Match Discussion: Round 6 vs Sydney @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Woody90]

Yeah I would have been proud of the effort if the game was against Penrith but the Roosters didn’t play that well and are a pretty average team nowadays.

 

[Zoidberg]

Felt like we really missed Frizz too. Lucas is becoming a solid player but Frizz was killing it before his injury.

 

[Rod]

Disappointing loss, we could have won but tbh we weren't the better team after Ponga's knock. They did well to stay in the fight and almost steal it but it says a lot that Ponga was by far our biggest threat on one leg. I'm still stumped as to the answer in the halves.

May not have changed the result but there was some diabolical reffing in there tonight as well. Our attack was too lateral as it was and then throw in the Roosters being allowed to lie in every tackle for 5 seconds and it's no wonder we couldn't get any momentum.

Now they get a mini-break until next Sunday, I think they need it after that start to the season.

 

[aqua_duck]

We have no one with speed. KP makes the break and no one can go with him. Get Armstrong in the team yesterday.

Speed is only one aspect, there’s a real lack of desire. Last year we saw a guy like Gamble who isn’t exactly Usain Bolt score/set up a number of tries just by not quitting on a play. If you watch Cogger, he’ll pass the ball and he’s almost running backwards to get ready for the next play. I
Never thought I’d say this but I think we’re missing our balls of energy in Gamble and Kurt Mann.

 

[Apey]

Speed is only one aspect, there’s a real lack of desire. Last year we saw a guy like Gamble who isn’t exactly Usain Bolt score/set up a number of tries just by not quitting on a play. If you watch Cogger, he’ll pass the ball and he’s almost running backwards to get ready for the next play. I
Never thought I’d say this but I think we’re missing our balls of energy in Gamble and Kurt Mann.

I felt the same way about Watson tonight when he was with us. He's not a 6 whatsoever but a high energy player would have been nice in the 14. Crossland tried to be that guy in the last 10 minutes but he's not exactly a great runner of the ball.

 

[aqua_duck]

Boys did well considering the quality of roster they were up against.

Aust Captain out? no problem let's drop in a Golden Boot Winner. 2 mtr freak out ? No problem let's drop in a 2 mtr tall SOO winger.

We are a next tier down from the top clubs challenging for the Premiership. Unless we do something about our cap this won't change any time soon.

The best investment Wests Group can make would be getting Rorters former list manager. Think he's now up at the Dolphins.

Peter O’Sullivan, always did his best work with unlimited salary cap at his disposal. He was at the storm during the whole salary cap rorting period, joined the roosters before getting indefinite banned for a few years due to some dodgy dealings with a certain brothel owner

 

[aqua_duck]

Felt like we really missed Frizz too. Lucas is becoming a solid player but Frizz was killing it before his injury.

Lucas is a handy player but is definitely on the smaller side for an edge backrower, you line him up next to Cogger and it’s like a dream scenario for any ball runner, especially when the guys outside them are Gags and Marzhew

 

[perverse]

It's certainly true that we don't have the cattle. It's why we need to take gambles on guys like Dom, KPP and Pryce... hope they pan out... then hope they don't leave. We're desperately in need of just more threats in the team that can break a game wide open. KPP is coming along nicely and I do have high hopes for Pryce too.

Honestly Pryce needs to hurry up and learn how to tackle, because there's a number 6 jumper just sitting there in first grade waiting for someone to claim it. It's yours kid, just reach out and grab it.

I don't think our outside backs are much of a drama or concern at all to be honest. They range from perfectly serviceable to outright dangerous. Depth is an issue, and if we can upgrade Tuala unfortuantely it's hard to say no. As much as I like Enari - and i don't think he's ever going to lose you a game - he's not really going to bust one wide open either.

The biggest thing we lack is leadership. Stuff like blokes not supporting ball runners, etc. Who is out on the field giving guys a rev up when they miss those opportunities? That's what we're missing the most... leadership and a culture to expect more. Not supporting ball runners should have been fixed after the first couple of rounds after KPP had the ball swinging around in the air all over the place with no-one wanting to take it off him.

 

[Woody90]

Speed is only one aspect, there’s a real lack of desire. Last year we saw a guy like Gamble who isn’t exactly Usain Bolt score/set up a number of tries just by not quitting on a play. If you watch Cogger, he’ll pass the ball and he’s almost running backwards to get ready for the next play. I
Never thought I’d say this but I think we’re missing our balls of energy in Gamble and Kurt Mann.

Yeah I don’t subscribe to speed being the main issue. This is the same side that were leading the scorers after regular season last year. Sure, Dom is a loss in terms of speed but last year when we were playing with confidence we would have had 6 blokes running off those breaks.

I acutely remember when we played the Roosters last year we were all talking about lack of support play. It seemed to improve significantly when we went on the run. Possibly due to lack of confidence and hence giving up on the play. That needs to be addressed asap and hopefully now it’s cost them a game it will.

Saying that though if either Frizz or Gamble were in the side last night we win, both would have been there.

