Gameday Witzer Pre-Season challenge Dolphins vs Warriors

[WAH MAN]

TSS looks to me like he’s added a lot to his arsenal in the space of the offseason. He’s got some late footwork at the line, hit and spin and really doing everything effectively in each tackle to make the most of post contact metres. Seems like a sponge that’s gathering all the information of our forwards

He comes from good stock and was captain of one of the junior teams. At 21 he's still got plenty of room for betterment. Not hyping him. But the eye test is conclusive to this point of pre season.

 

[Playdaball]

He comes from good stock and was captain of one of the junior teams. At 21 he's still got plenty of room for betterment. Not hyping him. But the eye test is conclusive to this point of pre season.

I always believed that TSS needed another year to develop in NSW Cup , but he looks better this year .
One thing, why does he spin in the tackle before making contact? It’s not as if he is off loading?
Most front rowers run straight .
Hugh McGahan used to have a spin like that in his run but he was looking for the off load.
Anyway, TTS is on the improve and he is still young - ideal back up .

 

[Playdaball]

I haven’t seen much of Putoko, but got a bit nervous around his defense - seemed very slow laterally and was getting beaten easily. Is this a one off poor outing or is it a thing that his defense does need improving?

Yep, he was a real target as was Ali .

 

[Neo]

I always believed that TSS needed another year to develop in NSW Cup , but he looks better this year .
One thing, why does he spin in the tackle before making contact? It’s not as if he is off loading?
Most front rowers run straight .
Hugh McGahan used to have a spin like that in his run but he was looking for the off load.
Anyway, TTS is on the improve and he is still young - ideal back up .

It’s called the “Jazz Tevaga spin”. All in aid of landing on your front, to the side of the markers, and reeling off a quick play the ball. Allows the hooker to duck out from there and some front foot ball. More important than a couple of extra metres

 

[WAH MAN]

I always believed that TSS needed another year to develop in NSW Cup , but he looks better this year .
One thing, why does he spin in the tackle before making contact? It’s not as if he is off loading?
Most front rowers run straight .
Hugh McGahan used to have a spin like that in his run but he was looking for the off load.
Anyway, TTS is on the improve and he is still young - ideal back up .

Not sure about his spin on the tackle. It is effective sometimes. But usually to break tacklers hold etc.

 

[Noitall]

I’ve mentioned not having a lot of faith in Tanah Boyd numerous times, but I was so happy for him last night. Though only a trial, I thought he looked as good if not better than the highly rated Isaiya Katoa and should gain some real confidence out of that. He’s going to have a rolls royce forward pack to play off so needs to utilise it. I couldn’t believe how well our forwards played missing some vital stock, against most of their forwards that will be used in their starting lineup. One concern is in consecutive weeks the commentators have mentioned sub par line defence and opposition has strolled through untouched. Hoping the injection of JFH and Barnett fixes that to a large degree

 

[Dannevegas]

What are peoples thoughts on Kayliss Fatialofa? I was underwhelmed considering what I have heard about him. I suppose coming on with the all the young guys at the end doesn't do any favours.

He’s a gun. By the time all the young boys come on, it’s just a game of who can run the hardest as it’s pretty much all one out running.

 

[Dannevegas]

What did Leka do for such a demotion in minutes?

Are they keeping him humble?

Or managing his workload for the season?

They still have no idea how to unlock him. He’s only getting hospitals with 4 blokes on him. Put him in a whole or just give him early ball and let him do his thing.

 

[Wrighty]

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

 

[Mr Drag]

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

The forward ranks look great and Gannon bringing some speed, could be a off the bench special this year!

 

[Dannevegas]

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

Agree with most, But I think Ford is surplus if we have Fish and Barnett on the team as his main strength is big minutes and low impact especially with his discipline which is a big let down. Without Fish or Barnett I think he should be in the team.

And Jack Thompson, agree with you on his attack, but his defence is strong as well, that last 20 was just a result of us getting absolutely rolled through the ruck/middle.

I would love to see jack get a debut this year.

 

[Vancent]

Was pleased with that. Senior players showing us what they can do with more direct running and options with bodies in motion.

