Round 8 Vs Sea Eagles

[Iamback]

It did look a bit better but still too small a sample size

We had Garner at centre in Vegas too.

Cleary and Martin will defend next to each other in Origin no problem

 

[age.s]

We had Garner at centre in Vegas too.

Cleary and Martin will defend next to each other in Origin no problem

Helps that Martin will be up for it in Origin though.

 

[The Realist]

Good idea BUT its all about TV rights the more games the more revenue. There is little likelyhood of a shortened season.

Sad but true. My exact first thought. It's not about what is best for the players, the clubs or even the fans. It's all about the $$$.

 

[Luke Bowden]

The Saab is out. Sore ankle

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Origin dying would be fantastic

As an Aussie/New South Welshman living in the UK, I love Origin. I appreciate it stuff around the club season, but I also love identifying with the Blues.

Ideally there would be a way to keep it without sacrificing the integrity of the NRL.

 

[Iamback]

Helps that Martin will be up for it in Origin though.

I am taking blame from him, Martin's numbers never look good.

The effort plays are what make his good or bad games.

He often just hovers, makes his tackles but nothing stands out

 

[hindy111]

Nathan hasn’t regressed at all. We have, collectively as a team, we are no longer the benchmark. That is just the reality we need to accept. We need to suck it up. It is what it is.

The forwards are all to workmen like. Hopefully Papali'i can get going. He looked good last week and has genuine tackle breaking ability. So does Martin but doesn't take enough hit ups.
The rest do a job but I reckon need someone explosive

 

[hindy111]

The Origin period is a really interesting one. Will be good thread talk once we get to our bye round in 4 weeks which will essentially be halfway through the season.

The Warriors one you'd think would be a loss being an away game. I'm expecting 0 players to back up. Moses and potentially Lomax out for the Eels. The Knights shouldn't have Ponga and potentially others.

You will have to have guys back up this year to play finals. I doubt can get within 12 of any side without
Too,Nathan,Yeo,Martin,Edwards. Will be slaughtered.

 

[hindy111]

Origin dying would be fantastic

Agree. Its a gimmick these days. It also ruins about 46 NRL games due to weakened sides.
Sides who shouldn't win games pick up points if get a lucky origin draw. It shows how unprofessional NRL is.

 

[betcats]

Avoided posting for a while cause i didnt need anymore negativity in my life at this stage lol, im sure you guys covered everything i wouldve said. Cautiously optimistic after that last performance though.

Anyway on that note here is a negative thought, not happy tagos back, I have to agree with chins now, he just cant read the game well enough. I think he is a willing defender who wants the contact, but he just cant read it well enough and he is in the hardest place to defend. I was ok with him on the bench though it was a bit small, i think we should look at him in the 14 role, maybe via cup first. He could play some back up hooker and edge, i think he can defend there in stints, doesnt need to think so much just get up off the line and hit someone like he wants to, and i think he could still have impact with the ball in those roles. But right now based on eveything ive seen this year including his much better performance this weekend i still think he unpickable at centre until he proves it in cup.

 

[betcats]

On a positive i was really encouraged by Blaize's 2nd half, he has struggled along with cole but thats not really surprising considering how bad weve been overall but it is good that as soon as we looked good Blaize looked good. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with his running game once he gets comfortable and we are playing well consistently. He is a better defender then i thought he would be, has a shirt grab in him for sure but mostly he gets in front. He has a massive right boot, noticed they already had him taking a kick for touch, probably the biggest boot we've had since Burton. Hopefully he is in the cleary school of kicking.

Also if Papi can play anywhere near where he did on saturday consistenly ill be very happy with that signing, he has only been solid till now.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Avoided posting for a while cause i didnt need anymore negativity in my life at this stage lol, im sure you guys covered everything i wouldve said. Cautiously optimistic after that last performance though.

Anyway on that note here is a negative thought, not happy tagos back, I have to agree with chins now, he just cant read the game well enough. I think he is a willing defender who wants the contact, but he just cant read it well enough and he is in the hardest place to defend. I was ok with him on the bench though it was a bit small, i think we should look at him in the 14 role, maybe via cup first. He could play some back up hooker and edge, i think he can defend there in stints, doesnt need to think so much just get up off the line and hit someone like he wants to, and i think he could still have impact with the ball in those roles. But right now based on eveything ive seen this year including his much better performance this weekend i still think he unpickable at centre until he proves it in cup.

Agreeing with Chins is a slippery slope my friend. Tread carefully

 

[Whino]

The forwards are all to workmen like. Hopefully Papali'i can get going. He looked good last week and has genuine tackle breaking ability. So does Martin but doesn't take enough hit ups.
The rest do a job but I reckon need someone explosive

Papali'i's two best games have been off the bench, IMO. Last week, and against Melbourne.
I think he is more suited to that role in the short-term. Lets him bring a bit of energy after the opening sting has abated. Eases him into our systems.


Worth a read.

How Papali'i is finding his feet at the Panthers • The Western Weekender

Isaiah Papali’i chats about scoring his first try for the Panthers, and how he's settling in to his new club.

westernweekender.com.au

 

[maple_69]

Talagi definitely has a very high ceiling. If we could put together 4-5 weeks of solid performances where we can play the game on our terms (Cleary just running the show) I think it could be huge for Talagi’s game and our season.

I think we need to bite the bullet and run Leota and Papali’i as our bench props. Both look better in the soft minutes while Smith is slowly blossoming into a great starter and Henry is made for it.

 

[hindy111]

Talagi definitely has a very high ceiling. If we could put together 4-5 weeks of solid performances where we can play the game on our terms (Cleary just running the show) I think it could be huge for Talagi’s game and our season.

I think we need to bite the bullet and run Leota and Papali’i as our bench props. Both look better in the soft minutes while Smith is slowly blossoming into a great starter and Henry is made for it.

He'll be fine. Needs another few years to fill out before see best of him. Ivan has to stick with him. Give him a limited role for now and let him slowly gain confidence. He needs a few wins under his belt

 

[John Hamblin]

Bullemor starting prop Tevaga lock. Not a good bench. Guess what we will go straight down main street!!!!

 

[Fangs]

Bullemor starting prop Tevaga lock. Not a good bench. Guess what we will go straight down main street!!!!

And I'll be going straight down Church Street. No parking fiasco this time.

 

[age.s]

We're last, but a big win could see us go as high as 10th. What a weird season this has been so far.