Round 8 - Broncos vs Titans

Skathen said:

So a grubber through into the in-goal just outside the posts is not the FB's ball? Mmmmmk if you say so. If it was kicked to the edge you might be onto something but these were kicked 10m to the right of the post with Isaako WAAAAAAY out of position hanging about on the left hand side of the posts, in the line at a light jog towards where he was supposed to be.

Click to expand...

I think what he is getting at is if you expect a fullback to defend in the line, someone else has to cover the kick. He can't be in two spots at once and those were early tackles.
You might like your fullback permanently coasting in the in goal but the modern game and the coaches that run them expect more.
Whilst coates was at fault, you have to wonder why we are so incapable of blocking those kicks. I swear we let more of them through than any other team.
Its another thing that is symptomatic of a young team short of football experience.
One person who hasn't been mentioned that definitely deserves a pat on the back is Kevie.
I think a lot of people here (myself included) were thinking he acting with desperation picking the halves he did. The media certainly were gathering their brick bats to lay into him.
Its no small feat to turn around a series of thrashings and give the players the confidence to pull the greatest comeback in the clubs history. He has earned that smile this week.

Skathen said:

So a grubber through into the in-goal just outside the posts is not the FB's ball? Mmmmmk if you say so. If it was kicked to the edge you might be onto something but these were kicked 10m to the right of the post with Isaako WAAAAAAY out of position hanging about on the left hand side of the posts, in the line at a light jog towards where he was supposed to be.

Click to expand...

No, that single incident could be attributed to Isaako and I said so. It's interesting how you paraphrase Anasta. The other two tries could not be blamed on Isaako. I never said he wasn't out of position on that one. Do you read or just react? Anasta was relentless in his condemnation and it's not the first time he's done that concerning a player. He's absolutely full of shit and I think I even wrote about his commentary in the past and his penchant for picking a victim.

I have just watched the replay paying particular attention to Isaako only this time I had the sound on. That's when I realised how easily people are influenced by the commentary. Of course, those whose thoughts are being guided always reject the notion that they haven't thought it themselves, they're always certain it's all them. Isaako is relatively new to the fullback role and it takes time to be great and KW acknowledged that in the presser.

Anasta blithered on about the try out wide but it was entirely on Coates, it was his misread and no fullback could have done more. Anasta kept banging on that Isaako this Isaako that even trying to blame him for the fourth try yet Isaako could only cover one man and he did what any fullback would have done yet Anasta had to try to pin it on his victim this week. He's a fuckwit but unfortunately plenty of you swallow his crap. I'd suggest watching the first 20 (without sound) a lot more closely and aside from the one try Isaako wasn't responsible or out of position.

Naturally you won't though.

Morkel said:

Not that this has anything to do with his fullback play, but he was also directly responsible for the Titan's field position by kicking it out on the full on the restart. Again. So I blame him plenty for that first 15 minutes of Cleveland Steamer.

Click to expand...

Yes, he hit it too well. One of a thousand kickers who have done the same. That kickoff and one try where he could have done better is a fair call but it's utter crap to blame him for the other three tries. A careful watch of the replay without Anasta telling you what to think would go a long way to changing any fair minded persons opinion. Of course I don't expect that of you.

Thelmus said:

I think what he is getting at is if you expect a fullback to defend in the line, someone else has to cover the kick. He can't be in two spots at once and those were early tackles.
You might like your fullback permanently coasting in the in goal but the modern game and the coaches that run them expect more.
Whilst coates was at fault, you have to wonder why we are so incapable of blocking those kicks. I swear we let more of them through than any other team.
Its another thing that is symptomatic of a young team short of football experience.
One person who hasn't been mentioned that definitely deserves a pat on the back is Kevie.
I think a lot of people here (myself included) were thinking he acting with desperation picking the halves he did. The media certainly were gathering their brick bats to lay into him.
Its no small feat to turn around a series of thrashings and give the players the confidence to pull the greatest comeback in the clubs history. He has earned that smile this week.

Click to expand...

Clear headed thinking. Refreshing!! During the call I didn't know what was being said but after watching the replay with the sound on I knew then. Anasta had his target and he was going to keep hammering him. That is rammed home during the Titans fourth try. The end on shot showed Isaako doing the only thing he could after his team mates had let them pour through yet Anasta squawked again actually calling Isaako's name. Sickening. Trash commentator.

RIP to the people that switched off/went home at 22-0. I did it once with my fave football team down a few goals with 15 to go, only for them to win. Bittersweet feeling.

Crowd was weird, I feel like I was the only person who booed when David Fifita was announced in the pre-game. Yet a few years ago, Broncos fans were booing DCE because he did the Titans (of all teams) dirty.

Hell yeah boys. Wasn't really getting into the try dance for the first two tries, but you can bet I was waving those arms for the other tries.

