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We really need to continue to put the ball in the corner and lift in defence. Any player with injury should be given a week off over the next three games. Our defence requires high levels of fitness. Win every game from here and we likely get back our top two spot. Lose one or more and could drop to forth.

This is the exciting time of the year. I hope we have what it takes.
 
The comp is close this year.

That also means that the gap between the Storm and us isn't as great as some people think.

On paper they have more star power, but we are the fittest team in the comp, even if that gap is narrowing.

I think that our coaches and players know where we need to improve. So of that isn't quick easy fixes, but our last 3 games were good opportunities to practice what we should have been doing and to learn what happens when we don't do it.

A lot of what needs to be fixed is mental/technique rather than physical.
 
Beretta said:
leave galvin in the reserves till next year.
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That might happen.

Nothing wrong with Gavin's physical attributes or talent, he has everything a footballer needs in spades.

Defence, decisions and right to left passing need a bit of work.

If he does play reserve grade, he can form a combination with Woods.

He will not necessarily learn in reserve grade and without him we have one of the more limited attacks in the top 8.

Take out Cleary and Penrith's attack isn't that much better than ours.

If we can get it together with/without Galvin we probably have enough attack, but without him we are more predictable.
 
Line engaged stat.
Top Isaiya Katoa- Dolphins 196.
Gavin- Tigers 80.
Sexton- Dogs 47
Tracey- Dogs 47.

Line break involvement
Burton- 7
Galvin - Dogs 4
Tracey- 3
Sexton- Dogs 3

Try Assists
Galvin- Tigers 8
Tracey- Dogs 7
Sexton- Dogs 6

Stats are not everything, Gavin has been in and out of Tigers and Dogs.

If it looks like a lot of the Dogs attack comes from Tracey, Burton, Kiks, Kiraz and Critter, your eyesight is working.
 
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Support runs .
Tracey- Dogs 120 - top in the NRL.
Sexton- 83
Preston- 75
Hayward- 66

Supporting a line break we are the best in the comp.

Tackle breaks - Teddy - 113
Payne Hass- 86
Kiraz- 59
Tracey- 57
Montoya- 45

Tracey seems to have the best attacking stats.
 
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Xerri has a minor strain.

Otherwise Cirro is apparently rolling the dice with Gavin starting at 7.

Good time / game to try it.

5%-10% more attack we would have beaten the Panthers and Broncos.

20% improved defence or 30% higher completions would also have beaten the Broncos.

Galvin was part of the problem, but he should be a bit better playing on the right.

Not much to lose trying plan B, IMO plan A would not have been good enough at the business end.
 
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Sexton might still get another chance due to injury, suspension or form.

His stats are more or less as good as he is going to get.

Hutch->Sexton->Galvin->Woods each time we swap halfbacks it should be an improvement.

Winning comps more or less requires a quality spine.
 
We will put a score on the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Tigers, even if Cirro decides to rest Kiks for a game or 2.

Galvin and Cirro will silence their critics, no point in making the prediction after the game.

Marhoney's passing from dummy half against the Cows was excellent, by far the best this season.

We dropped a lot of ball, Cows line speed and contact was good, we couldn't get in sync, and Kiks seemed to be running on 60% fuel tank capacity.

Tuala and Rinakama also excellent, fully capable of holding down the left side spots.

Sometimes winning ugly doesn't mean that we played badly.
 
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Hounddog said:
We will put a score on the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Tigers, even if Cirro decides to rest Kiks for a game or 2.

Galvin and Cirro will silence their critics, no point in making the prediction after the game.

Marhoney's passing from dummy half against the Cows was excellent, by far the best this season.

We dropped a lot of ball, Cows line speed and contact was good, we couldn't get in sync, and Kiks seemed to be running on 60% fuel tank capacity.

Tuala and Rinakama also excellent, fully capable of holding down the left side spots.

Sometimes winning ugly doesn't mean that we played badly.
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We just need to start scoring more points. Galvin should feed Critta early quick ball and short late passes to Preston. I have a feeling we are about to see the best of both of them.
 
Cows conceding plenty against the Fins has me slightly worried about my prediction.

I noticed the width from Marhoney against the Cows.

Marhoney to Galvin, Galvin to Tracey or Critter. Mostly just move the ball on. Then occasionally try to put The right second rower into a gap.

All we need from Galvin is dial it back a bit and pick the times to make plays.

A bit better attack and completions will make it easier for our defence.

Fins really have the speed and skill to take sides apart.

Averillo playing great for the Fins. Welcome back in Belmore anytime he wants to come back.
 
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I also think that we will have more cohesion and better training sessions now a decision has been made and we are back to a single plan.

The aim is to win the comp we have worked harder than the other sides. Players know we will not always be in this position at this time of the season. So anything to win games will be fine with them.

I also think Marhoney has turned the corner and I think that he will keep up the good form now his future is settled and he has found his mojo.
 
Both Dolphins and Panthers on the rise now. Sharks may have also turned the corner . This final series I think will be the toughest in years . Need to win next 3 games then taking on the Panthers , Storm and Warrior's. These games will be the final series warm up as all three teams are in the top 8 . We will probably play at least couple of them in the Finals .
It will be very exciting times ahead ..
 
Sam Hughes kicked a conversion in reserve grade.

Sexton and Woods in the halves, probably had good games.

58-20
 
Good to get a win, we are dropping far too much ball.

I don’t think that Galvin was the problem, he did deliver the match winning play.
 
I am not sure that Salmon starting at lock is working and I prefer to have another big body in the team.

In the forwards Marhoney, Preston and King are playing well. Kiks is a certain selection if fully healthy. The other guys seem a bit off their game.

If a couple of young forwards played well in reserve grade, I would think about a couple of changes.
 
Hounddog said:
Good to get a win, we are dropping far too much ball.

I don’t think that Galvin was the problem, he did deliver the match winning play.
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Had we lost I am sure the media would had lamb blasted Galvin but yes that pass was good as it gets .
The team just seem to have lost that bit of mojo they had before . The ball handling errors need to be addressed : Opposition teams will now come out firing against us .
Drags had nothing to lose tonight .
Glad we got the win :
 
Other teams have improved their defence, fitness and completions.

The last 2 weeks the Cows and Dragons were desperate, but we dropped too much ball, conceded too many penalties and made hard work of beating them.

SOO was a disruption, but we were definitely playing better earlier in the season.

The comp is close, our round 17 game against the Panthers was great, but we have been a bit off in most games recently.

Cirro doesn't seem to be too worried.

If Manly beat the Storm we are back in second place.
 
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