LIVE GAME Round 7 vs. Panthers

[jrtiger]

disappointing loss but proud of the effort and application shown by the boys, although I'm frustrated they didn't show this last week.

I think that execution aside our attack has improved out of sight. it's not side to side and pedestrian like it was last year. we created plenty of opportunities for our outside men but for whatever reason we failed to execute. if we can fix that then it will click. there may be some personnel changes required but our structures are not the cause of failure.

defensively some disappointing efforts that led to tries, but Marshall summed it up perfectly when he said that we began to feel scoreboard pressure and lost our way. with the weapons Penrith have we can take a lot out of the game, particularly when our left edge back rower was moved to right centre.

this week will be another toughie, but there is a good period coming. we are building and you can see it.

 

[Telltails]

All young fullbacks have to start somewhere and comparing Bula to any of the seasoned ones is just pointless and proves nothing other than he has a way to go to reach their level of competency. No surprises there.
Bula's biggest challenge to progressing is playing behind a wooden spoon squad and you would be hard pressed to find any fullback seasoned or otherwise who shines on the back of a losing team. It's a dumb argument. Look how he goes when the team plays well and that is a sign of what he is capable of

 

[Tiger_claws]

It would be pretty easy to say our attack was rubbish when we only scored one try. But if you watched the game you would have seen we created at least 4 scoring opportunities and bombed them. Whether the last pass was a dud or the wingers positioning was off. The fact is we didn’t create those chances last year, especially against the top defensive teams. We all want success now, we have been starved of it. But it’s coming.

 

[Vicious]

All young fullbacks have to start somewhere and comparing Bula to any of the seasoned ones is just pointless and proves nothing other than he has a way to go to reach their level of competency. No surprises there.
Bula's biggest challenge to progressing is playing behind a wooden spoon squad and you would be hard pressed to find any fullback seasoned or otherwise who shines on the back of a losing team. It's a dumb argument. Look how he goes when the team plays well and that is a sign of what he is capable of

So you think it’s just a matter of time and he will be the fullback to lead us to becoming a genuine top 8 team within the next couple of seasons ?
If that is your opinion than I respect that and it may very well be correct.
My point of view is we don’t really have that much time to wait as our existing high quality players such as Stef could potentially leave us if results don’t improve immediately or if we don’t sign some quality in addition to Luai to make it more likely we can seriously challenge for the top 8 next season.
I know many are much more optimistic than I am, but aside from the Sharks game I’ve seen nothing to suggest we are anywhere near being a top 8 team.
I’ve never once said Bula is not a decent player who will no doubt continue to improve, I’ve said I don’t believe he has it in him to ever reach the heights of the top 10 or so elite fullbacks in our game.
Surely most would agree it’s very difficult for any team to challenge for a premiership without an elite fullback, so it’s either we strongly believe he will be this type of player within the next couple of seasons, otherwise we look elsewhere.

 

[Tom Shines]

So you think it’s just a matter of time and he will be the fullback to lead us to becoming a genuine top 8 team within the next couple of seasons ?
If that is your opinion than I respect that and it may very well be correct.
My point of view is we don’t really have that much time to wait as our existing high quality players such as Stef could potentially leave us if results don’t improve immediately or if we don’t sign some quality in addition to Luai to make it more likely we can seriously challenge for the top 8 next season.
I know many are much more optimistic than I am, but aside from the Sharks game I’ve seen nothing to suggest we are anywhere near being a top 8 team.
I’ve never once said Bula is not a decent player who will no doubt continue to improve, I’ve said I don’t believe he has it in him to ever reach the heights of the top 10 or so elite fullbacks in our game.
Surely most would agree it’s very difficult for any team to challenge for a premiership without an elite fullback, so it’s either we strongly believe he will be this type of player within the next couple of seasons, otherwise we look elsewhere.

They are going to persevere with Bula at fullback at least until the end of 2025 … they will see how he goes with Luia and Galvin playing together …

So maybe prepare yourself for a long 18 months

 

[Telltails]

So you think it’s just a matter of time and he will be the fullback to lead us to becoming a genuine top 8 team within the next couple of seasons ?
If that is your opinion than I respect that and it may very well be correct.
My point of view is we don’t really have that much time to wait as our existing high quality players such as Stef could potentially leave us if results don’t improve immediately or if we don’t sign some quality in addition to Luai to make it more likely we can seriously challenge for the top 8 next season.
I know many are much more optimistic than I am, but aside from the Sharks game I’ve seen nothing to suggest we are anywhere near being a top 8 team.
I’ve never once said Bula is not a decent player who will no doubt continue to improve, I’ve said I don’t believe he has it in him to ever reach the heights of the top 10 or so elite fullbacks in our game.
Surely most would agree it’s very difficult for any team to challenge for a premiership without an elite fullback, so it’s either we strongly believe he will be this type of player within the next couple of seasons, otherwise we look elsewhere.

