Your team vs Souths Rd 2

[Still Nutty]

Snowden and Gagai are pretty similar type players - both have a tendency to put in lazy performances (Gagai with not even trying in defence most of the time) - but they usually justify their selections by still offering more than anyone else in their respective positions. I don't think that's really a massive compliment to either of them though - more a sad representation of the squad in general.

Agreed but I am super impressed that Brown is confronting it head on...what Hello, I'm the Doctor said is also true about the options a coach can use to deal with underperformance from different positions BUT I would bet Brownie has dealt with Gagai behind closed doors with the same clear message - "you are not guaranteed of a spot in this squad anymore unless you commit and perform" - it will be interesting to see what sort of effort Gagai brings this week?

 

[Caped Crusader]

To me not even looking at the ball and his general poor attitude in defence suggests a lazy performance. I don't care about stats. Snowdens are generally right up there too. Gagai is one of my favourite players but come on mate, he's our highest paid player and on nearly 600k a year - that shit just isn't acceptable for the amount of coin he's on. It certainly wasn't a once off either. Yes he's usually pretty great in attack for us but he costs us as many tries in defence as he gets us usually.

No his defence needs work in the centres, always has. We'll have to agree to disagree on the reasoning for that I guess

I look forward to the 3-4 freeze frame shots from the match highlighting how a try let in down Gagai's side was actually due to a misread by Chanel defending on the opposite side of the field 2 sets earlier.

Is this directed at me? I'm a little confused at what you are implying here

 

[Still Nutty]

Is this directed at me? I'm a little confused at what you are implying here

LOL - No I'm pretty sure you will find this directed at 1qaz who indicates some sort of relationship and a serious mancrush (assuming they are a man?) on Gaigai.

He is regularly jumping to the defence of Gaigai against any criticism on here (including multiple freeze frames to 'illustrate' his argument)...in fact much better than Gagai's defence in the game on the weekend:lol:

 

[Spot On]

I'm sure 1qaz will make himself available for comment when Dane hits form. As certain as an unfit Snowden for the first 12 rounds of the new season apparently.

 

[macavity]

The fitness thing with Snowden really confuses me. Yes genetics play a part, but for a professional athlete fitness is really about dedication. What Snowy is indicating by starting every season unfit is that he isn't dedicated to be the best he can be. How can you have that in your team?

 

[The Showstopper]

The fitness thing with Snowden really confuses me. Yes genetics play a part, but for a professional athlete fitness is really about dedication. What Snowy is indicating by starting every season unfit is that he isn't dedicated to be the best he can be. How can you have that in your team?

He has shown before that when he wants to have a dig he is a machine going forward. I am not prepared to write him off just yet but he is on his last chance already with Brown it would seem. It is also a really poor example to show to the younger generation his effort on Sunday. The senior guys are all on tenterhooks right now after this showing by Brown after one game. We could have the most expensive NSW Cup side ever assembled by seasons end and that is the way it might stay.St Helens won the title with a team of local juniors. Brown is a genius at developing youth.

 

[Frederick]

According to the telegraph, Snowden and Sione definitely won't be playing.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Yep

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/panthers/kade-snowden-will-not-play-nsw-cup-this-weekend-following-his-dropping-from-nrl-side/news-story/65f1c5586d7b079889293913cf7f73da?from=public_rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[The Showstopper]

I am not buying that the only reason for Sione coming back through NSW Cup is just for fitness reasons. It is a clear message that noone is an auto selection. He will need a big one to get picked for the Raiders game. We have two big opportunities in the next two weeks to roll two massive teams. No Reynolds and Sutton for Souths and no Austin and Sezer for the Raiders. That is four top line playmakers out. Even one of those games is a huge step forward.

Both Souths and Raiders are going to come at us straight up the middle. Mullen has to be kicking early when it is on in sets to move them around coming out of their own half. I am a bit surprised Levi has been left out cos his mobility off the bench could hurt both these teams in the latter stages of each half. Someone suggested that Aku play as a second rower off the bench to ready him for a move. To me when you think about it and his power to attract defenders he could really open holes in the middle for support runners. too bad he has no decent offload.

 

[PhilGould]

I am not buying that the only reason for Sione coming back through NSW Cup is just for fitness reasons. It is a clear message that noone is an auto selection. He will need a big one to get picked for the Raiders game. We have two big opportunities in the next two weeks to roll two massive teams. No Reynolds and Sutton for Souths and no Austin and Sezer for the Raiders. That is four top line playmakers out. Even one of those games is a huge step forward.

Both Souths and Raiders are going to come at us straight up the middle. Mullen has to be kicking early when it is on in sets to move them around coming out of their own half. I am a bit surprised Levi has been left out cos his mobility off the bench could hurt both these teams in the latter stages of each half. Someone suggested that Aku play as a second rower off the bench to ready him for a move. To me when you think about it and his power to attract defenders he could really open holes in the middle for support runners. too bad he has no decent offload.

Levi is playing

 

[The Showstopper]

Thanks. My bad.