Round 5 v NQ

[Iamback]

Genuine question, have we had a single occasion this year where the 14 wasn’t forced into the game through injury?

This year no injury has forced the changes this year

Last year I went back to look at the minutes.

7 times the 14 got 10 or less minutes. 2 more times 14 mins - over 10 could be classed as trying something. Like Peachey in Magic Round

6 times the 14 got 0 minutes

In a 24 round comp that 1/2 the time so a decent sample size of games without injury

Tonight we ran with 3 props and a halfback on the bench

Tago got cut early, If he to go off for a HIA then we have no cover.

Meanwhile we had Blaize in the Blue singlet.

That is the sort of stuff. Ivan is great at the basics and can probably coach to a specific game plan better than almost all coaches

BUT

He lacks a plan B, C and so when that plan A falls apart as we are seeing now.

So for me I want to see if he can steady the ship and push for a meaningful end to the year.

 

[Sime_11]

We look tired - 5 straight GFs and limited pre seasons is finally taking its toll

70% completion
43 missed tackles
9 penalties/repeat sets given
16 errors

that’s not pantherball. This team is limited and constantly spins interruptions, we just have nothing.

players need to be dropped - NSW Cup is winning games, these players deserve a FG game unlike some senior players who just want to coast.

Ivan tries to stay level headed - but it’s warranted time to show some emotion and get stuck into the players.

falling well short of our standards - the most frustrating thing is this team still has fantastic players - they just aren’t delivering as a team.

 

[martielang]

I’m loading up. Still no team I’ve seen beats us at 80%.

Unfortunately 4 teams beat us at 35% though.

 

[Iamback]

I’m loading up. Still no team I’ve seen beats us at 80%.

Unfortunately 4 teams beat us at 35% though.

When we get to even 70% we can revisit this

 

[Iamback]

We look tired - 5 straight GFs and limited pre seasons is finally taking its toll

70% completion
43 missed tackles
9 penalties/repeat sets given
16 errors

that’s not pantherball. This team is limited and constantly spins interruptions, we just have nothing.

players need to be dropped - NSW Cup is winning games, these players deserve a FG game unlike some senior players who just want to coast.

Ivan tries to stay level headed - but it’s warranted time to show some emotion and get stuck into the players.

falling well short of our standards - the most frustrating thing is this team still has fantastic players - they just aren’t delivering as a team.

Things that stand out that aren't the standard of this club

We drop the ball. Concede 5th tackle penalty then they score - That is the theme of 2025

Letting them score with a 2 man overlap against 12 players

Lets not forget Dane Laurie running into touch from a kick return and Eisenhuth offloading after we just got 6 again attacking their line

 

[Frankus]

We have too big of a nursery and talent pool for first graders not to be proving themselves every week.

Well that was disappointing. What on earth are they doing at training?

I wouldn’t care if Cole, Tago and Garner were dropped and frankly never play first grade for us again. McLean bombed a certain try and will probably be axed for it and likely be the only one dropped.

Leota needs to be benched.

Big changes needed. I’d even think it’s just about time to start taking a few gambles even. Bring in Geyer and Lane and Talagi maybe

 

[Hamstring awareness]

I wouldn’t care if Cole, Tago and Garner were dropped and frankly never play first grade for us again. McLean bombed a certain try and will probably be axed for it and likely be the only one dropped.

Leota needs to be benched.

Garner seems like an odd one to call out for criticism. He wasn’t worse than any of:

Tago
McLean
Eisenhuth
Schneider
Cole
Smith
Leota

 

[Kilkenny]

I’m not sure where to begin to drill down on tonight’s performance.

I think in the first instance it is abundantly clear the salary cap has finally caught up with us and our best 17, not that we have been able to field it, is no longer the benchmark. That’s just the reality.

The club has been incredible in the way we have been able to overcome the loss of so many quality players each and every season for this past five seasons but it apparent we don’t have players who can step up and fill the void of the most recent departures in Luai, JFH and Turuva. This is the weakest squad we have fielded since we started our incredible winning run.

It is just not realistic to think we can somehow drop two, three or more of those who played tonight and expect miracles from bringing in players from our NSW Cup side.

