Best GO Forward in the NRL ??

[maxta]

There are a few teams with good power to gain field position in 2018.
The Cows on the back of Taumoloulo, Scott, Hess are up there and Feldt is an under rated yardage winger and some have them the best in this area....
This Manly go forward of AFB, Kapow, add Tanginoa and the improved Lane with Perrett rightfully back in the 17, are imo as good as any.
Then there are 2 wingers in Taufua and Uate who cart the ball with thrust and bend the line, giving the next runner plenty of momentum.
Is this close to, if not the best go forward in the NRL, or is it a case of the Manly glasses blurring the vision ??
And if this IS, up with the best, after winning field position and on the back of a decent kicking game, this is a huge advantage right....unless of course the opposition gets the old piggy back up field from their own tryline !!

 

[brad]

Agree totally .

 

[Chip and Chase]

Go forward means nothing if you don't work off the back of it. I thought we won the battle through the middle last week and it didn't help our cause. The Eels pack is better than the Knights IMO, so I'm not sure where that leaves us. I don't think we'll have it all our way on Sunday.

 

[maxta]

Go forward means nothing if you don't work off the back of it. I thought we won the battle through the middle last week and it didn't help our cause. The Eels pack is better than the Knights IMO, so I'm not sure where that leaves us. I don't think we'll have it all our way on Sunday.

Admittedly didn't cash in on this fact due to vital dropped ball in key area's and stupid penalties - the question I ask - is this the BEST Go forward in the NRL.
That was round 1 and if this is the case, as combinations agree and the spine becomes (hopefully) settled - this will mean plenty.

 

[Chip and Chase]

I liked it when we did rip in on Friday, and I do think we have one of the better packs on paper for go forward, Cowboys probably the benchmark. But i thought that there was a little too much ball playing from the forwards on Friday which killed the momentum at times. I can only assume that was a deliberate tactic for some reason. Maybe the changes on the bench this week mean a change in tactics ?? Perhaps we are going to really take it to them through the middle, hence the extra prop. If we can bash them up enough then Api and Cletus can maybe work some magic. I actually think Hastings is better at getting the forwards playing a bit more direct, as he can engage the markers more regularly and has a better pass than Api. I hope he gets some game time at 9.

 

[Paw93]

I liked it when we did rip in on Friday, and I do think we have one of the better packs on paper for go forward, Cowboys probably the benchmark. But i thought that there was a little too much ball playing from the forwards on Friday which killed the momentum at times. I can only assume that was a deliberate tactic for some reason. Maybe the changes on the bench this week mean a change in tactics ?? Perhaps we are going to really take it to them through the middle, hence the extra prop. If we can bash them up enough then Api and Cletus can maybe work some magic. I actually think Hastings is better at getting the forwards playing a bit more direct, as he can engage the markers more regularly and has a better pass than Api. I hope he gets some game time at 9.

I think we'll be seeing Hastings swapping between Api and Croker. Excited to see how Baz uses the 3 of them.

 

[NewwyEagle]

We rolled the knights and we'll roll the eels pack as well. I'm more concerned about the eels outside backs. So long as we keep our errors and penalties to single digits I rate our chances.

 

[maxta]

We rolled the knights and we'll roll the eels pack as well. I'm more concerned about the eels outside backs. So long as we keep our errors and penalties to single digits I rate our chances.

Very true - at least Radradra is gone, has beaten Manly on his own in the last few close games

 

[Snake]

I liked it when we did rip in on Friday, and I do think we have one of the better packs on paper for go forward, Cowboys probably the benchmark. But i thought that there was a little too much ball playing from the forwards on Friday which killed the momentum at times. I can only assume that was a deliberate tactic for some reason. Maybe the changes on the bench this week mean a change in tactics ?? Perhaps we are going to really take it to them through the middle, hence the extra prop. If we can bash them up enough then Api and Cletus can maybe work some magic. I actually think Hastings is better at getting the forwards playing a bit more direct, as he can engage the markers more regularly and has a better pass than Api. I hope he gets some game time at 9.

There is two sides to the game though and the Eels pack will love to see Hastings come out and although he might engage the markers, they will be salivating at the propspect of running rough shod through our middle when they get the ball.

 

[Snake]

I don't think we have close to the best go forward in the competition. The Knights pack are nuffies.

