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A significant week in the history of our club and the history of the game this week as Rugby League's oldest club, meets Rugby League's newest club. We take on the new club the Dolphins this week in Round 7 as we look to advance in the competition.
As soon as we knew a new club was coming in and the draw was announced, this was one you circled on the Calander. Playing a new team for the first time. New stories, new challenges, new rivalry, it's exciting! Could this be the dawn of a great new rivalry with a Queensland club? Who knows? But one thing I do know is that it's the start of a fresh new chapter in our 115-year history. Let's make it a good one and get our rivalry with the Dolphins off to the right start.
Before the Season started, you'd probably pencil this game in as a pretty easy win. However, that is certainly no longer the case. I think the Dolphins have really shocked everyone with how well they've gone. Seriously, they've actually looked really good. Winning a fair few games already with some big scalps in there like the Roosters, and they've pushed teams like Brisbane all the way. In fact, they've pretty much been in every game they've played and have been a huge challenge for their opposition. I expect this week to be no different. It's a testament to their entire organisation the position they're in right now after their first six games, it truly is incredible. They may have been hit with injuries recently to some key players, but they still have plenty of strike and are a dangerous outfit. Their biggest strike no doubt comes from Tabuai-Fidow. He's been in electric form for the new franchise so shutting him down, or limiting his impact as much as possible, will be one of the biggest keys in this one. But you still can't sleep on guys like Isaako, Katoa, Marshall-King and the Bromwich brothers. Plenty to watch out for and despite their injuries, we'll have to be good to beat them. I think the main key is once again winning that forward battle with the guys they have out. We saw last week how much more effective we were getting a genuine roll on so that needs to be the aim again.
For our boys, this week is all about proving last week was no fluke, carrying that momentum through, and building on it as we move forward. Things finally clicked last week but we need to go out there in Round 7 and make sure that is not a one-off. We must keep it going, keep that attack zinging. It all starts with completing our sets which is still an issue. You can't not complete your sets against a Wayne Bennett coached side, or they'll make you pay. In saying that, I don't want to see us play that boring, conservative style in order to complete sets because it doesn't necessarily work like that. Look at how much better we looked on Good Friday when we became less tense, released the shackles a bit and played some Footy. That needs to be the game plan again or we're just playing right into the Dolphins hands. Another area that needs improvement this week is our inability to be consistent across the 80 minutes. We still fade in and out of games, so I'd like to see that improved this week.
Another big story that will be pumped up in the media is the Demetriou vs Bennett rivalry. Well, it's not really a rivalry as they're mates but you know what I mean. It's the first time they've come up against each other after working together for so long. It's the first time Wayne has come up against us since he departed too. That makes me a little nervous to be honest. He knows our players inside out and will know ways to nullify them. We must find a way to counter that. Anyway, what a significant moment it would be in JD's career if he could get one over Wayne in the first game. Hopefully!!
So, as I said, a significant week in our history as the new rivalry begins!! I'm really looking forward to it so lessgooooo!!
As soon as we knew a new club was coming in and the draw was announced, this was one you circled on the Calander. Playing a new team for the first time. New stories, new challenges, new rivalry, it's exciting! Could this be the dawn of a great new rivalry with a Queensland club? Who knows? But one thing I do know is that it's the start of a fresh new chapter in our 115-year history. Let's make it a good one and get our rivalry with the Dolphins off to the right start.
Before the Season started, you'd probably pencil this game in as a pretty easy win. However, that is certainly no longer the case. I think the Dolphins have really shocked everyone with how well they've gone. Seriously, they've actually looked really good. Winning a fair few games already with some big scalps in there like the Roosters, and they've pushed teams like Brisbane all the way. In fact, they've pretty much been in every game they've played and have been a huge challenge for their opposition. I expect this week to be no different. It's a testament to their entire organisation the position they're in right now after their first six games, it truly is incredible. They may have been hit with injuries recently to some key players, but they still have plenty of strike and are a dangerous outfit. Their biggest strike no doubt comes from Tabuai-Fidow. He's been in electric form for the new franchise so shutting him down, or limiting his impact as much as possible, will be one of the biggest keys in this one. But you still can't sleep on guys like Isaako, Katoa, Marshall-King and the Bromwich brothers. Plenty to watch out for and despite their injuries, we'll have to be good to beat them. I think the main key is once again winning that forward battle with the guys they have out. We saw last week how much more effective we were getting a genuine roll on so that needs to be the aim again.
For our boys, this week is all about proving last week was no fluke, carrying that momentum through, and building on it as we move forward. Things finally clicked last week but we need to go out there in Round 7 and make sure that is not a one-off. We must keep it going, keep that attack zinging. It all starts with completing our sets which is still an issue. You can't not complete your sets against a Wayne Bennett coached side, or they'll make you pay. In saying that, I don't want to see us play that boring, conservative style in order to complete sets because it doesn't necessarily work like that. Look at how much better we looked on Good Friday when we became less tense, released the shackles a bit and played some Footy. That needs to be the game plan again or we're just playing right into the Dolphins hands. Another area that needs improvement this week is our inability to be consistent across the 80 minutes. We still fade in and out of games, so I'd like to see that improved this week.
Another big story that will be pumped up in the media is the Demetriou vs Bennett rivalry. Well, it's not really a rivalry as they're mates but you know what I mean. It's the first time they've come up against each other after working together for so long. It's the first time Wayne has come up against us since he departed too. That makes me a little nervous to be honest. He knows our players inside out and will know ways to nullify them. We must find a way to counter that. Anyway, what a significant moment it would be in JD's career if he could get one over Wayne in the first game. Hopefully!!
So, as I said, a significant week in our history as the new rivalry begins!! I'm really looking forward to it so lessgooooo!!
