Rd20: 3pm Parra v Canberra GAME DAY THREAD @ GIO Stadium 19/7/25

[JokerEel]

All 3 Dogs signings are excellent.

They are perfect signings. I reckon the 3 of them can help us win a competition in NSW CUP where they are suited.

Kuatoga is a good second rower for mine will play plenty of first grade

 

[DaveMc]

If we are going less than 20 we definitely are in the top 8.

Our defensive systems do look better this year, which probably says more about how shot they were over the last few years than how good they are now. But I do see some promise there. Unquestionably still a long way off competing for a premiership, but there are signs of improvement.

 

[Eelogical]

He does even more dumb shit at centre than at wing. Saints fans tore their hair out about him at centre for years. Last year he properly transitioned to wing, and it was by far and away the best he’s ever played.

Perhaps more to the point, it’s where there is a space for him with us. I don’t think he fits neatly at centre now, with Bailey and Penisini doing the job. But he’s a first choice wing.

I agree that Lomax should stay on the wing. However, we should be moving Penisini on. He's virtually had 100 more opportunities to show his wares in the centres than Joash has a 6.

 

[DaveMc]

I agree that Lomax should stay on the wing. However, we should be moving Penisini on. He's virtually had 100 more opportunities to show his wares in the centres than Joash has a 6.

Yeah, I agree that Penisini is a big worry. Another guy with a lot of potential who hasn’t kicked along as expected/required.

 

[Avenger]

Yeah, I agree that Penisini is a big worry. Another guy with a lot of potential who hasn’t kicked along as expected/required.

And Hopgood. He’d be on at least $600k now and I wouldn’t feed him.

 

[eels_fan]

Hopgood best game of the season. Starting front row is his position now.

Doorey had his best game ever

Iongi tried very hard all game.

Don’t understand the Lomax hate, yes he tries to push passes to often and needs work on defensive reads, but he also ran for 250m and most of them were bloody tough runs from our red zone.

 

[Soto]

Kautoga is definitely a 1st grader.
Joash is a not an organiser or a ball player...just run the ball. Use your footwork. Be in the game...
I know its very early in his 1st grade career but he seems too tentative.
I will cut him some slack but he was not very good today. I was p#$># hard with his errors.
If there is a positive hes having a go at times...better then that space cadet who would just float.
We will need for next yr to sign
- winger
- centre
- 5/8
- prop
- 2nd rower.

I know we have signed Debelin and from ive been told they believe 5/8th will be filled from within the clubs ranks hence why knocking back Sandon Smith.
Let's see how Joash goes with Moses at 7.
With Moses, Penisini and Moretti available next week will be interesting to see what Ryles does there..
I saw Simonsson absolutely spray Lomax for racing in and getting air...slow as a wet week...and hes never catching any of the bombs...outplayed by Jed Stuart...omg

 

[85 Baby]

I’m up to the 50 minute mark and know result. I’m guessing turnovers again become an issue (Papalii has just thrown the ball 10m over sideline on last in our own half) but are we seriously suggesting Canbra’s only infringement was a flop that is 50/50 most weeks?

 

[hindy111]

Russell is one of those centres who looks like he’d thrive in a system like the Storm, where being no more than a no-nonsense, solid centre is ok because your halves and those outside you are so good. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury to carry a guy like him without appreciating that his ceiling is nothing more than being a solid centre. At least he doesn’t do a lot of dumb shit, which cannot be said about probably over half of our top 17.

Why cause of N.Meaney? He isn't half the player

 

[T-Boon]

I thought it was him

But I trusted @Soto recall of the play that it was Iongi because i am out.

But my point was we made 4 LBs in that 1st half up the guts and Iongi was nowhere.

Its a part we need him to improve.

Gutho would have been there in support on the spot every break we made.

Are you at the gym?

 

[DaveMc]

Why cause of N.Meaney? He isn't half the player

No, I’m speaking generally. Meaney is a way better player than Russell, no question. But the Storm have had some guys who are very average centres who just get plugged in and do a job. Brenko Lee was a centre in their last premiership team.

 

[85 Baby]

How the f**k isn’t that a strip by Kris? What on earth is Klown smoking?

 

[T.S Quint]

View attachment 104299

He’s obviously going for the ball.

 

[JokerEel]

How the f**k isn’t that a strip by Kris? What on earth is Klown smoking?

If the hand is on the ball it's a strip...

You can wrap it up to complete the tackle that's fine just keep the hand off the ball

 

[85 Baby]

That set after the 20m dropout was f**ken atrocious but other than that, and opening 10 minutes, defence has been ok.

OMFG that pass by Pattie is 20m forward! Are you f**ken joking?

We’ve been Klowned

 

[The Predictor]

Our defensive systems do look better this year, which probably says more about how shot they were over the last few years than how good they are now. But I do see some promise there. Unquestionably still a long way off competing for a premiership, but there are signs of improvement.

Green shoots?

 

[DaveMc]

And Hopgood. He’d be on at least $600k now and I wouldn’t feed him.

Yep, Hopgood is a waste of space. As I’ve said before, he’s busy (his stats show that), but he’s ineffective. He’s slow, offers little in ball-playing skill, and gives away dumb penalties.

The sad part is, he’s actually been like that since day dot. Some of us pissed our pants over how many tackles he would make early in his tenure here, but it’s always been ineffective. I’m sure few remember it, but his lazy defence cost us our first game against the Storm in 2023, round one against Melbourne, with us coming in as runners up. His stats for the game were fine, but at crunch time in extra time, his lazy defence let Harry Grant score the winning try. It’s been the same ever since.

 

[the phantom menace]

And he can take his experiment with him. 8 missed tackles and 2 ineffective. I should have left him on the shit list.

This was what Balize Talagi was chalking up for us last year - and look at him now in the past month at Panthers.

It's worth persisting with Joash into next season imo, also given that there are absolutely no alternatives out there.

 

[85 Baby]

That set after the 20m dropout was f**ken atrocious but other than that, and opening 10 minutes, defence has been ok.

OMFG that pass by Pattie is 20m forward! Are you f**ken joking?

We’ve been Klowned

Defence fell apart after that but forward passes are gone the way of competing in scrums.

 

[Avenger]

This was what Balize Talagi was chalking up for us last year - and look at him now in the past month at Panthers.

It's worth persisting with Joash into next season imo, also given that there are absolutely no alternatives out there.

Sandon Smith
Possibly Savala on loan
Jonah Pezet
Adam Doueihi
Jake Averillo

All are available.

Ryles doesn’t have time to f**k around next season or he will go by the way of Kearney and rightly so.