RD 3 vs Knights

[Papenhuyzen23]

We possibly get back after the break:

Hughes
Munster
Fa’alogo
Asofa-Solomona
Welch
Chan
Smith
Garlick

Will make a huge difference

[riders of the storm]

Can probably take something out of that. Effort was there - handling was just off and defence was a bit sloppy.

I think the late shuffling of the edges (including Smith going off) really made things difficult.

Halves were pretty bad. Passing was off. I think Wishart’s very good but he’s more of a runner than an organiser. Love how he straightens the attack and backs his ability to hit the line.

Loeiro’s handling was bad but he ran for more than 200 metres. He’s clearly becoming a better player and I think once he tightens up a few things he’ll be great.

Also - conceding just 40 points across three games is nothing to sneeze at. Bye may have come at a good time.

[TC]

Nothing.

My mum always says "if you can't say anything nice about someone, say nothing".

[nacho]

Down on healthy players
Small bench
Desperate opponent
Big home team support
No senior leaders

Think this loss was a good result.
First half was a bit embarrassing tbh, have they ever played together without the starting halves.

[sallymay]

We lost 2 playing bad …I’ll take that

[blazza18]

I didn’t hate the two point field goal attempt at the end but if that’s the option we’re taking both Paps and Harry need to do a way better job setting it up. We’re still waiting on someone to step up post Cam retiring and take control/ownership of the team.

[Lucas]

We possibly get back after the break:

Hughes
Munster
Fa’alogo
Asofa-Solomona
Welch
Chan
Smith
Garlick

Will make a huge difference

Will be interesting to see how many changes are made. Not sure making 7+ changes is the way to go, that can be pretty unsettling.

My guess is Welch, NAS and Hughes return for Moeroa, Bradley and Lewis.

Munster if available (I have my doubts) can play QRL. I am happy to keep playing Pezet for now. Munster is going to need to blow out some cobwebs. Sua to take Wishart's bench spot perhaps the week after.

[Storm Spirit]

I would have thought that Leo Thompson's action against Paps in the air to take the kick should have been at least a 2 week suspension with a guilty plea or 3 if he fought it.

NRL head office are full of inconsistencies and contradictions.

They say they want to protect players at all costs but then don't to everything possible to try to stamp out dangerous contact.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/01/01/nrl ... d-details/

"Knights forward Leo Thompson is facing time on the sideline after being charged with Grade 2 Dangerous Contact following Sunday night's win over Melbourne.

The Kiwi International was placed on report in the 65th minute of the Round 3 match after making contact with Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen in the air and faces a one-game suspension with an early guilty plea. "

[Mattpoet]

When you put that incident alongside Gamble taking him out iff the ball and Jenkins shoving him into the advertising after the ball went dead, it looks very much like they thought their best way of winning was to injure the opposition's star player...

[TC]

When you put that incident alongside Gamble taking him out iff the ball and Jenkins shoving him into the advertising after the ball went dead, it looks very much like they thought their best way of winning was to injure the opposition's star player...

The Gamble hit was absolutely calculated - I was at the game and you should have seen the smirk on his face. He was happy to take the penalty. I think the Jenkins thing was just casual grubbiness, not targeted.

So, now we've established that incidental contact with a ref is worse than putting a player at real risk of a serious injury.

[Mattpoet]

Gamble is a grub. The only reason a club buys him is so he'll hurt other players

[Papenhuyzen23]

Trent Loiero got the highest VB Hard Earned Index score in the entire NRL for his efforts against the Knights, very interesting. Just goes to show good footy isn’t always stat based!

[CJB_1188]

Trent Loiero got the highest VB Hard Earned Index score in the entire NRL for his efforts against the Knights, very interesting. Just goes to show good footy isn’t always stat based!

He worked his absolute ass off tbf, easily made the most meters out of our whole forward pack and made 35 tackles too. The only issue with Trent is his discipline

[Bullucked]

Kane Bradley is obviously not a centre but geez that attempted tackle was, ordinary,

The second Knights try, I think someone else said it, Katoa needed to make more of an effort to get up and defend, but, this seems to be an accepted Bellamy trait, King and Trent also commonly get left behind the play the ball. (And it gives me the brace and bits) Our defenders were left two three and that close to the line you've got no chance. All credos to Ponger for seeing it.

The penalty goal, end on, did Warbrick really strip it out, anyone see?

[Bullucked]

. The only issue with Trent is his discipline

To be fair, he commonly has his arm trapped between body and ball. If he pulls his arm out ball comes with it and he gets pinged. Leave his arm there and you see him looking pleadingly at the ref. It's obviously part of his technique that the coaching staff (and opposition) would be fully aware of