Match Discussion: Round 2 vs North Qld @ Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

[WA Tiger]

If anything happens to AD we need madden at half back .. Maddens combination wuth Luai will be interesting ..it could unlock something tho I still think AD can shine

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

It's going to be very interesting to see where everyone lines up on the field. No matter what happens, either May or Makasini will be out of position. I wouldn't be surprised if Skelton starts and LL goes back to the bench as he can cover more positions.

Interesting that we only have 3 forwards named on the bench. Something tells me Marshall is going to f**k this up. Under this new system I think someone who can play 9 and 13 (such as a Brandon Smith - without the nospam29 and gambling issues) will be crucial. I don't think we have anyone like this?

Anyway it feels like footy season is back now. Bring on the weekend.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

It's going to be very interesting to see where everyone lines up on the field. No matter what happens, either May or Makasini will be out of position. I wouldn't be surprised if Skelton starts and LL goes back to the bench as he can cover more positions.

Interesting that we only have 3 forwards named on the bench. Something tells me Marshall is going to f**k this up. Under this new system I think someone who can play 9 and 13 (such as a Brandon Smith - without the nospam29 and gambling issues) will be crucial. I don't think we have anyone like this?

Anyway it feels like footy season is back now. Bring on the weekend.

Benji engaging in the dark arts of deception and having it blow up is certainly a sign of the season starting.

Perhaps a crystal ball, perhaps a deck of cards with players names on them that he shuffles and Morris picks.

Richo phoning in selections from his prison cell?

Robbie gets a skywriter to spell out

h. E. R, B.i. t. over concord.

Speaking of which, let’s not forget Robbie who lost his job for making sense. A martyr.

I miss his snarling and growling around the place.

Herbert rushed in for Makasini. Sounds good to me.

 

[Wizardman]

Benji engaging in the dark arts of deception and having it blow up is certainly a sign of the season starting.

Perhaps a crystal ball, perhaps a deck of cards with players names on them that he shuffles and Morris picks.

Richo phoning in selections from his prison cell?

Robbie gets a skywriter to spell out

h. E. R, B.i. t. over concord.

Speaking of which, let’s not forget Robbie who lost his job for making sense. A martyr.

I miss his snarling and growling around the place.

Herbert rushed in for Makasini. Sounds good to me.

Please tuck me in with some hateful words about Bula before tomorrow night bedtime. I miss those Bula attacks!

 

[Tigerm]

Maka may have been selected prematurely at the start of the season when opposition players are still afresh.

He’s still a decade out from full physical development.

I’d have to conclude we’ve got r&r fever and are trying to create an obligation from him.

I’m old school, but I’d be more inclined to chuck the kids in midway through or during late season games when the opposition is less powerful.

It seems the Jock Madden rumours were all true that he’s been training the house down. Commanded selection wd son.

It will interesting to see how much time on field Api can muster. 20 minutes id say.

Their pack looks a bit suspect but they have the brilliant game breaker in Dearden and Drinks is always a threat.

Hopefully Bula has finished his holidays.

Benji has gone for shiny “bling” to start the season, I’d like a few extra troglodytes in there to start.

If we can’t beat this ugly lot we are in for a bad season. We always say this early in the season!

No need for this year to be any different.

The caravan moves onto the train tracks, push Benji push!

I think if we are chopping and changing (except for injuries), then our season is already on life support.

 

[Nutz]

It's going to be very interesting to see where everyone lines up on the field. No matter what happens, either May or Makasini will be out of position. I wouldn't be surprised if Skelton starts and LL goes back to the bench as he can cover more positions.

Interesting that we only have 3 forwards named on the bench. Something tells me Marshall is going to f**k this up. Under this new system I think someone who can play 9 and 13 (such as a Brandon Smith - without the nospam29 and gambling issues) will be crucial. I don't think we have anyone like this?

Anyway it feels like footy season is back now. Bring on the weekend.

I just cant see Benji not allowing the best left side in Fainu, AD, Luai, and Makasini and Luke to play together.
I was upset to see Luke go next year because those who don't really know his play haven't seen what this young man is capable of.
At some stage I'd like to see KPP, Madden, AD, May and Turuva play too for future depth
As far as the backs are concerned we still have some flexibility.
DOM, as far as the difference between a ½ and a dummy half is more defence and keeping up with the play. I think Madden can do it, at least for a period to give Api a rest.
Madden can play dummy half, half and ⅝.
Later when Latu is fit, he can play the same. He was training at dummy half.
If AD nails ½, it will be his all year and only injuries to him or other will stop him.

 

[Nutz]

Bula's sprint coach reckons Bula has shaved significant amount of time off his sprints.
I'd like to see this in this game..
A good way to do this is to do what Walsh does, try to burn players on the outside. That's where he'll get his top speed.
Other backs need to keep up and give him options.
Unless he goes through a gaping hole, Bula won't reach top speed.

 

[Nutz]

I think if we are chopping and changing (except for injuries), then our season is already on life support.

Masi will do just fine initially, but what Das, RAS and I (I think you too Tm, I'm unsure) have been saying that there will come a time that the rigors of week in week out NRL program is going to test him and that's when he may hit a brick wall. I've seen it so many times before. Sometimes a player debuts and plays the whole year then has a second year syndrome and their form drops. Opposition and coaches also will work the kid out and will put more pressure on him both physically and tactically , mentally even.
Benji should guide the guy with all this, that's all I was saying.
He certainly is a big lad and he maybe a once in a lifetime player that can deal with everything I've said.
I've been on Bula's bus but now it's time time to let your footy do the talkin Jahreem.

