Round 6: Dolphins vs Penrith

[257Matt]

Not that I'm aware. Why do you ask?

Plath was best on the field tonight.

I said Gilbert doesn’t feature in points but seeing him get better and more confident each week is awesome for Dolphins

 

[Josh]

Plath was best on the field tonight.

I said Gilbert doesn’t feature in points but seeing him get better and more confident each week is awesome for Dolphins

I know. And I said the team is so much better with Plath at lock.

 

[257Matt]

Donoghoe had a great game.

 

[mr_c]

Nothing wrong with it ffs

 

[midlands hobo]

That's the Bostock we all know and hate. That was one of the biggest shockers I've seen.

I have to admit I was laughing. He played so well last week and actually had a good game this week but he didn't need to do anything just let it bounce dead as there was nobody chasing close enough to cause a problem but to spoon a kick back across the in goal well that would truly win Wanker of the Week award at any club.

It didn't make a difference to the outcome so its not a massive deal. BUT, the fact he should have been aware enough to let it bounce out and didn't is a big concern. I couldn't even utter fuck sake Jack as per last season as i was to busy howling with laughter.

 

[Red]

I have to admit I was laughing. He played so well last week and actually had a good game this week but he didn't need to do anything just let it bounce dead as there was nobody chasing close enough to cause a problem but to spoon a kick back across the in goal well that would truly win Wanker of the Week award at any club.

It didn't make a difference to the outcome so its not a massive deal. BUT, the fact he should have been aware enough to let it bounce out and didn't is a big concern. I couldn't even utter fuck sake Jack as per last season as i was to busy howling with laughter.

I was just going to talk about that. Out of all the howlers your favourite player has had, that is worst. He kicked it with no one within 5 metres, right on the dead ball line. In the next half a second, that ball was going dead. It was actually very impressive soccer (or football) skills. He kicked it on the half volley when it was traveling at speed, right into the arms of the oncoming Panthers.

Other than that, he had a good game and is getting better. If only he could get those howlers out of his game.

 

[Red]

Donoghoe had a great game.

His best by a long way.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I have to admit I was laughing. He played so well last week and actually had a good game this week but he didn't need to do anything just let it bounce dead as there was nobody chasing close enough to cause a problem but to spoon a kick back across the in goal well that would truly win Wanker of the Week award at any club.

It didn't make a difference to the outcome so its not a massive deal. BUT, the fact he should have been aware enough to let it bounce out and didn't is a big concern. I couldn't even utter fuck sake Jack as per last season as i was to busy howling with laughter.

I was hitting my head against the table

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I was confident coming into this game. However, Melbourne next week is a different story.

Penrith have been very poor.

 

[Red]

A few observations:

• Penrith looked slow and like a rabble. I always thought Cleary got too much praise for that team and Jerome Luai not enough. Everything I saw last night makes me believe that even more.
• Hammer scored 3 tries but seriously, backing out of collisions can't go on. Otherwise he should think about a career elsewhere.
• Plath is the Dolphins best player when he lock. I was saying from round 1 he isn't a backrower.
• That leaves Gilbert in a situation. I think Finefuiaki and Lemelu are our best backrowers. Last night Gilbert made a lot of high quality tackles but in attack played like a lock, not an edge backrower. I don't know what Woolf is going to do. First thing is to tell him he has to concentrate on his game and make Herbie (C).

 

[Red]

I was confident coming into this game. However, Melbourne next week is a different story.

Penrith have been very poor.

They will need to improve a lot to beat Melbourne.

 

[257Matt]

His best by a long way.

I said long before Round 1 that Donga would be in the 17 and he will be kept in the 17 for the entire season. At least some are respecting now I called it a long time ago and all bar one are seeing his value to the team

I did get my "*once* Keeley plays an NRL game he won't go back to lower grades" prediction wrong however he had no off season, no pre season and has only played 2 NRL and 1 QCup games due to the scheduling issues with the QCup this year. I did say he would start in Cup and work his way into the team so I might still be right there.

