Round 1 Thoughts

[TIGERPOWER]

Same old story. Seriously I can’t think of any half in the game that has a worse kicking game then Brooks. Liddle was terrible. Garner should be in reserves and I would even drop BJ after one game.

 

[hodgo]

1 other thought we have won the first game and failed to make the 8 so many times maybe this is the reversal of the curse

 

[hank37w]

Same old story. Seriously I can’t think of any half in the game that has a worse kicking game then Brooks. Liddle was terrible. Garner should be in reserves and I would even drop BJ after one game.

What has happened, 3 or 4 seasons ago Brooks was getting repeat sets regularly with his kicking game, or did I imagine all that?

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Watched the game late, my thoughts (may be controversial).

I think this is our best team in 6-8 years.

I have been a massive true believer in Brooks for many years, but today he was really poor and Im starting to worry about him. I’d pick him next week, mostly not to scare the horses but there has to be massive improvement.

We have found our fullback, Laurie is the real deal and our best since Teddy.

I actually thought Mbye did enough to grab the 14 next week. He showed great defence and an asset in attack. Cant believe people are blaming him for the pass to the touchy, where was Nofo?

Garner must go. Simply not up to it, especially defensively.

The bones of our pack, Tamou, Joffa, Twal, LL were outstanding, Garner rubbish, Packer a non event and TM was hit and miss (I blame him for the James try, he saved another).

Our centres? Joey gets a 9/10 for effort and a 1/10 for intellect. JTJ I thought showed promise to be the best centre we have ever had.

In the second half their goal line defence was literally unbelievable, almost like they were 3m offside each time.

My apologies that Im more upbeat than most. I was bitterly disappointed but I genuinely see a lot of positives.

Good post mate.
If Garner gets picked in starting side next week .... I just recon Madge sees something that I don’t and haven’t seen for quite some time.
We need Musgrove and Blore back as soon as possible.
Although our top 30 squad has improved we have about half a dozen non performers awaiting end year clean out and that’s a weakness that’s not good to carry for whole season.

 

[getagrip]

Every time you need Brooks to step up he is non existent,Garner should be shafted and never play first grade again,Talau, Simpkin,Douehi in next week

Yeah. It's still heart in the mouth stuff when Brooks gets the ball. As for Garner, he offers absolutely nothing to get excited about.

 

[Tigerlily]

1 other thought we have won the first game and failed to make the 8 so many times maybe this is the reversal of the curse

Reverse physiology I like it.😏👍

 

[hobbo1]

Same old story. Seriously I can’t think of any half in the game that has a worse kicking game then Brooks. Liddle was terrible. Garner should be in reserves and I would even drop BJ after one game.

What has happened, 3 or 4 seasons ago Brooks was getting repeat sets regularly with his kicking game, or did I imagine all that?

There was a glitch in the matrix 3-4 years ago
Normal viewing has resumed

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

Agree with alot from what has been said.
Basically my thoughts is this:

Attack needs to improve - i dont know who on the coaching staff looks after our attack but there is seems to be no plan B or C. The plan of attack seemed to be roll down the middle, hope to gain QPTB and play off the back of that. Nothing about targeting edges or setting up the play of JTJ or Joey.

The good HB's know how to get their team back on track when the are sliding off the rails. Brooks has always struggled in this regard regardless if Benji was there or not. He needs to dominate right from the kick off and not just drift in and out of games. He should just watch his debut over and over again and get back to playing that type of game. I am rooting for him but he is quickly becoming our whipping boy.

Garner is ordinary. Worst defender on the edge in the game. Personally would be happy to see him go. Would be great to to do a swap with him and Sirro (wishful thinking).

Packer should never put on a jumper in 1st grade again. He is even worst than Garner. Biggest flopper since Hindmarsh and a waste of a bench spot. He is shadow of the player he once was.

All of the debutantes played quite well - Tamou, Joffa, JTJ, Steph were decent and will improve. Laurie is just a pure footballer and a player you can build the team around. loved his effort throughout the game. Great pick up.

 

[Tim Sheens]

I didn’t see most of the second half but would like to hear peoples gripes with AJ Kepaoa.

Was he bad right throughout the match or mainly second half. I didn’t think he was that bad in the first....

Threw a poor pass on the back of a break when playing catch up footy that lead to a try and being crucified for it, along with the first half possible try opportunity when he was not at fault.

 

[tigerap]

My thoughts, little has changed in 2021 from the past 5 years... :-(

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

AJ Kepaoa looks overweight. Surely he is meant to be leaner than he currently is.

 

[PJ_]

All those preseason articles.
Imagine if we hadn't trained the "house down"
Fluff 🙄

 

[Tim Sheens]

People still going on about how good we'll be without Benji? Clearly missed his organisation and attacking ability. Brooks was lost. I get the decision not to re-sign him but the negativity around Benji on here was over the top.

