Dragons vs Hull

[Carlton]

Carlton, Dufty is a little bloke, he is going to get man-handled. But he is exciting and he hits the ball at speed.
Who would you play at fullback if not Dufty? Mann? Field? Those guys are also pretty slight and won't defend like dugan did on the line.

Personally, my choice wouldn't be out of the Dufty. Mann, Field. It would be a player like RTS, a proven first grader with pace, size and stronger defence. The fact he is a little bloke and will get man handled and have trouble with goal line defence is the point I was trying to make.

 

[Carlton]

Yeah, Dufty’s first run was great, got outside his man and through a hole. Needs to realise that won’t happen every time though. Will come with experience, his acceleration is sot of deceptive and he’ll grow as a player.

And I also don’t get the criticism of Host, I reckon it’s a case of some people hitching their wagon to the Leilua train and wanting to talk down the competition. In reality, he played wel and put his hand up for Thommo’s spot. His defense was very good, save for his contribution to the Watts try (which is more on Sele, who didn’t move up with the defensive line). And as mention, he was great with ball in hand, hitting the line hard and making 5-10m post contact every time. The way he angled his run to isolate edge defenders is exactly what is needed from edge backrowers.

Spot on BennyV, my comments about Dufty's attack were because so many people were treating it like it was world beating. There were good things about it but his runs were selfish, the sort of thing you see in juniors. Get the ball and then dont worry about your backline just try to run around the defence.

Couldn't agree more about Host, I thought he looked really solid in attack and defence. He seems to have put on a bit of muscle.

 

[denis preston]

Personally, my choice wouldn't be out of the Dufty. Mann, Field. It would be a player like RTS, a proven first grader with pace, size and stronger defence. The fact he is a little bloke and will get man handled and have trouble with goal line defence is the point I was trying to make.

????.

 

[ouryear]

Spot on BennyV, my comments about Dufty's attack were because so many people were treating it like it was world beating. There were good things about it but his runs were selfish, the sort of thing you see in juniors. Get the ball and then dont worry about your backline just try to run around the defence.

Couldn't agree more about Host, I thought he looked really solid in attack and defence. He seems to have put on a bit of muscle.

The guy is just anxious to do some good things on the field, he will learn to combine with his team mates once he realises he doesn't need to prove himself every minute of the game.

He is just nervous about proving he is up to it.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

The guy is just anxious to do some good things on the field, he will learn to combine with his team mates once he realises he doesn't need to prove himself every minute of the game.

He is just nervous about proving he is up to it.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

My Quick observations:-
.Garrick is not ready for first grade anything- looked like a boy playing against men
.Hunt's kicking game was little better than McCrone's-the Hull full back was rarely challenged from a bomb- generally Hunt will need to do a lot more to allay my concern that we should have paid the $million dollar contract to Widdop.
.Defensive issues remain unaddressed-we played, apart from JDB and Friz our best team while Hull had many injuries. They were probably the worst of the three English teams but still made ground with ease. As with last year, Widdop had to make a lot of last ditch tackles. Our line speed just gets worse as the game goes on.
.We need an athletic and classy winger- Nighty is one of the best at scoring from ten metres out in the corner but he is small and slow which makes him a liability against guys like the Melbourne pair. Lomax is promising but inexperienced. McDonald looks unfit and overweight and nearly butchered his second try by not making the sensible decision to step inside the last defender right on the line.
.I can't see us getting near Souths in the Shield considering the way they played last night and players who will be coming into their team next week

 

[ouryear]

My Quick observations:-
.Garrick is not ready for first grade anything- looked like a boy playing against men
.Hunt's kicking game was little better than McCrone's-the Hull full back was rarely challenged from a bomb- generally Hunt will need to do a lot more to allay my concern that we should have paid the $million dollar contract to Widdop.
.Defensive issues remain unaddressed-we played, apart from JDB and Friz our best team while Hull had many injuries. They were probably the worst of the three English teams but still made ground with ease. As with last year, Widdop had to make a lot of last ditch tackles. Our line speed just gets worse as the game goes on.
.We need an athletic and classy winger- Nighty is one of the best at scoring from ten metres out in the corner but he is small and slow which makes him a liability against guys like the Melbourne pair. Lomax is promising but inexperienced. McDonald looks unfit and overweight and nearly butchered his second try by not making the sensible decision to step inside the last defender right on the line.
.I can't see us getting near Souths in the Shield considering the way they played last night and players who will be coming into their team next week

Hopefully.. ..and most likely, our boys will go to the next level. The correct mental attitude is all that's needed.

Looking at the raiders, tri colour rorters, and cowboys who all lost their trials, things will change once the real deal starts.

 

[Carlton]

The guy is just anxious to do some good things on the field, he will learn to combine with his team mates once he realises he doesn't need to prove himself every minute of the game.

He is just nervous about proving he is up to it.

You may very well be right but whatever the reason I wasn't overly keen on the way he was attacking in the Hull game. He has speed and is elusive but he needs to play to the team a bit more. He is not going to the solo game breaker doing things the same way in first grade as he was in u20s.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

My Quick observations:-
.Garrick is not ready for first grade anything- looked like a boy playing against men
.Hunt's kicking game was little better than McCrone's-the Hull full back was rarely challenged from a bomb- generally Hunt will need to do a lot more to allay my concern that we should have paid the $million dollar contract to Widdop.
.Defensive issues remain unaddressed-we played, apart from JDB and Friz our best team while Hull had many injuries. They were probably the worst of the three English teams but still made ground with ease. As with last year, Widdop had to make a lot of last ditch tackles. Our line speed just gets worse as the game goes on.
.We need an athletic and classy winger- Nighty is one of the best at scoring from ten metres out in the corner but he is small and slow which makes him a liability against guys like the Melbourne pair. Lomax is promising but inexperienced. McDonald looks unfit and overweight and nearly butchered his second try by not making the sensible decision to step inside the last defender right on the line.
.I can't see us getting near Souths in the Shield considering the way they played last night and players who will be coming into their team next week

Agree with this 97%.

