Match Discussion: Round 25 vs Brisbane @ Suncorp Stadium

[alexwilliams_66692007]

I really want to get a look at To'a playing centre or fullback. Reckon there is any chance this week?

Maybe if Ponga gets a rest later in the game

 

[macavity]

From sides named I expect the Roosters to win and Eels to lose, so we will get the Eels week one of the finals. Big job either way.

 

[Jono078]

From sides named I expect the Roosters to win and Eels to lose, so we will get the Eels week one of the finals. Big job either way.

Must win game for the Raiders so hopefully they pull it off. I would rather play the Roosters, BUT I guess if we’re going to win the comp you have to knock them all down. Bring it on.

 

[Zoidberg]

Bad news guys. I’m going to the game (minus another snap lockdown). Put your life savings on Broncos to win.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Bad news guys. I’m going to the game (minus another snap lockdown). Put your life savings on Broncos to win.

Me too!

Im also taking my son whos currently 1/6 when it comes to Knights games live (Sharks game 2 weeks ago was his 1st win) so we will be right up against it jinx wise

 

[ryan.a87]

Frizzel being rested

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Frizzel being rested

This is gonna get ugly

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Johns to replace Frizzell and Saulo to come onto the bench

 

[Jono078]

Johns to replace Frizzell and Saulo to come onto the bench

Really keen to see how Saulo goes after his significant injury and not having any games since. I can't comprehend how he's back so soon after what he suffered..

 

[Knight Tales]

Why would O'Brien risk players when the Eels are resting a lot of senior players? It is a no brainer. I would rest the entire spine. One of them gets injured and we have massive issues next week. Arthur is smart enough to know the finals are totally different beast. You start cold. You work your way into a groove and rhythm.

It is pressure first and on field play second. Players can tell themselves they are ready in terms of coaching and skill on the field all they want. Jelly legs are about the battle between the ears. As Iron Mike famously said, and it may be paraphrasing, but "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." We can criticise our attack and pretend the last week of the season will somehow unearth a miracle where we score loads of points against a very ordinary defensive unit this week. Or else , we reboot next week as our likely opponents will be ,with fresher legs and minds. Losing tonight with rested players is not as big an issue as people want to make out it is.

 

[Yosh]

I wanted to see some more Johns and Pastrami, so not too unhappy with the choice.

Everything is 20/20 in hindsight. If we win this game then everyone will be complimenting AOB's decision. If we get decimated in the forwards and lose by a cricket score, AOB is going to cope a hiding. It's also the worst thing that could happen f to our fragile confidence before the finals.

 

[Jono078]

Why would O'Brien risk players when the Eels are resting a lot of senior players? It is a no brainer. I would rest the entire spine. One of them gets injured and we have massive issues next week. Arthur is smart enough to know the finals are totally different beast. You start cold. You work your way into a groove and rhythm.

It is pressure first and on field play second. Players can tell themselves they are ready in terms of coaching and skill on the field all they want. Jelly legs are about the battle between the ears. As Iron Mike famously said, and it may be paraphrasing, but "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." We can criticise our attack and pretend the last week of the season will somehow unearth a miracle where we score loads of points against a very ordinary defensive unit this week. Or else , we reboot next week as our likely opponents will be ,with fresher legs and minds. Losing tonight with rested players is not as big an issue as people want to make out it is.

I was for this the entire time and the more I think about it I still don’t see the benefit of playing Pearce and Ponga at least.

why play them with the shittest pack we’ve named all year? Where do they draw confidence from that?

mouth game also gives them an excuse to not aim up and that can be damaging.

really don’t like that we aren’t resting more. Our regular season is complete. We can’t go higher or lower. Save the players and get the training well together to prepare for finals.

 

[perverse]

We may as well rest more if we're resting this many. I would only rest a couple of them in Brailey and possibly JSaf, but at this stage we've rested enough that I don't see much value in not resting more.

 

[slotmachine]

With who they have left in the 19 don't be surprised if the KP/Pearce/Clifford are given early marks

 

[Zoidberg]

I kinda wish we could just forfeit this match.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

This thread got depressing quickly haha
Johns and Crossland are both playing for contracts now, hopefully they put in a good performance today

 

[Zoidberg]

I guess just because we have little to gain.
It’s another great day is Brisbane, low 20’s, partly cloudy.
I’ve said it for the last month but hopefully today is the day our attack can click.

 

[Jono078]

I guess just because we have little to gain.
It’s another great day is Brisbane, low 20’s, partly cloudy.
I’ve said it for the last month but hopefully today is the day our attack can click.

I'm expecting our attack to look as bad as it has in the last month.

Our go forward is as weak as it's been, we already struggle with yardage from our backs. So I don't see the halves doing much behind this pack and besides some Ponga brilliance it could be really ugly.

 

[Burwood]

Can’t wait for this game. Very interested how Johns goes in his first NRL game as a starter. Saulo and Momoisea actually getting good minutes will be exciting as well.

 

[Tom155]

Sue out, King starts

Sasagi > bench + Hoy now 18th man