So you think it’s just a matter of time and he will be the fullback to lead us to becoming a genuine top 8 team within the next couple of seasons ?
If that is your opinion than I respect that and it may very well be correct.
My point of view is we don’t really have that much time to wait as our existing high quality players such as Stef could potentially leave us if results don’t improve immediately or if we don’t sign some quality in addition to Luai to make it more likely we can seriously challenge for the top 8 next season.
I know many are much more optimistic than I am, but aside from the Sharks game I’ve seen nothing to suggest we are anywhere near being a top 8 team.
I’ve never once said Bula is not a decent player who will no doubt continue to improve, I’ve said I don’t believe he has it in him to ever reach the heights of the top 10 or so elite fullbacks in our game.
Surely most would agree it’s very difficult for any team to challenge for a premiership without an elite fullback, so it’s either we strongly believe he will be this type of player within the next couple of seasons, otherwise we look elsewhere.

I don't know what level Bula will reach because this squad is not one to measure how good you can be - and especially after 23 games.
Elite fullbacks are not lining up to join dual wooden spoon clubs let alone WTs. He is just one player in the puzzle in improving as a team. He may never reach the heights of the best but if he has got something to play behind he can do the job - we have witnessed that at least.
It's not about who is right or wrong about him it's about being realistic about the limitations of playing behind this squad and how that impacts on his development.
As for building a case around elite players and keeping Stef they have signed one in a key position already. Reportedly Stef has got plenty of suitors if he wants out he will make that decision on the back of getting an offer too good to refuse and there is not much we can do about that.

 

[Vicious]

I don't know what level Bula will reach because this squad is not one to measure how good you can be - and especially after 23 games.
Elite fullbacks are not lining up to join dual wooden spoon clubs let alone WTs. He is just one player in the puzzle in improving as a team. He may never reach the heights of the best but if he has got something to play behind he can do the job - we have witnessed that at least.
It's not about who is right or wrong about him it's about being realistic about the limitations of playing behind this squad and how that impacts on his development.
As for building a case around elite players and keeping Stef they have signed one in a key position already. Reportedly Stef has got plenty of suitors if he wants out he will make that decision on the back of getting an offer too good to refuse and there is not much we can do about that.

Everyone was well aware players such as Reece Walsh, Ryan Paps, AJ Brimson, Tedesco, Drinkwater, Ponga, Turbo, Edwards and Latrell were elite after 23 games.
The only ones that were probably slower to really establish themselves were possibly Gutho and Will Kennedy.
I think many are still really missing the point.
Bula has showed glimpses of class, but not yet shown elite player capabilities like the players listed above regularly do.
With that in mind and the fact we are in real danger of losing players such as Stef due to lack of talent within our squad, should we or should we not have identified this a couple of weeks back and made Zac Lomax an offer too good to refuse ?
Yes we would have needed to release or offload contracted players that fit him in, yes it may have meant we give him an opportunity to play fullback and move Bula to the centres or wing, but if we are being fair dinkum about becoming a successful club anytime soon you simply cannot afford to miss these chances to sign an elite player when they become available,

 

[Snidest 0]

If he was offered fullback he would have come, take that as fact.

What a load of BS!!

 

[Telltails]

Everyone was well aware players such as Reece Walsh, Ryan Paps, AJ Brimson, Tedesco, Drinkwater, Ponga, Turbo, Edwards and Latrell were elite after 23 games.
The only ones that were probably slower to really establish themselves were possibly Gutho and Will Kennedy.
I think many are still really missing the point.
Bula has showed glimpses of class, but not yet shown elite player capabilities like the players listed above regularly do.
With that in mind and the fact we are in real danger of losing players such as Stef due to lack of talent within our squad, should we or should we not have identified this a couple of weeks back and made Zac Lomax an offer too good to refuse ?
Yes we would have needed to release or offload contracted players that fit him in, yes it may have meant we give him an opportunity to play fullback and move Bula to the centres or wing, but if we are being fair dinkum about becoming a successful club anytime soon you simply cannot afford to miss these chances to sign an elite player when they become available,

Everyone was well aware players such as Reece Walsh, Ryan Paps, AJ Brimson, Tedesco, Drinkwater, Ponga, Turbo, Edwards and Latrell were elite after 23 games.
The only ones that were probably slower to really establish themselves were possibly Gutho and Will Kennedy.
I think many are still really missing the point.
Bula has showed glimpses of class, but not yet shown elite player capabilities like the players listed above regularly do.
With that in mind and the fact we are in real danger of losing players such as Stef due to lack of talent within our squad, should we or should we not have identified this a couple of weeks back and made Zac Lomax an offer too good to refuse ?
Yes we would have needed to release or offload contracted players that fit him in, yes it may have meant we give him an opportunity to play fullback and move Bula to the centres or wing, but if we are being fair dinkum about becoming a successful club anytime soon you simply cannot afford to miss these chances to sign an elite player when they become available,

None of those elite players you have nominated have starred in dual wooden spoon teams and none of them could carry a team on their own. And I have witnessed all of them having poor performances when their sides have been well beaten. The very reason why they avoid clubs like ours.
How do you know the club didn't approach Lomax? His preferred position is centre after all and that is an area that has been identified by the club.

