Russo
NRL Player
- Mar 4, 2008
- 1,340
- 1
Russo's Rap on the game
Well what a very impressive start to season 2008 was that. From Mick's new flag to the hot pink cheergirls (who still have nothing in the looks department compared to the Titanette's mind you), to the new LCD advertising hordings, to a security guy infront of us with a personality, it looks like being a good season.
And then to on the field. I thought starting Locky on the bench was a smart move be WB to ease him into the game although apart from a big hit here or there it wasn't what you'd call a damaging first 20 minutes. Was very impressed with three of the new boys in Wally, PJ and particularly Ashton Sims. Sims hit hard, tackled well and hit the ball up often and I like what I see and look forward to seeing plenty more of him in 2008. Where's Wally, well we found him today and he is a halfback _woohoo_ . Having Locky not available in the off season was probably a blessing in disguise because he wasn't stiffled at all in the trials and got to call the shots, he took this over into his game today and is a big talker and often overcalled Locky, something that we need in a half, but on saying that it is only one game so far. And then to PJ at hooker, might not stand out to many but his organisation at dummy half was second to none and this was noticeable when he went off and Perry came on and we dropped back a gear IMHO. The other 2 new boys in Robinson (not a lot of chance playing outside Hodges) and Joel 'Monica' Clinton who had the drops to start then got injuries, the jury is still out.
As for the old regulars (and I don't mean in age accept TC and Locky) Hunt was solid but not sure how he got the ground MotM, well done Darius 3 tries showing the doubters what you can offer the side but keep up the effort or they will be back on you in a flash, Michaels at centre is where he belongs and will form a great partnership with Boyd, Hodges quite for mine but showed those flashes of brilliance when needed.
Locky, what new reconstruction, he's even walking less bow legged, the refresh will do him wonders and he looked to enjoy the 20 minute injection into the game and the pressure taken off him by Wally and PJ, will get better and that is great for us but scary for oppositions.
The forwards impressed, TC starting off where we expect him hitting hard and often, Staggy looked good for mine and will improve with game time. Corey went great and has really matured as a regular starter and congrats on the record and hopefully the injury is not bad. Hannant is a machine no doubt about it, Sammy T had the best game I have seen from him for nearly 9 months, still needs to work on some little errors (ball control) but I expect a big year for him. And then to Eastwood. There is a farmer somehwere in NZ who was watching the game today that will now be resting easy and that sheep he lost in the off season he now knows where it went.....Greg ate it. The boy looks bigger but on saying that he seems 10 times fitter and for mine I was very impressed.
All up a great performance but it will be game on against the Rooters as Penriff really had nothing.
A few quick comments and many have been said above by other posters, as Matt said the enthusiasm today was a pleasure to see, a lot of the injuries near the end were cramps and it is something I have noticed we have issues with every year, particularly Hunt, and it needs to be addressed by the staff urgently. The crowd today was fabulous, something I often don't say about our crowds, but particularly after going to the Titans on Friday i now realise that our crowd go for the footy and are footy savvy not like the Titans who have no idea and just want to do waves for 10 minutes and have to be prompted by American crap chants by the announcer.
Well what a very impressive start to season 2008 was that. From Mick's new flag to the hot pink cheergirls (who still have nothing in the looks department compared to the Titanette's mind you), to the new LCD advertising hordings, to a security guy infront of us with a personality, it looks like being a good season.
And then to on the field. I thought starting Locky on the bench was a smart move be WB to ease him into the game although apart from a big hit here or there it wasn't what you'd call a damaging first 20 minutes. Was very impressed with three of the new boys in Wally, PJ and particularly Ashton Sims. Sims hit hard, tackled well and hit the ball up often and I like what I see and look forward to seeing plenty more of him in 2008. Where's Wally, well we found him today and he is a halfback _woohoo_ . Having Locky not available in the off season was probably a blessing in disguise because he wasn't stiffled at all in the trials and got to call the shots, he took this over into his game today and is a big talker and often overcalled Locky, something that we need in a half, but on saying that it is only one game so far. And then to PJ at hooker, might not stand out to many but his organisation at dummy half was second to none and this was noticeable when he went off and Perry came on and we dropped back a gear IMHO. The other 2 new boys in Robinson (not a lot of chance playing outside Hodges) and Joel 'Monica' Clinton who had the drops to start then got injuries, the jury is still out.
As for the old regulars (and I don't mean in age accept TC and Locky) Hunt was solid but not sure how he got the ground MotM, well done Darius 3 tries showing the doubters what you can offer the side but keep up the effort or they will be back on you in a flash, Michaels at centre is where he belongs and will form a great partnership with Boyd, Hodges quite for mine but showed those flashes of brilliance when needed.
Locky, what new reconstruction, he's even walking less bow legged, the refresh will do him wonders and he looked to enjoy the 20 minute injection into the game and the pressure taken off him by Wally and PJ, will get better and that is great for us but scary for oppositions.
The forwards impressed, TC starting off where we expect him hitting hard and often, Staggy looked good for mine and will improve with game time. Corey went great and has really matured as a regular starter and congrats on the record and hopefully the injury is not bad. Hannant is a machine no doubt about it, Sammy T had the best game I have seen from him for nearly 9 months, still needs to work on some little errors (ball control) but I expect a big year for him. And then to Eastwood. There is a farmer somehwere in NZ who was watching the game today that will now be resting easy and that sheep he lost in the off season he now knows where it went.....Greg ate it. The boy looks bigger but on saying that he seems 10 times fitter and for mine I was very impressed.
All up a great performance but it will be game on against the Rooters as Penriff really had nothing.
A few quick comments and many have been said above by other posters, as Matt said the enthusiasm today was a pleasure to see, a lot of the injuries near the end were cramps and it is something I have noticed we have issues with every year, particularly Hunt, and it needs to be addressed by the staff urgently. The crowd today was fabulous, something I often don't say about our crowds, but particularly after going to the Titans on Friday i now realise that our crowd go for the footy and are footy savvy not like the Titans who have no idea and just want to do waves for 10 minutes and have to be prompted by American crap chants by the announcer.
