Trial game: Sat 27 Feb | Eels v Panthers: 7.30pm (AEDT) at Panthers Stadium

[Gronk]

Gee Gronky. Did Cleary kick your dog? I reckon he played some outstanding footy last year. How do you think it would work out if Mitch and Cleary swapped teams?

He's a myth and I'm not on my Pat Malone here. Plenty is the NRL community think the same. He's solid and does what is asked of him, but he is not on the same planet as an elite 7. He's Jeff Robson standard (ping @Avenger ) and that does not mean he a total dud. Just don't be saying that he's origin standard when he has no trick shots, none. He's wearing the Emperor's New Clothes and bugger if I'd know how some people think that he's a gun, let alone worth $1M+ per season.

Gaz, if Chin Boy was our 7, nothing would change because he is not where the Pennys points come from. It's Fish,Yeoh, Kikau and the 6 & 9 that create all the opportunities.

 

[Gary Gutful]

They were terrible Gaz. Not one line break. Our only try came from a lucky Serbian chance.

You predicted them to finish 6th. Did you really expect us to beat a team that only lost two games all of last year (including the GF)? Some perspective, merkin.

 

[Gary Gutful]

You think we're-not-good-enough is an excuse? Weird

I don't get the point in pretending that we are and then being disappointed when the inevitable happens. Its dumb. TheRam was on here last week trying to convince everyone that we have an 'elite' spine. What a load of shit - nothing about our team is elite. We are above average.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He's a myth and I'm not on my Pat Malone here. Plenty is the NRL community think the same. He's solid and does what is asked of him, but he is not on the same planet as an elite 7. He's Jeff Robson standard (ping @Avenger ) and that does not mean he a total dud. Just don't be saying that he's origin standard when he has no trick shots, none. He's wearing the Emperor's New Clothes and bugger if I'd know how some people think that he's a gun, let alone worth $1M+ per season.

Gaz, if Chin Boy was our 7, nothing would change because he is not where the Pennys points come from. It's Fish,Yeoh, Kikau and the 6 & 9 that create all the opportunities.

He's not an elite playmaker, but with his kicking game and defence he is an elite player. I put him up there with Cronk. If Cleary played for Melbourne they would be even more dominant.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I don't get the point in pretending that we are and then being disappointed when the inevitable happens. Its dumb. TheRam was on here last week trying to convince everyone that we have an 'elite' spine. What a load of shit - nothing about our team is elite. We are above average.

Yep. A top four finish is overachieving. Beating teams like the Storm and Rabbits in the finals would be overachieving.

We can become a team that can be expected to finish in the top four and challenge for premierships, but having Arthur's shuffle deck chairs isn't the way to do it. It will take gradual improved recruitment and retention over years for that to happen, and it starts by improving our reputation, which we do by consistently making finals and having players picked in Origin. Arthur might not be our coach by the time we win our next premiership but he won't be the reason we miss out.

 

[strider]

He's a myth and I'm not on my Pat Malone here. Plenty is the NRL community think the same. He's solid and does what is asked of him, but he is not on the same planet as an elite 7. He's Jeff Robson standard (ping @Avenger ) and that does not mean he a total dud. Just don't be saying that he's origin standard when he has no trick shots, none. He's wearing the Emperor's New Clothes and bugger if I'd know how some people think that he's a gun, let alone worth $1M+ per season.

Gaz, if Chin Boy was our 7, nothing would change because he is not where the Pennys points come from. It's Fish,Yeoh, Kikau and the 6 & 9 that create all the opportunities.

If he is not origin standard, who are all the better NSW origin halves? ... or should we just give up on winning origin?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If he is not origin standard, who are all the better NSW origin halves? ... or should we just give up on winning origin?

Most players in any given Origin team aren't legit Origin players. They are there because there needs to be 17 on game day. Usually they are just solid first graders picked from teams that win a lot. Last year that included Gutherson, Brown and probably Junior Paulo.

That said, I think Cleary is legit. He's no future immortal but definitely one of the top 5% of players in the game right now. There are better playmakers (including Luai) but few of them have the all round game (including defence, kicking and support play) of Cleary. Only DCE is better. Shaun Johnson makes up the top three.

 

[Gronk]

If he is not origin standard, who are all the better NSW origin halves? ... or should we just give up on winning origin?

He’s not the first player to make origin, Stephen Bradbury style. John Simon, Noel Goldthorpe, Brett Finch, Peter Wallace, Trent Hodkinson all say Hi.

