LIVE GAME Round 5 versus Eels

Live Game Discussion
Jolls said:
Yes, it was a great win over the Slimeys. Yes, there was resilience, and yes, the connectivity across the park was the best we’ve seen in a while. But if we’re being honest, we need to get past the euphoria pretty quickly – because that performance, taken as a whole, isn’t one we should be overly satisfied with.

We were the better side for long stretches. The middle owned the game, the edges created pressure, and the platform was there to put Parra away. But they didn’t. That’s the issue. Dominance without conversion doesn’t hold up against better sides, and if this team is serious about staying in the eight, that gap has to close.

It starts again with Api Koroisau, who was still the most influential player on the field. Even factoring in a few missed tackles – including the Mitchell Moses ankle tap – his control through the middle and his defensive organisation set the tone. He gave the side every opportunity to take control of the game properly. The platform was there because of him.

Out wide, Kai Pearce-Paul and Samuela Fainu were genuinely dominant. They won their matchups, bent the line, and forced Parra into constant adjustments. That edge performance should have translated into points. More of them. Instead, too often we reset rather than playing what was in front of us.

That’s where the bigger concern sits. The footy IQ just wasn’t quite there. There were repeated chances to capitalise on a retreating defensive line, particularly through the centre corridor, and the adjustment didn’t come. The halves didn't react as well as they should have to the flow of the game. That’s not a structural issue, that’s a decision-making one.

Jock and AD are right in the middle of that. There were positives with the ball, no doubt, but the execution in key moments let them both down. AD was a “handbrake” at times but he did contribute to moments where the attack lost its edge. His balance between control and instinct wasn’t right, and it fed into the broader issue of not adapting quickly enough when the game opened up.

Through the middle, Royce Hunt did exactly what was needed in terms of impact and physicality, and Luke Laulilii’s defensive error, while poor, was just that – a moment, not a defining feature. His ability to get us going early in sets is why he is good for the team; however, he will be pushing to retain his spot if he doesn't address the defensive brain farts.

We won beacuse we were connected, physically up for it, and controlled large parts of the game. That’s the positive. The concern is that we didn't turn that control into a result that reflected it.

Enjoy the win, absolutely. But don’t get carried away by it. The foundation – culture, fitness, connectivity – looks real. The next step is game awareness. Recognising when to break structure, when to press an advantage, and when to put a side away.

If we keep leaving points out there like that, they won’t just be tight games – we’ll start losing them. And that’s the difference between pretenders and a team that belongs there.
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Good summary as always Jolls. The settler through the middle with May or Twal after we have stretched them on a wide attacking raid does my head in but it might just be an issue with the cattle and not being able to swing the ball the other way. We are not (yet) penrith or storm
 
The most impressive part of that game for me is the team up until the sin bin were winning it with physicality and defence. Limiting Parra to 10 and 15m gains in set of six is not something WT are known for. It was very Penrith like ( and no I'm not comparing WT to Penrith)
Parra suffered a lot of injuries and those were mostly soft tissue, but physically we really turned the screws on them. I hope it's something the team can maintain going forward.

On another note the NRL should just come out and ban legs tackles from behind. Api charged with a hip drop was a joke. At no time did he swing around onto the legs of his opponent. Yes his body weight came down on the back of the legs, thats what happens in every tackle and will happen in every tackle from behind. It will never be a risk free game.
 
Hi all, was out that the game. The tigers are extremely fit. There were some bad calls both ways, but the worst was the sin bin for the tackle in the air. Tigers would have ran away with it if it wasn't for that - tigers were all over them.

One concern for me is Makasini - I actually don't think he's handling the speed of the game. He's very young and a big boy. He's being targeted when runnning the ball and I don't think he has the energy to use his qualities. I think the sooner he can get back to the wing, the better.

He'll make his way back to centre eventually, but for now I think he needs a spell from there. I wouldn't even rule out a game or 2 back in cup.
 
Bigscreentv said:
Hi all, was out that the game. The tigers are extremely fit. There were some bad calls both ways, but the worst was the sin bin for the tackle in the air. Tigers would have ran away with it if it wasn't for that - tigers were all over them.

One concern for me is Makasini - I actually don't think he's handling the speed of the game. He's very young and a big boy. He's being targeted when runnning the ball and I don't think he has the energy to use his qualities. I think the sooner he can get back to the wing, the better.

He'll make his way back to centre eventually, but for now I think he needs a spell from there. I wouldn't even rule out a game or 2 back in cup.
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Ive always suggested this about Mak since the trials....the week to week grind can be very difficult for young guys just coming into grade.
Once we can cover the injuries suspensions adequately it might be wise to give him a break in reggies to rejuvenate
Ive seen criticism of Tavana (2 games for crying out loud)...people think players are NRL players as soon as the debut....it takes a couple of seasons
 
innsaneink said:
Ive always suggested this about Mak since the trials....the week to week grind can be very difficult for young guys just coming into grade.
Once we can cover the injuries suspensions adequately it might be wise to give him a break in reggies to rejuvenate
Ive seen criticism of Tavana (2 games for crying out loud)...people think players are NRL players as soon as the debut....it takes a couple of seasons
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Exactly and Tavana still has so much improvement to come in both body size & strength which will help his defence and yardage runs.

It is noticeable how one full pre-season already has already made him a lot thicker in the legs & hips, a few more and he'll be more stronger & powerful.
 
innsaneink said:
Ive always suggested this about Mak since the trials....the week to week grind can be very difficult for young guys just coming into grade.
Once we can cover the injuries suspensions adequately it might be wise to give him a break in reggies to rejuvenate
Ive seen criticism of Tavana (2 games for crying out loud)...people think players are NRL players as soon as the debut....it takes a couple of seasons
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Yes, definitely. Its not the plan to have him at centre week in week out. He's done very well, but it's obvious he's hanging on. Tavana has done great too, but as you say, it's tough coming in and staying consistent.

Would Tavana be on Marzhew?
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
What is the rule? When can the defensive line break from the 10m ... once the ball hits the ground in the play-the-ball or once it touches the foot?
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Seems a bit iffy when ive had a look but generally once it has been healed back to the hooker and or when the hooker picks up the ball. The referee apparently usually calls "go" when he deems the ball to have cleared the ruck and the defence can advance.
 
Bigscreentv said:
Yes, definitely. Its not the plan to have him at centre week in week out. He's done very well, but it's obvious he's hanging on. Tavana has done great too, but as you say, it's tough coming in and staying consistent.

Would Tavana be on Marzhew?
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Yes he would be which is why I think Benji will give Tavana every chance to prove his fitness (tight hamstring) this week.

I think it will be a straight Skelton in for Laulilii on the left wing. If Tavana has to miss as well, then fair chance Herbert comes in at right centre with Turuva pushing out to the wing. I don't think To'a is ready yet fitness wise.
 
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