Match Discussion: Round 11 vs Bulldogs @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Loose Cannon]

Just hope the heavy track doesn’t suck too much of the punch from our younger big guys, Jake and Saulo particularly. Might be some different interchange requirements today.

Happy that we are looking much fitter this year, these are the conditions where that will be tested. Expecting Watson to come on early and stay on whilst the big boys get rotated accordingly.

As mentioned last week, Guerra and Macca are critical to our defensive structure. I hope they aren’t required to take a spell concurrently.

 

[PhilGould]

Tipping Watson to have a blinder

 

[PhilGould]

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Tautau Moga, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17. Sione Mata'utia, 15. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 13. Herman Ese'ese, 16. Pasami Saulo, 12. Aidan Guerra.

Barnett and Sione replace Herman and Guerra in the starting side

 

[Zoidberg]

Hopefully we can still throw the ball around a bit and keep working on our attacking improvement from last week.

 

[K-Man]

Hopefully we can still throw the ball around a bit and keep working on our attacking improvement from last week.

I'd like to see us not so much "throw the ball around" but attack with purpose and a clear plan/structure when we have a full set inside the opposition half. Too often it all looks a bit messy and cumbersome, then finishes with a rushed kicking option. These might not be the conditions for late offloads or razzle dazzle, but we should be able to execute the basics of punching through the middle, getting a quick play the ball, and shifting with some depth in attack and some options short and out the back to put the defence in two minds. Ponga also needs to pop up on the left side again, especially if we can set up some plays using Fitz as the decoy since we hit him so often in the past.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Tautau Moga, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17. Sione Mata'utia, 15. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 13. Herman Ese'ese, 16. Pasami Saulo, 12. Aidan Guerra.

Barnett and Sione replace Herman and Guerra in the starting side

That's a mouth watering bench

 

[Zoidberg]

I'd like to see us not so much "throw the ball around" but attack with purpose and a clear plan/structure when we have a full set inside the opposition half. Too often it all looks a bit messy and cumbersome, then finishes with a rushed kicking option. These might not be the conditions for late offloads or razzle dazzle, but we should be able to execute the basics of punching through the middle, getting a quick play the ball, and shifting with some depth in attack and some options short and out the back to put the defence in two minds. Ponga also needs to pop up on the left side again, especially if we can set up some plays using Fitz as the decoy since we hit him so often in the past.

Yeah, by “throw the ball around” I mean not go for the inside runner all the time. Let the centres and wingers see some early ball and use the beast. Spread the defence then use an inside man. Change it up.

 

[K-Man]

That's a mouth watering bench

Also seems like an immediate glimpse into next year with Barnett back to the middle since we won't have Herman or Glasby. Sione keeping the seat warm for Frizell. It looks very solid, especially considering there's no DSaf.

 

[K-Man]

Yeah, by “throw the ball around” I mean not go for the inside runner all the time. Let the centres and wingers see some early ball and use the beast. Spread the defence then use an inside man. Change it up.

Yeah, 100% agree. We can do that a few times and shape up like that's the plan, but we also need to add some variety into how we execute this shape. With Fitz and Best both dangerous options it should give the Bulldogs a nightmare to deal with out there if Ponga/Mann get some quality ball.

 

[Frederick]

Love seeing how animated Obi is in the sheds. Can tell he's passionate about his job

 

[Burns]

Sigh.

 

[Haffa]

Fitzy already.....

 

[Knight76]

The one thing if any other the coach would have said, ball security.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Fitz is junk. Why do we bother with him?

 

[Burns]

Barnett was good in D that set, good contact on Thompson.

 

[Haffa]

Can't believe we haven't gone back to back since the first two rounds.

 

[Haffa]

Fitz is junk. Why do we bother with him?

NIB

 

[Tom155]

Back yourself Bradman! Beat the FB

 

[Burns]

Inexperience by Best, but love that he backed himself

 

[Haffa]

Dumb end to the set.