From memory it was a very strong Newcastle side we played in the final 2018 trial and toweled them up looking like world beaters.... we lost the next 6 games straight and collected the spoon.
*Special note; the round 2 match v Manly 54-0 loss. Another BA coaching master class having the team warm up on the field for 30 minutes in 40 degree heat. Where were Manly? warming up in the sheds.
Last nights game IMO with so many players out is not an indication where this team is at, rather it showed what the fringe players need to work on and which ones are dead wood and will be moved on.
I'm not sugar coating it, we were bad but the game was refereed poorly which contributed and no competition points were up for grabs "it's only a trial" it was a lesson not a loss.
No injuries ✅ new coach✅ new players ✅ new systems ✅ A decade of BA influence still needing to be washed off ✅
Maybe it was better we didn't walk off the field last night like we did in 2018?
I would imagine the next two weeks of training will be very intense as a by product of last nights trial. Which is a good thing. The video session will be damning by JR and his first opportunity to show his accountability level.
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I actually think our defence was good, the amount of ball Wests had they should have scored more and didn't. That's a positive.
2012 we won 4 trials and got spoon. Wests in 2023 beat a full strength finals bound Raiders team 36-4 in trials and got spoon.
Just cannot get a full indication from trials. Had Moses and/or Brown played to same result then yeah concerning.
Wests we're just poor also that's the whole thing for me they made a lot of errors also juat that we made more.
I'd have liked to see us be more clinical maybe because our halves weren't steering the team round very well I don't know it just felt they weren't driving the side at all.
Exactly. The Wests fans I know are legit losing their minds.
They weren't good the amount of ball on our line. But a few mistakes came from bad passes from Hooker and halves. Miscommunication also. Moses fixes that.
We also only played one trial that year too which many chastised
Definitely a mixed bag last night bert,
Positives:
1 . Defensively we don't appear fragile, or uncertain making better decisions - credit to the coaching staff the squad looks fit, making extra 100 tackles doesn't help the cause.
2. More aggression, quick line speed and fast play the balls are positive and noticeable
3. Iongi what a great signing, super talent and will be a revelation this season.
4. More resilient defensive line, Riley smith has for be in the top 30, the tempo changes immediately when he gets on the Lussick service from dummy half was abysmal
Negatives:
1. Silly errors, poor discipline and 7 ruck infringements - Klein the clown was terrible and the bunker too.
2. Tago, Carty, Grieg, lussick all below first grade standard - Kelma really poor last night, 8 missed tacklesz arm grabbing and 1 of the misses directly led to the tigers 3rd try.
3. Volkman definitely not a back up, nowhere near ready for FG - Dean Hawkins is the cover for Moses.
Inexperienced half's, too many simply errors - bombed a certain try, restarts absolutely rubbish - Ryles has a job to do getting rid of these patterns and habits courtesy of BA.
I hope you've been well Truffle Hound
Lol All is good bert! Nice blog mate.
I don't take much notice of the results in trials. As long as players look fit and you can clearly see things they have worked on in the pre season.
However, 2 players gave me concerns from last night's game.
1. Wiremu Greig looked off the pace, and early in the game.
2. Ryan Matterson. I expect a much improved season from Matterson this year, but his below par game last night has me worried.
Both these players should be having a real go as both play in positions the Eels aren't super strong.
Yeh they were both a worry for me. Matterson just doesn't play at a fast enough pace for the modern game. He jogs up, looks to ball play (which can work occasionally). Same in defence he doesn't scramble quickly which led to a Tigers try close to the line. It's like he gets into a groove effort wise and is just content to stay in that groove rather than rip and tear. The game is passing him by.
Grieg I had high hopes for. Unfortunately I don't think he's got the requisite athleticism for NRL. I know he's worked super hard and dropped a bunch of kegs. But still he doesn't seem to have the endurance. It's a worry.
Grieg was gassed too quickly, he is not nrl standard. Matto was disappointing 😞, seemed disinterested, hope he doesn't take up his player option next year.
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