yeah this is now outside banana skin territory, i have the Raiders as favourites
The lack of footy nouse from the Warriors is astounding. Plenty of effort but very little brain.
Two big opportunities failed to be converted, shame they look so good in full flight. Conversely Raiders just grind shit out so well. If this comes down to a a small margin, im not sure we tough this out especially with no AFB.
DWZ was a journeyman fullback, seriously one of the most complete wingers in the game, good on him for that change, amazing
Big second half incoming
Don’t have a great feeling about this, we’ve wasted our chances, and we’re giving them plenty…
As I type, Canberra hit the front
sigh
Cotric drop may have saved the Warriors season, and yes I am that pessimistic that I think a loss here and they'd be goneburgers.
@bayimports said in NRL 2024:
DWZ was a journeyman fullback,
I always thought he was a wing who filled in at fullback? At any rate he had a couple of good tests at fullback.
The warriors defence is still very good. There attack, mistakes, and discipline have slipped back to 2021 and 2022 levels so far this season. The defence has won them this game.
Agree, good roster JD in the running though for first coach sacked if he doesn’t turn things around
Demetriou has lost the dressing room, that's clear to see. Not much out there to replace him though.
@bayimports said in NRL 2024:
@Nepia I’m looking for positives
and DWZ is one, love his effort, has had a couple of good games at fullback for sure, referring to overall career in NRL especially at the doggies
Almost gave the game away. I ran into him in Canberra a few years ago, his missus family lived there and it’s chalk and cheese how he now plays and also the confidence.
@mariner4life Well Demetriou has managed to do,and a lot of others have gone backwards under him too. They also lack an enforcer which leaves their middle somewhat weak, and their gameplan of loading up heavy on their left edge has been figured out by other sides.
Think it could be a long season for them, with internal problems and other sides overtaking them.
@African-Monkey said in NRL 2024:
@mariner4life Well Demetriou has managed to do,and a lot of others have gone backwards under him too. They also lack an enforcer which leaves their middle somewhat weak, and their gameplan of loading up heavy on their left edge has been figured out by other sides.
Think it could be a long season for them, with internal problems and other sides overtaking them.
Think he lost the room over the Burgess incident, they were top of the table last year before that happened (even until about R11), then it went backwards. Hasn't recovered and looked really bad last night.
If the Tigers taught us anything last night, it was that every team this year on its day is capable of winning. This comp is going to be more even in many cases this year than previously. Great effort and win. Sharks played like they thought they could just turn up, but take nothing away from that Tigers effort, it was superb. The challenge for Benji is to get them to maintain that which other teams are also struggling with.
@mariner4life Yup despite the Parra comeback and we're still in March, they are the real deal.
Awesome game it was so much fun to watch
Game changed when the Eels bought on Paulo, and at the same time stopped making errors and giving away penalties. At one point they had 10 of 11 sets
Manly were too gassed by the end, but still could have won.
Fun way to spend a Sunday arvo
Saw an absolute cracker in the Manly v Parra game, followed by an absolute stinker between the Knights and a severly depleted Storm side.
I know it’s early days, but appears it’s going to be an even competition.
After 3 rounds, only the Cowboys are unbeaten, and only the Rabbitohs winless.
we're probably still on more round from being able to properly assess the teams.
But i reckon we are very close to a complete rethink around the make-up of the bench. Most teams are running a spare hooker, and three middle forwards.
Already this year there have been multiple games where a back has ben lost early, a reshuffle is needed, a backrower gets left defending at centre, and the opposition are just punishing it.
With stricter HIA rules, i think we are coming up fast to coaches carrying a back in the 17. They are not going to like it, but i think they risk is too high. Most teams are carrying a substandard spare dummy half anyway, so just rissole that spot and have a part timer cover their main guys rest period. Lets face it, would the Warriors miss Lussick?
Egan goes down far too often, not to carry a back up. Now if that back up were a CHT, it probably gives you more positions covered.
It does probably mean you should have to think about your bench more, but I don't think many teams will move to that model, unless someone nails it.
Interestingly I would have thought if Walsh doesn't get cleared for HIA, then I don't think we have this conversation, as 18th man should have been activated, because it was deemed a penalty for foul play, albeit no bin (and even though nothing further happens). Since he tries to come back for a minute, claims blurred vision shows he should not have been cleared. Perhaps there needs to be more leeway here, because maybe symptoms weren't immediately apparent?
Graham Annesley believes Taylan May should've been charged for contact on Reece Walsh ...even just him making that statement will create a storm
Penrith lose cleary for a couple of weeks to a hamstring
Eels lose Moses for longer with a broken foot
And the poor Titans have lost Tino for the year
In what was a close comp already Cleary and Moses missing could have a huge impact
Titans I think get JC and DFif back this week, they need them just to help find a win
Find out more when teams are named, but rumours that Latrell dropped from fullback to move to center and Cody dropped to reggies fullstop. ha ha this could get entertaining
i would gain even more respect for Demetriou if this is true (i will always have a soft spot for him after he won the National GF with the Pride).
This is exactly what a strong coach should do. He'll need the support of the back office though