State of Origin 2K19 Discussion

[Fangs]

Foughts from Fangs:

- Fittler with some odd decisions. Taking Walker off for Wighton was bizzare. Especially when Walker set up Jake's try and got it to Mitchell when needed. Fittler not putting on Jake earlier was a massive mistake. I think he deserves some heat.

- NSW bench was uninspiring. I think there will be some changes.

- Our spine with some very individual efforts. When QLD dominated the second half none of them stood up to take control. Damien Cook did his best effort but he plays in the middle and couldn't see the space on the fringes. We ran away from Latrell's edge way too often.

- While Cleary didn't play poorly I thought it showed just how much he still has to learn. He was the man to take to control in the final 8 minutes and he didn't. Walker ended up with the more decisive touches in that period.

- Gagai showed up for his first of 3 games for the year. Pretty good effort again.

 

[Fangs]

If Maloney and Cleary play, we win.

I’d put my houses on it

I think I agree with you.

Side lacked direction in that second 40. Maloney would have steered us home.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

If Maloney and Cleary play, we win.

Doesn't seem to work for us.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I see both sides of the argument.

He's 22 and will keep improving

I’m not so sure you improve in attack. Vision for a half is something you either have or don’t have. His short kicking game might improve, but I don’t ever see him being a prolific try creator.

 

[Dave's mate]

I’m not so sure you improve in attack. Vision for a half is something you either have or don’t have. His short kicking game might improve, but I don’t ever see him being a prolific try creator.

Like its been said. A Cronk type

 

[franklin2323]

Doesn't seem to work for us.

If we had that 9 and 1 we would

 

[billypilgrimnz]

I’m not so sure you improve in attack. Vision for a half is something you either have or don’t have. His short kicking game might improve, but I don’t ever see him being a prolific try creator.

Yeah, everyone takes it as a given he will improve - wishful thinking because of his price tag, I think. He may, but it's certainly not a given at all.

 

[Flashstep]

Cleary is going to get destroyed by the media/fans like a lot of people have said, he wasn’t bad tonight but he’s biggest problem is that he can’t lead a team around the park, NSW were pretty much Penrith in the red zone tonight despite having Tedesco and Cook, Cleary simply just doesn’t have the game management skills to be a 7, honestly he should be a 6 and we should have someone else that knows how to lead a team at 7, I think we’re going to miss Maloney a lot more than we all think if he’s gone next year, Luai or Cleary can’t run our side.

 

[franklin2323]

That’s always the story with Nathan when he plays ok, it’s the first thing you hear. He defended well.

Not having a go at you, but I want to hear the 7 created tries, created line breaks, made some 40/20’s.

On kayo there is an interview with him. When asked what he thinks he needs to do to play well. Defend and kick well.... Just what you want a half to say

 

[franklin2323]

That bench and Walker/Mitchell playing poorly cost the game

 

[herbert henry1908]

Like its been said. A Cronk type

Poor mans maybe.

Cronk has had 6 seasons where he got more than 20 try assists. He averages 17 try assists per year.

I don’t see Cleary doing that.

 

[martielang]

Tbh I don’t think Cook helped him or Walker tonight, was quality at times but I think he over played his hand in the second half & starved Cleary & Walker (& in turn the outside backs) of any quality ball. Every time we got a quickish play the ball, Cook just put his head down.

Clearys an easy scapegoat imo. Was he great? Nah. He was solid & certainly not the reason for the loss.

 

[Pomoz]

That game really shows what Cleary is all about and what the Panthers lack as team.

First of all let me say Cleary is a good footballer who is tough as nails and tries his guts out every game. For him to be used best he needs a creative ball player outside him and a creative fullback or hooker. He led NSW around really well, with Cook and Tedesco providing the flair, at least until the forwards got dominated. His kicking game was good and he made 33 tackles to keep the middle tight and supported ball runners looking for offloads. But he never created anything with his passing game, or his short kicking game. Maloney is so underestimated by Panther's fans, his short kicking game is superb. How useful would that have been tonight for NSW? Until we get that flair, the Panthers won't win anything, they'll be competitive, but that's it. Maybe Luai can help, but we also need somebody else. One flair player is not enough.

Even with more flair added, to exploit it we also need pace. In that first 20 minutes, what stood out for me was how genuine pace creates so many opportunities. Not fake pace like DWZ or Blake who look quick and powerful but get run down by forwards, or run around by other backs (DWZ, the human roundabout). I mean genuine speed. Carr, Cook, Tedesco and Morris (I can't believe some Panthers fans think our backs are better than Morris. Not one of them is as good. Blake? Pfft) made huge inroads into QLD because of their speed. Gagai and Chambers did the same to us. The Panthers backs are ponderous at best. DWZ is a powerful runner and kick returner and that's it. He has never scored many tries because he is a carthorse. Mansour is the same, albeit he makes more metres than DWZ and has better positional sense. Blake showed glimpses of pace once, but glimpses aren't enough. In truth, we have no pace in our team at all and that is why we will not miss DWZ when he goes. Let's hope we don't swap him for another carthorse.

 

[Pomoz]

Doesn't seem to work for us.

Yes, but we don't have Tedesco and Cook to create opportunities. We have Edwards and Katoa. You see the problem right?

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Yes, but we don't have Tedesco and Cook to create opportunities. We have Edwards and Katoa. You see the problem right?

Oh, I see many.

 

[martielang]

Yes, but we don't have Tedesco and Cook to create opportunities. We have Edwards and Katoa. You see the problem right?

Sione is Tongan?

 

[TheFrog]

I think I agree with you.

Side lacked direction in that second 40. Maloney would have steered us home.

Not with the forwards getting the tripe beaten out of them as happened after Klemmer went off.

 

[Luke Bowden]

I thought Cleary was a solid 7 tonight.

His halves partner, well that was disappointing.

 

[Fangs]

Not with the forwards getting the tripe beaten out of them as happened after Klemmer went off.

They came within 4 with a QLD try coming from an intercept.

Maloney would have got the ball out left when it was needed. A lot more points in the NSW team. Game is gone now.

 

[OldPanther]

Not with the forwards getting the tripe beaten out of them as happened after Klemmer went off.

We had 1 prop on the bench and he is a rookie. Our top props didn't play most of the second half and Latrell is clearly injured. The idea that Cleary did anything wrong is dumb.