Better players and coaches?
LIVE GAME Trial 2 vs. Dragons
- Thread starter KingRobbie
- Start date
Live Game Discussion
Benji , I have 35 year experience coaching kids and a grade if u like I will come down and should u and the rest how easy it is to play deep .
I know people it will never happen but I like must on here get frustrated that we can’t even put simple plays together .
Hope benji works it out
I know people it will never happen but I like must on here get frustrated that we can’t even put simple plays together .
Hope benji works it out
Agree with you T My view we had a few brief good patches but that also describes many games last 2 years .However when we concede 18 points in 9 minutes that is soft and then they go 90m in one set in the 2nd half and score .Agree re AJ too .
Steph seems to be fit and busting tackles . I'm hopeful Sezer will have a good year but as for the team I will be surprised if we finish much higher than last year
Tucker
Well-known member
Obviously get better.
Whatever we have been doing all off season has been ineffective. Our defence in both grades sucks as does our attack. We look a lot weaker and far less aggressive than our opponents.
We have 3 weeks to pivot. I hope they are all prepared to do long days.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
As with last year, it’s a new group of players and cohesion will take a couple of months of match practice. By then the season’s likely toast so I’ll be happy if I see steady progress this year. Fainu and Galvin to square off for the vacant spot in the halves next year. Hope the forwards hang in there and keep trying despite the lack of results.
Go_You_Good_Things
Well-known member
LT, I agree with your comment on the bounce of the ball.
The bomb we put up that bounced off our chest and went straight into the arms of the saints player . . they score in that set. A bounce 2m away, we might have scored. I think thats when we topped it off with the kickout on the full. I don't think any team has won a game after they've kicked out on the full from a re-start.
The next saints try had it's fair share of luck and bounces go their way. Nek minnit, it's 16-0 . . . and we don't have what it takes to come back from that. They've had all the possession for the last 10 minutes, we're Fxxxd from "defending", it's now 22-0, and that's the game.
Don't get me wrong, we were woeful for the most part . . . but they got kissed on the bum by a fairy at the start, we chimed in with our effing shitness, and that's the story of why we rocked ourselves to sleep last night.
"God help us !" ---- "It's only a trial" . . . take your pick.
Some good points you make.
Our physical presence in the middle was mostly strong except Api’s poor missed tackle. Api looked like he was playing with a bit of self preservation which is not normal for him.
As you say the long range line break from Sloane off our cross field kick was quite lucky, but like Hunt’s try from Flanagan’s cross field kick, we need numbers in the frame, lack of effort to get numbers in the frame is the disappointing part.
Other than that our defence was far too soft and a complete lack of energy and structure when attacking.
The Fresh Oil
Well-known member
Did you play in 2005 gf team? If not, sorry no job for you.
Bummer lol 🤔🥴🤪
Tiger_claws
Well-known member
The disappointing thing for me was that we got out enthused. We all know plenty of other teams will outclass us but we should never be out enthused. I know it was a trial but I honestly thought we would be really pumped up considering we don’t play for a few weeks. We desperately need a 13. Your 13 should either be a good link in attack and a solid defender and Alex isn’t either. I am not ready to take a pitch fork to Benji just yet but lets hope the boys are physical against the Faders otherwise it will be a very long day.
Was in for it from the first hit up last night…
All standing flat, Stefs first hit up looked unexpected…
like he didn’t know he was getting the ball…
ancient_magpie
Well-known member
Changing the subject what's happened to all the Jacob liddle haters I thought they would be on here telling us how lucky we were to get rid of him.oh sorry he carved us up.
Tiger_claws
Well-known member
Can’t deny that. He played well.
jrtiger
Well-known member
hard to get a true read on attitude and resilience in a trial match. I’m hoping come Round 2 those defensive deficiencies will be ironed out based off attitude and a willingness to scramble.
the biggest issue is the impotency in attack. it took an uncapped 18 year old to straighten things up and bite deep into the line to fix it. again I’m hoping we were just flat and weren’t expecting the Dragons to treat it like they were playing for 2 points, but I do understand why people have concerns.
