Round 13 - Storm vs Bulldogs

[blazza18]

Wonder how hard we’re trying not to play the Roosters week one of the finals.

[Mattpoet]

Too early to consider finals opponents surely

[TC]

I'd rather take the L if it means we try new players to get time and experience.

I'd never prefer a loss, but I know what you mean. With no reserve grade it's important to have backup players with a bit of match fitness to slot in in case of injury or poor form.

[riders of the storm]

Wonder how hard we’re trying not to play the Roosters week one of the finals.

The Roosters are struggling a bit. I highly doubt the team the Storm beat earlier this season will be around come finals time.

Not sure how comfortable I feel about the decision to rest Finucane against that forward pack. For all the Dogs' problems over the past few weeks their forwards have actually been pretty good. It's their inability to score points with their backs which has been the main issue.

Could be wrong here - but if the Storm beat the Dogs today that means they have either a 50 per cent winning record or better against every active NRL team in the competition.

[glennb]

I know the say Dale is being rested. I heard he has a neck injury that has required injections the last two weeks, so he could play. So a week off is probably a good thing

[Mattpoet]

That and a 5 day turnaround to the Roosters game

[Pole]

Not sure how comfortable I feel about the decision to rest Finucane against that forward pack. For all the Dogs' problems over the past few weeks their forwards have actually been pretty good. It's their inability to score points with their backs which has been the main issue.

Agree, although to be fair we have good depth in forwards.

With our outs this week I'll take any win.

[Scooter]

Darryn Schonig and Sandor Earl drop out of the squad.

Tino will start at lock and Chris Lewis is on the bench.

[Scooter]

It has taken Brandy less than 4 minutes to call Papenhuyzen, who isn't even playing.

[blazza18]

It's nothing against Paps but you can see where Hynes ball playing experience helped set up that Olam try. Paps would've put his head down and run more towards the sideline. Hynes just held the ball up to draw in another defender.

[riders of the storm]

How great is Welch? Runs hard but now he's evolved even more to a ball-playing forward at the line. He's opened them up a few times flipping wide passes on the left side.

[TC]

Time to drop Vunivalu.
I am sick of him coming in off his wing and opening up the right side.

[blazza18]

Smith and Munster gotta do better than whatever that was to end the half.

[Mattpoet]

Olam needs to start using his brain or he won't be there next week

[Insomniac]

As critical of Suli that I usually am, I can't really blame him for coming in off his wing today - he is getting absolutely no help from defenders sliding out his way so he is being left to defend about 4 or 5 players at times. At least if they're going to score he's keeping them out near the sideline.

I can't however defend his stupidity for running sideways, backwards, then losing the ball!

This ref though, and that touchie who raised his flag when we didn't even go out, geez they're doing my head in!