Bulldogs Debate Page
- Thread starter Dman2025
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When I saw Sutton was ref that didn't raise my confidence.
However, this is just one of those games, we were on tilt right from the start.
Defence and attack both off.
I hope we can do a bit better in the second half.
A reality check and a bit of the hype dying down might help us.
However, this is just one of those games, we were on tilt right from the start.
Defence and attack both off.
I hope we can do a bit better in the second half.
A reality check and a bit of the hype dying down might help us.
Positive is that we will still be leading the comp but the media will definitely be questioning if the Dogs are the real deal .
Gronks using their size advantage in the wet . Hopefully to get a few points in second half .
WTF has happened?
I knew we'd come back down to earth sooner rather than later but i didnt think we'd be buried into the earth!
Reynolds masterclass.
Ive always said, give me footy-smart players any day over players full of heart.
Getting schooled.
I knew we'd come back down to earth sooner rather than later but i didnt think we'd be buried into the earth!
Reynolds masterclass.
Ive always said, give me footy-smart players any day over players full of heart.
Getting schooled.
We are struggling a bit with their size and the conditions.
No surprise that they came out firing, we seemed to be nervous and took some bad options.
A smaller side needs to move the ball, harder to do in these conditions.
Hughes will be back soon and against big sides in the wet we need a bit more size in the starting line up.
First half errors from Preston, Critta well out of position in defence, some bad kicks from Sexton, Kiraz going into touch, lots of dropped balls and penalties.
Reynolds made time and field position count.
The only thing that worries me was the dud kicks from Sexton, in these big games the half needs to nail the kicks. But the early errors put extra pressure on us.
First half errors from Preston, Critta well out of position in defence, some bad kicks from Sexton, Kiraz going into touch, lots of dropped balls and penalties.
Reynolds made time and field position count.
The only thing that worries me was the dud kicks from Sexton, in these big games the half needs to nail the kicks. But the early errors put extra pressure on us.
OldDogFan
Academy Recruit
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- Nov 28, 2024
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Lots of things were wrong with that game. In the first half we failed to contain the groncos big men, poor ball security and a bit of ill discipline. Two sin bins and a mountain of posession against us didn't help and Sutton did Sutton and screwed us on every marginal 50/50 call. We played much better in the second half but everytime we looked like mounting any attack Sutton conveniently shut it down with shit calls. Brisbane were kissed on the dick by a leprechaun, some of their tries were just pure arse.
The decision to move the ball early was the right call in spite of the conditions. We just didn't execute and being under early pressure was something we were not used to.
Tackles going wrong and on report had a fair bit to do with slipping in the conditions and having lots of players in the tackle.
Sutton didn't help.
On his day Reynolds can execute like that, he knows what to do given time and space.. on another day a big of kick pressure and he doesn't nail the execution.
Montoya and Toups might be suspended, perhaps even Curran or Burton, we have the depth to cover that. We just need to work on technique, especially in the wet.
I agree with Cirro we looked better with Hayward on the field.
Hooker, lock, 5/8; half, Hayward is a good and reliable player.
Hooker may be his best position and his passing is good.
We need to consider starting Hayward at hooker.
Hughes for Curran and Todd/Mann for Salmon are the other starting line-up changes I would consider.
When things go against us early, we need players who can remain composed, execute, stick to their role, don't make errors, and can shift momentum.
This has been a problem for a while, it is the last hurdle we need to clear. It isn't just a lack of size. I agree with Cirro, players panic, try too hard, stop working together in defence and take low percentage options in attack.
Defending is harder in the wet, we need to work on technique and perhaps slow down and be more systematic.
Hooker, lock, 5/8; half, Hayward is a good and reliable player.
Hooker may be his best position and his passing is good.
We need to consider starting Hayward at hooker.
Hughes for Curran and Todd/Mann for Salmon are the other starting line-up changes I would consider.
When things go against us early, we need players who can remain composed, execute, stick to their role, don't make errors, and can shift momentum.
This has been a problem for a while, it is the last hurdle we need to clear. It isn't just a lack of size. I agree with Cirro, players panic, try too hard, stop working together in defence and take low percentage options in attack.
Defending is harder in the wet, we need to work on technique and perhaps slow down and be more systematic.
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Broncos were very good, we can't simulate that kind of test, we need to experience it.
I also agree with Cirro, with Sutton as ref it was a stop/start game with lots of penalties and no flow.
Only excellent execution from the Broncos and a desire to see us lose made it watchable for neutrals.
If the Broncos fumbled and bumbled in the first half, it would have been a very poor game.
The lack of flow is yet another thing that doesn't suit us, but we need to experience it and adapt.
