Post Match Warriors v Dolphins - [Round 22, 2025]

[Noitall]

View: https://www.facebook.com/JJTuivasaSheck/videos/im-sorry-i-missed-it-uce-/1109551481040168/

 

[kurgal]

What I'm really concerned about, is the team falling back into a habit of losing. Up until Metcalf's injury, they were in a habit of winning.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I watched Ford closely.

He runs around like a madman but a lot of it is following the ball across field and being third man in.

He must be super fit, but it would be more sensible to leave others to do their job and conserve his energy so he stops doing exhausted plays.

 

[CWC]

I watched Ford closely.

He runs around like a madman but a lot of it is following the ball across field and being third man in.

He must be super fit, but it would be more sensible to leave others to do their job and conserve his energy so he stops doing exhausted plays.

He keeps on finding himself to be the only supporting player when there is an offload, think he almost sprinted to the line one time? Need someone fast for those offloads

 

[CWC]

Definitely didn't pack a sad.

He had the same niggle as last week, and some time in the first half down the Phins end it cut to him getting up slowly and limping back.

Most teams also use their wingers to cart the ball up out of their back end. Can't think of many centres that make bulk yardage metres and certainly not ours, so would be odd if he had 20 carries as game plans/stock sets are pretty well pre-structured.

There's the exceptions who get used more in attack like Herbie, but more of an outlier.

I thought he was very good, when kicked to the left he was right up there, and when Roger started carving it up he was in support and made some good runs (one was epic). Don’t know whose fault was it when the left edge opened up at the end

 

[CWC]

They attacked because they had no one that could kick the goal

So why wouldn't we put a little kick in instead of taking the tackle? One less opportunity for the opposition to use the ball

I think either decisions would be fine if you execute it Giving away penalties cancelled pushing them into corners…can understand not spreading the ball to avoid intercepts. It was 100% trust the defense.

If we take the 2 and drops the ball at kickoff it’d be a blow up again

Not saying thats your opinion just general thought about it

 

[CWC]

TBH the attack was the best since the sharks game? We were running back 50m without a dominant pack. Like when did we see Dallin dive in the corner…twice?

Maybe a bit more time to gel and Egan back will help icing the chances…Cape and Charnz line running practices with TMM and Boyd, Pompey line running on the right

I think they got Marata to play prop but running a bit wider to avoid getting bent?

Hope the troops return soon to lay better platforms

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Halasima is our top try scorer this year with 10 so far.

Excellent effort from the youngest person in the team! Most of them are through individual brilliance showcasing his speed, power or ability in the air.

I challenge Webster to structure our attack so the wingers can keep up with his try strike rate

 

[Tragic]

Isn't that what Ford got done for?

Yes but replay showed he played it with his foot so....... Klein was on. the mushies

 

[Barzak]

Okay, I accept the challenge:

IMO Ford and Clarke were the engine room throughout last night's game. The man has a V8 motor. If he is not there, a lot of work simply doesn't get done and the 'Phins roll over the top. He knew he was representing Barney and JFH last night and did not shirk the work.

• During his 68 minutes on the park, Ford made 121 running metres from 17 runs, the 5th highest in the team. (Clarke 166, 18 runs). 1x line break. The other three were our back three though Clarke ran a few more than DWZ.
• He made 46 tackles, a team high (Clark 36). Leka next best, made 40. For the 'Phins only Donoghoe made more - 52. Niukore made 22 as a comparison.
• Across the 2025 NRL season, Ford is ranked 8th most penalties conceded - just below Carrigan and above Tapine.
• His work isn't pretty, and sometimes there is a kind of unco-clumsiness that gives a penalty away but he is continually improving on that. His current average is 0.72 penalties per game.
• With Barney and Fish out of the picture, the team absolutely needs his relentless effort. The upside is way above any liability that comes with him.

Does that help..?

I appreciate the genuine discussion.

Yes, Ford made 46 tackles and ran for 121 metres, but quantity doesn't automatically equal effectiveness. The key for me is impact, how many of those tackles actually stopped momentum? How many of those 17 runs bent the line or forced defensive adjustments? I see him as a plodder.


