Round 1 Vs Bulldogs

[redandwhite4evr]

Five things I took from the NRL and KOE games against the Bulldogs

1. Our trial wins against the Chooks and the Bunnies flattered to deceive. The Roosters didn't play their entire starting pack through injury or omission. The Bunnies, despite having their strike weapons almost entirely missing, still put 26 points on us.

2. In the forwards, it was men v boys- Jacob Preston is a similar build to our Couchman boys but his leg drive and strength (and perhaps our poor line speed and defensive technique) meant that he was just about impossible to stop- he and Kikau and then Tupinoua monstered us.

3. Lachlan Ilias is not an NRL standard half-back. His kicking game is thoughtless, and he is not a leader. Ben Hornby is a good judge of a half-having played there himself- and didn't want to keep him at Souths so that says it all to me.

4. If Gutho is meant to be a role model to Sloane, I hope he erases that part of the tape showing his turnstile defence against the Bulldogs winger close to the Dragons line.

5. I was expecting to see Sloane dominate in the KOE but it was Cody Ramsey who was sensational- strong in defence, and under the high ball and dangerous and elusive every time he touched the ball. Yes, he looks thin and could be rag dolled or knocked out of the way under high kicks such as Burton put up in the NRL but the bigger bodied Feagai was as well. I would give serious consideration to moving Gutho to five eight, Flanagan half and Ramsey full-back.

 

[Jubilee]

Five things I took from the NRL and KOE games against the Bulldogs

1. Our trial wins against the Chooks and the Bunnies flattered to deceive. The Roosters didn't play their entire starting pack through injury or omission. The Bunnies, despite having their strike weapons almost entirely missing, still put 26 points on us.

2. In the forwards, it was men v boys- Jacob Preston is a similar build to our Couchman boys but his leg drive and strength (and perhaps our poor line speed and defensive technique) meant that he was just about impossible to stop- he and Kikau and then Tupinoua monstered us.

3. Lachlan Ilias is not an NRL standard half-back. His kicking game is thoughtless, and he is not a leader. Ben Hornby is a good judge of a half-having played there himself- and didn't want to keep him at Souths so that says it all to me.

4. If Gutho is meant to be a role model to Sloane, I hope he erases that part of the tape showing his turnstile defence against the Bulldogs winger close to the Dragons line.

5. I was expecting to see Sloane dominate in the KOE but it was Cody Ramsey who was sensational- strong in defence, and under the high ball and dangerous and elusive every time he touched the ball. Yes, he looks thin and could be rag dolled or knocked out of the way under high kicks such as Burton put up in the NRL but the bigger bodied Feagai was as well. I would give serious consideration to moving Gutho to five eight, Flanagan half and Ramsey full-back.

Ramsey is 100% champion from the toes up but he has to add 10kg before he can play in the NRL again.

 

[possm]

Your argument doesn’t make sense. Bulldogs had 13 on the field and 4 on the bench. We ended up with 3? I’m not saying that had anything to do with the result but due to injury we had 1 less player in our rotation. Get it?

I have always believed there should be 10 players on the bench and once a player came off the field, they stayed off.

All ten bench players must have played at least 40 minutes in the most recent 'reserve grade.' game prior to being selected for the the first-grade bench of 10 players.

 

[possm]

I'm conscious that it might be just a grumpy old man thing - but what the hell was with the post try celebrations? I thought it was really poor - if you will excuse the pun. I didn't understand the relevance of the money celebration to CT or his reason for doing it when we were getting beaten. Hopefully someone tells him to pull his head in, because along with 'pie-man' it was an embarrassing footnote to an otherwise OK performance from the team.

I have to start by saying that Holmes did not have his best game in round 1. However, any winger playing outside Holmes is going to have more successful scoring opportunities than that of the winger playing outside Holmes. Flanno needs to solve this problem.

My suggestion is:
1. Leilua to prop - has the size, strength and off-kiad ti be a great prop.
2. Suli to edge forward - has the size, strength and speed to play edge forward.
3. A center who knows how to set up his winger is selected for the left center position.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Ramsey is 100% champion from the toes up but he has to add 10kg before he can play in the NRL again.

I've heard that argument and understand that it's well-intentioned but I would counter with the following:-

Firstly, with or without the Ulcerative Colitis, Ramsey is not a thick bodied burly guy like Tedesco. That is not his body type. Sloan has been trying to add weight for a couple of years without success but apparently this year added a few kilos. Jayden Campbell on the Gold Coast is another thin bodied player who continues to play NRL without calls for him to beef up. Bottom line, none of us can change our body type which can be genetic and is also linked to other bodily features such as metabolism.

