Wests Tigers Team V Storm

[boonboon]

WOuld be great to see ALoia back but it worries me in this day of Concussions what happens if a back is injured - most teams carry someone who can play in the backline because concussions happen so often you need cover. Makes me think that Gamble could be on the bench instead of McIlwrick

 

[underdog]

I also prefer the front row combinations from last week but maybe he wants us to go out there and bruise them early this week, try to put them off their game with some intimidation.

Interchange: 11 Boyd Cordner ©, 14 Dylan Napa, 15 Zane Tetevano, 17 Victor Radley - Roosters Bench Round 1

Interchange: 14 Tim Glasby, 15 Kenny Bromwich, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Sam Kasiano - Storm Bench Round 2

In Round 1, we needed to combat the effect of the Rooster's bench otherwise they might've gained a momentum up the middle, hiving more time and space for Teddy, Cronk, Mitchell etc. This could've resulted in Roosters scoring a few quick tries giving the upper hand. However, with Matulino coming on for us - I thought he played great and with lots of aggressive runs and effective tackled. https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2018/03/12/vb-hard-earned-effort-of-the-week/

The Storm bench isn't as strong as the Roosters but they do have 4 forwards compared to our 3 + McIllwrick. The Storm will keep coming at us through the forwards this week, more so than the Roosters. If we don't stop the forwards than we are no chance with the backs that they possess. I would like to see Aloiai in for McIllwrick. McIllwrick isn't going to offer anything from the bench. If we do decide to go with a utility; Gamble would definitely be the best option.

I suspect it's going to a long, long season of people expecting Gamble to be chosen.

(no offence to Gamble or his fans. I just think Ivan might have him a little lower in the pecking order.)

Hear hear. Reminds me of the John Grant hype.

Except John Grant looked bog average in Reggies.

Gamble looks too good for reggies.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

our untouchable captain is still there, Chee -Kam >> Lawrence,
but it looks like the 'boys club' still rules :deadhorse:

 

[Geo]

our untouchable captain is still there, Chee -Kam >Lawrence,
but it looks like the 'boys club' still rules :deadhorse:

Sack Ivan…?

 

[Geo]

Updated

Wests Tigers: 19 David Nofoaluma, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14 Matt McIlwrick 15 Alex Twal, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matthew Eisenhuth

Reserves: 18 Josh Aloiai, 20 Tim Grant

Gamble drops out of the 21…Lolohea OUT Nofoaluma IN...

 

[innsaneink]

Problem with Tui being out and Nof in is we lose a heap of pace. Storm are the fastest team in the comp and we've now gotten even slower.

We will need to keep switched on as I can see Storm attacking us from a long way out to use their pace. Our goal line defence may not be tested as much because their pace is nullified in close range.

???
You reckon Tui is faster than Nofo?

 

[Spud_Murphy]

They're not playing Nofo at fullback surely? Not with Thompson's form there.

 

[TSupps05]

Interestingly Nofa named at Fullback. My thinking is that it is just another one of Cleary's tricks and will keep Storm guessing who will be fullback Thompson or Nofa

 

[WT2K]

Well didn't expect to see nofo at fb…

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Felise Kaufusi will miss the game with a hamstring injury, leaving Kenny Bromwich to move into the starting side for his 100th NRL game.

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2018/03/16/rd.2-hostplus-team-update/

 

[Nelson]

Interestingly Nofa named at Fullback. My thinking is that it is just another one of Cleary's tricks and will keep Storm guessing who will be fullback Thompson or Nofa

Or maybe he really is that worried about his defensive reads out wide…

 

[Geo]

I wouldn't be too concerned with the named positions..the final team and lineup only needs to be confirm 1 hr prior to kick off…only thing that is certain now is Gamble and Lolohea wont play..

Thompson at 1 Nofo on the wing and wouldn't be surprised if Matulino starts off the bench again with Aloiai in for MCK..

Grant has not played 2 weeks now...time to come in or back to ISP..we home next week..

 

[Spud_Murphy]

I wouldn't be too concerned with the named positions..the final team and lineup only needs to be confirm 1 hr prior to kick off…only thing that is certain now is Gamble and Lolohea wont play..

Thompson at 1 Nofo on the wing and wouldn't be surprised if Matulino starts off the bench again with Aloiai in for MCK..

Grant has not played 2 weeks now...time to come in or back to ISP..we home next week..

Aloiai needs to come in for McIllwrick, not Chee Kam. We need them both in our pack, they're in good form. Can't understand why McIllwrick is even there!

