The side looks better than the last 3 weeks. Breaking up the Doueihi and Brooks halves combo had to happen. Not a fan of Adam at fullback but I’ll reserve judgement until after the game.
Laurie on the bench is interesting and I’m unsure how to use him. But it seems to indicate the Api will play 80 unless Brooks goes to dummy half.
The wingers look better than anything we’ve had for a while. I really like the look of Tupou and we need to be giving him more ball.
People need to remember that this is still an average but improving squad. We are trying to turn over a lot of players and have cleared a few of the underperforming players but there’s still a few to go.
There’s a big shadow of the Storm halves for this game so that could help us.
@garry yes I totally agree Garry, but one has played close to 200 games compared to 60-70 games. There’s a difference
In my opinion AD isn't a 6 or a 1 but if he improved his defence I believe he could be an excellent 13, if he can't then he is a centre at best/
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@garry yes I totally agree Garry, but one has played close to 200 games compared to 60-70 games. There’s a difference
In my opinion AD isn't a 6 or a 1 but if he improved his defence I believe he could be an excellent 13, if he can't then he is a centre at best/
His defence at centre is a concern as well.
The more I watch him the more I think he’s one of those talent players who can do a job in most positions but doesn’t have the skill set to be a specialist in any.
Over the moon that Noffa is gone. Given Staines hasn’t locked in 1 and we are yet to get Ken back it seems like noffa will not wear the jersey again
ADs first run at fullback last week was a game changer. He ran it straight back into the defence then knocked it on cold, right when we had all the momentum. Rather see Staines at fullback or if not, put Staines in reserve grade to work on becoming a good fullback. Shuffling him around can’t be helping his development.
I’m also worried wakeham will not deliver this weekend and we will well and truly be in a hole. Vossy made the point which I agree that the last 10mins of the dogs game were handled as poorly as the previous two weeks. We were on top and just needed someone to guide us around but ADs knock on just flowed into error after error, culminating in that horrible final set of one out hit ups. I hope I’m wrong and wakeham turns out to be a good temporary fix, but I’m scared this could go horribly wrong…
@garry agree . I could see him on the edge as a back rower eventually , to varying degrees of success .
It could work at 1. If the storm are smart they will just kick to the corners and tire him out .
if not , and we run a conventional block play , we can really get at their centre/ half and isolate them 1 on 1 with AD . If we can do that , we can then have bodies in motion as AD always stands and has an arm free .
This is the best way to use AD at fullback IMO.
And from memory AD was always good at sniffing around the ruck in support play at 1 .
If they kick to the corners and spend a lot of time down our end on the try line , forcing AD to tackle , swing behind the play . Tackle , swing back the other way etc . Then his effectiveness will be null - a potential liability.
Brooks has played 6 all year with 7 on his back already
In light of the selection process I’d just like to make the observation that we actually do have a few options which has to be seen as a positive. The past few seasons it’s rarely been the case where players have been promoted or relegated in direct relation to their form due to the void of quality.Not so anymore.
Joffa has been somewhat underwhelming thus far and I wouldn’t be exploring conspiracy theories just yet.His lack of pre season really told against him in the brutal heat.He gets his chance to make amends down below.That should be the healthy time honoured process.Both he and Noffa are big boys on substantial freight and know the realities.I’m also not wishing ever to see Noffa in 1st grade again,I’d prefer to see him recapture some of the old sparkling form if he has it in him and be an asset to the club.The same should apply for every player if we’re to raise our standards and culture.No exceptions.
I would have kept Staines at fullback. He has a high work rate and a real hunger for the ball. With AD at the back, I worry about his positional play, he was caught out a few times when he played their last.
@garry if the defence improved at 13 he can ball play in the middle and that would work well.
@the-last-ronin maybe
Laurie's comes on and plays fullback
AD moves to centre
Kepoa back to second row
This would mean Api again plays 80 mins
It does allow Laurie to come on fresh and sniff around the ruck from fullback.
I’m also worried wakeham will not deliver this weekend and we will well and truly be in a hole. Vossy made the point which I agree that the last 10mins of the dogs game were handled as poorly as the previous two weeks. We were on top and just needed someone to guide us around but ADs knock on just flowed into error after error, culminating in that horrible final set of one out hit ups. I hope I’m wrong and wakeham turns out to be a good temporary fix, but I’m scared this could go horribly wrong…
I heard Vossy as well. He was very critical of Wakeham which was a bizarre assessment in my view.
We played 2 and two-thirds matches with halves that displayed absolutely nothing. They performed poorly as individuals and as a pairing. Now is the time for change at 0-3.
Wakeham might not be a saviour but he did bring some order to the attack as soon as he came on. Vossy seemed to overlook that.
FWIW, Joel Caine had a similar view to Vossy on SEN this arvo. He said Wakeham is a handy back up and nothing more. He also suggested that the Tigers look to push Noffa out and do a swap deal for a backup half at another club.
Blake Taafe would be the only player I'd consider among NRL backups. I'd argue he's is a better player than Wakeham. We could probably throw Souths a forward too as they are very short atm. Maybe they would take Seyfarth?
@the-last-ronin maybe
Laurie's comes on and plays fullback
AD moves to centre
Kepoa back to second row
This would mean Api again plays 80 mins
It does allow Laurie to come on fresh and sniff around the ruck from fullback.
I don’t mind that as a plan but either way it’s a lot of changes unless Laurie just comes on as an extra roaming ball player.
