roo-ted
NRL Player
- Oct 8, 2017
- 2,266
- 1,483
Sproj are you the controversial guy on here during the season lol?Well here we go, first one of the year:
1. Boyd - There will be some not happy about these comments I'm sure but I fear many will sadly agree, this guy is the captain, yet I cannot recall him ever really playing like he is the captain, at least not since he became captain. He might not have been fully responsible for the forward pass at the start but that set the tone of the game. Once again, he just ball watched when Isaako spilled it, that is not acceptable for anyone but especially your captain, it is also not the first time he's done it. I dread four more years of this bloke at present, his body is breaking down and he seems to lack hunger, huge questions marks over the coach's son - 2
2. Oates - He doesn't want to be on the wing and you know what, maybe he shouldn't be. We need a back on the bench and Oates is tailor-made for that back/forward hybrid utility role you need these days. Given Su'a will be suspended, I'd play Oates off the bench. He overran what should have been the first try, dropped a horrible pass but dragged defenders as he always does. A real rocks and diamonds kind of night without many diamonds - 5
3. Roberts - Just about the only guy who looked dangerous all night in the backline (Isaako notwithstanding), he was about as electric as he could be with such limited ball. That penalty was stupid, he still has the odd brain fade in his game, if it were me, he'd be fullback next week but I'm not the coach - 7
4. Kahu - Terrible, not really much else to say to describe him BUT not really his fault either. He isn't a centre now, his knees just don't have the agility, he also doesn't have the strength. His side of the field was like Swiss cheese in defense and this is not assisted by the millionaire powderpuff defending one in from him. He is a classy winger but that is it these days. Given Isaako's immersion and ability to goal-kick, it is lucky Kahu is still a quality winger because that is all he offers now, embrace it. No pre-season games in the role was mind-numbingly stupid from the coach as well - 4
5. Isaako - He was good for the most part, looks a lot like a Holmes/Hoffman type and makes me think wing is his position, I just don't rate him as a fullback and I'm not really sure why, just a gut feeling. He dropped a bomb but was one of the few who looked like they were bale to get out of reverse gear - 7
6. Milford - Oh man, this guy is really worrying me. He is being paid to be THE man but to be honest, I am not really sure that he is offering ANYTHING better than KNik and that says a lot because both were rubbish last night. He is just have one MAJOR saving factor though, he was behind a forward pack that was being pushed further back than Boyd's defensive position, will hold judgement until after he actually gets some ball in the opposition half but the signs of the last 18 months have not been good and seem to be getting progressively worse. Don't get me started on whatever that thing is he calls defense - 3
7. KNik - Look, I am probably his biggest defender on here and yes, I know he wasn't great BUT he got in a good kick or two, did some ok passing but refused to run the ball (hard to do when your forwards are playing the ball behind you), but I still think he went better than the guy being paid two or three times what he is next to him - 4
8. Lodge - For a first game in three years, that was very impressive. He copped it from pillar to post all week and despite that intercept pass, he was the only forward who looked like he was trying in attack AND defense, a lot to build on here - 7
10. Thaiday - Where do you start here? He was second worst on ground and in a game that included the captain playing like a marshmallow, that tells you everything you need to know. He offers nothing these days, so sad for a club legend who is just making up the numbers these days. He is three seasons past it but Wayne won't drop him unfortunately - 2
14 - TPJ - He was fantastic in attack, such fantastic offloading that needs to be utilized more. The team has the little, fast guys who can capitalise on it...but maybe they are instructed not to or just too lazy to get there, I don't know. He looked fit enough last night which is great but that defense is a massive concern in my opinion. Was dropping off and getting caught out of position so often - 6
11. Glenn - I like this guy, a truly great clubman and I am sure he will come into his own in coming rounds but can see him being overtaken by Su'a later in the season (I know, outlandish after last night's performance) - 6
12. Gillett - Not the Gillett we know and have to come to love. He wasn't the only one in that boat though, it must be said. He looked a shadow of himself but we all know he will get better - 6
13. McGuire - For a guy who is ultra consistent these days, it was a really off game. He was average but in his defense, he was getting very help from anyone - 6
9 - Macca - Just glad he got through the game unscathed, a nice lasting legacy from the powderpuff that was Adam Blair. He looked average but not the most important thing for the guy who is integral to this side's success. His constant kicking on the third, particularly first set after half-time was making me want to throw my vp...tv...whatever I was watching it on - 5
15 - Joffa - I actually thought he went ok without being amazing (he wasn't the only one there) but felt the team did miss his one-two punch with TPJ. I thought he lacked spark but I rate this guy so highly, really would look at starting him next week, as I agree with others that he is probably a better starter than benchie - 6
16. Sims - I have not made my thoughts on this clear a secret. He could be one of the best props in the game but he isn't and it is his own fault...well maybe the Sims' genes fault. He can produce what he did against Newcastle last year but does it ONCE a year. Just not good enough. And if I see him walk back into the defensive line again next week, I tell you, I'm flying back to Brissy and heading straight into training and giving him a highly impassioned letter stating to pull his finger out but not to read it until I run away. His unfulfilled potential just bugs me so much because of what he could be - 3
17. Su'a - Was horrible, no other way to describe it but you can see the talent and ability there. He will miss a week but my outlandish prediction is that he will be starting by the end of the season, just too good to not get there now he is starting to mature physically - 1
Bennett - Not happy mate. Where is the change to structure to play to your players' strengths? This is not a side that can bash and barge, so why use that style? Is that you Des, inhabiting Wayne's body?