3-2-1 vs Knights

[vvvrulz]

Are you guys basing that on the fact he put 2 kicks out on the full, or is it just the fact you don't like him? Apart from those two kicks he was one of our best, i thought, particularly leading the team around well in the first half.

Last week he copped a tonne of flack here, which seemed mainly because he was offside at a kick off. Like that was the worst thing that happened in last week's game. tbh, last week he was one of the only guys having a go. I guess he's just easy to pick on.

I'm not one to bash someone for simply "not liking him". Yes, a first grade no. 6 booting two kicks out on the full is inexcusable. Yes I am a bit annoyed we chased him from the ESL and then miscast him as a stand off.

He doesn't have a running game, he doesn't have a kicking game, he doesn't create attacking plays by sending players through holes. What he does have is reasonably tight defence and a decent passing game but that's not enough for a first grade 6. He doesn't work in conjunction with Johnson either.

I'm not questioning his effort but he is a very average stand-off.

 

[Izz]

Fair enough. We're all entitled to our opinions

In my opinion i would suggest watching yesterday's game again, though, because he busted the line at least once, was always hanging off the shoulders of our forwards looking for the offload, and apart from the 2 bombs out on the full (Johnson put a kick out on the full too, and it gave the Knights a scrum on our 40) his long and short kicking game was pretty good. A couple of his long kicks in the second half were particularly good, one especially as he got the ball in an awful position after Godinet decided to run on the last from halfway.

 

[Micistm]

Agreed totally Thomas is getting better with the more games under his belt, some people on here forget he has been in the ESL for a few years now and is only improving. I do know he is not a No.6 and should play hooker or interchange super sub role but until that changes theres bugger all we can do about it. TL does cop some total BS on here at times when he should be praised as being one of the better improving players of 2013.

Agreed. I've bagged TL earlier in the year, but in all fairness he has been improving and noticably IMO since the Titans game despite the losses. I would prefer him at Hooker where he's really decent, but he's settling into 6 much better recently. I certainly like the guy and his attitude, best of luck to him

 

[ozenzud]

Fair enough. We're all entitled to our opinions

In my opinion i would suggest watching yesterday's game again, though, because he busted the line at least once, was always hanging off the shoulders of our forwards looking for the offload, and apart from the 2 bombs out on the full (Johnson put a kick out on the full too, and it gave the Knights a scrum on our 40) his long and short kicking game was pretty good. A couple of his long kicks in the second half were particularly good, one especially as he got the ball in an awful position after Godinet decided to run on the last from halfway.

I'm with you Izz. These guys knocking TL are either watching a different game than me or don't know what they are talking about.

Agreed his kicking game was off yesterday. But his defence is pretty good. Far, far, far, far better than SJ. His defence was also truely ordinary again.

When you look up the word "Turnstyle" in the dictionary, it will say "see Shaun Johnson."

SJ was damn lucky to get that decision on the obstruction. That looked fairly blatant under the old, proper rules we played years ago, but these days, who knows.

Back to TJ, I reckon he is OK. An effective 5/8 or half is often hardly noticed. Cooper Cronk just about plays in a dinner suit. Doesn't run, hardly gets tackled. Its the players around him that look good and I think TJ actually does that job OK. Not saying his CC, do not get me wrong there.

But he is OK if you ask me.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

So Manu is pretty much our best player atm. How many errors until he "needs to move into the forwards" or "is an overpaid liability" again?

 

[Cold Roses]

Warriors site saying Mateo carried the ball 26 times for 226 metres. Apparently Steve Price is the only Warriors forward to ever make more metres in a game.

 

[vvvrulz]

one especially as he got the ball in an awful position after Godinet decided to run on the last from halfway.

:lol: That was a shocker from Godinet, I'm sure that ball went forward too. TL did well to save that I admit.

Like I said TL definitely puts in, I just don't think he offers much as a no.6 and we could really benefit from a bit more creative attacking play instead of our halves just bombing to their fullback. Johnson is to blame there also, he has good days and he has really average ones.

Thankfully Locke and Mateo were going great guns yesterday but we need more from the halves.

 

[TheDMC]

So Manu is pretty much our best player atm. How many errors until he "needs to move into the forwards" or "is an overpaid liability" again?

Ahh there he is!

I would say 2 to three errors for three games running and then Vatuvei will be mud again. But meanwhile he is playing great, good on him.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

If we get Tomkins, what then for Locke? He proved yesterday that he's got way too much class to be a bench warmer. Any chance of Johnson 7, Locke 6, Tomkins 1?

 

[Iafeta]

IMO, if we got Tomkins, both Locke and Tomkins will start. I would not be surprised if Tomkins played stand off, purely because he's played some football there. I'd prefer to see Locke there though, as I think he's got a lot of good vision. I remember in NYC for quite a while there he was basically the lethal weapon at the back and stepping up to control the last option plays too. Effectively as well.

 

[Diesel]

I wouldn't mind seeing Locke at stand off, even for 1/2 a game to see what he is like.

Tomkins would be great, however it's all speculation until he signs

 

[Meth]

Manu- 47
Locke- 22
Mateo- 21
Matulino- 4
Taylor- 4
Leuluai- 2
Packer- 1

17 voted

 

[ozbash]

3-manu
2-taylor
1-locke

sorry i'm late...

 

[Meth]

3-manu
2-taylor
1-locke

sorry i'm late...

Too late

BTW- how predictable has it become that Manu will dominate Uate?

 

[ozbash]

Uate looked worried till he went off.

 

[Blair]

Uate looked worried till he went off.

One of the TV replays of Manu's try is from ground level and in front of the action.

It shows how imposing he is. Uate, or most other backs in the NRL for that matter, wouldn't want The Beast running at them.