Round 25 | Canterbury 32-22 Newcastle @ ANZ | Sat 27th August | Kick-off: 5.30pm

[NoSchitSherlock]

^ mullo's obviously not 100%, has no confidence in his pec/shoulder n really affecting his defence. would like to see stig and roberts again.

Mullo seemed to be out wide "resting" when a try was scored against us last game. He made a half attempt at a grab but that was it. I thiught at the time and from a few other shots of him during the game that he was struggling with an injury. No real news to hear it confirmed after the game.

 

[The_Joey_Show]

The same guy who has led us to 2 years of mediocrity in NYC.
Before that he was a very good 6 outside Stig.
Still is.
Never seen him bust a game open as a 7. He doesn't have those skills as far as i can see, but who knows, a different coach might have him playing like Prince or Cronk.

Absolutely agree with you that he is a much better 6 than he is a 7, but I have to add that his "two years of mediocrity in NYC" have been mostly behind a forward pack that would have to improve to be mediocre.

 

[jonno_knights]

I think Stig has the skills and ability but he looks to be holding back. I cant remember the last time he went to the line and threw a short ball to an inside runner.

Its a real mystery because he was doing all the right things in his 1st few games but has gone very 1 dimentional of late

I didnt see it, but apparently Mullo was on one of the FOXSports programs, and he said that Stig has been told to focus on running the ball, while Mullen and Gids do the majority of the 'playmaking' and 'organisation'.

 

[Yosh]

I think Stone has it tactically all wrong... Both our halves need freedom to do what they are good at instead of spreading the wide all the time.

Screw everything, everyone just make dummy half runs and run at the opposition one out all game. I swear we'd win more games then this garbage side to side stuff we do.

 

[Rolla]

I didnt see it, but apparently Mullo was on one of the FOXSports programs, and he said that Stig has been told to focus on running the ball, while Mullen and Gids do the majority of the 'playmaking' and 'organisation'.

Least they keep their game plans a secret...

 

[Rolla]

I think Stone has it tactically all wrong... Both our halves need freedom to do what they are good at instead of spreading the wide all the time.

Screw everything, everyone just make dummy half runs and run at the opposition one out all game. I swear we'd win more games then this garbage side to side stuff we do.

We could try the Flying V.... worked for the ducks

 

[Spot On]

I didnt see it, but apparently Mullo was on one of the FOXSports programs, and he said that Stig has been told to focus on running the ball, while Mullen and Gids do the majority of the 'playmaking' and 'organisation'.

Christ. Help us.

 

[Joker's Wild]

I didnt see it, but apparently Mullo was on one of the FOXSports programs, and he said that Stig has been told to focus on running the ball, while Mullen and Gids do the majority of the 'playmaking' and 'organisation'.

Well if thats true then it is time for a rethink cause leaving it all up to Mullo and Gids is losing us games, plain and simple

 

[perverse]

what the f**k can Gids and Mullo organise? i'd be bloody surprised if they don't have their undies backwards half the time.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

I don't know what u guys think but Stig looks to suit a more instinctive style of play. Now Mullo comes back and steals his thunder to a point and it shows.

 

[billy2]

Stig is playing the role Stone designed for Beau Henry - the work experience half who has a few plays to run each game, but is basically out there to ease himself into the role.
It was a good idea when we could start it from game one of the season and hopefully have the guy trained up by mid season, but i don't think it's a great idea given all that has happened.

 

[Noname36]

The same guy who has led us to 2 years of mediocrity in NYC.
Before that he was a very good 6 outside Stig.
Still is.
Never seen him bust a game open as a 7. He doesn't have those skills as far as i can see, but who knows, a different coach might have him playing like Prince or Cronk.

Am I the only one who remembers how freaking bad Stig was in our NYC side towards the end before he moved onto Qld? Our entire NYC team is terrible, and has been terrible since the inception. I blame the coaching, because the kids show what they can really do when they're put into firstgrade. NYC form means nothing at all. It's what they can do in firstgrade that really matters when rating them.

We've had 3 rookie halves this year, and Roberts is the one that has shown the most skills. He and Stig both have terrible long kicking games, but Mullo's is good so we can get away with it. However Roberts' passing is on another level to Stig's and I'd much prefer to have that in a firstgrade half than a fancy step that nobody falls for anymore. It makes me so angry how many times we've had an overlap, but instead of throwing it wide, Stig will f**king run instead. I don't care if he's been coached to run a lot. If you're a half and you consistently ignore overlaps and opportunities like that you're either a) an idiot, or b) greedy. Neither I really want in a half. I'm not saying Stig is completely useless, but you can't say that Roberts has nothing in comparison to him.

 

[Serc]

Just on this Roberts thing...he seems to have a bit of an odd style on the field...kinda doesn't 'look' particularly effective and even awkward at times, so I try to watch the results of all of this. He is a constant threat when running the football, his footwork often beats defenders, and attracts a number of others, which creates space for his outside men. Plays off the cuff a lot I think, but without too many terrible results (eg: Gidley at times). Would be fantastic at touch footy I reckon (having been watching some Shaun Johnson videos lately haha)

Pretty sure his defence is pretty good for a 19/20 year old as I think Stone has mentioned it at least once or twice (and doesn't seem to miss too many tackles as RHCP well pointed out).

As for todays game - if you're in Newcastle right now and umming and ahhing about the weather, get your arse down to Sydney! Will be just some high cloud down there (which may very well clear off to the east by around sunset, letting some brief sunshine in)

 

[shane1970]

News from Super Saturday crew - Mullen playing - McDougall = OUT - Likiliki to make debut and Hodkinson is playing for the Dogs

 

[RHCP]

Excited to see Liki get a run.

I've said my part regarding Roberts/Stig, but wearing 7 or 6 is irrelevant these days. It's like saying Taia is a good 11 but an average 12.

Picking Mullen will backfire. I hope it doesn't, but if he isn't 100% he shouldn't be out there.

 

[Serc]

Starting lineup:

20. Peter Mata'utia
2. James McManus
3. Keith Lulia
19. Siuatonga Likiliki
5. Akuila Uate
1. Kurt Gidley
7. Jarrod Mullen
8. Evarn Tuimavave
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Antonio Kaufusi
11. Zane Tetavano
12. Neville Costigan
13. Chris Houston

Interchange:
6. Ryan Stig
14. Marvin Karawana
15. Richard Fa'aoso
16. Joel Edwards

I'm guessing we'll see Stig come on with Gidley going to hooker to relieve De Gois at some point...Edwards into the prop rotation with probably Houston to play a bit of prop also (especially given the role our lock often plays, and given they play in the middle)

 

[Newie is God's Country]

Dogs will throw ball around. Barba the danger.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

Liki looks strong early. Great chase Kurt!

 

[billy2]

good coaching - Likiliki is ready for a big game - as is Pete.

 

[Rusty]

Isaac looking good out of dummy half.