Interesting experience. A fair way away from the action but at least you could stand. I'd assume that watching a game in Fiji would be the same.

We'll take the win but yeah, still in pre season mode a bit. The wind was tough in fairness to both sides too. The Force's lack of bench meant the result was never really in doubt.

Funny to think that we were 5 mins away from being 2 from 2 with how out of sync we still are.

Josh Beehre, Dalton Papalii and Caleb Clarke were the pick of the Blues.

Not many players sticking their hands beyond those three though.

I actually went to this game.

Wasn’t guna, because it was on an Aussie rules oval, they are absolutely shite for rugby/soccer.
But . . . there is a mega Kiwi shop close by . . . I spent over 300!
Got myself an All Blacks Gilbert, some red band go-forwards, chocolate fush, lots of good stuff.

The actual playing surface was mint.
And the weather was almost cool, very weird for this time of year.
The SW sea breeze was full in (coast only a couple of Ks away) which made the kicking and line-outs messy.
Perofeta’s goal-kicking was spot on, they would have been very tricky, and I think he slotted them all.

The crowd distance from the action was ridiculous.
But the size of the crowd was not too bad, you probably wouldn’t have even noticed it on the screen tho, they were so far away.
Wouldn’t want many more, would’ve started to get a bit squeezy on the banks.
The camera positions did look shit to me.
So it seems no one had a very good view of the game.

This ground is the home of the WAFL West Perth team (while it is in the north of Perth, the club was originally located down town, and moved here a decade or so ago).
West Perth FC is an NPC level team, so an NPC level stadium.
There is also a rugby club (Joondalup) resident in the same complex.
The rugby ground is over the back.
There is also another rugby club close by (Wanneroo, the current local champs), the development curtain-raiser (Force v Reds) was played there.
Could easily have gone to both games.

The regular home ground is not available for a month; why the next 3 Force games are away.

The regular home ground (Perth Oval) was originally the home of another WAFL team, East Perth, ironically they are now based at West Perth’s old home.
Perth Oval is in a mint position; within walking distance of the CBD; and has been converted into a rectangle.
There are some remnants of East Perth FC still at the ground, but they will be gone soon. $200 mil has been allocated for a complete rebuild on the west side.
After this the whole set-up will be just about perfect.
The home for the force, the bears, and the glory.

The new HQ for the Bears is guna be in an unreal spot as well; next to the WACA ground; similar to being at the end of Queen-street.
Force HQ is near UWA in the western suburbs (the posh part of town, of course).

As for the game; I was so f’n far away, I could hardly see.
So just a couple of general observations.
I know you won’t believe this, but this is probably the best and deepest roster the force have put together for quite a while.
They played for the full 80 this week, and played their own game the whole way.
The Blues had a bit more precision at the critical moments, that made the dif.
As it was always guna be.
Usually the Force snag their wins by just messing up the game; getting the other team to play down to their level.

The way contracting restrictions are set up at the mo, I don’t think it is possible to improve their player list much more.
The force cannot get, or keep, Wallaby contracted players without paying a huge SR premium.
Much more than the ES teams have too.
When Matt Giteau was here I think he was the highest paid rugby player in the world. That’s the sort of money they have to pay.

The John Mitchell days!
The only good thing about John Mitchell being in Perth was that it was great for the development Daryl’s game!

Bridge!
Now there’s an ex-AB meal-ticketing.

Some f-wit suggested Razor as the next force coach . . . FUUUUUUCK OFF!
Mitchell, then later Robertson!
That is even embarrassing for the ABs.

Not much on the actual game, Aussie rules grounds really are shite for rugby.
But maybe a bit of knowledging for you.

@mohikamo said in Force v Blues:

I actually went to this game.

Wasn’t guna, because it was on an Aussie rules oval, they are absolutely shite for rugby/soccer.
But . . . there is a mega Kiwi shop close by . . . I spent over 300!
Got myself an All Blacks Gilbert, some red band go-forwards, chocolate fush, lots of good stuff.

The actual playing surface was mint.
And the weather was almost cool, very weird for this time of year.
The SW sea breeze was full in (coast only a couple of Ks away) which made the kicking and line-outs messy.
Perofeta’s goal-kicking was spot on, they would have been very tricky, and I think he slotted them all.

