LIVE game discussion. Tigers Team Vs Penrith - Trial#2

[Chunk]

Great performances from many players and really happy with what we saw.

However, can’t get too carried away especially because there were two Penrith teams out there, first half premiership team, second half reserve grade.

Too many good performances too mention but concerns were Api, just seems a bit slow and his passing needs to pick up a bit. Hope at least played very well.

Also, Bula seems a little soft or needs more commitment to his task.

And Toa, didn’t get many opportunities though

 

[Bigscreentv]

Great performances from many players and really happy with what we saw.

However, can’t get too carried away especially because there were two Penrith teams out there, first half premiership team, second half reserve grade.

Too many good performances too mention but concerns were Api, just seems a bit slow and his passing needs to pick up a bit. Hope at least played very well.

Also, Bula seems a little soft or needs more commitment to his task.

And Toa, didn’t get many opportunities though

Given the round 2 start they’d still be doing preseason fitness. I wouldn’t be surprised if older players are a bit slow until round 2. Benji mentioned they’ll pull back on fitness at round 1.

He’s probably playing within himself a bit too so he doesn’t get injured.

 

[Bigscreentv]

I honestly feel sorry for Benji. He was in the same spot last year giving Galvin a go and talking him up. This time around, it’s Mekasini. I hope people starting repaying Benji.

Makasini is a different character and Benji would have learnt a lot from the Galvin situation.
Benji gave Galvin too much pump up and Galvin was completely selfish.

 

[Tucker]

That whole right edge was pretty ordinary. Admittedly KPP will replace Seyfarth which will help but i wasn't impressed with either Toa or Turuva. Turuva does take the hard hitups but so do most wingers these days. His height is a major concern> Penrith targeted him with their kicks and Jenkins had a field day coming over the top of him on several occasions one that almost led to a try.

Yes that corner was tactically attacked with kicking in the first half and there must have been half a dozen attempts with Penrith getting to all of them first. On another day that could have resulted in a few tries. Glaring weakness in our defence that was not addressed at all.

 

[ATown]

Great performances from many players and really happy with what we saw.

However, can’t get too carried away especially because there were two Penrith teams out there, first half premiership team, second half reserve grade.

Too many good performances too mention but concerns were Api, just seems a bit slow and his passing needs to pick up a bit. Hope at least played very well.

Also, Bula seems a little soft or needs more commitment to his task.

And Toa, didn’t get many opportunities though

There were two Tigers teams out there too. I’m just as, if not more excited by the young kids. They’ve completely outplayed two teams back to back who have outstanding depth.

I think our abysmal lack of depth is the main factor in our woes of the last 10+ years.

These kids have skill, speed and most importantly energy and enthusiasm. That’s infectious and traits we’ve been severely lacking.

 

[JimmysJack]

Early days, but was impressed with our forwards intent in both attack and defence, particularly bunty early on to set the tempo.
I can't believe I'm suggesting moving him after what he did for us last year but with more direct running props on board does anyone see the benefit of May's ability to hold up the line and clever pass selection as well as long minutes providing a more balanced pack and helping open up the backline with him at lock?
I know this has been debated before but maybe we finally have enough support around him to see it happen.
Will be interesting to see how what we are seeing now translates to week in week out first grade football.
Also, 10 push ups to any of our players that complain to the ref before playing the ball.

 

[innsaneink]

We're in a good position to win the preseason challenge -

Parramatta Eels	15	1	30	Must win with all 3 bonus points AND maintain a higher PD (currently +34).
Canberra Raiders	15	1	30	Must win with all 3 bonus points AND improve PD (currently +26) to > +30.

Hopefully they both get rolled.

I thought Titans And Souths we a chance too

 

[Buttface]

Hopefully they both get rolled.

I thought Titans And Souths we a chance too

I’ve been busy, but are you saying if they both loose, that we will win a comp???

 

[Leck]

Hopefully they both get rolled.

I thought Titans And Souths we a chance too

Titans and Souths are out. Fingers and toes crossed!

 

[ShanghaiCharlie]

Observations:
Heywood, Murray and Javon are ready to play a role this year if required. Sukkar and Bunty good too.
Seyfarts is a bench prop only. Outside the 17. Enough of the backrow please.
Api can't keep going through to 2028
Luke Lualii will be a loss. He has come on hugely.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

It wasn’t really a backs game but against the Panthers it never will be as they throttle the middle and grind.

Luai looked good, step but his crisp passing & choices I enjoyed seeing. If we keep the attacking structure on that edge alot of points will come through it.

The right edge is a worry. AD as a runner is great but he doesn’t give early ball. Multiple times Toa called for it and never got it - Turuva I don’t think touched the ball once whilst running onto it. It’s a trial so meh but the same signs from previous years are there with AD. Toa isn’t effective unless he has space to move so if he doesn’t get early ball we best use a different center.

Our attack in the red zone offered nothing unless AD runs or Luai shifted. But for the 23 other tackles just looked lack luster and at times unorganized.