I had low expectations for the season but the forwards were better than I expected and the backs were a lot worse, so I'm not sure where we are.

I suggest Mbye or Talau at lock next week. I like Twal but he looks slow and cumbersome in that role when locks seem to be getting speedier and more skilfull. Not a criticism, think he'd be solid off the bench as a prop but I don't like him at lock.

Only other suggestion is that Joey Leuilua needs to play a lot smarter or I would drop him. He was horrible today.

On the other hand, Roberts surprised by looking good defensively.

Brooks needs to get better at running this team or we are stuffed, our sets were directionless rubbish.

I disagree with a lot of what you said, but an interesting point about the players that you mention as locks.

A few coaches this weekend made changes they used a smaller more nimble player (such as Benji) in place of a middle forward towards the end of the 1st half. A smart move as it allowed them to attack tired opponents.

I thought our use of the bench was very ordinary today. It almost seemed choreographed and not based on what was happening. Little was being pummeled in the middle and would have been much better if given a 15 minute breather at some stage.

Reckon that the Tamou HIA when nearing the end of his stint and having to return in 15 minutes mixed it up a bit, but nothing new as often a bit bemused with our rotation even without interruptions.

 

[gallagher]

People still going on about how good we'll be without Benji? Clearly missed his organisation and attacking ability. Brooks was lost. I get the decision not to re-sign him but the negativity around Benji on here was over the top.

I had low expectations for the season but the forwards were better than I expected and the backs were a lot worse, so I'm not sure where we are.

I suggest Mbye or Talau at lock next week. I like Twal but he looks slow and cumbersome in that role when locks seem to be getting speedier and more skilfull. Not a criticism, think he'd be solid off the bench as a prop but I don't like him at lock.

Only other suggestion is that Joey Leuilua needs to play a lot smarter or I would drop him. He was horrible today.

On the other hand, Roberts surprised by looking good defensively.

Brooks needs to get better at running this team or we are stuffed, our sets were directionless rubbish.

I disagree with a lot of what you said, but an interesting point about the players that you mention as locks.

A few coaches this weekend made changes they used a smaller more nimble player (such as Benji) in place of a middle forward towards the end of the 1st half. A smart move as it allowed them to attack tired opponents.

I thought our use of the bench was very ordinary today. It almost seemed choreographed and not based on what was happening. Little was being pummeled in the middle and would have been much better if given a 15 minute breather at some stage.

Reckon that the Tamou HIA when nearing the end of his stint and having to return in 15 minutes mixed it up a bit, but nothing new as often a bit bemused with our rotation even without interruptions.

Packer wasnt used much. Not that it worried me but using a bench prop like that is surprising.

 

[Saturnalia]

It's clear this team has had 0 coaching over the break.

0

Literally no idea what to do with the football in the opp 20.

The only player worth persisting with is Nofoaluma.

 

[rihannafan1]

Haven't really looked at other team stats over the weekend but was surprised to see we had three forwards run over 100m (Offa 105, Twal 115, Luciano 130).

Maybe with the ball in play more, run metres will naturally increase too. But considering how little ball we had and against such a big team, those are revealing numbers.

That's enough of a platform for a 9 and halves to work with provided they direct and don't make the errors they did. We've asked for it for a few seasons, it'll be interesting to see if the forwards can be consistent and if so, if the backs can capitalise.

 

[will1999]

first half was so good Garner by himself cost us any momentum we had with that first try and the penalty he conceded just after half time

 

[Blake]

I think the game plan and structure is good and will be better next week. Half the time when Brooks took the ball at first receiver there was no one ready, everyone standing with hands on hips watching the game. A big part of Brook's job is to get it out to the fullback on the left or 5/8 on the right but Laurie is new and Mbye did not look like he knew what his job was.
With AD on the right, some more time for Laurie and a bit more attack from Liddle, the team will be twice as good.
The backs tried hard but there was not a lot of teamwork on the flanks.

 

[Blake]

It would be great if someone in the entire Wests organisations had said "Hey! Raider's are rushing up like mad bastards, we should chip over their heads a few times. We might get a lucky bounce and make a break but it will definitely stuff up their defensive plan"

 

[tbones10]

Loved the commitment and effort in the first half, loved it. Second half was a different story, don't get me wrong, the amount of possession the Raiders had early in the second half, its pretty tough for any team to comeback from. I was disappointed in the crabbing, the brain explosions, general kicking, the lack of options and the fact that everyone wanted to offload no one wanted to run. I know it is only round one, but these blokes have had an entire off season to prepare, just disappointed that's all.

Big tip, if Brooks doesn't show his ability lead and direct the team by round 6, he will be in NSW Cup and being shopped around. Hope