LIVE GAME Team v Roosters trial..LIVE game discussion

Live Game Discussion
Good bit of confidence for some depth players and youngsters. Hopefully uncle Nick wasn’t there.

Mak needs a round two FG jersey. Madden will put pressure on AD.

Agree apart from May to wing. I'd replace Toa with Maks from the first game.

Bula
Skelton
May
Maks
Turuva/Tavana.

View attachment 34064
It’s not his natural side. Better to start on wing on left then be in unfamiliar territory for first few games . Long term he’s too valuable a centre not to play there
 
Best points for me:
- young guys who debuted too young at our club look a year bigger and more confident.
- Makasini might need to play centre, pushing May to wing later this year.
- Javon Andrews is as talented as Galvin without the bad haircut and arrogant attitude. He’s a better fit for Benji.
- Jock Madden was great - hopefully all 7s at club have been coached same way in same system and douehi straightens like madden did today
- We have proper depth now.
Mate. May ain't moving from centre. Toa is the one on the chopping block
 
Talk of Jock playing a significant role in first grade is way over the top. Yes, it was a good organising/kicking game from him against a Roosters team without any key players in and a handful of good rookies from last year. He was not targeted or pressured like he will be in a NRL game. Doobie is first choice and Latu has a sky high ceiling. There is a reason he hasn't played barely any first grade and is close to journeyman status. Was ordinary for us in his first stint here and couldn't crack first grade last year at the Broncos. Hopefully won't be anywhere near first grade. But a sound third string, like Hope at hooker. Mason would be a good utility in my old Group 3 club Camden Haven Eagles.
 
Tigers played well today. However, it is just a trial… Just a reminder of some recent trial results for reference:

2021: Tigers 52 - Sea Eagles 18
2022: Tigers 16 - Roosters 8
2023: Tigers 36 - Raiders 4
2024: Tigers 18 - Warriors 16

Our trial form was probably the highlight of each of those seasons…
Whoah... Captain Bringdown here! 🤣
 
Good hit out for the young guys and for a first trial they all looked really cohesive after the first 20.

Makasini will be a star. Needs a long term deal. Reminds me so much of a young Stephen Chrichton.
I don’t see what the fuss is with keeping Toa in the side. Plays one blinder a year and average the rest. Slows down the play the ball complaining after every tackle. Surprised Makasini wasn’t tested on the right side today unless Tiny is making the shift.

Attard and Brookes look like quality. Tavana has some freaky skills.

Haywood created a lot of spark and has faster service than Hope. Hope seems to keep his pass out too long and offer defenders a shot at the ball.

Kit had some real impact with his runs. Leniu-like. If he keeps it up, he could offer some punch off the bench if Afoa and Hunt fail.

There’s something about Godinet. Needs some time put into him. But there’s talent there.

Madden. Outstanding. Directed a young squad around brilliantly. Kicking and set play was great. Andrews had some nice touches.

Charlie Murray had some good moments and surprised me.

One who really caught my eye though was Luke Jack. Chased everything. Strong in contact and really had a dig. Bit of Liam Martin about him.

Only a trial, but some really positive signs and the boys looked like they were playing as a unit and happy.
 
My take on the game. Maybe not the usual observations straight after a game.
1) The jersey's looked absolutely great! Love emm.
2) Benji has learnt by his coaching mistakes from the past. The players seem much fitter, mentally tougher and singing from the same hymn book. Player recruitment has been selective and spot on. Well done Benji and your helpers. But the big test is yet to come but I feel more confident you have your finger on the pulse.
3) The backline stood very deep in the attacking zone [not the usual straight line near the ball] which gave Andrew's time to shine and provide the backline with clean, early ball.
4) Quick play the balls kept the momentum going and the defence scrambling.
5) The forwards played out of their skins which paved the way for the backs to show their skills, which they did very well.
6) Madden managed the game superbly. "Let's play the game in your half". And a great goal kicker.
7) Mason cannot break a tackle or step around a defender. Quick to get to the defender but dies with the ball, no offload. So many players have that skill and there are plenty of players that can defend just as well. KOE level for 2026.
8) It's only a trial and not the real thing. But I liked what I saw from the WT future planning perspective.
 
Previous years Tigers teams after falling 16 pts behind would more often just give up and end up getting flogged.

It was really good to see the new wave of young players coming through with good never give up attitudes.

The telling factor for me the fitness levels are the best we have seen for a long time, when they had a run of possession they were relentless.

Only a trial of second stringers but good to see, hope next week's team blows our socks off.
 
Talk of Jock playing a significant role in first grade is way over the top. Yes, it was a good organising/kicking game from him against a Roosters team without any key players in and a handful of good rookies from last year. He was not targeted or pressured like he will be in a NRL game. Doobie is first choice and Latu has a sky high ceiling. There is a reason he hasn't played barely any first grade and is close to journeyman status. Was ordinary for us in his first stint here and couldn't crack first grade last year at the Broncos. Hopefully won't be anywhere near first grade. But a sound third string, like Hope at hooker. Mason would be a good utility in my old Group 3 club Camden Haven Eagles.
Can I take an Alford plea? 😬
 
Benji gave a hint away during his interview with Cronk and Brandy that AD could slot into 13 however couldn’t see it for first few rounds because Latu was injured for a few rounds.
You could probably carry them all in the same team and adjust their positions based on game situation.

Madden, Latu and Douiehi are all versatile if needed. Madden less so, but can jump into hooker if needed.
 
Agree apart from May to wing. I'd replace Toa with Maks from the first game.

Bula
Skelton
May
Maks
Turuva/Tavana.

View attachment 34064
Maybe it's just me, but Mak has a bit of work to do on his defensive positioning at centre.

Need to remember, he's still 18 and we don't need to rush him until he's ready. Has all the signs to be a great player.
 
Talk of Jock playing a significant role in first grade is way over the top. Yes, it was a good organising/kicking game from him against a Roosters team without any key players in and a handful of good rookies from last year. He was not targeted or pressured like he will be in a NRL game. Doobie is first choice and Latu has a sky high ceiling. There is a reason he hasn't played barely any first grade and is close to journeyman status. Was ordinary for us in his first stint here and couldn't crack first grade last year at the Broncos. Hopefully won't be anywhere near first grade. But a sound third string, like Hope at hooker. Mason would be a good utility in my old Group 3 club Camden Haven Eagles.
Maybe you're right, but stints with Penrith behind Cleary and Brisbane behind Reynolds probably helped him improve from when we had him.
 
You could probably carry them all in the same team and adjust their positions based on game situation.

Madden, Latu and Douiehi are all versatile if needed. Madden less so, but can jump into hooker if needed.
I hope not. Stability in the spine is normally a factor for successful sides. Hope we aren’t chopping and changing much this year (unless it’s injury cover)
 
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