The crowd distance from the action was ridiculous.
But the size of the crowd was not too bad, you probably wouldn’t have even noticed it on the screen tho, they were so far away.
Wouldn’t want many more, would’ve started to get a bit squeezy on the banks.
The camera positions did look shit to me.
So it seems no one had a very good view of the game.

This ground is the home of the WAFL West Perth team (while it is in the north of Perth, the club was originally located down town, and moved here a decade or so ago).
West Perth FC is an NPC level team, so an NPC level stadium.
There is also a rugby club (Joondalup) resident in the same complex.
The rugby ground is over the back.
There is also another rugby club close by (Wanneroo, the current local champs), the development curtain-raiser (Force v Reds) was played there.
Could easily have gone to both games.

The regular home ground is not available for a month; why the next 3 Force games are away.

The regular home ground (Perth Oval) was originally the home of another WAFL team, East Perth, ironically they are now based at West Perth’s old home.
Perth Oval is in a mint position; within walking distance of the CBD; and has been converted into a rectangle.
There are some remnants of East Perth FC still at the ground, but they will be gone soon. $200 mil has been allocated for a complete rebuild on the west side.
After this the whole set-up will be just about perfect.
The home for the force, the bears, and the glory.

The new HQ for the Bears is guna be in an unreal spot as well; next to the WACA ground; similar to being at the end of Queen-street.
Force HQ is near UWA in the western suburbs (the posh part of town, of course).

As for the game; I was so f’n far away, I could hardly see.
So just a couple of general observations.
I know you won’t believe this, but this is probably the best and deepest roster the force have put together for quite a while.
They played for the full 80 this week, and played their own game the whole way.
The Blues had a bit more precision at the critical moments, that made the dif.
As it was always guna be.
Usually the Force snag their wins by just messing up the game; getting the other team to play down to their level.

The way contracting restrictions are set up at the mo, I don’t think it is possible to improve their player list much more.
The force cannot get, or keep, Wallaby contracted players without paying a huge SR premium.
Much more than the ES teams have too.
When Matt Giteau was here I think he was the highest paid rugby player in the world. That’s the sort of money they have to pay.

The John Mitchell days!
The only good thing about John Mitchell being in Perth was that it was great for the development Daryl’s game!

Bridge!
Now there’s an ex-AB meal-ticketing.

Some f-wit suggested Razor as the next force coach . . . FUUUUUUCK OFF!
Mitchell, then later Robertson!
That is even embarrassing for the ABs.

Not much on the actual game, Aussie rules grounds really are shite for rugby.
But maybe a bit of knowledging for you.

Funny you talk about how far away from the action we were, because I literally had to go and watch a replay to get a proper gauge on how things went haha. Force games are funny. They're like everyone's 2nd team, and feel more like a public service for expats to get their rugby fix lol. I certainly can't wait for them to be back at HBF Park, virtually next door to me and a far better view of things.

You make a good point about the Force roster, it should be pushing for a finals spot. I spoke to one of their players before the season (who is also a Wallaby international) and he himself said the expectations are finals footy and seemed confident in his words too, but they lack steel in defence, and despite having a good lineup on paper, their bench is awful.

There was one play towards the end where Beale dropped the ball off to Bridge, probably Bridge's first touch of the ball all year, and he barely looked like he could move. The guy is at Milner-Skudder levels of over the hill. He won't keep his spot if Pietch comes back surely.

@African-Monkey

i went to one force game at subi, and never went again.
and when the reds played at the WACA i gave up on that too as well
aussie ovals are absolutely terrible for rugby, they are so f'n huge
seldom bother with optus for the same reason

finals was a realistic expectation; but not now, had to win at least one of the first two
never an expectation of a championship tho!

as for the roster; the depth might look shite, but it is still better now than it has been for a while
for example at half-back;
i really like the look of moyano, super quick at moving the ball from the base, with recent big test match experience.
hastie and robertson are ok, but probably have the edge only because they are aussie qualified.
Philipson is ok too, and nick white is in charge, so five half-backs all of reasonable quality about the squad.

cron should never have started bridge at centre, wishful thinking on his part, Kuenzle is a better option at 13
if he wanted to play bridge, just put him on the wing, but pietsch would be better, if he wasn't injured

I think the force went a bit better in this game simply because in the first period of play they were on defence, which gave them a chance to get their D structure set
by the time they went on defence v the brumbies, they had already lost cohesion as a team

a chance for the expats to get together for some chattering!
which was all they could do at this game!
there is a huge amount of expats in WA tho, so there is a market
the old WA rugby community is not insignificant either, lots around like twiggy
they'd come out of the wood-work if the force ever got seriously competitive

stayed for the whole game!