1. Isaako - Probably one of the more bizarre performances you will ever see. Looked like a Paul Carige in the first 15 minutes with his horrendous defensive positioning leading to 3 tries, then out of nowhere he just explodes. It's like he knew he had fucked up and would need to put in a quality 60 minutes to make up for it. Terrible in defence, brilliant in attack. We need to get Karmichael in his ear about defence and we should be fine persisting with him at the back. 8
2. Coates - Far better performance all round. He clearly worked on his defence all week cause it was his best defensive performance in awhile. When he's got a bit of space to move he is deadly. Please don't go to Melbourne. 7
3. Arthars - He had a solid night. Bagged a try and combined well with TPJ. I can't see him keeping Staggs out of the side but he definitely didn't shame himself. Deserves another crack next week and I think he'll get it barring some miraculous early comeback from Kotoni. 7
4. Farnworth - A great night for the English lovebug. Bagged our first try which kept our heads above water, defended well and looked threatening every time he had ball in hand. Clearly he didn't appreciate Clint dropping him from the national team and he went out there to make a statement. 7
5. Oates - He turned back the clock tonight. That intercept and length of the field try has been a long time coming. I had a crack at him about his celebration after our first try but in hindsight we needed a rev up to keep us in the game, so I withdraw that. Lets hope he can keep it up for the rest of the year because we need his experience out there. 7
6. Milford - It was a decent enough return for the Milf. He still isn't running the ball as much as we would like but that sprint to try and get the ball off Gamble's kick was good to see. Also put in a couple of decent kicks of his own including a couple of deft grubbers. He's earned himself another shot next week, more-so out of a lack of other options than anything else. 6
7. Gamble - What a game from the tall half. Was vocal all night, gave the Titans as good as they gave, brought a bit of mongrel back into the side after the NRL suspended it right out of Pangai and looked like he was organizing the hell out of his right side. I wouldn't say he now owns the 7 jersey but he will be there for the rest of this season at least. 8
8. Lodge - He was the weakest of the starting lineup tonight. He just doesn't hit the ball up with enough starch anymore. As soon as he makes contact with the defenders, it seems like he's on the ground within seconds every time. I can see why the club have told him he can shop himself around, and personally I hope he does get scooped up by someone. If they want us to pay a piece of his final 2 years, then I'd rather just keep him on board as a bench prop to cycle him and Haas. 5
9. Turpin - Turps was outshined a tad tonight. He didn't do much to really put himself into the highlights, but he didn't do much wrong either and his service is still miles better than any other options we currently have. He needs to lift his game a couple of notches if he doesn't want to be replaced in the long term. If we even get half a sniff at signing someone like Smith, the best he can hope for is bench hooker. 6
10. Haas - I honestly don't know where he finds it. He's been going through Ramadan, on the receiving end of some nasty losses and he just keeps on turning up every single week. If I were the club I would be getting in real early and upgrading his deal, because as his contract rounds the final bend, he is going to have every club in the comp throwing the kitchen sink at him. We can only hope we're in a far better place when that time comes because we simply cannot lose him. 9
11. Riki - It's been a quiet few weeks for Jordan honestly. He could have bagged himself a try tonight if he had been a bit luckier but he also had a few errors and no linebreaks which was disappointing. He was solid defensively which was good to see, but I hoped he would be playing so well that Glenn would be looking like old news. 5
12. Pangai jr - What a game. Easily my personal MOTM. Worked Fifita over like a slutty bitch. Petero has clearly weaved some magic on his discipline, and while he isn't putting on those huge hits we used to see and love, he is still putting in some real quality performances, especially in attack. Second row is his best position by a long long way, and I'd happily let any other back rower walk away just to keep him here. He will probably be playing Origin which is gonna suck. 9
13. Carrigan - It was a solid enough night for the Cardigan. Defended well and didn't do much wrong. I would still like to see some more offloads from him being at Lock. I'm still not seeing the hype much myself but as long as he is providing decent enough support to the other forwards around him then I'd keep him around on a modest wage. 6

14. Levi - It was a better game this week, but compared to his last game that surely wouldn't have been too hard. Still not sure he is a better option on the bench than Asiata but if it means Turpin plays even marginally better than he's worth sticking with for awhile. 5
15. Flegler - His only sin tonight was a stupid close range pass to Bullemor leading to an error, otherwise it was a decent enough bench prop performance. Still comfortably overpaid for what he delivers and if I were DD, I would be finding a way to get us out of it. 5
16. Bullemor - The Bull had a couple of errors which was disappointing, but considering how early into his career he is, he was solid enough coming off the bench. Decent defensively and no 6 agains conceded from memory. 5
17. Kennedy - Had a couple of good solid hitups when he came on and kept the momentum going while Haas had a blow on the bench which is exactly what we need from him. If anything his and Flegler's salaries should be swapped. I'd happily keep him on the bench for the rest of the season, and if he kicks on any better than he has, he could easily take Lodge's starting spot. 6

I’m sorry, if the titans aren’t carried or if teams under prepare for them (like the back end of last season) they have what? Fifita on 1.2 million. Woweeeeeeeeee

good businesses model mal. The guy who won nothing without cam smith...just saying.

jamesbrandy said:

6. Johnson
7. Gamble

? ? ?

