Round 20 - Rabbitohs vs Eels, Saturday the 28th of July at 5:30pm

[doyen]

Doyen as I said in another thread AJ ain't in the class of Tedesco or Slater. He ain't gonna create magic or stop tries like GI can. When GI is back I'd put him into fullback and I think after our next two weeks Seibs will see it must happen.... I'd be slotting Jennings in at left centre and going with AJ on the left wing...

As you know,I would prefer GI at FB; mostly for his defensive ability!!

AJ is probably best on the wing. It's a tough one!

Sths have played some magical RL this season with GI at centre-----AJ goes much better in attack with GI on the field too.

I'd like to see how the team performs as a cohesive unit on GI's return first.

 

[Rabbits20]

As you know,I would prefer GI at FB; mostly for his defensive ability!!

AJ is probably best on the wing. It's a tough one!

Sths have played some magical RL this season with GI at centre-----AJ goes much better in attack with GI on the field too.

I'd like to see how the team performs as a cohesive unit on GI's return first.

It is a tough one but I personally can't see us taking it out this year with AJ at fullback.... in big games he's vulnerable there imo..
If he's not back these next two weeks we are in strife against the benchmark teams..

 

[Curns13]

Doyen as I said in another thread AJ ain't in the class of Tedesco or Slater. He ain't gonna create magic or stop tries like GI can. When GI is back I'd put him into fullback and I think after our next two weeks Seibs will see it must happen.... I'd be slotting Jennings in at left centre and going with AJ on the left wing...

GI has barely played fullback for 2 years. You can’t just flick a switch and become a world champion fullback, especially after coming back from injury. I think it’s AJ or bust.

 

[Rabbits20]

GI has barely played fullback for 2 years. You can’t just flick a switch and become a world champion fullback, especially after coming back from injury. I think it’s AJ or bust.

Fair enough but we ain't making the big one with AJ at the back!

I believe GI is the better choice and he knows well how to play that position...

 

[Curns13]

Fair enough but we ain't making the big one with AJ at the back!

I believe GI is the better choice and he knows well how to play that position...

Its a question of fitness. Fullbacks are expected to do so much more than centres. After 5 weeks off and not playing there full time for 2 years, i’m just not sure he’s up to it.

 

[Rabbits20]

Its a question of fitness. Fullbacks are expected to do so much more than centres. After 5 weeks off and not playing there full time for 2 years, i’m just not sure he’s up to it.

Maybe they can alternate??

When GI is at the back switch AJ to left wing and bring Jennings in one to left centre??

 

[doyen]

GI has barely played fullback for 2 years. You can’t just flick a switch and become a world champion fullback, especially after coming back from injury. I think it’s AJ or bust.

I don't think a change of positions will occur because of what you say!

It will probably take GI a game or two to regain his confidence anyway.

I have a strong belief in GI's presence on the field wherever he plays but probably too late to put him back to FB at this late stage.
Seibold has made his call there,I reckon, & the combo goes very well with GI on the paddock!

 

[Travitoh]

Since the last encounter Souths had against a top 8 side (Rd 11 vs Cronulla), they have conceded 20 points or more in 4 of the 6 fixtures. Wests (16th for points scored) Parra x 2 (15th) and NQ (13th).

In that time, Melbourne have conceded 20+ once, vs St GI* (4th) winning 52-30. The Storm played 4 top 8 sides.
Easts once, vs Manly (14th) last week winning 56-24. Played 3 top 8 teams.
St GI 3 times. Easts (3rd on the table) Melbourne (1st)* and Wests (9th)

*Melbourne vs St GI took place with players away in SOO camp.

Sure Souths went 5-1 in that time. However, they won 3 of 6 six games by 6 points or less, not once by more than 18 and passed a score of 30 once. Remember these matches were against bottom 8 teams, the 5 wins came against the current bottom 5.

 

[southsport]

GI is needed in the centres but we need a different fullback.

 

[Rabbits20]

GI is needed in the centres but we need a different fullback.

Gagai would be better than AJ as he has better ball playing I reckon! Plus he can break more tackles.

 

[Curns13]

Since the last encounter Souths had against a top 8 side (Rd 11 vs Cronulla), they have conceded 20 points or more in 4 of the 6 fixtures. Wests (16th for points scored) Parra x 2 (15th) and NQ (13th).

In that time, Melbourne have conceded 20+ once, vs St GI* (4th) winning 52-30. The Storm played 4 top 8 sides.
Easts once, vs Manly (14th) last week winning 56-24. Played 3 top 8 teams.
St GI 3 times. Easts (3rd on the table) Melbourne (1st)* and Wests (9th)

*Melbourne vs St GI took place with players away in SOO camp.

Sure Souths went 5-1 in that time. However, they won 3 of 6 six games by 6 points or less, not once by more than 18 and passed a score of 30 once. Remember these matches were against bottom 8 teams, the 5 wins came against the current bottom 5.

My point exactly. A win is a win, but when you are playing the shit teams and only just scraping home, you may not be as good as your record suggests.

 

[Rabbits20]

My point exactly. A win is a win, but when you are playing the shit teams and only just scraping home, you may not be as good as your record suggests.

Hopefully we lift for these bigger games...

 

[Travitoh]

My point exactly. A win is a win, but when you are playing the shit teams and only just scraping home, you may not be as good as your record suggests.