Lobb and Galvin have to start in three weeks’ time. there is some things some players have to work on, but again it’s hard to get a read in a game where nearly all our players looked a yard off the pace.
the biggest issue is the impotency in attack. it took an uncapped 18 year old to straighten things up and bite deep into the line to fix it. again I’m hoping we were just flat and weren’t expecting the Dragons to treat it like they were playing for 2 points, but I do understand why people have concerns.
Lobb and Galvin have to start in three weeks’ time. there is some things some players have to work on, but again it’s hard to get a read in a game where nearly all our players looked a yard off the pace.
Todd Packer
Well-known member
It wasn't the getting rid of him with Api coming, it was the keeping Simpkin instead of him that was mentally irregular.
Seems to me that Flanno has been able to instill in a very short time the confidence needed for his blokes to jump up quite a few places on the ladder.
They looked nothing like the team that battled us for the 🥄 last year.
While on the other hand It saddens me to say it appears our coaching team of Benji, Morris, Robbie and Heino have achieved very little or zilch for us so far.
I can't afford to spend my old age pension $$$ for membership on this rabble.
The Chad
Well-known member
I didn't sign in last night because I was too annoyed. I'm generally pretty positive, so I didn't want to kill my online vibe...
I think the 2 trials are cementing a couple of things but there are still a couple of open doors that need closing asap.
Bula is set at fullback. Those complaining he isn't Reese Walsh yet...fair enough. But he's the best we have & still learning to play. He ISN'T the problem. And he's one of the best defensive fullbacks I've seen (not simply tackling, but being in position to do so..). Olam if fit is one centre. Tupou if fit is one winger. Sezar is Hastings with a kicking game. He's fine. Papali'i is a better attacking player than defender- but ALWAYS has been. Utoikamanu, Klemmer, Twal & Pole offers a good prop rotation. Api is fine, but was rubbish yesterday. Bateman should assist in stiffening the defence.
One positive nobody is talking about- our LEFT side defence (Tupou, Olam, AJ, Sezar) was SOLID. Our right side was abysmal. But the left showed steel- not JUST the Olam/Tupou hits.
The forwards are still pretty much set- and ARE competitive to good. Stef, Klemmer, Twal & Pole are at worst, solid. Papali'i will HOPEFULLY be running off some good ball from the halves & start to look like the dangerous edge runner he actually is. Bateman will be Bateman- which hopefully stiffens up his side of defence. Lock is still up for grabs. Seyfarth probably holds it until he doesn't. Outside of Suli running through him, he's generally a solid defensive option. People have starting buying into my Simpkin at 13 idea. To clarify- I think it's probably as a bench option. He doesn't have the running game or ball skills to dominate any better than Seyfarth. BUT- he IS a solid defender & offers a dummy half run option. AJ was better yesterday. I think he offers a nice option in the backrow/bench & can cover the backs as well. Our 4 man bench is going to be between AJ, Simpkin, TDS, Sam Fainu, Sione Fainu, Twal & Pole/Seyfarth to begin with. You need cover at 9 & in the backs, so AJ might win that 4th bench spot.
Sam Fainu is not far from being a must-include option. We fundamentally lack the ability to dominate. He offers the right attitude & flexibility. It will be interesting if Bateman/Papali'i DON'T live up to expectations, if they are easier for management to move on to make way for Sam Fainu. Sione could be the absolute bolter there.
All that said, the club needs Luali'ili & Fa'agutu to develop. Once they do- our forward dynamics start to change dramatically. I would think by mid-season one or both will be knocking on the door.
There ARE some real question marks though, right now.
