Rumours and Stuff

[TheRam]

That is ancient thinking. Leadership GROUPS are where it’s at. Yes he probably has more sway than a Opacic or Sivo but the likes of Gutho or Matto would be as influential.
And I guess Moses is the barometer. A barometer doesn’t dictate what the pressure is to the weather, it measures the weather for pressure. If Moses is playing unconfidently, it’s because the team is either playing unconfidently or the leadership group is not doing it’s job in leading Moses.
If we lump everything on Moses, we completely live and die at his whim. Thankfully it is obviously not the case because we finished 3rd in a year where he played fairly crap

I don't believe your point at all. Moses is a will be the player that we either succeed or die with or until we find someone else to do what he couldn't. I am not talking about leadership groups here which I thought was pretty obvious.

Moses needs to step up or we will not make a dent on the finals once again and if he has a full season as bad as he did from the time he injured himself, then we will struggle to make the eight. It is that simple. We have the players to compete against the best of them. But the difference now is our playmaker and his ability to step up consistently when it counts.

Do we have the roster to win it if he does step up, Fully fit I think we do if they all play to their abilities. But the biggest hurdle to that happening is a confident and consistently good Moses out on the playing field and the rest will follow suit.

 

[TheRam]

I think there’s some tweaking required between Johns’ coaching and the greater game plan. There was talk yesterday of our propensity to shift wide after an offload. That’s 100% Johns’ influence, he prattles on about it in commentary. Which in itself probably doesn’t help as he highlights to oppositions what we will do (unless it’s a con and really we want them to think that). But it doesn’t mean it’s always the right thing to do in terms of the game plan

Johns never suggests to move the ball wide unless you have earned it after doing the hard yards(which aren't that hard a lot of the time now) up the middle or unless the opposition is on the back foot and the is space with a quick spread.

He wasn't the greatest playmaker ever because he didn't know when to spread them.

 

[TheRam]

I don't think we can. We lack any sort of an X factor player. Our 2nd rowers seem more workman like. Our centres look barely serviceable. And if our wingers give us 2020 form then I doubt we even make the top 8.
You build a side you need atleast one forward or two who can bust the line. Look at the Panthers,Souths,Roosters,Storm,Raiders. They have forwards who bust the line. Ours are meter eaters with offloads.

Souths have Cook,Latrell,Walker and Murray who can bust the line. Panthers have Kikau,Too,Critchton,Korisau. Storm have Puppenhoosen,Grant,Kafusi,Ado Carr.....

Who do we have? Nobody really. A bunch of hard working players. I reckon the only way we win the comp is by having legit the best defense in comp and playing an extremely slow, repetitive,grinding style of game with a great kick chase and controlling game. And ramp up the offloads. Think how the Bulldogs had success many of times. Grit and hunger. I just don't think we have the talent tbh. Maybe others see something else in this squad.

Unsure why people rate LANE and MATTERSON so highly.

You maybe right Hindy, but I believe that these players just need the right playmaker to set them alight and bring their talents out. We do have very talented players in our pack with skills in particular Paulo, N. Brown and Lane, but Lane rarely ever shows it. That is why he is a bit of a journey man. He can tend to play within himself and look lazy or disinterested, but in the right setup where his game has been simplified and he has the right playmaker guiding him, he would excel. This is why I first suggested that I would prefer him over that talentless palooka he replaced in the first place.

There are some players that the best coaches and playmakers need to pay special attention to to get the best out of them. He is one such player and it is sad watching him squander his natural talents.

As for the team being good enough for a title? I think we are, but just and a lot of things need to go our way to make that happen. But Moses is the key to it all having any chance at all.

We may not have the out and out superstar or blinding speedster in our team, but if Moses clicks, Fergo, Sivo find their best form, our backrowers find their best form well then if the rest of the team also play to their abilities, that is a pretty impressive squad. Think about it, when we play to the best of our abilities we have matched and surpassed the even the likes of the Roosters, South's and the Storm. The problem has always been that we either don't show up or we sustain it for 50-60 mins only and then they come back at us and blow us away. Usually guided by their playmakers over ours.

That is what I am talking about, Moses in particular needs to be able to rise to these occasions and guide us home like all the great playmakers do or have done in the past. Our team is a skittish bunch for good reason, we haven't had a true leader(playmaker) in our club for decades. It has become chronic. We need to break that cycle and when we do we will finally find long term success.

