Match Discussion: Round 14 vs Melbourne @ AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

[Burwood]

If you’re a glass half-empty sort of person, Armstrong was dropped because of a poor performance. If you’re more a glass half-full sort of person, he’s been given a well-earned rest because he’s a rookie who’s had a tough initiation, which was reflected in his last performance.

 

[PhilGould]

If Dolphins-Warriors-Tigers-Titans-Bulldogs is a tough initiation I'm interested to see what Sharpe's is called with the Storm and Panthers first up. Not a great reflection on their faith in Armstrong if they're deciding right now is the time to "rest" him for a debutant 4 years younger.

 

[Burwood]

If Dolphins-Warriors-Tigers-Titans-Bulldogs is a tough initiation I'm interested to see what Sharpe's is called with the Storm and Panthers first up. Not a great reflection on their faith in Armstrong if they're deciding right now is the time to "rest" him for a debutant 4 years younger.

None of the games Armstrong has played have been easy- with the exception of last round, they were all games with a winning margin of 6 or less. The mental and physical exhaustion compared to playing NSW Cup would be immense for a guy who has never played at that level before.

Not saying Sharpe isn’t going to have a tough initiation, but he’s also going to be pumped for the game and fresh compared to a flat Armstrong.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Toohey reckons Armstrong has injured his quad. Hasn't been dropped

 

[Knight Tales]

Toohey reckons Armstrong has injured his quad. Hasn't been dropped

Yes. And if Sharpe takes to first grade like Dave has, then our pathways are clearly working for the first time in a long time. Obviously the sell to Sharpe about his long term progression and place here has become harder now Dave has made his call. I may be in the minority here but are we just being lazy letting all our main talents all believe they are fullbacks and nothing else? Cos it is usually this pathway blockage by a superstar that can have huge flow on effects and even bigger cap ramifications.
I don’t know but I just feel we have a good opportunity here to really set ourselves up for a title tilt if we can work this out.

 

[Frederick]

Armstrong, Dsaf out
Sharpe, Hetherington in

 

[Knight Tales]

There is no way O’Brien thinks we can win this. This will be ugly.

 

[PhilGould]

Few late changes

22. Fletcher Sharpe
2. Enari Tuala
3. Dane Gagai
12. Dylan Lucas
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Jack Cogger
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
14. Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Kai Pearce-Paul
16. Tyson Frizell (C)
13. Adam Elliott

9. Jayden Brailey
17. Brodie Jones
19. Mat Croker
21. Jack Hetherington

4. Krystian Mapapalangi

 

[Yosh]

Few late changes

22. Fletcher Sharpe
2. Enari Tuala
3. Dane Gagai
12. Dylan Lucas
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Jack Cogger
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
14. Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Kai Pearce-Paul
16. Tyson Frizell (C)
13. Adam Elliott

9. Jayden Brailey
17. Brodie Jones
19. Mat Croker
21. Jack Hetherington

4. Krystian Mapapalangi

Nice. Hopefully we can keep Melb to under 40!

 

[ryan.a87]

Brailey off the bench is a weird one, thought on of the few things we had going for us lately was Crossland adding spark around the 20min mark

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Brailey off the bench is a weird one, thought on of the few things we had going for us lately was Crossland adding spark around the 20min mark

I'm happy with Crossland starting and getting more minutes tbh. He only got 30 last week

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

f**k it...

Us to cause a massive upset 22-18

 

[macavity]

They obvs. saw the same things from maps we saw. Totally not ready for this level at this point in time.

 

[Burwood]

We need to throw the ball around and disrupt their defence. We won't get a single try if we rely on the same high completion, safe play as we have for nearly the whole season - we aren't going to grind them out to a win. KPP and Croker to hopefully provide some of that in the forwards for us.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Brailey off the bench is a weird one, thought on of the few things we had going for us lately was Crossland adding spark around the 20min mark

I think Crossland deserves a start. What you’re saying is great in theory, and can be in practice, but Brailey is offering nothing in attack at the moment.

In an ideal world, the 20 minute switch has plenty more merit.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

We need to throw the ball around and disrupt their defence. We won't get a single try if we rely on the same high completion, safe play as we have for nearly the whole season - we aren't going to grind them out to a win. KPP and Croker to hopefully provide some of that in the forwards for us.

This 100%. If we're any chance at all today we need to move away from the boring style we've been playing all year.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Picked the fullback with no pressure 4/4.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Mile forward lol

 

[macavity]

Bloody Greg

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Lol *sigh*