Staines/Lobb as wingers. I'm still completely unimpressed with what Staines has offered. He was more involved, but that just highlighted how average he really is. He is, right now, the back-up fullback. Lobb at least offers at height target. But seems very mechanical & could be exposed. Some have suggested Naden. I think Naden is better served in the centres. Maybe To'a is the better option on the wing?
Which leads me to..
To'a is just average & continues to spend more time worrying what the touch judge should see than what he should be reading of the game. No doubt, he has ability. But he needs an attitude shift, or he's a liability. No surprise that To'a/Staines side was overrun by physical runners. Both are weak in those match ups. Naden at least offers some ability to run a good line in attack. To'a seems to like to beat players with a step at the line & catches it flat. Naden looks to penetrate the line from deeper. Naden and Olam for mine in the centres. I think, for now, To'a is my preferred wing option. But I'm not 100% on that. But geez, our options are slim. If only we had Hymel Hunt..
5/8. Well, here's a mess that could be sorted & could either catapult the team forward...or we get stuck in a season long mire of trying to figure out who fits. Sullivan had the spot. Until yesterday. Now Galvin looks to be at least a decent challenge to the spot. He might even be ahead. Sullivan's defence was awful & was targetted on that weak defensive side all day. And from the clouds could come Latu Fainu to Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon them all. This is the conundrum Benji needs to solve fastest, because it will impact the effectiveness of our attack all season. I like Sullivan's short kicking. He has been VERY good in that department all through the trials. But he needs to realise he's a running half. He is only mildly effective as a ball player. That's Sezar's role. Sullivan needs to straighten the attack. He's a cheap Brooks right now. Galvin is the ball player. I still think he needs development. And 5/8 might not be his ultimate spot (centre still appeals- particularly if Olam struggles through injury). So Fainu...I think he's the mix of both. And the best overall option. I really wish we had seen him in the trials. It would not surprise me if we see him in Round 2.
Wing (major issue), centre (not far behind), settle on a 5/8 & lock, get the balance on the bench.
Sounds like 2023 at this stage. By the end of the year, it wouldn't surprise me if there are a number of players we hadn't expected to be counting on, starting. The juniors time might be sooner than expected.
Lastly- we lack genuine quality/star players. Bula fits. Api too. Luai next season. The more genuine star players we get on the field, the better. Utoikamanu has 'it'. Sam Fainu maybe. Latu Fainu, from what we have seen. Galvin. Fa'agutu & Lualili'i. Tallyn Da Silva has 'it'. The more of these guys we have on the field, the better the quality of the team. Given the players coming through, the positions we have available, Galvin into the centres is appealing more & more.
I think the 2 trials are cementing a couple of things but there are still a couple of open doors that need closing asap.
Bula is set at fullback. Those complaining he isn't Reese Walsh yet...fair enough. But he's the best we have & still learning to play. He ISN'T the problem. And he's one of the best defensive fullbacks I've seen (not simply tackling, but being in position to do so..). Olam if fit is one centre. Tupou if fit is one winger. Sezar is Hastings with a kicking game. He's fine. Papali'i is a better attacking player than defender- but ALWAYS has been. Utoikamanu, Klemmer, Twal & Pole offers a good prop rotation. Api is fine, but was rubbish yesterday. Bateman should assist in stiffening the defence.
One positive nobody is talking about- our LEFT side defence (Tupou, Olam, AJ, Sezar) was SOLID. Our right side was abysmal. But the left showed steel- not JUST the Olam/Tupou hits.
The forwards are still pretty much set- and ARE competitive to good. Stef, Klemmer, Twal & Pole are at worst, solid. Papali'i will HOPEFULLY be running off some good ball from the halves & start to look like the dangerous edge runner he actually is. Bateman will be Bateman- which hopefully stiffens up his side of defence. Lock is still up for grabs. Seyfarth probably holds it until he doesn't. Outside of Suli running through him, he's generally a solid defensive option. People have starting buying into my Simpkin at 13 idea. To clarify- I think it's probably as a bench option. He doesn't have the running game or ball skills to dominate any better than Seyfarth. BUT- he IS a solid defender & offers a dummy half run option. AJ was better yesterday. I think he offers a nice option in the backrow/bench & can cover the backs as well. Our 4 man bench is going to be between AJ, Simpkin, TDS, Sam Fainu, Sione Fainu, Twal & Pole/Seyfarth to begin with. You need cover at 9 & in the backs, so AJ might win that 4th bench spot.
