Live game thread: Contains spoilers

[Tim Sheens]

Two line breaks and a try tonight, that's a pretty decent contribution to creativity.

He's not used frequently out the back, that shouldn't be a knock on him.

You seem to think im knocking Corey Thompson. Im not.

He just isnt a top class fullback

Definitely not accusing you of that.

What I'm trying to point out though is that in relative terms of what is deemed a good performance of a fullback was achieved by Corey tonight.

It's really a case by case basis in terms of what a different fullback would do for the team. I believe, and I think it's pretty evident by the string of performances this year, that Corey suits the style of play the team plays with. Could it be improved with a player of a higher caliber with a similar skillset like Tuivasa-Sheck in his position? More than likely.

However, I would argue that he's a player who is a NRL fullback, with a market value that you could really take advantage of by using that money usually spent for fullbacks around the rest of the team.

Yeah im kind of just looking at the big picture. From what i see we lack another option.

Thompson goes and fills nofo's spot simple

We looked to lack that option for more than half of the game tonight and if not for the short burst of gaining meters after halftime, well, I am pretty sure that many would be saying similar. It is glossed over in the back quarter or so as we were holding out for a potential win, but I was thinking exactly the same for most of the first half and the wind disadvantage highlighted the lack of it.

Have always preferred to have Tui part of the team, but with Esan turning his kicking around amazingly, it limits the reasoning of bringing him back in.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Godinet, once again was fine imo. The penalty wasn't dumb. A scrum should have been the call. I reckon Benji, being the leader should have brought us home once we were 8 up. But no, we never close them out. Brooks not going for the ingoal was the safe play. Things didn't work out in the end…. it happens. And I have no problem with the refs. Fair all round I thought. Some decisions both teams had reason to complain about, but I didn't see one team being favoured. Unlike the games is roosters, storm, broncos.

Agreed on all points.

 

[happy_tiger]

Everyone needs to lay off Brooks for that last tackle option.

In all actuality that is a high percentage last play option at that time of the game. He died with the ball with them having to go 95 metres to score.

The issue was Godinet in SKD's play the ball. Without that penalty everyone praises Brooks for the smart play.

Correct
Brooks does the same thing V Melbourne late… We hang on there.

We lost the ruck tonight... We don't dominate in tackles often enough.

Nofo making Sio look like Tuiaki is a droppable offence... See ya nof

First two comments Ink 1000%

Replay will make interesting viewing , but nofoaluma's only to blame for 1 try from what I saw

 

[innsaneink]

Yeah I saw him follow masters and Benji in I think it was for one try… You're right

 

[claws]

If Israel plays, we win. Go Weststigers!

 

[stevied]

Godinet, once again was fine imo. The penalty wasn't dumb. A scrum should have been the call. I reckon Benji, being the leader should have brought us home once we were 8 up. But no, we never close them out. Brooks not going for the ingoal was the safe play. Things didn't work out in the end…. it happens. And I have no problem with the refs. Fair all round I thought. Some decisions both teams had reason to complain about, but I didn't see one team being favoured. Unlike the games is roosters, storm, broncos.

Agreed on all points.

Me too.

 

[TIGER]

Nofo isn't totally to blame for every try on his side but there are definitely problems with that side when Nofo is playing.
Benji Esan and Nofo aren't working together, if the inside man rushes in to shutdown the ball the other two are hanging back then getting caught out.
On one occasion it was clearly Benji's mistake flying up and in and getting thin air, but either way Nofos side is an issue and always has been.

 

[FreddyK]

Realistically, we are on a steep learning curve. So far so good. The thing that struck me tonight was that our halves do not have the wherewithall to manage momentum, that is, to wrestle momentum from the opposing team and do not allow the other team to wrestle it back. Melbourne are the masters and they can change the rhythm of a game and in particular when they are in front they rarely lose. Brooks and Benji have to learn how to change the rhythm of a game and in turn manage the games momentum shifts.

Tonight was a reminder to our boys that they are on the learning curve. In terms of momentum we appeared to have it back to Newcastle rather than fighting to keep it. Let's take some hard lessons and move on. In terms of defence we did not maintain a straight line and we were punished for it, eg Benji in relation to Nofo's defence and Hooth in relation to Mitchell's try. Can't blame Nofo for Benji's mistakes and Hooth came off the line and left a big gap for Mitchell.

Once we grasped the momentum we gave it away by silly penalties and poor defence. We allowed Newcastle to wrestle the momentum back. I put that down to Benji and Brooks not controlling our players and the game.

 

[happy_tiger]

If Israel plays, we win. Go Weststigers!

