GAME DAY THREAD - SHARKIES vs. THE RIFF in VEGAS

[Generalzod]

Fitzy questioned why weren't we allowed to challenge, the answer is obvious Klein should never be allowed to ref another game again.

 

[Generalzod]

Did they get dudded by Rinaldo getting penalised after Martin stiff armed a player?

Well the next following play Martin gets penalised for a stiff arm to the same player.

 

[R-15-3]

AFB did what he was paid to do.
Biggest let down and has avoided criticism is Kafusi his stats don’t even wipe AFB ass.

 

[Inferno]

Fitzy questioned why weren't we allowed to challenge, the answer is obvious Klein should never be allowed to ref another game again.

I wondered about that because the lost ball/ruck interference seems to be the most common thing challenged since it was introduced.

I also thought they changed the rule so teams could no longer intentionally give away a penalty to challenge the play before. that was exactly what Leota did.

 

[Get_Sharked]

This was one of those “narrative” games.

Panthers are underdone. Panthers are unsettled. Sharks are the most settled team in the comp. Sharks need to win to show they can match it with the other teams. Nicho needs to prove he can play big games. Blah blah.

It was a big stage, a rare opportunity for the boys to play a big team with big hype in front of a big crowd… with the joyful upside of being mostly inconsequential, apart from two points, despite all the narratives being woven in the media. We’ll be better for having had the experience. Being a big stage, of course the Panthers were always going to show up. This is a team that thrives on the big stage, they almost treat the season proper like an afterthought. The fact that we matched them and probably would’ve had them if not for those insane brain explosions and errors noted above… good early signs.

 

[Poss]

What happened with 90 seconds to go when Panthers had the ball coming off their line and they lost it forward but then they got it back and made a mini break up the field? How was that not a knock on and Sharks ball? They didnt show a replay. Maybe we raked it out or something but would be good to see again

 

[grozzy]

Nicho and some of the other boys are tucking into Burger King before their flights back.

 

[Panther Pete]

I understand you guys are disappointed but I actually thought you went ok. To be fair Penrith are a decent team and for you guys to be down 24-10 and come back showed plenty of ticker. There were a couple of things that went our way in the last few minutes that I didn’t understand so the result could easily have been different. Anyway I only comment here when we play you guys so good luck with the rest of the season and hopefully we play each other again in the semis.

 

[Get_Sharked]

Couple of things went Panthers way in the final minutes, but they balanced out the couple of things that went our way early. Typical Ashley Klein cock up of a game. I reckon that hit out by Kennedy (which was bloody good by the way) should’ve been a try. But I’m flummoxed by Klein refusing Cam’s challenge.

 

[roboshark]

It's Klein. Don't need any explanations. The guy is the worst thing to happen to the game ever

 

[Panther Pete]

Couple of things went Panthers way in the final minutes, but they balanced out the couple of things that went our way early. Typical Ashley Klein cock up of a game. I reckon that hit out by Kennedy (which was bloody good by the way) should’ve been a try. But I’m flummoxed by Klein refusing Cam’s challenge.

I didn’t understand the challenge thing either. And your are right some things went your way in the first half to the point I thought Klein was a cheat but then he did the same for us in the second half which I think just shows he is just a very bad ref.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

People whinge about Kennedy and Nicho, but the real handbrake in our spine for me is Brailey.
Now, I’m not saying he’s crap, he’s more than serviceable - he’s super dependable, durable, doesn’t make many mistakes, good service…… but he does NOT know how to get his forwards on a roll, and he has ZERO craft/deception/creativity.
He rarely engages the markers, there’s no deception or trickery in his play, he just shovels it on (very nicely and consistently) and it’s all very predictable - that’s why our forwards are not as good as they could be…. And that’s the 1 position in our spine that I’d choose to swap for a world class player. Stick Api at 9 in our team and we’re a whole new team.

Very good point Chimp.

If we had a 2016 Mick Ennis running the show yesterday we win.

Actually a 2016 Ben Barba & a 2016 Maloney in that team yesterday and we really do the job.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

What happened with 90 seconds to go when Panthers had the ball coming off their line and they lost it forward but then they got it back and made a mini break up the field? How was that not a knock on and Sharks ball? They didnt show a replay. Maybe we raked it out or something but would be good to see again

Not one f**king replay.

It’s like it’s only the Sharks who gives a f**k.

If it was the Panthers who could’ve been dudded they’d be analysing it during the game and after.

 

[MrBlack]

Thought you guys played pretty well yesterday and a top 4 finish should be your minimum expectation.

Cleary loves working over a fullback and Kennedy seems to fall for it every time. He was not seen in 2 of our tries (Yeo and Tago). Hynes would be a better option at the back.

 

[Cheese sandwich]

The ref in the other game was just as bad, the first try he's got full view of it in perfect position but sends it upstairs no try. The drunks in the nosebleed section would have seen the ball on the line. There was something else too but forgotten it now.

 

[bluefox68]

The thing that stood out to me was our handling of the first few sets coming off our try-line - Panthers are absolutely ruthless…
You could say that they are in all of these sets - but it’s the first few that kill the dream…

There has to be a way of counter-punching…
Their defence swarms…
Do we either spread the ball early - it worked once, but the narrow field didn’t help us…
OR - try a shallow kick to Stoney - Nicho seems capable of doing this…

All I know is - our current tactic is not working.

 

[PJ]

What happened with 90 seconds to go when Panthers had the ball coming off their line and they lost it forward but then they got it back and made a mini break up the field? How was that not a knock on and Sharks ball? They didnt show a replay. Maybe we raked it out or something but would be good to see again

Have the same question, but don't think we raked it as I was pretty sure the count didn't restart

 

[Generalzod]

Very good point Chimp.

If we had a 2016 Mick Ennis running the show yesterday we win.

Actually a 2016 Ben Barba & a 2016 Maloney in that team yesterday and we really do the job.

Yep we win, Saying that Hynes reminds me of that Elton John song called passangers kinda explains what Hynes is a passenger in our team.

 

[Stake Removed]

I didn’t understand the challenge thing either. And your are right some things went your way in the first half to the point I thought Klein was a cheat but then he did the same for us in the second half which I think just shows he is just a very bad ref.

You guys got a couple of dud calls first half we got some second half.
What that tells me that Klein should not be anywhere near handling games when top teams are involved.

 

[Stake Removed]

We could have won that game going over it again, 4 mistakes we know them
Not finding touch
Kick off out on full
Nicho dropping kick off
Ronnie brain implosion

Against Panthers you do that we deserve to lose they don't make those mistakes.
Same crap we did vs storm in semis from start of game Kennedy let ball go dead.

We managed to learn to beat top 8 teams, it's now beating storm and Panthers what that takes no stupid mistakes, everyone will drop a ball now and then, the other stuff they don't do, it's basically giving them an opportunity and if they don't score they sap your strength in defence and f**king it out off your line