LIVE GAME Preseason Challenge v Eels

Live Game Discussion
Most of the good and bad points from the game have been raised already. I agree with most of what has been raised on the attacking side of the house. While I agree that AD had a good game in attack his lateral defence is still an issue and while he may help us score a few he will probably cost us just as many, if not more.

The big turn around for me was the improvement of Galvin and Latu’s involvement, less of one and more of the other. They worked well together and were able to slide into first receiver on either side of the ruck to maintain the edge combination, subtle but good to see.

Twal/Bird may be the combination going forward. Twal tried to ball play a little at 13 as well; unfortunately, it is not his natural game so he got a little sideways but it is fair to say that he had a reasonable game and plugged the middle well. Bird fresh against tired opposition is an attacking weapon. Interesting to see how this pans out.

On the other side of the pill our line speed has definitely improved on 2024. This is a good sign. On the negative side of the slate our up an in defence in the red zone was caught out again and is something we need to focus on. It is an aggressive defence that attacks the rhythm of the opposition by reducing time and space to put pressure on the ball carrier and break up the momentum. While it is very effective when done right teams look inept when it goes wrong, as we have the last two weeks.

The good teams read this type of defence quickly and go hard at disrupting it by taking advantage of the gaps created in the line depth, strip us for numbers or kick shallow to turn us around. While our play reads have been good on most occasions and we are staying tight we have been stripped on the outside a couple of times. We have lacked the cover/scramble required to execute this higher-risk defensive strategy well. Neither side in the trials really tested us by kicking short in behind the line either; this will also be a problem for us if we don’t address the defensive shortfall.

I’m not at the point to say we should scrap it as it is working well in the middle third of the field; we need to have a few Kelpies out the back of the line to cover the swing plays when we get closer to our line. It also requires a different tackling technique. Cover defence is not the time to be trying to wrap the ball unless you are there in numbers; the player with the ball in hand needs to be axed and the troops arriving afterwards left to deal with slowing the play or the quick play the ball that follows.

The cover should be arriving in numbers; in most cases when we were stripped for numbers the only thing the opposition had to contend with was daylight.

If we want to climb the ladder we need to fix this fast or change our defensive structure in our own red zone.
 
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I think the only people talking about moving Galvin are on this forum, which I don’t think would cause him to lose any sleep.
That’s obviously not true, he played completely differently in both trials.
Ball playing focus vs running focus.
There’s been several commentators mention a move out of the halves in the future as well.
 
That’s obviously not true, he played completely differently in both trials.
Ball playing focus vs running focus.
There’s been several commentators mention a move out of the halves in the future as well.
Obviously they aren’t the same commentators that rated him the games best new talent last year.
(Gould,John’s)
Difference of opinions is ok.
 
Most of the good and bad points from the game have been raised already. I agree with most of what has been raised on the attacking side of the house. While I agree that AD had a good game in attack his lateral defence is still an issue and while he may help us score a few he will probably cost us just as many, if not more.

The big turn around for me was the improvement of Galvin and Latu’s involvement, less of one and more of the other. They worked well together and were able to slide into first receiver on either side of the ruck to maintain the edge combination, subtle but good to see.

Twal/Bird may be the combination going forward. Twal tried to ball play a little at 13 as well; unfortunately, it is not his natural game so he got a little sideways but it is fair to say that he had a reasonable game and plugged the middle well. Bird fresh against tired opposition is an attacking weapon. Interesting to see how this pans out.

On the other side of the pill our line speed has definitely improved on 2024. This is a good sign. On the negative side of the slate our up an in defence in the red zone was caught out again and is something we need to focus on. It is an aggressive defence that attacks the rhythm of the opposition by reducing time and space to put pressure on the ball carrier and break up the momentum. While it is very effective when done right teams look inept when it goes wrong, as we have the last two weeks.

