What a tough start to the season

[Kiwi Eagle]

Just having a quick look at the points ladder and it really stood out how tough our start tithe year has been.

We have played every other team that is in the top 8 after this weekend of footy, and we play the team running 9th this weekend.

The other 2 games were a tough grind against our bogey team away, and game against the Tigers, who weren't completely decimated by injury at that stage

To come through that period and sit where we are, especially if we can beat the Raiders coking into the bye, will be a very good start to the year with injuries and suspensions thrown in as well

 

[CAMBO]

That effort was gutsy it was courageous but one thing stood out for me is we are lacking size with 3 props out. If we can hang in there until Ritchie is back I think we will be sweet. The attack will come, there's a lot of similarities to our 2011 campaign.

 

[sheridanstand78]

Its a pleasing start to the year, to average only 12 points against a game against the quality teams we have played is a testament to the solid foundation we have, what we need to do better now is to improve our attack and get some repeat sets and build the pressure.

Even though tonight the drizzle were aided and abetted by crap officialdom, they acheived 5 goal line drop outs. Thats what we need to do.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Yeah, our position is comparitively good & in that regard Im pleased with how its going.

But I do, however have concerns about player burnout. Our season could easily take a turn for the worse if we dont even the burdens and distribute the performance expectations.

 

[torana355]

Exactly, we will start plying some teams with worse defense then the Rabbits, Roosters and Storm which should see us go on another winning streak. We still need to work on our discipline and attack if we really want to give this comp a shake this year.

 

[voicefromthehill]

To come through that period and sit where we are, especially if we can beat the Raiders coking into the bye, will be a very good start to the year with injuries and suspensions thrown in as well

ASADA and WADA will be all over us if we coke in the bye.

You are right, we have had a torrid open start to the season, and these matches can on,y serve to toughen us come the pointy end of the year, and the teams we will face won't want to face us, of that you can be sure

 

[The Who]

That effort was gutsy it was courageous but one thing stood out for me is we are lacking size with 3 props out. If we can hang in there until Ritchie is back I think we will be sweet. The attack will come, there's a lot of similarities to our 2011 campaign.

Size? The Dogs showed against Newcastle that size doesn't matter; its the guts the players show. Canterbury had a huge pack, but got flogged by a pack missing two of their top players.
We have not been out-muscled in any game this season - out-penalised, yes!

 

[Fluffy]

yes the next 5 weeks look a bit easier with raiders, bye, warriors, bulldogs and bye.

Hopefully we win all 3 without too much hassle and freshen up a bit

 

[Pittwater Legend]

Yeah, our position is comparitively good & in that regard Im pleased with how its going.

But I do, however have concerns about player burnout. Our season could easily take a turn for the worse if we dont even the burdens and distribute the performance expectations.

Burnout is something we have to watch out for but it is wonderful to see what deep courage and character our boys have. No team outside the top 4 could play like that to save their own lives. If we work out our player rotation we can definitely go up and gear and be untouchable on our day.

 

[dowdz]

Yeah, our position is comparitively good & in that regard Im pleased with how its going.

But I do, however have concerns about player burnout. Our season could easily take a turn for the worse if we dont even the burdens and distribute the performance expectations.

Especially with Tooves not using the whole bench. Choc will need a break come origin time.

We could do with some repeat sets as well.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Im livid at the use of our bench. Too livid to be posting about it tonight.

I thought we were rid of that crap when Des left !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[voicefromthehill]

Im livid at the use of our bench. Too livid to be posting about it tonight.

I thought we were rid of that crap when Des left !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to assume Toovey had valid reasons not to play Gower, maybe his plan went to the **** when Melbourne had 85% of the ball in the second half, and Toovey needed to rely on his best players. Who should he have replaced and when? Would he have offered more than that player did for said period of play? We obviously can't answer that, but you understand my point I am sure

 

[Jatz Crackers]

The fact is we had two props being flogged to death while we only subbed one specialist prop, one specialist back rower and one other small back rower/dummy half runner.

I will be interested to see the minutes played because that was not good enough tonight.

I cant come up with any valid reasons for Toovey doing this. The fact is noone can & I suspect its because there isnt one. It didnt work when Des did it & it certainly doesnt work for us now.

 

[susan]

100% with you Jatz.It is easy to forget after a display of courage like that but what will these blokes have left to give come R26.

 

[manlyfan76]

I also was thinking about this and I don't like it. I suggested in another thread after last time to get players on at the back end of the first half and start of 2nd to get them into the game and rest gift or Choc. Does anyone know if we are even using our full number of interchanges? Also symonds subbed on for Lawerence after 16 mins.

 

[bennyeagle]

Bye week...........everyone, ACTIVATE SLEEP MODE !

 

[MissKate]

I thought Toovey mixed up the interchanges last night. Choc came off for a period so that would have taken up interchanges we don't normally incur. I thought Lawrence came off pretty early and then came back on sooner than previous games. Also, did Matai come off towards the end of the game. I am sure there is some strategy Toovey is playing out, I trust his better judgement.

 

[BOZO]

Toovey's judgement on the interchange was correct . I dont believe you bench players when they are playing well and with energy because you lose momentum . The fact is 2v and the boys are in the history books for making a record breaking 419 tackles and still not lose the game .
We proved last night we are the fittest team in the NRL

 

[jbb/james]

The fact is we had two props being flogged to death while we only subbed one specialist prop, one specialist back rower and one other small back rower/dummy half runner.

I will be interested to see the minutes played because that was not good enough tonight.

I cant come up with any valid reasons for Toovey doing this. The fact is noone can & I suspect its because there isnt one. It didnt work when Des did it & it certainly doesnt work for us now.

I cant remmember 1 minute of last nights game when i didnt want Lawrence and kite on the field. They were awesome. Rather than change for change sake, can we fault the minutes of the players on the field. Did tiredness effect the outcome. I dont think so. No way is gower as good as the players that were on the field and if they are doing the job and have the petrol than why change them

I think this bench rotation argument is getting old. In a perfect world you would have your best 13 in the club play 80 minutes and only sub if injured. I didnt see our players tire. In fact they seem to grow in stature

Kite was amazing last night. His minutes and efforts should have him as the first prop picked in origin.We will lose a lot next season and the panthers will gain