LIVE GAME Round 20 v Titans

[jirskyr]

Interesting to see all the "we suck", "sack Benji", "wooden spoon here we come" type comments around Page 20, then the "hallelujah ugly win" posts around page 28.

Titans made some bad errors, we made some bad errors, we took slightly better advantage of those mistakes. Titans aren't such a bad team; they are error prone but their defence is solid and they have some threats around the park. Titans have the issues old Tigers sides had - some decent players in their roster not performing to the necessary level. Actually not so bad a roster on paper for Titans, experienced as well. Tigers 2025 by contrast is a fairly ordinary and young roster, limited depth, battling to find consistency but hanging tough in most games.

To be frank if you run out with a forward pack of May-Hope-Twal, Sukkar-Bird, Doueihi - that's got to be one of the most ordinary packs going around. Pole was not great off the bench again, having a bad run with his tackles and handling.

We also need Bula back - Turuva is tough up the middle but he offers no dimension.

 

[jirskyr]

I noticed Benji chatting with David Fifita at the end of the game.
Hmmmm ....

He did nothing when he was put on, but they kept him off most of the match. I think it was Taylan May put big Dave on his arse at one point?

 

[Vicious]

He did nothing when he was put on, but they kept him off most of the match. I think it was Taylan May put big Dave on his arse at one point?

To be fair Taylan May has and will put plenty of opponents on their backside when defending against them.

 

[Needaname]

To be fair Taylan May has and will put plenty of opponents on their backside when defending against them.

He would have to be about 10kgs heavier than when we was last playing as well! (May not Fifita).

 

[Vicious]

He would have to be about 10kgs heavier than when we was last playing as well! (May not Fifita).

Yes and that’s a concern I have.
There is no doubting his class and physicality which is an area we have been lacking, but our backline also lacks speed, so I don’t think a chunkier, heavier Taylan May helps us be any quicker or gives us any more ammunition to score long range tries.
He’s a must inclusion in our NRL team, but as I keep saying, we need more pace somewhere within our 2-5.

 

[Needaname]

Yes and that’s a concern I have.
There is no doubting his class and physicality which is area we have been lacking, but our backline also lacks speed, so I don’t think a chunkier, heavier Taylan May helps us be any quicker or gives us any more ammunition to score long range tries.
He’s a must inclusion in our NRL team, but as I keep saying, we need more pace somewhere within our 2-5.

I don’t think he has lost much speed. He has just gone from a kids body to a man’s.

 

[innsaneink]

Very hard to beat at home Warriors, not so good travelling.

Its a difficult travel too....they cant go direct..they have to fly to Sydney then bus it to Newcastle

 

[Vicious]

I don’t think he has lost much speed. He has just gone from a kids body to a man’s.

Great for us if that’s the case.
His urgency and acceleration speed is still very good over short distances, but we haven’t seen him in clear air yet to find out how quick he is over a longer distance.

 

[Tucker]

Hey Tuck
Did you see the warriors game,
Set up perfect for the field goal and missed from straight in front and then missed a penalty shot straight in front.
Sometimes the less time you have to think about the kick the better the outcome 👍

I think that is circumstantial only and certainly not a rule.
In yesterday’s case we were gifted great field position through a questionable penalty and instead of going into a set play for a field goal we tried to score a try off every play, almost missing the setup. A good defensive side would have shut that attempt down considering where the ball came from.
Penrith would have certainly done what I said and that’s because they have true leaders.
We don’t.

 

[Oldman]

They do currently, Sam debuted on the right for manly filling in for an injured Olakuatu, likewise with KPP starting on the left before Lucas made it his own. They aren’t immune to the opposite side of the field but in Latu’s case being a predominantly left side player with a right foot kick it would make the transition a bit more comfortable for him and Sam for that matter.

I think the kicking game comes into it and Luai being left footed it is better that he stays on the left side.
As it’s preferable that the kickers leg is nearer the sideline further away from the marker chasing from the ruck.

 

[Jolls]

I think that is circumstantial only and certainly not a rule.
In yesterday’s case we were gifted great field position through a questionable penalty and instead of going into a set play for a field goal we tried to score a try off every play, almost missing the setup. A good defensive side would have shut that attempt down considering where the ball came from.
Penrith would have certainly done what I said and that’s because they have true leaders.
We don’t.

While I was also screaming at the idiot box as they took opportunites that seemed to rule out the FG attempt when it came to execution it happened flawlessly. Every player knew wehre they had to be and despite the horrible kick we got home.

Penrith have had a couple of FG attempts charged down as have the Dogs and other "well drilled" teams. Sometimes I think that systems and setups telegraph intent so much that at times they are not beneficial. The fact that we executed it with minimal setup shows progression in our development.

Had Luai have gone through and scored we would be lauding him as a great player that can sense out a try - instead he is being lambasted for his lack of football sense. I can see it both ways - but the thing that counts for me is that despite the noise we were able to set up at the right time, with a key playmaker down, and execute.

We may not like how it was done - but everyone knew the intent and the job got done - so we need to chalk one up for the good guys. I expect that Benji may have a have a chat afterwards as to how that may have been done a little better but as long as the outcome is achieved does it really matter?

 

[innsaneink]

There was a huge gap Luai saw, it closed fairly quick though but he went very close to scoring

 

[hank37w]

Already has. Thats why the drama happened at training. Brother of a tigers player is the source.

