BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Feledy & Tavana both big ins for this team.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Reminder for those with BarTV that the boys play Doggies tonight at 7pm. 6th vs 7th clash. Keen to see Tavana back!
Dogs up 24-4 after 60 minutes but honestly Tigers haven't been that bad - Dogs have converted every opportunity and bounce of the ball into tries while Tigers have been just short or kicked just cm long in the same positions.
Score not a true reflection of the performance but probably Dogs had a little more cohesion if anything which probably reflects time together vs lots of changes for us
Also tigers lost their halfback at 4-4 that makes it hard for any team organisation wise - nrl teams losing their halfbsck in first 20 mins would lose badly too
Score not a true reflection of the performance but probably Dogs had a little more cohesion if anything which probably reflects time together vs lots of changes for us
Also tigers lost their halfback at 4-4 that makes it hard for any team organisation wise - nrl teams losing their halfbsck in first 20 mins would lose badly too
As the 2nd half went on our right hand defence just got worse and worse, far too many bad one on one misses and bad defensive reads.
West's Rule
Member
Dogs dominated through the forwards, consistently going forward around the rucks running in pairs, their number 12 was another level.Bigger doesnt equate to better, some of the Tigers forwards are lazy , no lateral defence , they look unfitt and work rate was terrible.The 10 will be having a holiday next week I would safely say after being put on report for attacking the legs of the kicker.
Alex Conti started at halfback for the Dogs. After the SG Ball season he has been playing off the bench in Flegg coming on at hooker. I think this was his first starting game as Woods playing reserve grade this week.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
It was very strange as @boonboon & others have said. It was only 16-4 after 52 mins. Yep we lost Max Liles in the 1st half and moved Haywood into the halves. In this period, we had Feledy held up over the line, Kanaan just missed touching down a kick-through by inches & Tavana just grassed an intercept & would have run away to score. Next set after that Tavana missed chance, Bulldogs score from a burrow over. Could have been a lot different.
Our right edge was exposed a fair bit in defence for tries, twice from poor decisions by centre Mitch Taotua & twice from Will Craig slipping over.
Kudos to Bulldogs though, they took their chances and were clinical in defence. Just the margin can be forgiven.
I was impressed by our defence & intent in the middle generally, good line speed & good in contact.
But the big positive for me out of tonight was one player, ELIJAH MATAALE. He runs hard, very good PCM, hits hard & sticks in defence & shows effort in getting back into the line. Made an awesome break and long run late to set up Haywood and absolutely snapped a Dogs player in half from a kickoff. I’ve said all season we lack middles with strength, size, leg speed & aggression through the grades. Well we’ve found one.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Haha posted that at same time. Yep 21 this year, formerly Balmain SG Ball, last season at Canterbury & this season until 2 weeks ago was playing Sydney Shield.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
The player on report for attacking the legs of the kicker was Shaq Tavita.
He was a shining light and no reason why he couldn’t make his mark progressing through the grades.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
West's Rule
Member
Like I said Digs forwards dominated up the middle , Tigers forwards to slow and poor work rate compared to the digs who were a smaller pack.Not sur what game your watching but this bloke your pumping up is unfit or lazy.Sooner have forwards that have higher work rate or the will continue to get touched up by the other teams faster forwards.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I was watching #10. Didn’t think he looked unfit at all played 50+ minutes. You sure you’re not getting him mixed up with #19 Shaquille Tavita?
West's Rule
Member
Looking at the facts the Dogs forwards dominated up the middle, where were our middles.These players might be big but don't have very big engines, the Dogs forwards were smaller but more mobile and played as a pack should, all had high work rates.I looked at his and the other props hit ups and Tackles stat's, very pore and the Dogs forwards won the game for them, the score indicated this even with the opposition missing five conversions.You can't focus on a couple of highlights of a players game and say he is a standout, watch the No12 for the Dogs that's a player to praise.
Unfortunately, in the games I have seen and those I have read about Mitch Taotua stands out for his poor defence.
Has all the talent and aggression in attack and defence but consistently leaks points on his edge.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I certainly agree the Bulldogs defence was way better drilled, disciplined & structured. That club seems to have its playing style embedded down through the grades which is something our club needs to get to.
We'll agree to disagree on Mataale, it's not a few highlights I'm going off. I want to see him maintain the rage consistently for the rest of the season. If so, IMO it'll put him in the frame as a keeper next season when he's outside of Flegg age.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Interesting on Faagutu. I wondered where he went to. Thanks for the update IF.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
From memory Mitch Taotua changed edge this week to the right edge (accommodating Feledy's dropping back to his favoured left edge) so maybe the communication & trust with Broederlow, Tannous & Tavana on that side was lacking this week. Will be interesting if twin Max Taotua returns next week as he was very strong at right centre beforehand.