**live game feed** vs the Bunnies

[the_third]

But it’s really 2 sides of the same coin - he does need to move on. That is a certainty @cairnstigers

 

[voice_of_reason]

It's a good discussion but academic now.

I thought Benji's ball was fine - he was let down by an inexperienced winger who is still a metre or so behind the pace of first grade. I don't think either are to blame, Benji could have held the ball and AJ could have been up with the play. A guy with 3 games doesn't think or play the same as a guy with 300 games.

The worse one was AD's ball that went to AJ's feet. A good ball there and we score. I think AD is looking solid at centre but his passing game looks fairly poor to me. Even basic passes are 'wobbly' and under pressure they seem worse.

As for 'that' kick, it should have gone through the hands but I'm guessing Benji had already made up his mind to kick and had signalled Rowdy and Nofo it was coming. A good kick we might score but he lead-footed it into the fence.

Let's not forget Lucy also dropped on at the line and that the Bunnies bombed a couple. (Souths) AJ dropped it with the line open and they really should have scored on the Gagai intercept - we were shot - if Nofo doesn't strip the ball they stroll over.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Benji was known for that pass
Now he will be known for that kick
As good as the pass was (2005)
The kick takes the cake as after 19 years in the game
He comes up with that
It's something you expect from a rookie half
Not a seasoned campaigner
Benji does some great things I will give him that
But its the brain explosions that kill us
I am sure he would like his time again at that moment
Thanks for the memories Benji
But time to enjoy your retirement

Are you really comparing a bad kick in a meaningless game against a grand final winning moment and probably the moment of the decade in NRL?

Yes
That pass was a risk that came off and lead to a try that helped us secure the 2005 grand final
15 years ago

That kick was a big risk (that failed dismally) and killed off any chance of us making the 2020 finals
It was a brain snap
The wrong decision
A long long long shot at success
It was too early in the takle count
If you kick it it must stay live until we score or they kick it out dead and we get a repeat set
With 3 minutes to go it was not the play that was required
Benji being the most experienced player in our side and one of the most in the league made a terrible decision
I just dont know what he was thinking

Can you think of a worse play made by Benji that killed our season (even though slight) off right there and then

Now I know its not Benji's fault that souths put 20 on us in quick minutes, that is a failure by the whole team and that cost us
But that kick is totally on Benji
So our 9 years of waiting to make the finals comes down to that kick, one that Benji must own and I am sure he does
He went for broke to early its that simple

Our team , Benji requires composure at key times
That is something we seem to lack and I think that may have cost us this game
But now we will never know

My thoughts but maybe not everyone's

Benji is done man . I knew , masellus knew it ,and Antawn shoulda better known better !

 

[Russell]

Talau had some bad defence plays tonight he gets too flat footed in d.

The guy is slower than a 2 legged horse. No pace at all, needs to be taken to the glue factory. OR bulk up 10KG muscle and play 2nd row.

He didn't come up playing centre, he's still learning. If the coach backs him, then so will I.

So he's learning how to be quicker? I dont get the point of your reply to my reply saying he was slow and runs slower than a Quadriplegic.

But he's learning? I dont get it.

Think the comparison of how he runs is not on myself. In very poor taste.

 

[Russell]

It's a good discussion but academic now.

I thought Benji's ball was fine - he was let down by an inexperienced winger who is still a metre or so behind the pace of first grade. I don't think either are to blame, Benji could have held the ball and AJ could have been up with the play. A guy with 3 games doesn't think or play the same as a guy with 300 games.

The worse one was AD's ball that went to AJ's feet. I good ball there and we score. I think AD is looking solid at centre but his passing game looks fairly poor to me. Even basic passes are 'wobbly' and under pressure they seem worse.

As for 'that' kick, it should have gone through the hands but I'm guessing Benji had already made up his mind to kick and had signalled Rowdy and Nofo it was coming. A good kick we might score but he lead-footed it into the fence.

Let's not forget Lucy also dropped on at the line and that the Bunnies bombed a couple. (Souths) AJ dropped it with the line open and they really should have scored on the Gagai intercept - we were shot - if Nofo doesn't strip the ball they stroll over.

Most of what you said is true.

The Souffs blunders did not cost them the game and the chance of staying alive.

