LIVE GAME Preseason Challenge v Eels

Live Game Discussion
Doohie defence on first try was shocking mis read and then didn’t follow when he could have had a second attempt easily - was woeful. Their fullback is slick. Douhie stood out in attack and kicked very well. He is a first grade competitor but must fix his defence/defensive effort as 90% of us know
Noticed Douehie look back I think at TDS blaming him. Its his go to blame game although was poor efforts all round
 
Yes he would make a go at it but he would fall away as the season went on , don’t rush the kid he’s not ready to be a pig
Latu will be ready to play 1st grade regularly sooner, Galvin will be demanding his contract be sorted before the season is done- meaning a decision needs to be made sooner than anyone is ready.

I'm not about to suggest Galvin is a second rower wholly from now on. But with everyone suggesting we need to get Latu on the field, can you see a better way? Playing Latu, shorter & the same weight as Galvin, at #13 is hardly a better plan.
 
Sounds like everyone is looking to build the perfect NRL team with zero weaknesses.

Outside of maybe Penrith a year or 2 ago, I can't think of any team without significant weaknesses in the squad.

You need to maximise strengths.

Doueihi is a bit dusty moving laterally. But he's very effective running the ball. So pair him with a winger that can defend (Skelton) to minimise the exposure. Then have him run off Luai/Galvin's passes & maximise his body size, speed & strength to create a mismatch.

There are a number of strengths in the squad. But it's far from perfect. But, I think they can win quite a few games & be way better than predicted.

You cant blame em. They've been in the wilderness for 3 years.
 
I think the club is in a pretty unique position (although the Bulldogs put themselves in a similar spot last season) where I think we probably have 3-5 players that are versatile enough that we can cover most holes as games progress.

Doueihi covers 7, 6, wing, centre & fullback
Bird is backrow, #13, 6 & centre
Mason at 1, 6, 7 & I suspect could do 9 in a pinch.
Latu is 7, 6 & 9
Galvin, if he was willing, could cover 6, 7, 13 & backrow.

That nullifies a LOT of depth issues we currently have.
 
I think this is a very common misconception - Bula was 13th in the ENTIRE league for kick return metres last season

The way he runs he does often look like he is just cruising around, but I think that's his running style more than anything. I would like to see him more involved in games however, it's a shame he's missed the trials
This is exactly what I always say. Mason is very quick off the mark which gives the impression he is "fast"; That's great, but I'm yet to see him in open space or running someone down.

I guess some see it, some don't, but over 100m I'd say Bula would cover Mason pretty comfortably.

Relevance to league? Well, this comes in when put into a gap or chasing down a winger like Bula has done (e.g.; chased down Katao from Cronulla).

The thing with Bula is physical motion doesn't equal speed - it does give the impression of it though.

I haven't seen enough of him, so can't say for certain about Mason, so I guess not entirely fair, but I'd put Bula amongst the fastest at the club (Staines probably quickest?).
 
This is exactly what I always say. Mason is very quick off the mark which gives the impression he is "fast"; That's great, but I'm yet to see him in open space or running someone down.

I guess some see it, some don't, but over 100m I'd say Bula would cover Mason pretty comfortably.

Relevance to league? Well, this comes in when put into a gap or chasing down a winger like Bula has done (e.g.; chased down Katao from Cronulla).

The thing with Bula is physical motion doesn't equal speed - it does give the impression of it though.

I haven't seen enough of him, so can't say for certain about Mason, so I guess not entirely fair, but I'd put Bula amongst the fastest at the club (Staines probably quickest?).
Bula is fast like David Peachey was fast. He just looks like he's cruising, but the fact is he's moving rapidly.

Mason is quick. He's in and out of cuts like a rabbit. It's flashy. People like flashy- it's exciting.
 

Such good signs.
I think we're in for a good season.
I do a lot of work with West Harbour Rugby and as we are based at Concord oval I see a lot of the Tigers players.

Just a few observations re the new Tigers players. Our GM left a few weeks ago and Jerome Luai came down to see him on his own and gave him a signed polo shirt, all done on his own accord no fanfare.

Last week I was showing a new player around the facilities and Sunia Turuva noticed us and came over, introduced himself, shook our hands, asked about the background of the new player and wished us both a good season.

Likewise Tim Johansson, Jahreem Bulla and Lachlan Broederlow are always keen for a chat.

Just goes to show that these players are bringing a sense of community and spirit to the club that has been missing for such a long time and makes Concord a much happier place to be, not just for the Tigers but also the Pirates players and supporters
 
This is exactly what I always say. Mason is very quick off the mark which gives the impression he is "fast"; That's great, but I'm yet to see him in open space or running someone down.

I guess some see it, some don't, but over 100m I'd say Bula would cover Mason pretty comfortably.

Relevance to league? Well, this comes in when put into a gap or chasing down a winger like Bula has done (e.g.; chased down Katao from Cronulla).

The thing with Bula is physical motion doesn't equal speed - it does give the impression of it though.

I haven't seen enough of him, so can't say for certain about Mason, so I guess not entirely fair, but I'd put Bula amongst the fastest at the club (Staines probably quickest?).
Bula is definitely quick, but he glides, but Mason is explosive off the mark. I reckon Bula would do him over 50-100 but Mason over 30-50.

Bula is deceptive too, doesn’t look that quick but is.
 
Could have been death staring Naden who shirked his hit as well.

Doueihi looked beaten for speed.

The problem with AD is his initial defence is not good and when he is beaten he either does not have the speed or determination to chase like you expect any player to do.His attack is ok but defence is still very poor and probably always will be until he has a change in attitude.Consistently blaming others is not good for the morale of a team.
 
Latu is a gem, don't waste him in the forwards. If he is playing well enough, put him at 6.
It’s clear we have 2 #6’s who have a long and bright future in the game… Galvin will end up in the forwards in 2-4 years… Latu won’t grow much more than his current size… so if I were Richo, so we don’t end up loosing both, I’d be giving Galvin an ultimatum and say sign this 3 year contract extension now or play as a #14… and develop Latu/Luai as our long term 6 and 7
 
Funny how u picked that , when he was at Cambridge park in the u11 , grand final against my Minchinbury side , he made a break with 1 minute to go , he was super quick , my lock came across 20 out and he had support but couldn’t pass to a unmarked team mate , we won the game
Haha
I bet you were happy he couldn’t do it that day 😂
People probably thought he was a hog but as he said he just didn’t have the confidence to pass the ball.
 
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