LIVE GAME Live Game Discussion, vs Newcastle - Rd 2 *Spoilers*

[cktiger]

We keep doing this mate. How about this. I've seen you admit as a running 6 he can do the job. That is his role. That is how the coaches have played him the whole of last season and this season.

We know he isn't a good creative half in the attacking zone.

He also did things he is meant to do as a halfback. He put in a great 40/20 for instance. He defended well. He didn't make mistakes which meant his pass selection was good. These are all important parts of the game. He did also create a play that Doueihi stuffed up that would have put us right back in the game. He can also do these things as a running 6.

The issue with our halves was that Doueihi who had a lot of opportunities was atrocious.

The issue with our halves is that we don’t have an actual halfback.
We have two running five eighths.

 

[earl]

The issue with our halves is that we don’t have an actual halfback.
We have two running five eighths.

Exactly. This is speaking to the issue.

I hate to say this but we are doomed.

 

[OzLuke]

The fans that actually attend these games hoping to see their team finally win a match must be heartily disappointed with what they have witnessed these first two rounds.

It doesn't bother me if we lose but played well...
It really bothers me when we roll over like we have been.

 

[ancient_magpie]

The issue with our halves is that we don’t have an actual halfback.
We have two running five eighths.

Wakeham is an actual halfback

 

[tigermate]

He was our best player. Seriously go and watch the game. I crucified him last week. I'm watching players very closely and seeing who is performing and I'm not being biased.

The 3 big issues were Stef, AD and Nofo. Nofo wasn't the reason we lost but he offered next to nothing.

Fair - I just expect the half back to touch the ball at least once a set , should be twice.

And he didn’t organize one back line movement

Hastings gets in our attacking zone and sets up three back line plays that strip us of numbers

That’s what a half back does

I’m not questioning brooks defense or commitment - I just think either he or sheens needs to tell him to get the ball more

I think it actually depends what you think the job is of the halfback and maybe you and I see this differently

Sheens is relying too much on the Hooker to setup every play

Brooks should be more involved

And tbh it’s been 10 years !

Can’t give the guy any more excuses

With 12 players on the field for 25 mins he didn’t even look like stripping Newcastle of numbers

If you watch brooks he is not behind the ruck telling the boys which side to run… he’s one removed from the ruck letting a forward play the link role … so maybe not his fault … but he should be there barking to people where to run so he sets up the back line movements

Are attack is woeful

API can’t direct the whole team on his own

 

[earl]

Can’t give the guy any more excuses

With 12 players on the field for 25 mins he didn’t even look like stripping Newcastle of numbers

Maybe in that 25 min period but who else didn't do that ? Surely you aren't stating Brooks was the only problem ? That shows that you didn't watch the game without massive bias.

He did actually create something out there on more than one occasion. Once he busted them out wide and he must had stripped the numbers then and he also created a great opportunity for AD but AD stuffed it. He also kicked a 40/20 and made a huge strip at key times.

I'm not giving him excuses though. I'm stating he was our best player yesterday and I'm not the only one who saw it.

Out of that game there are a couple of glaring issues:-

1. Stef:- so so many mistakes. Basically a one man wrecking crew for the opposition.
2. AD:- so so many mistakes. He just doesn't look like a first grader most of the time. Terrible defense. He only looks dangerous when running it.
3. Nofo:- no impact at all. This wasn't a reason for the loss though. It just makes it hard because he isn't providing any go forward.

You have to also question the coaching staff but let's see what they do over the next 4 weeks.

Longer term Brooks has to be on the chopping board. I want 8 weeks of form from Brooks to even consider a contract extension. I'd like the game he played yesterday to be the worst game he plays. I don't expect his best to be much better than that but I expect him to create more points. If not we shouldn't re-sign him. It's not the big issue out of yesterday though. It's basically irrelevant because he was so far from the problem it's not funny.

 

[tigermate]

Boys and ladies

This is the email I sent to Justin when Hastings was sent to Newcastle ….

I’ll send his response next

 

[tigermate]

This was his reply to me and my further response

They are delusional

 

[OzLuke]

Fair - I just expect the half back to touch the ball at least once a set , should be twice.

And he didn’t organize one back line movement

Hastings gets in our attacking zone and sets up three back line plays that strip us of numbers

That’s what a half back does

I’m not questioning brooks defense or commitment - I just think either he or sheens needs to tell him to get the ball more

I think it actually depends what you think the job is of the halfback and maybe you and I see this differently

Sheens is relying too much on the Hooker to setup every play

Brooks should be more involved

And tbh it’s been 10 years !

