Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Sydney @ Sydney Cricket Ground

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Bit concerned with middle fwds on bench unless the plan is to use Barnett. Extended bench looks weak filled with not so goods and inexperienced

I think the idea is to use Barnett in the front row rotation

 

[Woosh]

I really hate to be negative before a ball is kicked in anger... but that is a shit looking team. Like, any outsider looking at that list could be forgiven for thinking that's a list competing for the spoon. Half of the spine is reserve graders, centres go OK but the wingers are either unproven or just ordinary/offer nothing particularly exciting. Back row with Fitzgibbon and Mann... Barnett the only recognised NRL player on the bench...

Our coaching staff better have done quite a number in the off season, is all I can say. So many rookies, unknowns and squad-fillers in there. A lot needs to go right. Looking at that list, I can't help but feel that a LOT of recruitment went poorly in the past 12 months.

A fit starting 13 is quiet strong if you throw Lee, Hunt, D Saf, and possibly Milford into the mix.
It’s the bench depth that is the big concern when Crossland is an automatic selection.

 

[slotmachine]

Watson starting at hooker for the chooks.

Their side looks super strong, this could be painful.

 

[Knight Tales]

Mitchell Pearce absence is really glaring when you see that side. I just do not see where the leadership comes when we are under the pump. Kalyn has a long way to go to show he is a leader by example. Undeniably brilliant but you need more than that. It will be when he gets under a ball and holds it up when a try against us is all but certain. Plays like that.

 

[perverse]

A fit starting 13 is quiet strong if you throw Lee, Hunt, D Saf, and possibly Milford into the mix.
It’s the bench depth that is the big concern when Crossland is an automatic selection.

Well, Milford isn't here yet - and there's always going to be injuries. Probably more than we have now down the track, to be honest.

As I said, we need a lot to go right. A lot.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I think if we are to surprise people this year then we need to make the whole be more than the sum of its parts. Essentially the coaching staff need to have the right game plan and get this team operating as a smart unit with a clear game plan and on top of that the boys need to put in for each other, which they showed they can do last year on our run towards the finals.

The key will be if this new structure works and we’re able to turn our pop gun attack from last year into something more dangerous.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Idk guys, I can sniff a massive upset here.




In the forum after the game.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Mitchell Pearce absence is really glaring when you see that side. I just do not see where the leadership comes when we are under the pump. Kalyn has a long way to go to show he is a leader by example. Undeniably brilliant but you need more than that. It will be when he gets under a ball and holds it up when a try against us is all but certain. Plays like that.

our most dire issue - leadership. There are no natural leaders in the squad. Brailey comes close, a lead by actions type, but he doesnt seem to be the talker I think the team looks like they need. Then again Bedsy was also the quite type.

 

[Yosh]

I really hate to be negative before a ball is kicked in anger... but that is a shit looking team. Like, any outsider looking at that list could be forgiven for thinking that's a list competing for the spoon. Half of the spine is reserve graders, centres go OK but the wingers are either unproven or just ordinary/offer nothing particularly exciting. Back row with Fitzgibbon and Mann... Barnett the only recognised NRL player on the bench...

Our coaching staff better have done quite a number in the off season, is all I can say. So many rookies, unknowns and squad-fillers in there. A lot needs to go right. Looking at that list, I can't help but feel that a LOT of recruitment went poorly in the past 12 months.

Putting a bit of a positive spin on it.

- Ponga might make this his biggest and best year yet. Regardless of whoever else in the spine, if Ponga fires, we fire.
- Tuala is a gun finisher and if Best gets over his injuries, it'll become one of the most lethal left edges in the league. Ponga swings around to their side, Clune to use Ponga as a decoy more often than not. Opens up space for Best to get the ball and make a line break or we use that over the top ball for Tuala. Tuala to get over 20 tries this season.
- Gagai is the perfect mentor for Young. Young to become one of the most damaging wingers in the game. 200 metres plus a game on average.
- Clifford becomes a class half. Using his long kicking game and monster bombs to keep opposing teams camped in their 20m. Uses his running game to average a line break every game.
- CLune becomes the feel good story of 2022. Journeyman realizes his potential and has a Sam Walker-esque impact on the game.
- Both Saifiti boys go onto become NSW's starting props. Klemmer reinvents himself, adds a short ball game to his repertoire. Gets a couple of try assists throughout the year.
- Fitzy gets dropped. Frizzell regains his Dragon's form and goes on to average 130 metres a game.
- Mann kills it at 13 and gets the 14 jersey for Queensland.
- Leo Thompson is the surprise package of the year. Becomes a force to be reckoned with.
- Barnett just keeps on Barnetting. Jirah Momoisea forces his way into the starting left backrow job.
- Crossland to finally fulfil his potential. Proves all his doubters wrong. Becomes the second coming of Joey Johns.

