Round 6 v Titans

[Dragonsteve2]

Well dragonsteve2, you’ve predicted the drop balls, luckily we played pretenders so it’s all good we won anyway we all feel warm and fuzzy, which is a good thing, I’m enjoying another win. Like you I feel Ravs inconsistency should have seen him relegated to work on his game, but I’m not surprised (look whose coaching) I do also share your opinion that the changes have reflected positively on the team and agree we have been less shambolic, winning can really project belief and transform a side, however the unrelenting errors continue and that concerns me, to me the errors are foreshadowing a return to another a series of losses and from next week we face 3 contenders. Hope amongst hope I’m wrong, how good would it be to beat the rorters. Enjoying another win anyway

Belta, firstly I agree with you that in the Mary era every win must be cherished without too much quibbling over its details because we don't know when the next one will come. Neither of us knew what to expect yesterday - well what did we get? For me, a decent first half carrying on from the Sharks victory but an ordinary 2nd half in which the attack showed some of the disjointed movement of the Warriors and Dogs losses. Some shocking passes and generally too much dropped ball. There is very little point Mary throwing chairs around the coach's box when he continues to pick Rava. I have always liked Rava's strength but at what point do you say his dropsy is too costly?

Turning to individuals, it's great to see development in players like Lomax and Kerr. Lomax's goalkicking seems to be the best we have had in my memory - at the very least as good as Widdop at his very best. I think Clune is continuing to settle into the team. It's so good to finally have a kicker who lands the ball where he aims for. McInnes has surprised by displaying a running game. Dufty again showed why he must be picked and Graham showed for a 2nd week he is better suited to the bench. Of the positives I have just mentioned all were changes Mary could have implemented last season except for Clune. But he has neither flair for innovation nor an eye for the obvious.

Finally for the Rorters: The four straight losses to start the season have lowered my expectations to the point where I will be happy if our boys are reasonably competitive for 60-70 mins. Having said that my long memory of this club alerts me to the fact that the most surprising performances have come when the team knows anything less than their very best could result in a thrashing. You may recall the 2016 victory over the Sharks, the eventual Premiers, as one example.

We can always hope!

 

[dragon thomo]

Lomax has plenty of potential, He is a centre full stop.
Not a fullback or winger.

 

[possm]

Probably more amazed that they didn’t OT.
However I’m not surprised they didn’t. The opportunity was there for them to run a few tries in but the fact they took the two on offer at the death says it all.

Leadership, coach.

It is one thing to move up quickly in defence, it is another to bring the defensive line with you.

Taking the two points when you have a substantial lead and you need to address your for and against numbers is just plain dumb.

 

[WepnutV]

So he's slower than a 46 year old Morris?
That's embarrassing.....

There is nothing embarrising with being the fifth fastest in the nrl.. Your statement is more embarrassing

 

[jak]

See you again Titans in the grand final.

grand final of what?

 

[Crush]

There is nothing embarrising with being the fifth fastest in the nrl.. Your statement is more embarrassing

He's the fifth fastest in the NRL?
Wow I had no idea, we have ourselves a speedster!

 

[Saints Forever]

We defended very well against a side that had zero X factor.

The team wasted multiple field position opportunities.

it was great to get the win, but we are along way from being relevant in the NRL.

 

[boardlumps62]

You are correct Lomax is definitely not slow.

Providing they don't bulk him up like they did Dugan he will get faster over the next few years.
I know we're talking about Lomax here but is Euan Aitken improving. And the centres and wingers don't seem to be getting confused as much with defense like we have previously. Thinking Lomax might be sorting things.

He saved several situations today with speed and awareness of where he had to be. All the speed in the world is useless if you don't know where to be.

He is very professional in what he does on the field and he has tremendous strength whilst not yet full developed.

His defence front on is exceptional and his ability to turn and tackle around the legs is 1st class. His leg drive in attack and also when he tackles is great to watch.

In time his inside and outside men will learn they don't have to move in or out they can stay on their own man as Lomax is extremely dependable and able to comfortably make correct decisions during opposition attacking raids.

I see he is now starting to direct his inside and outside men in defence and if they take notice of him that side will stiffen up considerably.

Definitely an asset and seems to be overcoming all the chopping and changing he had to endure from Mc Humptydumpty.

 

[blacksafake]

You are correct Lomax is definitely not slow.

Providing they don't bulk him up like they did Dugan he will get faster over the next few years.

He saved several situations today with speed and awareness of where he had to be. All the speed in the world is useless if you don't know where to be.

He is very professional in what he does on the field and he has tremendous strength whilst not yet full developed.

His defence front on is exceptional and his ability to turn and tackle around the legs is 1st class. His leg drive in attack and also when he tackles is great to watch.

In time his inside and outside men will learn they don't have to move in or out they can stay on their own man as Lomax is extremely dependable and able to comfortably make correct decisions during opposition attacking raids.

I see he is now starting to direct his inside and outside men in defence and if they take notice of him that side will stiffen up considerably.

Definitely an asset and seems to be overcoming all the chopping and changing he had to endure from Mc Humptydumpty.

Agree with this

 

[thebigredv]

grand final of what?

I was alluding the fact that we just took part in the preview of the NRL premiership gf. Two best teams going round.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I was alluding the fact that we just took part in the preview of the NRL premiership gf. Two best teams going round.

That was such a good game until Jennings went to the bin. We will really struggle next week.

 

[hewi]

That was such a good game until Jennings went to the bin. We will really struggle next week.

Understatement of the year I suspect

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

We defended very well against a side that had zero X factor.

The team wasted multiple field position opportunities.

it was great to get the win, but we are a long way from being relevant in the NRL.

Agree
Gold Coast had plenty of opportunities in our red zone and could not execute.
I am happy we won but GC is no yard stick.

 

[Gareth67]

Was this James Graham’s last in the Big Red V ?

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Was this James Graham’s last in the Big Red V ?

Hopefully

 

[Dragonslayer]

Was this James Graham’s last in the Big Red V ?

Not sure, a lot riding.on a few 'events' happening this week imo.
If those 'events' return a positive (and I'm not referringvto COVID here) result, the most probably Graham would would not only have played his last game in the Red V, but in the NRL as well

Don't discount him returning pretty quickly in some other capacity though.

 

[getsmarty]

After that second half I wouldn’t bet my house on it. We should have won by 30.

Correct...exactly what I was alluding to....Roosters would need to play badly for us to even get close to them.......

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Correct...exactly what I was alluding to....Roosters would need to play badly for us to even get close to them.......

Undoubtedly, if both teams played to their absolute potential they would win comfortably. If we play to our absolute potential and they have an off night it will be competitive. If we are off and they are on it will be a slaughter.

 

[getsmarty]

Undoubtedly, if both teams played to their absolute potential they would win comfortably. If we play to our absolute potential and they have an off night it will be competitive. If we are off and they are on it will be a slaughter.

Exactly.....

 

[Gareth67]

Not sure, a lot riding.on a few 'events' happening this week imo.
If those 'events' return a positive (and I'm not referringvto COVID here) result, the most probably Graham would would not only have played his last game in the Red V, but in the NRL as well

Don't discount him returning pretty quickly in some other capacity though.

Appreciate your reply Dragonslayer , also that he may return in another capacity - his experience would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to developing our young forwards.