Round 1 v Sharks

[redv13]

Haven’t bothered flicking through the thread and I’m sure it’s been covered but you guys were f**king unlucky all night. Not often when you win by 14 but feel you were barely the better side on the field. Good effort guys....keep that second half intent up and cut down the errors and a win won’t be too far away.

Well said. Couple of 50/50 calls but that’s footy unfortunately. Enjoy the win

 

[Old Timer]

It’s going to be a long, long season when one of the team’s best players is the forum whipping boy..

Who might that be?

 

[RedVDave]

Some positive signs there for sure. Liked Griffin's postgame interview no excuses no BS just a clear indication we need to get better.

 

[redv13]

Some positive signs there for sure. Liked Griffin's postgame interview no excuses no BS just a clear indication we need to get better.

Compared to the ex bozo it was refreshing to hear a real coach speak

 

[SaintPauli]

First half looked like the same ol crap.
2nd half, looked a different team. Forwards ran harder. Particularly Lawrie and Vaughan with best runs in over a year.

Bird continues to impress. He brings that rugged ness missing since 2010!

Ramsay played tops for a new nrl career.

Dufty needs a shit load of practice with bombs. He scored a great try though was irresponsible for 12 points with errors.

 

[Slackboy72]

Dufty failed to fully commit.

He needed to sprint back and dive / catch and force the ball but he just loped along and was busy gawking around seeing who else was making a play for it and ultimately left it up to Hunt who had the attackers running in traffic with him.

Sorry but that is seven shades of bullshit you're selling there.

 

[gitano]

Ramsey, dangerous but a bit small at this stage, especially in the wet.

Bird lifted them at times. Not sure where he'll end up playing.

Lomax captain fumbles yet again, was given a bath by Dugan. Ridiculous offload decision and predictable step.

As for the engine room, Lawrie was good, looks more physically there this year. Vaughan had half a dig at times. Poasa looked lost. AM slow. Merrin past it. Kerr not a middle or edge player.

We were bullied tonight. Cheap shots, rubbing our nose in it. The best we can toss up is a bit of lame push and shove. Alvaro did Alvaro things. Not his fault he was signed.

No ticker. We defend soft. No intent, no aggression. Don't run hard enough either.

For mine, Bird stays at centre as Feagai didn't look ready and Willame is not NRL quality. Need to bite the bullet with halves, even though Bud is injured. I'd throw Amone in next week, fast track in Townsville and he'll offer more than nothing with a kick on the end of it.

 

[Dragons154]

1st half was dreadful.
2nd half showed quite a lot of improvement, I think you will gradually see the team build over the season.

positives.
Lawrie was actually quite good and has looked to improve since last year.

Vaughan’s second half involvement was massive

AM service from 9 was sharp, “except for that MIA attempted.

Hunt attacked the line on more than 1 occasion

Ramsey and bird looked dangerous everytime they touched the ball.

negatives.

Dufty done more bad than good, yes his try was out standing. But his 2 errors led directly to try’s and they were both basically unforced. His choice to call from a captains challenge showed his level of self importance and was a real bad choice. Needs to improve otherwise Ramsey deserves the spot.

Sims was non existent.

kerr is a front rower, not a back rower.

 

[LINESPEED]

As I stated earlier I will reserve my judgment on AM because of the weather conditions and obviously he played for 80 and did a shit load of tackling, but imo if we are to make some real go forward in attack we need some quick and positive darts from dummy half, to add a bit of variet

Sullivan 7 & Duff 5/8
Bird to pack with JDB (?)
& we’re top 8 certs if the forwards build.
Plenty of dart in those halves

 

[Smurf]

My take after a very deep breath
Backs B Grade potentially they could rise to B plus
Special mention to Bitd
Forwards C Grade ( but special mention to Vaughan Blocker and Macca )
Reserves - D Grade - Loved Merrin 10 years ago , Still love his ex Sally but no way he should be in the 17
We really really need two FG hard forwards
And as for Duffy - it’s all been said
Rocks and Diamonds

 

[Maximus]

Yep going across to the wing and did not react at all whilst standing there watching Sims. After the error there was ZERO reaction from Dufty who clearly was not in the right position and over ran the ball. Ramsey was there defensively so not sure what Dufty was thinking

Ramsey raced up on Kennedy meaning his winger was unmarked, and Dufty was racing across to cover. 99% of the time that is a pass and Dufty is in the right position

 

[Maximus]

Dufty was out of position for the 1st try.
He's the Fb and he wasn't there to clean it up when Hunt miss kicked (which was also a lazy effort). He was nearby but wasn't in position to get the footy or he would of. Simple as that and the likes of Teddy, Paps etc are almost always in the right spot.

So he's supposed to know Hunt was going to kick it from under his hands and be in the position he kicked it to instead?

 

[Inisai Toga]

Hoping for more effort and they gave it; nice to see. Tough and niggly game and our forwards had a real dig. Feel they might get some confidence from that and hope they keep improving as they slowly tweak positions. Congratulations to Bird. Big psychological achievement.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Anyone know what Ramsay ended up doing to his ankle area.....but early I guess

 

[mickeylane]

Ramsey, dangerous but a bit small at this stage, especially in the wet.

Bird lifted them at times. Not sure where he'll end up playing.

Lomax captain fumbles yet again, was given a bath by Dugan. Ridiculous offload decision and predictable step.

As for the engine room, Lawrie was good, looks more physically there this year. Vaughan had half a dig at times. Poasa looked lost. AM slow. Merrin past it. Kerr not a middle or edge player.

We were bullied tonight. Cheap shots, rubbing our nose in it. The best we can toss up is a bit of lame push and shove. Alvaro did Alvaro things. Not his fault he was signed.

No ticker. We defend soft. No intent, no aggression. Don't run hard enough either.

For mine, Bird stays at centre as Feagai didn't look ready and Willame is not NRL quality. Need to bite the bullet with halves, even though Bud is injured. I'd throw Amone in next week, fast track in Townsville and he'll offer more than nothing with a kick on the end of it.

Ouch!
Damn the truth hurts!
I must agree

 

[mickeylane]

Very early days but some things stick out like a sore thumb from yesterday.
1. Jack Bird needs to have ball in hand as much as possible - he’s our Cameron Munster when reaches peak match fitness - I do agree a move to 5/8 could be it.
2. Tariq Sims 2018 where are you ? Unfortunately Tariq shade of the player he was .. no impact in attack except the odd hard hit in defence.
3. Dufty has a fundamental problem w the high ball if he hasn’t rectified it in the off season w 3 seasoned coaches going at him - he never will. IMO has to be dropped - he cost us 12 points which really means we lost a 2 point game - teams like Panthers, Roosters, Storm, Rabbits will pull him apart w all his weaknesses.
4. Kerr - I just don’t know. A physique that should make him one of the most damaging forwards in the NRL and plays like lightweight centre.. there’s something wrong here w his lack of aggression. FMD look at Blocker Lawrie dude - runs like he wants run through the backyard fence!
5. Lomax needs very early ball or he’s totally nullified.
6. Mcculloch is a f**king workhorse in defence !
7. There is a clear willingness in this team to improve - you could sense it yesterday - the team WILL improve .

 

[2218]

Is ford injured?

 

[Gareth67]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/b...s/news-story/0b8c4e656df0fdecd36afce4acca6b09

Sickening to read mate .

 

[saintzrule]

I liked Hunt's use of the torpedo bomb, much better than the predictable stuff.

 

[Como Connection]

I liked Hunt's use of the torpedo bomb, much better than the predictable stuff.

Jamie must be behind it.
CC