LIVE GAME Preseason Challenge v Eels

Live Game Discussion
Tigerdazz2 said:
My verdict:

We don't need to worry too much about depth this year, a solid hit out by our new buys and our young guns. Handling: Was pretty good, Defence: While not world beating was also pretty good, Attack: Well the boys put 30 on a fairly strong Parra side, but could have been better. At least two bombed tries.

I'd score them a 7.5/10 for that game. Well done to the boys, they just have to fix some discipline issues, still giving away too many silly penalties.
Click to expand...
I want to see us win when the other teams completion rate is over 70%. No Moses and no Brown meant nothing was really thrown at us that we couldn't handle, but still 2 soft tries.

With the amount of good ball we had in good field position, the game was far too close for far too long.

Doueihi had a really good game. Didn't overplay his hand at all. Had some big plays that led to points. Credit where its due. Awesome goal kicking.

No one stood out as having a bad game.

Lots of positives. Mainly that when there was nothing on, we just played the percentages and waited for another shot.

Overall, can't be unhappy with tonight, but we were not seriously tested by any means.
 
Watched the game from the Leichhardt Oval hill, I thought Heath Mason and Jeral Skelton were standouts, also impressed with what Tristan Hope is doing.
Fonua Pole looked very good.
The strong ball running of Royce Hunt gives the team a lift. It would be great to have one more forward who runs the ball just as strongly as him and I know of one who is currently available.
Galvin does much more than meets the eye, exceptional talent and so too is Latu.
 
Last edited:
A real positive out of this game was the near total shutdown of Lomax.

Apart from his goal kicking he wasn't allowed to do any damage to our guys. It's a nice change, as he almost single handedly cost the WT games when in the Red -V in recent times.
 
we look fit, our effort areas are up, the attacking direction is clear and our contact on both sides of the ball was pleasing to see.

but defending our goalline is still a major, major concern. our right edge is in for a huge test in two weeks against Sharpe, Lucas, Best and Marzhew with Ponga sweeping around the back. a lot of work needed between now and then.
 
JC99 said:
I said Twal had improved his running game last year and was laughed at.... he's an actual threat with the footy in his hand.

He's definitely not a 13 but he's a first grade player 100%.
Click to expand...

I'm expecting a big year from Twal. He reminds me of Skando a bit. Not a superstar player but the sort of person you need in your team and at your club. 28 now, be great to see him have a couple of really decent seasons in his prime.
 
Tigerdazz2 said:
News.Com's take on the game.
Click to expand...
From my experience, if Naden only suffered a dislocated patella without any ligament or other damage then he will be fine in no time; Only thing I can think would be maybe the patella tendon was overstretched through the displacement, but there's not that far for it to even go...

Sounds a lot worse than it is, but I had this happen when I was a kid, and then also - admittedly prior to my acl reco - it used to pop out of place all the time.

I'd have to make my leg really stiff straight, (slightly overextended ironically!) and I'd just give it a whack, it would slip back in place and it'd be no biggie.

I think the brace was precautionary, he might have light duties for a week but he'll be good in no time. He also wouldn't have been smiling afterwards if it was severe.

He's going really well, so hopefully this is the case.
 
TIGERS said:
I'm expecting a big year from Twal. He reminds me of Skando a bit. Not a superstar player but the sort of person you need in your team and at your club. 28 now, be great to see him have a couple of really decent seasons in his prime.
Click to expand...
Twal looked good ,seem's to be enjoying himself, Skandalis comparison is a big call .
 
TurnStyle said:
From my experience, if Naden only suffered a dislocated patella without any ligament or other damage then he will be fine in no time; Only thing I can think would be maybe the patella tendon was overstretched through the displacement, but there's not that far for it to even go...

Sounds a lot worse than it is, but I had this happen when I was a kid, and then also - admittedly prior to my acl reco - it used to pop out of place all the time.

I'd have to make my leg really stiff straight, (slightly overextended ironically!) and I'd just give it a whack, it would slip back in place and it'd be no biggie.

I think the brace was precautionary, he might have light duties for a week but he'll be good in no time. He also wouldn't have been smiling afterwards if it was severe.

He's going really well, so hopefully this is the case.
Click to expand...
part of me thinks he might milk that injury into retirement
 
Well my bet was well off the mark. Glad the Tigers won, and showed a bit. I’ll be much more reticent to bet against them again.
Hope they can kick on. Certainly saw enough from the new recruits to bring a smile, especially in the forwards.
And glad to see Douehi go well, he will be in the team for the opening round.
And what about Galvins slip in his post match i
 
Long way to go yet but was a solid hit out, keeping in mind both teams were missing key players.

While the ref’ing was a little odd we still do some dumb shit and give away penalties and field position.

Mason, is solid but not a first grade fullback.
Was impressed with AD but his defence and inability to make good contact with the Parra fullback for the first try has me concerned about him being in the centres.
Our pack lead by May was very pleasing and if the can do that through out the season our halves and backs will have plenty of opportunities. How good was that hit up from Hunt! Haven’t seen that since Marty T played for us. Twal was good as well. As mentioned in the klemmer thread our pack is fine without him and we need a centre. Need more meters out of the likes of seyfarth and Fainu. Although seyforth did make plenty of tackles.
Halves, should have a field day behind this pack.
TDS was second fiddle to Hope who impressed me and should be given a chance in First grade.

Still plenty to work on and upgrades in certain positions required but very happy with what I saw. Not going to go out and buy finals tickets just yet, but good signs from the trials.
 
Still cant believe the Roosters let Terrell may go absolute beast
Pole looks really fit and love his footwork at the line beast
Skelton has secured his wing spot beast, great carries
Hunt beast
Bird brings something off the bench and hits hard in Defence

No Luai, Bula, Api, turuva and Olam. Plenty of fire power there.

When Api plays round 2 it will really help Pole and May. Teams will have to watch Api plus have threats either side in Luai and Galvin. Klein was a deadset flog last night. He has PTSD from giving a penalty to the Broncos in extra time. Must of got abused.

I am a believer and if we can get a good run with injuries we will go close to top 8. Bring on the Knights, need to win our home games!!
 
Mason is developing nicely. He offers a sense of urgency on kick returns that we've been missing.
He's proven that he's up to it now so it's time for Bula to step up his game, his casual attitude to kick returns and lack of involvement just doesn't cut it.
Bula needs to get his crap together. Mason had us starting sets on the front foot with his hard running. Bula faffs around and we get smashed the next set.
 
Ron Brodrick's Spirit said:
Mason is developing nicely. He offers a sense of urgency on kick returns that we've been missing.
He's proven that he's up to it now so it's time for Bula to step up his game, his casual attitude to kick returns and lack of involvement just doesn't cut it.
Bula needs to get his crap together. Mason had us starting sets on the front foot with his hard running. Bula faffs around and we get smashed the next set.
Click to expand...
I think this is a very common misconception - Bula was 13th in the ENTIRE league for kick return metres last season

The way he runs he does often look like he is just cruising around, but I think that's his running style more than anything. I would like to see him more involved in games however, it's a shame he's missed the trials
 
I was mostly really happy with our forward pack. Apparently Hodgo (who's in charge of attack) has been training them to play direct. With a lack of outside back threats it's the way to go

Every middle looked to have improved leg speed and Sam Fainu started to look very threatening on the edge, and will look even better with Luai

Pole and May will be a top 3 forward combo this year. They are extremely talented, young props. Even Bird had good impact running the footy - the only one who didn't was probably the captain, Seyfarth
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 339 (members: 2, guests: 337)
Back
Top