Round 22 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Lawrence was more or less a depth selection at the time he was selected but he was definitely in the conversation and a quality prospect at just 22 which is when he made his debut.

Put it this way, I would have been happy to have him in a Broncos jersey around that time.

Now, I wouldn't even want him in a Dolphins jersey.

I wouldn't compare him to Ayshford. I don't think he was ever held in high regard more in that SKD & Vidot type respect where they're capable of great plays but have too much working against them.

Lawrence had genuine class and if he didn't suffer the dislocated hip I'd imagine he'd be filling the role Josh Morris does right now.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Wighton is a quality young player IMO. First game back from an injury lay off as well. Canberra had a crack last night and did their fans proud for once. I think everyone expected a flogging tbh. Canberra have a lot of injuries at the moment. I am not sure on Cornish from what I have seen. I did notice the Raiders tended to not pass it to Milford last night.

 

[Brett]

Wighton is a quality young player IMO. First game back from an injury lay off as well. Canberra had a crack last night and did their fans proud for once. I think everyone expected a flogging tbh. Canberra have a lot of injuries at the moment. I am not sure on Cornish from what I have seen. I did notice the Raiders tended to not pass it to Milford last night.

They passed it to Milford plenty from what I saw. He was just poor with the ball.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Just on Milford in the halves. I think it could work. He has great timing with his passes. As much as he is a great runner he can put others through a gap as well. I'd prefer him at fullback but if he ends up in the halves next year he will still be excellent for us. He is a class above and will succeed in both positions IMO. He gives

They passed it to Milford plenty from what I saw. He was just poor with the ball.

They burnt him a fair bit from what I could tell. It is only natural though as McCrone has been the dominant half all year and they would have been not passing it to Campese because he is shit.

 

[Big Pete]

I have a wrap on Wighton too.

I think his rep selection would be premature as it stands but he certainly has the tools to be a competent Test centre and I like how he's able to ruck the ball up.

Like basically every Raiders back, struggles with the edge defence but since it seems to be a problem for every player and he seems capable of making some good defensive plays, I reckon it's something a coach could definitely work on with him.

Thinking back to Lawrence for a moment and looking back on his Test selection, I can understand why people were stropy with him. While he was nothing more than a depth selection in 2010, in 2011 he'd only played something like 9 games all season yet was considered good enough to play the entire series.

But hey, sometimes Sheens got it right too - like giving Yow Yeh his debut in early 2011. I remember a lot of tears (mainly Novacastrian tears) over that one.

FWIW, Lawrence had a pretty mixed Four Nations in 2011.

 

[Brett]

Just on Milford in the halves. I think it could work. He has great timing with his passes. As much as he is a great runner he can put others through a gap as well. I'd prefer him at fullback but if he ends up in the halves next year he will still be excellent for us. He is a class above and will succeed in both positions IMO. He gives



They burnt him a fair bit from what I could tell. It is only natural though as McCrone has been the dominant half all year and they would have been not passing it to Campese because he is shit.

I've posted my thoughts on the subject in the Barba thread if you wanna continue the discussion there.

 

[Bucking Beads]

The Raiders have plenty of class in their backline although Croker and Wighton need to improve their defence. They are pretty desperate for a fullback though. With Waqa coming next season they will have 2 quality wingers.

 

[Brett]

I just watched the Knights press conference. For all the shit Gidley cops, gee he speaks well. He's got a lot of passion and pride in the team and their performance. You could tell Wayne was proud of him while he was talking.

 

[Broncoman]

TBF on Lawrence from memory he was in good form when he was picked for Australia and the Tigers had pretty good seasons. Also from memory Lawrence didn't play to badly in a Kangaroo jumper.

Chris Lawrence.....Blake Ashford, just a couple of many players who the NSW media over rated and pushed for their inclusion into rep sides.

Jack Wighton is the latest version of these types.

When was Ayshford ever talked up? I can never remember that

 

[Mr Fourex]

He was named in the "blues in waiting" squad in 2011

 

[Big Pete]

I wouldn't take a whole lot out of that - those squads are usually made up of those sorts of prospects.

Same deal with the Maroons selecting Esi Tonga for their Emerging Squad. Can't say I remember you, me or Mal singing his praises XXXX.

 

[Super Freak]

IMO: The Knights were gifted that win.

What was the penalty count 10 - 2

I thought in one of the last plays, the Knights player lost the ball forward.

And yes it was a great game.

The ball bounced forward, but it was passed backwards.

 

[Battler]

Lovely to see the refs carry the Sharks back into the game like they did against the Broncos. The square up penalties are fucking ridiculous in modern day league. If you concede penalties it's because you are ill disciplined, end of discussion. There is no need to blow frivolous penalties at the back end of games to try and even up the count.

 

[Rally Towel]

The square up penalties are fucking ridiculous in modern day league. If you concede penalties it's because you are ill disciplined, end of discussion. There is no need to blow frivolous penalties at the back end of games to try and even up the count.

Very true. Many teams (Manly, Roosters in 2013 particular) seem to purposely concede a few early on, knowing the refs won't let it blow out, and will likely receive the square up. Then they're free to grubby it up from the ten minute mark.

I really think the refs need to send off for repeated offenders, and introduce a five minute sin bin. More fitting punishment will result in less foul play, and penalty counts should lower accordingly.

 

[Alec]

Imagine if we were as well coached as Panthers are.

 

[Big Pete]

Aidan Sezer returns for the Gold Coast Titans tonight in their clash against the Roosters.

The defending premiers should be too strong but 2014 has certainly thrown up it's share of upsets and the Roosters can be pretty complacent.

Hope the Titans can ruffle their feathers and take this one. Do it for Henry, Tits!

 

[Big Pete]

:laugh: Maloney.

Don scores a gift try.

 

[Big Pete]

Titans are just giving the Roosters far too many opportunities at the moment.

Ridiculous.

Sezer comes up with another great restart to get the ball back from a goal line drop out only for Mortimer to "lose" it while playing the ball.

Maloney scores and it should be 10-6 Roosters with 20 played.