Now... Going to print this and keep it on the wall for the Roosters game. Every statement I get wrong, I'll take a shot of Vodka. Let's see how drunk I get this weekend...

 

[Sir Galahad]

Putting a bit of a positive spin on it.

- Ponga might make this his biggest and best year yet. Regardless of whoever else in the spine, if Ponga fires, we fire.
- Tuala is a gun finisher and if Best gets over his injuries, it'll become one of the most lethal left edges in the league. Ponga swings around to their side, Clune to use Ponga as a decoy more often than not. Opens up space for Best to get the ball and make a line break or we use that over the top ball for Tuala. Tuala to get over 20 tries this season.
- Gagai is the perfect mentor for Young. Young to become one of the most damaging wingers in the game. 200 metres plus a game on average.
- Clifford becomes a class half. Using his long kicking game and monster bombs to keep opposing teams camped in their 20m. Uses his running game to average a line break every game.
- CLune becomes the feel good story of 2022. Journeyman realizes his potential and has a Sam Walker-esque impact on the game.
- Both Saifiti boys go onto become NSW's starting props. Klemmer reinvents himself, adds a short ball game to his repertoire. Gets a couple of try assists throughout the year.
- Fitzy gets dropped. Frizzell regains his Dragon's form and goes on to average 130 metres a game.
- Mann kills it at 13 and gets the 14 jersey for Queensland.
- Leo Thompson is the surprise package of the year. Becomes a force to be reckoned with.
- Barnett just keeps on Barnetting. Jirah Momoisea forces his way into the starting left backrow job.
- Crossland to finally fulfil his potential. Proves all his doubters wrong. Becomes the second coming of Joey Johns.

Now... Going to print this and keep it on the wall for the Roosters game. Every statement I get wrong, I'll take a shot of Vodka. Let's see how drunk I get this weekend...

you could die from that much vodka

 

[ryan.a87]

From a super coach point of view…who do we think has better job security between Jirah and Thompson…..are they both just in for a couple of weeks waiting for Dsaf and Jones to return?

or do we think if either goes good, Fitz gets dropped

 

[Loose Cannon]

Now... Going to print this and keep it on the wall for the Roosters game. Every statement I get wrong, I'll take a shot of Vodka. Let's see how drunk I get this weekend...

That’s odd.

I had assumed that you were already drunk when typing this.

 

[Knight Tales]

If we beat The Roosters then we can all start talking about potentials. I am curious to see how Watson is worked over by our forwards. I can see this game blowing up in a big way. Barney on the bench is a great move. He will be absolutely burning to get out there. His move to the middle could be the best decision AOB has made in a while. He is ready. He has far too much intimidation to playing edge.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

If we beat The Roosters

That's a pretty massive if lol

 

[Old dog]

Happy we are back to football, missing a few injured but hopeful the boys put in a big effort, not expecting a win this week and likely 2 out of first 6 rounds

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

J Saf's time to shine..

 

[Burwood]

Come on guys, you know we’ll beat the likes of roosters, Melbourne and Penrith throughout the season, only to drop games against Tigers, Brisbane, Bulldogs and Cowboys.

 

[mozza91]

Come on guys, you know we’ll beat the likes of roosters, Melbourne and Penrith throughout the season, only to drop games against Tigers, Brisbane, Bulldogs and Cowboys.

Pretty much this. Even if we somehow beat the Chooks I guarantee we get done by the Tigers next week.

 

[ryan.a87]

Joey has tipped us to win…could just be to save face on Tv….imagine the uproar if he spent a whole offseason training us, only to tip against us round 1

 

[Jono078]

Exactly right.

Hard to listen to Joey when it comes to the Knights. Like Hoy is a good example..

But it's at least pleasing he's been impressed with our pre-season.