Can’t give the guy any more excuses

With 12 players on the field for 25 mins he didn’t even look like stripping Newcastle of numbers

If you watch brooks he is not behind the ruck telling the boys which side to run… he’s one removed from the ruck letting a forward play the link role … so maybe not his fault … but he should be there barking to people where to run so he sets up the back line movements

Are attack is woeful

API can’t direct the whole team on his own

Brooks couldn't get the ball because AD decided he had to do everything on his own and cruelled most of our attack yesterday

 

[TigerSJ]

Having a look at the stats….
We made nearly 20% more runs in the game but our average run metres were less than theirs as were our pcms. Our ptb speed was slower as well. They clearly ran harder and with more enthusiasm, played faster and defended tougher. They achieved this with 12 men for a large part of the game.
Our forwards are still not doing a job for us clearly. We looked un-fit or simply like no-one wants to push themselves. There is no support for a ball runner on virtually every play. Our guys need a rocket big time!!

 

[851]

Playing so well in the 2nd trial was some kind of sick joke. Sick bastards.

Any coincidence we looked far better in that Canberra trial was because Wakeham was at 7 not Brooks

 

[Demps]

Any coincidence we looked far better in that Canberra trial was because Wakeham was at 7 not Brooks

@Sausagesorcerer said we haven't won a game with Brooks at 7 since 2021 😬

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Knights prop Jacob Saifiti faces a five-match ban for his high tackle on Simpkin.

Isaiah Papali'i has been charged with a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact offence and will miss one game should he accept an early guilty plea or two matches if he challenges it at the judiciary and is found guilty.

Hastings faces a fine of $1800 if he pleads guilty to a Careless High Tackle charge on Tommy Talau. The fine increases to $2500 should Hastings fight the charge at the judiciary and be found guilty.

 

[Furious1]

Fair - I just expect the half back to touch the ball at least once a set , should be twice.

And he didn’t organize one back line movement

Hastings gets in our attacking zone and sets up three back line plays that strip us of numbers

That’s what a half back does

I’m not questioning brooks defense or commitment - I just think either he or sheens needs to tell him to get the ball more

I think it actually depends what you think the job is of the halfback and maybe you and I see this differently

Sheens is relying too much on the Hooker to setup every play

Brooks should be more involved

And tbh it’s been 10 years !

Can’t give the guy any more excuses

With 12 players on the field for 25 mins he didn’t even look like stripping Newcastle of numbers

If you watch brooks he is not behind the ruck telling the boys which side to run… he’s one removed from the ruck letting a forward play the link role … so maybe not his fault … but he should be there barking to people where to run so he sets up the back line movements

Are attack is woeful

API can’t direct the whole team on his own

I'm not sure if it was Matthew Johns ( i think it was) said he couldn't believe Brooks was having to tell people where to run. The players should know this by now.
I guess my own thoughts are if Api and to a lesser extent Brooks get the team going up the field, then surely in that set of 6 Douehi should be organising some attack outside and calling for it when he is ready??

I actually think our forwards are going ok. They haven't been dominated at all. Its the backs and the attack letting the whole operation down. Something that will change things immediately will be playing more direct. They all seem to have this mindset of throwing lots of passes ( i know they want to attack) but they are throwing them for the sake of it, not committing anyone which is allowing the defence to slide without being engaged and therefore giving the outside men no room.
A quick play the ball occasionally might help too.

As for the halfback solution, personally I don't rate Wakeham like others do, but, would be willing to see Wakeham (7) Brooks (6) and AD into the centres.
Just my opinion.

 

[Saturnalia]

I'm not sure if it was Matthew Johns ( i think it was) said he couldn't believe Brooks was having to tell people where to run. The players should know this by now.
I guess my own thoughts are if Api and to a lesser extent Brooks get the team going up the field, then surely in that set of 6 Douehi should be organising some attack outside and calling for it when he is ready??

I actually think our forwards are going ok. They haven't been dominated at all. Its the backs and the attack letting the whole operation down. Something that will change things immediately will be playing more direct. They all seem to have this mindset of throwing lots of passes ( i know they want to attack) but they are throwing them for the sake of it, not committing anyone which is allowing the defence to slide without being engaged and therefore giving the outside men no room.
A quick play the ball occasionally might help too.

As for the halfback solution, personally I don't rate Wakeham like others do, but, would be willing to see Wakeham (7) Brooks (6) and AD into the centres.
Just my opinion.

The winger outside of AD is never going to see the ball.

Tbf, they're not seeing the ball much now anyway,

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I can't fathom people saying Brooks had a good game, was he worst on the field probably not. But his primary objective is to steer the ship we were rudderless, he had no real positive influence on the game. He couldnt shift the ball to where we had overlaps he couldnt lead the forward pack around, AD was no better but i think he felt like he needed to do everything because Brooks did next to nothing which affected his game and we all know AD can drop his bundle under pressure.
Both imo arent what we need as halves but we've been flogging the Brooks dead horse for 10 yrs he's not going to get better, its mutually beneficial for us and him to look elsewhere.
I must admit i thought with our offseason buys in my mind i was thinking it cant be worse than last year but i dont see anything there, our whole spine bar Api is useless and even Api looked crap.
Bringing Talau in 1st's from a huge lay off isnt making things any better a lot of the play breaks down with him too.
A lot of yesterday is on the spine but it's probably 60/40 spine/coaching calls.

