'15 | R5 | Sat 5:30pm | MAN 16-29 CAN | Albury

[Walt Flanigan]

I missed the first 10 as well. What was with the 5pm kick off? Even the thread title says 530.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I'd love to see Canberra be a genuine force again. I think it would be great for the game. Realistically it's coming on 20 years since they were a Premiership threat. I know they've had some ok top 8 teams since but we're never going to challenge. To me they are probably 2 good forwards a strike outside back off being a top 4 contender.

 

[chrisD]

Game time was changed midweek presumably for light concerns.

 

[Pete Cash]

Papa is OK. He is f**king huge but that's clearly the plan with him. Stuart wants him at prop. Now papa could have a few less trips to the buffet and drop 5 to 10 kilos but he is getting good metres really. He has just changed his game a lot. I'm happy with his output but he wouldn't want to get any fatter.

 

[chrisD]

Is Blake Austin just a better version of Josh Reynolds?

That's a good comparison I think. Tigers fans will say he has shit defence and passing, but his defence while not being great is up to NRL standard for a half, and he's always had a great short passing game and an offload. He won't be throwing long cut out balls at the face of the defence putting blokes through holes but he can throw an early long ball to his wide men. His kicking is a bit sketchy, he'll try some creative kicks which can be rocks or diamonds, but he's not the half most times you want to be going to for the percentage kick on the opposition line. His long kicking is probably a bit below average for a half.

Running, effort and leadership he is top drawer.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

His defence today was outstanding. Especially the two try saving efforts. Definitely a running 5/8 though and is a breath of fresh air after Campo last season.

 

[Ladmate]

Is Blake Austin just a better version of Josh Reynolds?

Always thought so. Mystifying how one is rated so highly and the other is a journeyman.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Austin is better then Reynolds in every department except being a grub...or as nsw selectors call it 'origin tough'

 

[Stranga]

Manly are so pathetic.. Almost as pathetic as their fans.

FFS that fat nuffie BEAVER was talking up Mason before the season started and getting all sandy vag if anybody said anything that was different to his opinion.

LOL.

Such a useless, scum club. DCE left for less money. FORAN left for less money. But don't worry, you've still got 30 yo BALLIN and 3 games per season MATAI.

Wankers.

 

[mongoose]

Sisa Waqa has to be one of the most composed players ive ever seen. He's Mr casual but does everything right.

 

[Jason Maher]

I think we have a new contender for worst Queensland troll.

 

[nick87]

That's a good comparison I think. Tigers fans will say he has shit defence and passing, but his defence while not being great is up to NRL standard for a half, and he's always had a great short passing game and an offload. He won't be throwing long cut out balls at the face of the defence putting blokes through holes but he can throw an early long ball to his wide men. His kicking is a bit sketchy, he'll try some creative kicks which can be rocks or diamonds, but he's not the half most times you want to be going to for the percentage kick on the opposition line. His long kicking is probably a bit below average for a half.

Running, effort and leadership he is top drawer.

pretty well summed up
Im hoping his long kicking game and passing game can develop a bit more now that he's a every day half, at other clubs he was all over the park, now he's training, playing day in and day out as a half hopefully it can improve a little bit, but it's unlikely to ever develop into anything above average-to-good

His running game is superb, probably one of the best in the league as far as halves go

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Braith Anasta made the point that whoever the halfback is will have to step up because other teams will start targeting Austin, and we're going to need more options to take the pressure off. I tend to agree.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Blake Austin > Jarryd Hayne