The AD pass was not one of his best. AJ in his third game - come on, let's not crucify a young kid.

Benji on the other hand (who should have known better) as usual, chose the wrong option.

 

[voice_of_reason]

Benji on the other hand (who should have known better) as usual, chose the wrong option.

It could be debated whether it was the wrong option or just poor execution - if the execution was good the option would have been fine.

Unfortunately, both were poor in this case.

 

[voice_of_reason]

@Russell said in [\*\*live game feed\*\* vs the Bunnies]
The AD pass was not one of his best. AJ in his third game - come on, let's not crucify a young kid.

Just to be clear, I'm not jumping on AJ. He looks to be going OK for a rookie.

A little shaky under the high ball and a little off the pace of first grade but as you say, he's just a kid and he'll improve and learn and hopefully be a future star.

 

[BAGNF05]

Set re-start for WT

Was at the game, somebody tell me why Cummins didn’t blow at penalty instead of 6-again, it’s 30 out in front and 26 all.

Because that is not the rule.

I’m confused, I was sure the ref has discretion to award a penalty if it’s a greater benefit, I’ve seen ruck penalties awarded this year. Our mate Ivan even questioned the rule last night. If I’m wrong I’ll put my hand up but if that happen in a semi final or GF all hell will break loose. Just the refs treating us as they always do.

 

[Magpieger]

Talau had some bad defence plays tonight he gets too flat footed in d.

The guy is slower than a 2 legged horse. No pace at all, needs to be taken to the glue factory. OR bulk up 10KG muscle and play 2nd row.

He didn't come up playing centre, he's still learning. If the coach backs him, then so will I.

So he's learning how to be quicker? I dont get the point of your reply to my reply saying he was slow and runs slower than a Quadriplegic.

But he's learning? I dont get it.

You said he had some bad defensive reads and that he stood too flat-footed. I interpreted that as him not reading the defense, and put it down to his inexperience in that role. I agree, he doesn't show much pace, but if he hit the ball at speed (yes, I see the irony) and ran like he did in his debut, he'd be that little bit more potent.
Lol... Learning to be quicker? If only.

 

[rustycage]

AJ bingled 2 balls that shuld have been tries and Talau blew another try with hsi 2 on 1 pass where Gagai took the intercept. We had it all over them in that game for the last 60 minutes and should have won it easily. Put that and the Titans game down as our finals chances down the drain

Not watching closely enough - AJ only ruined the Benji pass, he just wasn't experienced enough to be up flatter and completely wasn't expecting it, not an excuse but purely a rookie's mistake.

The other one from AD was ruled a forward pass 🙂

There is always the option for the guy with 17 years experience to look and see where the runner is and pass it to where he is instead of where he wished he was. Again.

Nah , he put it where it needed to be . It’s just another blown set play , if he puts it 1-2 metres behind the advantage line , where AJ was . That we ? AJ fault. That’s fine . He’s 20

Fair enough I can agree that AJ might have been a step behind but to me you either pass it to him or you don’t. There’s no point passing to where he should have or could have been. Even if he gets tackled because you had to hold the pass up a touch I would rather that than lose the ball.

Benji put the pass in the space - if Benji passes directly at AJ, he can't run onto it at speed and make the break. Pass was good, but I don't think AJ was expecting it so was a step back...

If Benji is guilty of anything it's that AJ wasn't aware it was coming...If AJ knew the play was on..it was his fault for his positioning.


This is so ridiculous. It's pointless passing to where your support isn't. If he finds AJ as he should have we score. Only Benji gets away with this. If it was Brooks. I can only imagine the absolute caning he'd get.

Incorrect he was passing on a set play as you saw for the try. AJ stopped running as he didn’t think it was on. He should have been there and we win. It’s a rookie error that he learnt from and scored off the same play late in the game.

It’s up to the support to be in place for the playmaker. Those passes from Benji were all no look and pinpoint. He didn’t even hit the 5th row in the crowd - it was right where it should have been


And there you have it. No look. He looks, we aren't having this conversation.

All playmakers do no look passes. His were right where they should be.

I suppose you think Lachlan Lewis is a good playmaker - he can’t seem to do no look passes

What? You suppose what? :dizzy_face:

 

[tonza]


I just watched the replay of Benji's kick again.