 

[Tigerm]

Masi will do just fine initially, but what Das, RAS and I (I think you too Tm, I'm unsure) have been saying that there will come a time that the rigors of week in week out NRL program is going to test him and that's when he may hit a brick wall. I've seen it so many times before. Sometimes a player debuts and plays the whole year then has a second year syndrome and their form drops. Opposition and coaches also will work the kid out and will put more pressure on him both physically and tactically , mentally even.
Benji should guide the guy with all this, that's all I was saying.
He certainly is a big lad and he maybe a once in a lifetime player that can deal with everything I've said.
I've been on Bula's bus but now it's time time to let your footy do the talkin Jahreem.

My point was, they need to stick and pick with the playing group they’ve chosen.
If you are using more than say your top 20-21 players, you are in trouble.
We’ve seen it all before where we are constantly trying kids, you only do that when the season is done for the year.
Unless injury has hit us, but it still means the same thing, imo.

 

[Nutz]

My point was, they need to stick and pick with the playing group they’ve chosen.
If you are using more than say your top 20-21 players, you are in trouble.
We’ve seen it all before where we are constantly trying kids, you only do that when the season is done for the year.
Unless injury has hit us, but it still means the same thing, imo.

Agree, especially building partnership.
I'd say by rd 3 with no injuries and we're still chopping and changing then that's a disaster waiting to happen.
Especially the spine.
Newcastle were a shambles constantly chopping and changing the halves and their results reflected that.
Hastings, Gamble, Ponga, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland. What a mess.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Please tuck me in with some hateful words about Bula before tomorrow night bedtime. I miss those Bula attacks!

I’ll put something together, but I don’t want you overdosing whizmanistan.

 

[Shredder]

That is pretty much our full strength side barring fiddling.
If we lose this week its going to be a long season.

Also, I reckon with May and Maka in the Centers, Starford wont get another look in this year unless their is an injury or incase Benji wants to spell Maka.

 

[Tiger Ted]

That is pretty much our full strength side barring fiddling.
If we lose this week its going to be a long season.

Also, I reckon with May and Maka in the Centers, Starford wont get another look in this year unless their is an injury or incase Benji wants to spell Maka.

The thing about Toa is he belongs in NSW cup & at majority of other clubs he wouldn’t get a look in re starting NRL sides unless they r riddled with injuries in the outside backs

 

[Nutz]

That is pretty much our full strength side barring fiddling.
If we lose this week its going to be a long season.

Also, I reckon with May and Maka in the Centers, Starford wont get another look in this year unless their is an injury or incase Benji wants to spell Maka.

Decent problem.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Some Bling to start the 2026 proceedings.

An extra week and/or longer for Benji to prepare the side.

There’s zero excuses for Bula or probably anyone else except the usual vicissitudes of the initial outing with a side that’s never played together.

Sometimes the calls get tangled up.

Improved discipline, speed and fitness are of couple of things I’ll be looking for.

A factory game from Jock as he’s recommissioned into an NRL first strike side. He can worry about refining his game later. Just the basics will do.

And the threat of KPP, that will be interesting to watch in its own right, especially as their pack tires.

 

[Tiger Ted]

Some Bling to start the 2026 proceedings.

An extra week and/or longer for Benji to prepare the side.

There’s zero excuses for Bula or probably anyone else except the usual vicissitudes of the initial outing with a side that’s never played together.

Sometimes the calls get tangled up.

Improved discipline, speed and fitness are of couple of things I’ll be looking for.

A factory game from Jock as he’s recommissioned into an NRL first strike side. He can worry about refining his game later. Just the basics will do.

And the threat of KPP, that will be interesting to watch in its own right, especially as their pack tires.

Additionally I’ll be looking for improved defence especially the outside backs plus grit & resilience when the going gets tough & especially towards the back end of each half when fatigue sets in

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Additionally I’ll be looking for improved defence especially the outside backs plus grit & resilience when the going gets tough & especially towards the back end of each half when fatigue sets in

Yeah, all the 1% ers as well.

By rights we should have their measure.

All things being equal, anything less than 13+ would be a tad disappointing.

A “living up to the hype score” should be a solid 18+ outcome, factoring in our natural tendency to make our own lives difficult. We haven’t overcome that issue since time immemorial.

 

[WA Tiger]

Imagine being a half at the club wouldn’t you just push Benji to reveal all his secrets. His long cut out spiral passes, creating the extra man etc It looks like madden was the only one that took an interest .. hence the improvement.. I can’t wait until he hooks up with Luai.. with his fearlessness with straightening the attack and committing defenders the seemingly no look deep passing and getting the ball out at all costs with a mm to spare .. he could unleash the outside backs with more space for Luai
If things arnt gelling by halftime he may get a shot

 

[chunk]

Can you believe that first grade is the only game on the schedule for Saturday

It's a special day so surely we should have all the grades on.

It stands out like dogs balls that some think that Wests need to be on at Lidcombe in front of a few hundred people, we know who came up with that idea. (Wah wah wah) FMD

I wrote to the club and Wests Ashfield asking why, but we already know.

 

[WA Tiger]

Imagine being a half at the club wouldn’t you just push Benji to reveal all his secrets. His long cut out spiral passes, creating the extra man etc It looks like madden was the only one that took an interest .. hence the improvement.. I can’t wait until he hooks up with Luai.. with his fearlessness with straightening the attack and committing defenders the seemingly no look deep passing and getting the ball out at all costs with a mm to spare .. he could unleash the outside backs with more space for Luai
If things arnt gelling by halftime he may get a shot

Madden and Benji will be having a Pisces Bromance. No words needed. Psychic understanding.. Madden is Benjis cup of tea.. Completely respectful shuts up when it’s time to.. Madden will get what he wants ..Any signs of somethings not quite right for long enough and Benji won’t hesitate to pass the halves reins to his psychic partner..