Rd6: EELS v Tigers GAME DAY THREAD @ Accor 10/4/23

[Poupou Escobar]

The amount of times you’ve argued not to listen to what coaches say in the media, and now suddenly it’s gospel.

And likewise, you constantly complain Arthur never holds players accountable, yet as soon as he drops a player in poor form to make way for a promising youngster, you convince yourself he's started making scapegoats.

I like what you bring to this forum Pou, but you are not presenting a particularly robust argument tonight.

If Arthur's actions didn't match his words I would pay them no heed. But because they do in this instance I'm taking it as supporting evidence that he doesn't blame individuals for a loss the way you vindictive little merkins wish he would.

Go to bed, regroup and get stuck in tomorrow. I’ve got the day off so let’s have it.

I reckon you're the one who needs a nap. Not enjoying a win must be exhausting for you, and it's after eight o'clock there.

 

[84 Baby]

Maybe so but I don't think it could ever be questioned that there's no better leadership candidate at our disposal

True but just like with the “BA has had 10 years” so has Gutho and I think he could be a lot better than he is. But credit where it’s due, that kick was great

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Are you liking what Hodgson brings?

I'm not liking much that the team is doing at the moment. All the new faces are taking time to gel.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It would be good if the coaching staff recognised and addressed this no?

Addressing this weakness would mean losing a strength. That's how the salary cap works. You need to make trade offs. In our case we mitigate the weakness by controlling the ball, but this year we have utterly failed to do that: https://www.nrl.com/stats/teams/?competition=111&season=2023&stat=9

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Don't think Doorey should've been dropped regardless

Maybe they just wanted to give him more minutes, which they can't yet do in first grade?

 

[yy_cheng]

I don't think hodgo will go. I think ba thinks hodgos smarts craftiness and experience will take us to the next level especially when the finals roll around.

So if he ditches his secret weapon, he'll be scared as eff

 

[84 Baby]

Not necessarily a question that should be addressed just here in this thread but what do folks reckon our record looks like so far if Mahoney was still our 9 instead of Hodgson? Better? Worse? The same?

I'm not overly convinced he makes us a LOT better. I'd say we're 1, maybe 2 wins better off if he was still in the side. Not because he's a difference maker, but just because of the continuity and flow we're missing without him...

Couple of mates of mine who are Dogs fans are head over heels in love with him. I still think there's limitations in his game, he's a bit of a hog that's for sure. I guess he's trying to step up and lead by example there.

I think his defensive weakness is at least more coverable than Hodgson’s. Offensively they’re marginal but Mahoney has been more net positive this year. So we may or may not have been better off, but I don’t think he’d have been a significant difference maker other than for continuity

 

[the phantom menace]

Addressing this weakness would mean losing a strength. That's how the salary cap works. You need to make trade offs. In our case we mitigate the weakness by controlling the ball, but this year we have utterly failed to do that: https://www.nrl.com/stats/teams/?competition=111&season=2023&stat=9

Stats thread...

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Can you honestly say you aren’t obsessed with Pou?

He's one of this little gang that chases me around trying to prove me wrong. It's sad.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Agreed. He’d be good coming off the bench for reserve grade.

Well in that middle period of the game he's defending against a couple of merkins who aren't in the team for their attack.

 

[Noise]

Off-field leadership, management of staff and contribution to strategic decision-making, along with other execs/managers in the club. He also does the pressers, which makes idiots think he's responsible for every decision the club makes.

You don’t think he coaches ? And tries to implement game plans? Selects the best team? Aims to up skill players?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Was our middle struggling prior? At least assess the situation. Arthur’s “solution” didn’t really work. It hasn’t consistently.

I don't understand the point you're trying to make.

 

[84 Baby]

He's one of this little gang that chases me around trying to prove me wrong. It's sad.

Jesus think highly of yourself much

 

[Soto]

Maybe they just wanted to give him more minutes, which they can't yet do in first grade?

Rubbish. He started the first 3 games and played big minutes. Last 2 he has played less off the bench but has made his presence felt. Bizarre considering he has outplayed Murchie

 

[King-Gutho94]

I think ba has a plan. He's timing our run home.

Putting hodgo in requires the others to cover and to do more work. This will help us in the long run.

He s giving us practice in trying to close out close games

I mean thrashing teams didn't really help

Gotta make the finals to time our run.

Our defence isn't finals quality at this stage.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

“Source” or “evidence”. As far as I know BA isn’t on this forum. But evidence suggests he has been a significant contributor to our losses. You have argued plenty of times that players on top 13 money don’t get “dropped”. I’m pretty sure Waqa is one of our top 13 or even 7 players.

Just like you, I saw Michael Jennings in reserve grade, so obviously even the best players might need to play there at times. If it's good enough for Mennings it's good enough for Blake. The mental side of the game is difficult to quantify, especially for a bunch of amateurs watching from the sidelines and filling the gaps with melodrama from sports journos.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Stop scapegoating merkin.

I'm not blaming him. I'm certainly not saying this one game is representative of him as a player, or that I expect him to play as poorly next week. See the difference? I hope Dunster (and Hodgson) play next week. You hope they get the arse so you can feel good about yourself.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Greig mad a gigantic 44m as a starting prop. He needs to be boned. Hodgson again missed 5 tackles whilst Hands only missed 1.

Greig only played 19 minutes, and Hands never had to cover for him. Hands also wasn't on the field at the end of Matterson's and Hopgood's stints.

 

[Jake the snake]

Hey Jake do you think we missed Superman out there today?

Yes

 

[Incorrect]

Addressing this weakness would mean losing a strength. That's how the salary cap works. You need to make trade offs. In our case we mitigate the weakness by controlling the ball, but this year we have utterly failed to do that: https://www.nrl.com/stats/teams/?competition=111&season=2023&stat=9

Remind me how the Storm and Roosters and Panthers accepted this inevitable consequence of operating under a salary cap and just accepted glaring deficiencies across their defensive structures or otherwise....

Can't imagine Craig Bellamy just rocking up to training and saying - "righto you f**ktards Xavier and Reimis, we can't afford good players on your side of the field, so just try not to slip over or run in to each other when we're defending, everything's cool. It's just the salary cap at work."

FFS