PRE-GAME Round 21 - Bulldogs vs Broncos

[Mitchell_Broncos]

Isaako will be fine. We’ve only had two games with him there, one a flogging where he wasn’t required to do anything really, and a grind game where we were starved of possession and only scored twice and he was playing injured.

It will take time, but i hope he has a look during the week how Boyd does the sweeping play where milf tried to do first time up there end where he couldn't find the mark for Isaako.

 

[Donald Garner]

Now the eels are doing their best to lose a game that they had won against Souths. Surely Souths can’t come back like Penrith

 

[Donald Garner]

Now the eels are doing their best to lose a game that they had won against Souths. Surely Souths can’t come back like Penrith

And there it is. **** the eels and manly. How could both teams let huge leads slip like this against the two teams we wanted to lose!

 

[Harry Sack]

Have you watched tonight? Of course the Dogs find form now...

Kind of relieved tbh. We've struggled in the past when playing shit teams because we're expected to win.

 

[Pub Steak]

I watched the Cronulla game again and agree Niko definitely needs to get his hands on the ball more and run more like he did against panthers. I also think they need to stop trying to force Roberts into the game cause they went right a few times when they were better stacked left. Roberts needs to come find the ball more himself. What most impressed me was Isaako’s defensive positioning. He read their plays really well and shut down a number more of their attempts to lock us down our own end. Plus our defence was tight as a drum and it’s no coincidence.

 

[Number6]

I watched the Cronulla game again and agree Niko definitely needs to get his hands on the ball more and run more like he did against panthers. I also think they need to stop trying to force Roberts into the game cause they went right a few times when they were better stacked left. Roberts needs to come find the ball more himself. What most impressed me was Isaako’s defensive positioning. He read their plays really well and shut down a number more of their attempts to lock us down our own end. Plus our defence was tight as a drum and it’s no coincidence.

Injury issues.

If Glenn and TPJ is gone who plays edge?

Can use Offa and Fifita I suppose but very bare on the bench.

8. Lodge
9. Macca (lock after 30)
10. Thaiday
11. Offa
12. Fifita
13. McGuire
14. Turpin
15. Staggs
16. Sims
17. Mago
18. Tagga

Not a lot on bench against dogs pack. Not seeing a lot of options however. Will need big minutes from the starters and big effort from likes of Thaiday and Sims to roll on.

 

[Morkel]

Injury issues.

If Glenn and TPJ is gone who plays edge?

Can use Offa and Fifita I suppose but very bare on the bench.

8. Lodge
9. Macca (lock after 30)
10. Thaiday
11. Offa
12. Fifita
13. McGuire
14. Turpin
15. Staggs
16. Sims
17. Mago
18. Tagga

Not a lot on bench against dogs pack. Not seeing a lot of options however. Will need big minutes from the starters and big effort from likes of Thaiday and Sims to roll on.

Su'a I think is better suited to the left too, but he's gone for the season. Anyone know what side Fifita prefers? If he can go to the left, Thaiday might be able to turn back time and move out to the right. Lodge & Ofahengaue to start at prop. Staggs can then swap for Thaiday and play the rest of the match.

08 Lodge
10 Ofahengaue
11 Fifita
12 Thaiday
13 McGuire

14 Staggs
15 Sims
16 Mago
17 Turpin / Opacic / Tagataese

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Su'a I think is better suited to the left too, but he's gone for the season. Anyone know what side Fifita prefers? If he can go to the left, Thaiday might be able to turn back time and move out to the right. Lodge & Ofahengaue to start at prop. Staggs can then swap for Thaiday and play the rest of the match.

08 Lodge
10 Ofahengaue
11 Fifita
12 Thaiday
13 McGuire

14 Staggs
15 Sims
16 Mago
17 Turpin / Opacic / Tagataese

I think thats the best option if TPJ is out... but another possibility could be carrigan. I dont get to watch much qld cup these days but if he is going as well as everybody is saying he could be a smokey. Bennett has shown he doesnt mind throwing a debutant in the deep end if he believes they have it in them. Carrigan seems to be a middle forward but has played a bit of 2nd row as well... and mago has played a fair bit of second row until this year... savelio would have been great to have as well in this siuation... our second rowers are cursed this year!

 

[Huge]

Well, I'd just start Lodge and Taga, Taga I'd replace after 15 and give him another 12-15 at the start of the second half. Thaiday has been great lately and he and Lodge need to be the guys to finish the game.

 

[Super Freak]

Taga is not a starter. He's a bench prop.

We don't need to start making unnecessary changes. Thaiday stays at prop and Fifita starts on the right edge. It's that simple.

 

[WASSHHH]

Su'a I think is better suited to the left too, but he's gone for the season. Anyone know what side Fifita prefers? If he can go to the left, Thaiday might be able to turn back time and move out to the right. Lodge & Ofahengaue to start at prop. Staggs can then swap for Thaiday and play the rest of the match.

08 Lodge
10 Ofahengaue
11 Fifita
12 Thaiday
13 McGuire

14 Staggs
15 Sims
16 Mago
17 Turpin / Opacic / Tagataese

Pretty sure he has always played right.

Another left field option is to start Opacic in the back-row.
I’m sure he knows how to run the lines and no one can doubt his defence.
He’s also a very calm player and has some NRL experience.

 

[BroncosFever]

Big bonus for us is that Klemmer will likely be out

 

[Wolfie]

Pretty sure he has always played right.

Another left field option is to start Opacic in the back-row.
I’m sure he knows how to run the lines and no one can doubt his defence.
He’s also a very calm player and has some NRL experience.

I actually think thats where he will end up. When Melbourne wanted him they wanted him for back row or lock. I wouldnt pick him in front of Fifita though honestly.

 

[Morkel]

Taga is not a starter. He's a bench prop.

We don't need to start making unnecessary changes. Thaiday stays at prop and Fifita starts on the right edge. It's that simple.

Then who plays in the #11 if TPJ is rested?

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Then who plays in the #11 if TPJ is rested?

We have a million players that are chomping at the bit to play 2nd row for us.

It's the fucking Bulldogs if there's any game where we rest some of our most important players, it's this one.

 

[Super Freak]

Then who plays in the #11 if TPJ is rested?

Sims does.

Thaiday shouldn’t be moved. The way we are using him is working, we should stick with that. We have cover for the back row.

 

[Super Freak]

It's the fucking Bulldogs if there's any game where we rest some of our most important players, it's this one.

Have you not watched games against the Bulldogs in recent years?

Bulldogs have a history of turning up against us and getting a win. We shouldn’t be resting anyone. Especially when they haven’t been doing too well. They love playing against us down there.

 

[Foordy]

We shouldn’t be resting anyone.

completely disagree ...

TPJ has been struggling with injuries for several weeks ... we need him at 100% for the finals ... I would rather us rest him and give him a week to get himself right, rather than risk him either further injuring himself or lose him completely