Match Discussion: Round 6 vs Newcastle @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal

[Wizardman]

The most unbelievable things about this stat is that we have somehow managed to win 2 games in a row 17 times since 2018.

This really is more of a mental hump to get over than a physical one. This is a massive game and opportunity for us as we really do hold the cards to win this one. Newie are wthout three guns and we definitely have a better forward pack. Make no mistake though, this game will be a tough one and played in between the ears. If we win this, the mental win for our side will be huge. If not, we just may not be quite ready this year as this is probably the easiest opportunity we'll get to sew three together this year.

 

[Wizardman]

Yeah but previously it was our biggest test / validation against the very inform warriors ....that they played like shit was because we made them.play like shit...that counts! If we beat the knights it won't be credited as passing any marker because they'll be excused for having key players out. Everytime we beat someone...anyone...its always because they had an off day. For me the key marker is consistent week to week 80 minute
..hungry to win effort... so far its been right up there

Games against teams closer to our level have always been our bigger tests as a football side......tests which we have lost way more often than won.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I think the team will be wanting to make a big effort to show campbelltown how important it is to us. We’ve lost our last 5 there and Benji made a point about how we want to win at our traditional home grounds.

Credit to the knights, they’ve been playing amazing footy and have a good vibe about them. Missing 3 of their best players, we won’t get a better chance against them. They’re another right side attacking team like Parra and the wahs and our left defence hasn’t been great. Skelton back will help that, I can’t imagine how 5ft nothing Lauilili was going to defend Dom Young.

We need to play through the middle to our strengths. The knights haven’t been in a close game yet or come from behind so if we get on top early I’ll like our chances. Just keep bashing down that door through the middle third.

The comp is already so topsy turvey and teams will keep beating each other. Penrith are obviously miles ahead of everyone, it wouldn’t surprise me if come the end of the year there’s only 3-4 wins between 2nd and 13th. We just gotta keep getting the 2 points and giving ourselves breathing space.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

Games against teams closer to our level have always been our bigger tests as a football side......tests which we have lost way more often than won.

Yes...that's how it's been for way too long but I really do see the evidence that that's been swept out of the place...the Luke Brooks WT are gone. It seems that...and i hope i'm right that Benji has adopted Bellamy's response to failure to execute...not just to win but to do your job. That's how it has to be!

 

[The Charlatan]

It'll be a tough game but I feel better for knowing that Lauili'i won't be there.

 

[Nutz]

Skelton back will help that, I can’t imagine how 5ft nothing Lauilili was going to defend Dom Young.

This is right.
Now that we have depth, team selections have to include some consideration to our oponents.
Pick that team early and train for the game.
The regular starters may not cement themselves for a few more rds and the extended bench players have to be rotated through reserves to get game time.
Sounds too easy Vic.

 

[The Charlatan]

This is right.
Now that we have depth, team selections have to include some consideration to our oponents.
Pick that team early and train for the game.
The regular starters may not cement itself for a few more rds and the extended bench players have to be rotated through reserves to get game time.
Sounds too easy Vic.

I am still a little puzzled as to how Luke was getting a look in before Skelton. He offers the same if not better kick returns and dirty metres, and is a better with the hands and defence.

Especially when Luke is playing for Perth next year.

 

[Nutz]

I am still a little puzzled as to how Luke was getting a look in before Skelton. He offers the same if not better kick returns and dirty metres, and is a better with the hands and defence.

Especially when Luke is playing for Perth next year.

Hey Charles, it was reported that he had hamstring stiffness and I can recall him wearing a guard around his thigh so maybe Benji was worried that he would be found wanting in the speed department.
I'm a fan of Skelton as he is what we have been lacking, size and power on the flanks.
Having said all this, I am also a fan of young Luke as I've been following him thru pathways..... he's better than what we have been seeing.
Out of a plethora of wings and fullbacks available to be tempted to play for Perth, they've opted for this young guy .. there's a reason for this.
Finally, I agree with you, that if our regulars are back firing, then Luke steps down, like you said, he's going west.

