Round 1 v Manly game thread

[Chipmunk]

Anyone watch the post match media conf with Arthur?

We certainly made some silly errors, and conceded dumb penalties, but I've never seen a coach so annoyed/pissed/angry after a 30 point win in my life. Understand he wants to keep them grounded, it's only round 1, but he didn't seem satisfied in the slightest!

I was really pleased with BA's attitude towards the win and his comments in the press conference.

This club has had a lack of attention to detail and accepted mediocrity for far too long.

I'm confident this won't be tolerated under BA's watch.

When we've won the comp he might be satisfied, but until then he has little to no reason to accept anything but perfection.

 

[Eelementary]

My opinion is that Hoppa had a great game. I loved the way he held his run in scoring his try when Sandow was half tackled. Loved his clean up numerous times from short kicks. He ran strongly and his on line defence was great. He seemed to follow the play very well. Positionally he was very good.
He will do me for a fullback and no doubt he will get even better.

This.

He was a huge factor in our sturdy defensive line with his talk from the back.

I'd say the only blemish on his match was Stewart's try, which he might have been able to save in another dimension.

 

[TheRam]

I understand what you're getting at, and I agree at least with your first post (not so much the second about Hopoate).
And I'm glad Arthur has come out as not being happy with how we played overall, in the press conference.
I know next week will be a much bigger test, and it will give us more of an idea as to how we might actually fare this season.

But as fans we need to celebrate games like the one we had last night. Especially since they have been few and far between for the last half decade.
Enjoy it for now. You can be critical next week.

I didn't say I didn't enjoy it. I had a blast and loved every minute of it. Blowing Manly off the park is a brilliant way to start any season. But at the same time I can see our short comings and they're not minor. So just decided to pass on my views.

 

[Matty Bhoy]

I expect those defensive frailties on the flanks to sort themselves out a few games in. Two new centres and a new winger will have that effect.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

This.

He was a huge factor in our sturdy defensive line with his talk from the back.

I'd say the only blemish on his match was Stewart's try, which he might have been able to save in another dimension.

Watched that try a few times, stewart hit the ball at speed and moeroa should have just got him to allow Hoppa to finish him off but Moeroa was a faction to slow to react. But no disgrace letting foran to stewart try in

 

[Bandwagon]

Watched that try a few times, stewart hit the ball at speed and moeroa should have just got him to allow Hoppa to finish him off but Moeroa was a faction to slow to react. But no disgrace letting foran to stewart try in

Moeroa was sucked in just enough by Mateos decoy to create the space between him and Sandow.

Hoppa read it fine, but simply wasn't strong enough to stop Stewart.

 

[strider]

Good first win, can't wait for Friday to see how we back it up!

Nice present to arrive home to, eased the pain of the 14 hour flight!

oh - I thought you were driving back .... wise change of mind

 

[T.S Quint]

Moeroa was sucked in just enough by Mateos decoy to create the space between him and Sandow.

Hoppa read it fine, but simply wasn't strong enough to stop Stewart.

There aren't many who could stop Stewart in that position.

 

[Chipmunk]

There aren't many who could stop Stewart in that position.

I actually thought Moeroa was a little lazy with that try.

Moeroa still has a considerable amount of the game to learn, but he's certainly showing more than a little promise.

He'll do some great things and some not so great things throughout the year. You cannot expect everything from a 19yo.

PS - Semi Radradra looks like he has learnt an immense amount about how to play rugby league in the off-season.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

PS - Semi Radradra looks like he has learnt an immense amount about how to play rugby league in the off-season.

Arthur's interview on MMM today he said during the offseason Semi worked on other areas of his game other then running/scoring.

 

[Chipmunk]

Arthur's interview on MMM today he said during the offseason Semi worked on other areas of his game other then running/scoring.

Good one. I thought his scoring the 3 tries was the most least impressive things he did on the field last night. He showed great signs.

PS -Someone has also taught Sandow how to tackle, if he can learn how to defend next then anything is possible.

 

[Eelementary]

Watched that try a few times, stewart hit the ball at speed and moeroa should have just got him to allow Hoppa to finish him off but Moeroa was a faction to slow to react. But no disgrace letting foran to stewart try in

Certainly not disgrace.

I feel Hayne may have saved it, but then Hayne was a freak.

Hoppa was very strong IMO.

 

[Eelementary]

I actually thought Moeroa was a little lazy with that try.

Moeroa still has a considerable amount of the game to learn, but he's certainly showing more than a little promise.

He'll do some great things and some not so great things throughout the year. You cannot expect everything from a 19yo.

PS - Semi Radradra looks like he has learnt an immense amount about how to play rugby league in the off-season.

I agree. He's still raw, but gee - he looks like a future superstar.

 

[natheel]

Lussick dropped some silly balls and gave away some penalties but his intensity was great. He was high energy all night.

 

[natheel]

Good one. I thought his scoring the 3 tries was the most least impressive things he did on the field last night. He showed great signs.

PS -Someone has also taught Sandow how to tackle, if he can learn how to defend next then anything is possible.

Agree, his reads in defence were great and from where i was sitting he seems to actually talk a lot off his wing. I think he and Taka will work a great combination. That run from his goal line to half way was superb. He looks like he's going in slow motion

 

[Eelementary]

Lussick dropped some silly balls and gave away some penalties but his intensity was great. He was high energy all night.

I agree. I was very happy with his form (errors and penalties notwithstanding).

Darcy's hit on Lawrence was a beauty.

 

[Bandwagon]

There aren't many who could stop Stewart in that position.

No there isn't.

Hoppa did give himself every chance to though, hit him fairly square and a meter or so before the line. Which shows that though he couldn't hold him up, he both read the play and positioned himself well enough.

 

[half_back]

Moeroa was sucked in just enough by Mateos decoy to create the space between him and Sandow.

Hoppa read it fine, but simply wasn't strong enough to stop Stewart.

There were a few things wrong with the try. Edge sliding defence is all about communication in defence. Firstly no one on the edge spoke at all after watching it back. As said Moeroa waited on the Mateo line run. Mannah should have released him, it was his man. That left Moeroa flatfooted and he couldn't make up the ground. Compare to the second Manly try on the same edge both the man inside moeroa (Sef) and sandow both talking who they had and releasing inside defence, if not for Robinson falling over that try was covered. We actually communicated very well. Hopoate had is positioning right although stayed flat footed in goal when Stewart went through, if he moved forward to take the collision on or over the line he would have had a much better chance to prevent it.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Lussick dropped some silly balls and gave away some penalties but his intensity was great. He was high energy all night.

Yep, led the team in hit ups and metres from hit ups and was always in the middle of it while on the field.

 

[Bandwagon]

On the second try, Robinson had eyes for Stewart and the ball, but committed to neither the intercept nor Blair.

But again the space was created inside by Moeroa being a little slow, just a couple of strides behind the defence as it advances and slides, that leaves Sandow caught between sliding with Foran or staying in a bit to cover an inside run from Stewart, who if you watch the play unfold, is running fairly straight and then changes his line to go outside fairly late in the play.