Post Match Bulldogs v Warriors - [Round 23, 2025]
- Thread starter mt.wellington
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NZWarriors.com
Asking for a friend
Has there been any other incident in the NRL this year where a player has been shouldered to the head & the ref doesn't give a penalty because "he lowered his head into his shoulder"?
For goodness sake we see head shots because a player is slipping and the pen is given and the slipping mitigates the actions of the defender but never exonerates him but last night it became the fault of the attacker
Has there been any other incident in the NRL this year where a player has been shouldered to the head & the ref doesn't give a penalty because "he lowered his head into his shoulder"?
For goodness sake we see head shots because a player is slipping and the pen is given and the slipping mitigates the actions of the defender but never exonerates him but last night it became the fault of the attacker
NZWarriors.com
My takes:
Boyd should have played. TMM & CHT cannot kick for distance. I think Boyd is our 2nd best half behind Metcalf. CHT has little attacking skill. We won't get near a premiership with that level of conservatism. I'd play him at 14.
On the halves debate, I don't see what Boyd does wrong?
He's more of a Reynolds type player than an SJ, but that's OK and I think would compliment Metcalf if given a chance.
Charnze was awful last season and offers little on attack this season. He seems to have dropped his lip at center.
Where the hell is Marata in the game?! Has been missing all season no matter which position he plays. Numbers not good enough as a starting first grader.
Did Fish come back from injury too early? He didn't look himself last night.
DWZ looks like an excitable reserve grader with the mistakes he makes. He can't go on like this and continue to hold a first grade spot.
Healey is our 2nd best hooker. Not sure why he only got 25 minutes and was on the bench to start with. He'll get pussed withnthis treatment and move back to Oz leaving us with no replacement for Egan (altho a handy player, Lussick isn't it).
Capewell had 2 good games this season for us just before SOO, played 2 good games for Queensland and has been mediocre since.
Pretty much all of the above are veterans and need a rocket.
TMM is getting pulled from pillar to post in terms of role in each so it's hard to get a read on how well he is going. I just don't think he us a first grade starting half.
Positives:
Clarke - buy of the season. Will get the Mannering medal for sure.
Demi, Laban and Leka - great to see their development.
RTS - playing well on the wing for us now (it's taken a while)
Taine is too good for reserve grade. Debate as to whether he plays fullback or wing. If wing he takes DWZ's spot for me.
Healey looking good. I love his positive attacking play.
The main topic of debate seems to be our halves we are all seeing it quite differently.
Boyd should have played. TMM & CHT cannot kick for distance. I think Boyd is our 2nd best half behind Metcalf. CHT has little attacking skill. We won't get near a premiership with that level of conservatism. I'd play him at 14.
On the halves debate, I don't see what Boyd does wrong?
He's more of a Reynolds type player than an SJ, but that's OK and I think would compliment Metcalf if given a chance.
Charnze was awful last season and offers little on attack this season. He seems to have dropped his lip at center.
Where the hell is Marata in the game?! Has been missing all season no matter which position he plays. Numbers not good enough as a starting first grader.
Did Fish come back from injury too early? He didn't look himself last night.
DWZ looks like an excitable reserve grader with the mistakes he makes. He can't go on like this and continue to hold a first grade spot.
Healey is our 2nd best hooker. Not sure why he only got 25 minutes and was on the bench to start with. He'll get pussed withnthis treatment and move back to Oz leaving us with no replacement for Egan (altho a handy player, Lussick isn't it).
Capewell had 2 good games this season for us just before SOO, played 2 good games for Queensland and has been mediocre since.
Pretty much all of the above are veterans and need a rocket.
TMM is getting pulled from pillar to post in terms of role in each so it's hard to get a read on how well he is going. I just don't think he us a first grade starting half.
Positives:
Clarke - buy of the season. Will get the Mannering medal for sure.
Demi, Laban and Leka - great to see their development.
RTS - playing well on the wing for us now (it's taken a while)
Taine is too good for reserve grade. Debate as to whether he plays fullback or wing. If wing he takes DWZ's spot for me.
Healey looking good. I love his positive attacking play.
The main topic of debate seems to be our halves we are all seeing it quite differently.
Gee looked bemused initially in the game when DWZ stayed down and it was called a penalty and it went on from there. Think I heard him say he’d be penalised if he did it again when he walked over to address the team? Really tough one with DWZ because he’s got a reputation for this now, but on the other side of the coin he always gets the penalty, so has been hit high, so why shouldn’t you get the advantage that comes with it? It’s actually the ref who’s missed it and to blame, and I don’t think there’s any more theatrics than Crichton looking like he’s been sniped from a shove from JFH
We weren't losing before he got HIA'd
NZWarriors.com
Pretty harsh off the back of being knocked out early. So far this season he has asked to play virtually every position in the backline and some in the forwards.
They were good because they got confidence out of Adam Gee giving them free points early. I don't think the boys lost this one.
Tbf was very tough conditions that don't suit his style. He is not a down and dirty type player. Pity he was taken off but I still doubt his worth when the going gets tough.
