Gameday 2024 Trial 1 - Warriors vs Wests Tigers

[JustLikeStartingOver]

Ford looked extra basic and no frills today, he might be chased back to Wollongong by the end of the year with all these young blokes.

Lussick murders the attack at times

Berry is going to have to be more physical this year or he’ll lose his spot too.

how rog can be so good at league and so mid at union, cautionary tale for other code swappers

 

[John Nick]

I think this may be why they aren't rushing to extend Metcalf just yet

CHT obviously not ready yet but may come good but not FG yet
We will need 4 halves next year.
Tmm and Hansen and hopefully Metcalfe.
Need another

 

[kos]

CHT obviously not ready yet but may come good but not FG yet
We will need 4 halves next year.
Tmm and Hansen and hopefully Metcalfe.
Need another

Sj

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Ale definitely being groomed as a Tohu replacement

 

[John Nick]

Sj

Would be great

 

[John Nick]

Ale definitely being groomed as a Tohu replacement

Thought he came of age today

 

[Completion Rate]

Unluckly for Zyon Maiu’u today I thought. I was impressed that 12 vs 13 near-on the whole match we had the ascendancy on defence. Plus an extra man and minus a few dud decisions by Lussick and Farr we would've had them covered. If the depth is this strong the FG team is going to be red hot.

 

[MurrayTD]

Firstly, game day observations. Christchurch churning out a cracker of a blue sky day with a full crowd in attendance, set the scene perfectly and highlighted the love/hype/respect for the club/brand currently!! How good was it to hear Mick Ennis abuse the english language again, Fox sport NRL intro music!! officiating allowing a game that saw a lot of ball in play and maximum spectator enjoyment, truly one of the better games I have watched in a while and yet again confirming NRL is easily the best oval ball entertainment by a mile!

Boom! have we finally arrived as a club with a system that echoes all the way to end of the corridor? Each player that took the field today was coached, well coached. It was a pleasure watching a swarm of enthusiasm, talent, commitment and physicality move in the same direction trusting the game plan and dare I say it the "process".......

Teamwork and belief player of the day for me, by a long way. However some noteworthy individual performance, RTS is going to be a huge part in our success this year whether that be in defence-attack, calmness or experience.. a lot to like. I really thought Laban and Tupouniua offered a bit of X factor, bent the line and ran unorthodox lines that created space. Paul Roache really took his chances as did Geronimo Doyle. Most importantly I truly thought our weakest link was equal to our best. Maximum kudos to to the organisation, well fuckin done.

I was really hoping that Ali Leiataua was going to confirm the talent that this forum has me incredibly excited about, really didn't see enough from him today to confirm or deny.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Ale's an odd one for me. Caught somewhere between above reserve grade standard but still hasnt quite managed to nail down first grade.

Seems start of every season people are saying this is where he comes of age but for whatever reason he hasnt quite been able to cement himself yet. I hope he does (displays like today will help) but i think its probably time he kicks on sooner rather than later.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Ale definitely being groomed as a Tohu replacement

He's definitely more suited to lock!

 

[Worried2Death]

Tupouniua

He stood out for me in his brief stint, can see him adding a point of difference with his big frame and aggression

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Still good enough to play 6 for me. Could TMM be the 14 to start the season?

The problem is, he thinks he's a 7

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Ale's an odd one for me. Caught somewhere between above reserve grade standard but still hasnt quite managed to nail down first grade.

Seems start of every season people are saying this is where he comes of age but for whatever reason he hasnt quite been able to cement himself yet. I hope he does (displays like today will help) but i think its probably time he kicks on sooner rather than later.

Pretty hard to do when your position is owned by a bloke called Tohu Harris.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

I'm ecstatic. What i saw today with the youth of the club being promoted and excelling is something to be really excited about.
Man, there is some talent with these young guys. What a great position to be in.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Pretty hard to do when your position is owned by a bloke called Tohu Harris.

Tbh im not getting lock vibes from him at all.

The top locks (Tohu, Cam Murray, Yeo) as well as making yards also average 40+ tackles a game so have to have a big engine. Also these guys all have the abilty to ball play before the line (almost like a 5/8) something i havent seen in Ale's arsenal.

For mine he's more similar at best to a Spencer Leniu type impact player......thats where i see his best role at

 

[Beastmode]

Anyone else think Ali could be a Smokey to start at centre this year, after another solid shift? Will be interesting to see how Rocco and Adam go next week…

Ali is my guy.

He is a far greater threat at Centre and people underestimate his defence.

He had no problem dealing with the experienced Crocker last year on his big day and did some monster tackles today.

I did see him holding his hammy a few times so hope he’s ok.

Other thoughts

Cht - I see he still can’t kick.

RTS - wow. Just WOW.

Zyon Maiu’u - tough luck young fella. Only 20(?). He will beast in the future.

Bunty - busy with the ball and looks big.

Montoya - his fends, how good. Also safe under the high ball.

Tuapiki - kid deserves a 1st grade start somewhere. Safe under the high ball. Speed to burn. Not afraid to hit the line and high IQ

Great preseason game

 

[RobRoyMcCoy]

So Ali, Bunty, and Ale not NRL starters.

Bunty was great today. Deserves to be in the convo for best 17, particularly with our dearth of props. Both on attack and defence I thought he put in a good shift.

Ale bent back too many times for my liking.
Ali was a handful but Berry and RTS probably ahead.

 

[Worried2Death]

Unrelated point of order - how come the Manly Christian boys won't wear pride jerseys but they can't wait to play Sin City, what's the deal with that?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Bunty was great today. Deserves to be in the convo for best 17, particularly with our dearth of props. Both on attack and defence I thought he put in a good shift.

Ale bent back too many times for my liking.
Ali was a handful but Berry and RTS probably ahead.

Could be perfect for that no frills 20 mins or less for AFB?

 

[Beastmode]

Unrelated point of order - how come the Manly Christian boys won't wear pride jerseys but they can't wait to play Sin City, what's the deal with that?

They’re fighting sin - god is ok with that. He disapproves fking them.