 

[257Matt]

A few observations:

• Penrith looked slow and like a rabble. I always thought Cleary got too much praise for that team and Jerome Luai not enough. Everything I saw last night makes me believe that even more.
• Hammer scored 3 tries but seriously, backing out of collisions can't go on. Otherwise he should think about a career elsewhere.
• Plath is the Dolphins best player when he lock. I was saying from round 1 he isn't a backrower.
• That leaves Gilbert in a situation. I think Finefuiaki and Lemelu are our best backrowers. Last night Gilbert made a lot of high quality tackles but in attack played like a lock, not an edge backrower. I don't know what Woolf is going to do. First thing is to tell him he has to concentrate on his game and make Herbie (C).

Finally someone else sees it with Luai. I think because Luai is a different cat so to speak where he sings to his own tune, walks around with a swagger and isn't scared to talk the walk people get so offended by him. I love Luai is different and Luai is a certified winner. This season will show whether Cleary is Andrew Johns standard who carried some very average Newcastle sides to be consistent top 4.

Kuli and Lemuelu aren't getting 80 minutes which is odd for second rowers and they're playing with more impact in the last two weeks without getting an attempt for 80mins so Gilbert fits in well at second row. He's getting better every week I wouldn't be writing Tom off at this stage he's coming back from two horrific injuries.

Plath has to play 13 for Dolphins we all agree on that. Plath isn't being used for 80 (a wise idea) so maybe some say Gilbert starts and Plath off the bench however Plath tends to be working more in with Donoghoe so not really an option them two on the bench together. I think Gilbert starting at 12 is the way to go for now.

Does Stone replace Nicholls next week or Stone is 18th? I'm not a big a wrap on Stone as a every week NRL footballer as others are he's very limited in his output and impact Stone is handy for depth not for a permanent role.

Hammer can score tries no one else can due to his ability in space and he's a great backup player not the best I've seen what makes his support so good is that his speed just glides him past chasers. However he doesn't like the nitty gritty fullback stuff like Edwards, Tedesco, Fuller, Gray, Tracey and is not as well rounded player as Ponga or Turbo. Only reasons Herbie and Critta are rated the top 2 centres is because Mitchell and Hammer play fullback for their clubs when they're the two best centres.

Between the best qualities of Averillo, Hammer and Herbie you have the best fullback of all time. Hammer support play up the middle, Averillo's hands and Herbie's toughness & ability to scrap for everything. Add in Fuller's heart wow. And they all have speed.

 

[257Matt]

They will need to improve a lot to beat Melbourne.

The key to beating Melbourne is to get them into a scrap and grind. In a tit for tat free flowing game they'll beat anyone and everyone. Penrith in the grand final got them into a real scrap and Melbourne couldn't handle it. Getting into a scrap and grind isn't the Dolphins best style of game if Flegler was fit and firing and Gilbert had more games under his belt no doubt Dolphins can get into a forwards scrap.

 

[Equaliser]

Finally someone else sees it with Luai. I think because Luai is a different cat so to speak where he sings to his own tune, walks around with a swagger and isn't scared to talk the walk people get so offended by him. I love Luai is different and Luai is a certified winner. This season will show whether Cleary is Andrew Johns standard who carried some very average Newcastle sides to be consistent top 4.

Kuli and Lemuelu aren't getting 80 minutes which is odd for second rowers and they're playing with more impact in the last two weeks without getting an attempt for 80mins so Gilbert fits in well at second row. He's getting better every week I wouldn't be writing Tom off at this stage he's coming back from two horrific injuries.

Plath has to play 13 for Dolphins we all agree on that. Plath isn't being used for 80 (a wise idea) so maybe some say Gilbert starts and Plath off the bench however Plath tends to be working more in with Donoghoe so not really an option them two on the bench together. I think Gilbert starting at 12 is the way to go for now.