NZWarriors.com
Honestly, it was a top 4 side vs a bottom 8 team last night. Thats where we are at with a side that is basically a third of nsw cup players if we were to select a full strength team.
The whole next man up only works for 2 or 3 players out of a side for a short period, not multiple weeks. And then to lose a half to concussion so early was a killer blow. Added to that, our forward pack got destroyed last night....
It cracks me up the amount of comments about the ref....even after we got completey out played in every aspect....sure there was some werid calls, but we got a couple too like the CHT late tackle..
On to next week at home....surely webby will call out his forward pack to get a response....
The whole next man up only works for 2 or 3 players out of a side for a short period, not multiple weeks. And then to lose a half to concussion so early was a killer blow. Added to that, our forward pack got destroyed last night....
It cracks me up the amount of comments about the ref....even after we got completey out played in every aspect....sure there was some werid calls, but we got a couple too like the CHT late tackle..
On to next week at home....surely webby will call out his forward pack to get a response....
Honestly I dont normally call out the team selection but feel we lost this one on the sheet.
Team looked solid the day before (and to be fair the ones i thought made it played awful) but the call to drop boyd was perplexing. Especially given it was basically to bring freddy in. And to not start our best hooker
Team looked solid the day before (and to be fair the ones i thought made it played awful) but the call to drop boyd was perplexing. Especially given it was basically to bring freddy in. And to not start our best hooker
NZWarriors.com
A few comments on last night:
Firstly I find the few posts continuing to sledge those who were highlighting the effort plays last week a bit off the mark as last night was a different game altogether.
There were some curious calls from the ref and bunker, but we were never looking like a remote chance of winning. The missed tackle count and innocuous kicking game was in stark contrast to the Dogs who were superb in those areas.
It's not a good look to be hooking Boyd after just 4 games when publicly endorsing him as our next halfback. Still baffled by that one.
To bring your specialist gun Cup hooker on in the 50th minute behind one who has been playing prop all year when the game was all but over was unfathomable.
I still have some confidence that we can push for a position higher than 8. Not every remaining game will be played late at night NZ time in monsoon like conditions.
Firstly I find the few posts continuing to sledge those who were highlighting the effort plays last week a bit off the mark as last night was a different game altogether.
There were some curious calls from the ref and bunker, but we were never looking like a remote chance of winning. The missed tackle count and innocuous kicking game was in stark contrast to the Dogs who were superb in those areas.
It's not a good look to be hooking Boyd after just 4 games when publicly endorsing him as our next halfback. Still baffled by that one.
To bring your specialist gun Cup hooker on in the 50th minute behind one who has been playing prop all year when the game was all but over was unfathomable.
I still have some confidence that we can push for a position higher than 8. Not every remaining game will be played late at night NZ time in monsoon like conditions.
Yeah, I'm sure it's more a case of being really confused as a fan that it's gotten to this point - i.e. your team is not given a chance to compete - sure the dogs played to a plan last night and executed well but they had every chance to get their pattern going whereas we didn't - every time there was a chance for some continuity with the ball we were interrupted, whereas coming out of their end a casual six again or penalty helped the dogs over the halfway line - look at the first five minutes, Gee wants to call nothing on the head shot to DWZ (but yeah it's obvious so..), and conversely the first 6 again against Ford is ahem 'marginal' at best ... that's before you get to the truly baffling stuff - the Capewell tackle, the swinging arm and simultaneous shoulder to Demi's head under the posts that he 'ran into' - also how did TMM get HIA'd? did we ever see that?
It was a hard watch, bottom line tho is we were never in that game, Dogs played well and were allowed to
TMM was HIA'd making a tackle. Stumbled as he tried to get up.
NZWarriors.com
Reffing aside, some of the same things keep popping up.
It's a heavy rain game, so what does that mean? We need heavy forwards and heavier backs.
Taine, I love. Not in this game. CNK to FB, get Kosi to the wing (if not injured I don't know)
Lussick is too small, Healey to start.
Boyd to start because heavy rain and slick field usually means it's tight in the forwards and kicking game is too important.
Marata is a big body, should have been at prop and Leka to be at edge.
TSS is too small, Ale should have been in his spot.
I feel like these are lessons that should have been learnt from previous games/years but they still rearing it's ugly head.
It's a heavy rain game, so what does that mean? We need heavy forwards and heavier backs.
Taine, I love. Not in this game. CNK to FB, get Kosi to the wing (if not injured I don't know)
Lussick is too small, Healey to start.
Boyd to start because heavy rain and slick field usually means it's tight in the forwards and kicking game is too important.
Marata is a big body, should have been at prop and Leka to be at edge.
TSS is too small, Ale should have been in his spot.
I feel like these are lessons that should have been learnt from previous games/years but they still rearing it's ugly head.
Webby couldn’t afford to have two choking halves against the dogs
It was so obvious their strategy was to intimidate CHT and it worked. Kikau was hunting him down all night and absolutely smashing him whenever the opportunity presented itself. Everyone knows CHT chokes under pressure. After the Knights game everyone also knows Boyd is a choker too. The only option was to play TMM.