Api passing from dummy half was ordinary to terrible at times. Hopefully that’s not a sign of things but something to watch as fatigue sets in. Haywood looks to have the best ball distribution in the club right now based on the trials.

Bula looked like he just woke up before the game or something. Urgency in anything he did was ordinary. It’s a trial so hopefully it’s cobwebs as alot of other fullbacks have started ordinary as well.

Bunty was impressive. He had a high work rate defensively and was a big part of the line speed. He looked fit.

Sione gets left out abit but both games he has hit hard and forced an error, his work rate is always high and minimal issues. Should be a lock like Bunty into the 19.

Maka just wow, has abit to do in defending & high ball but wow.

Laulilii was beast mode with his runs which isn’t a surprise but he looks to have had a growth spurt as well.

I was impressed by our fringe/reggie forwards the most they all ran direct and aggressively.

Sukkar, Broederlow, Murray, Geyer & Seyfarth.
Sukkar looked big, Broederlow could be anything, Murray is small but the late offloads create issues, Geyer has size and some spark when he moves sideways, Seyfarth needs to be a middle not an edge.

Hope when he moved to lock was interesting but added something was more link man but his darts with quick play the ball was good to see.

It’s a trial and the first hit out, positive and hopefully motivating to start the season hard. Some distinct changes in the forwards and with Luai side approach.

Fitness and directness look to be positives. I’m not buying finals tickets yet lets hope it carries over across all grades to start the season.

Benji’s bench makeup will be interesting think he has for once some tough decisions to make - which hasn’t been the case for a long time.

 

[Milky]

Our halves looked good in the first half, though I wonder who is first in pecking order between Andrews and Madden

With AD and Fainu’s history of injuries, it probably won’t be long before one is called up

We have a problem on our hands fitting Luai, AD, Latu and Andrews in the same squad

I think it might be time we transition Latu into a full-time lock, maybe give him a few 80 minute games there in cup

 

[Odessa]

That whole right edge was pretty ordinary. Admittedly KPP will replace Seyfarth which will help but i wasn't impressed with either Toa or Turuva. Turuva does take the hard hitups but so do most wingers these days. His height is a major concern> Penrith targeted him with their kicks and Jenkins had a field day coming over the top of him on several occasions one that almost led to a try.

Does Seyfarh get a spot in the 17 if there is no injuries?

 

[Lestronge]

37 pages of praise for what was a defining win is great to see. Apart from the first couple where we were down by 4 and the doom sayers lit up.
And as a collective, we ain't finished talking these trials games up. There's still heaps of mates we ain't seen yet, and they need to know just how good our team is gonna be this season.
Everything that all of you have said is spot on . . . I'll add just one thing. Line speed in D.
We have never had it, but for at least 25 minutes while the big boys were on it was there.
Bunty seemed to be the ring leader . . . can't wait till he gets Hunty alongside him.
Every year, we say how great it is to see then new players making a difference, and how we think we'll go well this season. And every year, we end up facing reality. Every February, every September.
Here we go again. But this time it really feels different. Honestly.
Lap it up brothers. This weekend at least, strut, don't walk. Nod knowingly to your rooster and panther mates. Heck, nod at all them bastards that don't support us.

Benji flogged them on Thursday lol . This game was just about blowing the cobwebs out. The fact they won, and were close , with the panthers having entered into build up/recovery mode is a decent sign . Especially with the match played at the speed and intensity it was .
It bodes well for both teams actually .
I thought the riff style of we will grind you until you break was there for all to see as well . They didn’t score a point in the second half and the ones they did in the first was basically a game plan of kick it to the ranga on the wing. But if the play like that most teams won’t be able to go with them.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

It wasn’t really a backs game but against the Panthers it never will be as they throttle the middle and grind.

Luai looked good, step but his crisp passing & choices I enjoyed seeing. If we keep the attacking structure on that edge alot of points will come through it.

The right edge is a worry. AD as a runner is great but he doesn’t give early ball. Multiple times Toa called for it and never got it - Turuva I don’t think touched the ball once whilst running onto it. It’s a trial so meh but the same signs from previous years are there with AD. Toa isn’t effective unless he has space to move so if he doesn’t get early ball we best use a different center.

Our attack in the red zone offered nothing unless AD runs or Luai shifted. But for the 23 other tackles just looked lack luster and at times unorganized.

Api passing from dummy half was ordinary to terrible at times. Hopefully that’s not a sign of things but something to watch as fatigue sets in. Haywood looks to have the best ball distribution in the club right now based on the trials.

Bula looked like he just woke up before the game or something. Urgency in anything he did was ordinary. It’s a trial so hopefully it’s cobwebs as alot of other fullbacks have started ordinary as well.

Bunty was impressive. He had a high work rate defensively and was a big part of the line speed. He looked fit.

Sione gets left out abit but both games he has hit hard and forced an error, his work rate is always high and minimal issues. Should be a lock like Bunty into the 19.

Maka just wow, has abit to do in defending & high ball but wow.

