I went down to Cabramatta to watch the Magpies Harold Matts and SG Ball teams yesterday.
Both got wins but both were messy.
Harold Matts were really really dissapointing in their game. Not the greatest game of footy either.
They seemed to go away from what worked last week against Manly. Maybe even prejudged the Dragons beforehand.
They won 16-8
4 tries to 2 with no kicks over for any team
Dragons have some good forwards, stocky strong kids but Magpies were excellent in stopping them and turning the ball runner on their backs. Wests game plan this season is "flat and Fast" due to their small sized forwards. They mastered the slowing down of the ruck yesterday and forced Dragons into a lot of mistakes. Dragons were 4/11 in completed sets in the 1st half. They would make yards then Wests would force an error. 1st 2 Wests tries came from errors from the Dragons. Wests left winger scored 2 good long range tries from these errors. Infact both Wests wingers got 2 tries each.
What was annoying was that Wests were trying to offload in tackles when they didnt need to. Some real dumb footy. Last week they were getting whacked from Manlys big pack but would win the ruck by getting quick play the balls. Instead of doing this they tried to offload instead and caused them to lose the ball in the ruck or knock on. They never really looked like losing the game but they could of and probably should of won by a lot more. Dragons forwards were good. They worked together but their backs were a let down. Tonnes of errors. Bad ones as well. Pushing 1 pass to many or the outside backs rushing in leaving overlaps that the Magpies always exploited.
Wests reserve hooker is a kid names Aaron Keppie, he has an older brother Luke playing SG ball and another brother playing 1st grade for Manly. Hes a great forward but when he came on the game changed and not for the better. Hes more of a middle forward than a hooker. Game slowed down when he came on. I felt that the starting hooker Dylan Smith would of been more effective against the good Dragons pack on a bloody hot day. Actually all the forwards from both teams deserve credit for the way they played in those hot conditions.
Players to standout were the wingers Riley Oitmann and Ali Hicham Kabib. Both finished some good tries. Reserve 2nd rowers Callum Mcmenemy and Maddox Fui were good as well as right centre Heamasi Makasini. Alot of the boys that were standouts last week had off games this week so id expect a couple of changes this week. I was chatting to a couple of Dads whose boys were in the Dragons team and they were amazed at this Wests team. Even though in my eyes there were some concerning signs, these 2 Dads couldnt get over the speed and skill from Wests. Even when their Sons had finished their game and changed and had a meeting etc they came over and were happy that the difference was only 2 tries against the calibre of the Wests side. Thats how high other teams view Wests Harold Matts side for 2023. Plus they seemed to get a buzz playing against kids who have contracts.
SG Ball had a decent win. Again it could of been more but a lot of ill dicipline.
Knock on, knock on, penalty, penalty, on report, penalty, sinbin it was all happening lol. Wests had a couple of late changes with Captain Kit Lauailii out with a shoulder injury and starting prop Chris Faaguto being rested after playing in Thursday nights 1st grade trial (thats how high he is rated)
There is some great depth to this side and they got the job done but could of gone on with it with out the errors and penalties. Their left side of 6 Lachie Galvin, 12 Zakauri Clarke, 4 Sol Saukuru and 5 Ofele Lene is lethal and with some good early ball just causes so many problems and always has the defence going backwards. These guys stood out along with Mau Malolo from the bench. But there is 1 guy you guys should really take notice of.
Hooker Tallyn De Silva made his SG Ball debut after missing round 1. He is 17 and completed the pre season with the NRL team. In my opinion he will be playing 1st grade in 2-3 years. Just controls a game so good. Knows when to run, knows when to throw a flat all and knows when to take 2-3 steps then pass or know steps at all. Pure controls the ruck.
Also going to give a wrap on Dragons #10 Loko Pasifiki Tonga. A kid that has come down from Qld. A massive massive kid who played a lot of minutes in about 35 degrees. Going to keep an eye on him as he just did hitup after hitup and caught 2 outside back when they made breaks and he was defending in the middle. Great persistance.
I was planning to watch the 2 girls games but sh1t it was hot and being a tad hungover i left covered in sweat lol. Next week they both play Soufs at Camden which i expect both the Wests teams to win. I wont be going as there is no shelter from the sun plus going to get my sh1t sorted for when the club season starts. After that they travel to Canberra for round 4 where both Raiders sides are really really good.
Enjoy your week Gents
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