All he had to do was cut McIntyre to Lawrence who either goes straight through or draws Johnston and passes to Nofoaluma for the try.

We had them shot!

The kick was the absolute last option, Rowdy hasn't got the pace to chase it down even if Benji landed it in the ingoal area, a very dumb hero play that was never going to work

Agree .But i can't see how people think we were definitely going to score. Souths had 4 on 4 who were sliding and all much faster than ours. Murray was also covering and he is no slouch in defence. Could not have been a inside pass as the rest of our team in the photo were walking.

 

[happy_tiger]


I just watched the replay of Benji's kick again.

All he had to do was cut McIntyre to Lawrence who either goes straight through or draws Johnston and passes to Nofoaluma for the try.

We had them shot!

I don't agree, with Chris' speed now days the rabbits slide and contain him. They are already starting to back off and slide in the picture.


If you watch the replay again, Lawrence clearly knew it was on because he was screaming through. IMO if Benji hits Lawrence chest he would have been hard to stop and he always had Nofo.

Yeah Johnson has turned inwards so you are probably right, i am only going off the picture having not seen a replay at all, as I was at the games and was too busy cursing Benji.

Your right he has turned inward which only creates space for nofo if benji throws the cutout Lawrence would have given the quick pass to Nofo. I haven't watched a replay yet but would be interested to see if Lawrence gets a checked run chasing through. Either way its safe to say Benji took the wrong option especially since it was the 2nd tackle and the boys had been killing them on the the opposite side


Lawrence got a clear passage through. Might have scored IF the kick pulled up. Higher pecentage play put it through the hands.

It was going no where except the back fence..

Rowdy wouldn't have close to it 15 years ago ..let alone now

Usain Bolt couldnt have got there let alone any of our blokes.

Yes but if it had not had so much heat and pulled up in the in goal may not have been a TRY but a repeat set..Game still ON..

All Brook fault ..that oversized head scares everyone

 

[hobbo1]


I just watched the replay of Benji's kick again.

All he had to do was cut McIntyre to Lawrence who either goes straight through or draws Johnston and passes to Nofoaluma for the try.

We had them shot!

I don't agree, with Chris' speed now days the rabbits slide and contain him. They are already starting to back off and slide in the picture.


If you watch the replay again, Lawrence clearly knew it was on because he was screaming through. IMO if Benji hits Lawrence chest he would have been hard to stop and he always had Nofo.

Yeah Johnson has turned inwards so you are probably right, i am only going off the picture having not seen a replay at all, as I was at the games and was too busy cursing Benji.

Your right he has turned inward which only creates space for nofo if benji throws the cutout Lawrence would have given the quick pass to Nofo. I haven't watched a replay yet but would be interested to see if Lawrence gets a checked run chasing through. Either way its safe to say Benji took the wrong option especially since it was the 2nd tackle and the boys had been killing them on the the opposite side


Lawrence got a clear passage through. Might have scored IF the kick pulled up. Higher pecentage play put it through the hands.

It was going no where except the back fence..

Rowdy wouldn't have close to it 15 years ago ..let alone now

Usain Bolt couldnt have got there let alone any of our blokes.

Yes but if it had not had so much heat and pulled up in the in goal may not have been a TRY but a repeat set..Game still ON..

All Brook fault ..that oversized head scares everyone


 

[happy_tiger]


I just watched the replay of Benji's kick again.

All he had to do was cut McIntyre to Lawrence who either goes straight through or draws Johnston and passes to Nofoaluma for the try.

We had them shot!

I don't agree, with Chris' speed now days the rabbits slide and contain him. They are already starting to back off and slide in the picture.


If you watch the replay again, Lawrence clearly knew it was on because he was screaming through. IMO if Benji hits Lawrence chest he would have been hard to stop and he always had Nofo.

Yeah Johnson has turned inwards so you are probably right, i am only going off the picture having not seen a replay at all, as I was at the games and was too busy cursing Benji.

Your right he has turned inward which only creates space for nofo if benji throws the cutout Lawrence would have given the quick pass to Nofo. I haven't watched a replay yet but would be interested to see if Lawrence gets a checked run chasing through. Either way its safe to say Benji took the wrong option especially since it was the 2nd tackle and the boys had been killing them on the the opposite side


Lawrence got a clear passage through. Might have scored IF the kick pulled up. Higher pecentage play put it through the hands.

