LIVE GAME Round 1 vs Knights

[boonboon]

As I said before the game I expected Knights to win - they are a settled team who made the finals last year at full strength

We had 3 19 yr olds in our spine missing our captain and hooker plays our fullback, our 5th choice centre against Best and our star half hadn't played 1 min of trials and 7 new players in our 17.

Was very impressive defence in keeping them to 2 tries - 1 came off a dropped bomb from a 19 yr old nsw cup player and the other was a long break off a forward pass.

Our attack was clunky but why wouldn't it be missing half our spine and without 3 of our top 4 centre options and 2 new wingers

More good signs for us then the Knights.

 

[Speed2burn]

Newcastle are a solid side. Big, hard running forwards, fast and talented backs, great fullback. We were out muscled in the middle for the most part and they made ground too easily with quick ptbs.
Watching us attack and defend compared to the quality sides one thing stands out in particular- we are too one out, there is not enough support on both sides to provide options or to make the opposition make choices. Our attackers are easy targets and our defenders don’t win tackles.
On the positive side - our performance in many areas was better. Especially kick chase (although our kicking game was poor), scramble in D, discipline, yardage from wingers.

It was the 2nd time I’ve seen Ponga play live and he was easily best on ground both times. Man is everywhere, when we were camped on our line I recall him making 3 cover tackles plus getting back behind the line to take Lachie’s grubber kick.. it’s not just the stuff he does with the ball but off the ball he’s very good too

 

[Tommy_the_Tiger]

We lacked structure in attack, particularly on Newcastle's goal line this was a big issue last year also.

In defence, while there was effort to scramble there was a lot of jersey grabbing which is unacceptable at this level. Some of our misses were schoolboy and often led to massive momentum shifts where the Knights were all of a sudden in good field position.

10-8 was generous, they could have easily scored many more but at the same time if we had a bit more glass on their goal line we should amounted more scoreboard pressure.

 

[Chunk]

A few things, we need more strike, centres and backrower and the full back. This negativity towards Galvin is incorrect, he needs more options.

Defence again, how do you miss 50 tackles compared to 29 with 50% of the ball and a much better completion rate.

We lose the ruck too much and are always retreating. We are put on our back much more than we put the opposition on their back, it's been happening for years.

 

[Demps]

It's been a while since we've had a winger do that sort of work

Some one also posted;

0 tackles
3 missed

 

[Yossarian]

Like anywhere, don’t park in car parks at sporting events. The key is getting there early and knowing the best spots, research!
I’ve parked in the same areas at both Campbelltown and Leichhardt for over 20 years, and have no problem getting out fast. Campbelltown last nite out in 2 minutes, u park across the road from the hill side, then your virtually on the freeway home.

Come on man. 45 minutes. I've parked in lots of car parks at events and that was up there with the worst. Admittedly I don't get to Campbelltown often these days .I expected a slight delay but I didn't move at all for 40 minutes. Even turned the car off.

 

[Yossarian]

A few things, we need more strike, centres and backrower and the full back. This negativity towards Galvin is incorrect, he needs more options.

Defence again, how do you miss 50 tackles compared to 29 with 50% of the ball and a much better completion rate.

We lose the ruck too much and are always retreating. We are put on our back much more than we put the opposition on their back, it's been happening for years.

That and line speed. Most times when we had a big guy on his feet they'd have someone taking their legs out. We'd just let their guys walk another 5m or more.

 

[innsaneink]

Early days, while the result was. Disappointing snatching defeat from victory yet again, I don't think that display will define us.
I watch a lot of other teams and even so far this round they all bar Roosters look better than us.
We.need to see RAPID improvement tho.... I wouldn't be thinking Parra will be easy Ryles has done a pretty good apprene

 

[Betterdays22]

I talked up Mason a treat during the trials, and I still like the kid, but he is HORRENDOUS under the high ball. Some have said it’s a courage thing, I don’t think it’s that. I just don’t think he knows what he’s doing. I want to see him go in the centres cos he’s a great ball runner. Couldn’t do any worse than Faataape.

Theres some early career Dylan Edwards about Mason. Similar style of players but some real issues under the high ball.

 

[batboy]

Early days, while the result was. Disappointing snatching defeat from victory yet again, I don't think that display will define us.
I watch a lot of other teams and even so far this round they all bar Roosters look better than us.
We.need to see RAPID improvement tho.... I wouldn't be thinking Parra will be easy Ryles has done a pretty good apprene

Fair to say the Broncos were 10
Times the opposition the knights were (hence the Roosters being poor)

I’d have bet that same Roosters side beats us last night.

 

[innsaneink]

I thought his service was shabby tbh. Twals drop ball 5m out was because of Hope. He stood behind the play the ball looking around and left the ball there for a second or two before passing. These small things are huge for a hooker.

Tallins service I thought was better, but you’re right, both need to improve defence. I’d prefer Latu on bench when Api is back. Lady loves to tackle and hit hard, also can play many more positions.

Tallin needs to learn to play against men and not miss 6 or more tackles every game

Yes... He clocked off there

 

[The Chad]

Further review:

Our defence in the middle is exposed between the A defender & the second marker (I think I have the terminology right). Pole, in particular, is guilty in & around this area. The amount of breaks & half breaks made due to the inside defender being slow to come across is remarkable. Twal is also guilty here (and I like Twal).

First contact...even third & 4th contact...in defence is just not strong enough. We lack physically strong footballers. My man, Jack Hetherington, showed us up yesterday. No matter how talented the team might be- if we need 4 tacklers in to bring a guy down- we are in trouble. Jack Bird was surprisingly effective one on one though.

