Round 24 v Titans

[Ghostrider22]

I think I saw DCE in the crowd at WIN yesterday? Might have been a motivator for Hunt as he looks up to him. He was ON which is great.

The whole Manly squad was there northern stand for Kieran Foran 300 game

 

[Mojo]

The whole Manly squad was there northern stand for Kieran Foran 300 game

Maybe they enjoy the commute to the Gong

 

[RedVee]

Maybe they enjoy the commute to the Gong

Well that would’ve ruled Saab out

 

[Mojo]

Well that would’ve ruled Saab out

Maybe that’s why the rest of them enjoyed it.

 

[denis preston]

Big ups also to Christian Tuipulotu. Yeah he's probably the slowest winger in the game but he was an absolute beast taking the ball out of trouble for us yesterday. He seemed to get at least 10 metres with every run - even when the rest of the team were struggling to get more than 5 - carrying defenders with him as he did so. He was fantastic in that tough second half for us

Didn’t he get MOTM ?

 

[Victoire]

Didn’t he get MOTM ?

Did he? I have no idea. Well deserved if so

 

[baggygreen man]

He didn’t deliberately kick the ball

Yes was thinking at the time that had that try decided the game, we'd have been spitting chips. Uncanny the way he spilt it clean and it landed on and then bounced forward off his boot. The LUCKIEST TRY OF THE SEASON AWARD.

 

[baggygreen man]

Flanno has them now mentally tough defensively

..probably moreso Dean Young.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Credit where it's due- I was more impressed with the Dragons second half defensive resilience than the first half attacking points fest. Also, I felt the ref put the whistle away and the Titans became the perfect team in the second half- eg six agains for us just disappeared.

I've been a critic of Max Feagai but today he showed me skills, particularly in the air, that I'd never seen before. Where have they been Max? Those two acrobatic second half catches of his nearly led to some promising second phase play. Maybe Lomax's aerobatics are rubbing off on him. Max outplayed his brother- also a first- imo- so good on him. He doesn't have the speed, step, evasiveness or sheer tackle busting strength to be a top notch NRL centre but, at 6 foot one inch and with those aerial skills and with some off season sprint training, wing may be an option for him outside Holmes next year. Certainly, he was safe, hardworking and reliable when in the trenches in the second half.

The Couchmen are a pleasant dilemma for Flanno- middles or edges?

But I saw enough to be convinced that both should be in the team-one starting- one off the bench. A constant presence throughout the game.

All up building nicely for 2025- there may be a few WIN/Netstrata sellouts if the Dragons marketing team manage to get their act together.

 

[Victoire]

I've been a critic of Max Feagai but today he showed me skills, particularly in the air, that I'd never seen before. Where have they been Max? Those two acrobatic second half catches of his nearly led to some promising second phase play. Maybe Lomax's aerobatics are rubbing off on him. Max outplayed his brother- also a first- imo- so good on him. He doesn't have the speed, step, evasiveness or sheer tackle busting strength to be a top notch NRL centre but, at 6 foot one inch and with those aerial skills and with some off season sprint training, wing may be an option for him outside Holmes next year. Certainly, he was safe, hardworking and reliable when in the trenches in the second half.

Great minds, mate. You and I were sharing the same thought bubble. I was picturing Feagai as a very feasible Lomax replacement. He's roughly the same size, I reckon their speed would also be roughly similar, and Feagai demonstrated decent aerial and catching talent. The great thing about Lomax this season and what sets him apart, is his consistent effort and competitiveness. He chases every ball, gets himself into position to catch every bomb and genuinely believes he's going to win the contest. This is very much a mindset thing - something that simply wasn't there when Griffin was coach. Lomax flicked the switch when Hook got dumped. Perhaps we can flick the switch with Feagai

 

[sammymills]

Any expected changes for team list this week or as per last round?

 

[Victoire]

Any expected changes for team list this week or as per last round?

JDB escaped with only a fine so probably the same team, although I agree with most that Lawrie's spot must be questionable

 

[Dragon David]

JDB escaped with only a fine so probably the same team, although I agree with most that Lawrie's spot must be questionable

Flanno will probably stick to Lawrie. You never know, he might come good for this game but then again, pigs might fly and go oink oink as they disappear into the night sky.

 

[sammymills]

Any expected changes for team list this week or as per last round?

my apologies i thought i was in the sharks thread

 

[since77]

One other little thing I noticed and forgot to comment on is that Flanno had to balls to put debutant LKT out into the action while the game was still on the line. Under previous coaches in a close game the poor guy would have collected splinters on the bench and wouldn't have got any game time. And probably dropped the following week.....
So kudos to Flanno for not only picking the young fella but having the guts to get him out on the field at a critical time in the match.

 

[Dragon David]

One other little thing I noticed and forgot to comment on is that Flanno had to balls to put debutant LKT out into the action while the game was still on the line. Under previous coaches in a close game the poor guy would have collected splinters on the bench and wouldn't have got any game time. And probably dropped the following week.....
So kudos to Flanno for not only picking the young fella but having the guts to get him out on the field at a critical time in the match.

My thoughts as well since 77. As the time was ticking away and the Titans had plenty of possession and I was waiting for our defence to crack (thank the Lord they were resilient), I thought will Flanno bring on LKT with things "in the balance"? Sure enough he did which must have taken guts and a lot of faith in the youngster.