Being ranked 8th in penalties conceded across the whole NRL is not a good thing. Being close to guys like Carrigan or Tapine doesn’t make it better because those players offer elite value elsewhere. Ford doesn’t.

His penalties and errors cost the team field position and momentum, consistently and especially in tight games where discipline matters most.

Ford had a line break in that game, but that's an exception, not the norm. He’s not known for tackle busts, offloads, or quick plays. In fact his quick plays often end up in errors. He’s essentially a gap filler rather than having any sort of impact on the game

I’ll never knock him for his effort, but sometimes effort isn’t enough. its about execution and impact. If you're running hard but offering minimal post contact metres, and if you're tackling often but not dominating a tackle and being dragged along as a passenger, or letting offloads go, your “engine” doesn’t mean

The argument that “we need him with Barney and Fish out” is more about a lack of depth than a vote of confidence in Ford. He’s filling a gap, a gap he’s not suited for.

I just don’t see his value other than effort. I’d give others a go ahead of him.

 

[Dannevegas]

Is that not what Webby did yesterday?? Literally a different game plan, spreading the ball on early tackles, moved CNK to centre, Capewell back to 2nd Row etc etc.

It should have worked barring the meltdown at the end.

Some what. I think the team just reacted off the back of healeys tempo, pace and offloads around the ruck, his play style encourages attack

 

[Dannevegas]

I appreciate the genuine discussion.

Yes, Ford made 46 tackles and ran for 121 metres, but quantity doesn't automatically equal effectiveness. The key for me is impact, how many of those tackles actually stopped momentum? How many of those 17 runs bent the line or forced defensive adjustments? I see him as a plodder.


Being ranked 8th in penalties conceded across the whole NRL is not a good thing. Being close to guys like Carrigan or Tapine doesn’t make it better because those players offer elite value elsewhere. Ford doesn’t.

His penalties and errors cost the team field position and momentum, consistently and especially in tight games where discipline matters most.

Ford had a line break in that game, but that's an exception, not the norm. He’s not known for tackle busts, offloads, or quick plays. In fact his quick plays often end up in errors. He’s essentially a gap filler rather than having any sort of impact on the game

I’ll never knock him for his effort, but sometimes effort isn’t enough. its about execution and impact. If you're running hard but offering minimal post contact metres, and if you're tackling often but not dominating a tackle and being dragged along as a passenger, or letting offloads go, your “engine” doesn’t mean

The argument that “we need him with Barney and Fish out” is more about a lack of depth than a vote of confidence in Ford. He’s filling a gap, a gap he’s not suited for.

I just don’t see his value other than effort. I’d give others a go ahead of him.

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.

 

[Noitall]

TBH the attack was the best since the sharks game? We were running back 50m without a dominant pack. Like when did we see Dallin dive in the corner…twice?

Maybe a bit more time to gel and Egan back will help icing the chances…Cape and Charnz line running practices with TMM and Boyd, Pompey line running on the right

I think they got Marata to play prop but running a bit wider to avoid getting bent?

Hope the troops return soon to lay better platforms

Thought our backline had more shape than recent times. We haven’t stripped teams for numbers for a bit like you pointed out

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I think without the effort of Ford, Clark, and Niukore on friday, we wouldn't have been close to winning that game.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I appreciate the genuine discussion.

Yes, Ford made 46 tackles and ran for 121 metres, but quantity doesn't automatically equal effectiveness. The key for me is impact, how many of those tackles actually stopped momentum? How many of those 17 runs bent the line or forced defensive adjustments? I see him as a plodder.


Being ranked 8th in penalties conceded across the whole NRL is not a good thing. Being close to guys like Carrigan or Tapine doesn’t make it better because those players offer elite value elsewhere. Ford doesn’t.

His penalties and errors cost the team field position and momentum, consistently and especially in tight games where discipline matters most.

Ford had a line break in that game, but that's an exception, not the norm. He’s not known for tackle busts, offloads, or quick plays. In fact his quick plays often end up in errors. He’s essentially a gap filler rather than having any sort of impact on the game

I’ll never knock him for his effort, but sometimes effort isn’t enough. its about execution and impact. If you're running hard but offering minimal post contact metres, and if you're tackling often but not dominating a tackle and being dragged along as a passenger, or letting offloads go, your “engine” doesn’t mean

The argument that “we need him with Barney and Fish out” is more about a lack of depth than a vote of confidence in Ford. He’s filling a gap, a gap he’s not suited for.