It is what it is and we should be big enough as a fan base to suck it up without questioning the coach, his assistants and certain individual players who get hacked on repeatedly.

The Cowboys were worthy of the two points tonight, we weren‘t good enough despite having plentiful opportunities to get the job done.

I thought Tom Dearden highlighted everything that is missing in our attack, he just looked dangerous each and every time he was on the ball. we miss Jerome.

Anyway if we want the coaching staff and playing group to stand up and deliver then we as fans should do the same and stand by them and not be so entitled.

 

[Copperhead]

I’m not sure where to begin to drill down on tonight’s performance.

I think in the first instance it is abundantly clear the salary cap has finally caught up with us and our best 17, not that we have been able to field it, is no longer the benchmark. That’s just the reality.

The club has been incredible in the way we have been able to overcome the loss of so many quality players each and every season for this past five seasons but it apparent we don’t have players who can step up and fill the void of the most recent departures in Luai, JFH and Turuva. This is the weakest squad we have fielded since we started our incredible winning run.

It is just not realistic to think we can somehow drop two, three or more of those who played tonight and expect miracles from bringing in players from our NSW Cup side.

It is what it is and we should be big enough as a fan base to suck it up without questioning the coach, his assistants and certain individual players who get hacked on repeatedly.

The Cowboys were worthy of the two points tonight, we weren‘t good enough despite having plentiful opportunities to get the job done.

I thought Tom Dearden highlighted everything that is missing in our attack, he just looked dangerous each and every time he was on the ball. we miss Jerome.

Anyway if we want the coaching staff and playing group to stand up and deliver then we as fans should do the same and stand by them and not be so entitled.

I think when the team is playing like this we're entitled to question everyone. Poor as we were, it was only a 4 point loss. You think if Smith had started at prop, Paps in the second row, and Blaze at 6 or 14, think things might have been different? How long do we put up with Tago?

 

[The Teach]

If we couldn't get up emotionally for our inspirational captain's milestone game, that says everything. As many have said, losing so many players from the 5 gfs has finally proved too much. I wanted Moses to prove himself as the new leader of the forward pack, but he seems off. I hate agreeing with Chins, but Tago needs to be introduced to the reserve grade coach as teams know he's a liability in defence. Cole seems to be talented, but he's not the 5/8 that suits Nathan...we brought Blaize over because he is similar to romey...time to get him in the 6 jersey and give them time to form a partnership, even if we miss the 8 this year. Who knows, it might actually work and it turns our season around.

Anyway, disappointed but not disheartened...at least we have Dylan and bizza to come back, and some talented young guys coming through for the future.

 

[Kilkenny]

I think when the team is playing like this we're entitled to question everyone. Poor as we were, it was only a 4 point loss. You think if Smith had started at prop, Paps in the second row, and Blaze at 6 or 14, think things might have been different? How long do we put up with Tago?

I understand fans having opinions, but we have to be realistic and there has to be players in the lower grades whose performances are so outstanding they are worthy of replacing the likes of Tago who is the number one whipping boy.

I think if Ivan was going to make a huge call around TAGO and I don’t think he will the only realistic option is Kepaoa. He is the only alternative backline option at this stage. I like Sam Lane but there’s absolutely no way Ivan is going to swap in Lane for Tago.

The only alternative three quarter line without TAGO would be Kepaoa, Alomoti, McLean, Jenkins as it currently stands if you are in the TAGO out camp. I stick with TAGO.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Rugby league is not for everyone in terms of playing it. When you sign up for, you need to be prepared for the possible accidents that can come with playing it. You will never eliminate the possibility of getting hit on the head.

In saying that, we live in a litageous society. The game has an ongoing responsibility to make playing it as safe as possible.
While you will never get rid of accidents, I absolutely believe the game can do more to reduce it. Hits that directly land on the head without an attacker changing direction in a large way to move into it.....Im fine with a bin and suspension.
As a poster in this thread said earlier, we need to be careful as a game with this. Attackers may well deliberately move their head into a shot to get the penalty and bin.

I’m fine with a lawsuit and bankruptcy if someone is deliberately trying to go the extra yard to harm someone.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Thanks again for attending post-smug therapy.

