LIVE GAME Trial 2 vs. Dragons

[Kelce68]

You don’t agree that Bula has no playmaking ability ? If he does it would be nice to see it. Not touching the ball for the first 15 minutes when we had plenty of ball attacking our opponents line is not good enough.
I agree that we ideally need our halves to be a running threat similar to how Melbourne Storm play with two predominantly running halves in Hughes and Munster. They also lack a ball playing 13, but Papenhuyzen has developed into a decent 3rd playmaking and general play kicking option when required.
If we want our halves to be genuine running threats, we would not be selecting Sezer that’s for sure.

No, I don't agree with that in the slightest.

Bula has plenty of playmaking ability, when used correctly. If given no space or time to work, which is largely attributable to his woeful halves last year and so far, his sub-par halves this year, what is he supposed to do?

For reference, in 18 games last year, his debut season, Bula had 7 line breaks, 9 line break assists and 7 try assists, all with the aforementioned cacophony of peanuts inside him. All of these are metrics of 'play making ability' to some degree.

....that's not exactly bereft of playmaking ability.

 

[Vicious]

The answer to 13 is in the club . His name is AD. AD just needs to realise this and work on his contact and tackling . Not saying it will happen , but IMO it’s right there for all to see , highlighted , bolded and underlined . We just have to make a hypothetical into a reality

I agree he could name a great 13 if he toughened up and put his mind to it.

 

[jrtiger]

I had an in-depth look into our sets in St George's red zone, and it's really interesting what we were getting up to.

we kinda refused to swing the ball wide, for what reason I don't know. Olam saw no ball inside the red zone, I think To'a got one opportunity. they just kinda played thru the middle and kicked for repeat sets. the shape last week that unlocked Faataape down the left was nowhere to be seen either, like we had parked it knowing that it works.

they might've been told to keep it tight, but that might also (worryingly) be the shapes we plan to play. my old man was listening to Westslife the other day and they apparently were told from someone inside the club that Marshall had told the players that they were going to keep a lot of shapes in the garage against NZ to avoid teams knowing what we're going to throw at them come the season proper.

whether that was the case for last Saturday I really don't know. the only way we find out if it was the same again is if we begin to throw the pill wide in three weeks' time.

 

[Kelce68]

I had an in-depth look into our sets in St George's red zone, and it's really interesting what we were getting up to.

we kinda refused to swing the ball wide, for what reason I don't know. Olam saw no ball inside the red zone, I think To'a got one opportunity. they just kinda played thru the middle and kicked for repeat sets. the shape last week that unlocked Faataape down the left was nowhere to be seen either, like we had parked it knowing that it works.

they might've been told to keep it tight, but that might also (worryingly) be the shapes we plan to play. my old man was listening to Westslife the other day and they apparently were told from someone inside the club that Marshall had told the players that they were going to keep a lot of shapes in the garage against NZ to avoid teams knowing what we're going to throw at them come the season proper.

whether that was the case for last Saturday I really don't know. the only way we find out if it was the same again is if we begin to throw the pill wide in three weeks' time.

Exactly what I thought watching (and rewatching) the game jr. They just looked like they were only showing half their hand on purpose.

I don't think either the style, nor the ability of this squad has actually been seen yet.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

they might've been told to keep it tight, but that might also (worryingly) be the shapes we plan to play. my old man was listening to Westslife the other day and they apparently were told from someone inside the club that Marshall had told the players that they were going to keep a lot of shapes in the garage against NZ to avoid teams knowing what we're going to throw at them come the season proper.

Tbh this would make a lot of sense. It seemed very strange that we didn't seem to spread the ball at all... Can anyone tell me how many times our wingers touched the ball in the opposition 20? Or how many times we ran a block play? It seemed like the game plan was to just go one & out & practice getting repeat sets.

 

[jrtiger]

Exactly what I thought watching (and rewatching) the game jr. They just looked like they were only showing half their hand on purpose.

I don't think either the style, nor the ability of this squad has actually been seen yet.

the constant turning back under and hammering of the middle corridor had to be intentional, it's just whether or not we were mirroring what we plan to do come R2 and onwards.

I hope we're both right, mate. I don't think I can do another season like last year.

 

[jrtiger]

Tbh this would make a lot of sense. It seemed very strange that we didn't seem to spread the ball at all... Can anyone tell me how many times our wingers touched the ball in the opposition 20? Or how many times we ran a block play? It seemed like the game plan was to just go one & out & practice getting repeat sets.

it was like our halves were under strict instructions to keep it between the tram lines and have Api just use his deception to try and get our middles over the line. once again it could be a true reflection of what we plan to do, but it may also have been intentional to the point of concealing what we truly plan to do once the season kicks off. I'm leaning closer to the latter.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

it was like our halves were under strict instructions to keep it between the tram lines and have Api just use his deception to try and get our middles over the line. once again it could be a true reflection of what we plan to do, but it may also have been intentional to the point of concealing what we truly plan to do once the season kicks off. I'm leaning closer to the latter.

Either way our defence was seriously concerning... I hope Morris can patch that up come round 2

 

[jrtiger]

Either way our defence was seriously concerning... I hope Morris can patch that up come round 2

definitely agree. a lot of it comes down to attitude but there is absolutely some fine tuning that needs to be done. there's far too many passive defenders down that right edge. linespeed was also deeply concerning but I think that's also an attitude issue.

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

Either way our defence was seriously concerning... I hope Morris can patch that up come round 2

Starford To'a cannot be anywhere near the side. He's shown way too many defensive performances like that in the last two years.

