Round 18 - Tigers vs Rabbitohs: Thursday 10th September 7:50pm @Bankwest Stadium

[callmack1]

A big week this week as we now look forward to facinf the Tigers on Thursday night. I say it's a big week because it is, for a different reason to the last couple of weeks. The Tigers aren't a top eight side so being realistic, this game will be less of a challenge than the past coiple of weeks but I still think it's a big week because this is a must win the way I see it. We have officially secured a Finals berth but we want to try and finish fifth of sixth so we get a Home Final in week one. Therefore, this game is crucial.

As I said, being realistic, facing the Tigers probably isn't as daunting a task as the past few weeks but that doesn't mean we should take them lightly. They still have a quality side with the likes of Mbye, Doueihi, Marshall, Brooks, Grant, Twal, the Leilua brothers; The list goes on. When these players all fire, they can be very hard to stop. We have to prepare like these players are going to fire too as Wests still have a lot to play for. They're playing for pride and have a chance to be the spoiler so I expect them to be on. It'll be a really fired up performance from them so we'll have to be on our toes all night.

For us, as I said, this is a must win. The biggest focus during this week will no doubt be ball control. It was awful last week in the second half as we all know and we can't afford to do the same on Thursday night. If we are dropping the ball that much again, this game will become extremely difficult. So yea, completion rate must be good. If we can achieve that, I think you'll see our attack improve with more possession. Plus, our new combinations with Allan will be another week older. I'm hoping that Gags will finally be back this week, that'll be a boost. All in all, as I have said, the boys just can't go into this one thinking "easy win" because it certainly won't be.

So yea, another big week. We can do this!!

 

[Travitoh]

Almost the perfect matchup to rebound from a disappointing result. Souths are good enough to rack up a big score against Wests, Wests are good enough to make sure Souths have to turn up and put in to get a result.

Marsters has to play imo. Gagai for Paulo in the only change unless Koala or Tatola are out.

 

[callmack1]

"Looking forward to going again this week" - Sironen: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/07/bayley-sironen-round-18-media/

"As long as it helps the team I'm happy to do whatever." - Allan: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/07/corey-allan-round-18-media/

"For us it's about sticking to our processes." - Cook: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/07/damien-cook-round-18-media/

 

[callmack1]

Allan pushing to keep spot when Gagai returns: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/07/allan-pushing-to-keep-spot-when-gagai-returns/

 

[callmack1]

Here's my predicted Line Up for Round 18,

1. Allan
2. Johnston
3. Graham
4. Gagai
5. Paulo
6. Walker
7. Reynolds (C)
8. Tatola
9. Cook
10. Burgess
11. Su'A
12. Sironen
13., Murray

14. Nicholls
15. Knight
16. Mago
17. Koloamatangi

I think the side will remain unchanged apart from Gags coming back in. I'd like to see him come back in place of Paulo but I don't think that will happen. It'll be Marsters who misses out and that'll be unlucky as he's looked great. Apart from that, I think the side will remain the same.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

I agree with Trav.
The strongest defensive and best attacking balance in the backline is keep Marsters, switch out Paulo for Gagai.

But it won't happen.....

 

[Bobby Moses]

I agree with Trav.
The strongest defensive and best attacking balance in the backline is keep Marsters, switch out Paulo for Gagai.

But it won't happen.....

I agree. Masters has been solid. Paulo has a bit of development to do.

 

[assess5]

Allan's to slow

 

[NovoBunny94]

This week's team

1. Allen
2. Johnson
3. Graham
4. Marsters
5. Gagai
6. Walker
7. Reynolds (c)
8. Knight
9. Cook
10. Burgess
11. Su'a
12. Sironen
13. Murray

14. Nicholls
15. Cartwright
16. Mago
17. Kolomatangi


Interesting with Knight @ #8

 

[callmack1]

Round 18 Line Up vs Tigers: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/08/round-18-line-up-vs-tigers/

Pretty happy with the Line Up this week. Paulo drops out with Gags coming back, Marsters retains his spot at right centre. I'm a fan of that. Steven has been playing really well so deserves to keep his spot where as Paulo has had a few moments that have suggested he maybe needs a spell (he is only yound remember). Our right edge becomes even more dangerous now. Tatola is the big out for us. He's out injured with Knight stepping into the thirteen to replace him and Cartwright to make his Souths debut off the bench. Junior is a big blow that I wasn't expecting as there's been no news about his injury, hopefully it's just a precaution. I'm confident in the guys coming in to replace him too.

