Halbrowne61
Well-known member
We don’t know how to score 60 WT !
I’d say a 1-12 win !
TEAM LIST Vs Dragons [round 18]
- Thread starter wstigers11
- Start date
Team List
I’d say a 1-12 win !
Tigerdazz2
Well-known member
That was uncharacteristic, the amount of drop ball errors, loose carries.
The 2026 WT have had pretty good completion rates, even in heavy losses.
weststigers
Well-known member
to be fair, Saints aren't that bad, but we need to chip away at the for and against. I hope we don't play too safe.
If we managed 60 theyd get 52
Saints bombed 3 tries early against Canberra it's just a matter of time when those misses actually stick.
This game worries me.
Jolls
Well-known member
Will Luai's concussion force us back to the style of footy that gets us the chocolates?
Before we write this one off as another loss because of injuries and players out of positon let's look at it in more detail. Losing Luai hurts. He's our marquee half and a competitor. But does his absence force us back to a simpler, more balanced style of football?
Last week we were far too predictable. AD, for whatever reason, dominated the decision-making. While he played well in patches, far too many sets ended with him taking ownership of the last tackle and producing low-percentage kick or run options that killed momentum. Too many of his kicks were hail mary plays for himself. To me, it felt like he was trying to produce miracles instead of simply building pressure.
I've probably just guaranteed Doueihi has the game of his life after calling out some of the tripe he dished up last week. And some picked him for three points?
Anyway, with Jock effectively steering the side (regardless of what number is on his back), I think we'll go back to the future and see a very different approach. Madden isn't Luai, and he won't try to be. He will get the ball away after digging into the line to provide AD time and space when he sweeps and will let Api control the ruck. If Madden allows AD to run Bula should benefit and will make us harder to defend against 2,3 and 4 in.
The Dragons have been unlucky lately, but let's not kid ourselves; they're hardly the Riff. They've been in games without being able to finish them. If we complete well, kick to the corners and play smart and patiently, the pressure will be on them. The game will be won through the middle which will be a tough ask because that is the Dragon's strength.
If we can get back to generating ruck speed and Api has our piggies going forward Madden will have time, AD has space, Bula becomes dangerous around the ruck, and our edges get cleaner ball. Lose the ruck, and none of that happens.
For me, there are two players under the microscope.
Star needs to repay the faith. This is the sort of game where he needs to step up and lead. He is the experience in the outside backs, he has to finish his chances, and make good defensive reads. We need a genuine first-grade performance from him not one of the days he doesn't turn up.
Then there's Makasini. This is the challenge everyone has been asking for. If he's the long-term answer in the centres, now is the time to show it. Physically, I think he can trouble Feagai. He's an honest player, but is not elite defensively. If Madden can get Makasini early ball with a bit of space, I think he'll win more contests than he loses.
So if I had the clipboard, the game plan would be simple:
Am I completely off the mark, or does Luai being unavailable force us to play a style of football that's better suited to this game this week?
Before we write this one off as another loss because of injuries and players out of positon let's look at it in more detail. Losing Luai hurts. He's our marquee half and a competitor. But does his absence force us back to a simpler, more balanced style of football?
Last week we were far too predictable. AD, for whatever reason, dominated the decision-making. While he played well in patches, far too many sets ended with him taking ownership of the last tackle and producing low-percentage kick or run options that killed momentum. Too many of his kicks were hail mary plays for himself. To me, it felt like he was trying to produce miracles instead of simply building pressure.
I've probably just guaranteed Doueihi has the game of his life after calling out some of the tripe he dished up last week. And some picked him for three points?
Anyway, with Jock effectively steering the side (regardless of what number is on his back), I think we'll go back to the future and see a very different approach. Madden isn't Luai, and he won't try to be. He will get the ball away after digging into the line to provide AD time and space when he sweeps and will let Api control the ruck. If Madden allows AD to run Bula should benefit and will make us harder to defend against 2,3 and 4 in.
The Dragons have been unlucky lately, but let's not kid ourselves; they're hardly the Riff. They've been in games without being able to finish them. If we complete well, kick to the corners and play smart and patiently, the pressure will be on them. The game will be won through the middle which will be a tough ask because that is the Dragon's strength.