The good teams read this type of defence quickly and go hard at disrupting it by taking advantage of the gaps created in the line depth, strip us for numbers or kick shallow to turn us around. While our play reads have been good on most occasions and we are staying tight we have been stripped on the outside a couple of times. We have lacked the cover/scramble required to execute this higher-risk defensive strategy well. Neither side in the trials really tested us by kicking short in behind the line either; this will also be a problem for us if we don’t address the defensive shortfall.

I’m not at the point to say we should scrap it as it is working well in the middle third of the field; we need to have a few Kelpies out the back of the line to cover the swing plays when we get closer to our line. It also requires a different tackling technique. Cover defence is not the time to be trying to wrap the ball unless you are there in numbers; the player with the ball in hand needs to be axed and the troops arriving afterwards left to deal with slowing the play or the quick play the ball that follows.

The cover should be arriving in numbers; in most cases when we were stripped for numbers the only thing the opposition had to contend with was daylight.

If we want to climb the ladder we need to fix this fast or change our defensive structure in our own red zone.
Nice post mate, thanks for the good read
 
That’s obviously not true, he played completely differently in both trials.
Ball playing focus vs running focus.
There’s been several commentators mention a move out of the halves in the future as well.
There is more chance of Santa Claus coming than there is of Lachie Galvin moving out of the halves while playing NRL anytime within the next 7 years.
As I keep saying there is not much between he and Latu Fainu in terms of playing talent as an NRL 5/8, so it might mean we have to lose one of them within the next couple of years.
As I also keep saying, I would be doing all I can to try and prevent losing either of them and the only possible way that might happen is to at least try and see if Latu works as a left centre alongside his brother.
It might not work, but I’ve stated the reasons why I think it could work and if it was a success, we would then buy 3-4 years of time in possibly keeping them both and then re-evaluate in around 2028.
 
Most of the good and bad points from the game have been raised already. I agree with most of what has been raised on the attacking side of the house. While I agree that AD had a good game in attack his lateral defence is still an issue and while he may help us score a few he will probably cost us just as many, if not more.

The big turn around for me was the improvement of Galvin and Latu’s involvement, less of one and more of the other. They worked well together and were able to slide into first receiver on either side of the ruck to maintain the edge combination, subtle but good to see.

Twal/Bird may be the combination going forward. Twal tried to ball play a little at 13 as well; unfortunately, it is not his natural game so he got a little sideways but it is fair to say that he had a reasonable game and plugged the middle well. Bird fresh against tired opposition is an attacking weapon. Interesting to see how this pans out.

On the other side of the pill our line speed has definitely improved on 2024. This is a good sign. On the negative side of the slate our up an in defence in the red zone was caught out again and is something we need to focus on. It is an aggressive defence that attacks the rhythm of the opposition by reducing time and space to put pressure on the ball carrier and break up the momentum. While it is very effective when done right teams look inept when it goes wrong, as we have the last two weeks.

The good teams read this type of defence quickly and go hard at disrupting it by taking advantage of the gaps created in the line depth, strip us for numbers or kick shallow to turn us around. While our play reads have been good on most occasions and we are staying tight we have been stripped on the outside a couple of times. We have lacked the cover/scramble required to execute this higher-risk defensive strategy well. Neither side in the trials really tested us by kicking short in behind the line either; this will also be a problem for us if we don’t address the defensive shortfall.

I’m not at the point to say we should scrap it as it is working well in the middle third of the field; we need to have a few Kelpies out the back of the line to cover the swing plays when we get closer to our line. It also requires a different tackling technique. Cover defence is not the time to be trying to wrap the ball unless you are there in numbers; the player with the ball in hand needs to be axed and the troops arriving afterwards left to deal with slowing the play or the quick play the ball that follows.

The cover should be arriving in numbers; in most cases when we were stripped for numbers the only thing the opposition had to contend with was daylight.

If we want to climb the ladder we need to fix this fast or change our defensive structure in our own red zone.
Being stripped on the outside to use your words Jolls has been a problem for a long time for the tigers and for this reason I'm hoping to see Turuva in the side and someone else at centre other than Doueihi need to plug the leaks especially after watching the Knights yesterday.
 
