R1 v Titans.

[Lovemedragons]

Mulheisen was really busy in defence against Wests and will likely not get big minutes anyway, more for insurance than anything.
We should run our big boys at AJ Brimson all night, playing centre for only the 2nd time in 1st grade - he'll be up against Suli which is good and bad - he has to tackle the big fella but has the speed and evasion to run circles around him. They have a few speedsters so we need to control possession and dictate where they start their sets. Discipline is paramount, too many mistakes in the trials and gave away too many penalties and 6 agains like last year - it's gotta stop. Time to turn this ship around.

it will be interesting under Flanagan if we start doing smart things like your suggestion on running at Brimson. Its been a while under a couple of dud coaches we have seen smart footy from our side, ie creating plays and tactics based on who we are playing. Of course the basics have to be in place too.

 

[blacksafake]

Mulheisen was really busy in defence against Wests and will likely not get big minutes anyway, more for insurance than anything.
We should run our big boys at AJ Brimson all night, playing centre for only the 2nd time in 1st grade - he'll be up against Suli which is good and bad - he has to tackle the big fella but has the speed and evasion to run circles around him. They have a few speedsters so we need to control possession and dictate where they start their sets. Discipline is paramount, too many mistakes in the trials and gave away too many penalties and 6 agains like last year - it's gotta stop. Time to turn this ship around.

Very sensible tactics imo too @kit66

 

[Wolfgang90]

Our strength is our edges, play to them early to get the titans spreading out in defence then look for our mobile fwds to cut back in the middle. Sloans ability to support play will be crucial when our forwards break the line. Kick early to turn around their big boys & force their smaller outside backs to make carries out of their half.

We've got the kicking game & game IQ to nail a winning game plan. We just need to stay disciplined & put in a committed effort. If they beat us with their speed then so be it, we can't do much about it but if they beat us on effort, I'll be disappointed.

 

[Wolfgang90]

Mulheisen was really busy in defence against Wests and will likely not get big minutes anyway, more for insurance than anything.
We should run our big boys at AJ Brimson all night, playing centre for only the 2nd time in 1st grade - he'll be up against Suli which is good and bad - he has to tackle the big fella but has the speed and evasion to run circles around him. They have a few speedsters so we need to control possession and dictate where they start their sets. Discipline is paramount, too many mistakes in the trials and gave away too many penalties and 6 agains like last year - it's gotta stop. Time to turn this ship around.

Very good point. We should be targeting their edges. They've got a few new & inexperienced players in those positions. Lets test their decision making ability & repeat efforts. I don't mind having some short side plays either. I can already envision the Suli & Rava power runs leading to a try (Rava v Tigers). That was using our strengths & we showed confidence in executing with our attack.

 

[FlickFlano]

Muhleisen had also played 40 minutes in reserves before that didnt he?

 

[kit66]

Muhleisen had also played 40 minutes in reserves before that didnt he?

Yes he did (not sure of his exact minutes) then made 42 tackles in the 2nd half of the 1st grade trial.
I'd like to see him get a sneaky try from dh close to the line, he's only about 4ft tall so could duck under everyone.

 

[kit66]

Our strength is our edges, play to them early to get the titans spreading out in defence then look for our mobile fwds to cut back in the middle. Sloans ability to support play will be crucial when our forwards break the line. Kick early to turn around their big boys & force their smaller outside backs to make carries out of their half.

We've got the kicking game & game IQ to nail a winning game plan. We just need to stay disciplined & put in a committed effort. If they beat us with their speed then so be it, we can't do much about it but if they beat us on effort, I'll be disappointed.

I was reading today that the Eels caused a lot of trouble for the Titans in their trial with lots of ball movement, off-loads (17) and second phase play.
In the first half when both sides had their strongest teams on it was 4 tries to 1 for the Eels and some pretty poor defence out wide from the titans backs. They'd be close to the smallest backline in the comp but yeah, speedy.

 

[The Word]

Saw a fair few players looking to offload in our trial game so hopefully this becomes a feature. Sloan could do some serious damage with broken second phase play.

I expect us to go left pretty consistently with Sua, Suli, Rava, at least until Leilua is ready to start, then maybe with Sua going to the right it might be more even. Our left was absolutely dominant and won us the Tigers trial game.

