner.

Very poor misread on Cleary for that try. Russell is a net liability because you know he’s never going to contribute much.

 

[JokerEel]

In a squad of thirty there would be plenty of merkins who won't become first graders. Do you really think you're going to fit a dozen elite juniors in the bottom of your top 30? These merkins already get paid like first graders. That's why the teams that sign them are forced to play them in first grade before they're ready. Because they are taking the salary of a first grader.

That's ok me I forgot who I was replying to.. The master of being content with shit..

 

[lucablight]

Yes we need to be remined that he is a rookie as well. Is our aim to develop or win games here ? I highly doubt Belly or Bennett would bench or shift a world class 6 in July to benefit the advancement of a fullback to play 5/8 - who has only ever play 6 twice before in opens in his life.

Joash Papalii - Playing Career - Positions - RLP

A stats breakdown of positions played by Joash Papalii, a rugby league player who played for the Parramatta Eels.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

View attachment 104144

Bennett punted Hodges to reserve grade when he signed with the Roosters.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Very poor misread on Cleary for that try.

Was it a misread? If he came in on Cleary he would've thrown the pass and then you merkins would be whinging at Russell for not staying on his man.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

That's ok me I forgot who I was replying to.. The master of being content with shit..

Every club is content to have backups in the top 30. They know better than you.

 

[lucablight]

Was it a misread? If he came in on Cleary he would've thrown the pass and then you merkins would be whinging at Russell for not staying on his man.

Who do you think the try cause was?

 

[Eelementary]

I thought that the game was within reach yesterday and faded when Brown went off. He should have played 80 in some other capacity. Walker was lock but doing 5/8 stuff to compensate for Joash and maybe Brown should have taken over that rotation.

Yes ultimately it was the errors / low completion rate that gave Penrith way too much opportunity and momentum after oranges.

If I am dropping players it’s to eliminate errors, but not to bring in a player from reggies for the sake of it. Guymer gets hate, but nobody in reggies is going to make 54 tackles.

Samrani played on the edge in Cup and was average. He was trying to throw passes in the grapple and they were ending up on the grass. Gideon looks like he might have f**ked something, so maybe he gets a chance anyway.

Jack will get suspended apparently ? and Luca is not ready.

I don't rate Guymer at all, but he was solid yesterday.

Joash...tbh, I'm willing to give him time, but so far, I'm not too impressed.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Bennett punted Hodges to reserve grade when he signed with the Roosters.

He was coming off the bench at the time and Bennett replaced him with Stu Kelly. You can afford to be vindictive when you have that much talent in your squad.

 

[Twizzle]

Paul Kent and Bill Harrigan had this massive argument years ago on MMM about the refs.

Kent called it BS that refs had a tip sheet and called out the refs on it.

They shouldn't be going into games with pre-concieved idea

Harrigan disagreed its apart of the prep.

I saw an interview with Stirlo and Harrigan a while back and how Harrigan would make calls on certain players based on their history/ability. For example, if a player was a bad ball handler with a history of loose carries and the ball came out in a tackle, from a distance he would call a knock on because the player was known for it

Stirlo was gob smacked " so you're willing to make a call been though you didn't see what happened ?" Harriagan said yes.

That was his preparation.