I also agree with Cirro, with Sutton as ref it was a stop/start game with lots of penalties and no flow.
Only excellent execution from the Broncos and a desire to see us lose made it watchable for neutrals.
If the Broncos fumbled and bumbled in the first half, it would have been a very poor game.
The lack of flow is yet another thing that doesn't suit us, but we need to experience it and adapt.
Can’t say it any better myself.
I am surprised how good they played and how bad we played. Total reversal if form. They had all the luck, we had none. Just a shit game. Hopefully lots of lessons to learn.
More importantly we need to beat the Titans next week before heading to Canberra. If we want to stay at the top of the table and contend for the premiership it’s the type of game we must win.
After Canberra we play in Sydney for a month or more. With only a couple of games outside of Sydney for the rest of the season. With our fans we should win most games in Sydney. Giving us a great chance to win the minor premiership
Tits is a Sunday day game, long turnaround, conditions should suit us, so no excuses.
We can't make as many mistakes especially as some of the guys most likely to concede penalties are suspended.
This is an opportunity to give a few young players a run.
Not sure why Mann came on so late and played limited minutes.
All of the sin bins might have messed up the interchange.
I think that all of our trys were scored with Mann and Hayward on the field and I don't think we conceded any.
Hayward looks far better than Marhoney at hooker, and is also doing a great job at 5/8.
Aside from any other consideration our starting spine was very ordinary in the first 40 against the Broncos. One strike against all 4 guys IMO.
A extra week off might help Burto.
I hope to see Hayward and Mann in the starting line up for most of the rest of the season.
We can't make as many mistakes especially as some of the guys most likely to concede penalties are suspended.
This is an opportunity to give a few young players a run.
Not sure why Mann came on so late and played limited minutes.
All of the sin bins might have messed up the interchange.
I think that all of our trys were scored with Mann and Hayward on the field and I don't think we conceded any.
Hayward looks far better than Marhoney at hooker, and is also doing a great job at 5/8.
Aside from any other consideration our starting spine was very ordinary in the first 40 against the Broncos. One strike against all 4 guys IMO.
A extra week off might help Burto.
I hope to see Hayward and Mann in the starting line up for most of the rest of the season.
Overall the Broncos game showed us where we need to improve to win a comp.
Quite a lot of improvement needed, but it will be rare for the combination off opposition effort and execution, weather and the ref to be against us.
We also lost badly to the Roosters on a rainy night in June last year.
Apparently the team was practising 1-on-1 tackling in the rain during the week as preparation.
Wet conditions are harder for us as players can slip, and it is harder to get the grip on the ground. Fast line speed and numbers in the tackle are partially negated.
This all contributed to the head high tackles, sin bins and suspensions.
I think that we need to adapt our defensive system slightly for wet conditions.
Our attack was always going to need to move the ball against the Broncos, more difficult in wet conditions. Probably best to build into the game before trying that at our end in wet conditions.
Kicking game and positional play defennding kicks by the fullback and wingers critical in the wet. Montoya has been great so far this season but he had a shocker. Wet conditions don't suit Wilson on the wing.
Quite a lot of improvement needed, but it will be rare for the combination off opposition effort and execution, weather and the ref to be against us.
We also lost badly to the Roosters on a rainy night in June last year.
Apparently the team was practising 1-on-1 tackling in the rain during the week as preparation.
Wet conditions are harder for us as players can slip, and it is harder to get the grip on the ground. Fast line speed and numbers in the tackle are partially negated.
This all contributed to the head high tackles, sin bins and suspensions.
I think that we need to adapt our defensive system slightly for wet conditions.
Our attack was always going to need to move the ball against the Broncos, more difficult in wet conditions. Probably best to build into the game before trying that at our end in wet conditions.
Kicking game and positional play defennding kicks by the fullback and wingers critical in the wet. Montoya has been great so far this season but he had a shocker. Wet conditions don't suit Wilson on the wing.
Reviewing my opinion from the start of the season I still think that top 4 is likely, but winning the comp is a real stretch.
Coaching and conditioning is pretty close to the best in the league, but playing talent might come up a bit short.
I am now more inclined to agree with Marki about the spine, but Burto has the talent, I think that he is just a bit out of form at present.
Hayward is part of the solution and we have some other possible answers in the lower grades.
Aside from starting Hayward at hooker I would make any major changes this year. I would play Mann, Hughes in the starting line up and Todd whenever those players were available.
2024 was better than 2023, 2025 is shaping up as being better than 2024. I think that 2026 will be better than 2025, not necessarily during the season, but at the business end.
