LIVE GAME Team v Roosters trial..LIVE game discussion

[area52]

Thanks , he was very quiet

I thought he played well

 

[batboy]

Maybe you're right, but stints with Penrith behind Cleary and Brisbane behind Reynolds probably helped him improve from when we had him.

he played at Penrith behind Cleary?

News to me - and him no doubt…

 

[Bigscreentv]

Mate. May ain't moving from centre. Toa is the one on the chopping block

Potentially but I don’t see Makasini playing on that side. Imagine a situation where May and Makasini could swap in attack. I guess in that sense Mak could play wing and just attack in centre from time to time.

 

[king_sirro]

Thanks , he was very quiet

Quiet? 6 hit ups (which was 3rd highest) for 96 metres which was our highest from a forward.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Best points for me:
- young guys who debuted too young at our club look a year bigger and more confident.
- Makasini might need to play centre, pushing May to wing later this year.
- Javon Andrews is as talented as Galvin without the bad haircut and arrogant attitude. He’s a better fit for Benji.
- Jock Madden was great - hopefully all 7s at club have been coached same way in same system and douehi straightens like madden did today
- We have proper depth now.

Agreed, also Andrews likes to hit hard inn defence , he really uses his shoulder

 

[lathami]

Toa should be looking over his shoulder

His bad or worse shoulder??

 

[EllisFan]

Potentially but I don’t see Makasini playing on that side. Imagine a situation where May and Makasini could swap in attack. I guess in that sense Mak could play wing and just attack in centre from time to time.

Do we know Mak can’t play right side? Just looks an athlete to me, has to be in FG in the near future.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Agreed, also Andrews likes to hit hard inn defence , he really uses his shoulder

If he keeps on growing he could end up at lock.

 

[king_sirro]

Do we know Mak can’t play right side? Just looks an athlete to me, has to be in FG in the near future.

I stressed before the trial Benji should be having a look at him on the right. Pisses me off how Benji misses stuff like that

 

[TurnStyle]

My take on the game. Maybe not the usual observations straight after a game.
1) The jersey's looked absolutely great! Love emm.
2) Benji has learnt by his coaching mistakes from the past. The players seem much fitter, mentally tougher and singing from the same hymn book. Player recruitment has been selective and spot on. Well done Benji and your helpers. But the big test is yet to come but I feel more confident you have your finger on the pulse.
3) The backline stood very deep in the attacking zone [not the usual straight line near the ball] which gave Andrew's time to shine and provide the backline with clean, early ball.
4) Quick play the balls kept the momentum going and the defence scrambling.
5) The forwards played out of their skins which paved the way for the backs to show their skills, which they did very well.
6) Madden managed the game superbly. "Let's play the game in your half". And a great goal kicker.
7) Mason cannot break a tackle or step around a defender. Quick to get to the defender but dies with the ball, no offload. So many players have that skill and there are plenty of players that can defend just as well. KOE level for 2026.
8) It's only a trial and not the real thing. But I liked what I saw from the WT future planning perspective.

Totally agree on all points there.

Interestingly (to me, that is...), is when Attard dropped that kick I instantly thought what a better fullback he is than Mason.

If I were a coach, I would WAY prefer the fullback having a "let it bounce as a last resort" approach at his age.

Knowing when you have to let it bounce will come with experience, but a young fb, i.e., Mason, lacking certainty and trying harder to not make a mistake than making the right call is just too unreliable for that position.

If he's not a fullback what is he? Utility? Don't mean to be too harsh, but he's just so... Vanilla...

Hope he proves me wrong to doubt his potential, but in my book he is a very early hot favourite for this year's Faataape award.

It's a nice trophy (comparable to the Summons Provan one): it immortalises the classic "play the ball to your closest team mate 30m behind you" that he perfected.

 

[Wa_Mag_Tig]

Murray is a must for us. All effort, we need him as backup or bench

 

[TurnStyle]

Mason confused me,what was his role

13 for most of it

.. As in 13 years old?

 

[Merlot]

Quiet? 6 hit ups (which was 3rd highest) for 96 metres which was our highest from a forward.

our forwards took it easy on those stats,,thats actually dismal for a forward ,

 

[Odessa]

Do we know Mak can’t play right side? Just looks an athlete to me, has to be in FG in the near future.

He is 18 if he likes playing left side leave him there give him as much support as possible maybe after another off season move him around just keep it simple for him at the moment not over thinking it

 

[king_sirro]

our forwards took it easy on those stats,,thats actually dismal for a forward ,

Thats a new one. Someone tops the stats and it cos the other forwards took time off hahaha.....Mason was very busy when he came on

 

[davey_farrell]

Didn’t know he could run like that

he is great in attack, his defence unfortunately has been his Achillies heal

 

[davey_farrell]

Murray is a must for us. All effort, we need him as backup or bench

i thought he was good when he came on last year, playing hooker and lock

 

[innsaneink]

Maybe it's just me, but Mak has a bit of work to do on his defensive positioning at centre.

Need to remember, he's still 18 and we don't need to rush him until he's ready. Has all the signs to be a great player.

Yeah he has work to do and we dont need to rush him...defense is one are plus the week to week grind of.nrl.is tough to get used to.
Ive been against him starting rd 2 but boy i found myself re-thinking that watching the game.

Nice to win and.good to see some what looked like effective structured attack

Hopefully no injuries

 

[Airport05]

3. Madden
2. Hayward/Murray
1. Makasini

 

[pawsandclaws1]

The recruitment team did well to get Javon Andrews back to WTs. He is very good and did the club have him when they released Galvin.