 

[strider]

so every NSW half is shit atm?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

so every NSW half is shit atm?

Early last year Moses was probably the favourite. That should tell you plenty about the Blues halves. Keary has won three premierships but was a liability at Origin level. It's not easy.

 

[Avenger]

You predicted them to finish 6th. Did you really expect us to beat a team that only lost two games all of last year (including the GF)? Some perspective, merkin.

I expected them to dent the line at least once.

 

[Delboy]

The frighten8ng part is although the Tigpies were only playing Manly, they moved the ball well and looked willing to take it up hard and play at the line. We really need to develop some sort of attacking plan with the players we have, the disappointing part is that although it was a trial, there didn’t seem to be any movement at the line and the attack looked ponderous.

 

[chiefy1]

The frighten8ng part is although the Tigpies were only playing Manly, they moved the ball well and looked willing to take it up hard and play at the line. We really need to develop some sort of attacking plan with the players we have, the disappointing part is that although it was a trial, there didn’t seem to be any movement at the line and the attack looked ponderous.

Liddell is looking sharp and fast out if dummy half. The days of one dimensional 9s are gone with these new rules. Unless you're Cam Smith all slow dummy halves will die out

 

[hineyrulz]

The frighten8ng part is although the Tigpies were only playing Manly, they moved the ball well and looked willing to take it up hard and play at the line. We really need to develop some sort of attacking plan with the players we have, the disappointing part is that although it was a trial, there didn’t seem to be any movement at the line and the attack looked ponderous.

Surely an 8 season coach is capable of that???

 

[Obscene Assassin]

The frighten8ng part is although the Tigpies were only playing Manly, they moved the ball well and looked willing to take it up hard and play at the line. We really need to develop some sort of attacking plan with the players we have, the disappointing part is that although it was a trial, there didn’t seem to be any movement at the line and the attack looked ponderous.

The tigers seem to be putting a lot more effort into their game than we did. The ref also seems to be policing the ruck more than klein did last night allowing more dummy half running.

What did you think of our trial against the knights in 2018?

 

[Noise]

Liddell is looking sharp and fast out if dummy half. The days of one dimensional 9s are gone with these new rules. Unless you're Cam Smith all slow dummy halves will die out

Yep. You need a dummy half that can do more in attack than just throw a nice long ball.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Yep. You need a dummy half that can do more in attack than just throw a nice long ball.

Reed runs alright. But he might not be encouraged to do it.

 

[Bandwagon]

Reed runs alright. But he might not be encouraged to do it.

I think we'll see Rheed run a fair bit more this year. and I think he'll be encouraged to do so.

 

[hineyrulz]

Reed runs alright. But he might not be encouraged to do it.

He used to run all the time in the 20’s, I mean Arthur once played Kenny Edwards at dummy half once sums up what he thinks of the position. A tackling machine that leads the line speed is all he wants. No wonder why IDG was his wet dream.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Ha ha ha Gee, tigers look on fire, everyone is saying! Their attack shits on ours ..Liddle is a great running hooker ....then actually look at the manly side:

1. Morgan Harper 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Taniela Paseka 9.Cade Cust 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Morgan Boyle 14. Tevita Funa 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Andrew Davey 19. Jack Birt 20. Ben Trbojevic 21. Tolu Koula 22. Zac Saddler 23. Daniel Ala 24. Sione Fainu 25.Dylan Smith 26. Alec Tuitavake 27. Jonah Palota Kopa 28. Zane Harris

https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2021/02/25/sea-eagles-squad-to-play-wests-tigers-in-nrl-trial/

the spine has less then 25 NRL games combined. They had 5 of their starting back line out (Tommy, Foran, cherry, Walker, JT). Oh yeah they also had their best forward out (Jake).

While tigers were close to full strength.

Then:

Manly have taken to the second half with a team consisting of mostly reserve grade players, while the Tigers have close to their full strength squad out on the field (with 1 player out).

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.nine.com.au/live-blog/cea47084-9bc9-45ed-adae-d0862d781334

No f**ken wonder the tigers looked like world beaters........

Yet we play the comp favourites who were close to full strength...and basically only lose 12 to nil (before the sides got chopped and changed, and yes we weren’t great but not terrible, attack wasn’t great, but it’s a trial) and it’s sack BA, we are shit, our attack is shit , etc etc etc etc

Perspective!!!