Match Discussion: Round 4 vs Cronulla @ PointsBet Stadium

[Seage]

The Safs and Klemmer make plenty of metres, but they're slow metres and rarely get off a quick PTB. Honestly I miss the days where we had Danny Wicks and Richie Fa'aoso - two big boys with quick feet and ball playing ability

Also if Fitzgibbon had any brains he would play Talakai in the centres for the rest of the year - can guarantee Gagai won't be the only centre he outplays

Don't think Brad Fittler agrees. Picks DSaf for Origin specifically for his ability to get off a quick play the ball by staying on his hands and knees during the tackle. Klemmer, yes, is much slower because he backs into the line and gets put on his back on the ground. JSaf? Who knows, he keeps dropping the ball before actually getting to playing it.

And whilst Talakai owned us last night, I don't think that's a guaranteed performance every week. If teams knew he was in the centres every week they would just game-plan to stop him through jamming up quickly, or putting bigger bodies out there against him.

 

[Jono078]

We play better without Ponga. It is that simple. I am not the first to bring this up in here. Had Ponga tried to play right, commit himself to getting smacked in the line, and create space for Gagai and Young we may have been able to go with the Sharks.

But it was just round 1 where no he wasn't dominant but he had his important touches that aided us.

Last night was a total cluster f**k and for whatever reason we didn't turn up good enough wanting to go toe to toe with the Sharks. We didn't match their energy and determination.

 

[Knight Tales]

But it was just round 1 where no he wasn't dominant but he had his important touches that aided us.

Last night was a total cluster f**k and for whatever reason we didn't turn up good enough wanting to go toe to toe with the Sharks. We didn't match their energy and determination.

But that is what KP is paid a million dollars for. To create and lead to find that energy. That is his job.

 

[Jono078]

But that is what KP is paid a million dollars for. To create and lead to find that energy. That is his job.

I don't dispute that, but to suggest we play better without him isn't wholly true, despite last night.

He has a lot to prove over the next month that is for sure.

 

[Zoidberg]

And the rest that you posted, more horse shit.

Sounds like somebody has a discipline problem.
I guess that’s why we beat them at football nearly half the time.

 

[macavity]

Sharks played well. A very Sharks like performance - drag a team into a slog then pull out enough arsey plays to win.

we played like we met each other for the first time on the bus, and our forwards took a Valium to celebrate.

 

[Knight Tales]

I don't dispute that, but to suggest we play better without him isn't wholly true, despite last night.

He has a lot to prove over the next month that is for sure.

Starting with understanding what leading a side actually means.

 

[Old dog]

Ponga seems to be Captain because he is rated best player or at least highest paid. Haven’t noticed any leadership qualities in past games.
I think Frizell is the type of player you want leading a side, plays strong and hard, on field for 80mins, usually, has plenty of experience including Representing

 

[spirit of league]

You were the better team tonight but to sit here and say that you think we played anything close to the style we did in the first 3 weeks is absolute horseshit

100% correct. But mainly, I'd say, because the Sharks outmuscled/enthused/played you. Knights weren't terrible, in fact, they played tough & hard. They were just beaten by the better team on the night. But, hey, it's only April. On another note, I've really liked what I've seen of Dom Young before last night but his attitude yesterday seemed a bit of a sooky cat. Happy enough to dish it out but throws his toys outta the pram whenever anybody 'dared' give it back to him. No doubt opposition coaches will have noticed that also.

 

[Yosh]

Tried to sleep off the loss but it is still bugging me no end... Just thought I'd organize some of my thoughts here... May help me not smash any more monitors.

- AOB needs to take responsibility for that loss. The boys showed through their defense that they were up for the game. Our attitude in games have been spot on throughout all 4 games of 2022. We looked great the first 3 weeks of 2022 when we had the ball. Why revert back to our attack from 2021?
- Why was Clifford instructed to kick it safely? Every other kicker so far looks like they are trying to take advantage of the wind and give opposition fullbacks and wingers hell. Why was Clifford instructed to play it safe on the one night he should have been given total freedom to unleash his greatest weapon? I want our team to be instructed to go out and win a game, not be instructed on ways to NOT LOSE it.
- What was Ponga doing all game? I've never seen a fullback stand around doing nothing like that. He might as well put on the blue trainer jersey out there. Does AOB have a special plan for Ponga? Ponga is best getting the ball in space out wide, why drag him into the ruck to stand around and get in our other players' ways?

I feel disgusted with that loss the more I think if over. I hate the Sharks as it is but to see them improve like that over one off season is sickening. They looked super slick, confident and energetic while we look like we are playing NRL in 2010.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

I was surprised to see @Alex28 even having a go at Ponga! All I need next is to see @The Axe of Druss say Ponga was bad and then I think it's official everyone has had enough of those kind of performances!

I didn't see the game but I heard he wasn't very good

Do I need to pay anything for your head space I'm living in or can I continue on rent free?

 

[Reflector]

Sharks played well. A very Sharks like performance - drag a team into a slog then pull out enough arsey plays to win.

we played like we met each other for the first time on the bus, and our forwards took a Valium to celebrate.

It is a travesty to the wider rugby league fanbase that this metaphor has never been uttered by a TV commentator.