Here we go again after another loss and once again it's evident we need speed and quality players in our backline.
The game in 2026 relies on scramble defence from your outside backs and edges who also need to have the strike to finish opportunities .
We create opportunities and don't finish them. Weekly ae leave points out on the field.
We have no speed to scramble and stop try's. Our line is broken and opposition forwards can run 60m untouched.
To make it worse our backs don't get the 1%ers right . If I had to bet on which outside back in the competition would be offside on a kick chase Sean Russell would be $1.01 favourite.
I really like the way Ryles coaches this team. We have no right being competitive most weeks with this roster we have out on the field at the moment . He's got us creating 20+ points most weeks .. hell we created 40 vs the Broncos and 30+ vs the cowboys . It's clear he can coach . But we have the worst edges in the completion . Fox is elite , Brian Kelly is an error waiting to happen but he is a first grader .
Sean Russell should go the way of Dylan Brown 2025. We've seen enough of him. He doesn't help us win games and we should be done developing him for Perth . See ya later.
Will I've said my piece on before . Doesn't have it and is being exposed by modern day rugby league which he doesn't have the skills or athleticism for.
Samrani has a football brain and as such makes our team every week. He makes the 2 above look Like the potato's they are.
Kelma is wildly inconsistent with the ball and consistently hopeless without it.
Kit Kat is an error waiting to happen and shocking defensively.
These edges need addressing BIG time. Teams are recruiting outside backs . A tonne of them have moved clubs over the last 6 months. If we're just waiting on the injuried players to come back and not paying attention to our woefully inept backline I feel sorry for those forking out for Vegas because teams with fast athletic edges can put us to the sword no matter what the effort or spirit is like in the team. We need strengthening out wide or we might as well write off 2027 now as well. So incredibly frustrating when we send a bit parts team to Newcastle and lose another winnable game.
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We had the same issue 4 years ago regarding our edges in 2022 and nothing changed
This same blog has been posted every year since then and it will probably be posted next year as well
Realistically we won't improve in recruitment until we get the right people in those positions
Apparently the Titans are on the verge of signing Jesse Arthars for 300k/ a year. Jake Averillo being looked at by the Dragons. Eels nowhere to be seen...
How slow is Ionghi? When a second rower blows u away u should be embarrassed. No clue how to position himself defensively still.
We will struggle to recruit top tier players but there are players like Francis Manuleleua in reggies who is already better quality then our current edges.
Going to be another painfully long season as the whole team has gone backwards.
Lucas is fast. Iongi is more craft than pace, which is more important for me.
You cant be serious expecting a guy who had an ankle operation a couple of months back to be up to full speed right now. Do you know anything about the human body and healing process? He probably didn't start full training until a couple of weeks back . Jesh some fans - i cant believe . Unbelievable
Yeah fair comment. Him being closer to the ruck instead in position also wouldn't have helped as Lucas garnered the momentum to pass Iongi. Had Iongi been back in position he would have been able to build speed up. Though yoh could tell Iongi is still a little underdone. As was Tuivaiti, who was great, but in defence lacked a little lateral movement and that will come back.
Chief, At least not like a commenter on TCT video who said it looked like Iongi doesn't want to be there. Yeah a bloke who put his body on the line, scored a try, set up another and ran for 160m doesn't care. What an idiot.
after just watching the replay the first thing needed is this week they should all be put on the tackling bags and work their arse off and learn how to tackle. To me Iongi is not a full back, always out of position, can't tackle, should be moved to 5/8 and Joash to fullback. Yes we need speed but we need better coaches that actually know how to teach, positioniong, defense technic excetra as we are failing badly in these areas.
Don't want Joash anywhere near this team unless he can cut these no look passes out of his game. Have NEVER seen one of them amount to anything. Even when he was called into the blues camp, there's a pic of him throwing a no look pass.
You can add Volkman to that comment. They're both hopeless!
When Penisini comes back, he needs to go next to JAC on the left. Russell learned so much from him, how to tackle how to position. Penisini needs more sprint training in the off season. Full pre season on the left. I think this is the only redemption arc for him otherwise he probably needs to go. As for speed, Iongi is quick, but coming back from a serious leg injury it will take time to get back. If you watch the slow replay he was not lifting his knees nor was he in full stride. He will come good. Hopefully Bailey comes back to full speed. Samrani needs a sprint coach too. Otherwise, add more size and move him to the second row.
on a side note, I think Sua will be playing in the front row. I just have this feeling on recruiting and how Ryles wants to play, such as Harrison. He wants mobile forwards. I think starting front row next year will be Williams and Sua. With a Bench of Da Silva, Paulo, Tuivaiti and Mataele. Joash and Guymer as 18 and 19.