Around the Grounds

[Woody90]

You know, just watching Origin at the moment and I think one thing our team really, really needs is a half that's actually willing to pass the ball across Ponga's face from time to time, and know when to do it. Our shapes are just way too obvious when he's getting the ball and when he isn't.

QLD halves don’t really know how to use him either. He’s been awful.

 

[Alex28]

QLD halves don’t really know how to use him either. He’s been awful.

Maybe it isn’t the teams he plays for.

Maybe it’s him?

 

[HarVeeGee]

Queensland have been destroyed in the arm wrestle in his defence.

Less in his defence, the Blues having Dylan Edwards and the Maroons having Walsh/Ponga is part of why the Blues keep winning the arm wrestle.

 

[Woody90]

Maybe it isn’t the teams he plays for.

Maybe it’s him?

I think Matt Thompson was trying to subtly imply this in the commentary.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Maybe fewer attacking 20 sets would go by without him getting the ball if he didn’t just loiter out of play for the whole set. Maybe that’s a contributing factor. Is it possible?

 

[Alex28]

It’s all very well for the Knights to be demolished in the media about not knowing how to use Ponga.

At some point, he needs to work out how to use the players around him. And if he can’t work it out playing for QLD, perhaps it isn’t our fault after all.

 

[Alex28]

What a pass from Connor!

 

[Rod]

Pretty similar Kalyn to what we've been getting at club level lately. Trying to get involved but no front foot ball or space to work with in a well beaten side.

 

[Apey]

And also Stephen Crichton is just phenomenal. beautiful to watch him always sum any given situation up perfectly.

Insanely good defender. I thought Ponga looked better in some of the sweep plays but Crichton didn't let anything by him.

 

[Woody90]

It’s all very well for the Knights to be demolished in the media about not knowing how to use Ponga.

At some point, he needs to work out how to use the players around him. And if he can’t work it out playing for QLD, perhaps it isn’t our fault after all.

In a small way (well actually a big way because I’m a Blue’s fan) I’m glad he didn’t go out there and brain it. It would have just fired the false narrative that he’s too good for the Knights.

He and the halves couldn’t really do anything though with the QLD pack being smashed.

 

[Woody90]

That game definitely needed more Bradman Best though. He’ll never get a nod while Critter and Latrell are fit which is such a shame because the guy is such an Origin player.

 

[Alex28]

I suspect we’ll have KP back for game 2.

1. Munster
6. Dearden
7. DCE

If they are dropping anyone from the spine, he’s it.

 

[Woody90]

I don’t think Slater will drop him. The whole QLD spine were equally bad and he can’t drop all of them.

 

[HarVeeGee]

I suspect we’ll have KP back for game 2.

1. Munster
6. Dearden
7. DCE

If they are dropping anyone from the spine, he’s it.

Munster was poor at fullback for Melbourne the last time they had to use him there, I think he’s lost too much pace now.

if they were going to pick someone else at fullback it would be Hammer.

 

[HarVeeGee]

That game definitely needed more Bradman Best though. He’ll never get a nod while Critter and Latrell are fit which is such a shame because the guy is such an Origin player.

He’s desperately unlucky, if he played his whole career in any era before 2020 he’d be a 20+ game Origin player. Latrell & Crichton (and Turbo before that) may be the best Blues centres ever.

 

[Apey]

You know, just watching Origin at the moment and I think one thing our team really, really needs is a half that's actually willing to pass the ball across Ponga's face from time to time, and know when to do it. Our shapes are just way too obvious when he's getting the ball and when he isn't.

Cogger does it sometimes, just not intentionally.

 

[Apey]

I suspect we’ll have KP back for game 2.

1. Munster
6. Dearden
7. DCE

If they are dropping anyone from the spine, he’s it.

You're kidding yourself if you think that was a droppable performance.

 

[Rod]

The droppable performance was from DCE. Straight swap for Dearden if you're changing the spine.

 

[Apey]

The droppable performance was from DCE. Straight swap for Dearden if you're changing the spine.

Really hope Roosters do sign him because he's cooked and I hate the Roosters.

 

[Alex28]

You're kidding yourself if you think that was a droppable performance.

If they are bringing in Dearden, who do you reckon they drop to make that happen?

They aren’t dropping DCE. They won’t drop Munster. I can’t see them dropping Grant.

KP is the most droppable of the 4. His step/dummy doesn’t cut it any more. The opposition knows what he is going to do.