The clock is ticking on Moses. He needs to overcome all the burden of expectation that all the fans, media, coach and playing squad have heaped on him and deliver. That is what his position demands. It is the furnace position in any team.

Besides, he demanded that it be given to him. Well now is the time to produce the magic.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Fair points.

But I think it is fair to call Ryan Matterson one of the top edge forwards in the game; he doesn't bust the line like Kikau, but he can definitely make a line break.

He can offload.

He can kick.

He is a brilliant defender.

He has pace.

As for Lane, on paper, he is a great attacking player.

I reckon Matto would break the line more often if he only made 3 runs and 7 tackles a half

 

[hindy111]

You may not feel it, but that is the reality of a professional team in the big leagues with a salary cap in place. Most teams only have one true playmaker that is the main orchestrator of that team. If he is not performing then the team will be out of key and you will find a trombone in the string section happening way to often, so to speak.

The players around Moses can't will or force Moses to play better, that is what I am referring to here. He has to find it within himself to be the cool, controlled professional playmaker when the going is tough and the stakes are high. He needs to have bedded down all the plays, calls and strategies that the rest of the players have practiced with him so many thousands of times that it is instinctive and seamless for them to fall into place when called.

So far he has not been able to sustain a consistent enough quality from season to season. He has had some great little stretches where he has been good to amazing and the team has flourished during those spells. But then he has regressed again and the team too has gone backwards. It is not a coincidence. He is the barometer of the team. Our fortunes lie with his ability to get it all right on the field during game time, just like the other top 4 or so teams as well.

Any of the top 4 teams have a chance of winning it, if their main playmaker ignites the rest of the team to play their best footy.
Ours so far has failed on the big stage every time. I'm really hoping that this is his year or we may have to go in another direction after all.

The clock is ticking.

Is it to much pressure put on the shoulders of one man? No that is what they are paid for to deliver and besides he wanted that roll if you remember? If he can't cope then he isn't the right man for the job. His job is to find ways around that pressure and overcome it and orchestrate well so the rest of the band can play to their potential.

I don't think we can. We lack any sort of an X factor player. Our 2nd rowers seem more workman like. Our centres look barely serviceable. And if our wingers give us 2020 form then I doubt we even make the top 8.
You build a side you need atleast one forward or two who can bust the line. Look at the Panthers,Souths,Roosters,Storm,Raiders. They have forwards who bust the line. Ours are meter eaters with offloads.

 

[hindy111]

Fair points.

But I think it is fair to call Ryan Matterson one of the top edge forwards in the game; he doesn't bust the line like Kikau, but he can definitely make a line break.

He can offload.

He can kick.

He is a brilliant defender.

He has pace.

As for Lane, on paper, he is a great attacking player.

Matterson makes good yards but from the eye he doesn't seem to hit hard into the line compared to your Frizzels,Crighton,Kafusi, Martin,Fafita,Kikau,Cordner,Hess,Whitehead,Tariq Simms,Nikora,Wade Grahemes. He is a better player then many on this list. But to me they seem more damaging runners and capable of bowling the defender over. He would be perfect if he was partnered with a Crighton as the other 2nd rower. Lane and Cartwright both have skills but are not the hard running 2nd rower type that I think you need one of.

 

[hindy111]

I reckon Matto would break the line more often if he only made 3 runs and 7 tackles a half

I'd swap Matto for Kikau in a heart beat. Kikau doesn't have to do a lot. Sides where more focussed about them getting the balls then worrying about the person with it or who else may get it. And that gives everyone else plenty of space.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

You maybe right Hindy, but I believe that these players just need the right playmaker to set them alight and bring their talents out. We do have very talented players in our pack with skills in particular Paulo, N. Brown and Lane, but Lane rarely ever shows it. That is why he is a bit of a journey man. He can tend to play within himself and look lazy or disinterested, but in the right setup where his game has been simplified and he has the right playmaker guiding him, he would excel. This is why I first suggested that I would prefer him over that talentless palooka he replaced in the first place.

There are some players that the best coaches and playmakers need to pay special attention to to get the best out of them. He is one such player and it is sad watching him squander his natural talents.

As for the team being good enough for a title? I think we are, but just and a lot of things need to go our way to make that happen. But Moses is the key to it all having any chance at all.

