Team v Dolphins

[SpaceMonkey]

Did he go off in minute 16?

If so, he came back on for some time at the end

I thought I heard one of the commentators say he was off with a knee complaint and wouldn’t be returning early in the second half.

 

[Leighton Rhino]

Feel a bit for Taine if he misses out this week. For a guy who's never played wing at NRL or Cup level, he's done a solid job since thrown in. And especially considering he had to switch sides last week.

On performance alone, I'd put DWZ back into Cup to sort his sht out rather than dropping Taine.

What do you think the issues with DWZ is? Still not recovered properly?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

What do you think the issues with DWZ is? Still not recovered properly?

partially but he's never been a good defender, he's the guy you tolerate because he scores 3 for every 2 he lets in

 

[Penrose Warrior]

partially but he's never been a good defender, he's the guy you tolerate because he scores 3 for every 2 he lets in

Except like last year, when it was about 8 scored for 20 let in.

He needs a good defender inside him, and I think Leiataua is that guy. Hopefully Webby goes Ali (R) and Pompey (L) as our fully fit centres

 

[Big Marn]

Except like last year, when it was about 8 scored for 20 let in.

And i think that was because opposing teams had cottoned on to our preferred backline move by the end of 2023. The free runs to the tryline became much scarcer in 2024. Unless our centres perfect a Hiku flick pass, i think the days of DWZ scoring tries for fun are over.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

And i think that was because opposing teams had cottoned on to our preferred backline move by the end of 2023. The free runs to the tryline became much scarcer in 2024. Unless our centres perfect a Hiku flick pass, i think the days of DWZ scoring tries for fun are over.

I thought the Cows game showed our attack seems to be evolving with Metcalf raiding down the left side more, popping up outside CHT etc.

Some stats I found on statsinsider.com.au seem to support that too:

In 2023, we scored 23% of our tries down the left side, 29% in the middle and 49% on the right.
2024 was 37% left, 22% middle and 41% right.
But so far this season, we’re at 50% left, 13% middle and 38% right.

TBF that could be more a function of personnel i.e. DWZ injured all year and a rookie winger in his spot, rather than fundamental changes to how we attack. And I dont even know how reliable/accurate statsinsider is. But I still thought it interesting.

 

[Meth]

Fisher Harris and Healey in
Afoa and Ford out
RTS on extended bench

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Healey and TMM on the bench. You would imagine that would change? Or will it? What would be the rationale?

RTS for TT I would expect, given apparently RTS was close last week.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Healey and TMM on the bench. You would imagine that would change? Or will it? What would be the rationale?

If it doesn’t change we’ll be very light on middles unless Marata plays big minutes swapping edge and middle. Dunno if he’s got the engine for that though?

But with no Ale the only other option would be a debut for Stowers-Smith… man I have no idea.

 

[nswarrior]

Hope RTS comes back in to the backline and Capewell plays in 2nd row. Niukore can then go to the bench and one of TMM or Healy drops out. Otherwise we are too light on the bench

 

[Penrose Warrior]

If it doesn’t change we’ll be very light on middles unless Marata plays big minutes swapping edge and middle. Dunno if he’s got the engine for that though?

But with no Ale the only other option would be a debut for Stowers-Smith… man I have no idea.

Webby is obviously right off Ale, played 42 NRL games but TSS and EIT are ahead of him in the squad.

Thank god JFH is back this week with Ford and Bunty out.

Yeah I dunno how interchanges go but we do feel one big guy light.

 

[nswarrior]

Webby is obviously right off Ale, played 42 NRL games but TSS and EIT are ahead of him in the squad.

Thank god JFH is back this week with Ford and Bunty out.

Yeah I dunno how interchanges go but we do feel one big guy light.

I thought Ale was given a few chances in 1st grade last year and struggled to make an impact

 

[ozenzud]

TMM and Healy will not be on the bench together. I'm not sure of the mix, but someone will likely replace Capewell in the centres (RTS maybe). I don't like Roger in the centres

 

[Izz]

Super unlikely, of course, but how about:

1 - TT
2 - DWZ
3 - Pompey
4 - CNK
5 - RTS

 

[Penrose Warrior]

TMM and Healy will not be on the bench together. I'm not sure of the mix, but someone will likely replace Capewell in the centres (RTS maybe). I don't like Roger in the centres

I just don't think there's any way Webby goes back to RTS there now. He has MGT in the squad and Capewell is doing a serviceable job, which actually frees up Leka to up his minutes, as well.