Uate has a poor work ethic compared to other wingers, Taupau and AFB are good on their day but very inconsistent compared to elite props in the game, Lane has only played one game at prop, Perrett was a reserve grader as of last week and Tanginoa (although looks promising) is yet to meet a serious pack.

Last year our pack drifted in and out of games...they struggled to maintain the rage and turn up aggressive each week. Too much of a lottery...they need to be raging mad every week and bring the tough guy act...I worry.

 

[globaleagle]

TC is that you?

😎😀😱

 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

on paper it is not bad, but as Snake said above until the pack are more consistent week in week out, noone is really going to rate them as a huge threat. 25-30 mins isn't enough these days, you need 50+ minutes of dominance every week and you need the backs taking advantage of that with points. Ours fade in and out a little too much for my liking and it leaves doors open.

 

[pjayz]

I don't think we have close to the best go forward in the competition. The Knights pack are nuffies.

Uate has a poor work ethic compared to other wingers, Taupau and AFB are good on their day but very inconsistent compared to elite props in the game, Lane has only played one game at prop, Perrett was a reserve grader as of last week and Tanginoa (although looks promising) is yet to meet a serious pack.

Last year our pack drifted in and out of games...they struggled to maintain the rage and turn up aggressive each week. Too much of a lottery...they need to be raging mad every week and bring the tough guy act...I worry.

I can’t agree with you here. Taupau consistently made big metres last year and did so again in round 1. I believe he was the top metre gainer for a prop and the highest offloads last year. The only thing that lets him down at times is penalties - same with AFB. Taupau is easily one of the most feared props in the game and AFB is fast gaining a similar reputation.

Jake is Mr consistency also; however, our second rowers were a bit up and down last year. Siro showed what he can do - he just needs to do it regularly.

If Tanginoa and Lane can perform like round 1 on a regular basis, in addition to the great metres Jorge and Tom make from the back, then not many teams will top us in field position and yardage made.

Making the most of our field position and not dropping the ball every 5 seconds is another matter.

 

[Snake]

I can’t agree with you here. Taupau consistently made big metres last year and did so again in round 1. I believe he was the top metre gainer for a prop and the highest offloads last year. The only thing that lets him down at times is penalties - same with AFB. Taupau is easily one of the most feared props in the game and AFB is fast gaining a similar reputation.

Jake is Mr consistency also; however, our second rowers were a bit up and down last year. Siro showed what he can do - he just needs to do it regularly.

If Tanginoa and Lane can perform like round 1 on a regular basis, in addition to the great metres Jorge and Tom make from the back, then not many teams will top us in field position and yardage made.

Making the most of our field position and not dropping the ball every 5 seconds is another matter.

Taupau finished the year on the slide a little. He publicly stated after the Sharks game that he was aiming to run for over 200m every game and be the best prop in the competition and he didn't run for over 200m again for the rest of the year. One match he ran for 96m. He was far from poor and I do think he is one of the best props in the game, but he is inconsistent. He is also a ticking time bomb for a drop ball, bad play the ball (when he tries to milk a penalty) or dumb penalty. Again he is one of my favourite players in the NRL but that doesn't mean he doesn't still have some weaknesses to address.

AFB is he same. Brilliant young footballer and one of my favourites, but some weeks he goes missing.

The whole pack (bar Jake T) went missing on occasions last year. The best packs (Melbourne, Cowboys, etc.) turn up every week.

"If Tanginoa and Lane" is just that...if!

Uate averaged 114m last year and Jorge Taufua 163m. Uate could hold the ball more and go looking work to help out.

We are good, but we aren't the best, which was the question asked in this thread...

Put it this way...we have double the talent of the Eels pack, but they made the top 4 last year and nearly knocked Melbourne off at home...if we played with more of their aggression and anger each week, we'd make the top 4 too.

 

[pjayz]

Taupau finished the year on the slide a little. He publicly stated after the Sharks game that he was aiming to run for over 200m every game and be the best prop in the competition and he didn't run for over 200m again for the rest of the year. One match he ran for 96m. He was far from poor and I do think he is one of the best props in the game, but he is inconsistent. He is also a ticking time bomb for a drop ball, bad play the ball (when he tries to milk a penalty) or dumb penalty. Again he is one of my favourite players in the NRL but that doesn't mean he doesn't still have some weaknesses to address.

