LIVE GAME Preseason Challenge v Canterbury

[TigerJunior4]

There were positives and negatives from the game but really it was an opportunity for some of our juniors to shine especially given the team we fielded in the second half.

We look physically better than we did last year and our defensive structures seem to have improved. Our line speed was inconsistent but better.

Skelton was great in attack, and get our sets off to a rolling start. Galvin looked good sweeping and Mason was impressive.Da Silva played well.

Broederlow, Laulilii were great as was the fullback in the second half.

There were some really poor defensive reads from individuals particularly Lobb who kept jamming in and was poor in contact. God help us if he’s in first grade.

We need more polish in attack. We had a lot of sets and opportunities in the first half that we needed to convert into points but with so many players due to come in including Luai I’m not concerned at this stage.

Next week will be a better indication of where we’re at.

 

[jadtiger]

The best part for mine was i don't think we had any injuries from the game apart from a few bruises.I can acept that

 

[SeanT]

Only a trial game but for me the noticeable difference is again the line speed in defence. Dogs systems have flowed through to all the players and no matter who is on the field they get in your face. We just don’t have any line speed and sit there waiting for them in defence. Makes me nervous

When there wingers had the ball and scored 8m out after Faatape and another just stood still instead of racing up and hitting him just shows the mindset still isn't there. Crighton for the Bulldogs would of stopped him in his tracks.

 

[watersider]

True about Voss but he's twice as good as Kevin Walters. Who decided to sign him as a commentator? Jeez rather listen to two cats fighting.

He gets a bad wrap, but I find Roach far less aggravating than the rest of the analysts. Warren smith the best caller.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Only a trial game but for me the noticeable difference is again the line speed in defence. Dogs systems have flowed through to all the players and no matter who is on the field they get in your face. We just don’t have any line speed and sit there waiting for them in defence. Makes me nervous

Yeah it’s scary if we can’t improve line speed next trial. They rolled up field with a lot less possession. I didn’t see any new resolve here. That’s all I cared about and unsurprisingly disappointed. Otherwise quite enjoyed the game

 

[Tucker]

Meaningless game
Our 2 first graders Galvin and Skelton only played 1st half
And last 30 mins we didn't even have our reserve spine playing
Liked a bit of Broederlow
Yes Galvin didn't use Latu much but can't see where he fits in
Not 6 or 7 or dummy half .So where ?
A big no to the Johannssen Bros and Sukkar and Lobb

Galvin isn’t supposed to use Latu what are you on about?
He needs to get out of the road occasionally and let others show what they can do. For all his touches, we got 1 try.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Zero missed tackles.

I'm not here advocating for Tim Johannssen, but don't make stuff up.

He is what he is, a hard working, very fit toiler outside our top 30 squad. If he is in out top 17 we are in trouble. However, if injury strikes and we need to call on him for a game or two he will do his role to level expected of a player rated 31 to 35 in our squad.

Kind of player we should not be excited about having in our squad whatever he brings. But for injury back up that’s what we have. I’d have 5+ of the reserve dogs over him in a heartbeat

 

[weststigers]

Heath Mason is very good, a great backup for Bula and I wouldn’t rule him out of claiming out number 14 spot at some stage.

I know he's short, but could be a decent winger during the season. To'o nugget style

 

[Betterdays22]

Not a whole lot to get excited about, flip side nothing too disappointing either. Our cup players played like cup players. Hoping Jarome playing as the dominant half reigns in Galvin a bit

 

[batboy]

Yeah it’s scary if we can’t improve line speed next trial. They rolled up field with a lot less possession. I didn’t see any new resolve here. That’s all I cared about and unsurprisingly disappointed. Otherwise quite enjoyed the game

The urgency to get back behind the ball when we got the ball back with 1:30 ish on the clock (and time to even it up) said it all for me…

These are the blokes that are looking for a shot at the big time right?

 

[Tiger_claws]

Tidy and solid trial.

Biggest issue I see is we looked soft around the ruck in the 1st half. Same old issue.

Players of note:

Skelton: made huge difference with runs starting the set.

Feledy: terrible defender, always grabbing. Shouldn't be near 1sts until this improves.

Galvin: kicking game, both long and short, looks much improved and he looked organised on the right where it always looked messy when he was there last year.

Kit: like the bigger frame, I think he looks very decent in both pushing through the tackle and impactful tackling, one of the few to be so.

Saukuru: bigger than some of our props and classy ball movement. Surely he's ahead of feledy come start of season??

Overall, really solid effort throughout, never got especially messy as some trials do. Enjoyed the game.

Final note: Andrew Voss has to be muted. His enthusiasm is so grating and he gets obsessed and judgy. Just call the plays and stop with the silly stuff, no one finds you funny.

Totally agree. Just to add I thought Tristan Hope was very good.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

The best part for mine was i don't think we had any injuries from the game apart from a few bruises.I can acept that

Any word on Sione’s toe?

 

[Furious1]

I don't know how every beefs up every year except the WT. Small under size team every year right across the park.

Well I’ll give you one tip, it’s not lack of facilities.

 

[bptiger 0]

I'm still none the wiser if Latu can play or not. Why wouldn’t benji have Galvin in the first half and Latu in the second?
Latu needs to find his voice

His defence was very good , still think latu could be a lock , just my take

 

[weststigers]

Zero missed tackles.

I'm not here advocating for Tim Johannssen, but don't make stuff up.

He is what he is, a hard working, very fit toiler outside our top 30 squad. If he is in out top 17 we are in trouble. However, if injury strikes and we need to call on him for a game or two he will do his role to level expected of a player rated 31 to 35 in our squad.

Ok mate. Whatever you think. Best player since Sirro...your namesake.

 

[Tucker]

The best part for mine was i don't think we had any injuries from the game apart from a few bruises.I can acept that

Didn’t Sione Fainu have a foot complaint?
I didn’t hear if he was alright.

 

[Tiger_claws]

Zero missed tackles.

I'm not here advocating for Tim Johannssen, but don't make stuff up.

He is what he is, a hard working, very fit toiler outside our top 30 squad. If he is in out top 17 we are in trouble. However, if injury strikes and we need to call on him for a game or two he will do his role to level expected of a player rated 31 to 35 in our squad.

Great assessment of Tim. I really like him and I think he will get better with more full time training. Right now he is a top quality Cup player who will do a job if needed in small periods.

 

[Tucker]

His defence was very good , still think latu could be a lock , just my take

Yes his defence was strong. Was starved of the ball unfortunately.

 

[Glenji95]

Didn’t Sione Fainu have a foot complaint?
I didn’t hear if he was alright.

They didn’t say really. All they said was he’s got a toe injury.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Used to really like Voss but he has degenerated into a complete dribbler

always has been a dribbler