RD7 V Tigers ANZ Stadium

[mickdo]

Can't believe we're such heavy favourites

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We weren't able to stop the go-forward of the Roosters. Their forwards rolled over the top of us easily in just about every set. Luckily our goal-line defence was up to scratch because we weren't able to contain them in the middle of the park, nor keep them down their end.

Spot on. We were good last week, and did some things extremely well, but we were also a bit lucky not to concede more. Then again, we were probably unlucky not to score a few more as well.

But we definitely struggled to stop the Roosters rolling over us.

 

[bartman]

I think we've got it over them. Peats will get our pack going in a way that not-Farah won't for Wests Tigers. And if we can lay the platform our talent in the backs should bring home the points.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

Are you asking if we lose anything by replacing Terepo with Lussick?!?

Allgood is in the equation - we know Allgood is a better defender but he ain't no heavy hitter like Terepo. We know Lussick is a heavy hitter so we don't lose anything there and he can play big minutes too.

Terepo offers more in attack than Allgood and a bit more crunch in defense.

I'm saying it might have been better to drop Allgood and leave Terepo on the bench but BA has his defensive reasons with Terepo as well as the possibility of rotating the younger forwards.

Allgood would be a better edge defender than Terepo and Lussick is proven to be a very good middle and edge defender too.

These Tigers love smashing opposition packs right down the middle and on the edges so I'm wondering if we have enough willing firepower to neutralise the Tigers forwards for 80 minutes allowing our backs every chance to win the game for us.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

Reasonable decision I thought... There's still some serious ammo off the bench, particularly if Allgood plays like he did last week and Pauli is getting better with every run..

Agreed, Muz. I'm wondering if it would have been better to bring in Jnr Paulo with the mission to legally smash any Tiger forward and drop Allgood to Wenty. Even more so with Farrah out injured - not sure if the Tigers have another hooker who can attack and expose bigger forwards getting tired like Farrah can.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Can't believe we're such heavy favourites

Yeah me either. It'll take me a while to get used to it.
In the back of my mind I sort of half expect everything to come crashing down on us.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Allgood is in the equation - we know Allgood is a better defender but he ain't no heavy hitter like Terepo. We know Lussick is a heavy hitter so we don't lose anything there and he can play big minutes too.

Terepo offers more in attack than Allgood and a bit more crunch in defense.

I'm saying it might have been better to drop Allgood and leave Terepo on the bench but BA has his defensive reasons with Terepo as well as the possibility of rotating the younger forwards.

Allgood would be a better edge defender than Terepo and Lussick is proven to be a very good middle and edge defender too.

These Tigers love smashing opposition packs right down the middle and on the edges so I'm wondering if we have enough willing firepower to neutralise the Tigers forwards for 80 minutes allowing our backs every chance to win the game for us.

I think the difference between Allgood and Terepo is that while Allgood won't change a match in attack, he also won't cost you in defence. He is a safe option, and with all the attacking talent in our team we're probably better off with Allgood than Terepo. Allgood can make his tackles and work hard off the ball, and we only need him to run it when there's a need for a second prop carry in a set.

I see Allgood and Terepo as occupying the same niche in the squad - both fringe first graders, but with very different styles. They are both definitely top 25 players, but in our team this week there is no room for both in the top 17. It's likely that when Mossop is available there will be no room for either of them (Allgood or Terepo) in our top 17. It won't be long before Junior Paulo is ahead of them both too.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

I think the difference between Allgood and Terepo is that while Allgood won't change a match in attack, he also won't cost you in defence. He is a safe option, and with all the attacking talent in our team we're probably better off with Allgood than Terepo. Allgood can make his tackles and work hard off the ball, and we only need him to run it when there's a need for a second prop carry in a set.

I see Allgood and Terepo as occupying the same niche in the squad - both fringe first graders, but with very different styles. They are both definitely top 25 players, but in our team this week there is no room for both in the top 17. It's likely that when Mossop is available there will be no room for either of them (Allgood or Terepo) in our top 17. It won't be long before Junior Paulo is ahead of them both too.