Doueihi is a reserve grade player end of the argument ,only required in first grade if there is a massive injury problem.
 
Being stripped on the outside to use your words Jolls has been a problem for a long time for the tigers and for this reason I'm hoping to see Turuva in the side and someone else at centre other than Doueihi need to plug the leaks especially after watching the Knights yesterday.
This is true but we haven't always used an up and in defence. We tended to use a straight line defence and push the play towards the sideline as an extra defender. Our wingers were often affected by a lack of inside pressure and the poor calls made on the edge resulting in us being stripped for numbers, but for a different reason. With an up and in, any time you get the call wrong the sideline is exposed so there has to be cover provided against that.

So far we have been getting it right and the defensive units have remained tight and have, for the most part, nullified the opposition attack. We failed to shut the gate when we applied inside pressure agaisnt the dogs and they strolled through the open middle under the posts. Our cover was also missing on two occasions against the Dogs and from memeory once against the Eels. I should be noted that Lobb's back pedalling also contributed - but I expect his lack of commitment was based on not being confident in the cover defence so it can't all be "lobbed" on him.

Penrith played an up and in defence last season, so Taruva will have no problems with the decision making on the end of the line and will assist us in making the opposition play early. However, up and in is a more risky defence and if you are caught witha 3 on 2 there is a lot of space for them to work in - you can't have an effectve up and in defensive strategy unless you have great cover defence (ala Storm/Panthers).

I am with you on the AD call; although he wasn't too bad defensively at centre against the Eels. My Spidey Sense has me thinking that Best will toy with him one on one and it could be ugly.
 
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Nice post Jolls

Penrith played an up and in defence last season with side like Penrith and Canterbury they are disciplined we are still working on that. What we need is a solid hitter in defense who will make the runner look.
 
Nice post Jolls

Penrith played an up and in defence last season with side like Penrith and Canterbury they are disciplined we are still working on that. What we need is a solid hitter in defense who will make the runner look.
If you believe Chamas our hard hitter with great expereince using an up and in defece may be up for a medical retirement. We have done OK with is so far, early doors though. If we can get the cover going it will be much better. AD at centre is a worry for me - but apart from being burnt by Iongi he has been OK (so far). It will be a different test with Best and Ponga testing his decision making.
 
They said his knee went straight back in .....that's usually a good sign
I've had this injury several times.

Knee cap going straight back in does help reduce the damage to the tendons but in my experience it basically always goes back because it's not like a shoulder or hip (where the ball gets displaced from the socket), it's a disc and it wants to fall back into the knee joint. Even when I've had the patella locked out you can literally punch it back yourself (it's a very natural reaction, you hardly need to even think about it, otherwise you can't bend your knee).

Naden is also lucky because patella dislocation is rarely associated with ACL or PCL, it's normally a medial or lateral ligament tear or strain. There will probably be plenty of synovial fluid for a week or so - he'll be able to limp but definitely not jog.

It's a weird injury, often before the swelling kicks in you can still actually sort of jog for an hour or so after the incident.

6-8 weeks recovery in a normal situation if he hasn't damaged other parts of his leg.
 
Being stripped on the outside to use your words Jolls has been a problem for a long time for the tigers and for this reason I'm hoping to see Turuva in the side and someone else at centre other than Doueihi need to plug the leaks especially after watching the Knights yesterday.
It happens to most teams... Once the. Extra man makes his decision the defences decision/ reaction will always be a tad after that, by then its often too late... It's not solely us
 
Yeah... Slater wasn't bad at it
Gary Jack is still the best cover defending/try saving fullback of the last 40 years - and unlike Slater he never used his feet....

It comes down to attitude, intent, pride and physicality!

Bula is the best defensive fullback we've had in any Tigers team since Jimmy!

Just ask Nathan...
 

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