 

[Vicious]

What a load of BS!!

Ok you know better 😂

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

It would be pretty easy to say our attack was rubbish when we only scored one try. But if you watched the game you would have seen we created at least 4 scoring opportunities and bombed them. Whether the last pass was a dud or the wingers positioning was off. The fact is we didn’t create those chances last year, especially against the top defensive teams. We all want success now, we have been starved of it. But it’s coming.

What could have been...

 

[Vicious]

None of those elite players you have nominated have starred in dual wooden spoon teams and none of them could carry a team on their own. And I have witnessed all of them having poor performances when their sides have been well beaten. The very reason why they avoid clubs like ours.
How do you know the club didn't approach Lomax? His preferred position is centre after all and that is an area that has been identified by the club.

Carry a team on their own ?
Do we not have any decent players aside from Bula ?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

They are going to persevere with Bula at fullback at least until the end of 2025 … they will see how he goes with Luia and Galvin playing together …

So maybe prepare yourself for a long 18 months

Why isn’t it a sure thing that he’s first choice beyond 25? Who would have thought over the summer that two months into the season that people would be questioning Bula and proclaiming Seyfarth as the best bench player in the game. World has gone crazy.

 

[Vicious]

What could have been...

AHX can you please talk some sense into these people ?
What are they not seeing that our attack is rubbish and will not get any better with the same players we keep trotting out each week.
I understand it’s hard to do anything about it this season, so we just have to put up with it and collect another Wooden Spoon, but I’m sure you would agree we will take another 10 steps backwards if we lose Stef which is highly likely.
You cannot keep the teams best players by saying it’s ok to come last every year as our players are still developing, you need to make an offer too good to refuse to players such as Lomax before it’s too late.
If we lose Stef, but gain Luai we are still in a worse position than we are now.

 

[Tom Shines]

Why isn’t it a sure thing that he’s first choice beyond 25? Who would have thought over the summer that two months into the season that people would be questioning Bula and proclaiming Seyfarth as the best bench player in the game. World has gone crazy.

It’s likely he still is … but even if he stinks it up in the meantime ,,, thats the earliest they would consider a change

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Vicious... If we lose Stef.... (if) Many members on this forum can see what they cannot see... management see these players as adults when really they are not mature in the head... media included... treating them like gods..... im afraid all sports are a microcosm of the real world... a victim to money... and this is the irony... until such time, I cannot take money from my kids table to give to them mediocrity week to week....over the past decade.... what is the ROI for this?..... I mean.. you saw what happened in the tunnel yesterday at Homebush....

 

[Vicious]

Vicious... If we lose Stef.... (if) Many members on this forum can see what they cannot see... management see these players as adults when really they are not mature in the head... media included... treating them like gods..... im afraid all sports are a microcosm of the real world... a victim to money... and this is the irony... until such time, I cannot take money from my kids table to give to them mediocrity week to week....over the past decade.... what is the ROI for this?..... I mean.. you saw what happened in the tunnel yesterday at Homebush....

Yeah I saw what happened in the tunnel.
It’s a wonder we haven’t signed Jack Hetherjngton he’s just like some of our players, all talk and fire off the field or when the game has stopped, but does nothing when the game is on.

 

[Telltails]

Carry a team on their own ?
Do we not have any decent players aside from Bula ?

We are the dual wooden spoon team and favourites with plenty to take it out again - so when it comes to rating clubs with decent players we are not highly regarded.

If the club had any of those elite FB's eager to sign on the dotted line all well good but unless you are privy to information otherwise, that is not the case. If Bula stalls next year when Luai comes then I can guarantee you won't have the push back you are copping ATM.

 

[Vicious]

We are the dual wooden spoon team and favourites with plenty to take it out again - so when it comes to rating clubs with decent players we are not highly regarded.

If the club had any of those elite FB's eager to sign on the dotted line all well good but unless you are privy to information otherwise, that is not the case. If Bula stalls next year when Luai comes then I can guarantee you won't have the push back you are copping ATM.

If Stef leaves put all your money on Wests Tigers to get another Wooden Sppon in 2025, it will be better than bank interest.

 

[Kelce68]

It’s not helping kids develop when the team they play for is constantly at the bottom of the ladder.
Any club that is fair dinkum about developing their best young players would ensure they move heaven and earth to have a core of top quality players around them.
At the moment the only thing we have that is top quality is our starting middles and our number 9.
If we lose Stef which is highly likely, we won’t even have that,

Why?