So yea, all things considered, a pretty good Line Up!

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Man the injuries keep mounting up.
Hopefully Junior will be ok, but it didn't look to good when his knee got twisted.
What is his prognosis?

 

[callmack1]

Man the injuries keep mounting up.
Hopefully Junior will be ok, but it didn't look to good when his knee got twisted.
What is his prognosis?

He played on after the knee issue. I'm hoping the club is just playing it safe leading into the Finals. Hopefully he'll only miss a week or two but there's been no word from the club so who knows?

 

[Travitoh]

That's the strongest available side imo. Really pleased that Marsters has kept his spot and Gagai on the wing where he excels.
Looking forward to seeing what Cartwright can offer.

 

[Rabbits20]

Enjoy my preview lads, let me know what you think of it, I put lots of effort into it!

A look at last time and an appetiser to this weeks clash

Well we are getting towards the business end now. We last met the Tigers back in Round 9 and I was there at BankWest and we prevailed with an 18-10 victory that night. We had control of the match for the first 60mins and then the Tigers came home well. Back then we were not playing great footy but we were solid in that game. Our team looks a bit different now with no Lowe and no Jet. The Tigers were without Twal and had a few backs out back then too. It was a Reyno Masterclass that got us the points. The Tigers haven’t been playing well at all the last 6 weeks or so but they’ll want to turn it around against us in front of their home fans. The last few years as well the Tigers have been a bit of a bogey side for us so this certainly won’t be an easy game. We seem to have struggled of late beating the Tigers twice in a season. We have more to play for though for mine and to keep our hopes alive of a home elimination final come finals week 1 we simply must win this game. The Tigers have to win all their last 3 games to keep their very slim finals hopes alive and hope lots of other results go their way so they have plenty to play for this Thursday Night.

Form:

Looking at the Tigers the last 6 weeks they have been leaking lots of points around 32-33 points leaked per game on average, they lost 26-20 to the Warriors, 44-4 flogging they lost against the Knights, 29-28 they just snuck home against the Dogs, they lost to Rorters 38-16, lost to Panthers 30-6 and just beat Manly 34-32. So defending better will be a key point Madge is drumming into them this week and to play better for longer periods cutting out those silly errors and poor discipline.

Looking at us the last 6 weeks we have been on the up, we got things going with a 32-24 win over St Merge, a 28-10 victory over the Shoncos, a 31-30 victory over the Cows, a 56-16 victory over Manly, a 38-0 win against Parra and a narrow loss to the Storm 22-16

Looking at the teams and danger men:

For the Tigers they have just shifted Douiehi back to centre and boy did he perform well their last night, he really added something to their attack, Mbye is back at fullback and he’s played plenty of footy there before, Nofoaluma is having a fine year and as we know he loves busting out of tackles and has really sharp footwork, he was electric last night. We need to contain him and not give him time as if you do you’re asking for trouble. BJ Leilua is rocks or diamonds as well so we need to focus on getting into him from kick off and hope he’s not on his game. I know Brooks and Benji haven’t been in the best of form but they can both turn it on with some razzle dazzle also if you give them time you’re asking for trouble. Harry Grant will want to keep going well showing Bellamy what he’s got to offer back at the Storm next year. Liddle is also back and adding energy off the bench. Twal is back for the Tigers and he helps hold their middles together. Luciano and Garner run good lines on the edges and they run decoy plays as well so you can’t fall asleep against them. Aloiai and Mikaele are doing a solid job up front for them as well.

Looking at us Campbell is doing a fine job in the backs and has been very consistent. We lose a lot without Latrell but I’m hoping another week of Allan working hard at training will help him improve his timing with his passes chiming in on the edges in attack. Nofo loves to run in off his wing so we need to try and get AJ some early ball. Gagai hopefully should be back for us and will be a big boost. Our danger men obviously are Cody, Reyno and Cookie and they simply have to be on. Our forwards once again just need to do their job laying the platform. Koloamatangi is in some doubt after that concussion the other night. If he can’t play I’d say Cartwright or Rodwell would come in.

Where the game will be won and how we do it:

Once again for us it is going to be all about holding the ball and completing highly, we do that we will win. We also need to do those little things right in kicking to corners and being eager with our kick chase. What we can’t do is watch the Tigers start offloading and going side to side giving them space and watching as this is what they love to do and they can score some crazy tries out of nothing. In attack we need to get our plays going and get our shapes going creating space out wide, to do that though we have to go forwards first so I’d be expecting Junior and Tom to start really strong again and Su’a and Siro running good lines on the edges. The Tigers are their for the taking defensively so it’d be great if Reyno can get us some repeat sets as well. Look for a big one from Cookie to as he is building every week and wants to hang onto his Blues jersey as well.

