Yesterday's game was unfortunate. Not just for the putrid 32-10 scoreline to honour Junior's 200th after looking up for the game in the first half or the second half implosion. But because it told us that we are not going anywhere, despite our hope for this ongoing improvement and the highlight reels of attractive football.
Entertaining the football world with this fast fizzy game...that is a bit like BAZBALL (Cricket Parlance) brought to the Rugby League world.
The following is a post I made yesterday on the game day blog at half time.
"TDS made a bit of difference when he came on, his service and enthusiasm was encouraging.
Like everyone else I am pissed off with the referee and our unforced errors, what happened in that last 30 seconds, we lost control, got it back and still fcuked it up.
Being pretty is nice, but unless you put it to bed, no point in dressing up."
I probably can't add much to that half time comment, notwithstanding the score change and events of capitulation in the second half.
I think the coaching staff and Ryles have given this style a good go. But, we simply are not good enough to do it — at least, not yet. We found that out a bit yesterday.
Kitione Kautoga keeps improving despite coming off injured in the 39th minute (Getty Images)
Positives — Isaiah longi's game continues on its exponential path. Tallyn Da Silva looks promising, and Bailey Simonsson has gone to a new level as the centre we so sorely need. A stong runner, and strong tackler. His flick pass to set up Lomax's try in the 33' would've made Matt Gidley proud. Sam Tuivaiti was also very good and fit after his injury. Dylan Walker was Walkerish.
Negatives — Joash Papalii is not going to be our future 5/8, though he is a fine Reserve Grade backup at fullback. Yesterday's experiment with his move to 5/8 and Brown to hooker was a disaster. But it's a move, I can understand was worth trying. It just did not work.
Promising debutant Taylln Da Silva and new-nine Dylan Brown discussing raking strategies pre-game. Brown got head-taped to look the part, but only Da Silva was prepared to run the ball, yesterday (Getty Images)
Dylan Brown was only passing and tackling from dummy half, which showed he didn't want to or deserve to be there and that rightly pissed Ryles off to explain his benching after 29 minutes and non reappearance till six minutes from the end. Ryles did this to tell everybody he was not injured and just didn't contribute, and probably more to the point — didn't really want to put in enough, despite Ryles' claim of Brown's 'selflessness'. Actions speak louder than words. We only need to use Brown to suit our requirements now, not his. Unfortunately, this may mean him starting as a 5/8 until we can find, locate or select someone that could have a future there. It could be the case that a talent youngster from our NSW Cup team (say a Matthew Hunter or Te Hurinui Twidle) that beat a talented Panthers team yesterday, might get a go while Brown shakes hands with the Reserve Grade Coach.
Finally in summary, let's stop worrying about being pretty and focus on the fundamentals starting with better ball control, reducing errors (20 v 9 yesterday) despite the Panthers having the lion's share of possesion (54%). There is a balance in this process. There's nothing like adding smart to a pretty face.
Replies
I think its pretty clear that Ryles wants to get as much out of this year as possible. He's not going to get a proper read on Joash, unless he asks the team to play the same expansive football that he's going to expect of the team next year.
The fact we're playing without Moses has a lot to do with our lack of control. That's what your number seven does, he controls the tempo and direction and with a spine that for most of the game had a combined FG experience of probably less than 50 games, you can't expect that to come. If we're fighting for a finals spot, I think Ryles plays more conservatively; but we're not, we're trying to get as much growth as possible out of the rest of the year.
I don't think we have any other option than to try and make Joash works. The big offers are going to be coming in for Talataina nex year. Boom teenage halves have been attracting at least $500k a year contracts; Talataina is the best of his cohort and its not even close. If we want to win a Premiership it's going to be 2027-2028; with a spine of Ionghi, Moses, Talataina and TDS. That's all our recruitment should be working towards is surrounding those four players with the best possible side. To use the example that seems popular, Sandon Smith probably costs you $500k+ for three years; and then you're not signing Talataina if you do that.
Personally, I've seen enough from Joash to feel comfortable with him as our first option for next year. His catch and pass is good so Ryles will know he'll be able to execute his structures; and with a big off season they'll they get more strength into his hips and he'll start turning the half-breaks his running game is creating now, into line breaks.
Good post DKBK, I am not against whay you have said, personally I hope we get to see Talataina before this year is out.
Just to reinterate the discussion re Sandon Smith, I don't think you would get him for less than 650k and the difference he makes is that he is a genuine 7 and a 6, If Moses gets injured again he is a leader to take you forward. I know that people love Dean Hawkins and he is handy.....I just happen to have an opinion that Sandon Smith is a level above all the alternatives and potentially only one level below Moses......a few on here will agree with me on that but plenty will not, so be it!