 

[Tigerm]

Hey Charles, it was reported that he had hamstring stiffness and I can recall him wearing a guard around his thigh so maybe Benji was worried that he would be found wanting in the speed department.
I'm a fan of Skelton as he is what we have been lacking, size and power on the flanks.
Having said all this, I am also a fan of young Luke as I've been following him thru pathways..... he's better than what we have been seeing.
Out of a plethora of wings and fullbacks available to be tempted to play for Perth, they've opted for this young guy .. there's a reason for this.
Finally, I agree with you, that if our regulars are back firing, then Luke steps down, like you said, he's going west.

I just don't think he was ever ahead of Skelton?

 

[Nutz]

I just don't think he was ever ahead of Skelton?

I agree, I'll try and find where it was reported that he had hamstring stiffness/soreness.
I think it was due to this as he probably couldn't stretch out and Luke was bought in.
I think the reason Skelton was on the extended bench recently was more about giving him time and not so much about being overlooked.
Here I am, acting like a coach
I'm only guessing really, but the hamstring soreness was reported.

 

[Nutz]

I just don't think he was ever ahead of Skelton?

Hey Tm, I just spent an hour researching this because I agree with you.
Firstly, my previous comments about Skelton's hamstring tightness was last season when Luke made a cameo appearance and was knocked into Disneyland.
I couldn't find an official reason why Luke got the nod over Skelton this year.
The team lists suggest that once Turuva shifted to centre, WT filled the open wing with Tavana and still kept Luke in the 17, while Skelton stayed 19th man. Hard not to read that as Luke being preferred at that point.
Clubs often state that players were ommitted due to injuries which often is a cover up for selection conundrums or if the player has niggling injuries, they don't announce that because if he is used off the bench his injury could be exploited by the opposition. Latu is an example of this, he was ready to go probably a week earlier.
They also don't publicise their training quotas. If Skeleton had a niggling hammy or wasn't giving 100% at training and Luke and Tavana were, then that's the coaches call. He practically lives with these players. You can't hide.
One thing I do know that in a foot race over 100m, Luke beats Skelton. Since we lost fastish players like To'a and May, maybe Benji opted for Luke, Tavana and Bula at the back to make up for it.
If you want powerful players, capable of being hard to stop from scoring tries or especially coming out of trouble, you'd have to go with Skelton followed by a big run from Royce or a forward with energy like the Fainu brothers.

 

[The Charlatan]

Who knows maybe Skelly came back heavy, has had issues off field or just plain hasn't been putting in. I guess if its working you dont change it but now Benji's hand has been forced i hope Skelton makes a fist of it because Luke is a liability.

 

[Tigerm]

 

[Tigerm]

Squad Update: NRL Round 6 v Newcastle Knights

The Wests Tigers have trimmed their squad to 20 as they prepare to host the Newcastle Knights in Campbelltown for Round 6 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Vic Mackey]

Results this weekend again showing that teams are just gunna keep taking 2 points off each other. It really looks like:

Good: Penrith
Crap: Dragons/Titans

Then everyone else fairly even. If you can string wins together you’ll kick clear pretty quickly. Today depending on the result we could be anywhere from 2nd-7th. Win or lose F/A is going to be important this season so you gotta make sure your losses aren’t big and when you win you don’t concede late conciliation tries.

Let’s do this.

 

[Tigerm]

Fox just said, Tino out and Herbert in?

 

[Pezz70]

Fox just said, Tino out and Herbert in?

No good he was proving to be a weapon under the high ball

 

[chunk]

Looking forward to this one.

Massive game for the club, bordering on must win. It's much bigger than just the two points and I reckon Benji will have them primed, no excuses.

Carn the Tiges.

 

[Tigerm]

f**k, that’s been too easy so far.
Herbert is a good story.
Api is destroying them.

 

[Pezz70]

f**k, that’s been too easy so far.
Herbert is a good story.
Api is destroying them.

Long way to go, strong wind at Knights back and Sandon Smith has a really good kicking game, I don’t think the tigers are out of the woods yet. Need to stay composed, possession tends to even itself out in footy games and we had a ton in the first half. That Bula try was beautiful, the aerial view made it look like poetry, depth, multiple runners for Douehi to hit running different angles, was executed well.