Sam Fainu is not far from being a must-include option. We fundamentally lack the ability to dominate. He offers the right attitude & flexibility. It will be interesting if Bateman/Papali'i DON'T live up to expectations, if they are easier for management to move on to make way for Sam Fainu. Sione could be the absolute bolter there.
All that said, the club needs Luali'ili & Fa'agutu to develop. Once they do- our forward dynamics start to change dramatically. I would think by mid-season one or both will be knocking on the door.
There ARE some real question marks though, right now.
Staines/Lobb as wingers. I'm still completely unimpressed with what Staines has offered. He was more involved, but that just highlighted how average he really is. He is, right now, the back-up fullback. Lobb at least offers at height target. But seems very mechanical & could be exposed. Some have suggested Naden. I think Naden is better served in the centres. Maybe To'a is the better option on the wing?
Which leads me to..
To'a is just average & continues to spend more time worrying what the touch judge should see than what he should be reading of the game. No doubt, he has ability. But he needs an attitude shift, or he's a liability. No surprise that To'a/Staines side was overrun by physical runners. Both are weak in those match ups. Naden at least offers some ability to run a good line in attack. To'a seems to like to beat players with a step at the line & catches it flat. Naden looks to penetrate the line from deeper. Naden and Olam for mine in the centres. I think, for now, To'a is my preferred wing option. But I'm not 100% on that. But geez, our options are slim. If only we had Hymel Hunt..
5/8. Well, here's a mess that could be sorted & could either catapult the team forward...or we get stuck in a season long mire of trying to figure out who fits. Sullivan had the spot. Until yesterday. Now Galvin looks to be at least a decent challenge to the spot. He might even be ahead. Sullivan's defence was awful & was targetted on that weak defensive side all day. And from the clouds could come Latu Fainu to Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon them all. This is the conundrum Benji needs to solve fastest, because it will impact the effectiveness of our attack all season. I like Sullivan's short kicking. He has been VERY good in that department all through the trials. But he needs to realise he's a running half. He is only mildly effective as a ball player. That's Sezar's role. Sullivan needs to straighten the attack. He's a cheap Brooks right now. Galvin is the ball player. I still think he needs development. And 5/8 might not be his ultimate spot (centre still appeals- particularly if Olam struggles through injury). So Fainu...I think he's the mix of both. And the best overall option. I really wish we had seen him in the trials. It would not surprise me if we see him in Round 2.
Wing (major issue), centre (not far behind), settle on a 5/8 & lock, get the balance on the bench.
Sounds like 2023 at this stage. By the end of the year, it wouldn't surprise me if there are a number of players we hadn't expected to be counting on, starting. The juniors time might be sooner than expected.
Lastly- we lack genuine quality/star players. Bula fits. Api too. Luai next season. The more genuine star players we get on the field, the better. Utoikamanu has 'it'. Sam Fainu maybe. Latu Fainu, from what we have seen. Galvin. Fa'agutu & Lualili'i. Tallyn Da Silva has 'it'. The more of these guys we have on the field, the better the quality of the team. Given the players coming through, the positions we have available, Galvin into the centres is appealing more & more.
Todd Packer
Well-known member
Guaranteed 2 points. Can't get better than that.
That said there’s a lesson in there for Benji. We don’t have the talent to create something from nothing in attack. It’s why he wanted Luai. We need to buy strike athletes out wide. We have a lack explosion speed and power.