Ah, the brotherhood at the Wests Tigers is strong indeed. 🤣

 

[BAGNF05]

While I was also screaming at the idiot box as they took opportunites that seemed to rule out the FG attempt when it came to execution it happened flawlessly. Every player knew wehre they had to be and despite the horrible kick we got home.

Penrith have had a couple of FG attempts charged down as have the Dogs and other "well drilled" teams. Sometimes I think that systems and setups telegraph intent so much that at times they are not beneficial. The fact that we executed it with minimal setup shows progression in our development.

Had Luai have gone through and scored we would be lauding him as a great player that can sense out a try - instead he is being lambasted for his lack of football sense. I can see it both ways - but the thing that counts for me is that despite the noise we were able to set up at the right time, with a key playmaker down, and execute.

We may not like how it was done - but everyone knew the intent and the job got done - so we need to chalk one up for the good guys. I expect that Benji may have a have a chat afterwards as to how that may have been done a little better but as long as the outcome is achieved does it really matter?

I think the game has evolved a bit and you can’t really just work up the guts for a FG anymore. It’s too predictable and the other team will just wrestle you as the ref isn’t going to blow a penalty. We played out the set eyes up and made sure we got a shot in on tackle 5 . In an ideal world you are in position to go one tackle earlier (giving you two opportunities) but I think that’s probably the best approach.

 

[joebob]

 

[joebob]

View attachment 25880

So nearly a quarter of our wins from the last 4 years have been by a single point.

 

[Tucker]

While I was also screaming at the idiot box as they took opportunites that seemed to rule out the FG attempt when it came to execution it happened flawlessly. Every player knew wehre they had to be and despite the horrible kick we got home.

Penrith have had a couple of FG attempts charged down as have the Dogs and other "well drilled" teams. Sometimes I think that systems and setups telegraph intent so much that at times they are not beneficial. The fact that we executed it with minimal setup shows progression in our development.

Had Luai have gone through and scored we would be lauding him as a great player that can sense out a try - instead he is being lambasted for his lack of football sense. I can see it both ways - but the thing that counts for me is that despite the noise we were able to set up at the right time, with a key playmaker down, and execute.

We may not like how it was done - but everyone knew the intent and the job got done - so we need to chalk one up for the good guys. I expect that Benji may have a have a chat afterwards as to how that may have been done a little better but as long as the outcome is achieved does it really matter?

I think it does matter because it shows whether our leaders on the field were thinking.
Going for the try is a low percentage play. Setting up and closing the game out is what the pro outfits do. Yes we got away with it this time, but if that was the dogs or one of the really good defensive teams, that likely wouldn’t have gone our way.
As you said though, it’s a good play to go into the lessons learned list.

 

[Jolls]

I think it does matter because it shows whether our leaders on the field were thinking.
Going for the try is a low percentage play. Setting up and closing the game out is what the pro outfits do. Yes we got away with it this time, but if that was the dogs or one of the really good defensive teams, that likely wouldn’t have gone our way.
As you said though, it’s a good play to go into the lessons learned list.

I think it shows that they were thinking but could have executed a little better. The Luai option I think was the right one - but the scond left play not so good. We should have had a crack on the 4th to give us a second optionon the fifth if it didn't work. As you indicated - probably a good lesson learned.

 

[Enmore_Tiger]

While I was also screaming at the idiot box as they took opportunites that seemed to rule out the FG attempt when it came to execution it happened flawlessly. Every player knew wehre they had to be and despite the horrible kick we got home.

Penrith have had a couple of FG attempts charged down as have the Dogs and other "well drilled" teams. Sometimes I think that systems and setups telegraph intent so much that at times they are not beneficial. The fact that we executed it with minimal setup shows progression in our development.

Had Luai have gone through and scored we would be lauding him as a great player that can sense out a try - instead he is being lambasted for his lack of football sense. I can see it both ways - but the thing that counts for me is that despite the noise we were able to set up at the right time, with a key playmaker down, and execute.

We may not like how it was done - but everyone knew the intent and the job got done - so we need to chalk one up for the good guys. I expect that Benji may have a have a chat afterwards as to how that may have been done a little better but as long as the outcome is achieved does it really matter?

And Luai's play was one the 3rd, and nearly scored - so it was the right play, ridiculous to critique that one . Then went right. It was then going back left which was the problem which was Latu I think. So no they didn't try and score of every play and Latu is a rookie.

 

[Enmore_Tiger]

While I was also screaming at the idiot box as they took opportunites that seemed to rule out the FG attempt when it came to execution it happened flawlessly. Every player knew wehre they had to be and despite the horrible kick we got home.

Penrith have had a couple of FG attempts charged down as have the Dogs and other "well drilled" teams. Sometimes I think that systems and setups telegraph intent so much that at times they are not beneficial. The fact that we executed it with minimal setup shows progression in our development.

Had Luai have gone through and scored we would be lauding him as a great player that can sense out a try - instead he is being lambasted for his lack of football sense. I can see it both ways - but the thing that counts for me is that despite the noise we were able to set up at the right time, with a key playmaker down, and execute.

We may not like how it was done - but everyone knew the intent and the job got done - so we need to chalk one up for the good guys. I expect that Benji may have a have a chat afterwards as to how that may have been done a little better but as long as the outcome is achieved does it really matter?

I would agree we were all punch drunk by incompetence by the end though...