Big day of work so only watched this on delay and haven't read any posts above yet. Just going to do some random notes. I said this week that this game against top opposition would tell a big story on which of our players are up for it ...
- We were dominated in the first 25 mins. Our middles led by Hunt & Kit were comprehensively outmuscled by Lawrie & Guler.
- Become a thing by our open teams (NRL & Cup) this season to be slow out of the blocks, dominated up the middle.
- Dragons exposed Faataape's edge in the 1st half with their powerful players on that side.
- We got back into the grind well when Rahme, Taateo & Porter were our middles.
- We did well to get right back into the game & dominated most of the 2nd half thanks to our middles, some smart play from Tristan Hope & direction of Falls.
- Didn't capitalise as much as we should have with the red zone possession. Like NRL, our red zone attacking structures are predictable & rarely put defenders in two minds.
- The turning point ... after scoring to be only behind by 2 points (18-20) with 17 mins to go, Lobb throws a hospital pass off the kickoff to Rahme about shin height who knocks it on, Dragons hooker scoops up, runs 10m to score.
- Tuitupou was huge once again on the left wing with his carries probably our best player. If Skelton has any more poor games in the NRL, Tuitupou or Luke L are putting the pressure right on.
- Taateo put his hand up today with some strong runs with good leg drive. I just worry he's maybe 5kg too small to be that powerful middle in NRL but he's only 22 I suppose.
- Rahme continued his strong form of late on both sides of the ball, Mr consistent in the middle.
- Murray put in his usual strong busy effort. Mapapalangi was ok, just think centre is more his position.
- Kit Laulilii I thought was disappointing and today showed he's still another season away from NRL to work on his defensive deficiencies & commanding the ball in attack like Taateo does. Today also showed Hunt is not a starter even at NSW Cup level, no dominance on either side of the ball & gets gassed when on the back foot quickly.
- Sukkar was strong on the left edge and scored off a nice crash play from Hope.
- Faataape, Feledy & Lobb are rocks'n diamonds. mainly rocks & I would not offer these guys any contract moving forward. They will be good NSW Cup players for another club I'm sorry.
- Most of this team are NSW Cup quality at best, the players who stood up today to suggest they are NRL capable were ... Tuitupou, Staines, Rahme, Taateo & Sukkar with Murray, Hope & Mapapalangi fringe candidates & Kit has age & development on his side.
- Jonah Glover for the Dragons looks a confident young player and aside from missing Sukkar for his try looked slick in both A & D.