It was going no where except the back fence..

Rowdy wouldn't have close to it 15 years ago ..let alone now

Usain Bolt couldnt have got there let alone any of our blokes.

Yes but if it had not had so much heat and pulled up in the in goal may not have been a TRY but a repeat set..Game still ON..

All Brook fault ..that oversized head scares everyone


Yoo Geo ...we did it

 

[Tim Sheens]

Brooks had one of his better games and still really didn't create any chances, was a good link man for Benji.

Whoever we put next him better have vision and creativity or we are gonna be way worse in the halves next year.

Pretty sure that he created the room for Mbye to stroll over, or maybe that doesn't that count.

 

[Tim Sheens]

AJ bingled 2 balls that shuld have been tries and Talau blew another try with hsi 2 on 1 pass where Gagai took the intercept. We had it all over them in that game for the last 60 minutes and should have won it easily. Put that and the Titans game down as our finals chances down the drain

Not watching closely enough - AJ only ruined the Benji pass, he just wasn't experienced enough to be up flatter and completely wasn't expecting it, not an excuse but purely a rookie's mistake.

The other one from AD was ruled a forward pass 🙂

There is always the option for the guy with 17 years experience to look and see where the runner is and pass it to where he is instead of where he wished he was. Again.

Nah , he put it where it needed to be . It’s just another blown set play , if he puts it 1-2 metres behind the advantage line , where AJ was . That we ? AJ fault. That’s fine . He’s 20

Fair enough I can agree that AJ might have been a step behind but to me you either pass it to him or you don’t. There’s no point passing to where he should have or could have been. Even if he gets tackled because you had to hold the pass up a touch I would rather that than lose the ball.

Benji put the pass in the space - if Benji passes directly at AJ, he can't run onto it at speed and make the break. Pass was good, but I don't think AJ was expecting it so was a step back...

If Benji is guilty of anything it's that AJ wasn't aware it was coming...If AJ knew the play was on..it was his fault for his positioning.


This is so ridiculous. It's pointless passing to where your support isn't. If he finds AJ as he should have we score. Only Benji gets away with this. If it was Brooks. I can only imagine the absolute caning he'd get.

Incorrect he was passing on a set play as you saw for the try. AJ stopped running as he didn’t think it was on. He should have been there and we win. It’s a rookie error that he learnt from and scored off the same play late in the game.

It’s up to the support to be in place for the playmaker. Those passes from Benji were all no look and pinpoint. He didn’t even hit the 5th row in the crowd - it was right where it should have been


And there you have it. No look. He looks, we aren't having this conversation.

Yeah, had a hearty laugh when I read that the passes were no look and pinpoint. Thing is, Benji did look, but then went back to engage the eyes of the defence around him to then unnecessarily throw a no look pass to a point that Asu would never be. Eyes on the target and he may have hit it.

 

[cochise]

Set re-start for WT

Was at the game, somebody tell me why Cummins didn’t blow at penalty instead of 6-again, it’s 30 out in front and 26 all.

Because that is not the rule.

I’m confused, I was sure the ref has discretion to award a penalty if it’s a greater benefit, I’ve seen ruck penalties awarded this year. Our mate Ivan even questioned the rule last night. If I’m wrong I’ll put my hand up but if that happen in a semi final or GF all hell will break loose. Just the refs treating us as they always do.

No it wasn't left to their discretion on greater benefit, they are allowed to award a penalty for repeated offenses or professional fouls. If they award a penalty under those circumstances then they must send the player to the sin bin. The ref made the right call in our game.

 

[Magpieger]

I was gonna watch the game again, but the thought of the outcome and what could have been were too painful.
I told myself "The moment's gone... Stop living in the past..."
And that's where were at...
Love you Benj, but the future beckons...

 

[jadtiger]

I was gonna watch the game again, but the thought of the outcome and what could have been were too painful.
I told myself "The moment's gone... Stop living in the past..."
And that's where were at...
Love you Benj, but the future beckons...

I can put up with 2 more (meaningless) games from him if that means he is not a player with us ever again

 

[BalmainJnr]