 

[Kelce68]

Our attack will not improve until we have more playmaking options other than just that halves.
No other NRL team only has their two halves as playmaking options, they all have their lock and/or fullback heavily contributing to the playmaking for a reason.

You don't think Api is a playmaking threat?

Mate.

 

[Kaito]

Tbh this would make a lot of sense. It seemed very strange that we didn't seem to spread the ball at all... Can anyone tell me how many times our wingers touched the ball in the opposition 20? Or how many times we ran a block play? It seemed like the game plan was to just go one & out & practice getting repeat sets.

Yep, up the middle and to play flat & at the line. Bula
chimes in best when we play with depth as evidenced
by his try - but that wasn't a set play, that was just
Galvin playing really smart football. If you watch
that try on the full replay (not just highlight) you can
see how far he swings over from the right to the
left of Sezer's shoulder to make that play happen.
Not a set play, just ad-lib footy, was so good to see.
Also noticed how it looked like Bula actually gained
speed after stepping Sloan, mad balance great try

 

[teddy23]

@Vicious - no disrespect as I do enjoy your posts/insight.

However, with your logic Penrith should drop Edwards and put Laurie in at fullback as he's the better playmaker.

We just brought into our top 30 in 2024 - Seizer, Sullivan, Fainu and Galvin. There's enough playmakers in there to get us by and I didn't even mention Api who probably is our most creative attacking threat.

Bula hasn't even scratched the surface on his potential but it's clear to people who watch him closely the kid is a genuine footballer with PLENTY of upside.

 

[Kaito]

You don't think Api is a playmaking threat?

Mate.

My only criticism is he's overplaying his hand in the
red zone a bit. Crashing the usual suspects like Twal
& Seyfarth. Should give his halves more latitude there
particularly in that part of the field. But the general
was controlling, we haven't shown our hand 1 bit

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

My only criticism is he's overplaying his hand in the
red zone a bit. Crashing the usual suspects like Twal
& Seyfarth. Should give his halves more latitude there
particularly in that part of the field. But the general
was controlling, we haven't shown our hand 1 bit

Shows why Farah shouldn't be our attacking coach

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I had an in-depth look into our sets in St George's red zone, and it's really interesting what we were getting up to.

we kinda refused to swing the ball wide, for what reason I don't know. Olam saw no ball inside the red zone, I think To'a got one opportunity. they just kinda played thru the middle and kicked for repeat sets. the shape last week that unlocked Faataape down the left was nowhere to be seen either, like we had parked it knowing that it works.

they might've been told to keep it tight, but that might also (worryingly) be the shapes we plan to play. my old man was listening to Westslife the other day and they apparently were told from someone inside the club that Marshall had told the players that they were going to keep a lot of shapes in the garage against NZ to avoid teams knowing what we're going to throw at them come the season proper.

whether that was the case for last Saturday I really don't know. the only way we find out if it was the same again is if we begin to throw the pill wide in three weeks' time.

That's interesting @jrtiger as I wondered the same thing about parking our red zone attacking structure most of the trials. I so much hope that is the case.

Some of my viewpoints:

• Yes our intensity especially in defence was down which led to so many ineffective tackles. It was really highlighted down our right with To'a, IP, Sullivan, Api & Seyfarth. This is 'mostly' an attitude thing.
• I think Benji will keep the faith with his starting 13 for Round 2 except Bateman comes in for Kepaoa. My thinking is that Benji will want experience, connection & stability in his starting team (so the likes of Tupou, To'a, Seyfarth & Sullivan will be retained).
• Twal, Pole & Samuela Fainu I reckon are locks for the bench. Now the decision for the utility bench spot will be between Simpkin, Galvin & Latu Fainu.
• I think he'll go with Simpkin for reasons outlined above & give Galvin time in Flegg then Cup before a debut in a couple of months. Personally I'd give Latu a run in Flegg in 2 weeks when our NRL/Cup teams have the bye and debut him off the bench in Rd 2 (to cover hooker & halves).
• I have faith that To'a, IP, Api, Sezer & Sullivan can turn it around against the Raiders.

 

[BAGNF05]

My only criticism is he's overplaying his hand in the
red zone a bit. Crashing the usual suspects like Twal
& Seyfarth. Should give his halves more latitude there
particularly in that part of the field. But the general
was controlling, we haven't shown our hand 1 bit

Now you’re getting somewhere Kaito.

Do you blame the playmakers or the lack of class players they are distributing to? Most NRL tries tend to result, in my opinion, from the ball carrier’s ability to turn a half chance into something more.

 

[Kaito]

Shows why Farah shouldn't be our attacking coach

Bro I know I've said it heaps b4 but I'll give it 2 months
of football before I start going off. Heart be still lol

 

[Vicious]

If it was a deliberate coaching ploy to not show our hand in attack, then it could be a master stroke and Benji is much smarter than I thought if that’s the case.
My concern is our attack looked very similar to what it did over the last 4-5 rounds from last season, hoping it’s not a coincidence.
As others have alluded to, I don’t think the poor defence is as much of a problem as surely competition for positions in our top 17 will ensure lack of defensive commitment will not be tolerated once the competition commences. In saying that I still don’t think we are capable of regularly stopping our opponents from scoring 3-4 tries or more each game, so we will definitely need our attack on song if we are to win our fair share of games.

 

[Kaito]

Now you’re getting somewhere Kaito.

Do you blame the playmakers or the lack of class players they are distributing to?

Neither atm Bags. Just think we're playing conservative
by design. Building on some familiarity from last
season - allowing the team to gel & new halves to
get a look at options b4 we throw it around and we
reveal our set-plays/style of play. That's just my opinion.