Round 16 vs Warriors

[hewi]

I wouldn’t have chosen the team that was announced however I’ll wait until after the game before I pass judgment.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I don't think this will be the final team, especially in the forwards.

Maybe, Tariq gets a rest, which would move BB into the starting edge and Ford coming into the 17. Wouldn't surprise if Fui replaced Kerr, with Kerr reverting to the bench and Ford used as the bench lock to give JDB a spell.

As with a few others, I'm mystified at Beale on a wing, with Sloan not even making the 21, but JP does. Maybe it's just a defensive move.

As far as the Feagai boys are concerned, I guess they're playing it very safe with Max, and given that next week is a bye round and now the KC has been suspended until at least the 17th, too greater risk, for 1 game. Mat has played 2 games back in KC, also from injury. Maybe, just not ready, again for 1 game.

I'd be interested to know if these boys, Sloan included, and maybe a few others have been included in the COVID bubble of the main squad?

 

[kit66]

Apart from Beale and Williame who are in for the unavailable Zac and Rava that's probably our strongest team.
Personally I'd have put a Feagai on the wing and maybe even one at centre but I guess Williame has earned his spot with some strong performances ( he's surprised me anyway ). I'd be tempted to start with McGuire on, Lawrie off because we need a bit of punch early on and good metres and Lawrie would have good impact off the bench against the Warriors bench guys.
The Wariors beat us by just 6 points in rnd 6 ( or 3 goals, it was 3 tries apiece ) and had to achieve 40 completions from 41 sets to do it. It's hard to see us staying in the 8 for much longer unless we turn things around and regain the form we showed early in the year. We simply can't afford to lose any of our remaining games against teams below us of which there are 4, all must win games. Of course we'll have to pick up a few against top 6 teams in the other 5 games as well but it all starts Friday night.
My main concern will be the refs targeting / keeping a close eye on McGuire and especially Fui ( Paps is still out of action and there'll be those in the NRL who would want Fui " dealt with " - and yes I'm aware of the irony here with the Kafusi vs Matterson farce. ).

 

[SaintPeter]

I'm a big Hook supporter but, Jees :
Beale on the wing ?? Why?? when we have fantastic talent coming through busting for a chance
(smacks of self preservation by Hook)
Ditto, with Dufty. The coach knows we have talent there !! in Sloan (who killed it last week) and co and others but goes with a guy that we know cant or wont tackle??
Any way ... go the mighty DRAGONS.

 

[kit66]

Mm..I’d take Sims defence any-day Kitt66!

Not sure what you mean ? I wasn't suggesting dropping or moving Sims, he's close to our best each week and probably my favourite Dragon. I'm just stating facts for those critical of Kerr's defence at 2nd row.

 

[thebigredv]

Beale on the wing makes zero sense. I can only imagine it is smoke and mirrors. If he plays on the wing I'll be a monkey's uncle. Dead set.

 

[Saints Forever]

Beale will run the ball back from our 20 with power but I am a bit worried about the lack of speed out wide.

Bird lacks speed as does Beale. Both solid defenders.

We will rely heavily on Matt Dufty for points.

Let’s hope he defends well.

 

[Mickthedragon]

I don't get the picking of Beale on the wing. He's easily been the worst player in the team over the last couple of weeks.
Strange that he's sticking with him.

 

[Como Connection]

I'm a big Hook supporter but, Jees :
Beale on the wing ?? Why?? when we have fantastic talent coming through busting for a chance
(smacks of self preservation by Hook)
Ditto, with Dufty. The coach knows we have talent there !! in Sloan (who killed it last week) and co and others but goes with a guy that we know cant or wont tackle??
Any way ... go the mighty DRAGONS.

Why, because he wants to make the 8.
CC

 

[Como Connection]

I don't get the picking of Beale on the wing. He's easily been the worst player in the team over the last couple of weeks.
Strange that he's sticking with him.

Beale has been fine.
CC

 

[redv13]

I don't get the picking of Beale on the wing. He's easily been the worst player in the team over the last couple of weeks.
Strange that he's sticking with him.

Disagree

 

[blacksafake]

Why, because he wants to make the 8.
CC

Seems logical.
Just maybe he has a clause giving him an extension if they make the 8??

 

[blacksafake]

Maybe Sims get rested, he didn’t really backup after origin 1 with Ford into the 17. Can’t see McCullough playing 80 with McGuire to fill in at dummy half.
Have a feeling JP comes in for Beale utilising his energy & carries out of our end.

 

[BLM01]

Jesus, Beale on the Wing ??? Surely Sloan & even Amore for experience ?

Beale is OK to get our sets started and defensively knows the wing
On form hard to drop Wiliame and Bird

 

[Gareth67]

On a side note , I noticed that our old warhorse Leeson Au Mau is in the Warriors team . I hope his engine is almost burnt out , as the man can still cause our pack some problems .

 

[BLM01]

I don't think this will be the final team, especially in the forwards.

