Round 7 - Dragons 3, 2, 1

[Captain Apollo]

So onto the round 7 game against the Dragons. First the match stats, courtesy of Fox Sports -

 

[Captain Apollo]

Now the player stats, courtesy of Fox Sports -

 

[Headless Chook]

3. JWH
2. SST
1. Keary

 

[Captain Apollo]

3 points: Siosiua Taukeiaho. Edges JWH for mine as SST played the whole 80 minutes.
2 points: Jared Warea-Hargreaves.
1 point: Luke Keary.

 

[Valheru]

3. JWH
2. SST
1. Keary

I concur

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

3. SST
2. Jared
1. Keary

I’m still feeling a little flat after that win due to those injuries.

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

I agree that it should be:

1. JWH
2. SST
3. LK

While SST played the 80, having JWH play 77 seemed like a big step up for him (relatively speaking). In fact, you could probably swap SST and Luke around - there wasn't much separating them in my view.

I agree @Babyface O'reilly, the injuries made me feel deflated too. Robbo looked upset and disappointed during the press conference, as you would expect. It is going to be a huge challenge for him, the coaching staff and the players to manage things going forward.

It was interesting to listen to the journalists on the Footy Show earlier this afternoon. Two out of the three think we will handle it fine, while David Riccio believes that we will struggle and won't be able to overcome it. Time will ultimately tell, but I think we will be up to it. What a major test of character it will be. Nobody could ever accuse us of having an easy run to the premiership should we be able to pull it off.

 

[Headless Chook]

3. SST
2. Jared
1. Keary

I’m still feeling a little flat after that win due to those injuries.

Ever the pessimist, as soon as they happened I just knew it was season over for the both of them. I reckon we can cover for Sam providing nothing goes wrong with Friend. Without Radley, no question it will be so much harder. Gutted for them both.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Yes losing Radley is a blow. However I compare it to the Raiders in 1990. They lost Brad Clyde to a knee injury that mid-season yet they repeated. So it is possible.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

After coming to grips with the loss of the players, the confidence grew.

3. Keary
2. Jwh
1. Mary

 

[Captain Apollo]

For comparison, this is how the Dally M points for the game were awarded -

Dally M: 3 - Siosiua Taukeiaho, 2 - Luke Keary, 1 - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Source: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/06/28...-m-votes-taumalolo-on-track-for-second-medal/

 

[to_ddeath]

3. Norman
2. Hunt
1. Lawrie

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Ever the pessimist, as soon as they happened I just knew it was season over for the both of them. I reckon we can cover for Sam providing nothing goes wrong with Friend. Without Radley, no question it will be so much harder. Gutted for them both.

Cooper Cronk has come out and said that he sees Nat Butcher being the one to replace the Inflictor. The team's style of play would have to change, but that can be done.

The other obvious approach would be to use Liu once he returns after his broken rib injury.

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

He also said that Jake would have to play 80 minute games, but that is something he has done for 90 per cent of his career to date.

 

[H.H]

3 - SST
2 - JWH
1 - Manu

Not sure how I've left Keary out but thought Manu was just outstanding. Gus very strong too.

Gutted for the boys who got hurt.

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Nat Butcher is starting at lock this week. While I am yet to be convinced that he is the solution, he is certainly worth a try, to give him a chance, until Isaac returns at least.