He created two genuine try scoring opportunities including the overlap Doueihi muffed, won a restart, a 40/20, brought Frizell down on our try line, caught the runaway Knights' player after Doueihi threw the intercept, put Laurie into space with the inside ball when he was miraculously pulled down by that great tackle by the prop. If a few more players demonstrated his commitment we would have won.

 

[Bob]

Can you tell us exactly how Brooks went organising his team against a weakened Newcastle mob?
Where was our halfback the countless times we were on the attack in their zone?
Seems every other team has a halfback to take control in these situations.
People are complaining he doesn’t do his job… because he doesn’t.

Can you tell us exactly how Brooks went organising his team against a weakened Newcastle mob?
Where was our halfback the countless times we were on the attack in their zone?
Seems every other team has a halfback to take control in these situations.
People are complaining he doesn’t do his job… because he doesn’t.

Most other teams have an ability to get to the 4th or 5th tackle.

Here is how each of our attacking raids finished in order. It seems obvious that any chance to attack was killed before it began, or a poor option was taken by another spine player. Which errors do you think were brooks fault? Or perhaps you are just seeing what you want to see.

Paps pass intercepted by young ruled touched by Newcastle

Brook run from scrum. Newcastle ruled offside

Korisau to Uto, dropped ball

Kepoa knocked on forward Talau picked up. Knock on called

Laurie kicks it out on the full

Try disallowed, twal taking out defender, AD utilised Shepard

Papalii knock on

Brooks run, pass to Laurie. Laurie taken out penalty with sin bin dom young

Twall knock on over the line

Kepoa try

Api to tumeth knock on

Seyfarth knocks forward onto brooks.

Second half

Fitzgibbon high tackle on kepoa

AD pushed pass intercepted by gamble

Brooks kicks to in goal. Repeat set

Nofa hospital pass to Simpkin, Simpkin smashed and knocked on

Seyfarth plays ball simpkin knocks on

Simpkin smashed again, high tackle penalty and sinbin

Korisau bad grubber, Newcastle ball

AD bomb, Dom Young catches

Api loose offload, ??? knock on instead of diving on it

Uto ball stripped one on one

Toa kicks and ball fielded out by Newcastle. Repeat set

Brooks kick, forced out by Newcastle LiNe drop out.

(for those that know more than me, was battered out over the sideline. Why was it a line drop out and not our PTB?)

AD knocks on trying to PTB

Uto try

Brooks field goal attempt miss. End of game

 

[tiger_one]

Most other teams have an ability to get to the 4th or 5th tackle.

Here is how each of our attacking raids finished in order. It seems obvious that any chance to attack was killed before it began, or a poor option was taken by another spine player. Which errors do you think were brooks fault? Or perhaps you are just seeing what you want to see.

Paps pass intercepted by young ruled touched by Newcastle

Brook run from scrum. Newcastle ruled offside

Korisau to Uto, dropped ball

Kepoa knocked on forward Talau picked up. Knock on called

Laurie kicks it out on the full

Try disallowed, twal taking out defender, AD utilised Shepard

Papalii knock on

Brooks run, pass to Laurie. Laurie taken out penalty with sin bin dom young

Twall knock on over the line

Kepoa try

Api to tumeth knock on

Seyfarth knocks forward onto brooks.

Second half

Fitzgibbon high tackle on kepoa

AD pushed pass intercepted by gamble

Brooks kicks to in goal. Repeat set

Nofa hospital pass to Simpkin, Simpkin smashed and knocked on

Seyfarth plays ball simpkin knocks on

Simpkin smashed again, high tackle penalty and sinbin

Korisau bad grubber, Newcastle ball

AD bomb, Dom Young catches

Api loose offload, ??? knock on instead of diving on it

Uto ball stripped one on one

Toa kicks and ball fielded out by Newcastle. Repeat set

Brooks kick, forced out by Newcastle LiNe drop out.

(for those that know more than me, was battered out over the sideline. Why was it a line drop out and not our PTB?)

AD knocks on trying to PTB

Uto try

Brooks field goal attempt miss. End of game

Strewth.
It was bad enough live, at the game.

 

[earl]

Brook run from scrum. Newcastle ruled offside
Brooks run, pass to Laurie. Laurie taken out penalty with sin bin dom young
Brooks kicks to in goal. Repeat set
Brooks kick, forced out by Newcastle LiNe drop out.
Brooks field goal attempt miss. End of game

Thanks for doing that. Very interesting.

Did you re-watch the game to do that. That is a big effort.

 

[tiger_one]