OFFICIAL Andrew Johns & Laurie Daley Cup

[Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon]

You didnt give those details...MWTs.....initially

I hope my Trivago guy comment wasn’t the reason you replaced your profile pic 🤔

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Round 1 - Laurie Daley Cup (U18)

Macarthur Wests Tigers 30 - North Coast Bulldogs 12

Very impressive display by the boys especially given it was the first round & played in very hot conditions. Well structured & disciplined and looks like the team is very fit, so kudos to Daniel Milford & the rest of the coaching team for their pre-season.

There were a few pushed passes in good opportunities but overall very good. Can't remember any poor missed tackles, just a few communication breakdowns in defence but very few.

If this is the quality we have in the 18s, it bodes well for how the Wests Magpies SG Ball team shapes us.

Thought our best were left wing James Lanyon, lock Kye Penfold, left backrow Andrew Sio, prop & captain Ashton Chan-Sau, starter hooker then lock Harry Bickhoff, left centre Ruben Toga & replacement dummyhalf Keynan Pes.

But really all players dug in and showed promising qualities. Right centre Jermayne Fa'afiu is a tall (long legs), powerful lad, a handful on every run; the halves provided good direction (5/8 Kai O'Brien has a good running game but was a bit rocks'n diamonds with his passing game at times).

Prior to the game, many on here wondered why James Lanyon is playing U18s and yesterday he showed his immense quality. MOM for me, strong in his runs, very evasive, nearly beat 3 or 4 each run with combination of strength & evasiveness, has good speed & lovely left-to-right pass inside. Can see he has a lot of physical development left in him although a good size in U18s so we have a good one here. No doubt if he stays injury-free will be playing Flegg this year.

Kye Penfold (lock) was a beast. Ploughs through his work, strong in his runs with a good late step & just 'locks' down that middle for us in D with his physicality and strong defence. Brings aggression & presence.

Both backrowers Andrew Sio & Jake Gaffney were strong but thought Sio really stood out on both sides of the ball. Can produce big dominant tackles in D and is a strong wide-running type with athleticism.

Captain Chan-Sau (prop) is a workhorse and also has very good intent in his runs. A lot to like with his energy, leg speed & effort in the middle as a converted backrower.

As other mentioned in the pathways thread, our dummy halves were strong - both different types. Harry Bickhoff started the game at hooker, very willing type, decent service and strong in defence. Then livewire Keynan Pes came on around 20 mins & from memory was dummy half for the remainder. Really provided spark with his running game and effort in defence. Bickhoff went into lock and was strong here - just a solid player that looks to be a promising hooker/lock type moving forward.

It seems this team has a good a very good mix and structure of players and decent depth too. When halfback Achurch went off for a HIA, Caleb Salanoa came on and slotted in seamlessly and was impressive himself with his ability to injection himself into the game.

Also left centre Reuben Toga looks another blockbusting type with a great fend (scored off his fend), decent speed & can produce a good hit in defence. Had limited opportunities but was quality with each run & tackle. One to watch.

Riverina Bulls next week who had a close loss yesterday.

Thanks for the summary. Almost like being there!

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Cheers TW, going to try to review at least both SG Ball games each week off Bar TV. Not sure how many full LDC & AJC games I’ll get to watch during junior reps so was good to get a standalone weekend to have a good watch.

Yeah mate. SG Ball both sides and Wests (Harold Matts) are the 3 I hope to watch every weekend in full (where possible). The others might be hard for me to find time for. Although the LDC boys might be worth a regular watch if yesterday is what we expect to see on a weekly basis.

 

[innsaneink]

I hope my Trivago guy comment wasn’t the reason you replaced your profile pic 🤔

Naah i just got sick of seeing him

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Yeah mate. SG Ball both sides and Wests (Harold Matts) are the 3 I hope to watch every weekend in full (where possible). The others might be hard for me to find time for. Although the LDC boys might be worth a regular watch if yesterday is what we expect to see on a weekly basis.

Yeah the Magpies HM side has the makings of being another special Wests HM side hey. Isdale, Hopoate, the Finau brothers, Seb Taylor, the entire forward pack actually is loaded. True, I think I'll add them to my weekly ipad schedule when the kids & mrs are asleep lol

 

[Vicious]

Round 1 - Laurie Daley Cup (U18)

Macarthur Wests Tigers 30 - North Coast Bulldogs 12

Very impressive display by the boys especially given it was the first round & played in very hot conditions. Well structured & disciplined and looks like the team is very fit, so kudos to Daniel Milford & the rest of the coaching team for their pre-season.