 

[Knight Tales]

Will Pryce your time has arrived. Cos had he been playing every chance he was on the end of that KP break. It's him or Gamble.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Our attack is not the issue neither are the halves if we are being fair dinkum

What loses us games is our glacial line speed and near complete lack of any ruck control in defence. The amount of yardage we lose up the middle of the field is diabolical. How many times in every game this year have we ended up with 1 or even no markers at the play the ball because the opposition are finding their knees and elbows or have just straight up left one or 2 of our guys on the ground behind them.

It was mitigated last week because of the weather, and to a degree the poor quality of the opposition, but when the track is dry our middles are blown off the park

If it's not addressed we will go absolutely nowhere in 2024

 

[aqua_duck]

Our attack is not the issue neither are the halves if we are being fair dinkum

What loses us games is our glacial line speed and near complete lack of any ruck control in defence. The amount of yardage we lose up the middle of the field is diabolical. How many times in every game this year have we ended up with 1 or even no markers at the play the ball because the opposition are finding their knees and elbows or have just straight up left one or 2 of our guys on the ground behind them.

It was mitigated last week because of the weather, and to a degree the poor quality of the opposition, but when the track is dry our middles are blown off the park

If it's not addressed we will go absolutely nowhere in 2024

great point, it’s disappointing that given the reputation of the town being battlers and passionate we’re unfortunately losing in the effort areas, at the end there Jacko admittedly puts up a nothing high kick that Suualii catches 10m out from his own line, the kick chase on that kick was non existent and as a result Suualii is able to make 40m on the kick return. Pretty sure if you examine the GPS data the distance covered and number of high speed efforts would be well below league average. As I said earlier we’re sorely missing the effort and energy of Gamble and Mann, Gamble was often the one leading the line speed in D last year, Cogger on the other hand is passive to the point that he looks like he doesn’t want to get his jersey dirty

 

[Burwood]

Is it fair to say that since Brailey has returned to the run on side, teams have noticeably attacked straight up the middle? Our line speed has been off the last few weeks, but when Crossland comes on it seems to tighten up.

 

[PhilGould]

Will Pryce your time has arrived. Cos had he been playing every chance he was on the end of that KP break. It's him or Gamble.

Injured in NSW Cup

 

[Haffa]

Is it fair to say that since Brailey has returned to the run on side, teams have noticeably attacked straight up the middle? Our line speed has been off the last few weeks, but when Crossland comes on it seems to tighten up.

I don't think that's fair on Brails. The raiders targeted Crossland and while he made a ridiculous 59 tackles he also missed 7. Cows did the same thing and he missed another 7.

Last night the roosters were more effective through the middle after Dan came on.

 

[Seage]

Peter O’Sullivan, always did his best work with unlimited salary cap at his disposal. He was at the storm during the whole salary cap rorting period, joined the roosters before getting indefinite banned for a few years due to some dodgy dealings with a certain brothel owner

Yeah....but apart from that it was all great work.

 

[Knight Tales]

Injured in NSW Cup

Did not know the severity was that bad.

Our attack is not the issue neither are the halves if we are being fair dinkum

What loses us games is our glacial line speed and near complete lack of any ruck control in defence. The amount of yardage we lose up the middle of the field is diabolical. How many times in every game this year have we ended up with 1 or even no markers at the play the ball because the opposition are finding their knees and elbows or have just straight up left one or 2 of our guys on the ground behind them.

It was mitigated last week because of the weather, and to a degree the poor quality of the opposition, but when the track is dry our middles are blown off the park

If it's not addressed we will go absolutely nowhere in 2024

AOB is so close to victories it must keep him up at night. We could 5 and 1 had we kept our composure. The one thing we have on our favour is we have “rep” players under extended contracts. It seems to be the way clubs do business now. They sign on spec and swap out rather than lose a player with no replacement.
I am not convinced the Safs see out these deals. If Leo signs long term I can see at least one being squeezed out. And you cannot escape the fact Barney looks Origin ready At the Wahs. I reckon he may get a bench spot given he can cover front and backrow. Or at least be in the extended squad. You’d get more value out of Barney and Leo up front plus change.
A lot of water to go under this bridge yet and if we miss the 8 I can see an overhaul. We have one of the best fullbacks in the game who tries his heart out every week. Too bad he does not have Joey’s no prisoners personality. Would love to see him lose it at his team just once. I’d have Klem back if we could get rid of the sloths wearing 16 and 10.

 

[Old dog]

Bit harsh on JSaf think he is playing well and should hold his spot.
Yes DanS has been very ordinary and is very close to playing Cup
Our next up props are Hetherington, Croker, Cartwright and Jones all solid performers but not threatening for 8 or 10. Sua and Bryan not quite ready yet.
As for moving DSaf along, can we? If he wants to stay then can he just sail along until contract is up.

 

[Jono078]

I wonder why marzhew was outside Gagai as usually he’d be on the same side as Best?

 

[SamSepi0l]

I wonder why marzhew was outside Gagai as usually he’d be on the same side as Best?

I hated this move tbh. Marz can be a legit star, Tuala is capped at being a solid performer. We shouldn't be moving Marz to suit Tuala.

Last night while they gashed the middle they started so many sets and runs of plays by having one of the their back three run over Cogger, get 15-20m and a quick ptb which ate up the middle.