Doesn't matter who our centres & second rowers are if the guys inside them won't pass to them.

Seyfarth is a limited player. BUT- so long as he holds his own & doesn't give away penalties or contribute with missed tackles & errors- that is what we need out there. A guy that holds the side strong. Sukkar could do this too. Or Porter. Whoever is the hot hand. Seyfarth is a favourite with management & gets first run. I didn't think he was too bad last night. Sam Fainu was fine. Again- if the guys inside him don't bring him into the game out wide, he's going to have limited impact.

That said- Seyfarth & Fainu (and whoever else) need to take some of the carries off May, who will burn out with that kind of workrate.

Twal holds his own & was pretty good in attack, promoting passes & even being there in support.

Pole frustrates me. You can see the talent is there. But his defence is VERY close to making him a liability. He is a lazy inside defender- as is Sione Fainu. Klemmer, anyone?

Mason is a genuine utility. BUT. Realistically, Doueihi is a better option at fullback. Mason could fit into centre & not be worse than Faataape (who is still learning & doesn't deserve all the crtisicism). My original idea of Latu into the centres would be just as effective. However- all these options are just holding patterns until Makasini is ready & maybe when/if Taylan May comes in.

Mason is too unreliable under kicks to be a 1st grade fullback.

Not going to get stuck into Galvin. I thought it was a very ordinary effort, but it's not all up to him. I will say- what he does at 5/8, he could do at #13 just as effectively. His defence is a little concerning though.

I fear that Tristan Hope was upgraded too quickly. Don't get me wrong- I was as chuffed as anyone seeing the video the other day. But Tallyn is vastly superior. And Hope got on the field in place of Latu, who would have done more.

I still feel Latu Fainu is the organising player needed for this team. He brings other players into the game, runs sweep type plays similar to the way Ponga does. We have the individual talents. We lack the guy that orchestrates the game. Luai could still be that guy. But that is what I see in Latu.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Further review:

Our defence in the middle is exposed between the A defender & the second marker (I think I have the terminology right). Pole, in particular, is guilty in & around this area. The amount of breaks & half breaks made due to the inside defender being slow to come across is remarkable. Twal is also guilty here (and I like Twal).

First contact...even third & 4th contact...in defence is just not strong enough. We lack physically strong footballers. My man, Jack Hetherington, showed us up yesterday. No matter how talented the team might be- if we need 4 tacklers in to bring a guy down- we are in trouble. Jack Bird was surprisingly effective one on one though.

Doesn't matter who our centres & second rowers are if the guys inside them won't pass to them.

Seyfarth is a limited player. BUT- so long as he holds his own & doesn't give away penalties or contribute with missed tackles & errors- that is what we need out there. A guy that holds the side strong. Sukkar could do this too. Or Porter. Whoever is the hot hand. Seyfarth is a favourite with management & gets first run. I didn't think he was too bad last night. Sam Fainu was fine. Again- if the guys inside him don't bring him into the game out wide, he's going to have limited impact.

That said- Seyfarth & Fainu (and whoever else) need to take some of the carries off May, who will burn out with that kind of workrate.

Twal holds his own & was pretty good in attack, promoting passes & even being there in support.

Pole frustrates me. You can see the talent is there. But his defence is VERY close to making him a liability. He is a lazy inside defender- as is Sione Fainu. Klemmer, anyone?

Mason is a genuine utility. BUT. Realistically, Doueihi is a better option at fullback. Mason could fit into centre & not be worse than Faataape (who is still learning & doesn't deserve all the crtisicism). My original idea of Latu into the centres would be just as effective. However- all these options are just holding patterns until Makasini is ready & maybe when/if Taylan May comes in.

Mason is too unreliable under kicks to be a 1st grade fullback.

Not going to get stuck into Galvin. I thought it was a very ordinary effort, but it's not all up to him. I will say- what he does at 5/8, he could do at #13 just as effectively. His defence is a little concerning though.

I fear that Tristan Hope was upgraded too quickly. Don't get me wrong- I was as chuffed as anyone seeing the video the other day. But Tallyn is vastly superior. And Hope got on the field in place of Latu, who would have done more.

I still feel Latu Fainu is the organising player needed for this team. He brings other players into the game, runs sweep type plays similar to the way Ponga does. We have the individual talents. We lack the guy that orchestrates the game. Luai could still be that guy. But that is what I see in Latu.

Yeo stytle role at lock?

 

[weststigers]

Some one also posted;

0 tackles
3 missed

Sack him

 

[Demps]

Sack him

He had a really good game.

The commentators said that was his 9th NRL game.

Think he'll be great for us, moving forward.

 

[coivtny]

Fair dinkum there is a cancer in this club. I’m at Lidcombe watching Flegg. They led 22 - 0 at half time, now 22 - 22 with 15 to go and they look shot. Needs a massive clean out.

 

[coivtny]

Fair dinkum there is a cancer in this club. I’m at Lidcombe watching Flegg. They led 22 - 0 at half time, now 22 - 22 with 15 to go and they look shot. Needs a massive clean out

 

[weststigers]

He had a really good game.

The commentators said that was his 9th NRL game.

Think he'll be great for us, moving forward.

But he missed 3 tackles and made 0?

 

[rihannafan1]

At cambo, on the opposite side to the bigger grandstand (old hill). Across from the leagues club car park, there’s a residential couple of streets. I park there but u need to be early as there’s not heaps of spots. I just get in early and go to the leagues for a few and steak.

Thanks. And Leichhardt?

 

[bptiger 0]

It was clear Marshew kept his foot in but only just which says to me Faataape should have given him a nudge and he would not have stayed in but no one laid a hand on him

It was bird