@mohikamo Perth Bears coming in are going to really hurt the Force

@mohikamo said in Force v Blues:

@African-Monkey

i went to one force game at subi, and never went again.
and when the reds played at the WACA i gave up on that too as well
aussie ovals are absolutely terrible for rugby, they are so f'n huge
seldom bother with optus for the same reason

finals was a realistic expectation; but not now, had to win at least one of the first two
never an expectation of a championship tho!

as for the roster; the depth might look shite, but it is still better now than it has been for a while
for example at half-back;
i really like the look of moyano, super quick at moving the ball from the base, with recent big test match experience.
hastie and robertson are ok, but probably have the edge only because they are aussie qualified.
Philipson is ok too, and nick white is in charge, so five half-backs all of reasonable quality about the squad.

cron should never have started bridge at centre, wishful thinking on his part, Kuenzle is a better option at 13
if he wanted to play bridge, just put him on the wing, but pietsch would be better, if he wasn't injured

I think the force went a bit better in this game simply because in the first period of play they were on defence, which gave them a chance to get their D structure set
by the time they went on defence v the brumbies, they had already lost cohesion as a team

a chance for the expats to get together for some chattering!
which was all they could do at this game!
there is a huge amount of expats in WA tho, so there is a market
the old WA rugby community is not insignificant either, lots around like twiggy
they'd come out of the wood-work if the force ever got seriously competitive

stayed for the whole game!

Yeah they are. I went to the ABs Wallabies game at Optus last year. It's like a mini MCG, it's easier viewing from the top than it is the bottom.

Can't say I'm blown away from what I've seen of Hastie or Robertson. Was hoping to see Moyano given a run.

Yeah Kuenzle needs to move in one when Pietch returns. Bridge is damaged goods and should make way. Kuenzle at least hits the line with some sort of vigour.

I think at least half the expats were spending their time lining up at the foodtrucks haha. Definitely a market for the expats, plenty of them here from Europe, NZ and SA (I'm part of that). Quite a few French fans infront of me.

So like the Perth Glory then, when after one or 2 wins, the fans will come streaming in again haha. I hope they can get competitive but we could be waiting a while haha. I can't see more than 3 wins after looking at the draw.

Yet another game this season with confusing knock on advantage interpretation.

First half towards the end, blues knock on just past halfway, force regather, two passes wide of the ruck then shit kick - go back for the scrum.

Almost identical scenario in the same position in the second half, blues 3 passes wide - "advantage over".

What are the refs playing at?

@Bones said in Force v Blues:

Yet another game this season with confusing knock on advantage interpretation.

First half towards the end, blues knock on just past halfway, force regather, two passes wide of the ruck then shit kick - go back for the scrum.

Almost identical scenario in the same position in the second half, blues 3 passes wide - "advantage over".

What are the refs playing at?

Its part of an active conspiracy to destroy the Blues franchise.

@brodean about time too.

Not sure why they're employing these tactics in games not involving the blues though.

@African-Monkey said in Force v Blues:

So like the Perth Glory then, when after one or 2 wins, the fans will come streaming in again

Glory dominated the national league (NSL); then they shut the league down for a couple of seasons, and they were never the same again.
Almost like they stopped the league because Glory were too good!
They kept Perth out of the national league for decades; nah its too far; tossers; and they finally let them in, and they dominated.

One rule change that would benefit the force is allowing them to recruit in NZ without any national type restrictions. (ie they could still be selected in NZ teams).
Recruit young players, instead of ABs on the fade.

I thought we showed better discipline this week. Less penalties and no yellows.

Our bench is weak with some inexperienced players so dont think we should be too harsh on the boys who got a reasonably comfortable away win.