 

[Geo]

I wouldn't be too concerned with the named positions..the final team and lineup only needs to be confirm 1 hr prior to kick off…only thing that is certain now is Gamble and Lolohea wont play..

Thompson at 1 Nofo on the wing and wouldn't be surprised if Matulino starts off the bench again with Aloiai in for MCK..

Grant has not played 2 weeks now...time to come in or back to ISP..we home next week..

Aloiai needs to come in for McIllwrick, not Chee Kam. We need them both in our pack, they're in good form. Can't understand why McIllwrick is even there!

Have to ask Ivan I guess…

 

[The_Patriot]

Interchange: 11 Boyd Cordner ©, 14 Dylan Napa, 15 Zane Tetevano, 17 Victor Radley - Roosters Bench Round 1

Interchange: 14 Tim Glasby, 15 Kenny Bromwich, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Sam Kasiano - Storm Bench Round 2

In Round 1, we needed to combat the effect of the Rooster's bench otherwise they might've gained a momentum up the middle, hiving more time and space for Teddy, Cronk, Mitchell etc. This could've resulted in Roosters scoring a few quick tries giving the upper hand. However, with Matulino coming on for us - I thought he played great and with lots of aggressive runs and effective tackled. https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2018/03/12/vb-hard-earned-effort-of-the-week/

The Storm bench isn't as strong as the Roosters but they do have 4 forwards compared to our 3 + McIllwrick. The Storm will keep coming at us through the forwards this week, more so than the Roosters. If we don't stop the forwards than we are no chance with the backs that they possess. I would like to see Aloiai in for McIllwrick. McIllwrick isn't going to offer anything from the bench. If we do decide to go with a utility; Gamble would definitely be the best option.

I suspect it's going to a long, long season of people expecting Gamble to be chosen.

(no offence to Gamble or his fans. I just think Ivan might have him a little lower in the pecking order.)

Hear hear. Reminds me of the John Grant hype.

Except John Grant looked bog average in Reggies.

Gamble looks too good for reggies.

GNR has a massive negative opinion of the guy.
\
\
Look forward to the excuses once he makes it.

John Grant, Tom Humble, he keeps adding to it

 

[jrtiger]

I wouldn't be too concerned with the named positions..the final team and lineup only needs to be confirm 1 hr prior to kick off…only thing that is certain now is Gamble and Lolohea wont play..

Thompson at 1 Nofo on the wing and wouldn't be surprised if Matulino starts off the bench again with Aloiai in for MCK..

Grant has not played 2 weeks now...time to come in or back to ISP..we home next week..

Aloiai needs to come in for McIllwrick, not Chee Kam. We need them both in our pack, they're in good form. Can't understand why McIllwrick is even there!

X2\. Our pack needs to better them.

 

[851]

I suspect it's going to a long, long season of people expecting Gamble to be chosen.

(no offence to Gamble or his fans. I just think Ivan might have him a little lower in the pecking order.)

Hear hear. Reminds me of the John Grant hype.

Except John Grant looked bog average in Reggies.

Gamble looks too good for reggies.

GNR has a massive negative opinion of the guy.
\
\
Look forward to the excuses once he makes it.

John Grant, Tom Humble, he keeps adding to it

Not surprising he rated our previous coach very highly, me I have rated Gamble for quite some time.
He would not be out of place in first grade, he could easily take Brooks spot

 

[will1999]

hope Nofa isn't Fullback

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I suspect it's going to a long, long season of people expecting Gamble to be chosen.

(no offence to Gamble or his fans. I just think Ivan might have him a little lower in the pecking order.)

Hear hear. Reminds me of the John Grant hype.

Except John Grant looked bog average in Reggies.

Gamble looks too good for reggies.

GNR has a massive negative opinion of the guy.
\
\
Look forward to the excuses once he makes it.

John Grant, Tom Humble, he keeps adding to it

You and I have been over this. I don’t but into hype. Lord knows we’ve been down that road a dozen times. Somehow you take that as I don’t rate him, and even worse, want him to fail 😕

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Hear hear. Reminds me of the John Grant hype.

Except John Grant looked bog average in Reggies.

Gamble looks too good for reggies.

GNR has a massive negative opinion of the guy.
\
\
Look forward to the excuses once he makes it.

John Grant, Tom Humble, he keeps adding to it

Not surprising he rated our previous coach very highly, me I have rated Gamble for quite some time.
He would not be out of place in first grade, he could easily take Brooks spot

Ivan keeps picking Brooks. There must come a point soon where you start questioning him if you are so against Brooks.