There were a few pushed passes in good opportunities but overall very good. Can't remember any poor missed tackles, just a few communication breakdowns in defence but very few.

If this is the quality we have in the 18s, it bodes well for how the Wests Magpies SG Ball team shapes us.

Thought our best were left wing James Lanyon, lock Kye Penfold, left backrow Andrew Sio, prop & captain Ashton Chan-Sau, starter hooker then lock Harry Bickhoff, left centre Ruben Toga & replacement dummyhalf Keynan Pes.

But really all players dug in and showed promising qualities. Right centre Jermayne Fa'afiu is a tall (long legs), powerful lad, a handful on every run; the halves provided good direction (5/8 Kai O'Brien has a good running game but was a bit rocks'n diamonds with his passing game at times).

Prior to the game, many on here wondered why James Lanyon is playing U18s and yesterday he showed his immense quality. MOM for me, strong in his runs, very evasive, nearly beat 3 or 4 each run with combination of strength & evasiveness, has good speed & lovely left-to-right pass inside. Can see he has a lot of physical development left in him although a good size in U18s so we have a good one here. No doubt if he stays injury-free will be playing Flegg this year.

Kye Penfold (lock) was a beast. Ploughs through his work, strong in his runs with a good late step & just 'locks' down that middle for us in D with his physicality and strong defence. Brings aggression & presence.

Both backrowers Andrew Sio & Jake Gaffney were strong but thought Sio really stood out on both sides of the ball. Can produce big dominant tackles in D and is a strong wide-running type with athleticism.

Captain Chan-Sau (prop) is a workhorse and also has very good intent in his runs. A lot to like with his energy, leg speed & effort in the middle as a converted backrower.

As other mentioned in the pathways thread, our dummy halves were strong - both different types. Harry Bickhoff started the game at hooker, very willing type, decent service and strong in defence. Then livewire Keynan Pes came on around 20 mins & from memory was dummy half for the remainder. Really provided spark with his running game and effort in defence. Bickhoff went into lock and was strong here - just a solid player that looks to be a promising hooker/lock type moving forward.

It seems this team has a good a very good mix and structure of players and decent depth too. When halfback Achurch went off for a HIA, Caleb Salanoa came on and slotted in seamlessly and was impressive himself with his ability to injection himself into the game.

Also left centre Reuben Toga looks another blockbusting type with a great fend (scored off his fend), decent speed & can produce a good hit in defence. Had limited opportunities but was quality with each run & tackle. One to watch.

Riverina Bulls next week who had a close loss yesterday.

Sio looked to be a very good prospect during last years Harold Matthews season.
I’m wondering who will be the likely 2 starting edge back rowers being selected ahead of him for the Magpies SG Ball team ?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Sio looked to be a very good prospect during last years Harold Matthews season.
I’m wondering who will be the likely 2 starting edge back rowers being selected ahead of him for the Magpies SG Ball team ?

Possibly Peter Taai especially if Havea Jr drops back from NRL pre-season to play lock, Teancum Epati & Tomasi Tavui who were both strong in LDC last year from memory.

And possibly Pheonix Godinet. His dad posted something on Insta the other day with both Pheonix & his sister in the photo and a caption like ‘reps season about to begin’.

 

[Vicious]

Possibly Peter Taai especially if Havea Jr drops back from NRL pre-season to play lock, Teancum Epati & Tomasi Tavui who were both strong in LDC last year from memory.

And possibly Pheonix Godinet. His dad posted something on Insta the other day with both Pheonix & his sister in the photo and a caption like ‘reps season about to begin’.

It will be a very strong SG Ball back row if it’s Havea Jr at 13, Godinet and Peter Taai on the edges. I just hope there are some decent quality halves to get them good ball so they can showcase what they can do.
I have read there are some big wraps on Qld recruit Cruz Tauaifaiga who I assume he is another contender for an edge spot in the Magpies SG Ball team.
Sorry for getting off topic, this thread is about the Laurie Daley Cup and I’m sure they will have a very successful season if the core of the players who played in round 1 play most of the season.