If Israel plays we lose Matulino ,Packer and Rochow from our playing roster

Lose lose situation

 

[The_Patriot]

Brooks and Benji have to learn how to change the rhythm of a game and in turn manage the games momentum shifts.

100 % agree.

Even more so with a winger at fullback and our hooker off the field.

 

[happy_tiger]

Realistically, we are on a steep learning curve. So far so good. The thing that struck me tonight was that our halves do not have the wherewithall to manage momentum, that is, to wrestle momentum from the opposing team and do not allow the other team to wrestle it back. Melbourne are the masters and they can change the rhythm of a game and in particular when they are in front they rarely lose. Brooks and Benji have to learn how to change the rhythm of a game and in turn manage the games momentum shifts.

Tonight was a reminder to our boys that they are on the learning curve. In terms of momentum we appeared to have it back to Newcastle rather than fighting to keep it. Let's take some hard lessons and move on. In terms of defence we did not maintain a straight line and we were punished for it, eg Benji in relation to Nofo's defence and Hooth in relation to Mitchell's try. Can't blame Nofo for Benji's mistakes and Hooth came off the line and left a big gap for Mitchell.

Once we grasped the momentum we gave it away by silly penalties and poor defence. We allowed Newcastle to wrestle the momentum back. I put that down to Benji and Brooks not controlling our players and the game.

Forwards /defence wins back momentum , halves use that momentum

I think when we see the minutes some blokes had to put in tonight we will understand more , some bit part players needed a lot of extra minutes and the impact lessens greatly with that

Hindsight is always 20/20 but would have the experience of McQueen have helped tonight ?? Especially as the right side is his side when he plays back row

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Realistically, we are on a steep learning curve. So far so good. The thing that struck me tonight was that our halves do not have the wherewithall to manage momentum, that is, to wrestle momentum from the opposing team and do not allow the other team to wrestle it back. Melbourne are the masters and they can change the rhythm of a game and in particular when they are in front they rarely lose. Brooks and Benji have to learn how to change the rhythm of a game and in turn manage the games momentum shifts.

Tonight was a reminder to our boys that they are on the learning curve. In terms of momentum we appeared to have it back to Newcastle rather than fighting to keep it. Let's take some hard lessons and move on. In terms of defence we did not maintain a straight line and we were punished for it, eg Benji in relation to Nofo's defence and Hooth in relation to Mitchell's try. Can't blame Nofo for Benji's mistakes and Hooth came off the line and left a big gap for Mitchell.

Once we grasped the momentum we gave it away by silly penalties and poor defence. We allowed Newcastle to wrestle the momentum back. I put that down to Benji and Brooks not controlling our players and the game.

Forwards /defence wins back momentum , halves use that momentum

I think when we see the minutes some blokes had to put in tonight we will understand more , some bit part players needed a lot of extra minutes and the impact lessens greatly with that

Hindsight is always 20/20 but would have the experience of McQueen have helped tonight ?? Especially as the right side is his side when he plays back row

I was hoping he would get the gig tonight.
In a way it’s only when you have a loss that you get a chance to make changes.
And couple of changes may be required.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

It seems from the outside looking in that as our training focus has moved from defence to attack our absolute rock like defence has diminished. Earlier in the year we defended our line with amazing energy, scramble AND an organised straight line. Perhaps this week we need to be totally focused on defence

 

[Tiger_Steve]

And ….......we really missed Lawrence

 

[BalmainTigerForever]

yes we need changes, bring Tui back, move Thompson back on the wing.
get rid of Zelesniak and put Nof or Fanua there and never let Godinet play FG again.

 

[TimmyB]

We missed Packer enormously. We have a lot of good quality forwards but they do lack impact. Packer is great at running with momentum and getting sets started on the front foot

 

[happy_tiger]

And ….......we really missed Lawrence

x 2

And Packer

It's Ok we had a 4 point gap from 5th so it isn't the end of the world , you play enough nail biters you will lose a few of them

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

We looked off the pace for the majority of the game the Knights should and could have put us to the sword. But we in the end should have closed out the game. Missed Rowdy missed Packer and Liddle not coming back on is a concern going forward.

 

[Telltails]

The one positive for me - we were beaten by the better team on the night that scored 5 tries to 3 but still only beat us by 2.
Minimun impact on our F/A which will be all important when and if it matters.

 

[Doc_Tiger]

yes we need changes, bring Tui back, move Thompson back on the wing.
get rid of Zelesniak and put Nof or Fanua there and never let Godinet play FG again.

What a stinker of an assessment.