I get the mobility factor particularly if the Tigers get more than 55% of the ball because they have very good kickers, oops they lost one in Farrah, and very good line breakers in their backs (and forwards) as well.
So having Allgood on the bench would be a big plus if that happens BUT if ball security remains around 50/50 then we need to be able to nullify this young Tigers pack because they have shown they are more than capable of dominating big, powerful, experienced mobile packs like Moanly & Souffs, then we are in dejavu territory and then beggars the question, do we have the defensive ability two weeks in a row to produce what we did against the Rorters for 80 minutes and still win the game.

Ideally, if we con the Tigers into playing an open freewheeling game, we have every chance of blowing them off the park as part of our pay back for doing this to us a few times over the past three seasons.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We are executing so well on the edges that we don't need to worry too much about go-forward through the middle.

Back when we has shitty backs and edge forwards we needed to go one out up the guts but we are dangerous on both edges now. We can go wide early and not get pressured into error or a loss of ground.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Yep so glad we don't have to go with the one out shit up the guts anymore.

 

[Eelementary]

With Terepo out we've lost a heavy hitter both in attack and defense. Sure, he has a few handling and defensive mistakes still in him but against this Tigers pack we need all the heavy artillery we can muster. What is everyones opinion on this, do we gain, equal or lose firepower with Lussick coming in, Terepo dropping out & Allgood staying in the 17?

IMO, it was a good move. Terepo will be back (provided he keeps a positive attitude and works on his game).

If I was Arthur, I'd tell Lussick to do a JWH on Brooks - that is, get on his face and smash him at every opportunity to nullify his brilliance.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yep so glad we don't have to go with the one out shit up the guts anymore.

Well you wouldn't do it unless it was necessary.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

We are executing so well on the edges that we don't need to worry too much about go-forward through the middle.

Back when we has shitty backs and edge forwards we needed to go one out up the guts but we are dangerous on both edges now. We can go wide early and not get pressured into error or a loss of ground.

Agreed. This game maybe the defining point of our 2014 season.

There are just so many unknown factors coming from both sides that the coach who comes with the right tactics and motivation will teach us a lot about them and their squad for the rest of the season. Either team is capable of blowing the other off the park. I wonder if second phase plays a huge part in who wins the game, thanks to tiring out the opposition pack.

Am nervous and excited about this game.

Have no idea which way it will go. Am asking for a warm afternoon with a dry track and little wind. If the game loosens up a bit we might just witness one of the best attacking games for the past 20 years. To me, this game really is our clubs defining point for where we stand in this 2014 season.

Either we are middle of the road or a bit less or a genuine top 8 or top 4 side. To be top 4 we have to be ruthless for 80 minutes by completely crushing the Tigers giving them mo mercy, no slacking off whatsoever. If this happens all clubs will be dreading the thought of playing us for the rest of the season because they know the Eels will be ruthless for 80 minutes, they come ready to play the best they possibly can week after week.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Hopefully we can turn that for and against around.

Parra by plenty.

 

[yy_cheng]

Footy show said that Ben Smith might play this week

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Cue the Smith haters...

 

[spiderdan]

Footy show said that Ben Smith might play this week

Good defender but given the way the side has played since he's been out, and given he isn't one of the players the team is built around, I'd be thinking he should be playing for wenty waiting for an opportunity to get back in the team rather than walking in to the side.

 

[Noise]

If smith comes back in that really weakens our go forward on that right edge and seeing the edges have been where we are strong in attack I don't see it as a good move.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I agree smith doesn't have the best running game, but he is a stronger defender then Edwards. Maybe Arthur prefers him over Edwards because of his defensive capabilities. Arthur puts defense first.

 

[TheParraboy]

Footy show said that Ben Smith might play this week

for Wenty?