3 2 1 vs Manly

I think only two players could hold their heads up. Doueihi and Latu. AD has always had a killer cut out ball, and he definitely gave us some spark when he went into the halves. With Latu, there’s a lot to like about his short kicking game and shows a lot of grit in defence. Those are pretty much the only positives out of that dogs breakfast.
 
Everything has already been said.
Incredibly underwhelming performance.

Should've been attacking the edges but continually attempted to attack through the middle.

Defence was strong for the first half and then went to water in the second. They exposed our edges which we should've been trying to do to them.

When Luke Lualilii replaced Skelton, I honestly thought a try would be coming his way - we didn't try to hit this option once. Imagine a rhino like run, Bizza style, Luke putting his head down and ducking under and stepping through a tall player like Saab... I could see that happening but we didnt go that way at all and kept getting blocked sending props through the middle near the try line.

A lot of player re shuffling, it all seemed very desperate. Most of it wasn't necessary and it really confused the attack.

It's always hard to pick 3 from a losing side when the loss is so evident. I love the club with all my heart and I want more for them. We missed Bula & Luai so much tonight and we were let down by inexperienced players.

3. AD - he stood up but the game was already gone, he's playing for a contract and it'll likely be elsewhere. Bitter-sweet. We can't carry him at centre - he just isn't good enough. Side note; Tommy Turbo looks the same way imo.

2. Latu Fainu - got through 80, continually showing he is capable. Missed his boy Romey but again, there's a serious player in there. Hopefully he's continuing to learn and is going to become the player we all know he can be.

1. Luke Lualilii - love the kid. Played Wing then Fullback. He honestly doesn't look that small either out there standing amongst the lads. High ceiling player and i think he will do well. Like to see his brother in the team with some actual minutes soon too.

Honourable mention: although he knocked him self out, Skeltons hit on Turbo was great. Love to see that.
 
GNR4LIFE said:
Not to be a stickler, but if we didn’t have him, his money would be invested in another half. We wouldn’t be running with that spine every week.
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Would have the same impact IMO and hold the rest of the team to account. Massive drop when he is not on the field.

Not many good halfs out there. Not to be a stickler
 
Demps said:
Everything has already been said.
Incredibly underwhelming performance.

Should've been attacking the edges but continually attempted to attack through the middle.

Defence was strong for the first half and then went to water in the second. They exposed our edges which we should've been trying to do to them.

When Luke Lualilii replaced Skelton, I honestly thought a try would be coming his way - we didn't try to hit this option once. Imagine a rhino like run, Bizza style, Luke putting his head down and ducking under and stepping through a tall player like Saab... I could see that happening but we didnt go that way at all and kept getting blocked sending props through the middle near the try line.

A lot of player re shuffling, it all seemed very desperate. Most of it wasn't necessary and it really confused the attack.

It's always hard to pick 3 from a losing side when the loss is so evident. I love the club with all my heart and I want more for them. We missed Bula & Luai so much tonight and we were let down by inexperienced players.

3. AD - he stood up but the game was already gone, he's playing for a contract and it'll likely be elsewhere. Bitter-sweet. We can't carry him at centre - he just isn't good enough. Side note; Tommy Turbo looks the same way imo.

2. Latu Fainu - got through 80, continually showing he is capable. Missed his boy Romey but again, there's a serious player in there. Hopefully he's continuing to learn and is going to become the player we all know he can be.

1. Luke Lualilii - love the kid. Played Wing then Fullback. He honestly doesn't look that small either out there standing amongst the lads. High ceiling player and i think he will do well. Like to see his brother in the team with some actual minutes soon too.

Honourable mention: although he knocked him self out, Skeltons hit on Turbo was great. Love to see that.
Click to expand...
Great post Demps,
Our lack of attack on their edges was killing me, we were bunched up like a bag of carrots, and just kept running into a wall of defenders wasting plays, and our line speed (when there was a line) was underwhelming. Basic, regimented footy would have won us that game Manly weren't great....
Love our team forever, I guess that why we get so frustrated when we know we can do better.
 
Stevec said:
3.Douehi -thats obvious
Cant see anyone else worth mentioning
Seyfarth was ok -why was he on the bench ?
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keep seyfarth there its where he was good last year off the bench hes not a 80 min player and he seems to get more involved in the game the less mins he has im tired of him being used as a tackeling machine
 
3. Me , for having a glimmer of hope we could win that game
2. Me , for watching that game in full
1. Me , for the anger and frustration i feel for the above two.
 
3. Doueihi
2. Turuva
1. Latu Fainu

Last night shows we do not have enough Alpha style players. Nobody taking responsibility with Luai out. Doueihi stepped up nicely. Unfortunately he forgets his great passing game at centre.

Terrell May is a good player. Some might not like hearing this, he's a better version of Alex Twal. What he isn't, is impactful.

Our biggest impact forwards, the guys most likely to lead a charge with the ability to turn momentum are Sione & Samuela Fainu. Starting to think the obsession with having a version of Olokuatu in our back row is actually restricting the forward pack. Samuela doesn't see enough impactful possession. You want the ball in his hands when we are struggling. And he sits on the edge.

May @ #13, Sione & Samuela up front- put 2 fast 'almost centres' in the second row (Fifita & KPP...) & have Twal & Pole rotate off the bench. Hunt SHOULD be one of those guys, but his involvements are too rare.

