LIVE GAME Trial 2 V Roosters..

Live Game Discussion
In the games I watched last year our line speed in defence was always behind the other teams. There was a massive change in line speed last night and we actually smashed them in defence in the middle. Edges still have to get together, we still look lost once the ball gets spread.
 
Maybe Madge has some very good help around him finally....In Madges defense,since coming here he has had to deal with a plethora of problems to sort as well as coach an ordinary squad..he could be showing signs of regaining some confidence in his coaching,and we do know he can coach with the right cattle..
U dont win premierships if u can't coach.

Madge is a culture man.

The players that buy in improve, then u add talent and that equals wins.

Discipline, line speed, strong first contact, talking, good intent will keep us in every game.

These are the hallmarks of Bellemy, Robinson and madge teams.
 
They rewarded his form from the first trial by letting him play in the second and he once again impressed, you'd think they get something sorted out

He will be on the radar of other clubs now though - we have Api coming in '23 and Simpkin contracted until '24 so he might see opportunity elsewhere
Api was probably bought as a stop gap to ease Rua into first grade

Not sure what I think of the Liddle/Simpkin experiment anymore, but we'll definitely end up losing one of them..maybe both
 
I think two things impressed me most in that much. Atter a slow start in both attack and defense the boys showed grit and made adjustments. We were playing too sideways early and our forwards needed to get over the advantage line more when attacking our line. We changed that about 10 mins before half time. We also noticeably condensed our defensive line on the edges and increased the speed of our slide defence. Last year we don’t make those changes on the run and we concede 30 points.

In saying all that it’s a trial and that was far from anything like the Roosters. But good job lads, bit to work with. Be good to get Api or Paps over now.
True - I also enjoyed seeing more playmakers on the field at once, as opposed to last year where we liked to field 13 props 😄
 
In the games I watched last year our line speed in defence was always behind the other teams. There was a massive change in line speed last night and we actually smashed them in defence in the middle. Edges still have to get together, we still look lost once the ball gets spread.
Big part of that is younger players have gained more experience, know what to expect now etc.
 
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Was just saying the same.

The forwards played the best they ever have under Madge.

Jimmy Roberts was also safe, focused.

Biggest issue for mine was Nofo.
Still extremely below standard with incredibly poor hands and decision making.
Parra were interested in Nofa a few years ago now that Dunster is injured might be a good time to get rid of him.
 
I thought our defence in the middle was excellent. We obviously used a very compressed defence which kept the middle solid - roosters were constantly being hit hard, held up and pushed back. Defence on the edges is still sloppy which is a problem with a compressed defence. Teams with speed out wide will just shift the ball straight out to their outside men and just go around us. still work to be done but definitely heading in the right direction.
 
Agree mate, madge seems way more relaxed
When he is really relaxed you’ll notice he won’t be as defensive in his post match description about how the boys trained or how he spoke about certain features of their game etc. He’s being defensive. He still sees himself under pressure, which is not a good sign for the team. Someone needs to pull him aside and give him certainty.
 
Parra were interested in Nofa a few years ago now that Dunster is injured might be a good time to get rid of him.
I honestly don't understand why people hate Nofa so much...he's a great finisher, he makes good yards in own half, sure his defence has been dicey, but it's not entirely his fault. Not saying he's spot is cemented, but he's pretty good I feel.
 
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