There isn't an issue with either Nightingale nor Widdop. Also, Hunt showed enough glimpses to suggest he will be fine (predicated by good coaching, of course).

As you've pointed out, lack of line speed was a concern - as it has been since 2012.

Besides still looking unfit, MacDonald has a frustrating proclivity to make rudimentary scoring opportunities look much harder than what they should be. Last night was yet another occurrence.

Lomax surprised me. Has he bulked up during the off season? Not having a program guide, I couldn't fathom why no. 20, who looked big enough to be a second rower, was standing on the wing.

He looks ready. Pick him, even if it's at Dufty's expense.

McGregor won't though.

 

[ouryear]

Agree with this 97%.

There isn't an issue with either Nightingale nor Widdop. Also, Hunt showed enough glimpses to suggest he will be fine (predicated by good coaching, of course).

As you've pointed out, lack of line speed was a concern - as it has been since 2012.

Besides still looking unfit, MacDonald has a frustrating proclivity to make rudimentary scoring opportunities look much harder than what they should be. Last night was yet another occurrence.

Lomax surprised me. Has he bulked up during the off season? Not having a program guide, I couldn't fathom why no. 20, who looked big enough to be a second rower, was standing on the wing.

He looks ready. Pick him, even if it's at Dufty's expense.

McGregor won't though.

No way drop Dufty.
He ran 200 Mts, made breaks, and has been rated the player of the match by well regarded judges.

If we need to put Lomax in, then sorry, times up Nighty, Lafai or Aiken.

Surely you jest about Dufty

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

No way drop Dufty.
He ran 200 Mts, made breaks, and has been rated the player of the match by well regarded judges.

If we need to put Lomax in, then sorry, times up Nighty, Lafai or Aiken.

Surely you jest about Dufty

Not one bit.

There's a few other 'forumsters' who have expressed concerned about Dufty being manhandled in defence. Also, his reluctance to contest 'bombs' was again highlighted yesterday.

I had Adam Quinlan flashbacks.

 

[Saints Forever]

Was impressed by Robson during his brief stint on the field.

Very smooth delivery from dummy half. Would like to see him get further trial time against Souths.

Field has bulked up, but it doesn't appear to have affected his speed.

Lomax looks very promising, plenty of size. Would like to see him in the open to assess his speed.

Dufty played very well. Full back spot is his to lose.

None of the young forwards were overly impressive.

Some poor reads in defence and a lack of energy.

Was a hot day. We started without any zip. Gaz suggested this was as a result of not cutting back training.

Hull was down a number of troops yet they had a real dig.

Low key start.

The Souths game will give us a better idea of how well the coaching staff has prepared the team.

 

[KiamaSaint]

I am happy to lose every trial game if it all about getting our team fit and ready for the NRL season ahead.

 

[saintm]

Why?

Agree with this 97%.

There isn't an issue with either Nightingale nor Widdop. Also, Hunt showed enough glimpses to suggest he will be fine (predicated by good coaching, of course).

As you've pointed out, lack of line speed was a concern - as it has been since 2012.

Besides still looking unfit, MacDonald has a frustrating proclivity to make rudimentary scoring opportunities look much harder than what they should be. Last night was yet another occurrence.

Lomax surprised me. Has he bulked up during the off season? Not having a program guide, I couldn't fathom why no. 20, who looked big enough to be a second rower, was standing on the wing.

He looks ready. Pick him, even if it's at Dufty's expense.

McGregor won't though.

 

[dragonssamy61]

This sounds a bit out there but I reckon Field could cover left centre - similar playing style to Brett Kenny when he was young and started playing centre at the Eels - big step, acceleration and good hands!

Mickey
Do you think his defence is good enough.
Thats were he would suffer.
I think impact player of the bench to start with imo

 

[dragonssamy61]

Is Dufty similar size to Lachlan Coote?I’ve seen Coote make some amazing 1 on 1 tackles and try savers.

Pat
Very similar in weight and hieght.

 

[BennyV]

Field to left centre is a new level of square peg/round hole silliness!

 

[Brutalitops]

RewatxgRew the game on Fox League without having to worry about the result and focusing on individual performances.

I think one thing that has been very underrated is some of Ben HuntsH kicks. That banana kick behind the posts was absolutely brilliant and was two millimetres from being caught by Lafai.

Not to mention that perfectly weighted bomb to Latimore than was a sure try if not for Nighty's fingertip.

I am beyond excited to see our spine this year, even in this trial they showed glimpses of some special combinations opening up

 

[mickeylane]

Field to left centre is a new level of square peg/round hole silliness!

Why is that silly - he naturally runs right to left, he naturally passes right to left, his pace would be phenomenal on a one on situation, he has a natural dummy like Brett Kenny and his size is perfect for a centre.

You have to find a spot for this kid even though I think he will Be the 1st grade FB at some stage this year - he’s that good - not saying Dufty is not good just that Field is a class above

 

[mickeylane]

Mickey
Do you think his defence is good enough.
Thats were he would suffer.
I think impact player of the bench to start with imo

His defence would be purely one on one with the opposite centre or fullback coming at him where at 5/8 he has edge back rowers coming at him. I believe his size would confer him out there. I’m just saying it shouldn’t be dismissed as an idea even though it’s a far fetched one st this stage