LIVE GAME Preseason Challenge v Eels

[king_sirro]

It was great to read all the comments about the game. I am very excited about Mason and Latu Fainu. Mason looked a star from the start, as did Latu. Both have excellent defence which means Marshall has two prodigiously talented young players who could fill a few positions in the backline.

Latu has that soft touch of class that only comes naturally to a few. Personally I have no doubt that with Api at 9, Luai at 7, Latu becomes the best option at 6. Our attack would be scintillating, smooth and straight.

I know that won't happen because it means Galvin will sign elsewhere,and like everyone else I don't want to lose him. He is a top talent and top competitor. Not to mention a local junior. This is going to be an interesting time to see how Benji keeps both Latu and Galvin happy. Lachlan looks a hell of a lot stronger this year and a move to the pack could be sooner than we first thought (maybe only another year before he could handle it). Would he be happy with that though?

We looked great when both Latu and Bird were on.

 

[king_sirro]

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

May was exceptional. He and Pole looked great and then Hunt came on for Pole and boom, more impact. May looks like he could play 3 games straight and not get tired. Phenomenal front row talent. He will be better than AFB because he is a bit more aggressive. There will be the odd game where Benji simply can't take him off and he will play 80 minutes

 

[Speed2burn]

Heart broken for Naden, we wanted him gone, he pulled his head in and trained the house down and was on the verge of having a great season.

It’s fine atleast we have Staines 🫠

 

[king_sirro]

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

That's my opnion too. I don't see Bula as lazy at all.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Just a lot of positive chat.
Enjoying playing with him etc...

Latu is definitely the dark horse though.
He's very skilful. Love how direct he plays.

Wonder who combines with Luai better between the two though.

All the talk in the off season is Luai x Galvin

I’m sure it will be because if we dare move LG it will be another release request. Latu also a talent and just don’t want to lose both.

 

[innsaneink]

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%.

Until he started going 45 degrees...run to the goalposts alex not the corner post

 

[Demps]

I’m sure it will be because if we dare move LG it will be another release request. Latu also a talent and just don’t want to lose both.

Could be the greatest lock of all time once he bulks up

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

wasn't counting penalties ,just 6 agains ,and we have been spoilt with them

We were but not penalty count. Parra has the run of penalties - haven’t looked at stats

 

[bradexl]

New guys May, Bird and Hunt were very good. Pole outstanding. Douhei, Galvin and Skelton did good things. Promising signs..

 

[hodgo]

It's interesting how contrasting latu and Galvin are. Both ooze talent latu being calm direct and Galvin everywhere all the time energy.
It's also refreshing that they both can defend

 

[TCL]

The press love chomping on Galvins Churro, as do many of us. I am leaning towards him playing at 13 but I suspect he will throw his toys out of the cot if that was requested of him. While they are at two different places in their careers, it was refreshing to hear Bird say in the post game interview that his preference is to play at lock but is happy to play where ever the coach wants him.

 

[Speed2burn]

Pole was definitely on a mission last night. I’m glad we kept him and princess Stephanie pissed off to the storms

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

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.

I thought we were going to win in the last 15 and I haven’t thought that for a while. Yes we let in more soft tries but our pack dominated. Just a trial but felt confident with new buys and overall attitude

 

[innsaneink]

The go forward of May, Pole andHunt...even Twal early was a sight for sore eyes

Some were critical of May doing an off season marathon...maybe he can take Hunt next time

As everyones already noted lots of players were pretty damn good...Skelton, that hit lat and his mates reaction was awesome...god lets hope they all stay fit

The attitiude right from go to woah was great across the park, they all played well yet still plenty to work on, result was nice always nice to win but the best things for me even moreson than last week but last week seemed an improvement on last year, was competing for the full 80 and general attitude right across the park....facing full strength teams will be another challenge

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Pole was definitely on a mission last night. I’m glad we kept him and princess Stephanie pissed off to the storms

The pillow for May is the best thing so far

 

[old_man_tiger]

Bird was excellent. Tough tackler, smart awareness, little things off the ball were very good. Not an impact runner but just a proper rugby league player. If he keeps that form up he's exactly the sort of player this club has lacked.

May and our forward pack looked dynamic and physical.

Defense was mostly good, but the tries we conceded were really ugly.

All of our halves kicked well tonight and all seem to have better long kicking games. What happened?

Parra look really average. Obviously plenty of 1st graders out but I think they'll struggle with that forward pack.

Feels like we have a bit of depth at most spots for the first time in a very long time.

I'm still not convinced by seyfarth, think he needs more upper body strength so that he can be more dominant in tackles. He doesn't seem to be able to stop momentum.

Highlight for me was watching bird's defensive work. Great line speed, tough tackling and the right level of agro in the tackle. Based on that form I'm surprised Flanagan let him go, he seems like a Flanagan sort of player.

If bird stays fit he will be one of our better buys. He is a competitor with enough skill and toughness to make a difference. In a team that was historically soft he shows the type of player we haven't had enough of.

 

[Furious1]

Jeez I hope the referees aren't going to ref the way Klein did last night. Coach Ryles has definitely got the slow down tactics right. Parra could easily have had at least one in the bin (Lussick). There's already massive inconsistencies in the way the game is being reffed in the last 2 weeks. Not referring to us either, but across the whole game.

 

[426Tlgerland]

The go forward of May, Pole andHunt...even Twal early was a sight for sore eyes

Some were critical of May doing an off season marathon...maybe he can take Hunt next time

As everyones already noted lots of players were pretty damn good...Skelton, that hit lat and his mates reaction was awesome...god lets hope they all stay fit

The attitiude right from go to woah was great across the park, they all played well yet still plenty to work on, result was nice always nice to win but the best things for me even moreson than last week but last week seemed an improvement on last year, was competing for the full 80 and general attitude right across the park....facing full strength teams will be another challenge

This is pretty much spot on , we looked like we wanted to compete , we did compete for 80 min , some things to work on for sure , couple soft tries let in , We now have grunt up front with May , Hunt , Pole , Twally , we have hungry players wanting to run straight and hard , Skelton was good , Bird good and I thought he sparked us when he come on , just a bit but it was there , TDS was good , only one bad miss tackle , Naden was also good and a shame he is injured as I feel he would have been selected round 1 , we will move up a notch in attack with Luai and Appi in the team along with Turuva , things do look positive

 

[eyewondertoo]

What to do with Adam Dooey?
His general kicking and goal kicking were great and his straight running was as well.
Don't think he is a centre replacement with his sideways defensive efforts.
An issue for greater minds than mine.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Jeez I hope the referees aren't going to ref the way Klein did last night. Coach Ryles has definitely got the slow down tactics right. Parra could easily have had at least one in the bin (Lussick). There's already massive inconsistencies in the way the game is being reffed in the last 2 weeks. Not referring to us either, but across the whole game.

Parra we’re off side about 6 times last night and no penalty to us , Parra holding down again nothing , but I did hear clown ref calling us to release Parra player as soon as he hit the ground , very one sided I felt and why were we not awarded a penalty in first half down eels end when that stupid six again bell rang about 4 times in 2 minutes , if they are off side cont we should have got a penalty ,Wests Tigers will just need to out score teams every game as we won’t get any rub of the green , again