We may not have the out and out superstar or blinding speedster in our team, but if Moses clicks, Fergo, Sivo find their best form, our backrowers find their best form well then if the rest of the team also play to their abilities, that is a pretty impressive squad. Think about it, when we play to the best of our abilities we have matched and surpassed the even the likes of the Roosters, South's and the Storm. The problem has always been that we either don't show up or we sustain it for 50-60 mins only and then they come back at us and blow us away. Usually guided by their playmakers over ours.

That is what I am talking about, Moses in particular needs to be able to rise to these occasions and guide us home like all the great playmakers do or have done in the past. Our team is a skittish bunch for good reason, we haven't had a true leader(playmaker) in our club for decades. It has become chronic. We need to break that cycle and when we do we will finally find long term success.

The clock is ticking on Moses. He needs to overcome all the burden of expectation that all the fans, media, coach and playing squad have heaped on him and deliver. That is what his position demands. It is the furnace position in any team.

Besides, he demanded that it be given to him. Well now is the time to produce the magic.

We need to let Moses be the player he is, not expect him to be something he's not. Coaching requires accepting reality, and the reality is that Moses has strengths and weaknesses and we need to take those into account, as we do for every other player.

If Jahrome Hughes and Chad Townsend can win premierships so can Mitchell Moses. If the problem is we lack the team around Moses that 2020 Hughes and 2016 Townsend had, then the problem isn't Moses is it?

 

[hindy111]

You maybe right Hindy, but I believe that these players just need the right playmaker to set them alight and bring their talents out. We do have very talented players in our pack with skills in particular Paulo, N. Brown and Lane, but Lane rarely ever shows it. That is why he is a bit of a journey man. He can tend to play within himself and look lazy or disinterested, but in the right setup where his game has been simplified and he has the right playmaker guiding him, he would excel. This is why I first suggested that I would prefer him over that talentless palooka he replaced in the first place.

There are some players that the best coaches and playmakers need to pay special attention to to get the best out of them. He is one such player and it is sad watching him squander his natural talents.

As for the team being good enough for a title? I think we are, but just and a lot of things need to go our way to make that happen. But Moses is the key to it all having any chance at all.

We may not have the out and out superstar or blinding speedster in our team, but if Moses clicks, Fergo, Sivo find their best form, our backrowers find their best form well then if the rest of the team also play to their abilities, that is a pretty impressive squad. Think about it, when we play to the best of our abilities we have matched and surpassed the even the likes of the Roosters, South's and the Storm. The problem has always been that we either don't show up or we sustain it for 50-60 mins only and then they come back at us and blow us away. Usually guided by their playmakers over ours.

That is what I am talking about, Moses in particular needs to be able to rise to these occasions and guide us home like all the great playmakers do or have done in the past. Our team is a skittish bunch for good reason, we haven't had a true leader(playmaker) in our club for decades. It has become chronic. We need to break that cycle and when we do we will finally find long term success.

The clock is ticking on Moses. He needs to overcome all the burden of expectation that all the fans, media, coach and playing squad have heaped on him and deliver. That is what his position demands. It is the furnace position in any team.

Besides, he demanded that it be given to him. Well now is the time to produce the magic.

N.Browns skills are average. His offload is generally a hospital ball launched behind him to nobody who has to pick it up and scramble. It is nothing like Jnrs,Cartwright,Mattersons. He just plonks it out the back and hopes someone picks it up.
I also think his running game is over rated. He accelerates quick but he won't break the line or knock guys over. For me his biggest asset is his energy. I'd say he is top 5 of any player in the competition. I may even have him at no 1. I can't think of anyone better.He is aggressive, gives 100% every game and hates losing. A real bruiser. I was hoping STONE and HIPGRAVE can follow suit. If you unleashed 3 mad mongrels you don't need skill. You would just wear your opponents down.

 

[hindy111]

We need to let Moses be the player he is, not expect him to be something he's not. Coaching requires accepting reality, and the reality is that Moses has strengths and weaknesses and we need to take those into account, as we do for every other player.

If Jahrome Hughes and Chad Townsend can win premierships so can Mitchell Moses. If the problem is we lack the team around Moses that 2020 Hughes and 2016 Townsend had, then the problem isn't Moses is it?

I think DBrown needs to be the main focus. And that includes a lot more kicking and getting the ball on the last inside the red zone. Moses is still the guy who gets the big plays.