In the stands:

It is an away game for us but I still expect plenty of Red and Green in the stands

I believe Souths members will be allocated around 2000 tickets for this game as part of the reciprocal rights agreement and then any left over go on sale to the general public after that. I will be looking at getting tickets tomorrow morning when you’d assume we get our members email.

I know we want it more than the Tigers we can sniff September footy in the air and we need to keep building, keep up the effort of last week but make less errors.

SO DEAR FRIENDS LETS MAKE SURE THOSE OF US WHO ARE GOING THIS THURSDAY THAT WE GET THAT SOUTH SYDNEY CHANT GOING AND THAT THE BOYS HERE WE ARE THERE RIGHT BEHIND THEM!!!

I SHALL START US OFF…

SOUTH SYDNEY CLAP CLAP CLAP

SOUTH SYDNEY CLAP CLAP CLAP

SOUTH SYDNEY CLAP CLAP CLAP

SOUTH SYDNEY CLAP CLAP CLAP

Final say:

Enjoy your Thursday night footy lads and let’s get that W and then be able to relax for a good long weekend after that. Also let’s get that win to keep our hopes of a home elimination final alive.

I don’t think it’ll be as easy as some think as we don’t have as many points in us without Latrell, bit I think we get the win here.

Souths by 10 against a fighting Tigers side.

 

[Rabbits20]

Geez Junior out is a big blow hope it’s not to serious.

Big injury toll now:

Latrell
Roberts
Burns
Tatola
Sele
Johns
Lowe
Amone

Koloa needs to pass concussion protocols to play tomorrow as well.

 

[Rabbits20]

So when it was announced AJ will be staying Wayne said it was the biggest roar and clapping he’s seen from the playing group!

Also Marsters in a couple of weeks will be rotated out and Paulo back in again, Wayne said it’s a big ask on the young boys staying up week after week.

Also Junior it is his ankle just minor, could be back next week if not the week after.

Wayne said when they asked about AJ sacrificing money it’s what you need to do to be a good club we all need to do that.


In my opinion I wish Arrow would take a pay cut!

The interview is posted on Souths Facebook but not our site or twitter page yet.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Yeah I'm thinking Keaon will be out, hope not but I doubt he plays

 

[callmack1]

Coaches Media - Round 18: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/09/wayne-bennett-media-round-18/

 

[callmack1]

Rabbitohs Business Breakfast: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/09/rabbitohs-business-breakfast/

Rabbitohs Insider - Round 18: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/10/rabbitohs-insider---round-18/

Great episode once again!

Rabbitohs update 19-Man Squad for Round 18: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/09/09/rabbitohs-update-19-man-squad-for-round-18/

Dargan and Denniss drop out. Hoping that means Koloamatangi is good to go.

 

[callmack1]

Game Day is here!! That's right, it's finally here!! We may be facing a team currently outside the eight in the Tigers but that doesn't mean it's not a big game. This is a huge game for us because it's a must win. We're obviously in the Finals but we really want to finish fifth our sixth so we get a home Final in week one. Therefore, we absolutely must win this game. What's more, Wests are a very slim chance of creeping into the eight still so this is a big game.

The Tigers certainly won't be easy-beats tonight, I don't think they have been all year. As I mentioned, with a very small chance to sneak into the Finals, they'll be extremely desperate tonight and will do everything in their power to get the win. We need to be ready for that. We just cannot take them lightly because a team with stars like Mbye, Nofoaluma, Marshall, Brooks, Grant and Twal is always a dangerous prospect. I think stopping their forwards and cutting down the time/space of Grant, Marshall and Brooks will be the key tonight but that's easier said than done.

For us, we just need to keep chugging along and keep improving. You don't need me to tell you that our ball controll needs to go back to how it has ben for the last month or so, we can't be like last week where we completed around 60%. We need to be clinical to give ourselves the best chance here. Hold the ball, kick to the corners and build pressure. I know that's a cliche but Rugby League is a simple game really and that's the way to win. If we can do that and still attack as well as defend the way we have been, then it will go a long way to getting the result we're after.

So yea, certainly a must win game! We can do this!!!