Sack Adam O'Brien

[Jono078]

I think you answered the question yourself really. Milford will be one of those spots. Once again though, he has popped up by sheer luck and not by brilliant roster management.

It's by luck we'll get him. I'm also astounded we didn't sign an edge forward in the off-season.

 

[perverse]

I think you answered the question yourself really. Milford will be one of those spots. Once again though, he has popped up by sheer luck and not by brilliant roster management.

It's by luck we'll get him. I'm also astounded we didn't sign an edge forward in the off-season.

Milford will be one spot and probably cost us an all-you-can-eat maccas voucher, sure.

 

[PhilGould]

They let Pearce go so easy because they thought they'd get Brooks. Also thought they had Luki wrapped up and would've pushed to get him early before he backflipped last minute.

I'm not drinking the Clune kool-aid as much as some but I doubt Pearce would be doing much better. He looked physically cooked late last season.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

I agree... but the worst part of it is we probably could have had BOTH with a little bit of shrewd negotiating and roster management. Why do we have 2 open roster slots and $700k sitting unused right now - and absolutely no prospects to fill that space?

One name we haven't spoken about is Milford. He's a total wildcard in all of this... and we won't know until probably Origin time whether that's going to pan out at all for us. Either way - he's not a long term solution... but he could at the very least help turn this season around. Or he could be an abject failure.

Holy shit thats dire. Relying on a guy who was good 7 years ago with a history of disinterest and blowing out his physique

 

[The Axe of Druss]

FTR, I think Clune and Clifford are a combo that works. Its proven to in Rds 1 and 2

Whats been a huge down turn for us from rds 3 onwards has been our pack shitting the bed and getting injured/suspended. Its the old adage of forwards not going forward leaving our halves with F all to work with.

So yeah, our depth sucks and were paying for it, as usual

 

[perverse]

Holy shit thats dire. Relying on a guy who was good 7 years ago with a history of disinterest and blowing out his physique

It's... not ideal...

FTR, I think Clune and Clifford are a combo that works. Its proven to in Rds 1 and 2

Whats been a huge down turn for us from rds 3 onwards has been our pack shitting the bed and getting injured/suspended. Its the old adage of forwards not going forward leaving our halves with F all to work with.

So yeah, our depth sucks and were paying for it, as usual

Also... not ideal.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

RL isnt a game won in ideal circumstances unfortunately. Its simply something you cannot rely on and hope for

Our higher ups seem to always miss that lesson

 

[some11]

I just want to know why he won't play Leo Thompson for more than 30 mins.

The guy is a f**king unit.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

I wanna see Jones and Thompson swapped

Brodie offers nothing out wide but has the ticker to go in the middle

Leo has size, speed and footwork along with a pass that would be killer on an edge running at smaller players

 

[Apey]

I thought Frizell played well in the two games he was captain.
Co-captain with Gagai would’ve been my choice.
The successful teams the last few years all had co-captains (Panthers, Storm, Roosters)

Gagai's hampered by the position he plays on the field probably but Frizzell is a good call. I suppose field position matters less when you're in a huddle too, though.

 

[Spot On]

FTR, I think Clune and Clifford are a combo that works. Its proven to in Rds 1 and 2

Whats been a huge down turn for us from rds 3 onwards has been our pack shitting the bed and getting injured/suspended. Its the old adage of forwards not going forward leaving our halves with F all to work with.

So yeah, our depth sucks and were paying for it, as usual

100%.

We were physically trounced across the park v Sharks and add to that Talakai absolutely blowing up the stat machine and tearing us apart on his edge. It was a massacre on that edge.

No worries, can’t win them all, beaten by a pretty good team imo and our pack left knowing they were trounced and knew they had to fix it this week v Manly.

Kick off comes v Manly and our 2 starting props may as well have stayed at home again. Soft. Just not good enough in any way. Manly ran harder, hit harder and wanted the win more than our blokes.

Yes, we’re in trouble with injuries and the stupidity of Barnett but the blokes turning up in the pack need to have a better dig each week.

 

[aqua_duck]

Not judging AOB on last nights performance because of injuries, questionable reffing and bad performances by some of our better players.
What I do judge AOB on his the utter failure to build a strong squad and giving out contracts to guys literally no one else wanted. If Brian Smith back in the day had half the resources AOB has at his disposal we'd be a top 4 team

 

[TooheysNew]

I don’t see the point of sacking him when there’s nobody better available. I detest Shane Flanagan and don’t want him near our club.
He’s had 2 years and 2 finals appearances which after 7 years of not making the finals is definitely a pass mark.

After what he was left, 2 finals appearances is absolutely not a pass mark.

 

[Knight Tales]

Does anyone honestly think Gardner approached Flanno to become an assistant long term? I would not be surprised at all if he is our coach in 2023.

 

[Zoidberg]

It always seemed to be the plan that Ponga went into 6 in 2023.
Wonder if that is still the plan if he stays.

 

[Loose Cannon]

It always seemed to be the plan that Ponga went into 6 in 2023.
Wonder if that is still the plan if he stays.

I have wanted Ponga at 6 for 12 months. Originally because we didn’t have a 6, now because we don’t have a real 1.

 

[Sir Galahad]

What I do judge AOB on his the utter failure to build a strong squad and giving out contracts to guys literally no one else wanted.

this

not ruthless enough.

"Oh he's a lovely fella , almost never available for selection ? fringe NRL player ? here have a contract " . - Doesnt win Premierships.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Does anyone honestly think Gardner approached Flanno to become an assistant long term? I would not be surprised at all if he is our coach in 2023.

Any decent coach that's confident in his own ability would seek to have the most experienced assistants available as his council.

That rookie coach AOB employs nuffies that wouldnt know what a Premiership looks like speaks volumes to his mindset.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I often wonder how much we see as a failure in AOB is instead Gardner's influence.
Gardner has been a constant.

 

[Jono078]

I often wonder how much we see as a failure in AOB is instead Gardner's influence.
Gardner has been a constant.

I think that's a bit tough on Gardner. He has done what he can to upgrade us as a club each year IMO.

Hayden Knowles is touted as the best performance guy in league circles and we got him.

He acknowledged our on-field struggles last year said there would be review and changes. Andrew Johns and others came on board.

Then there's our performance centre, trying to get our reserves and youngsters up to scratch again.

We beat the Dragons next week (with a long turnaround, no excuses) then we'll see what spirits are like on this forum.