Does Stone replace Nicholls next week or Stone is 18th? I'm not a big a wrap on Stone as a every week NRL footballer as others are he's very limited in his output and impact Stone is handy for depth not for a permanent role.

Hammer can score tries no one else can due to his ability in space and he's a great backup player not the best I've seen what makes his support so good is that his speed just glides him past chasers. However he doesn't like the nitty gritty fullback stuff like Edwards, Tedesco, Fuller, Gray, Tracey and is not as well rounded player as Ponga or Turbo. Only reasons Herbie and Critta are rated the top 2 centres is because Mitchell and Hammer play fullback for their clubs when they're the two best centres.

Between the best qualities of Averillo, Hammer and Herbie you have the best fullback of all time. Hammer support play up the middle, Averillo's hands and Herbie's toughness & ability to scrap for everything. Add in Fuller's heart wow. And they all have speed.

I didn't realise Luai was as good as he obviously is. He's transformed the Tigers. If he stays healthy, I think he's going to lead them into the finals this year.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

A few observations:

• Penrith looked slow and like a rabble. I always thought Cleary got too much praise for that team and Jerome Luai not enough. Everything I saw last night makes me believe that even more.
• Hammer scored 3 tries but seriously, backing out of collisions can't go on. Otherwise he should think about a career elsewhere.
• Plath is the Dolphins best player when he lock. I was saying from round 1 he isn't a backrower.
• That leaves Gilbert in a situation. I think Finefuiaki and Lemelu are our best backrowers. Last night Gilbert made a lot of high quality tackles but in attack played like a lock, not an edge backrower. I don't know what Woolf is going to do. First thing is to tell him he has to concentrate on his game and make Herbie (C).

It will come for Gilbert. He has had a long layoff. Give it time.

The Captaincy in the modern game on field is an overrated role (just my opinion). You have your on field leaders who should be directing the side around the park and setting the tone. So, I have no problem changing Captain to Herbie etc. I think the thought process surrounding Gilbert being Captain is more to do with setting standards at training and translating that on to the field. And from what I understand he has been a leader in that area. I have no problem keeping him at Capt and playing him off the bench. Other people argue against it, and I agree with their points as well. However, you have your senior core that should be setting examples anyway.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I didn't realise Luai was as good as he obviously is. He's transformed the Tigers. If he stays healthy, I think he's going to lead them into the finals this year.

I reckon Luai was the ying to Cleary's Yang.

It will take him a while to get use to him not being there.

I don't think Cleary is being found out. I think he is a classy player. I just think Batman without Robin, isn't Batman. And even Batman needs to come to terms with a situation without Robin being there.

He also needs to get used to someone else outside him, with different characteristics.

The other thing. Penrith haven't just lost Luai. Fisher-Harris is a massive loss, and all their other losses over the past 2 or 3 years, has slowly built up to this point. Not just losing Luai.

 

[Equaliser]

I reckon Luai was the ying to Cleary's Yang.

It will take him a while to get use to him not being there.

I don't think Cleary is being found out. I think he is a classy player. I just think Batman without Robin, isn't Batman. And even Batman needs to come to terms with a situation without Robin being there.

He also needs to get used to someone else outside him, with different characteristics.

The other thing. Penrith haven't just lost Luai. Fisher-Harris is a massive loss, and all their other losses over the past 2 or 3 years, has slowly built up to this point. Not just losing Luai.

Cleary is still a good player for sure but it's exactly as you say, it'll take him a while to get used to life without Luai in the team.

 

[257Matt]

I didn't realise Luai was as good as he obviously is. He's transformed the Tigers. If he stays healthy, I think he's going to lead them into the finals this year.

Wests Tigers is being held together by Luai's leadership and presence as Benji can't coach, the Balmain legends can't let go, the board factions want to kill each other and it's a losing culture.

 

[mr_c]

clearys heads not in game with mrs away in uk n him swaging backwards n forward , i dont see him been much longer in nrl