Match Discussion: Round 9 vs St Geo Illa @ Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

[Tigerm]

Team Update: NRL Round 9 vs Dragons

Wests Tigers have trimmed their squad to 19 players ahead of tomorrow night's Round 9 Magic Round match against the Dragons.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Nutz]

To me, as much as I love combat sport, this is one of the greatest mysteries that surround sport.

I actually love combat sport. Initially I though it was barbaric but now I watch it.
I was told ages ago that in order to prevent legal issues the signing of an indemnity form wouldn't hold up in court as it doesn't address duty of care. It's like giving someone a loaded gun to walk the streets and asking them not to fire it.
MMA was actually banned in most countries until it implemented strict rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of it's competitors BUT this seems to be a contradiction of terms.
The reason it's a billion dollar injury is because it's such a popular sport. Money drives the sport.
Because brain disease is detected in a post-mortem, and MMA is a sport that is relatively young, there are only few cases of CTE recognized in MMA.
However there are more and more suspected and confirmed cases of CTE as years go by.
What is going to happen to the sport if the cases of CTE occur at an enormous rate in the future?
Will the authorities still be untouchable? If anything does happen, I feel they'll simply do what the NRL is doing and that is to make strikes to the head illegal. Imagine boxing and MMA turning into a pillow fight.
Back in John Satler's day, it could be argued that the sport aimed to hurt or injure your opponent and that could be the NRL's get-out-of-jail card.
The NRL are doing a great job imo to eradicate head contact but accidents will continue.
What has to happen though is millions of dollars to be put aside to assist anyone who is diagnosed with CTE regardless of legal action.
Whoops, back to the game day thread.

 

[Nutz]

At the start of the year I didn’t think I would be this worried with Toa missing a game.

Staines hasn’t played any games for a long time so will be interesting to see how he goes. A big factor in our turn around has been the meters gained by our wingers which he has been weak at in the last so we will need a big game from him.

It would be interesting to hear the reasoning behind not going with Luke L this week

I'm worried about Staines' lack of game time. He'll be targeted for sure.
It's a double edged sword having To'a out as well.
I fear players like Valentine Holmes and Suli will create opportunities for slick runners like Sloan.

 

[Tiger05]

Because brain disease is detected in a post-mortem, and MMA is a sport that is relatively young, there are only few cases of CTE recognized in MMA.

I have a friend who fought in the UFC and I swear in one fight and he is a big man he was getting pounded by another big man. I saw his face the following week and it was a mess. The funny thing is he didn't appear to give a shit.

I worry about the long term damage to him though.

 

[Perth Tiger]

Yep and the way you describe it, it's how we should develop these guys.
They come in for a cameo because of injuries then after a game or two, go back to reserve grade and work on what he's learnt.....and so it goes on.
I'd like to see the same with Luke Laulilii, Kit Laulilii, Tristan Hope (even those he's older) and Makasini.
Unfortunately, something is missing with Justin Matamua.

I would add Latu Finau to that list. His body clearly isn’t up to full time first grade yet so bring him along slowly while we burn out Galvin before handing him off at the end of 26

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

I'm worried about Staines' lack of game time. He'll be targeted for sure.
It's a double edged sword having To'a out as well.
I fear players like Valentine Holmes and Suli will create opportunities for slick runners like Sloan.

Holmes is on the side that toa would have defended. I imagine naden will be there with turuva. It's got me worried.

 

[WA Tiger]

I watched the Cronulla game last night with the motivation of getting one over parra after what they did to us. Today the same with Luch L as the motivation..
Target the new half. Staines could be more valuable with more open play with his speed.. he will be out to make a point that’s for sure ..Win 26 -14

 

[Nutz]

I have a friend who fought in the UFC and I swear in one fight and he is a big man he was getting pounded by another big man. I saw his face the following week and it was a mess. The funny thing is he didn't appear to give a shit.

I worry about the long term damage to him though.

That's it hey, the brain being impacted against the inside of the skull.

 

[Nutz]

I would add Latu Finau to that list. His body clearly isn’t up to full time first grade yet so bring him along slowly while we burn out Galvin before handing him off at the end of 26

Of course, I forgot about him.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Ultra anxious about tonight, mainly cause I think its a game we should win. Toa a huge loss but our middles are much better then theirs. Kinda miss being a shit team where I had zero anxiety before a game hahaa

 

[Tigerm]

I don't think we have a bad team, and we should win the games we expect to win, this is one of them.
The core of the side is solid and remains unchanged except for To'a (Naden was probably first choice before he got injured, and Staines isn't a debutant), the spine is up there as one of the best.
No excuses, no mercy.
We've got this.

 

[Tiger Ted]

I don't think we have a bad team, and we should win the games we expect to win, this is one of them.
The core of the side is solid and remains unchanged except for To'a (Naden was probably first choice before he got injured, and Staines isn't a debutant), the spine is up there as one of the best.
No excuses, no mercy.
We've got this.

The spine is good but nowhere near as good as what Richo claimed they are.Without the props we’d be below penrith on ladder.

 

[Tigerm]

The spine is good but nowhere near as good as what Richo claimed they are.Without the props we’d be below penrith on ladder.

I never said they were the best, but they are certainly getting up there. It's worth mentioning that with our current spine, we have won all our games bar one.
Re: the forwards, agree, but the point is, we have them.
In the backs, it's a shame Skelton and To'a are out, but at least the replacements are not 19yo's making their debut.

 

[WA Tiger]

Re: the forwards, agree, but the point is, we have them.

Yes we do have them

 

[Nutz]

Ultra anxious about tonight, mainly cause I think its a game we should win. Toa a huge loss but our middles are much better then theirs. Kinda miss being a shit team where I had zero anxiety before a game hahaa

It's been pouring rain up here so it's going to be soft under foot.
Tigers 26
Dragons 18

 

[Tiger Ted]

I never said they were the best, but they are certainly getting up there. It's worth mentioning that with our current spine, we have won all our games bar one.
Re: the forwards, agree, but the point is, we have them.
In the backs, it's a shame Skelton and To'a are out, but at least the replacements are not 19yo's making their debut.

Its glaringly obvious that i made the comment re the spine based on what Richo said not on what u said.Richo made the ridiculous comment that they were the best spine which I hugely disagree with.

 

[Nutz]

Its glaringly obvious that i made the comment re the spine based on what Richo said not on what u said.Richo made the ridiculous comment that they were the best spine which I hugely disagree with.

It was a bold statement alright, good but not best.
LG could have built a dynasty at WT if he continued to gain experience and work it out with Luai but not to be. Some are happy, some not.

 

[Nutz]

Ultra anxious about tonight, mainly cause I think its a game we should win. Toa a huge loss but our middles are much better then theirs. Kinda miss being a shit team where I had zero anxiety before a game hahaa

Same same. My stress levels have increased, even after winning.

 

[Nutz]

Oh yeh baby. Welcome back Staines.

 

[Nutz]

What's the go with these haircuts. Some players look like they've had their heads stuck under a lawnmower.
Do they actually pay for that?