Thoughts on Season 2011

[Big Pete]

What do you make of the teams so far in 2011?

Personally I don't remember Rugby League being this error ridden. I know it's still early but generally teams are better performed at this stage of the season. Has the quality dipped?

As for the teams themselves...

Bulldogs - Well balanced side that lacks some leadership and maturity at times.

Raiders - Being shown up in the forwards and they can't cover for it without Dugan or Campo.

Sharks - Playing better than expected but just don't have enough punch outwide or in the halves.

Titans - Another side that lacks punch and a lot of players seem to be winding down.

Sea Eagles - As consistent as ever. The new breed looks awesome.

Storm - Bellamy is proving himself. Still need to see how they perform away from home but they've been unstoppable in Mebourne.

Knights - Injuries have hurt them and their focus appears to be on 2012.

Cowboys - Jeckyll and Hyde side capable of beating anyone and coming up with some disappointing losses. Tomorrow night's result may change that.

Eels - Have a lot of talented individuals but they're not gelling as a side. Need better halves.

Dragons - Showing a little complacency but still very strong. Soward's kicking game has gone up another level.

Rabbitohs - Way too scratchy, they also seem to have a bad attitude. Need to show more pride in themselves and their line.

Roosters - Lacking consistensy and need to show more respect towards the footy. Carney seems dusty in the early going.

Warriors - Struggled early but starting to find themselves as a side. Still not overly impressed and Mateo is as much a five eigth as Sutton is.

Tigers - Injuries have hurt them but they're showing some real starch in defence to at least keep themselves in the hunt.

Finally...

Brisbane - Are showing some real pride in their defensive line and like old Bennett teams seem to base their footy on coming up with the big plays and inspiring one another. Not overly impressed but they're laying a good foundation.

So what do you make of the season and all the teams?

 

[Ghibli]

Sorry to digress from the thread, however I think the refs are much improved this year.

 

[Big Pete]

Not at all Ghibli this thread is open to any discussion as long as it pertains to the NRL in season 2011. icon_thumbs_u

I agree, sure there have been some teething issues but as long as they've remained consistent (which they have been) I don't really have any issues. Although tonight wasn't the best night for refs, how Ennis and Payne were sin binned is beyond me. Hayne should have been sent too.

 

[Kimlo]

Yeah I think the refs have improved this year but not by much.

I agree with a lot of your team descriptions as well.

 

[vertigo]

By round 10 I hope there's a couple of teams that can entertain and win convincingly week in week out.

 

[Browny]

I haven't been impressed with the refs at all. Too many nitpicking penalties at times but at least they are consistent

 

[Bucking Beads]

Every team needs halves because ever position on the field is now being covered by a backrower ffs.

 

[Dexter]

I don't remember a season with such an obvious gap between the top side then the next 2 - 3 sides and the rest.

The Dragons will win this comp more easily than last year, barring injury of course, because the monkey is off their back.

All sides rely too much on structure and the lucky ones have a standout who can play off the back of it, the salary cap destroys every teams identity just that little bit more each year.

 

[Alec]

Dragons and Melbourne have both been very impressive. ATM, I can see the grand final being between those two sides.

 

[Kimlo]

Stuff both of them, we can win the competition this year.

 

[Crazy Sam]

If the Broncos make the finals I'll be happy. From there, anything can happen.

Certainly it's better to be in our position than where we were this time last year!

 

[Charmamba]

Dragons and Melbourne have both been very impressive. ATM, I can see the grand final being between those two sides.

As long as those 2 keep performing how they are Brisbane will float under the radar.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Dragons and Melbourne have both been very impressive. ATM, I can see the grand final being between those two sides.

As long as those 2 keep performing how they are Brisbane will float under the
radar.

Just the way we like it

 

[Big Pete]

What about individual players? Anybody surprising or disappointing you?

Surprises for me...

Joe Galuvao - Hasn't he set the clock back? He's going good guns in the Manly pack making good metres and actually making an impact with the footy. I don't think I've seen him play like this since possibly 2004, dare I say 2003?

Corey Payne - Used to think he was useless after a strong debut season but Payne's added an offload to his game which has allowed him to become something of a weapon.

Blake Ferguson - I think he's a wanker on the field but he's showing enough talent to rival the likes of Inglis and Idris. Once he irons the brain explosions out he could become an international.

Disappointments

Scott Prince - Has gone from Dally M Halfback (which I thought was BS but whatever) to one of the most ordinary in the comp. Friday's game was an improvement but he was still coming up with some very silly plays at opportune times.

Matt Gillett - Just isn't a weapon anymore at starting second row.

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs - Arguably Australia's most destructive forward last year to a powder puff this year.

Lachlan Coote - One of the games premier fullbacks to a mistake riddled bludger.

 

[Dexter]

Just a little tough on Gillett Pete, if you watch him at the game he runs some great lines and does his work off the ball really well, he competes everywhere and gets the little things done. He is a very solid first grader and I would assume he will improve over the next couple of seasons to Origin standard.

 

[Big Pete]

If anything I'm holding back on Gillett...

 

[Bucking Beads]

Tough on gillett imo. Pushes too many offloads that is for sure

 

[Big Pete]

If you compare Gillett to last season to this season it's fair to say he's gone backwards.

It's not like I called him a lump of s**t or anything.