vs Roosters

[Philip_Smith007]

And where the heck was Manu today? Quietest game from him in ages! He's usually one of the guys to really put in the effort when the team is down but he seemed much more absent than usual.

From what vossy was saying he was lucky to be on the field, was nearly ruled out, he rattled of about 3 niggles/injuries.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

I thought Johnson was our best player today, with Leuluai as passenger, he had the sole responsibilty of playmaking. He ran down Jennings (i think it was Jennings) fairly early on, prevented Maloney one on one getting a try. Whenever we had half a chance, it was created by Johnson.

We missed Townsend today, usually I've been a fan of TL but today, he was just pants.

Ika, what a brain explosion. Shame really because other than that, I felt he did ok.

Hurrell wasn't fit, but I felt he did much better than Laumape.

Am I the only one who's getting a bit tired of seeing Tomkins run sideways??

 

[JJ]

Thought Johnson was shit personally, he ran down Tupou, but that was about it - Jennings made he and Hurrell look geniused several times.

Tomkins too - yeah, agree, some seem to think he's special because he can run sideways and beat tacklers, and pass the ball to Hurrell - I can't question his effort, but at the end of the day, he's just not terribly good (nor bad, admittedly, just ordinary)

 

[Philip_Smith007]

I thought Johnson was our best player today, with Leuluai as passenger, he had the sole responsibilty of playmaking. He ran down Jennings (i think it was Jennings).

Am I the only one who's getting a bit tired of seeing Tomkins run sideways??

It was Tuopo he hunted down. Clearly Johnson is the fastest at our club and was one of the few who seemed to give a shit today.

Tomkin's is looking for gaps that don't seem to magically appear for him or he has no clue who is in front of him and the weakest player to run at.
He seems to be rag dolled easily as well.

 

[Mike0070]

Our support play was shit aswell , the only time we had players coming through the line is when Mannering threw it forward to TL , in press conference McFadden saying he saw the signs early and that the players lacked energy etc.

 

[LeagueNut]

It'll sound like I'm stating the obvious, but there was something very wrong today.

When the boys ran out for the second half, their body language just felt so flat and it very quickly showed. They all looked uninterested and tired. It almost felt like they'd been given some terrible news at halftime - or maybe Cappy had a rant and they weren't mentally up to listening to him.

I knew today would be tough, but I really didn't forsee getting bent over and thoroughly reamed.

The Roosters are the best team I've seen live this year - could be a good shot at back to back titles.

 

[hitro]

I watched the first half live at Mt Smart, had to go to work straight after half time. These are my observations: only two offloads which were both dropped, the Warriors had more field position but didn't score unlike the Roosters who scored each time they got up our end. Mannering was injured. Friend was very brave with his tackling. Leuluai is also a brave tackler but had no attack. We could do with a bit more nasty, Tomkins was getting roughed up each tackle, without retribution. Everyone standing flat or even offside on attack so no one for SJ to pass to. need to send to ESL Mateo, Rapira, Lousi, Bukaya, maybe Henry and buy some bigger/better/hungry/effective forwards.

 

[vvvrulz]

Anyway, some of you guys are talking asif Leuluai wasn't there we would have won. Sure he hasn't been that great and could probably take a back seat atm but he was brilliant last season and just needs to get a good pre-season under him next year and come back stronger.

Leuluai certainly wasn't the sole reason we lost the game, but he was very poor and Townsend has looked consistently better all year. It was a strange drop.

I have to disagree though that he was 'brilliant' last year. He was patchy as hell for the first third of the season, then pulled it together and was consistent and solid at best. Wasn't really suited to the halves and never did anything particularly amazing.

He was much better than today though, even those trusty shoulders went missing and he was letting opposition fly past him

 

[ozbash]

Why would you drop your 5/8, who has largely played the whole season and was getting better with each game, after a couple of crappy performances whilst he was covering for our injured playmaker ?

defies logic

 

[hitro]

It was always inevitable that the Penrith will deliver the lethal blow to our season

 

[vvvrulz]

Tomkin's is looking for gaps that don't seem to magically appear for him or he has no clue who is in front of him and the weakest player to run at.
He seems to be rag dolled easily as well.

Unfortunately Tomkins has been rag dolled all season, unless the team was crappy enough to offer free gaps (Eels, Raiders etc.)

His strength is injecting himself into the line and assisting his centres and wings.
When he goes off on those jinking runs he's usually just fodder

He's pretty much a turnstile while defending the line as well.

Worrying flaws which don't have an easy answer

 

[JJ]

Unfortunately Tomkins has been rag dolled all season, unless the team was crappy enough to offer free gaps (Eels, Raiders etc.)

His strength is injecting himself into the line and assisting his centres and wings.
When he goes off on those jinking runs he's usually just fodder

He's pretty much a turnstile while defending the line as well.

Worrying flaws which don't have an easy answer

Nah, turnstiles can be awkward to get through sometimes

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Unfortunately Tomkins has been rag dolled all season, unless the team was crappy enough to offer free gaps (Eels, Raiders etc.)

His strength is injecting himself into the line and assisting his centres and wings.
When he goes off on those jinking runs he's usually just fodder

He's pretty much a turnstile while defending the line as well.

Worrying flaws which don't have an easy answer

I also worry as nearly every states is he trys his guts out. It seemed today when caught out of position he was doing others work.
He needs at least 10kg on his frame, maybe a Thailand holiday and a visit to a chemist could help?

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Also felt sorry when he got no coverage on a couple of bombs.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Our support play was shit aswell , the only time we had players coming through the line is when Mannering threw it forward to TL , in press conference McFadden saying he saw the signs early and that the players lacked energy etc.

I did wonder what he ment by training regimen will have to be looked at?
But the training week went well. TL call was made early in the week.
How much has it changed in last 3 weeks?
Is the hyperbaric chamber used/ broken/ a hinder?
What is the mental state of these guys if you can't get up for a must win game?

 

[Benek]

Also felt sorry when he got no coverage on a couple of bombs.

That was my observation as well. On one bomb he had three guys around him all contesting the ball and not a blocker in sight. Very few fullbacks for any team would catch those. He doesn't get the support he needs.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

That was my observation as well. On one bomb he had three guys around him all contesting the ball and not a blocker in sight. Very few fullbacks for any team would catch those. He doesn't get the support he needs.

Upon video review does McF say

A: OK guys Tomkins needs blockers in this situation.

or

B: What the F@#$ is wrong with this picture?????

 

[JJ]

think they're still getting their head around the brioche thing...

 

[vvvrulz]

I thought the team had moved past that lone wolf mentality, seems not.

It was pretty bad when the season started out, the opposition were laying into Tomkins with cheap shots and his teams mates sort of stood around and shrugged.

A shame because Tomkins is one guy who is clearly trying out there

 

[JJ]

Dunno, just not cohesive...

McFadden has some calls to make, hooefully he makes sone good ones. Start with Leuluai and Mateo out imo