Cowboys v Broncos

[Talanexor]

Wow. Two responses. One who thinks I'm a moron and one who thinks I've hit the nail on the head. Might wait until tomorrow until Shorty, Elyod, StinkyPete, ThePainGame and maybe bitchmcdick make their judgements.

Feel free to criticise me - I have never ever claimed to be a league expert. All I'm saying is what I see. Go ahead and tell me if I've stuffed up, but I don't think I have,

 

[Newcastle Cow]

Well yeah I'd be keen to hear what others have to say but in my opinion you're on the money.

I feel for Ty Williams, I really do. He's got heart (I was also impressed with some of his kamikaze kick returns) but when you're that size you need great pace and/or skill to cut it in the NRL. He just doesn't have that any more. He also seems to 'float' in and out of games, sometimes he's giving it everything he's got, other times he just seems to amble around. We bought a specialist fullback to replace Mango, lets use him. If he's honestly no better, then what have we lost?, sure he could be worse but thats a big if in my opinion. I'd be happy for Ty to take Bani's spot if Gallant comes in, then we might get an idea if there is truth to this 'faster than ever' claim.

Ok sleep now, drunk drunk

 

[Newcastle Cow]

Well yeah I'd be keen to hear what others have to say but in my opinion you're on the money.

I feel for Ty Williams, I really do. He's got heart (I was also impressed with some of his kamikaze kick returns) but when you're that size you need great pace and/or skill to cut it in the NRL. He just doesn't have that any more. He also seems to 'float' in and out of games, sometimes he's giving it everything he's got, other times he just seems to amble around. We bought a specialist fullback to replace Mango, lets use him. If he's honestly no better, then what have we lost?, sure he could be worse but thats a big if in my opinion. I'd be happy for Ty to take Bani's spot if Gallant comes in, then we might get an idea if there is truth to this 'faster than ever' claim.

Ok sleep now, drunk drunk

 

[Talanexor]

Well yeah I'd be keen to hear what others have to say but in my opinion you're on the money.

I feel for Ty Williams, I really do. He's got heart (I was also impressed with some of his kamikaze kick returns) but when you're that size you need great pace and/or skill to cut it in the NRL. He just doesn't have that any more. He also seems to 'float' in and out of games, sometimes he's giving it everything he's got, other times he just seems to amble around. We bought a specialist fullback to replace Mango, lets use him. If he's honestly no better, then what have we lost?, sure he could be worse but thats a big if in my opinion. I'd be happy for Ty to take Bani's spot if Gallant comes in, then we might get an idea if there is truth to this 'faster than ever' claim.

Ok sleep now, drunk drunk

I think after tonight's effort we can say that Ty Williams is a winger, nothing but. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the centres at Ash Graham's expense, but I don't think he's a long term option there either. After all, Ash Graham didn't play that badly - he seems to have improved a lot - but whether that is enough to secure a first grade spot, or whether his poor defensive reads will cost him the jersey remains to be seen.

I know I'm biased, but most will admit Bani was very disappointing tonight.

Bolton was awesome. Every carry he looked dangerous, except for the onetime when he coughed up the ball. Runs superb lines. Tonga looked very dangerous too. Has a nice step and very good positioning.

I read somewhere else that Watts was getting a wrap for his involvement. Clearly we were watching two different games. Watts sucked for mine, and usually I'm a big fan of his. Hopefully we get Ray Thompson in the halves next week.

 

[elyod138]

I agree with some of what you said Tal (sort of).

I didn't think Bani was as bad as you thought. He just seems solid to me, not outstanding but not worthy of the hatred you give him every week.

I don't think Ty was as bad as you said either, but I agree that he's not quick enough to play fullback anymore.

I think we definitely need to inject some speed into the backline. Any half breaks the opposition make are certain tries because our backs can't run them down and any breaks we make are shut down because the opposition backs are faster than ours.

If I was the coach I would look at replacing a couple of backs with Gallant, Geia, Malone or Tupou, depending on who is in form.

Rovelli is a passenger and didn't really offer anything at all.

I thought we looked terrible when Payne was off the field. Watts may be quick and have good footwork, but he doesn't have the ability to get the team rolling forward like Payne does.

I thought Kaufusi definitely played well enough for firstgrade, he was our 2nd best prop by far (the only one besides Scott to make over 100m). He was actually showing some aggression, unlike last year.

Manuokafoa did a good job in defence, I'm not sure we had enough possession when he was on the field to judge his attacking game.

Tonga played his best game in a Cowboys jersey (and probably one of his best in the last 5 years).

Bolton looks to have improved even more over the offseason and it looks like Rapira has worked on his running game too.