I just don’t see his value other than effort. I’d give others a go ahead of him.

I think your dislike of him maybe discolouring some of what you think he offers. He has more than double the post contact meters of JFH. In fact if he plays next week he will pass all the post contact meters JFH made in the Panthers last year. You also mention line breaks but do you really expect your props to be making many line breaks?

Is he a starting prop? Not really but having a player like him on the bench who can play big minutes and cover middle and edge makes him a useful player to have.

 

[Barzak]

I think your dislike of him maybe discolouring some of what you think he offers. He has more than double the post contact meters of JFH. In fact if he plays next week he will pass all the post contact meters JFH made in the Panthers last year. You also mention line breaks but do you really expect your props to be making many line breaks?

Is he a starting prop? Not really but having a player like him on the bench who can play big minutes and cover middle and edge makes him a useful player to have.

I only mention the line break as it was mentioned by the poster I quoted.

I think he’s a perfect bench player.
I don’t disagree at all. What I disagree with is him being applauded for a quantity of work that doesn’t impact the game.
Bunty Afoa is someone who I think is a fringe first grader, but he hits hard and has the ability to dominate a tackle. By comparison I don’t think Ford does. Bunty would produce similar output per minute played but would impact ten game more. He can bend the line, he can stop a defender.
All I’m saying is having a lot of something doesn’t equal good.
PCM is definitely a stat I like but again, does JFH offer more in other areas to impact a game? I’d say so.

 

[Teets]

He took great happiness from the story about the Wahs losing again… after he opened with NPC wank wank

Savilles a mug. Typical NZ union sycophant.

 

[Damo]

I only mention the line break as it was mentioned by the poster I quoted.

I think he’s a perfect bench player.
I don’t disagree at all. What I disagree with is him being applauded for a quantity of work that doesn’t impact the game.
Bunty Afoa is someone who I think is a fringe first grader, but he hits hard and has the ability to dominate a tackle. By comparison I don’t think Ford does. Bunty would produce similar output per minute played but would impact ten game more. He can bend the line, he can stop a defender.
All I’m saying is having a lot of something doesn’t equal good.
PCM is definitely a stat I like but again, does JFH offer more in other areas to impact a game? I’d say so.

I think you are overrating Bunty here. There is many a reason he has averaged less than 30 minutes ever since Webster has taken over.

 

[Noitall]

Savilles a mug. Typical NZ union sycophant.

With us a major competitor for NZ rugby, I’m sure he gets a tickle when we lose

 

[Ref]

Okay, I accept the challenge:

IMO Ford and Clarke were the engine room throughout last night's game. The man has a V8 motor. If he is not there, a lot of work simply doesn't get done and the 'Phins roll over the top. He knew he was representing Barney and JFH last night and did not shirk the work.

• During his 68 minutes on the park, Ford made 121 running metres from 17 runs, the 5th highest in the team. (Clarke 166, 18 runs). 1x line break. The other three were our back three though Clarke ran a few more than DWZ.
• He made 46 tackles, a team high (Clark 36). Leka next best, made 40. For the 'Phins only Donoghoe made more - 52. Niukore made 22 as a comparison.
• Across the 2025 NRL season, Ford is ranked 8th most penalties conceded - just below Carrigan and above Tapine.
• His work isn't pretty, and sometimes there is a kind of unco-clumsiness that gives a penalty away but he is continually improving on that. His current average is 0.72 penalties per game.
• With Barney and Fish out of the picture, the team absolutely needs his relentless effort. The upside is way above any liability that comes with him.

Does that help..?

Ford is a hard player to tackle. He has limbs swinging and his body contorting at odd angles coupled with a crippled racehorse looking running gait.
He regularly bounces out of the first contact.
And if he wasn’t 2nd or 3rd man in on defence a lot who would be picking up the slack.
He is the ultimate 40 minute player, not starting but one long stretch after 25 minutes will do me.