If we can get back to generating ruck speed and Api has our piggies going forward Madden will have time, AD has space, Bula becomes dangerous around the ruck, and our edges get cleaner ball. Lose the ruck, and none of that happens.
For me, there are two players under the microscope.
Star needs to repay the faith. This is the sort of game where he needs to step up and lead. He is the experience in the outside backs, he has to finish his chances, and make good defensive reads. We need a genuine first-grade performance from him not one of the days he doesn't turn up.
Then there's Makasini. This is the challenge everyone has been asking for. If he's the long-term answer in the centres, now is the time to show it. Physically, I think he can trouble Feagai. He's an honest player, but is not elite defensively. If Madden can get Makasini early ball with a bit of space, I think he'll win more contests than he loses.
So if I had the clipboard, the game plan would be simple:
- Win the collision and control the ruck.
- Win the ruck and let Api dictate tempo.
- Build pressure through repeat sets and field position.
- Attack Feagai on the edges through early ball
- No hero-ball on the fifth tackle (Adam I'm looking at you).
Am I completely off the mark, or does Luai being unavailable force us to play a style of football that's better suited to this game this week?
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tigerbenji
Well-known member
Mate, every game worries me.
weststigers
Well-known member
Yeah me too muff. They've been looking way better lately.
Tigerdazz2
Well-known member
I'm hoping it's not a repeat of Melbourne.
The Storm had lost, what 7-8 in a row? Whatever it was it was Melbourne's biggest losing streak and they broke that streak against our boys.
Just Sayin'
🤔
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
The good start to the season had me convinced we could beat anyone but now I've no fingernails left, to think we could get done by the dragons, this is the continuous pain of following the Tigers.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
You take early season form with a grain of salt.
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Not if you switch allegiance to the Riff, nah, but some can be consistent from the start, unfortunately that's not us but why spoil the dream.
Tell the truth G, for a while didn't you think things had finally flipped.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I said during the off season our ceiling was about 9th, and as it stands, we are thereabouts. Not as doom and gloom as some like to claim.
Just remember they have Flanno and Atkinson...we'll be right.
Win the ruck and give Madden space and time
Win the ruck and give Madden space and time
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Last year was 9 wins if we get more than that it's improvement on paper, would've been interesting without all the team disruption where we could be at.
WestsEffTheRest
Well-known member
Just keep in mind Suli is lurking on the Dragons extended bench. If he's a late in the afternoon for Makasini might get a whole lot tougher.
davey_farrell
Well-known member
Yup very true, just our luck he will have a blinder which he can do
The Dragons have won 1 game from 15 so realistically we should win without too many issues,however their form in some ways is actually as good as if not better than ours.The Dragons don't fall apart when things go wrong as bad as we tend to do,despite the points difference on the table i am expecting a hard game and i just hope Benji has prepared the team for exactly that.
Let's hope our blokes have a real dig and pile on the points tomorrow and our defence is rock solid.
Let's hope our blokes have a real dig and pile on the points tomorrow and our defence is rock solid.
Tigerdazz2
Well-known member
Yep Steve, I hear ya!
I'm contemplating upping my anti depressants............and my medicinal cannabis.😉
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Tigerdazz2
Well-known member
I grew up in Panthers Territory at Rooty Hill & briefly in the flats across the road from the Cop Shop at Mt Druitt. I played for Rooty Hill RSLRLFC and lived right in front of our home ground, yet I could never support Penrith.
I became a mad Magpies fan after my Dad took me to watch my first live game, they were playing Saints, he WAS a Saints supporter (then a Parra Supporter now he's a Manly supporter after moving to the insular peninsular 🙄)
The Magpies beat the Dragons & I instantly became a huge fan of Tommy, Dallas & Graham O'Grady and followed the Mighty Magpies & since the merger the Wests Tigers to this day.. If anything, If I were to ever switch allegiance (it ain't gunna happen folks... I'm a glutton for punishment 😆) it would be to the Knights, our "local team" ........just a little shy of 200km South and a two & a half hours drive to McDonnell Jones Stadium.