Take a couple of deep breaths.

Luke Lewis said the season was slipping away for you tonight which is probably fair.

I think we can call it a gap-year and use it to blood fresh meat rising through the ranks, because the harsh reality is that the nucleus of this years side isn’t cutting it.

The abomination of Laurie, Cole and Alomoti should never be seen in the same side together for a couple of seasons.

Paps has ended up as ineffective and crap as he has been for a few years and Ivan hasn’t been able to fix him.

So the expectations should be reduced to maybe avoiding the spoon this year.

Ivan’s being brutally honest except for where he said he believed in the group. If he truly believes in the group, it might be time for a new coach.

We all knew this season was coming, although I thought you had one more drink left.

Welcome back to footy humanity, a time to live and learn and to be yourselves.

All that pressure gone, it could be good thing.

 

[The Realist]

Leota needs to be benched.

Big changes needed. I’d even think it’s just about time to start taking a few gambles even. Bring in Geyer and Lane and Talagi maybe

Who will replace Leota? I agree that he is severely underwhelming but we are thin in the front row. Papalii is an absolute pumpkin and when we have just 1 injury in the forwards Eisenplod is on our bench.

Geyer is an absolute plod 2nd rower. Last year he got carried by an Super Elite team.

This year we cannot afford to carry bums but for some reason Ivan thinks we still can.

 

[WestyLife]

No but we have a lot of improvement in us. We are making very very silly errors and mistakes that can be ironed out.

The one big positive. There's so much more in this team. It's what makes it so frustrating.

 

[unKwn]

The one big positive. There's so much more in this team. It's what makes it so frustrating.

Exactly thats why I haven't given up hope on this season just yet. We've all seen what this team is capable of, but we are making uncharacteristic mistakes atm that goes against how we've played for the last 5 years

 

[WestyLife]

Exactly thats why I haven't given up hope on this season just yet. We've all seen what this team is capable of, but we are making uncharacteristic mistakes atm that goes against how we've played for the last 5 years

Ivan said this is the first really good week of training this year. Crazy how far behind in prep they are.

 

[Hamstring awareness]

I’m not sure where to begin to drill down on tonight’s performance.

I think in the first instance it is abundantly clear the salary cap has finally caught up with us and our best 17, not that we have been able to field it, is no longer the benchmark. That’s just the reality.

The club has been incredible in the way we have been able to overcome the loss of so many quality players each and every season for this past five seasons but it apparent we don’t have players who can step up and fill the void of the most recent departures in Luai, JFH and Turuva. This is the weakest squad we have fielded since we started our incredible winning run.

It is just not realistic to think we can somehow drop two, three or more of those who played tonight and expect miracles from bringing in players from our NSW Cup side.

It is what it is and we should be big enough as a fan base to suck it up without questioning the coach, his assistants and certain individual players who get hacked on repeatedly.

The Cowboys were worthy of the two points tonight, we weren‘t good enough despite having plentiful opportunities to get the job done.

I thought Tom Dearden highlighted everything that is missing in our attack, he just looked dangerous each and every time he was on the ball. we miss Jerome.

Anyway if we want the coaching staff and playing group to stand up and deliver then we as fans should do the same and stand by them and not be so entitled.

 

[Panfa]

Even for the cowboys try what was tago thinking by tapping the ball up in the air.You either catch it or knock it out of play.You don't hit it up and fall down then take forever to try and regather it.Alamoti was half a chance of getting to it as well.No desperation in this team at the moment.Throw in his bad defence tago and silly penalties.When does this warrant getting dropped.1 from 6,7,8 cmon.

 

[Chins]

Even for the cowboys try what was tago thinking by tapping the ball up in the air.You either catch it or knock it out of play.You don't hit it up and fall down then take forever to try and regather it.Alamoti was half a chance of getting to it as well.No desperation in this team at the moment.Throw in his bad defence tago and silly penalties.When does this warrant getting dropped.1 from 6,7,8 cmon.

He tried to hit it out in the end but he's just uncoordinated. To think we could have kept Critter over this bum for just a tiny bit more cash.
He needs to be moved on this off-season, I don't even care how much we have to pay a club to take him.