I would like to see a few lower graders get a run in the NRL this season. O'Neill, Tia, Smith, Underhill, Rinakama, Sua, Cochrane.
Also more from DSF, Hughes, Morrin, Wilson and Hopoi.
I'll be happy if some of those young players force thier way into the top 17 by the end of the season.
Reserve grade win 34-18.
Players knew that they were playing for NRL positions.
Player Minutes metres post contact tackles misses
Morrin 73 190 49 40 3
DSF 53 153 70 31 0
Hopoi 51 147 39 19 0
Likely these lads are competing for 2 positions, though I would consider dropping Salmon.
Wilson, Rinakama and Sua all scored trys and made lots of metres. Montoya had a fairly poor game against the Broncos.
With Burto probably suspended and Hayward shifting to 5/8 O'Neill or Tia might be a chance.
Now the NRL has started with the sin bins and suspensions for head contact, I hope that they keep it going. We have the depth and fitness to cover it better than most sides.
But I can see all of our guys getting suspended while in 2-3 weeks time similar shots don't even get put on report.
Curran and Toups need to work on technique, patience and smarts. In the wet just go a bit slower.
Players knew that they were playing for NRL positions.
Player Minutes metres post contact tackles misses
Morrin 73 190 49 40 3
DSF 53 153 70 31 0
Hopoi 51 147 39 19 0
Likely these lads are competing for 2 positions, though I would consider dropping Salmon.
Wilson, Rinakama and Sua all scored trys and made lots of metres. Montoya had a fairly poor game against the Broncos.
With Burto probably suspended and Hayward shifting to 5/8 O'Neill or Tia might be a chance.
Now the NRL has started with the sin bins and suspensions for head contact, I hope that they keep it going. We have the depth and fitness to cover it better than most sides.
But I can see all of our guys getting suspended while in 2-3 weeks time similar shots don't even get put on report.
Curran and Toups need to work on technique, patience and smarts. In the wet just go a bit slower.
I rewatched the presser, looking at that, and the sequence of interchanges, I now think that Cirro has a very good handle on why the glitch against the Broncos occurred.
I'm not sure if he will consider resting some high workrate players on short turnaround or cutting down their minutes.
While the loss did seem like a bad thing at the time, and the first 40 minutes was troubling. Sometimes, finding a problem is part of the process of improving.
I'm not especially worried about our ability to beat the Broncos. However, they are one of the teams that can beat us,
The Tigers, Roosters, and Canberra are also not going to be easy games.
There are no real easy games in the NRL, especially this season.
Having a coach who can spot and fix problems is half of the battle.
Our best 17 might be.
9 Hayward.
13 Todd / Morrin / Underhill / Hayes / Salmon
14 Marhoney
15 Mann
I'm not sure if he will consider resting some high workrate players on short turnaround or cutting down their minutes.
While the loss did seem like a bad thing at the time, and the first 40 minutes was troubling. Sometimes, finding a problem is part of the process of improving.
I'm not especially worried about our ability to beat the Broncos. However, they are one of the teams that can beat us,
The Tigers, Roosters, and Canberra are also not going to be easy games.
There are no real easy games in the NRL, especially this season.
Having a coach who can spot and fix problems is half of the battle.
Our best 17 might be.
9 Hayward.
13 Todd / Morrin / Underhill / Hayes / Salmon
14 Marhoney
15 Mann
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I noticed Hopoi isn't listed in reserve grade.
The HD selection for this game would be drop Salmon, start Morrin at lock and add Hopoi to the bench.
I would also have Smith instead of Taffee on the bench, but I think Taaffe has been going well in reserve grade and the back end of this game might suit him.
Des has apparently dropped DF which isn't surprising. However, their large pack, speed and skill in the outside backs are the main dangers.
The Tits will copy the Broncos tactics against us.
We just need to run Kiks at their half Weaver.
Weaver is a poor defender, but he has a great kicking game and knows what to do passing the ball. If someone could fix his defence he would be a very good NRL half.
In particular the Tits don't seem to have the fitness and work rate to go with us for 80 mins.
The HD selection for this game would be drop Salmon, start Morrin at lock and add Hopoi to the bench.
I would also have Smith instead of Taffee on the bench, but I think Taaffe has been going well in reserve grade and the back end of this game might suit him.
Des has apparently dropped DF which isn't surprising. However, their large pack, speed and skill in the outside backs are the main dangers.
The Tits will copy the Broncos tactics against us.
We just need to run Kiks at their half Weaver.
Weaver is a poor defender, but he has a great kicking game and knows what to do passing the ball. If someone could fix his defence he would be a very good NRL half.
In particular the Tits don't seem to have the fitness and work rate to go with us for 80 mins.