Game Day: First Semi vs Cows

[island pro]

Yes. This is why it’s a specialist position. Iku grounds that.

I don’t understand why we give Tracey such a free pass. Yes he is a goer and runs hard but I’d put miller above him for that role.

Ika is a step behind and doesn't get a finger to it. I agree with your point overall about it being a specialist position, but he has plenty of upside. I'd still have him there over ika, and certainly over Miller. How is Miller a specialist winger? Just a less safe Connor.

In the end, they can all keep their spots and Ramien can f**k off.

 

[island pro]

Yep. I love watching our defence live, tonight there was one glaring person moving up not in synch, it was Dale every time. I'm not saying he caused any problems, but the fact 'the wall' wasn't the same as what I have seen made me question as to why

Dale's ribs were no good by the look of it. His drop balls both came from being hit in the ribs with his hands up high, and he tried to drop his hands quickly and lost the ball in the process. Just my guess anyway.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Hynes kicking as mentioned by others was really dumb, those mid field bombs were stupid.

Needs to be smarter with his kick selection, he has the capability just needs another off season to work on it.

Dale was pretty bad imo. That error was unacceptable . So much for being our clutch finals player

 

[Tiger Shark]

Without seeing a replay could connor have simply grounded the ball just on halftime instead of trying to pick it up?

Yep, no idea why he tried to do that.

Connor is a Jack of all trades master of none.

Katoa a chance next week?

 

[Frailty]

Yep. I love watching our defence live, tonight there was one glaring person moving up not in synch, it was Dale every time. I'm not saying he caused any problems, but the fact 'the wall' wasn't the same as what I have seen made me question as to why

The weird thing is that Dale was the real driver of our defence in the past. As @island pro mentions, I wouldn’t be surprised if his ribs are causing an issue and it could have also affected his match fitness.

My other concern was that Hamlin-Uele and Fifita got 24 and 16 minutes respectively. One impact prop on the bench with low minutes on the bench is fine, but two? I hate to say it because I think he is a plodder - but Sharks may have been better served to have Tolman on the bench to eat some more minutes.

 

[bad boy bubby]

The weird thing is that Dale was the real driver of our defence in the past. As @island pro mentions, I wouldn’t be surprised if his ribs are causing an issue and it could have also affected his match fitness.

My other concern was that Hamlin-Uele and Fifita got 24 and 16 minutes respectively. One impact prop on the bench with low minutes on the bench is fine, but two? I hate to say it because I think he is a plodder - but Sharks may have been better served to have Tolman on the bench to eat some more minutes.

I didn't know that BHU only got those minutes. I have to presume that there was something up as he has been our best go forward the last few weeks.

Anyway, I'm tired now and a little bit drunk. The only thing left in my mind about the game is how terrible Hynes kicking was. I dread to feel, that bar a few, a new sacred cow has more than approached the horizon

 

[shadowboxer]

Not much fun.
Atmosphere at the game had its moments but still a debacle to get a beer, food toilet etc.
And the result…
pretty well deserved. Great spectacle. Agree to bad the ref but some options taken by Hynes were tragic.
I don’t think the result reflected the effort but I’d be thinking about next year - being ruthless and swording anyone in your way.
I ain’t travelling anywhere next week / the Tele will do me fine

 

[Weaponhead]

Massive opportunity lost. To score 30 points in semi final at home and lose is a poor result. Defence was not up to standard. Lacked the killer instinct to press the advantage when they had the momentum. At 12-6, had the momentum having absorbed their early energy then conceded 2 soft tries. The lack of urgency in stopping some of their tries was puzzling. The Dearden try was shambolic. He barely had a finger laid on him.

Bigger picture, hopefully this is a learning experience that despite all the effort they put in, a little extra is needed when it matters most.

Most were worried about error rates but they were pretty good.

 

[myrrh ken]

Amazing attack, amazingly shit defence.

Tracy brain explosion to come off his wing. Normally smarter than that.

 

[goldcoastpanther]

Amazing attack, amazingly shit defence.

Tracy brain explosion to come off his wing. Normally smarter than that.

Danks for that Buzz

 

[Weaponhead]

Amazing attack, amazingly shit defence.

Tracy brain explosion to come off his wing. Normally smarter than that.

