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QF 1 Vs Roosters

chrisD

Coach
Messages
14,770
Anderson has shown in his 3 games that he can play mistake free, pressure footy,his defence is never found wanting like Dockers can be when he goes for the big hits and his workrate is better than both Docker and BMM. His metres gained also better than both of them,worth another run IMO.

Well against the Roosters NRL stats has BMM for more meters off the same amount of runs than Anderson, more tackle breaks (Anderson 0) and no penalties unlike Anderson. 2 more tackles and 2 more missed tackles. Same minutes, both no mistakes. And they were both among our 4 least effective players. Anderson's defense and work rate is no revelation, I'd prefer Docker to anonymous workman number 5 as his hitting at least provides some variation.
 

maple_69

Bench
Messages
4,596
Hard to post impressive numbers when you're playing 20 minutes. Anderson will come into his own when he is getting 50-60 minutes. Thats not going to happen this year though so point taken. I hope Docker is able to go back to NSW Cup and work on some things this week. Could do him a lot of good.
 

Frankus

Juniors
Messages
2,348
Unless it is for a key player returning, I believe Ivan Cleary is a smart enough man not to tinker too much with a winning side. I would guess Docker will lcome back in for either BMM or (more likely) Anderson. For all his haters he has his value.

DWZ justified why he should keep his spot with his performance on Saturday.

I tell you what, if Will Smith decided to take the line on in our next game the defence wouldn't know what to do. He needs to do it occasionally to mix things up.
 

maple_69

Bench
Messages
4,596
Would be great if there's been a bit of foxing and they're holding a few fresh Prince tricks up their sleeve for the big one.
 

chrisD

Coach
Messages
14,770
Smith needed a couple more games to get some confidence up before the pressure cookers, looks timid out there. Still our best available option.
 

mxlegend99

Referee
Messages
23,334
Give me Anderson over Docker anyday. He may not be as exciting as when Docker snaps someone in half, but error free footy, minimal missed tackles and penalties is going to win more games then a big hit followed by two missed tackles and a penalty.
 

maple_69

Bench
Messages
4,596
He's copped it for a few glaring defensive misses (Jennings and Vatuvei) but he's been pretty heavily targeted. He's been racking up 25-30 tackles a game which is huge for a half. I think he's taken pressure of Soward defensively. Perhaps the big shots we have been seeing from Idris are a result of the increased work sides are putting on the other edge.
 

Doomednow

Bench
Messages
3,133
Look at this piece from SMH

Sydney Roosters fans' hate just makes Panthers' Jamie Soward stronger

Penrith trainer Alan Mair was fulfilling a pact he had made with Jamie Soward when he ran out on to Allianz Stadium to high five the Panthers playmaker after his match-winning field goal on Saturday night.

But when Mair ran up to him with his hands in the air, waiting for the five-eight's embrace, all he got was a spray, as Soward pushed the trainer away and ordered him to leave the field.

And that was because Soward, who had been swarmed by teammates after landing the field goal, knew this was no time for celebration – there was still a game on.

While his teammates and support staff were in raptures over his field goal, Soward only had eyes for the clock, with referee Henry Perenara calling time off with fives seconds remaining on the clock.

But Mair was only doing what he had done all season in a bid to get the best out of the Penrith skipper, upholding a a deal he had made with Soward to show the playmaker some love while he was on the field to keep his confidence up.

"We've got a little bit of a thing going where I try to pump up his tyres," Mair said. "He responds so well to a little bit of loving. It's weird to say that a professional athlete needs it, but he performs better when he gets some love. I remember how well he played when Wendell [Sailor] pumped up his tyres.

"It's just something we do after each goal with a low five. It started off after he slotted one of those great goals earlier in the year. I got pumped and high-fived him. The next time I wasn't there to high-five him he said, 'Where the f--- are you, I need some love'. He loves it. He's a showman."

Mair wasn't aware there was still time on the clock on Saturday when he ran towards Soward – and was abruptly shut down. He said it was a reflection of his professionalism and mindset at the Panthers this season.

"I didn't even know there was five seconds to go, that's how switched on he was," Mair said. "I just said 'let's do the high five' and he said 'f--- off and tell the wingers to watch out for the short kick-off'. He was pumped and high-fiving but as soon as he got back to halfway, he switched straight back on."

Roosters fans have a strong dislike for Soward. Since leaving their club he's led the Dragons to a grand final win against them, and has now added a semi-final victory to that list.

He was heckled by the crowd all night. Mair, who high-fived Soward after his sideline conversion to level the game, knew the impact it would have on the Panthers No.7.

"When they started yelling 'Soward's a wanker' and booing him, I knew it would bring the best out in him," Mair said.

"He loves that. And I knew once they did that, he'd just love it. I haven't heard as much abuse as I did when he kicked that goal. He's never ever turned around or given fans the bird. I don't think he knows what they are saying because of how isolated he puts himself when he kicks. I talk to him from time to time and he doesn't even know."

The Panthers have made a habit out of playing out tight games this year. While they were all but over the line after Soward's field goal, the Penrith skipper said he was still worried about a Roosters miracle.

"I think it's the culture that they've built over a couple of years and I've bought into that," Soward said on The Sunday Footy Show.

"I think it's been shown a couple of times this year that it's an 80-minute game. We've been in a couple of tight ones. Mairsy has come on and trying to high five me or whatever he was doing and I told him to get off. Then [Brad Fittler was] trying to come on and I looked up and Henry Perenara had stopped the clock.

"I just had visions of Braith Anasta snapping that field goal a couple of years ago against the Tigers. I was just switched on and still panicking, but after that we enjoyed it."



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...d-stronger-20140914-10gqo8.html#ixzz3DP5Q2BCV
 

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