Marshall

[hybrid_tiger]

In many respects - he was also the one to keep us in the game.

You cant just have the attacking flair without the F8ck ups.

I mean this kid hasnt really played many close matches when you think about it - generally we wim by plenty or lose by plenty.

Keeping also in mind that our spine has been decimated and after spending an entire offseason with Molzen at 7, Farah and 9 and who knows at 1.

He was pretty much left to do it himself.

Dont be so hard on him.

He kept us in the game and I am not solely blaming him for the loss, but the issue is, he isn't a KID anymore. He's 28 and should have learnt how to close out a game by now.

You say we haven't really played many close matches? His mistakes have ended our past two seasons.

He just never, ever, ever closes out a game using ANY football brain at all.

- Dragons semi in 2010: kicks out on the full with minutes remaining, hands the Dragons the game.
- Warriors semi last year: runs the ball on the last when we are up by 2 with 2 remaining. Warriors go the length of the field and score the match winning try.

I realise we probably would have scored zilch without him on the field yesterday, but I can't make excuses for those dumb plays at the end. If they were a one off I would agree with you, but it's all too common. Little wonder we bought Anasta.

 

[Tiger05]

Yeah i cant blame Benji either, dumb piggy back penalties and under 5 defencive errors were the things that really cost us. I think it was Lukes 2nd try when i seen players make a tackle then turn their back to move on side... School kid stuff.

I was spewing at Benji at the end of the game but the criticism is a little unfounded isn't it.

We should have been able to hold them out after that. Lots of players to blame for that loss.

 

[TimmyB]

We can't take a trick with the referees either. I understand we haven't had any clangers against us as the sharks did in round 1, but still. I have no idea how we ended up on the wrong side of a 9-5 penalty count. Was I the only one who thought the penalty for a strip against Tuqiri was outrageous? I haven't seen the replay, but it looked like

a) There was only Tuqiri in the tack
b) Tuqiri wasn't deliberately playing at the ball. It was a desperate tackle he was falling off. If Taylor didn't have hands like feet he'd have come out the other side in the clear.

Again, we still should have won, but I can't understand how we can be on the wrong side of the penalty count three weeks in a row, and not by a small marign.

 

[TimmyB]

And Marshall is ridiculous. If I was a team mate, I'd be very, very unhappy if that chip and chase with 15 seconds to go. I thought a play like that just showed disdain for the efforts of his teammates.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

We can't take a trick with the referees either. I understand we haven't had any clangers against us as the sharks did in round 1, but still. I have no idea how we ended up on the wrong side of a 9-5 penalty count. Was I the only one who thought the penalty for a strip against Tuqiri was outrageous? I haven't seen the replay, but it looked like

a) There was only Tuqiri in the tack
b) Tuqiri wasn't deliberately playing at the ball. It was a desperate tackle he was falling off. If Taylor didn't have hands like feet he'd have come out the other side in the clear.

Again, we still should have won, but I can't understand how we can be on the wrong side of the penalty count three weeks in a row, and not by a small marign.

No way in the world the Lote one was a strip, it was a loose carry and a very good tackle. The strip rule is ridiculous, there is zero onus on the attacking player to secure the ball these days.

 

[benched tiger]

There is no doubt we gifted the Bunnies the win,their hooker was always our biggest threat and sure enough our dumb play allowed him to proved it.Hybrid has a point in Benji being our only scoring option,that is a worry.We need Farah,Moltzen and Humble providing scoring options also.

 

[TimmyB]

No way in the world the Lote one was a strip, it was a loose carry and a very good tackle. The strip rule is ridiculous, there is zero onus on the attacking player to secure the ball these days.

Agreed. The worst thing is Taylor dropped it cold earlier in the half and received a penalty for that too.

 

[benched tiger]

Refs do help determine outcomes in games not that they would ever admit it,the Lote penalty was harsh and it cost us.

 

[b.bear]

what about heighno & meaney 2 stupid penalties led directly to tries

 

[hybrid_tiger]

what about heighno & meaney 2 stupid penalties led directly to tries

I've commented on both. Benji should not be exempt to criticism.

 

[gronkathon]

I have to watch the replay. Thought the Meaney penalty led to a field goal attempt.

My sorrow may be clouding my memory though

 

[moller]

We copped four penalties for 'strips' - all were very much 50/50 calls at best.

 

[Tigers Tale]

I don't believe anyone is personally blaming Benji for this loss. Most are right in that he kept us in the game to that point. I think what people are saying is there is a stage in a game where you turn to either your captain or those natural leaders you have in a team.

This doesn't happen with either Farah or Benji, pressure seems to bring out the worst in them. You can't rely on some young kid to make the plays when the game is in the balance. This is why Benji will always be seen as a freak and not the tried and tested player Lockyer was. I think players in this team are too intimidated by him and won't call for the ball when they see a play that should be made.

Ask yourself would you prefer Johns, Lockyer, Thurston or Marshall to be leading your team when 6 up with two minutes to go? I think the order I have listed them is how I'd rate them.

Just my thoughts...

 

[madunit]

I don't think Benji should ever be given the duties of captain.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

The most bewildering call was when Dave Taylor was deemed to have knocked-on in the process of stripping the ball out in a 3-man tackle. Why the hell wasn't a penalty blown? It took place right in front of the sticks about 10m out. The Tigers would have taken the penalty goal and thereby obtained an unassailable lead.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Like the Sharks in round 1 we copped some terrible decisions but ultimately loss the game through our own ineptitude.

 

[macnaz]

Like the Sharks in round 1 we copped some terrible decisions but ultimately loss the game through our own ineptitude.

THATS IT! thread closed .

 

[b.bear]

I've commented on both. Benji should not be exempt to criticism.

Agree fully he is a seasoned veteran now and should know how to close a match out ,sometimes I think he gets ahead of himself and it's more about the "showreel"..

 

[b.bear]

I don't think Benji should ever be given the duties of captain.

As good as he is I have got to agree ..

 

[TimmyB]

Like the Sharks in round 1 we copped some terrible decisions but ultimately loss the game through our own ineptitude.

I left the ground feeling that way - and cursing Benji to high heaven - but I'm certainly ruing some of the poor calls. I thought we were quite clearly the stronger team for the majority of the game yesterday, and yet we still ended up on the wrong end of a 9-5 penalty count. Frustrating.