We need a centre to bring the winger into the game. To'a does ok with Turuva. Doueihi (love him) just doesn't involve Skelton, who realistically, isn't exactly a try scoring threat that often.

What is Taylan May? A centre or winger? If he's a centre- we need speed outside him. I've suggested Sloan. Charlie Saab is a Tartak client. Swap TDS for Saab- IF May is a centre.

If May is a winger? We need a centre to bring him into the game. Best available centre to do that? I think it's probably Gagai. Plus, Gagai has that Alpha in him.

You want guys that WANT the ball. When Luai, Bula & Api were off the field....only Douiehi & Latu chased the ball. That is when you need guys to step up. And they just didn't.

That #14 spot can't just be a hooker. Get a dummy half capable guy in there & have flexibility with your 4 man bench. Sukkar is fine as that 4th forward. Twal, Pole, Sukkar & Freddy Lussick. They can all relieve the better players without the team losing shape.
 
Demps said:
Everything has already been said.
Incredibly underwhelming performance.

Should've been attacking the edges but continually attempted to attack through the middle.

Defence was strong for the first half and then went to water in the second. They exposed our edges which we should've been trying to do to them.

When Luke Lualilii replaced Skelton, I honestly thought a try would be coming his way - we didn't try to hit this option once. Imagine a rhino like run, Bizza style, Luke putting his head down and ducking under and stepping through a tall player like Saab... I could see that happening but we didnt go that way at all and kept getting blocked sending props through the middle near the try line.

A lot of player re shuffling, it all seemed very desperate. Most of it wasn't necessary and it really confused the attack.

It's always hard to pick 3 from a losing side when the loss is so evident. I love the club with all my heart and I want more for them. We missed Bula & Luai so much tonight and we were let down by inexperienced players.

3. AD - he stood up but the game was already gone, he's playing for a contract and it'll likely be elsewhere. Bitter-sweet. We can't carry him at centre - he just isn't good enough. Side note; Tommy Turbo looks the same way imo.

2. Latu Fainu - got through 80, continually showing he is capable. Missed his boy Romey but again, there's a serious player in there. Hopefully he's continuing to learn and is going to become the player we all know he can be.

1. Luke Lualilii - love the kid. Played Wing then Fullback. He honestly doesn't look that small either out there standing amongst the lads. High ceiling player and i think he will do well. Like to see his brother in the team with some actual minutes soon too.

Honourable mention: although he knocked him self out, Skeltons hit on Turbo was great. Love to see that.
Click to expand...
Good post. Even when fit we have Bula, Turuva, Skelton, Taylan May, Toa, Luai, Fainu’s x 3, KPP, Pole, Terrell May, API that are first graders under contract for next year. Twal and Seyfarth are borderline for depth. That’s 13-15 players. Good teams have 20-25 and out top line talent (Api, Luai, Bula, May) whilst good cant compensate.

Richo has to bring in another starting level prop, lock and a second rower with mobility who can cover centre and depth.
 
The Chad said:
3. Doueihi
2. Turuva
1. Latu Fainu

Last night shows we do not have enough Alpha style players. Nobody taking responsibility with Luai out. Doueihi stepped up nicely. Unfortunately he forgets his great passing game at centre.

Terrell May is a good player. Some might not like hearing this, he's a better version of Alex Twal. What he isn't, is impactful.

Our biggest impact forwards, the guys most likely to lead a charge with the ability to turn momentum are Sione & Samuela Fainu. Starting to think the obsession with having a version of Olokuatu in our back row is actually restricting the forward pack. Samuela doesn't see enough impactful possession. You want the ball in his hands when we are struggling. And he sits on the edge.

May @ #13, Sione & Samuela up front- put 2 fast 'almost centres' in the second row (Fifita & KPP...) & have Twal & Pole rotate off the bench. Hunt SHOULD be one of those guys, but his involvements are too rare.

We need a centre to bring the winger into the game. To'a does ok with Turuva. Doueihi (love him) just doesn't involve Skelton, who realistically, isn't exactly a try scoring threat that often.

What is Taylan May? A centre or winger? If he's a centre- we need speed outside him. I've suggested Sloan. Charlie Saab is a Tartak client. Swap TDS for Saab- IF May is a centre.

If May is a winger? We need a centre to bring him into the game. Best available centre to do that? I think it's probably Gagai. Plus, Gagai has that Alpha in him.

You want guys that WANT the ball. When Luai, Bula & Api were off the field....only Douiehi & Latu chased the ball. That is when you need guys to step up. And they just didn't.

That #14 spot can't just be a hooker. Get a dummy half capable guy in there & have flexibility with your 4 man bench. Sukkar is fine as that 4th forward. Twal, Pole, Sukkar & Freddy Lussick. They can all relieve the better players without the team losing shape.
Click to expand...
Amazing post, my type of read.

I've always liked a lock who can play hooker in the likes of Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor or Ray Stone. I don't think we've exactly got this type of player on the books, other than the lesser quality Charlie Murray.

Kurt Donoghoe or Max Plath @ the dolphins is the type of player id want.

Phoenix Crossland is another player who has the capability, under contract though.

This provides value to our team so if Benji wants to play Api for 80 then at least our bench hooker can serve another purpose.

Unlikely we'll land those guys so we have to keep searching. Maybe a Lachlan Ilias, Siliva Havili or similar floating around somewhere.
 
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