The thread analyses the Warriors' narrow 18-20 loss to the Dolphins, emphasizing frustration over defensive lapses in the final minutes despite a depleted squad. Key themes include divided opinions on player efforts—Roger Tuivasa-Sheck #73 received widespread praise for dominant carries while critical penalties by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and questionable inaction from Leka Halasima #395 drew ire for contributing to the collapse. A balanced perspective #164 highlights the team's resilience given injuries to stars like Barnett and Metcalf, but ultimately criticizes late-game decision-making under pressure. User analysis #321 identifies systemic defensive failures during the Dolphins' match-winning play. Laban's season-ending injury from Kaufusi's tackle sparked outrage over the NRL's lenient suspension #385. Coach Andrew Webster faced scrutiny for conservative tactics—notably opting not to take penalty shots to extend the lead—though some defended the strategy given personnel limitations #397.
Been feeling physically ill after that loss, really rattled me but as another poster said, what goes around comes around and it's fucking coming around hard. Frustrating to have to accept that our Top 4 chances are gone after the hard work they put in to get there.
If I take a step back though, nobody was expecting this team to be so competitive this season with all the departures and inexperienced guys coming in, so it's positive to see how well they've come along and hopefully it will pay off in next few years. Doesn't make last night any easier to take though.
Really struggled this year with all the close ones not being able to watch parts and leaving the room, nerves have been shot. If there was a camera I’d probably be locked in a psychiatric ward ranting at players and refs, adding appreciation and encouragement though too like they can hear me. I’m at peace that I can see with my own eyes that we’re headed in the right direction and some fortune and perhaps a couple of tweaks away from a really special period. Can see with the development of young guys that the right people are involved in the pathways and players are better under Webster’s coaching enough not to be encouraged with what’s in front of us. On the nerves though, it’s just something I’m going to have to adjust to because we’re a grinding type of team and there’s going to be many more to come and I like that because defence wins games
Apart from the Storm game, I have been proud of the team in maintaining their effort. Not beaten by much and not winning by much but with great attitude despite adversity. We will not be giving our top 4 ranking away without a fight. Be positive!
Have to say the ratings for this match are really varied...some people have rated Webster the Highest, some the Lowest, some rated DWZ the highest, some the lowest.
Apart from the Storm game, I have been proud of the team in maintaining their effort. Not beaten by much and not winning by much but with great attitude despite adversity. We will not be giving our top 4 ranking away without a fight. Be positive!
As was mentioned in the variation of the player ratings that we all obviously see the game in a different way to a degree. I too have been proud of our performances throughout the year as I was against dolphins. Whether we played the titans into form, they showed that against panthers there is a decent team in there when they want to play and dragons getting raiders should remind us that despite ladder standings, anyone can knock anyone over in the comp. I haven’t seen anything that isn’t fixable in our performances and would rather now to be figuring out some combinations than in a few weeks time. Hugely written off when Barnett and Metcalf went down, we’ve shown we’ve got a squad with a next man up mentality, injuries are being cruel now though. Don’t take it as pessimism from me though, I’m definitely not writing us off
I think we need ford atm without Barnett. I also think he offers more than the likes of Tanner who is lowkey just a lesser version of Ford.
But yes lack of impact through the middle is why we’re getting beat in the middle lately. Ford, Fish, And Tanner are the 3 of the 4 props webby prefers atm and they all have little to no impact in the carry even Marata when he’s in the middle doesn’t offer much.
Including injury’s this is the prop rotation we need imo Fish, Afoa start Ale, Ford bench. Don’t know when Demi’s back.
I went into the stats to find some ammunition to diss Jackson Ford given my agenda to run him out of the team but was surprised to find he wasn't the biggest liability on the field last night.
Negative Plays Leaders Ford - Errors 1, Penalties 1, Ruck Infringements 1 = total 3 negative plays Erin Clark Errors 1, Handling Errors 1, Penalties 1 = total 3 negative plays
Your "Winner" Leka Halasima 2 Errors, 3 Handling Errors = total 5 negative plays
Outright speed. He's quick off the mark and can catch lazy markers out, as he should.
His ability to flick the ball wider than one-out from the ruck. The wide ball caught the 'Phins on the hop a couple of times by making things less predictable. Also keen to look for the offload.
With them being down a man, we should have been able to trust our defence, even with Leka out. This is a team wide failure.
I think the club will deal with the way he handled it privately and as fans there isn’t anything to be gained by over analysing what the 19 year old did.
Leka went down, & stayed down, when attempting a tackle on Tackle 3. They scored on Tackle 5. Unsure how there can be any suggestion he remained prone for 2 plays because he was concerned he was offside
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Won’t do much against in form or big teams, support character type