Secondly, if he adds the amount of weight you suggest, he may lose the speed and agility he showed on Saturday. He was as elusive as the proverbial blue arsed fly- took me back to watching Changa shredding defences in the 60s. Nobody has made the observation that Ramsey played a full 80minutes and instigated the try of the match (with Sloan) in the second half. He ran for 180 metres, knocked a winger into touch to save a try and took high balls under pressure. The Bulldogs KOE team were not easy beats by any stretch of the imagination and imo, Ramsey was the difference. What more could he do?

 

[WepnutV]

Us bunnies have celebrated 21 premierships × 21 bottles of verve clicquot since 1908 a feat stmerge will never do you came into the game in 1922 your not a foundation club.. that must irk you cobber now your a merged club with the Illawarra steelers have you ever heard of marching ? Now your back to ( 1 premiership ) with your new identity called stgeorgeillawarra..

What must irk you is the fact bunnies home games are played in front of empty stadiums while our rd 1 game gets sold out? Ir has it got more to do with the fact we haven’t won a wooden spoon since 38? I sense a lot jealousy coming from you.. I get it but

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Would Ramsey be 72kg right now at 185cm ?

He was 82kg max when playing NRL

Give him time............Flano has a plan.......... let him build up and crush it NSW Cup like he did last weekend

Then he comes into contention when he can play NRL and stay in NRL..............thats the key !

BUT !!!!

80 minutes unscathed, but put the icing on his return with a try in the 64th minute. The talented fullback also set up a try, got two linebreaks, six tackle busts and 180 running metres.

OUTSTANDING RETURN !!!!!!

I cried for sure

 

[Victoire]

Following a team like the Dragons all your life can afflict you with a mild case of arrested development. Sure you can grow up to be a (handsome) 40ish year old with a career and kids etc... but when your team lets the fkn Bulldogs score another fkn try you will instantly become a 10 year old ranting raving child again. Thankfully I didn't throw pies when I was a kid, so I didn't do that... but still... my inner child was awakened and not pleased about it. We'll beat them in round 20, kid (maybe)

 

[Slippery Morris]

I was at the game on Saturday and I apologise guys as I have never seen Saints win in years live so should have kept away and will do so in future. No more going to Dragons games for me as I am clearly a jinx.

At the game I started watching the reserves and they looked good. Saints were down for a bit but in the second half, they looked really good. Saints have some good depth in the juniors which was pleasing and well done to Ramsey. What an inspirational person he is.

In the main game the Dogs were better than Saints. It was the line speed that killed Saints but for me the turning point was when Toby Couchman got injured and then JDB came off for a HIA. During that period Dogs scored 2 tries. Not much in it as both teams were 1 try a piece as it was 6-4 Saints up to 30 mins.

Sitili also to me made a huge difference and why Saints did not go for him is beyond me. He was great at the chooks and can run a hole. He is what we expect from big Luciano, difference is Sitili is far more consistent in those runs. In the trials, Saints seemed to drop off 10 mins before and 10 mins after half time. That is when the damage was done by the Dogs. It's must be the interchanges not making an impact. Liddle I don't think came on till second half so maybe putting him on during that period will make a difference. Simple change by giving Liddle more time as he did not get much on Saturday and was as much impact to the Dogs as Sitilii was to the Saints, difference is the timing of these subs and Saints failed big time here but it is a learning experience as they have a new spine.

Matt Burton had time to drink a coffee before a kick that is how poor Saints were in their line speed. That is their main weapon in attack and you would think that would be the Saints main focus. Apply pressure on Burton but they were happy to let him plan where to kick it, how, to who and how far. No pressure what's so ever.

1 try for the Bulldogs was so forward we all thought we were watching the Super Bowl but it was not called back. I think it was the Kurt Mann pass. But then again we were all confused with Saints penalty try as I feel CT lost it cold. There was no intent from Crichton to go in with knees, we was running at full pace to stop the try.

People are bagging Illias but the kid is coming off a long injury layoff. He showed a lot of effort and will only get better. He needs time. Dogs targeted him like all teams will so he will need to be on his A game quick smart. Give the kid time before bagging him. Both halves under pressure with Atko coming in next season. If they want to stay in the NRL they need to have good seasons. They have enough pressure and don't need fans bagging them on top.

There was one sad moment though in leaving the game, a man got hit by a car I think and was being attended to by the ambulance on Princes Highway. I hope he is ok but it did not look good. I feel for him and his family and hope all is ok.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

The female touch judge spent most of the time on the field, not on the line, yelling out instructions. As if she wanted to be part of the show. Who was it?
CC

Belinda Sharpe....

