Next week Dragons (Pre-Game Discussion)

[Blucky]

It to me ages to find out what "MIGOTY" meant. If this is really "our first real test", can we coin a new phrase OFART ? It may mean changing the phrase to "our first actual real test" . . . . . .

 

[TimmyQ]

Sadly the " under the radar " trick is evaporating very quickly.

If we win this weekend , the radar is kaput!

I dunno Mark...Most don't think we have much depth so regardless of a few more wins I think we'll be tagged finals pretenders.. (Which Im ok with) Thing is I think our depth is not too shabby tbh and I know we've come into $23 or so to win the comp.. Punters are onto us as having some finals potential..media still not convinced.

 

[TimmyQ]

Look I don't wanna jinx us here but fair dinkum look at their team...

1. Jason Nightingale 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Kurt Mann 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Josh McCrone 8. Russell Packer 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Jacob Host 17. Taane Milne

I can't see one bloke in their backline that I'd swap for one of our boys - Widdop is a solid enuff player, McCrone is and always has been an under achieving mentally weak plodder and the rest of the backs are tradesmanlike at best.. They DO have a few goers up front - Vaughan, Frizell, Thompson and De Belin all go ok no doubt. But seriously there's not a lot of attacking punch from that mob to fear. If we're switched on and play with defensive intensity for 80 mins plus considering the fact we're at home - we should towel these guys up by 20 odd if we're a genuine force this year.

 

[Evo]

Interesting Hastings named at 7 for BT Eagles, and Shaun Lane on the Bench?

 

[StuBoot]

Interesting Hastings named at 7 for BT Eagles, and Shaun Lane on the Bench?

He can't just be a utility on the bench for 1st Grade, he needs to get match time so a full match in ressies will do it.
I wouldn't read too much into it and someone has to make way for Lussick.

 

[The Eagle Eye]

Lussick set to return, Hastings to NSW cup. I'm confident we can win but I wouldn't underestimate the Dragons since they're playing good footy.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Dangerous game going in thinking they are easybeats.

Yep, Dugan is a big big out BUT treat them as we should, second on the ladder!

 

[davohan123]

We go in as favourites at home but dragons should not be taken lightly they are a good footy side.... any less than last week we will be in for a hard afternoon.

The next 3 weeks are going to be interesting:

Dragons at home... a game we are expected to win and should win we never do well in these games.. nervous

Storm at home... they will be at full strength going to be a clash for the ages I think.

Then 6 days later raiders away in Canberra.. they won both games against us last year.. not easy going down there and winning.

Fascinating next few weeks ahead.

 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

Shut their forwards down and we should come out on top here. Last few weeks have been great, but its difficult to maintain that standard week in week out and eventually takes a toll. Their pack has the potential to dominate if they are on song and wear opposition down. No matter how average a backline, if your forwards do their job, there are points available. Need to shut that down early and for the first time in a long time.. i believe we can. Hopefully the fact that Lussick is fresh, AFB and Taupau have had a little stint, backline is starting to click into gear should ensure team can put in another 80 min performance.
Had you told me we could possibly be 4-2 after 6 rounds at start of the season I would've laughed in your face. The run doesn't get any easier for a while, so a good win here will be a great morale boost for the Storm game next.

 

[The Who]

So, Hastings must have had a poor game to be dropped!

 

[Ralphie]

They DO have a few goers up front - Vaughan, Frizell, Thompson and De Belin all go ok no doubt. But seriously there's not a lot of attacking punch from that mob to fear.

And yet St George are currently the number 1 attacking team in the comp.

 

[HoldenV8]

Interesting fact. Manly currently have what is effectively a 23 man squad as we all know. As of the end of the win over the Chooks we have so far used 22 players.....the only one yet to play other than Snake and Skivy is Darcy Lussick who should be playing this week meaning we have already used our entire (usable) first grade squad.

However, in saying that.....unlike last year the others aren't sitting on the sidelines nursing injuries, they are just in NSW Cup.

Edit: Jono Wright (ankle, rd.7) and Billy Bainbridge (shoulder, indefinite) are both on the injury list.

In other business, I think we can beat St Merge, but I wouldn't be taking them lightly.

 

[Wombat64]

It to me ages to find out what "MIGOTY" meant. If this is really "our first real test", can we coin a new phrase OFART ? It may mean changing the phrase to "our first actual real test" . . . . . .

wTF does it mean?

 

[Blucky]

I'm sure you really know this Wombat, but . . . . .
Most Important Game Of The Year

 

[double hoops]

Bainbridge indefinitely out. Noooooooooo.

Brad Parker or Cullen in the top 25 that is the question.

 

[ricardo]

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Nate Myles 16. Darcy Lussick 17. Addin Fonua-Blake 18. Jackson Hastings 20. Matthew Wright 21. Jarrad Kennedy 22. Lloyd Perrett

I'm quite excited and think this is our best side! Bring on Saturday

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I'd rather have Hasting on the bench than Brown. More X factor and potential game breaking quality.

 

[Top End Eagle]

Darcy will break this game. We don't need Hastings. Brown has been excellent this year.

 

[andyvb]

Brown has maybe played 80mina in total and has probably given away the most penalties. Good effort and energy, but that's it

 

[Dan]

Im not sure its wise to throw Lussick straight back in. Don't get me wrong he was one of our best last year, but with the team firing and the forwards really digging in, upsetting that balance now may be unwise whilst he is trying to gain match fitness