AFB is he same. Brilliant young footballer and one of my favourites, but some weeks he goes missing.

The whole pack (bar Jake T) went missing on occasions last year. The best packs (Melbourne, Cowboys, etc.) turn up every week.

If Tanginoa and Lane is just that...if!

Uate averaged 114m last year and Jorge Taufua 163m. Uate could hold the ball more and go looking work to help out.

We are good, but we aren't the best, which was the question asked in this thread.

I think we are top 3 after the two teams you mentioned (pack wise). As for Taupau - I don’t think anyone except for Taumalolo has ever averaged 200m+ - so he is setting the bar exceptionally high. I also believe you could go through the other top props and all find sub 100m games.

To me Taupau is the second most consistent metre eater for + 150m games. His inconsistency comes with penalties. He can drop a ball at times as well; however, considering he led the Comp in offloads - you can forgive him that.

He can still improve, as can AFB - who has a few too many brain snaps in his game.

I think we will fast gain a reputation this year for a fearsome and dominant pack - looking forward to seeing this pan out.

 

[Wombat64]

W

Taupau finished the year on the slide a little. He publicly stated after the Sharks game that he was aiming to run for over 200m every game and be the best prop in the competition and he didn't run for over 200m again for the rest of the year. One match he ran for 96m. He was far from poor and I do think he is one of the best props in the game, but he is inconsistent. He is also a ticking time bomb for a drop ball, bad play the ball (when he tries to milk a penalty) or dumb penalty. Again he is one of my favourite players in the NRL but that doesn't mean he doesn't still have some weaknesses to address.

AFB is he same. Brilliant young footballer and one of my favourites, but some weeks he goes missing.

The whole pack (bar Jake T) went missing on occasions last year. The best packs (Melbourne, Cowboys, etc.) turn up every week.

"If Tanginoa and Lane" is just that...if!

Uate averaged 114m last year and Jorge Taufua 163m. Uate could hold the ball more and go looking work to help out.

We are good, but we aren't the best, which was the question asked in this thread...

Put it this way...we have double the talent of the Eels pack, but they made the top 4 last year and nearly knocked Melbourne off at home...if we played with more of their aggression and anger each week, we'd make the top 4 too.

Agree, but what stops them?

 

[Chip and Chase]

Kapow got starved of game time towards the end of last season. TB seems to give him long spells on the bench for some reason - same last Friday he only played 50 minutes. I'd be doing my best to get him as many minutes as possible.

I agree we also struggle for consistency in forward performance though. At our best we are really good through the middle third.

 

[Snake]

I think we are top 3 after the two teams you mentioned (pack wise). As for Taupau - I don’t think anyone except for Taumalolo has ever averaged 200m+ - so he is setting the bar exceptionally high. I also believe you could go through the other top props and all find sub 100m games.

To me Taupau is the second most consistent metre eater for + 150m games. His inconsistency comes with penalties. He can drop a ball at times as well; however, considering he led the Comp in offloads - you can forgive him that.

He can still improve, as can AFB - who has a few too many brain snaps in his game.

I think we will fast gain a reputation this year for a fearsome and dominant pack - looking forward to seeing this pan out.

I think Penrith showed on the weekend and in the finals last year, they are no push overs. Eels lack talent but turned up more consistently than we did last year.

The pack that really went off the boil was the Roosters. Harvgraves and Napa have really lost their mojo.

Maybe we aren't far off the best (as you point out) but I want to see them tear in every week, not just when we have our backs to the wall. They should have played with the same energy in week 1 of the finals of last year, as they did in rd.26 in 2017. Most weeks should feel like that game in rd.26 last year at Brookie, with the occasional trough (they are human).

 

[Snake]

Kapow got starved of game time towards the end of last season. TB seems to give him long spells on the bench for some reason - same last Friday he only played 50 minutes. I'd be doing my best to get him as many minutes as possible.

I agree we also struggle for consistency in forward performance though. At our best we are really good through the middle third.

Yeah he did seem to fatigue late in the year. At his worst, he is still better than most props in the game. He was a great signing for us.

 

[andyvb]

Our just bumped into AFB at burger fuel! The kid can eat! Hopefully he uses the food to help him belt parra