Tracey is a goer but he had three poor plays that cost points.
1. Tried to scoop up the grubber when he just needed to force it right on half time.
2. Jamming in unnecessarily when the rest of the was sliding and had it covered, leaving Tualangi to score.
3. Not going for the ball in the Holmes incident and getting binned.

 

[Mr Angry]

Well our 9 did not dominate.

Maybe next year, API will be a Tiger.

Pfft halfbacks.

Robbo was great, to be fair was close.

 

[Eion]

A lot of positives.

We had them in the forwards and nicho with the ball in hand was great.

Couple dumb plays by Tracey and Dales worst game for us…and some shit luck was what ultimately cost us. Anyhoo, been a good season

 

[Ozzi_78]

Being that shit and unlucky at the same time just makes me want to switch off nrl today and all of next week as we hear about how good the cows were. f**k Chad f**k val and f**k Todd.

Will check the score on next weeks smash up.

 

[Ozzi_78]

Final thought…. That outcome put back years the notion that we are a new sharks, classic choke on the biggest stage with the most advantage. Love them but long way to go.

 

[Craigshark]

Far out, still just as empty and disappointed this morning as fulltime last night.. Fitzgibbon was positive in the press conference but hard to think how they’ll get up from being so deflated in a shortish turn around. Will be great if they can.

Finucane wasn’t great, but really looked like he was struggling with his ribs. Every time he got his near them, he dropped the ball. Someone else should have been taking that carry where he dropped it with a few minutes to go close to our line.

As soon as Tracey went for that ball on half time, I just knew he’d find a way to f**k it up. He’s tough, but lacks those important finishing skills which others have mentioned. Then for some reason, he inexplicably comes in when not required. The sin bin was a 50/50. Need to see a replay.

agree with others thoughts about Hynes kicking game. It looks like he is trying too hard to place the kicks rather then just boot it down the other end at times. Pretty good game in both attack and defence besides that. Doesn’t help he is our only kicking option. It would be nice if Brailey stepped up a bit.

was really hoping Ramien would get the better of holmes, but not to be.

that’s such a big loss at home after leading by 8 points with 8 minutes to go, we really should have got the result. The Finucane drop ball followed by the absolute bullshit penalty against moylan f**ked us. Then Moylan decides to solve a problem on Nanai that mcinnes had covered and it was all over from there.

 

[Weaponhead]

A couple of interesting defensive stats.
Will K - 7 missed tackles. Slater was great for the tries he saved as well as the tries he scored. Will has a lot to work on in saving tries.
Moyza - 10 missed tackles. He missed Drinkwater twice in the one movement before Chad grubbered for Holmes when Tracey was binned.

 

[Special K]

Ika is a step behind and doesn't get a finger to it. I agree with your point overall about it being a specialist position, but he has plenty of upside. I'd still have him there over ika, and certainly over Miller. How is Miller a specialist winger? Just a less safe Connor.

In the end, they can all keep their spots and Ramien can f**k off.

Few drinks deep but I meant for that can play anywhere here role id go miller over Tracey.

 

[Inferno]

Not much to say but echoing BBB's remarks on Hynes kicking game.

It was pretty poor and cost us field position all night.

It will be a huge test to see if Fitz can get them up for next week after last night's emotionally and physically draining encounter.

Here's to hoping the Bunnies and Roosters bash the ever loving fuc out of each other

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Well I haven’t given up.

Some of the fans on this forum might have given up.

But no way this team has given up.

No way they want to go out in straight sets.

Not with Fitzy running the show.

You could already see in the press conference Fitzy saying we’ll wash this off and onto next week. There is great spirit in this side, well coached and we are still pretty healthy.

Everyone saying how will we get up next week after a match like that. We’ll just think our next opponent will come from two teams bashing each other 2 weeks in a row and that has already taken a toll on them just after 1 encounter.

Got a feeling we’ll face Souffs. Results seem to reverse when two teams play each other in a very short time and Manu is a huge out for the Rorters.

For me we need Tolman back in the team to play some bigger minutes than what Fifita can offer. The Fifita sentiment should now end after last night to help us progress next week. I reckon Fitzy makes that call. We need some fresh legs to help our forwards recover from this game. Tolman can do that for us.

If we win we’ll we face the Panthers. A tougher matchup compared to what we would have had if we won last night but anything is possible. I mean if a side like the Eels can beat them twice in a season surely we have an opportunity to as well.

But one game at a time.

Don’t chuck your toys out of the pram just yet.