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Trial games ‘26

Mr_Knightside

Mr_Knightside

Bench
Messages
2,854
Knight Tales said:
The real interest is the next trial. How we go up against AOB’s attack. I really want to see the comparison of what he does there compared to what he did here.
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It’ll be ironic if the bulldogs look like a slick and creative attacking outfit this season under AOB we just look boring and clunky lol.
 
The Axe of Druss

The Axe of Druss

Bench
Messages
3,198
It was a trial so I'm not going to critique too much of what I saw out there, especially the score. However I made the below observations:

- Mooney looks good and has the talent to be special.

- Smith was solid without being spectacular. Has the skillset of exactly what we need in a half though

- Hunt looked stronger in contact than last year, expected now that he's a year older and with a full preseason with the top grade. His off load was great too but got caught out positionally at fullback so a mixed bag.

- Croker was a workhorse when he came on and lead the defence.

- Graham and Arthur look to be solid 9s with some more development.

- ESL and Manuleleua were beasts. Very nice to have some big athletic middles coming through.

- De Courcey looks stronger and faster than both McCarthy and Voltano but is still green, especially in defence. I think he over takes both for Gagais right centre position though
 
Yosh

Yosh

Coach
Messages
12,857
Probably nothing but we looked way deeper in attack than I've seen from us in the past couple of years. We didn't really create much out wide but probably was a personel thing.

Still worried we are a injury two away from starting Thomas Cant at prop lol. Looks like he played a bit of hooker and is a goal kicker. Probably someone on the bench that doesn't get used every week? He has plenty of ticker but pity that's about it.
 
Knight Tales

Knight Tales

Bench
Messages
3,821
Smith did things that none of our 2025 halves would have even got near skill or pace wise. Great vision for the cut out pass against a moving line and Reed has genuine pace, so the dropped ball on the break is forgivable. That said he will still be under pressure to keep Sharpe out of the halves. Cos you have to wonder how long we can carry such an immense talent on the wing or centre. Every club is watching this space.
 
Nuke

Nuke

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
6,042
Knight Tales said:
The real interest is the next trial. How we go up against AOB’s attack. I really want to see the comparison of what he does there compared to what he did here.
Click to expand...
That bolded part still makes me genuinely laugh out loud. The Dogs ... BROUGHT HIM IN to be their ... ATTACK COACH.

After deliberately stifling, suffocating, and sabotaging this very aspect from the club he was head coach of for all those years.

I was a little concerned yesterday at the team just going set for set for extended periods of the game. Like they were still under AOB's thumb and were hesitant to do much more. I'm not looking too much into it just yet, as it was just our first trial and there were plenty of new combinations, young barely experienced players in there, and no game time this year prior to yesterday.

I'll give them a few weeks and a few games with all the top-line players back before I get too worried about this kinda thing.
 
Rod

Rod

Bench
Messages
4,078
I probably only paid full attention for around 50% of the match but my impression was that we were the better team in general play but trial rust and a few bad errors cost us. We created better space out wide, especially on the left where normally it would be Best getting to work with that ball rather than McCarthy. Was 5 tries to 4 with 2 of theirs coming from intercepts so not the end of the world.

Probably my one real concern (general depth aside) is if it's true they still don't really know the makeup of the spine. Things will be clunky for a few rounds into the season if that's the case.
 
perverse

perverse

Referee
Messages
27,672
The only really confusing thing in there for me is Friz being moved to the middle. Surely we know where we're gonna play him? It's not like he's an unknown quantity (although I do think he's well, well past his best at this stage).
 
S

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,800
Moved to middle? He played 13 on the weekend and I'm sure he'll go back there when Mooney returns from all stars.

That aside the pack looks pretty ordinary with only one forward unavailable, cross your fingers we don't lose 3 or 4 during the season or it will be dire.
 
perverse

perverse

Referee
Messages
27,672
slotmachine said:
Moved to middle? He played 13 on the weekend and I'm sure he'll go back there when Mooney returns from all stars.

That aside the pack looks pretty ordinary with only one forward unavailable, cross your fingers we don't lose 3 or 4 during the season or it will be dire.
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I'm just commenting on the teamsheet as listed. You've answered the question of why - I hadn't thought of the All Stars game. Agreed, pack looks ordinary.

And I yes I meant middle as in prop. We're really going to have to dot our i's and cross our t's this year are we?
 
Frederick

Frederick

Moderator
Staff member
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27,862
Interesting there's no other hookers named. I thought Arthur and Graham both played alright in the first trial
 
S

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,800
perverse said:
And I yes I meant middle as in prop. We're really going to have to dot our i's and cross our t's this year are we?
Click to expand...

I wasn't being pedantic, just pointing out 13 is a middle forward and there's going to be very little difference in friz's role at prop this week
 
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