Click to expand...

This could work. SJ has played pretty well with townsend who is a no frills half. Gamble is similar in that regard (only much better defensively)

Huge said:

No, that single incident could be attributed to Isaako and I said so. It's interesting how you paraphrase Anasta. The other two tries could not be blamed on Isaako. I never said he wasn't out of position on that one. Do you read or just react? Anasta was relentless in his condemnation and it's not the first time he's done that concerning a player. He's absolutely full of shit and I think I even wrote about his commentary in the past and his penchant for picking a victim.

I have just watched the replay paying particular attention to Isaako only this time I had the sound on. That's when I realised how easily people are influenced by the commentary. Of course, those whose thoughts are being guided always reject the notion that they haven't thought it themselves, they're always certain it's all them. Isaako is relatively new to the fullback role and it takes time to be great and KW acknowledged that in the presser.

Anasta blithered on about the try out wide but it was entirely on Coates, it was his misread and no fullback could have done more. Anasta kept banging on that Isaako this Isaako that even trying to blame him for the fourth try yet Isaako could only cover one man and he did what any fullback would have done yet Anasta had to try to pin it on his victim this week. He's a fuckwit but unfortunately plenty of you swallow his crap. I'd suggest watching the first 20 (without sound) a lot more closely and aside from the one try Isaako wasn't responsible or out of position.

Naturally you won't though.

Click to expand...

Confirmation bias at its best. Watched it live on 9. Watched a replay on fox later but not before establishing my position. And it was 2 tries not one not far to the right of the posts. They were almost identical. 4th one never suggested he had a chance

Skathen said:

Confirmation bias at its best. Watched it live on 9. Watched a replay on fox later but not before establishing my position. And it was 2 tries not one not far to the right of the posts. They were almost identical. 4th one never suggested he had a chance

Click to expand...

Are you saying the first try, the Procter try (where Taylor kicked on the third tackle when Isaako was centre field in the defensive line) was on Isaako?

Taylor kicked through about 15 metres in from the sideline and nowhere near the posts. Procter ran 20 odd metres across ingoal to get over to the posts.

The second Titans try off Fogarty's kick was on Coates.

The third Titans try was the only try scored nearish the posts at ten metres to the right.
Fogarty kicks through with Isaako next to the ref. The camera angle doesn't show that the ball was always moving away from Isaako and that's the ONLY try in the four that Isaako could possibly be blamed for. Even then it's a stretch.

Your claim that there were two near identical, next to the posts tries is pure HORSESHIT. You need Specsavers and an education about dishonesty. The closest to the right of the posts any kick was at least 10 metres. Fogarty kicks it about 5 to 6 metres to the right of the posts and it keeps getting further away from that time. The camera angle doesn't show it well but the ball was always getting further away from Isaako.

There's a simple way to tell where it was scored, just check where Fogarty kicked the conversion from.

After looking at the footage closely I actually don't think any of the tries are on Isaako. It's probably fair to say he could have gotten closer to stopping the third try but no matter how hard he sprinted I think he wouldn't have made it anyway. I swear, some of you must have painted on eyes.

Fozz said:

What the **** was the bunker doing not reviewing the Rein try? Double movement clear as day. Absolute madness. At least Oates made him look like a fool after that first try when he tried to muscle Oates out.

Click to expand...

I think they did review but just cleared it.

Ball carrying arm touching the ground, is going to be short so then promotes the ball to get it on the line. The definition of a double movement.

One win changes everything, we got the Cowboys next week and we can be serious for a moment.. we've had 2 months of top 4 teams

I thought the Titans game was winnable, I reckon we'll almost be favorites to beat the Cowboys

Man I’m seriously confused, people on here and the post match media not giving Milford any credit. I thought he was superb just chiming in laid on some beautiful passes for tries and defended well, obviously not a million dollar player. But if he can perform like that week in week out I’d love to see him re-signed for half a mil.

Ok, i will admit i turned the TV off after that disastrous start
Issako looked pretty lost at the back there for those first couple of tries, something that really needs to be fixed immediately as it will now be in every teams game plan to isolate him in defence.

I'm so glad the boys bounced back though and showed the charcter that Kevvie is no doubt working overtime to restore to this team.

From the highlights i watched on NRL.com it really looked like the Gamble/Milford halves combo worked really well off the back of a strong forwards performance.

A step in the right direction for sure, and now to take that effort into next week.

Happy days ahead folks

Evander said:

Man I’m seriously confused, people on here and the post match media not giving Milford any credit. I thought he was superb just chiming in laid on some beautiful passes for tries and defended well, obviously not a million dollar player. But if he can perform like that week in week out I’d love to see him re-signed for half a mil.

Click to expand...

I think people are reluctant to heap too much praise after one game plus he was solid not spectacular. Definitely something to build from.

Wingers staying on their wings in defense, and trusting the inside man to cover is what gives me the most hope that we’re starting to turn the Titanic around, ever so slowly.