Maybe, Tariq gets a rest, which would move BB into the starting edge and Ford coming into the 17. Wouldn't surprise if Fui replaced Kerr, with Kerr reverting to the bench and Ford used as the bench lock to give JDB a spell.

As with a few others, I'm mystified at Beale on a wing, with Sloan not even making the 21, but JP does. Maybe it's just a defensive move.

As far as the Feagai boys are concerned, I guess they're playing it very safe with Max, and given that next week is a bye round and now the KC has been suspended until at least the 17th, too greater risk, for 1 game. Mat has played 2 games back in KC, also from injury. Maybe, just not ready, again for 1 game.

I'd be interested to know if these boys, Sloan included, and maybe a few others have been included in the COVID bubble of the main squad?

Hook has said recently our defence has been disappointing
It us a defensive side but we need to get that right over the next few weeks

 

[Inisai Toga]

Not sure what you mean ? I wasn't suggesting dropping or moving Sims, he's close to our best each week and probably my favourite Dragon. I'm just stating facts for those critical of Kerr's defence at 2nd row.

No fair call, understand and you make a good argument for Kerr in the second row. I was initially for its experimentation, but not sure now. I’d prefer Bird in my second row anyway as i think this is his strong position at this stage of his career; there he gets his hands on the pill more and suits he’s defensive style and give us better shape and generally brings imo more to the table.

Must say was surprised by the offload stats you quote and see your point about the big bodies etc. However, my comment was aimed more at the miss tackle comparison stat. Irrespective of its accuracy, it’s the meaning to support your line of argument that i’d challenge. Sims imo, is a way more dominant and intimidating defender, irrespective of what the missed tackle stat say and i feel we desperately need another ‘intimidator’ type in our pack.

Similarly, Kerr’s missed tackle against Cronulla second round last play, strongly questioned for me whether he should be in the second row or be better suited back in the middle..?

 

[since77]

On a side note , I noticed that our old warhorse Leeson Au Mau is in the Warriors team . I hope his engine is almost burnt out , as the man can still cause our pack some problems .

I liked Leeson a lot but still find it hard to forgive the poor guy for dropping the ball late in that semi final against Souths back in 2018. He holds on to the ball we win that game….

 

[kit66]

No fair call, understand and you make a good argument for Kerr in the second row. I was initially for its experimentation, but not sure now. I’d prefer Bird in my second row anyway as i think this is his strong position at this stage of his career; there he gets his hands on the pill more and suits he’s defensive style and give us better shape and generally brings imo more to the table.

Must say was surprised by the offload stats you quote and see your point about the big bodies etc. However, my comment was aimed more at the miss tackle comparison stat. Irrespective of its accuracy, it’s the meaning to support your line of argument that i’d challenge. Sims imo, is a way more dominant and intimidating defender, irrespective of what the missed tackle stat say and i feel we desperately need another ‘intimidator’ type in our pack.

Similarly, Kerr’s missed tackle against Cronulla second round last play, strongly questioned for me whether i feel he should be in the second row or he’d be better suited switching back to the middle..?

I see what you're saying but need to point out a couple more things.
Kerr :
Kerr is improving, he's making less errors and missing less tackles than earlier in the year - he's only missed 5 tackles in his last 5 games, Jack has missed 16 in the same period. I'd also urge you to re-watch some games to see the point I'm making about Kerr's efficiency at 2nd row against big wide running opposition forwards. I remember a couple of tackles he made on Solomona against the Storm, stopped him dead at the line, nothing fancy or highlight reel worthy, just grabbed him and knocked him down and you could see the surprise on Solomona's face. We're lucky to have Sims but Kerr is doing the job for us in defence, that's all you need from him plus we get the bonus of his quick play the ball and off-loads. He's not overly aggressive but he doesn't take a backward step either. We'll also have McGuire, Fui, JDB and Sims on the park soon and if that's not intimidating enough I don't know what is.
Bird :
Jack helped Cronulla to a pennant by being a weapon at centre. He still has that ability. His weaknesses are his defensive lapses and being injury prone and I think putting him in the 2nd row is just asking for trouble. He missed 6 tackles there last week and honestly seeing him making double his usual tackles and on bigger forwards makes me really nervous about his health and longevity not to mention it drains energy from one of our best attackers. We have plenty of guys who can do the job at 2nd row but we're light on strike power in the centres ( remember most tries are scored out wide - fact ) and it boggles the mind to see Jack in the 2nd row while Beale and Williame play at centre ?????? WTF. Why waste Jack's skills. It looks to me like Jack is still to get his confidence fully back after all his injury woes and I'd hate to jeopardize that. Lastly, he wants to play centre.
Our biggest weakness atm, in defence and attack, is our back line, why weaken it further.

 

[Gareth67]

I liked Leeson a lot but still find it hard to forgive the poor guy for dropping the ball late in that semi final against Souths back in 2018. He holds on to the ball we win that game….

I think that he couldn’t believe his good fortune- not only to score a try , but also the match winning try , it proved to be just too much pressure for the poor man .