LIVE GAME Trial 1 v Manly

Live Game Discussion
I’m just stating that a fair few people have written off the upcoming season before a blow is struck.
Its a defeatist mindset.
The squad we have now have to lift and push for finals this year so that when the talent we have purchased arrive next year, they can capitalise on the momentum created and drive us towards proper success.
I don’t expect us to get out of the bottom four but I’d just like to see some mongrel and us competing on every play.

My fear is that over 25 rounds the frequency of losses will cut deep after a while and we will unravel badly.
 
He was very underwhelming from there on after.... ..💔
His defence was pretty good and in attack apart from a couple of dropped balls/strip he ran hard - Manly knew he is the only danger in our forwards and generally hit him with 3 defenders before he got to the advantage line. I think he will be targeted all year as our only forward capable of breaking the line.
 
Granted yes this is only 1trial and trial’s are just that but just about every other club are raving about at least 1-2 youngsters about to be unleashed? What is going on with our so called youngsters ready to take the next step.
Cronulla aren't - so after week 1 of the trials looks like us and Cronulla to fight out the spoon. Manly to play penrith in GF and Warriors and Saints to make top 4. Who needs to bother watching the rest of the season.
 
You'd wanna hope that with Laurie and Hastings back we improve in attack .. but whats with our forwards .. not one of them looked like they were gonna penetrate the defence line .. then also not one of them aimed up in our defence.

I know its only a trial game but when they called our try back for obstruction .. why didnt they call first Manlys first try back for obstruction .. go back and watch it .. Manly's lead runner runs straight into our player denying our player a chance to come across .. exactly what we got pinged for ... if the TV refs are gonna call what they can see .. they better be consistent .. it was terrible.

Let's hope next weekends trial against the Rorters we go better, otherwise we're in for another long hard season of misery.
Thought the same thing - no different whatsoever to the obstruction call against us.
 
H
He was aggressive in defence also, his positioning let him down at times but he really was trying to hurt people out there. If he could get his footy IQ up or play in a better system he could be a tough customer for opponents
Hes a young guy with a
handful of games... Still developing, a long way to go, same with Laurie,. Blore, Stef,. Madden, Toa, Simpkins etc etc
 
You always have to have an eye to the future and forward planning is essential. I am thinking of next year and beyond, whilst not writing this one off. I expect them to make the 8 this year.
Put it this way…if you are correct and we do come bottom 2, would you think the arrival of API and Papa will automatically turn our fortunes around?

This year I have very low expectations for the following reasons

1) Our recruitment is questionable for this season
2) volume of our starters injured for a chunk of the season already
3) quality of our backline and backrow depth
4) our squad has had hardly any turn over from last year when we leaked points

Api and Papa are brilliant recruits we couldn't have asked for better and we needed uplifts in those areas but we have massive gaps that will hurt us more across the park that right now that I don't see being resolved in this or next year - relying on kids to be groomed through and hold firm is a 3-5yr driver plan if you have what you think is the cattle coming through.
 
The only sure bet gazza is the one y

I’m just stating that a fair few people have written off the upcoming season before a blow is struck.
Its a defeatist mindset.
The squad we have now have to lift and push for finals this year so that when the talent we have purchased arrive next year, they can capitalise on the momentum created and drive us towards proper success.
I totally agree.
The players careers also hinge on our success and how individual players perform.
There is no room for mediocrity.
The club has enough talent to give the top 8 a shake
 
This is the trial game competition table for those panicking about the game on the weekend. Looks like we are cellar dwellers with Souths, Roosters, Storm, Newcastle and Cronulla.

SOUND THE PANIC ALARMS!!!!!!! 🙂

TEAMFORAGAINSTPTS
Penrith3462
Manly2842
Canberra32182
Nth Qld Cowboys24122
Warriors30182
St George26222
Gold Coast Titans26261
Brisbane Broncos26261
Parramatta Eels22260
Souths12240
Melbourne Storm18300
Roosters18320
Wests Tigers4280
Cronulla6340
Newcastle *
Canterbury Bankstown *
 
Dillon held up ok after a shaky start which showed some character for mind. But to say Dillon showed more in 30mins than Laurie all season I don't get how you can make that assessment in a trial game.

People forget that Laurie was a rookie this time last year and had maybe 2-3 weeks before the 1st trial game with our squad, was chucked into fullback not his Panthers playing position without a pre-season & behind a team that was hopeless. Laurie attacked the ball, was safe under the high ball taking some fair dinkum spectacular bombs in traffic against players twice the size of him, put his body on the line in defence & made try savers, was the only player supporting around the forwards whilst chiming into a half backline that was changing all the time.

I think alot of people forget how Laurie was because he missed the backend of the season & have a bad taste due to the GF fiasco. But Laurie had a cracker of a rookie year.
This is what concerns me about Ogden and Dillon after the efforts under the high ball. I’m ignorant in the art of developing NRL talent but I would imagine it is hard to develop this trait. It just comes naturally for laurie.
 
not worried at all. no Hastings, Laurie and Maumalo showed for mine. I like the width we play off attacking shapes now thanks to Peach. everyone is well aware Pauga is horrendous defensively, especially Manly who scored 5 tries down his edge last year. throw To'a or Roberts there and that should shore it up.
 
not worried at all. no Hastings, Laurie and Maumalo showed for mine. I like the width we play off attacking shapes now thanks to Peach. everyone is well aware Pauga is horrendous defensively, especially Manly who scored 5 tries down his edge last year. throw To'a or Roberts there and that should shore it up.
Couldn't agree more mate.
 
This is what concerns me about Ogden and Dillon after the efforts under the high ball. I’m ignorant in the art of developing NRL talent but I would imagine it is hard to develop this trait. It just comes naturally for laurie.

Look it was 1 game of 40mins in a trial with rain and wind swirling around.

Dillon it was his 1st big hitout - I won't judge him on it outside that he needs more time with the faster & bigger game to see what he is made of. More importantly he bounced back after the early blip very strongly which shows character, that impressed me alot especially against Turbo who is the best fullback in the game at the moment - for a kid that would be daunting to say the least especially with the conditions.

Ogden just looked totally out of position at the back, he at least jumped for the ball. Difference with him v Dillon was Ogden played against players his level v Dillon playing against players many levels above him currently.
 
This is what concerns me about Ogden and Dillon after the efforts under the high ball. I’m ignorant in the art of developing NRL talent but I would imagine it is hard to develop this trait. It just comes naturally for laurie.
I don't think you can have everything out of the box. What was amazing is what Dillon added to the attack. He seamlessly blended into the structures and threatened a lot. Great support play and amazing energy. Definitely reminds me of teddy.
 
I don't think you can have everything out of the box. What was amazing is what Dillon added to the attack. He seamlessly blended into the structures and threatened a lot. Great support play and amazing energy. Definitely reminds me of teddy.
I'm hopeful he gets a full season as the starting 1 in cup. crucial for his development going forward. definitely has the skillset just needs some refining.
 
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