R13 v Newcastle Knights @ Kogarah

[Get2dachopper!]

As others have mentioned, it was a very boring game, only watchable if you’re a supporter. LPT was great, if he keeps on this trajectory, he may very well be that alpha prop we have been searching for. It looks like we’ll be set for forwards for the next 5-6 years, we just need to now bring on some young backs to complement them.

 

[True_Believer]

I don’t think it’s a matter of “letting Glover go” i think it’s more of glover wanting more game time and not sure we can give that with the incoming of Atkinson , with LKT. And Kyle.
illias is signed to end of 2026. Though I think he’ll leave IF he doesn’t get back into first grade.
yes Val makes some silly handling errors though he does bring some spark to us .
and as mentioned last night Sloan’s had multiple chances. His attacking power can’t help his poor catching and meters made. Would be making the swap for Lawson.

Glover - I agree. I mean the reality is, it's going to be difficult to keep someone in the team that wants more time in first grade. You can't chop and change players constantly and expect a consistent team and as a coach, you can't let the players dictate their game time to the detriment of the team. You need to find consistency - especially in the spine. If his attitude is that he isn't prepared to wait for his time in this team, then he can go. (if that is what is actually happening as it seems this place makes shit up on the spot).

I can understand KF being kept on. It's the same reason Hunt was kept around. You want to bring the halves through one at a time with someone who has played consistent first grade. Unfortunately for us, the only option is KF. He might not be the best, but he's better than nothing in that role at the moment.

I think the criticism of Holmes last night is a bit disappointing. The guy played Origin 2 nights earlier. He still did some really good things despite his mistakes. He has been pretty positive throughout the year to date and I think he has a positive influence on the team.

Finally, 90% of the forum wanted Sloan on the wing at the beginning of the year. Any person who has watched him play and has a brain would have known that he would struggle with his returns and his defense. It's just not in him to be consistent with these elements of his game at this stage. If you wanted him on the wing, you need to accept the good with the bad. However, those 90% want him dropped every week because he lacks in areas we already knew about. I shouldn't be surprised.

The good thing I took out of the game was that it was a solid performance in possibly trying conditions - Fox said the ground was wet and would have been slippery (evident in the footing and the drop balls). We didn't given them any chances to score (except for the one try following a couple of penalties) and we left 2 out on the field. It was a pretty solid effort.

 

[the garage]

aka Up the Guts.

It was the key for us last night...

Agree, with 'go foward' from 1st set of hands in any attacking sequence (the dummy half) before passing, it can disrupt the opposing defence systems. the sliding defence is based on moving sideways and limiting attacking space, if the dummy half can gain 5 metres or so then pass it has the defence backing up and constantly resetting therefore opening up the advantage line with more space for the outside backs to attack into.

Storm have been masters at this for a decade, Penrith also good until this year.

 

[Dragsters]

There's absolutely way more upside on Rava than Sloane.

Though we all know Ravas downside is a bottomless pit...

 

[The Word]

Sloan is a waste. He has so much natural talent but not heart to do the tough stuff.

Disagree.

 

[Number of the Beath]

Didn't see the game as I was out but watched the replay later.
I was very impressed with Lawson on debut. The writing might be on the wall for Sloan until he does some work on his game. I think Lawson on one wing and Tui on the other.
Big ups to Val Holmes for backing up 48 hours after Origin.
These young forwards, though, are something else. I'm starting to look forward to the next few years with these kids. Bring on Tsougranis and Halangahu!

 

[Spazer]

Agreed with above comment, the young forwards are looking really good especially Hamish stewart he has some great movement for his size. Couchman coming back from injury was moving well too. Val has got to have some of the quickest play the ball speeds.

I've been happy with how flano is improving the side, using our depth and giving debutants game time, it helps set us up for a couple years. 2 ACL;s is brutal though.

Mid-season we are 1st for linebreaks and 1st for least missed tackles ahead of raiders and melbourne, gotta be happy with that. Execution could be way better though, we haven't blown any team off the park yet but we will definitely win some games. Need to ice some of those putdowns and conversions.

 

[I'm Hornby]

Mid-season we are 1st for linebreaks and 1st for least missed tackles ahead of raiders and melbourne, gotta be happy with that. Execution could be way better though, we haven't blown any team off the park yet but we will definitely win some games. Need to ice some of those putdowns and conversions.

Manly are 1st for linebreaks after last night, we're second and Brisbane are third. Probably not a great stat to hang you're hat on judging by that.

Where did you get the least missed tackles stat from out of curiosity? I didn't realise that was a recorded stat.

 

[Mitty266]

Val needs some form of super adhesive glue applied to his hands so he can hold the ball.
his forward pass to Lawson in the opening 10 minutes just about summed up his week attacking wise…

 

[Lovemedragons]

As others have mentioned, it was a very boring game, only watchable if you’re a supporter. LPT was great, if he keeps on this trajectory, he may very well be that alpha prop we have been searching for. It looks like we’ll be set for forwards for the next 5-6 years, we just need to now bring on some young backs to complement them.