Mistake playing TT . Wet weather negates his speed. You needed CNK back there and maybe even Kosi on the wing. Size in wet weather Andrew. I told you that in the team list thread!
DWZ - needs to cut his hair or something. The gig is up and everyone knows he can’t defend. Two more seasons ?? Pretty sure there are talks right now to shift him to SL.
I feel sorry for our forward pack. They are the engine room. Ford Clark Egan Capewell the rookies, Barnett, JFH You can skip Marata though. Our forward pack for their size has fronted week in and week out. They have put their body on the line. Hold your head high boys
Unfortunately our backline just isn’t good enough. RTS is the only saving grace. I am not completely sold that Mecalf would have compensated for all the gaps we have. Million bucks a year!!?? Stop dreaming !! He can’t do one season…
CG better get on his phone and start making calls to replace that backline or we’re screwed again next season
I heard Sexton was in NSW Cup. Give him a call. He’s got the mongrel a great kicking game and doesn’t choke.
Sure the Dogs got their game on tactically.
The officiating was dire. The stockholm syndrome mentality of wanting to not acknowledge officiating plays a huge part of results is deluded.
That's away two games in a row vs the Bulldogs with Gee that there have been some truly baffling calls going on (Video Ref or Onfield)
Dallin get's warned it will be a penalty if he stays down....
Yet Critter sells the biggest Hollywood of all time and Gee seems angry for him.
The obstruction call. When is that ever seen in the game?
The line speed. cmon now 6 - 0 6 agains at one point.
And then the non call in 2024.
Once would be a coincidence but two years of wtf calls gets very suspect.
The officiating was dire. The stockholm syndrome mentality of wanting to not acknowledge officiating plays a huge part of results is deluded.
That's away two games in a row vs the Bulldogs with Gee that there have been some truly baffling calls going on (Video Ref or Onfield)
Dallin get's warned it will be a penalty if he stays down....
Yet Critter sells the biggest Hollywood of all time and Gee seems angry for him.
The obstruction call. When is that ever seen in the game?
The line speed. cmon now 6 - 0 6 agains at one point.
And then the non call in 2024.
Once would be a coincidence but two years of wtf calls gets very suspect.
NZWarriors.com
The referee was awful. The Bulldogs control the game by the better kicking game. The turning point was Burton 40/20. Until then the Warriors were in the contest just. Followed by TMM HIA soon after, it was game over. The team were hanging on. It wouldn't have changed the result Boyd presence was missed purely for his kicking. He was also missed on attack.
Injuries have been telling to the squad. I struggled to see how Healy was only brought on after 50 minutes. This could be due to wanting to keep some fresh legs..
The effort was there. What was missing was experience in key positions.
I am sure they will learn from this and Boyd if fit needs to play next week.
Injuries have been telling to the squad. I struggled to see how Healy was only brought on after 50 minutes. This could be due to wanting to keep some fresh legs..
The effort was there. What was missing was experience in key positions.
I am sure they will learn from this and Boyd if fit needs to play next week.
Some really considered observations here post match, and I dont think anything is more divisive than AW team selections and bench management recently.
I really would have liked to have seen Taine move to the halves last night when TMM went off because we went full one dimensional with CHT running the show compounded by no creativity from DH until Healy came on - way too late.
Charnze to FB and Leka to Centre would have been something different.
I personally think Boyd had been going ok without help from others in last 2 games from halves partner. His kicking game was missed last night.
Last nights conditions I thought warranted a bigger body on the bench - Tom Ale anyone. Vaumanga again showed he has some lovely handing and ball playing skills
.
I don’t agree with the JFH shade, but he does need a compelling partner in crime. This is why he was so good at Penrith.
Marata is so out of sorts it’s not funny. He is playing like a guy who seriously does not want to be there.
Lastly.. a plea to the NRL - if a player is forced out of the game in the first 20 mins with an HIA - let the 18th man come into the game.
Crazy to have a team play such a physically demanding game a player down through not fault of their own.
Next two weeks are huge! We have the team, all they they need is some self belief. I hope for a fantastic home ground turnout!
I really would have liked to have seen Taine move to the halves last night when TMM went off because we went full one dimensional with CHT running the show compounded by no creativity from DH until Healy came on - way too late.
Charnze to FB and Leka to Centre would have been something different.
I personally think Boyd had been going ok without help from others in last 2 games from halves partner. His kicking game was missed last night.
Last nights conditions I thought warranted a bigger body on the bench - Tom Ale anyone. Vaumanga again showed he has some lovely handing and ball playing skills
.
I don’t agree with the JFH shade, but he does need a compelling partner in crime. This is why he was so good at Penrith.
Marata is so out of sorts it’s not funny. He is playing like a guy who seriously does not want to be there.
Lastly.. a plea to the NRL - if a player is forced out of the game in the first 20 mins with an HIA - let the 18th man come into the game.
Crazy to have a team play such a physically demanding game a player down through not fault of their own.
Next two weeks are huge! We have the team, all they they need is some self belief. I hope for a fantastic home ground turnout!
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