Match Discussion: Round 2 vs Warriors @ Campbelltown Stadium

[Tiger05]

I haven’t been a Farah fan, but he was brilliant tonight. Loving our pack and bench rotation, Madge has absolutely nailed it with his selections so far. Our bench is surely up there with the best in the comp atm

We lift when our bench players come on. Madge has been impressive. He is making some great decisions. How long has it been since our forwards looked this good.

It's only early days but Madge is going great.

 

[Tiger05]

Ah yes.... Where are the small number of Robbie/Benji haters now?

What a start - two rounds, competition leaders, third in attack, by far the best in defence. Robbie Farah, who a few people (likely escapees from some sort of mental asylum or correctional facility) had BEHIND Jacob Liddle, has the same number of DALLY M POINTS than the Titans do POINTS SCORED in 160 minutes.

Rome wasn't built in a day, but it is a great start. We were so one dimensional under Ivan, but he imbued us with heart and hustle that was very valuable. Madge has taught us this heart and resilience, along with attacking structures that allow players to play their natural game. Our spine are white hot, and our pack are doing well too.

Our starting front rowers lay a great platform, then the big hombres in Makaele, Aloiai (my new hero) and Rusty Packer come on and take charge. Packer last year made over 100m once, and tonight, off the bench, he made 130+. Looks like he's even found his niche. Our backs were also strong - and we even have Nofo to come back. Exciting stuff!

Good signs so far, hopefully we're on top in 23 rounds time. I wonder where the Robbie/Benji hate squad will be then? Perhaps back in prison!

PS. To those that said Benji wasn't great today... when he gets the ball 3 times a set you say he is over involved and should let Brooks take control, and when he lets Brooks run the show apparently he's quiet...?

His role is to be a calming influence on the side and inject himself when he needed, which he did today. He was brilliant last week and solid today, and that's exactly what we need. Brooks plays his best footy alongside this guy and isn't it great that in his last two years Benji gets the 7 he's looked for for 15 years prior.

Robbie has probably been the form player of the comp. Benji has been pretty good. The try that Chee-Kam scored had Brooks running off Benji. Benji also made that kick to Fonua.

I had Robbie behind Liddle but I'm happy to be wrong. I also had Reynolds behind Benji and I was wrong there as well.

 

[magpie_man]

Just reading that this is the first time Wests Tigers has been running first in its 20 year history.

The only downer on the weekend was that those grubs up the Northern Road managed to fluke a win.

 

[The Charlatan]

The positives that have come out of both games is that we're prepared to play for possession and position. It seemed that against both Manly and NZ we were happy to bide our time until opportunities presented themselves. We took them and then ground the opposition out of the game, and then piled on points late.

I was critical of Farah coming back, thought it was a step backwards but he's put me in my place. Heavily involved against the Warriors without overplaying his hand. 3 Dally M points well deserved.

Madge has the bench perfect at the moment. Packer looks a much different player this year. Mikaele and Aloiai are playing like men possessed.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Robbie has probably been the form player of the comp. Benji has been pretty good. The try that Chee-Kam scored had Brooks running off Benji. Benji also made that kick to Fonua.

I had Robbie behind Liddle but I'm happy to be wrong. I also had Reynolds behind Benji and I was wrong there as well.

Happy to eat my words re Robbie. Still not convinced Josh wouldn’t do a better job then Benji

 

[Mader45]

As a Tigers fan what made me extremely happy were the 2 moments where we expect things to happen which didn't. I probably don't even need to say what I'm referring to as any Tigers fan knows the feeling but... The 5 minutes before half time and the last 10 minutes when we have a good lead. Its like even the team has accepted these moments are out of our control in previous years. Instead... we actually scored during both those periods and they didn't.

We now have the next dread we all face. Getting a good win then having our asses handed to us by a team we should destroy. This time I have faith we'll still be on top of the ladder with an even greater points differential.

 

[Front-Rower]

Happy to eat my words re Robbie. Still not convinced Josh wouldn’t do a better job then Benji

I’m not convinced either. The guy could hardly keep up there at times. Even when he threw the cut out pass for Thompson’s first try he was busting his gut just to get to the play the ball.

The kick for Jennings’ try comes off 1-2 times in every 10 he attempts it.

Yes, played well though he still has a lot to do.

 

[Front-Rower]

On another note, it’s fantastic to see Packer and Matulino carry on their fine form from last year. Edit - with Twal, this pack is so much better than anything we have had in the front row in the past.

 

[TheFrog]

The only downer on the weekend was that those grubs up the Northern Road managed to fluke a win.

Baby brother syndrome.

 

[Tiger05]

On another note, it’s fantastic to see Packer and Matulino carry on their fine form from last year. Edit - with Twal, this pack is so much better than anything we have had in the front row in the past.

Our middle forwards are going great. Our edge backrowers look good too. We have won though two games on the back of our middle forwards especially the bench getting us a roll on.

 

[Shredder]

Its funny what Madge has done.

Pretty much the same roster that we have had for the last few years.

And off season of fitness and defence OBVIOUSLY makes a difference.

 

[cerberus]

i got alot of time for twal 38 tackles 150 metres .
always gets the job done

 

[trevcogger]

i got alot of time for twal 38 tackles 150 metres .
always gets the job done

And never misses a tackle The Twal Doll.

 

[trevcogger]

[Q

Unsurprisingly Madge is making all the right decisions.Reputations & salary mean nothing when it comes to team selections.Especially pleasing that 1 of dickhead Clearys pets the sluggish softy Eisenhuth isn’t getting a look in re selections in our NRL team.

You got it right with Eisensloth..
Shouldnt be anywhere near the 17 this season.

 

[The Charlatan]

Madge will be on a good wicket, the results have to happen otherwise he'll be out on his arse again.

Reputations mean nothing here, only results. Our marquee recruit is playing state cup along with other 2018 first grade regulars while kids, older fellas and new recruits get selected over them.

 

[trevcogger]

Madge will be on a good wicket, the results have to happen otherwise he'll be out on his arse again.

Reputations mean nothing here, only results. Our marquee recruit is playing state cup along with other 2018 first grade regulars while kids, older fellas and new recruits get selected over them.

This 2019 squad is not of his choice.
So win or lose this year he has a chequebook to buy whoever he thinks is best suited for 2020.
Farah retires,Benji retires.
Lets face it Liddle cant last 2 weeks or 80mins,so im sure first cab off the rank will be a genuine NRL hooker.
Jock Madden is waiting in the wings and probably 2 years away for the 6 or 7 jersey so we need to keep him.

 

[Tigerm]

In the future, I'd still like to see how Brooks would go at Hooker, (Wallace made the transition) he has every thing needed imo to make it there, would need a half though. Success will lure the better players here.

 

[Alan B'Stard M P]

excellent result first 2 rounds

 

[gordsy]

In the future, I'd still like to see how Brooks would go at Hooker, (Wallace made the transition) he has every thing needed imo to make it there, would need a half though. Success will lure the better players here.

Can't see Brooks being the player to make 30 plus tackles week in week out. I say we leave him at half and go look for a good hooker.

 

[Tigerm]

Can't see Brooks being the player to make 30 plus tackles week in week out. I say we leave him at half and go look for a good hooker.

Yep, point taken, but we do need to look at hooker, I thought Brook's defence has improved out of sight, he's got a kicking game and he is fast, we have been a completely different side since Robbie has come back. Just thinking (good) hookers are scarce atm. We have Gamble for the 7 and Reynolds to come back for Benji.