 

[yy_cheng]

I think DBrown needs to be the main focus. And that includes a lot more kicking and getting the ball on the last inside the red zone. Moses is still the guy who gets the big plays.

Listen to the drown interview. He himself says he struggles to keep focus during the game. He needs moses to wake him up now and then.

Of course he could be taken the piss

 

[84 Baby]

I don't believe your point at all. Moses is a will be the player that we either succeed or die with or until we find someone else to do what he couldn't. I am not talking about leadership groups here which I thought was pretty obvious.

Moses needs to step up or we will not make a dent on the finals once again and if he has a full season as bad as he did from the time he injured himself, then we will struggle to make the eight. It is that simple. We have the players to compete against the best of them. But the difference now is our playmaker and his ability to step up consistently when it counts.

Do we have the roster to win it if he does step up, Fully fit I think we do if they all play to their abilities. But the biggest hurdle to that happening is a confident and consistently good Moses out on the playing field and the rest will follow suit.

We’re jumping around. My point was Moses shouldn’t be lumped with ensuring his teammates attitude and confidence. Yes he has some playmaking responsibilities but it’s not like they decide these at a whim during the game. They train to a game plan and if the playing group feels they’re moving astray, it’s up to the group to bring it back on track

 

[84 Baby]

Johns never suggests to move the ball wide unless you have earned it after doing the hard yards(which aren't that hard a lot of the time now) up the middle or unless the opposition is on the back foot and the is space with a quick spread.

He wasn't the greatest playmaker ever because he didn't know when to spread them.

I was talking about spreads after offloads. Johns rabbits on about them all the time, that after an offload can be the best time to spread it to the strike players

 

[Matty Bhoy]

I feel a touch sorry for David Mead tomorrow. I reckon he’s in for a torrid time out on the wing. I also don’t think Sivo played half as badly as made out on here. I suspect he was playing busted at the back end of the year and reckon he will be back to full form. Fingers crossed anyway.

 

[Eelementary]

Matterson makes good yards but from the eye he doesn't seem to hit hard into the line compared to your Frizzels,Crighton,Kafusi, Martin,Fafita,Kikau,Cordner,Hess,Whitehead,Tariq Simms,Nikora,Wade Grahemes. He is a better player then many on this list. But to me they seem more damaging runners and capable of bowling the defender over. He would be perfect if he was partnered with a Crighton as the other 2nd rower. Lane and Cartwright both have skills but are not the hard running 2nd rower type that I think you need one of.

Matterson isn't a power player - he is skilful, quick, agile, and a finesse player.

I wouldn't swap him for anyone tbh.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

We need to let Moses be the player he is, not expect him to be something he's not. Coaching requires accepting reality, and the reality is that Moses has strengths and weaknesses and we need to take those into account, as we do for every other player.

If Jahrome Hughes and Chad Townsend can win premierships so can Mitchell Moses. If the problem is we lack the team around Moses that 2020 Hughes and 2016 Townsend had, then the problem isn't Moses is it?

I don't think he's good for the team fabric. Had smoke blown up his arse for too long and is a sooky prick. So he's overpaid which means you can't put the team around him you'd like, as you could those others you mentioned, and he's got too much responsibility. How you get him to take a step down probably won't be easy given his temperament. Not entirely his fault as the club employed him to o do a job he doesn't look up to but there you go. I don't see much chance of success while he's here.

 

[hindy111]

Matterson isn't a power player - he is skilful, quick, agile, and a finesse player.

I wouldn't swap him for anyone tbh.

He is entering his peak years. This should,d be his best

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Even BA thinks he's a knob:

"He's passionate. He might rub people up the wrong way sometimes..."
























https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/11/mitch-graft-how-arthur-knows-moses-will-handle-pressure/

 

[eels_fan]

Interesting to see we’ve changed our game day plan.

last 2 years we’ve travelled to intestate games the morning of the game, yet the boys are on a plane right now.

wonder what the thought change was as BA had previously explained the game day travel as being a more ideal plan.

We won 2 from 3 interstate games last year

 

[Eelogical]

Even BA thinks he's a knob:

"He's passionate. He might rub people up the wrong way sometimes..."
























https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/11/mitch-graft-how-arthur-knows-moses-will-handle-pressure/

Another load of media dribble. Bring on the game FFS so we can do what we do best on here.