Post Match Dragons v Warriors - [Round 7, 2024]

[Inruin]

This was what we had to pick from last night for our bench and we lost CHT to injury.

Interchange: 14-Chanel Tavita-Harris, 15-Tom Ale, 16-Jacob Laban, 17-Adam Pompey, 18-Zyon Maiu’u, 20-Taine Tuaupiki, 21-Ali Leiataua, 22-Edward Kosi, 23-Paul Roache

This was what we had for round 1

14-Freddie Lussick, 15-Tom Ale, 16-Bunty Afoa, 17-Dylan Walker, 18- Adam Pompey, 20-Jazz Tevaga, 21-Te Maire Martin, 22-Ali Leiataua, 22-Jacob Laban

So, we have gone to our 4th or 5th best hooker cover, a centre, a 19 year old second rower, and a relative inexperienced prop in the bench. Add in Ford and Capewell playing injured. Even the less astute observers of the game should be able to understand that the Dragons bench and second rowers over powered us once the initial energy wore off and without at least having some parity there any team will struggle, regardless of how good their attitude is. The stats in the first half after that first 15 minutes were something like 62% possession to the dragons and the rest they were dominating too. It's little wonder we didn't look great and struggled to get anything going.

We desperately need some troops back. When you look at players like Bunty, Freddie, Jazz, even players from last season like Curran and Sironen they actually add more than people give them credit for. And one out is manageable. We are now down to having multiple numbers of them out and that depth is what is the issue.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Letting Curran go and getting Capewell probably needs closer inspection now.

Obvious tick in the experience department but it's not great seeing Curran tearing around for the Bulldogs and being hailed as one of the buys of the season.

Someone posted tonight that Ford and Capewell had 27 run metres between them - yikes.

I'm in denial about those run metres except that the theme is we got beaten by a team of bigger bodies. Like they were first grade and we were the size of SG or Harold Matthews grade.

We made a business move trading Curran for Capewell and this far there is low return on investment. And congratulations to Curran. I like him. He's a fighter

 

[John Nick]

This was what we had to pick from last night for our bench and we lust CHT to injury.

Interchange: 14-Chanel Tavita-Harris, 15-Tom Ale, 16-Jacob Laban, 17-Adam Pompey, 18-Zyon Maiu’u, 20-Taine Tuaupiki, 21-Ali Leiataua, 22-Edward Kosi, 23-Paul Roache

This was what we had for round 1

14-Freddie Lussick, 15-Tom Ale, 16-Bunty Afoa, 17-Dylan Walker, 18- Adam Pompey, 20-Jazz Tevaga, 21-Te Maire Martin, 22-Ali Leiataua, 22-Jacob Laban

So, we have gone to our 4th or 5th best hooker cover, a centre, a 19 year old second rower, and a relative inexperienced prop in the bench. Add in Ford and Capewell playing injured. Even the less astute observers of the game should be able to understand that the Dragons bench and second rowers over powered us once the initial energy wore off and without at least having some parity there any team will struggle, regardless of how good their attitude is. The stats in the first half after that first 15 minutes were something like 62% possession to the dragons and the rest they were dominating too. It's little wonder we didn't look great and struggled to get anything going.

We desperately need some troops back. When you look at players like Bunty, Freddie, Jazz, even players from last season like Curran and Sironen they actually add more than people give them credit for. And one out is manageable. We are now down to having multiple numbers of them out and that depth is what is the issue.

True. Unfortunately round 8 for Walker and 10 for Freddie.

 

[Noitall]

Interesting looking at the stats that Ford was taken off at the 59th minute again. Was critical of him last week but hasn’t done a lot to change my mind personally. Back 3 defensively weren’t great and wingers not a good night, though DWZ had decent run metres

 

[Noitall]

Add in Ford and Capewell playing injured.

Has Ford been playing injured?

 

[Dannevegas]

Notice most times we do a block shape shift play especially on the left when it reaches Roger he’s got 4 guys in front of him.
Our attacks been way to predictable,

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Disappointing game. Worst watch so far of the season which isn't too bad considering it's been 7 rounds. We've been in every game so far but we've also played a lot of quality teams and it showed this game. Couple players trying too hard at points and losing their cool. This is what we have the experienced guys for but werent able to stay calm this game unfortunately.

I dont think having 2 workhorses in Ford and Capewell in the 2nd row is working. As a couple have mentioned we need a strike 2nd rower on one side.

 

[Noitall]

Notice most times we do a block shape shift play especially on the left when it reaches Roger he’s got 4 guys in front of him.
Our attacks been way to predictable,

We’re silly if we don’t realise that he’s going to attract so much attention but we should be utilising that space that’s created from this. Noticed an attempt of more offloads last night than I remember in the games we’ve played so far this season

 

[Damo]

True. Unfortunately round 8 for Walker and 10 for Freddie.