Laulilii was beast mode with his runs which isn’t a surprise but he looks to have had a growth spurt as well.

I was impressed by our fringe/reggie forwards the most they all ran direct and aggressively.

Sukkar, Broederlow, Murray, Geyer & Seyfarth.
Sukkar looked big, Broederlow could be anything, Murray is small but the late offloads create issues, Geyer has size and some spark when he moves sideways, Seyfarth needs to be a middle not an edge.

Hope when he moved to lock was interesting but added something was more link man but his darts with quick play the ball was good to see.

It’s a trial and the first hit out, positive and hopefully motivating to start the season hard. Some distinct changes in the forwards and with Luai side approach.

Fitness and directness look to be positives. I’m not buying finals tickets yet lets hope it carries over across all grades to start the season.

Benji’s bench makeup will be interesting think he has for once some tough decisions to make - which hasn’t been the case for a long time.

Great wrap up MT!

Loved the team's line speed & physicality in contact led by Twal & Bunty. Wow Twal is taking his game to the next level

How good is Hope's contact in D, he hits hard for a smaller guy.

Pole & Sione's late footwork at the line can't be underestimated.

Whilst no highlights reel for Tavana (almost one chasing the kick), his effort plays were impressive.

It looks like at long last we have DEPTH and tough decisions for Benji on the bench make-up as you say.

There will even be some tough decisions for the NSW Cup top 17!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

And Toa, didn’t get many opportunities though

To’a and Turuva might want to stock up on Benadryl this year cos they are gonna catch a lot of colds on that right hand side.

 

[Odessa]

Agreed. Awesome as Mak was, it was Javon that had me tossing and turning, dreaming of what could be.

You can tell he’s got genuine class just by the way he moves. He’s already a better ball player than Luai and AD and he looks physically ready.

I feel like we might need to find a spot for him sooner than later.

Mate Javon is a good at kicking goals and did so in origin but just got to be careful with him he had a few injuries no need to rush him

But he is all class and the little things the way he turn inside held the ball drew in the defence then passed outside just half a second

And he has a big step on him and turn of speed

And the way he hit the winger for the try the vision

 

[ATown]

It wasn’t really a backs game but against the Panthers it never will be as they throttle the middle and grind.

Luai looked good, step but his crisp passing & choices I enjoyed seeing. If we keep the attacking structure on that edge alot of points will come through it.

The right edge is a worry. AD as a runner is great but he doesn’t give early ball. Multiple times Toa called for it and never got it - Turuva I don’t think touched the ball once whilst running onto it. It’s a trial so meh but the same signs from previous years are there with AD. Toa isn’t effective unless he has space to move so if he doesn’t get early ball we best use a different center.

Our attack in the red zone offered nothing unless AD runs or Luai shifted. But for the 23 other tackles just looked lack luster and at times unorganized.

Api passing from dummy half was ordinary to terrible at times. Hopefully that’s not a sign of things but something to watch as fatigue sets in. Haywood looks to have the best ball distribution in the club right now based on the trials.

Bula looked like he just woke up before the game or something. Urgency in anything he did was ordinary. It’s a trial so hopefully it’s cobwebs as alot of other fullbacks have started ordinary as well.

Bunty was impressive. He had a high work rate defensively and was a big part of the line speed. He looked fit.

Sione gets left out abit but both games he has hit hard and forced an error, his work rate is always high and minimal issues. Should be a lock like Bunty into the 19.

Maka just wow, has abit to do in defending & high ball but wow.

Laulilii was beast mode with his runs which isn’t a surprise but he looks to have had a growth spurt as well.

I was impressed by our fringe/reggie forwards the most they all ran direct and aggressively.

Sukkar, Broederlow, Murray, Geyer & Seyfarth.
Sukkar looked big, Broederlow could be anything, Murray is small but the late offloads create issues, Geyer has size and some spark when he moves sideways, Seyfarth needs to be a middle not an edge.

Hope when he moved to lock was interesting but added something was more link man but his darts with quick play the ball was good to see.

It’s a trial and the first hit out, positive and hopefully motivating to start the season hard. Some distinct changes in the forwards and with Luai side approach.

Fitness and directness look to be positives. I’m not buying finals tickets yet lets hope it carries over across all grades to start the season.

Benji’s bench makeup will be interesting think he has for once some tough decisions to make - which hasn’t been the case for a long time.

Excellent observations and agree with everything except one point.,,,,GF tickets, get ‘em while they’re hot.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon]

We're in a good position to win the preseason challenge -

Parramatta Eels	15	1	30	Must win with all 3 bonus points AND maintain a higher PD (currently +34).
Canberra Raiders	15	1	30	Must win with all 3 bonus points AND improve PD (currently +26) to > +30.

Woohoo !!! ... the Craven Mild Cup will look great in the Wests Ashfield trophy cabinet 👍

 

[hank37w]

That damn head gear though - I thought he’d dropped it!

I thought exactly the same thing. 🤣