 

[Jubilee]

I've heard that argument and understand that it's well-intentioned but I would counter with the following:-

Firstly, with or without the Ulcerative Colitis, Ramsey is not a thick bodied burly guy like Tedesco. That is not his body type. Sloan has been trying to add weight for a couple of years without success but apparently this year added a few kilos. Jayden Campbell on the Gold Coast is another thin bodied player who continues to play NRL without calls for him to beef up. Bottom line, none of us can change our body type which can be genetic and is also linked to other bodily features such as metabolism.

Secondly, if he adds the amount of weight you suggest, he may lose the speed and agility he showed on Saturday. He was as elusive as the proverbial blue arsed fly- took me back to watching Changa shredding defences in the 60s. Nobody has made the observation that Ramsey played a full 80minutes and instigated the try of the match (with Sloan) in the second half. He ran for 180 metres, knocked a winger into touch to save a try and took high balls under pressure. The Bulldogs KOE team were not easy beats by any stretch of the imagination and imo, Ramsey was the difference. What more could he do?

Cody was quoted here as saying he is now down to 80kg from his playing weight of 90kg.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/dragons-fan-who-allegedly-threw-meat-pie-at-bulldogs-supporter-at-nrl-game-set-to-front-court/news-story/cbb5685e0f25f2a40a4add186b7d27bb?amp

in other news. This dickhead is being charged.

crazy how this merkin is banned from going to footy games in future. But Ezra Mann gets banned for 9 games for driving unlicensed, on drugs, and crashing into another car….it makes no f**king sense

 

[southsydneyrabbitohs]

What must irk you is the fact bunnies home games are played in front of empty stadiums while our rd 1 game gets sold out? Ir has it got more to do with the fact we haven’t won a wooden spoon since 38? I sense a lot jealousy coming from you.. I get it but

21 premierships unmatched and unsurpassed since 1908..

 

[jeffdragon]

Belinda Sharpe....

She missed a forward pass during play not for a try another earlier during play.
Don't know how she missed that.

 

[southsydneyrabbitohs]

The rabbits did not exist for a year or so. I can argue that when you re entered the competition you were a new entity. I can see how my above statement sound a bit over the top, but what you are stating about St George Illawarra is just your personal wish. In reality it is a continuation of both the St George & Illawarra heritage.

Why not add Kiama too lol

 

[Jubilee]

Would Ramsey be 72kg right now at 185cm ?

He was 82kg max when playing NRL

Give him time............Flano has a plan.......... let him build up and crush it NSW Cup like he did last weekend

Then he comes into contention when he can play NRL and stay in NRL..............thats the key !

BUT !!!!

80 minutes unscathed, but put the icing on his return with a try in the 64th minute. The talented fullback also set up a try, got two linebreaks, six tackle busts and 180 running metres.

OUTSTANDING RETURN !!!!!!

I cried for sure

I doubt he is 72kg at 185cm. I am 5'11 and am gaunt if I let myself go under 80kg.

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Cody was quoted here as saying he is now down to 80kg from his playing weight of 90kg.

I saw that
he doesn't look 80kg
Mark Carrol reckoned he looked 75kg
probably 76-78

Sadly weight gain will be very slow if at all

But, there are a a few NRL players his weight and if anyone can prove the doubters it is Cody.

I truly enjoyed watching him play last weekend on Fox.

Quite emotional!

Pity I won't see him more on the box.

 

[redv13]

I saw that
he doesn't look 80kg
Mark Carrol reckoned he looked 75kg
probably 76-78

Sadly weight gain will be very slow if at all

But, there are a a few NRL players his weight and if anyone can prove the doubters it is Cody.

I truly enjoyed watching him play last weekend on Fox.

Quite emotional!

Pity I won't see him more on the box.

Reserve grade live on fox this week vs Souths at 1240pm.

 

[The Word]

H

I saw that
he doesn't look 80kg
Mark Carrol reckoned he looked 75kg
probably 76-78

Sadly weight gain will be very slow if at all

But, there are a a few NRL players his weight and if anyone can prove the doubters it is Cody.

I truly enjoyed watching him play last weekend on Fox.

Quite emotional!

Pity I won't see him more on the box.

Yeah you're right. His weight gain has been slow and gradual but continuous. When you look at how much weight he lost, 29 kilos, the fact that he's put on as much as he has is incredible.

I agree with many that he is still too lightweight for nrl. At his peak he was a lot bigger than he is now and just as quick, so that won't be an issue.

If I was a betting man I would back him to add enough additional muscle to get there. When you look at how single-minded this man has been, to achieve his nrl dream, survive this awful illness, and fight back to where he is now you'd have to back him to add another 5-10kg and get there. There's no rush, half a season in NSW Cup and then let's take another look.