It's been mentioned by a few of us for a while now, better teams make a statement against lesser teams.
Souths failed to do so.

Penrith are lurking and after the horror show they have had over the past month or so, could still cause some headaches in the top 4 as we approach finals. Especially if RCG manages to get back.

 

[callmack1]

Firstly, I still think and have faith that we can make a real push for a Premiership this year. I see what everyone is saying about our current form and the lesser teams we've only just been beating but wins are wins. Look at how those teams fired up against us and we were able to overcome it and get a result which is good.

It's clear we haven't been in our best form lately and I don't think we're going as well as our record suggests but look at how disrupted we've been over the Origin period. I'm really hoping and I have faith that we can rediscover that blistering form and lift big time for the big games. I think we can be a real contender but I admit we do need to improve for sure.

Secondly, I say no to GI at fullback when he returns. Why throw away a whole Pre-Season and Seasons worth of built up combinations at a crucial time of year? That would cause too much disruption imo and I have faith in the team we have, we just need to improve.

So yea, I'm a realist and agree that we haven't been at our best and MUST lift but I also have faith that we can do anything this year. Will be very interesting!

 

[doyen]

Firstly, I still think and have faith that we can make a real push for a Premiership this year. I see what everyone is saying about our current form and the lesser teams we've only just been beating but wins are wins. Look at how those teams fired up against us and we were able to overcome it and get a result which is good.

It's clear we haven't been in our best form lately and I don't think we're going as well as our record suggests but look at how disrupted we've been over the Origin period. I'm really hoping and I have faith that we can rediscover that blistering form and lift big time for the big games. I think we can be a real contender but I admit we do need to improve for sure.

Secondly, I say no to GI at fullback when he returns. Why throw away a whole Pre-Season and Seasons worth of built up combinations at a crucial time of year? That would cause too much disruption imo and I have faith in the team we have, we just need to improve.

So yea, I'm a realist and agree that we haven't been at our best and MUST lift but I also have faith that we can do anything this year. Will be very interesting!

What you say here is spot on----I think I heard Lockyer saying today[???]that the Broncos reckon that Sths is the best team they've played so far &,in his opinion,the benchmark--that's a fair rap!
When Sths are firing they're red hot--we just have to get back to our best--& I reckon we can!!!

I think we should stick to our side when GI returns-----Gagai is worth considering for FB but I can't see it happening at this stage!! I think we'll see a different AJ when GI returns!

 

[JetRider]

We have a tough run over the coming weeks leading into the Finals, I consider this to be a good thing as it will prepare the team for finals footy. We generally play better against stronger teams and I think we are and have played and trained in a way that proves we are capable of chasing down a score, which we have done in a few games this year. I think this side plays for the full eight, not to say they necessarily play well for the full eighty. We have a great test over the next two weeks against teams most think are the grand finalists. I have faith that the team will recover their mojo to run into the finals With good form.

 

[callmack1]

What you say here is spot on----I think I heard Lockyer saying today[???]that the Broncos reckon that Sths is the best team they've played so far &,in his opinion,the benchmark--that's a fair rap!
When Sths are firing they're red hot--we just have to get back to our best--& I reckon we can!!!

I think we should stick to our side when GI returns-----Gagai is worth considering for FB but I can't see it happening at this stage!! I think we'll see a different AJ when GI returns!

Agreed. Like you say, we just have to get back to our best and I know the boys can do it. It's just a few little areas that we are not getting right at the moment in my opinion, hopefully we can fix them up.

On another note, @Different kind of Rabbit, could you please make a thread for this weeks game against the Storm? Cheers man.

 

[ThingFish]

2014 we were winning but not setting the world on fire. But our games going into the semis and those 3 finals was another level.

The question is does Seibold and this team have another gear.

The premiers stand up with 2-3 games to go. Let’s cool our jets and stop chopping apart a 14-5 side. It’s too late for that and would be a pretty stupid coaching move, unless it’s a move that’s been in the works for a few months already.

 

[southsport]

We have a tough run over the coming weeks leading into the Finals, I consider this to be a good thing as it will prepare the team for finals footy. We generally play better against stronger teams and I think we are and have played and trained in a way that proves we are capable of chasing down a score, which we have done in a few games this year. I think this side plays for the full eight, not to say they necessarily play well for the full eighty. We have a great test over the next two weeks against teams most think are the grand finalists. I have faith that the team will recover their mojo to run into the finals With good form.

Good points that you make JetRider.

 

[Curns13]

What you say here is spot on----I think I heard Lockyer saying today[???]that the Broncos reckon that Sths is the best team they've played so far &,in his opinion,the benchmark--that's a fair rap!
When Sths are firing they're red hot--we just have to get back to our best--& I reckon we can!!!

I think we should stick to our side when GI returns-----Gagai is worth considering for FB but I can't see it happening at this stage!! I think we'll see a different AJ when GI returns!

Not sure how/why Lockyer would say that. They’ve only played us once and beat us 24-20 in Sydney. From minutes 10 - 70 they scored 4 tries to 1. I’d be surprised if the Bronocs genuinely felt they. They’ve been beaten 34-20 at Suncorp and 32-16 in Melbourne by the Storm, they also got flogged 36-6 by the Warriors in Brisbane 3 games ago.

I do agree that there should be no chopping and changing. This team has got us this far, time to see if they have another gear.