Match Discussion: Round 16 vs Dolphins @ HBF Park, Perth / Whadjuk

[Knight Tales]

NRL Physio says it is a 4-6 week recovery.

 

[Woody90]

Went and had a look at our stats because I feel like our makeshift middle forwards are doing much better than they’re getting credit for. Was interesting to read that we’re 2nd in the comp for post-contact metres (just behind the Raiders) despite having zero proper middle forwards left and also having the least possession of any team in the comp. Now obviously a lot of that is our outside backs chipping in to try and compensate for the forward injuries, but still the kids stepping up and the likes of Friz/Croker/Jones playing out of position in the middle are really doing a good job. As bad as we’ve been with the ball in hand (most games), things could have been so much worse when we lost all those middles.

 

[Zoidberg]

Just got around to watching a reply of the 2nd half… not sure about the Gags bin, it shouldn’t be an issue if you complete a tackle after the ball is passed. I saw one of those recently (possibly for us last week, not sure) where a player passed the ball, and was unable to backup as he was held onto by a tackler. No action taken.
Anyway, I didn’t realise they scored 2 tries while Gags was off. Makes the win a bit more impressive.

 

[Apey]

Went and had a look at our stats because I feel like our makeshift middle forwards are doing much better than they’re getting credit for. Was interesting to read that we’re 2nd in the comp for post-contact metres (just behind the Raiders) despite having zero proper middle forwards left and also having the least possession of any team in the comp. Now obviously a lot of that is our outside backs chipping in to try and compensate for the forward injuries, but still the kids stepping up and the likes of Friz/Croker/Jones playing out of position in the middle are really doing a good job. As bad as we’ve been with the ball in hand (most games), things could have been so much worse when we lost all those middles.

I was just about to share some of the stats from nrl.com in the around the grounds thread, some of them making for funny reading.

 

[mozza91]

Went and had a look at our stats because I feel like our makeshift middle forwards are doing much better than they’re getting credit for. Was interesting to read that we’re 2nd in the comp for post-contact metres (just behind the Raiders) despite having zero proper middle forwards left and also having the least possession of any team in the comp. Now obviously a lot of that is our outside backs chipping in to try and compensate for the forward injuries, but still the kids stepping up and the likes of Friz/Croker/Jones playing out of position in the middle are really doing a good job. As bad as we’ve been with the ball in hand (most games), things could have been so much worse when we lost all those middles.

They’ve done a great job since J Saf got hurt and Thompson suspended. A lot of it without Friz aswell. They handled their own against a full strength Eagles pack, a highly rated Roosters pack and one of the form sides in the comp.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

In the last 2 weeks we have lost the ruck, especially in defence. Both the Roosters and dolphins made 300+ more metres than us. We actually won that battle against Manly though which was a bit of a surprise.

I cant fault our pack though given we've had young backrowers making up the bulk of our middle rotation for quite awhile now. They have made up what they give away in size with speed and energy. Its certainly waylayed some of my fears of how our 2026 pack will perform

 

[Yosh]

In the last 2 weeks we have lost the ruck, especially in defence. Both the Roosters and dolphins made 300+ more metres than us. We actually won that battle against Manly though which was a bit of a surprise.

I cant fault our pack though given we've had young backrowers making up the bulk of our middle rotation for quite awhile now. They have made up what they give away in size with speed and energy. Its certainly waylayed some of my fears of how our 2026 pack will perform

Don't have the stats on me but it might be due to our crappy kicking game. Cogger's kicks aren't the biggest so whenever we kick long, the opposition has 10-15m run before our defenders get him. On the other hand, we get tackled with the ball as we catch it. I think that's where the difference might be.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Don't have the stats on me but it might be due to our crappy kicking game. Cogger's kicks aren't the biggest so whenever we kick long, the opposition has 10-15m run before our defenders get him. On the other hand, we get tackled with the ball as we catch it. I think that's where the difference might be.

That math aint mathin

 

[Burwood]

It’s hard to effectively kick for distance when pinned in your own half.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Don't have the stats on me but it might be due to our crappy kicking game. Cogger's kicks aren't the biggest so whenever we kick long, the opposition has 10-15m run before our defenders get him. On the other hand, we get tackled with the ball as we catch it. I think that's where the difference might be.

He's still been kicking better than anyone else in our team these past few weeks

 

[slotmachine]

Have a look at the numbers against the Phins, who were missing their entire first choice pack bar Finefeuiaki, and you will see it was our back 5 who did all the yardage work. The forwards were there to try and hold on in defence as best they could.

 

[Apey]

Have a look at the numbers against the Phins, who were missing their entire first choice pack bar Finefeuiaki, and you will see it was our back 5 who did all the yardage work. The forwards were there to try and hold on in defence as best they could.

The Panther tactic

 

[Old dog]

Don’t understand why Crossland doesn’t kick more often he has a biggish boot, bigger than Cogger