Sorry Pops, but I strongly disagree on Sandon Smith. Watched his last few games and he doesn't possess a good passing game, and his defence is questionable. He was a fill in at the Roosters and now he is back playing NSW cup where he belongs, even Trent Robinson agrees with me. I think Talataina is the future, therefore I would be chasing Douhi, get him for 3yrs, can play anywhere r e in the backline, but use him as 5/8 until LT is ready, probably 2yrs. Two weeks ago Douhi was the Tigers best player, at 5/8, on the weekend, he played centre and again was by far the Tigers best player. The thing I liked about his game was, he saw that their attack wasn't threatening so he took it upon himself and played 1st and second receiver, virtually pushing Fainu and Luau out of the way, and scored 2 tries in the process. Does not possess elite speed, but enough speed to cause damage. He is exactly what we need, a player that won't sit back and wait (Brown) for the ball, he will demand it.
LT is 2/3 years away from playing FG. And very doubtfull his going to be at full potential for a couple years. It takes the best juniors a while in FG before they hit there straps.
If his good enough in a few years he will playcFG what happens if his not. Waste of time.
Ryles should give Joash 3 or 4 games to make his claim, Ryles will know by then if he will cut it. If not go out and buy the best you want.
Fizzball I like that analogy...we have had our stoushes Poppa but cant argue with anything here....I found myself strangly non plussed with yesterdays result ....like yep NEXT....Ive got care fatigue....I guess...anyway we live to fight another day we do have some promising talent but losses weigh heavy on a young mans shoulders .....just hope we not spoon bound is all I can say for 25
P_G you made some good posts and the like and then took some poison or something, maybe something happened at home we do not appreciate..... all I can say if the old PG is back then great.
Everyone has opinions and mine personally are usually contrarian and different. If I said everything just to agree with them, I probably would not bother posting.....I try not to put poison in against players and people with the exception of the Merkins type trolls ect or the other senile old bastards like me. LOL
PS I maybe an arrogant old prick but do know what empathy is and try to stick by it if I can......
Dylan Brown as I have said for years is a myth. Never has been and never will be a good rugby league player.
And showed against the Panthers his not a team player. Piss him off to Reggies and I still think he will struggle.
😂, old Graham has also been saying it for years..... , you shoud've posted your thoughts on here . Would've saved me some time. It seems the majority of the site shared this opinion on DylBoobs, and here I was thinking it was just a small handfull of us who had to argue with the Brown Undies gang every week.
I would be throwing the kitchen sink at DCE for the next 2 years. He is exactly what we need at 5/8 or half depending on whether he or Moses makes the better 6. It would be like bringing John Peard in to the lead the backline and drive the forwards. He can kick behind the line kick in general play put on try assists and teach the young guys how to play first grade at speed. If we sign hin for 2 years it gives time to see if the younger guys at the club have what it takes and he can teach them along the way. If they don't have it, if buys us time to find the long term 5/8 we need. We have the money and I feel he fits the bill 100%.
There is also a bit of history of Parra and Manly swapping experiened players like Higgs, Gerrard, Watmough and Foran. I don't think DCE has any injury problems and is a leader of men having just missed out on the SOO captaincy again this year.
Pops, love your work. When I woke up this morning, I thought about this blog (not in that way). Usually, coffee is on the menu first thing, inter alia other pleasant things.
20 handling errors and giving the Riff almost 50 goes in your red zone is handing your head on a platter. It looks dumb.
But some of the dazzling skill the team has with the ball and the improved defensive structures this year and reads out wide generally (despite some awful individual laspses under fatigue) — would suggest they're not as dumb as many assume based on appearances. There is plenty of potential.
Bluey mentioned there was something 'missing' in his outstanding Have we Finally Got What We Need?
Arthur had his spine and key cogs played together for donkeys years — they would've played together until the next Ice Age. This spine and team doesn't have that luxury of cohesion. It's young, inexperienced, laced with rookies and has barely played together. We've used more players than any other side, 33 including TDS.
Ryles already admitted it was he who pushed for fast change and ripping off band-aids. Perhaps, it's to be expected.
We're also missing punch in the pack which is like taking a knife to a gunfight. It compromises yardage, field position, possession, and we're often playing the grind on the back foot. It creates a vicious cycle with the our kicking game and kick chase (which needs work). Perhaps, they were trying to compensate for that using skill and width, evening coming out of our danger zones. Ergo, risks, dropped ball and all the rest that follows. A dumb book cover.
Ryles has been transparent the roster isn't there. Jim admitted on two podcasts a few weeks ago, on more club-friendly sites, the club was looking for forwards (then, JDB signed shortly after), a nine (then TDS was signed a week later), and a six.
The bottom line is we need more cattle first, then work on cohesion — which might take another off-season or two. There is probably more pain to come in the race against the hour-glass, but I wouldn't toss away the book just yet, despite the challenges and history.
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