Ok, lets try this again in the interest of mental health.....
1. Bateman - Worked hard all game, particularly in defence, bit of niggle, almost scored a stunning try and my Bulldog loving cousin messaged me to tell me he hates him. Enough for me, Im sold.
2. Staines is better than I expected. Has a fair bit of ticker and tries. I hope we keep him on the right $$$. Would have him every day of the week before Nofa.
3. Naden - One of my new favourites. Fast strong and bad attitude. Best centre we have had for a long time.
4. Halves - Great news that it has finally been laid bare and Wakeham has had his chance to draw a line under it. Surely even Sheens sees it and there is no way AD & Brooks are named there next week.
5. Api - A few poor errors today, but he is so many levels above the rest of this team. We are actually not worthy.
6. Klem - Tough, bad attitude and puts in. You can see he cares. So glad we have him.
7. Twals best game for a long time and no coincidence that he was the only one (Stef did also a couple of times) who timed his runs with Api out of DH.
8. Kepaoa - High energy, high intensity and hits with intent. Has been a revelation this year and one of the first picked somewhere in the 17 each week.
9. Defence - Last year, as we tired, teams poured through our middle. Our middle has been locked shut all three games. Our left defence slides off but holds well. Our right defence is weak as it has been for over 5 years.
10. Wakeham - I have never been as disappointed in a signing for a long time as I was when we signed Wakeham for our 30th spot. Thank god we did. I take my hat off to him that he really puts in, puts his head down and does his job. Great short pass but more importantly gets himself in position to make it and decent kicking game. Massive improvement on Jock Madden (potentially a massive improvement on Brooks and AD as well).
11.Pole - Strong kid.
Ok over to the rest of you.
1. Bateman will add a lot to this team
2. the coaches started looking like they are watching - Nofoaluma hooked, Doueihi moved
3. Our for and against hasn’t been destroyed (I thought they were heading to 50 late today)
4. Parra have also lost their first 3
I've come away from today much more positive than last week.
Bateman, having arrived only a month ago and playing in 35 degree weather, was epic. Never stopped trying. My new favourite player
Wakeham was able to straighten up the attack and was our best half out there by a mile.
Tupou looked really good in the limited ball he had.
I bagged Twal for losing it again in the opp 20, but he made good metres today.
Klemmer, Pole both very good up front. Klemmers second half was massive.
Api was very good and will be superb when the other players start pushing up in support around the ruck.
Naden was great, never gave up on a run and tried his butt off.
Staines was fine, but I think we need better than Staines and Laurie.
Blore was a bit disappointing.
Joffa was super disappointing.
Stef hasn't progressed like i'd hoped.
Nofo is a complete goose and i'm so glad he finally got hooked. He's an idiot and shouldnt be in first grade.
Brooks did absolutely nothing in the first half except miss a few tackles. In the second half he did a couple of good things on the back of Wakeham taking charge. Overall he's a massive disappointment and a very stupid footballer. This year is the worst i've seen him and AD's disastrous performance today is the only reason he should be in the team next week.
AD was diabolical. Can't tackle, braindead in attack. He should be in reserve grade.
Very good summary. Agree with all your points. I’d also add Tupou. Strong as. and kept his head.Ok, lets try this again in the interest of mental health.....
1. Bateman - Worked hard all game, particularly in defence, bit of niggle, almost scored a stunning try and my Bulldog loving cousin messaged me to tell me he hates him. Enough for me, Im sold.
2. Staines is better than I expected. Has a fair bit of ticker and tries. I hope we keep him on the right $$$. Would have him every day of the week before Nofa.
3. Naden - One of my new favourites. Fast strong and bad attitude. Best centre we have had for a long time.
4. Halves - Great news that it has finally been laid bare and Wakeham has had his chance to draw a line under it. Surely even Sheens sees it and there is no way AD & Brooks are named there next week.
5. Api - A few poor errors today, but he is so many levels above the rest of this team. We are actually not worthy.
6. Klem - Tough, bad attitude and puts in. You can see he cares. So glad we have him.
7. Twals best game for a long time and no coincidence that he was the only one (Stef did also a couple of times) who timed his runs with Api out of DH.
8. Kepaoa - High energy, high intensity and hits with intent. Has been a revelation this year and one of the first picked somewhere in the 17 each week.
9. Defence - Last year, as we tired, teams poured through our middle. Our middle has been locked shut all three games. Our left defence slides off but holds well. Our right defence is weak as it has been for over 5 years.
10. Wakeham - I have never been as disappointed in a signing for a long time as I was when we signed Wakeham for our 30th spot. Thank god we did. I take my hat off to him that he really puts in, puts his head down and does his job. Great short pass but more importantly gets himself in position to make it and decent kicking game. Massive improvement on Jock Madden (potentially a massive improvement on Brooks and AD as well).
11.Pole - Strong kid.
Ok over to the rest of you.
The left edge looks good if they keep Tupou over there. Need to get him and Naden more involved. They're big, strong and quick - feed them early ball.
Papali'i over there too will be even better.
The left edge looks good if they keep Tupou over there. Need to get him and Naden more involved. They're big, strong and quick - feed them early ball.
Papali'i over there too will be even better.
I like the idea of Papali'i on the left Bateman in the right
what was people's thoughts on Joffa ?
@avocadoontoast I thought he was too, is he playing 13 type role or was he in the middle ? He played so well last year.
What were thoughts on Starford? does he keep his spot or do you think Kepoa might move to centre ?
@avocadoontoast I thought he was too, is he playing 13 type role or was he in the middle ? He played so well last year.
What were thoughts on Starford? does he keep his spot or do you think Kepoa might move to centre ?
I’d have a Kepaoa in the centres.
@avocadoontoast I probably would too see what Sheens does, we might be without naden for the shoulder. We will also have to likely contend with munster
what was people's thoughts on Joffa ?
He doesn't look fit to me. I know he's had injury issues recently, it's really showing with his lack of sharpness.
Think he’s just so sick of losing out there. He had a winning culture at the bronx. He’s fallen into our culture sadly. Anyone see our set at the 48th minute. That WAS WESTS TIGERS DNA!I think he should be starting, like he was last year. Stefano hasn’t excited me, so the bench for mine.what was people's thoughts on Joffa ?
He doesn't look fit to me. I know he's had injury issues recently, it's really showing with his lack of sharpness.
Disappointing. Took his eyes off the play and that’s where Burton, I think it was, ran straight passed him to score. Lack of concentration.what was people's thoughts on Joffa ?
Let’s not forget Papali’i back next game as well. While not being outstanding he’s been a workhorse, going about doing his job.