 

[Big Pete]

1. Gallant
2. B Bowen
3. Tupou
4. Tonga
5. J Williams
6. Thompson
7. Thurston
8. Scott
9. Payne
10. Tamou
11. Bolton
12. Southern
13. O'Donnell

14. Watts
15. Kaufusi
16. Rapira
17. Mason

My oh my...

Gallant could be an option at fullback, but really I see the fullback at situation at North Queensland as a race between a douche and a turd sandwich (in terms of ability).

:lol::lol::lol: Brenton Bowen. Bani was fine, not worth getting your panties in a twist over. I didn't see ANY criticism on John Williams which I find just as funny given how 'well' he played.

What did Tupou do? His two tries in the 20's were served up to him on a silver platter and for the most part was dominated by a Under 20's centre.

Sorry to break your heart, but Thompson is no better than Rovelli at this stage.

What did Tamou do to deserve a go at prop infront of Kafusi, who had a good game?

Southern always gets such an easy ride on these things, I fail to understand why. He was very average for you tonight.

I didn't come into criticise the Cowboys though - I'm actually here to congratulate you on a good performance. You guys were the better side for the majority of the match for mine and there was a lot of positives to take out of that match for your side, in fact, more so than the Broncos.

Payne and Thurston really did well in exposing the Broncos right hand side defence and it really helped Tonga as a result. If that game was anything to go by, Will is in for a big year and I for one would really be glad for him.

Your starting pack (sans Southern) all put forward good efforts albeit, there wasn't enough variation in their work. However, they did their job and if that's a sign of things to come, 2010 could really be a good year.

If I was selecting the side next week...

1. Ty Williams
2. Michael Bani
3. Ashley Graham
4. Willie Tonga
5. John Williams
6. Grant Rovelli
7. Jonathan Thurston
8. Mat Scott
9. Aaron Payne
10. Antonio Kafusi
11. Scott Bolton
12. Steve Rapira
13. Luke O'Donnell

14. Anthony Watts
15. Carl Webb
16. Willie Mason
17. James Tamou

Much more impact off THAT bench than the one that played tonight.

 

[StinkyPete]

I want to see next week:

1.T Williams
2. M Bani
3. W Tupou ( I know his trys were soft but still surely he defends better than Gash)
4. W Tonga
5. J Williams
6. A Watts
7. JT
8. M Scott
9. A Payne
10. A Kafusi
11. S Bolton
12. S Rapira
13. LOD

14. C Webb
15. M Manukoafoa
16. J Tamou
17. L Ah Mau

Now thats a nice looking side. Backline is still average wouldn't mind seeing either winger swaped out for Obe Geia.

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

If Rapira isn't one of the best young backrowers in the game i will walk to China..
He was outstanding in defence when he came on last night...& he really knows how to hit in a tackle.

 

[Shorty]

Wow. Two responses. One who thinks I'm a moron and one who thinks I've hit the nail on the head. Might wait until tomorrow until Shorty, Elyod, StinkyPete, ThePainGame and maybe bitchmcdick make their judgements.

Feel free to criticise me - I have never ever claimed to be a league expert. All I'm saying is what I see. Go ahead and tell me if I've stuffed up, but I don't think I have,

You seem to have obsession on two polar levels for the players.
One is blind hatred and the other is blind adoration.

Bani - Wasn't that bad, we get it you have it in for him, I think the best idea would be to completely omit any comment you have from him because it's going to be unfairly judged.
He made a few mistakes, but so what he made a few blinders as well.

Ash - Yep look, he's got to go...and I think Ty should be there.
Ty - We need speed at fullback, and he wasn't good enough....he's got defense but enough is enough, Gallant should be there.

Kafusi was fantastic, and one of the best on field - He's improved greatly and deserves acknowledgment.

Rovelli? Well I'm clearly in the minority here, apart from a few standard errors he did what was asked of him.
He was actually there in support for Thurston quite a bit.

Payne - The unsung hero, Thurston would want to remember who got us back into that match because it wasn't his dummy spitting skills, it was Payne who moved quickly through the ruck and created opportunity for Thurston.

Tonga - Awesome, I'm sure those who thought we signed a washed up center are eating their words now.

John Williams - Did nothing really.

Thurston - My opinion of him changed last night because he didn't look like he wanted to win with the team, he wanted that win to himself.
And if that's the case then he can pack his bags, because it's an insult to someone like Aaron Payne who came back out injured because his team needed him.

Payne is the heart and soul of this team, he's stuck through thick and thin and Thurston would want to pay attention to that.

 

[Big Pete]

I really don't get the hate for Graham following THIS performance.

 

[Shorty]

Pete, that right hand side was repeatedly violated by Broncos and overlap occurred a large amount of the time.
Ash did it over and over again, rushed in and Williams was left to defend two players and in they went.

