LIVE GAME Round 1 vs Knights

[Mighty_Tiger]

Is Mason even a fullback?
He was a 5/8 coming through....

I've seen him suggested to play centre or bench utility.

I'm not sold on any of that making sense.
Maybe it's the head gear and the size of him, but maybe he could a hooker? Reid Mahoney clone.

I am struggling to see what he brings to the top 17 in those roles.

I’m yet to see anything that indicates he can be a NRL fullback. He can catch bombs under pressure & unless he is defending in the line he struggles to position himself defensively where he then arm grabs or tries to move side on so that rules out Wing as well.

He reminds me abit like Halatau in his run and punch to quick play the ball but we need more than that given other options that probably add more value on the bench than he would.

I do think Benji has set him up to fail at fullback though when we have Staines and Turuva who could play there.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

At end of the day it boils down to this ,
1) I don’t think benji knows how to get a game plan together, we had nothing in attack for 80 minutes
2) our centres are very poor
3) also our back row is woeful, even Samuel was missing in action , this will be our downfall again for this season, can’t defend can’t make breaks , equals another poor season

What back row? We are just lacking anything there.
It’s disgraceful that we start the season with at least one backup second row forward and a prop at lock starting 13.
Sorry but it seems to me that as far as team selection and game plan & tactics Benji and his coaching crew are still at best on P plates.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I thought his service was shabby tbh. Twals drop ball 5m out was because of Hope. He stood behind the play the ball looking around and left the ball there for a second or two before passing. These small things are huge for a hooker.

Tallins service I thought was better, but you’re right, both need to improve defence. I’d prefer Latu on bench when Api is back. Lady loves to tackle and hit hard, also can play many more positions.

Tallin needs to learn to play against men and not miss 6 or more tackles every game

I agree. That’s why I mentioned the 16-18min mark. 3 passes in a row cost us on the line and changed momentum.

That’s not on him that’s on Benji, TDS should’ve started over Hope. No hooker should be stuffed enough to come off in less than 20mins of footy.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Seyfarth has a go but just isn't good enough for 1st grade. Hes a maniac on the field, running around crazy with very little composure, hence his self inflicted HIA last night.

Yeah he just bumbled about last night - too slow, not strong, not effective in anything

 

[tiger_one]

Terrell May (club debut)
66 mins
21 runs for 189m
69 PCM
34 tackles (0 missed)
2 tackle breaks
5 offloads

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

He was solid until about 16-18mins or so then fatigue hit hard and cost us when attacking in the red zone for a set. That changed momentum in the 1st half and we didn’t get down that end of the field for the rest of the half.

His 2nd stint was solid.

I thought he tried too hard second half and fumbled a real last attacking set before they scored the second.

 

[tiger_one]

Jeral Skelton (club debut)
1 try
1 line break
23 runs for 210m
87 post contact metres
5 tackle breaks

 

[orange&black]

Newcastle are a solid side. Big, hard running forwards, fast and talented backs, great fullback. We were out muscled in the middle for the most part and they made ground too easily with quick ptbs.
Watching us attack and defend compared to the quality sides one thing stands out in particular- we are too one out, there is not enough support on both sides to provide options or to make the opposition make choices. Our attackers are easy targets and our defenders don’t win tackles.
On the positive side - our performance in many areas was better. Especially kick chase (although our kicking game was poor), scramble in D, discipline, yardage from wingers.

 

[Demps]

Newcastle are a solid side. Big, hard running forwards, fast and talented backs, great fullback. We were out muscled in the middle for the most part and they made ground too easily with quick ptbs.
Watching us attack and defend compared to the quality sides one thing stands out in particular- we are too one out, there is not enough support on both sides to provide options or to make the opposition make choices. Our attackers are easy targets and our defenders don’t win tackles.
On the positive side - our performance in many areas was better. Especially kick chase (although our kicking game was poor), scramble in D, discipline, yardage from wingers.

We get to try again in 5 weeks...
Hopefully we learnt something and can pump em.

 

[Needaname]

On a positive no Judicial charges out of our first game of the season.

 

[TigerTone]

A couple things things i noticed during the game was that we kept attacking down the left side
(skeltons side) , and not much attack went down the right side (turuva side).
Would be so much better if we used both sides eaqually in a game and keep the opposition guessing , instead of always going down one side and being predictable.
The other was that i noticed with about 25minutes to go in the second half our boys intensity dropped off alot , and the mistakes were creeping into their game alot more.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

I was disappointed with Pole and Sam Fainu last night (Sam seems to be off for me) - May was great but they didn’t stand up with him (plus having average players like Seyfarth). Pole was meant to be May’s bash bro but his defence was poor. Newcastle’s pack were dominant as a result. I like Sione but he’s not a superstar. We really need Pole and Sam to stand up with May while we hope and pray we land the positions we are lacking in

 

[Flippedy]

Close game, early days and both sides quite rusty. I don’t rate Newcastle at all so I’m disappointed we couldn’t beat them, especially at home! If it was a 2 point loss to a better team I’d probably be ok with it.

 

[lathami]

Where do you park?

At cambo, on the opposite side to the bigger grandstand (old hill). Across from the leagues club car park, there’s a residential couple of streets. I park there but u need to be early as there’s not heaps of spots. I just get in early and go to the leagues for a few and steak.

 

[Go_You_Good_Things]

Eh not on first watch. Saw it differently. I thought May, Twal, Pole did a good job for most of the game. Sam Fainu was quiet. I remember a 10-15 minute period where knights didnt have a tackle in our half. Their backs cut us to pieces for large parts of the 2nd half.

Im as jaded as anyone but there were some flashes in the game that got me excited.
Knight are a professional side who have been together for a few years now, they looked much more connected than our guys. I think that was the difference.

The bolded bit.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

I was disappointed with Pole and Sam Fainu last night (Sam seems to be off for me) - May was great but they didn’t stand up with him (plus having average players like Seyfarth). Pole was meant to be May’s bash bro but his defence was poor. Newcastle’s pack were dominant as a result. I like Sione but he’s not a superstar. We really need Pole and Sam to stand up with May while we hope and pray we land the positions we are lacking in

Samuela Fainu has had 2 poor games in a row now… not involved enough for me

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Seyfarth has a go but just isn't good enough for 1st grade. Hes a maniac on the field, running around crazy with very little composure, hence his self inflicted HIA last night.

He's not big enough or fast enough and what do they do extend for 3 years being a good trainer means jack if you make no impact in a game, if Porter is on a development deal give him a chance at least he's a bigger body now or anyone else I want to see in right side 2RF spot next week.

 

[weststigers]

Jeral Skelton (club debut)
1 try
1 line break
23 runs for 210m
87 post contact metres
5 tackle breaks

It's been a while since we've had a winger do that sort of work

 

[hank37w]

A couple things things i noticed during the game was that we kept attacking down the left side
(skeltons side) , and not much attack went down the right side (turuva side).
Would be so much better if we used both sides eaqually in a game and keep the opposition guessing , instead of always going down one side and being predictable.

Probably because Galvin spent too much time on the left side, his enthusiasm is great but he needs to be put in his place.

I thought Luai would sort that out if Benji didn't.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Sam

At end of the day it boils down to this ,
1) I don’t think benji knows how to get a game plan together, we had nothing in attack for 80 minutes
2) our centres are very poor
3) also our back row is woeful, even Samuel was missing in action , this will be our downfall again for this season, can’t defend can’t make breaks , equals another poor season

Sam Fainu needs to get more involved , he has it all , just needs to take some hit ups and more responsibility ..