LIVE GAME Round 16 v Raiders

[BBTF]

We are just missing a few key players in running positions. The class in the spine is probably there, but there have been notable times this year we have been camped in the oppositions 20m and barely come away with points (including games we won like sharks vs knights). We just don't have running threats who can break the line, particularly on the edges. KPP will help, but we need a few more across the park as it seems our only play is to hit Bula out the back.

 

[weststigerman]

With Benji, I have put this question out there a few times and have not gotten one taker, so I’ll try again. Is there one player, just one, who has improved under him?

I’m far from convinced about Benji’s coaching skills but I’ll give you 2 - Sione Fainu, Starford To’a.

Both are having their best ever seasons.

 

[weststigerman]

I get a lot of flak for this, but Bula continues to be very overrated by our supporters.
5 handling errors and 3 penalties, at this stage he still doesn't have the game awareness to be a top fullback.
In the big moments he isn't clutch.

He had a bad game last night, but that doesn’t make him overrated.

 

[Telltails]

Api very rarely if ever played a full 80mins when at the Panthers or at his previous clubs.
This is not because he is not a quality player, it’s because all his other coaches had concerns that his lack of size defending in the middle caused fatigue and played him reduced minutes lessen the fatigue related concerns.
So now all of a sudden at the back end of his career Benji thinks he knows better than all Api’s previous coaches ???

Out of any of the decisions Benji made as a losing coach in that game that leave him open to criticism - leaving Api on given the circumstances around TDS and the last time we played with young a star with his foot out the door at Campbelltown, I get why he decided to back Api in a close game.
Did it cost us the game - depends on how you view things and which way you want to swing it - we are all wiser after the fact.

 

[Tucker]

And Api is the team captain and competes on everything 4 points the difference - not too difficult to understand why he backs his captain for more than one reason and especially if Talyn has got one foot out the door.

Maybe he has one foot out the door because the club is not treating him well?
The team lays far better when Api doesn’t go the full 80.

 

[rihannafan1]

I’m far from convinced about Benji’s coaching skills but I’ll give you 2 - Sione Fainu, Starford To’a.

Both are having their best ever seasons.

Yes. We are definitely better. Starford is amazing. Players play for him and are improving. But like every Benji year, our redzone attack is terrible and there have to be questions about his in-game management.

He's a smart guy and it'll come together. I just think he needs some outside help with their attack.

 

[BBTF]

Maybe he has one foot out the door because the club is not treating him well?
The team lays far better when Api doesn’t go the full 80.

I think TDS has a fair bit to work on, but the TDS injection for 20-25 minutes from Rounds 2-8 (or so) hugely improved the side. We are clearly lacking a punch in attack with no real threats in certain positions that a speedy hooker against tired forwards is huge for us.

 

[lathami]

It just seems with bunji, that de Silva is not in ‘his club’. And poor little bunji’s ego can’t handle anyone who is not in the bunji club! Api showed last nite he doesn’t have what it takes to play well over the 80. That is only going to get worse with his age, yet the great bunji is happy to let Tallyn leave, why???
In his age group he is easily the best hooker coming through, yet we have given up on him. I blame Richo as well, he should be keeping bunji in line. Is starts with the boys club coaching team no experience head in the group. Why, cause little bunji’s ego can’t handle it…

 

[Tucker]

Or shock horror maybe they just aren't as good as the other players. If you think Api is worse than TDS you are on crack and Latu is a far superior player than Galvin.

I don’t think TDS is superior to Api and explained that to you on many occasions yesterday afternoon. There’s only so many ways I can say it before I give up on expecting the person I’m speaking with to understand what I’m saying.
As for Latu being a better half than Galvin….go-back through the 2024 threads. I am one of the only people that has consistently said that. I copped huge amounts of abuse for holding this view. Now everyone is on that bandwagon and suddenly I don’t understand this theory?
Cool story.

 

[tiger_one]

Was it a try?

 

[Tito Santana]

He has a far better team this year.
A pass mark is several more wins than last year.

Rare I agree with you but i do in this instance.

 

[Tony Taco]

I think TDS has a fair bit to work on, but the TDS injection for 20-25 minutes from Rounds 2-8 (or so) hugely improved the side. We are clearly lacking a punch in attack with no real threats in certain positions that a speedy hooker against tired

Was it a try?





View attachment 24222

On the line looks like. TRY. Refs killing us.

 

[boonboon]

I get a lot of flak for this, but Bula continues to be very overrated by our supporters.
5 handling errors and 3 penalties, at this stage he still doesn't have the game awareness to be a top fullback.
In the big moments he isn't clutch.

Didn't watch the game just looked at the stat sheet I see

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Sione was fat and got himself fit, not sure how much Benji contributed to that ?
Benji has no man management skills and considering what’s been happening with Talyn’s contract negotiations he could have and should have got off his backside, took five steps to his left and had a chat with Talyn, maybe give the kid a bit of encouragement and reassurance since he wasn’t going to put him on the field.
He is too arrogant and we will not progress to a top 8 team unless he changes his ways and that’s very unlikely.

So a player unfit playing NYC who has stepped up to being a NRL bench prop and Benji gets zero credit?

The team are playing as a team, they are fighting - that doesn’t happen if the players aren’t playing for the coach.

 

[Tucker]

Was it a try?





View attachment 24222

No and he was smart to cover up the double movement and give us another chance at scoring over on the left.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Samuela played well, but someone like David Fifita would have scored 2 or 3 tries with the same opportunities.
Samuela’s extra leg speed would make him very valuable in the middle and still capable of shifting to the edge when required.
Api is one of our games great competitors, he’s been a great player for us, but he’s running on old legs and our coach is too blind to see it.
Talyn is just about the quickest number 9 in the NRL, giving him no game time when we were on the front foot as much as we were tonight was a massive mistake.

Part of why we were on the front foot was because of Api. He was hitting them hard defensively and keeping the Raiders pinned in the 20-30mtr area. The Raiders managed the ruck very well for us, not even Api was able to dart much (and he spots it better than anyone).

I get you’re emotional over some players you love but Api didn’t cost us the match & we have zero idea what would’ve happened in TDS played.

 

[Telltails]

Maybe he has one foot out the door because the club is not treating him well?
The team lays far better when Api doesn’t go the full 80.

The path is there if he wants it for an emerging DH to take over from Api. I have no doubt they want to keep him but he has interest from elsewhere and who knows what they are selling, how he views it and more importantly how much they are prepared to pay to get it.

 

[gregjm87]

Was it a try?





View attachment 24222

Na, was a double movement




View attachment 24222
[/QUOTE]

 

[Tucker]

Is it related to today's announcement that TDS can make enquiries with other clubs? Maybe does not want to enhance his value on the open market so as we resign him on lower salary?

Possibly.
If true, making interchange decisions based on anything external to winning the game at hand is not good coaching.

 

[Aceshigh]

Mason can f right off. Him and Sayfarth cost us that game. Sayfarth at least redeemed himself abit in the second half, Mason did nothing but stifle the attack and allow Canberra to either run through him or around him. Da Silva to 14. Other thing I don't get, if we have Dasilva on the bench why isn't he at hooker and Api at 14 when the Raiders pack were out on their feet. Wtf is Benji doing.

Was it a try?





View attachment 24222

Looks like it to me