I like Ashley Graham and he does try but that rushing is an awful habit that looks to have not been addressed properly.
Why do you think the Broncos were so successful on that right side?
And you could tell he knows it, he didn't smile at all last night even when we were close to taking it out.

 

[Big Pete]

The Broncos always had the numbers on that side and Graham actually shut us down a few times because he rushed up, forcing Norman to abort the pass and run it himself.

 

[Shorty]

Yeah, well I mean it's obvious a panic technique that he has but it's just a really big weakness.
It's not all his fault, like I've said before Parramatta found ways to neutralise Grothe's weaknesses.

But something needs to be done about it, perhaps slip Ty and Ash together, I'm not sure if it's been done and how successful it's been?

The main concern is speed though and fullback needs to be sorted asap, I think we'll see Gallant put there soon enough because I don't think King expects us to compete consistently with a slow fullback.

 

[MasterYoda]

Rovelli, a problem he remains.

 

[Ianc]

Pete, that right hand side was repeatedly violated by Broncos and overlap occurred a large amount of the time.
Ash did it over and over again, rushed in and Williams was left to defend two players and in they went.

Most times he didn't come in the gap is there but on the inside. The inside men are the problem.

That side as real issues with mis reads & Graham gets caned for it on most forums. JT is shocking with his reads on that side.

 

[The Pain Game]

I agree with Talanexor but I am not sure whether we just change it all or keep the faith a bit. J Williams and Ashley Graham were pretty poor - Ashley Graham nearly bombed Williams try by also going for it, and kept coming off the line a million miles an hour leaving J Williams in trouble (who looked to have a leg injury as he was all bandaged up like a race horse). Graham's communication and reading was poor despite improvement in his running, as he seemed free of injury for the first time in ages.

I don't think Bani was good but I don't he was terrible. Then again, Willie Tonga had never played a better game for us in attack, and Bani had millions of opportunities and did not do too much with it. So many other NRL wingers would have scored a few with Tonga inside them creating opportunities and distributing the ball.

Taebo and Rovelli did not play too well. I hope Gallant and Thompson had blinders. I know Will Tupou did... and debuting at home would be a good way to bring him in.

Kafusi looked to be good at times, but not consistent enough. I remember he had a good three games early in the year last year, so he needs to back up on it. Certainly did not look as troubled on his knees though - same for Willie Mason.

I like Watts in the team, but I only see him as a back-up to Payne. He had a pretty poor game, but I bet Neil Henry would have prefered to have played him later.

1 Shannon Gallant - if he got over his trial butter-finger demons
2 Ty Williams/Obe Geia/Michael Bani
3 Will Tupou
4 Willie Tonga
5 John Williams
6 Rovelli/Thompson - might as well blood Thompson now
7 JT
8 Scott
9 Payne
10 Webb
11 Bolton
12 Rapira/Southern
13 LOD
14 Watts
15 Rapira/Southern
16 Kafusi/Tamou
17 BIG WILLIE

 

[Talanexor]

Did anyone notice that Bolton and O'Donnell are playing on different sides of the ruck to last year? I think this might have been a deliberate strategy to stiffen up the right side defence, so that if Graham DOES rush up, O'Donnell can slide across.

The big problem was that John Williams kept running infield, instead of trusting O'Donnell to tackle the opposing centre.

All in all, I think Ty Williams probably needs to be in the team somewhere, just not at fullback. Maybe on the wings or at right centre will be the place for him.

Kaufusi has certainly improved, but his performance in the first half wasn't that great. I think he deserves his spot in the team - certainly over Manuokafoa, who was invisible - but I still want to see him run the ball with more aggression.

Big Pete, you're right about Southern not having much of an impact, this was the weakest game from him I've seen in a while. He doesn't have a whole lot of natural talent BUT he does put in 100% every match. He's the kind of player every team needs in their forward pack. I would still pick him in the team next week.

 

[beave]

Most times he didn't come in the gap is there but on the inside. The inside men are the problem.

That side as real issues with mis reads & Graham gets caned for it on most forums. JT is shocking with his reads on that side.

JT doesn't defend on our right hand side Ian....................

 

[Ianc]

JT doesn't defend on our right hand side Ian....................

Last year he was swapping around so he wasn't targeted. I assumed he was doing the same in this game but am not sure.

 

[The Pain Game]

I think LOD and Bolton were swapped so that LOD's attack is not compromised by doing too much defending on all the traffic aimed at Thurston. I was half hoping the same would be done with Tonga, but he had an all-round blinder - best game in years, if not the best ever (as his Dogs days consisted of great attack, but average defence).

Goes to show how good Bolton is going if he handled that well, and did his job in attack.