*Checks notes* Round 8 is next week

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Webby can't honestly review that game and keep Montoya this week. He's got better standards than that.

I reckon he will keep him unless he's injured. His confidence dropped a fair few notches last night but so far Webbys picked and stuck with this team.

We have a fair few issues to sort out that have been mentioned thoroughly but one I'd like to mention is our offense.

Because we are predictable we have been figured out. What we are missing offensively I fear is actually on Webby. Step up SJ1 and SJ2. Stacey Jones and Shauny. These are the two minds that can unlock, unleash, harness and light the afterburners on our attack. Addin and Barney are playing their part. Webby needs to get out of the way and let our natural attack instincts add to our hyper structured by the books great when it works but redundant in some games Penrith type attack.

Let em play

 

[defensivebomb]

Need

• Contesting kicks. I get the tactic, kick to the corner, make the tackle as soon as they get to ground, pin them in etc etc. But contesting once in awhile is important as well. The Dragons nailed this with Lomax try and it was the nail in the coffin.

That Lomax try was perfection. Unfortunately

 

[Damo]

Because we are predictable we have been figured out. What we are missing offensively I fear is actually on Webby. Step up SJ1 and SJ2. Stacey Jones and Shauny. These are the two minds that can unlock, unleash, harness and light the afterburners on our attack. Addin and Barney are playing their part. Webby needs to get out of the way and let our natural attack instincts add to our hyper structured by the books great when it works but redundant in some games Penrith type attack.

Interesting you say this, I don't have a problem with the game plan. I heard Charnze talking about it during the week that it doesn't need ultra talented players to execute, just effort. Unfortunately we ran out of gas and couldn't maintain that effort after that initial 20.
Going to be interesting to see how Webby works around these injuries but it wasn't the way to do it in that game.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

We’re silly if we don’t realise that he’s going to attract so much attention but we should be utilising that space that’s created from this. Noticed an attempt of more offloads last night than I remember in the games we’ve played so far this season

Offloads are best done when you're not battered and gassed. We didn't earn the offloads in my highly opinionated opinion

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Interesting you say this, I don't have a problem with the game plan. I heard Charnze talking about it during the week that it doesn't need ultra talented players to execute, just effort. Unfortunately we ran out of gas and couldn't maintain that effort after that initial 20.
Going to be interesting to see how Webby works around these injuries but it wasn't the way to do it in that game.

Yep everybody needs to be accountable Webby included. He got out coached. We got our beans. Time to take our medicine and lick our wounds etc

 

[Boats n Hoes]

I'm in denial about those run metres except that the theme is we got beaten by a team of bigger bodies. Like they were first grade and we were the size of SG or Harold Matthews grade.

Isnt that pretty much the case every week tho?

The boys just didnt look like they wanted to stay in the fight after the first 20......Dragons started to get on an early roll through either a penalty or one of those big bodies getting them on the front foot,,,,,just couldnt stop them through the ruck after that.

 

[Noitall]

Offloads are best done when you're not battered and gassed. We didn't earn the offloads in my highly opinionated opinion

We heard in the off-season that attack was going to be much faster this season to which I automatically thought more offloading to create space and staggered defensive lines

 

[WahsUltras]

Interesting looking at the stats that Ford was taken off at the 59th minute again. Was critical of him last week but hasn’t done a lot to change my mind personally. Back 3 defensively weren’t great and wingers not a good night, though DWZ had decent run metres

Picked up a shoulder injury. Could be in some doubt. Fingers crossed it isn’t serious.

 

[Dannevegas]

Disappointing game. Worst watch so far of the season which isn't too bad considering it's been 7 rounds. We've been in every game so far but we've also played a lot of quality teams and it showed this game. Couple players trying too hard at points and losing their cool. This is what we have the experienced guys for but werent able to stay calm this game unfortunately.

I dont think having 2 workhorses in Ford and Capewell in the 2nd row is working. As a couple have mentioned we need a strike 2nd rower on one side.

Laban, Sifakula or Halasima to take one of those spots? and either capewell or ford to the bench.
Something like,

Fonua-Blake
Egan
Barnett
Ford
Sifakula
Harris

Harris-Tavita
Walker
Ale
Capewell/Laban

 

[Beastmode]

We didn't earn the offloads in my highly opinionated opinion

I think that in itself is a problem

It’s puts you in a box and makes you predictable

Teams know our strategy is to kick high in the corner - don’t contest and then just grind you down for field position

I imagine opposition now train to defend that strategy against us

We need to think outside the box and be more flexible

Offloading is instinctive- if you have the opportunity to offload take it

 

[MrFrankWhite]

We made a business move trading Curran for Capewell and this far there is low return on investment. And congratulations to Curran. I like him. He's a fighter

Again , as reported in the media, we let Curran go for Laban.