When Sua eventually moves to the right, I'm looking forward to seeing what his power game can do to release Bird in a bit of space. If Sua sucks in the defence Birdie could be a slippery little sucker, and with an all-rounder like Zac outside him, we could have some success there at some point.

I would have liked to see Sele start and F Molo come on after 20 / 25 minutes to use his power off the bench, but wasn't to be. The club have been pretty quiet about Sele's injury fitness unless I've missed something? Still think Front Row is our big weakness and I expect Flanagan to continue to look for a marquee player in this position for 2025.

 

[Wolfgang90]

Saw a fair few players looking to offload in our trial game so hopefully this becomes a feature. Sloan could do some serious damage with broken second phase play.

I expect us to go left pretty consistently with Sua, Suli, Rava, at least until Leilua is ready to start, then maybe with Sua going to the right it might be more even. Our left was absolutely dominant and won us the Tigers trial game.

When Sua eventually moves to the right, I'm looking forward to seeing what his power game can do to release Bird in a bit of space. If Sua sucks in the defence Birdie could be a slippery little sucker, and with an all-rounder like Zac outside him, we could have some success there at some point.

I would have liked to see Sele start and F Molo come on after 20 / 25 minutes to use his power off the bench, but wasn't to be. The club have been pretty quiet about Sele's injury fitness unless I've missed something? Still think Front Row is our big weakness and I expect Flanagan to continue to look for a marquee player in this position for 2025.

I know sua said he'll move to the right but if our left side is firing then I hope we resist that change. Why change something that's dominant? I love the power overload on the left with Su'a, Suli, Rava. It's unique & gives us a real advantage over the opposition. Defences will need to possibly play an extra man on that side which would open up space for our right side attack with the likes of hunt, bird & lomax 1v1 with the opposition which is playing to their tackle breaking strength.

 

[maestro1]

Ref Casey Badger
Touchie Casey Badger
Touchie Casey Badger
Stand by touch Casey Badger
Bunker Casey Badger
Seems as though she wants to keep an eye on JDB

It would be funny if there wasn't a lot of truth in it

 

[dragon thomo]

Spot on Word
We still need a quality front rower.
May from Roosters or
Hunt from Sharks

 

[st.phil]

Geez what a miss AFB was / is

 

[Victoire]

Congrats to Viliami Fifita on getting his NRL debut this week. Hope he wears the colours with distinction

 

[FlickFlano]

We need a new fullback

 

[Kiwi Dragon supporter]

we dont need another front rower now, given the players we have entering the top 30 next year.
If we want to go down that path then it will be at the expense of a bloke like Frank Molo so incremental upgrade

The top 30 is coming together for next year already.

Its important that Liddle gets through the match, he is potential 80 minute player but has had hamstring injuries in the past.

 

[FlickFlano]

100% we need another 1st grade ready hooker or 5/8 in the joint.
Hopefully in losing turner we can find one to bring in.

 

[baggygreen man]

But Honestly don't know what to expect as Flano said not to expect too
much this year.

What we can expect is a fitter 17, that translates into more minutes performing at your optimum. I also expect our middle defense to have more bite as hearing some hi praise from players for what Deano Young has done in the off season.

 

[Dragon David]

What we can expect is a fitter 17, that translates into more minutes performing at your optimum. I also expect our middle defense to have more bite as hearing some hi praise from players for what Deano Young has done in the off season.

I'm sure that the main purpose of Flanno and his team of assistants and trainers will be to get and maintain ALL of the players in tip top condition for this year and in the years ahead. Having the players in the right frame of mind comes with feeling fitter and stronger which help build on confidence. I wouldn't say that we have a great squad of players but they are decent and honest and they just need the extra bit of expertise to guide them which is happening, not like in previous years, and that will help win more games.

 

[baggygreen man]

Su'a, Suli, Rava.

Agree. Feed the beast. Compare that powerhouse trio with Eisenhuth, Bird, Lomax. Will be greatly improved with Luc Leilua if he is given ample ball.

 

[baggygreen man]

or 5/8

That halves pair we imported to play Ressies. Both look FG standard from the little footage I have seen of them. One has played international rugby yawnion.