I see a brighter future now with Stewart, Egan, Couchman x 2, LPT coming through and looking well and truly up to NRL+ standard. I would think we need to keep De Belin and Klemmer around for 1 more season, perhaps 2 with JDB, to continue guiding these potential guns through. Lawrie has also improved and if he continues the momentum he could be a good asset to have around as well.

 

[redv13]

Manly are 1st for linebreaks after last night, we're second and Brisbane are third. Probably not a great stat to hang you're hat on judging by that.

Where did you get the least missed tackles stat from out of curiosity? I didn't realise that was a recorded stat.

He’s right. That’s the top 5 teams for missed tackles. We rate 1st. Stats from NRL app

 

[redv13]

The others

 

[I'm Hornby]

He’s right. That’s the top 5 teams for missed tackles. We rate 1st. Stats from NRL app

Well I guess we can thank Dean Young for that

I kid I kid.

 

[redv13]

Well I guess we can thank Dean Young for that

I kid I kid.

Calm down sunshine, let’s not get silly now. I can deal with Dean Young, just not as our first grade coach

 

[possm]

Glover - I agree. I mean the reality is, it's going to be difficult to keep someone in the team that wants more time in first grade. You can't chop and change players constantly and expect a consistent team and as a coach, you can't let the players dictate their game time to the detriment of the team. You need to find consistency - especially in the spine. If his attitude is that he isn't prepared to wait for his time in this team, then he can go. (if that is what is actually happening as it seems this place makes shit up on the spot).

I can understand KF being kept on. It's the same reason Hunt was kept around. You want to bring the halves through one at a time with someone who has played consistent first grade. Unfortunately for us, the only option is KF. He might not be the best, but he's better than nothing in that role at the moment.

I think the criticism of Holmes last night is a bit disappointing. The guy played Origin 2 nights earlier. He still did some really good things despite his mistakes. He has been pretty positive throughout the year to date and I think he has a positive influence on the team.

Finally, 90% of the forum wanted Sloan on the wing at the beginning of the year. Any person who has watched him play and has a brain would have known that he would struggle with his returns and his defense. It's just not in him to be consistent with these elements of his game at this stage. If you wanted him on the wing, you need to accept the good with the bad. However, those 90% want him dropped every week because he lacks in areas we already knew about. I shouldn't be surprised.

The good thing I took out of the game was that it was a solid performance in possibly trying conditions - Fox said the ground was wet and would have been slippery (evident in the footing and the drop balls). We didn't given them any chances to score (except for the one try following a couple of penalties) and we left 2 out on the field. It was a pretty solid effort.

Sloan is destined to follow the path of Dufty, Field and a few others. ESL seems to be his next challenge in his career progression.

 

[Victoire]

Nice tidy win. I never felt terribly worried or anxious. We carried it out with a mostly calm, controlled comportment. Lots to like.

 

[possm]

As others have mentioned, it was a very boring game, only watchable if you’re a supporter. LPT was great, if he keeps on this trajectory, he may very well be that alpha prop we have been searching for. It looks like we’ll be set for forwards for the next 5-6 years, we just need to now bring on some young backs to complement them.

Tonga has a few more years to reach his potential and so, is not our answer to the alph prop problems. At this stage, we need to keep developing our young forwards and recruit at least one ready-made alpha prop.

Lawson for left wing and CT on the right. We still need to get Suli firing on all cylinders or prompt him to 17 on the bench as an edge-forward replacement. Leilua to join the prop rotation until we find that alpha prop.

Kyle is a 14. Our long-term halfback will probably be Reed, and a rew season away. We need to let go Ilias and promote Glover to the halfback position until we find a better solution. In 2026, it will be Glover/Atkinson, unless we can secure a top halfback, such as Katoa.

 

[Spazer]

Manly are 1st for linebreaks after last night, we're second and Brisbane are third. Probably not a great stat to hang you're hat on judging by that.

Where did you get the least missed tackles stat from out of curiosity? I didn't realise that was a recorded stat.

Manly and broncs have played 1 extra game than us. Raiders 2 more games. It says a lot though. We don't score many tries off kicks.

 

[Slippery Morris]

It was definitely the bludger of the round but a Saints win is a win and we should be happy.
Saints should have won 32-6 if not for 2 tries bombed by Val and Sloan so they are creating tries not finishing them off. Knights were coming off a win against a weak Penrith so had a bit of confidence coming in but Saints did not really look in danger.

 

[possm]

Manly and broncs have played 1 extra game than us. Raiders 2 more games. It says a lot though. We don't score many tries off kicks.

We need halves that can kick well in general play.

I'm not familiar with Atkinson's kicking game but I can say that K Flannigan and LKT have very ordinary kicking games.