Egan picking when to run, let’s the ref know, looks like we’re starting to master the quick play and six again rule at last.

Ali looking a lot better as was Gannon, Boyd has almost too much structure and just has to run on three or four more.

Mellars looks good to me. Error here or there but chooses contact over evasion, tall athletic type who can leap and responds with a hard run after an error, I like him.

Putoko - just too early there’s no D whatsoever there yet.

TSS, Erin and Ford are about as reliable as you get in that middle third. Great to have Laban back, haven’t seen his ceiling yet and with a bit more experience he’s our next Logan Swan - maybe this one even passes against Parra (get over it man love on…).

Yeah we’re down a few troops for sure, but we’ll be right in the mix 2/3rds of the way through the season.

 

[juju]

They still have no idea how to unlock him. He’s only getting hospitals with 4 blokes on him. Put him in a whole or just give him early ball and let him do his thing.

The centre experiment should be over

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Thought that first 40 when both first grade teams were on were very encouraging and the blueprint of how we'll try to play.

It was Webby ball 101, play for position and i thought Boyd controlled things pretty well.
Egan for me was the standout. His fingerprints all over Ford's and his own try where he went to the line and put Gannon into space. The Ford try a perfect example of his nuanced play of how to get someone 1 on 1 around the ruck and close to the line......something Healy has yet to learn. Its bizarre some still malign him.
Ford is 100 percent locked into the prop rotation, His engine and workrate is too valueable. Needs a bit of self awareness about his discipline tho and how far he pushes the line.
Leiataua showed nice tip ons on attack and will probably start soley due to Injuries but geez his lack of urgency off the ball is pretty dire.
Like the promise and skills of Jack Thompson but there's no way in hell he's ready for first grade, The[r obviously still developing him physically, the dude would get rag dolled and a turnstile target......Cappy and co wouldnt let that happen.

Overall get Fish and a few others back for round 1.....i think we're capable of giving the Chooks a decent shake up

 

[Matiunz]

First graders gave me a bit more hope after last week. Juniors looked a little less likely than last week.
Pretty much expecting more of the same this year and not sure many will break into the top side. Perhaps Mellars or Lofi and perhaps Gannon as a bench spot, the rest largely as is.
Hope the NSW cup halves kick on this year there’s a bit to like there finally

 

[kos]

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

These are my opinions only - I am semi new to league - so could be dead wrong - don't be offended if they don't match your takes.

1) Gannon runs great lines. He offers something nobody else does.
2) Boyd looked great but just a low intensity trial game so can't say he has turned a corner.
3) TSS is 10 times better than last year but still ranked 5th or 6th in our props. His improvement gives us better depth this year.
4) Jackson Ford is who I want to dwell on and why I posted above that you might disagree with my take. He played and threw his weight around like a big man even though he is only listed as 101kgs. He was intimidating them. That's what drew Molo to take that reckless shoulder to the face/ten minutes in the bin shot against him. Ford was thumping them in the tackles big time. And he was hurting them with his hits ups. He may be 101kgs but over this off season he has really grown in confidence and has learned how to maximise his PCMs. He was a huge part of our go forward and the Warriors being up by 12 points before our young bucks came on and squandered the lead. He was the dominant Alpha prop on the field for either team which led Molo into reacting.
5) Jack Thompson offensively is ready for 1st grade right now. He could make a fist of it now and do a much better job than some of our prospect halves did (Volkman, Lino etc)...where he is not 1st grade standard is defence. He was a bit of a turnstile in the last 20 minutes and needs a year in cup to practice tackling. He was part of the reason for all those leaked tries at the end.

Interesting observations on Ford.
I don’t watch him closely watching the game around him but in my mind he is an energiser bunny - he achieves despite being a bit light
Would have preferred Harry Inch over Jack Rhompson but coach is sharing playing time

 

[kos]

Where’s the edit button!
I ve highlighted and repeated comments 1000 times

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Wrighty is semi new to league but still an often quoted authority on the sport

 

[Noitall]

 

[Damo]

Interesting observations on Ford.
I don’t watch him closely watching the game around him but in my mind he is an energiser bunny - he achieves despite being a bit light
Would have preferred Harry Inch over Jack Rhompson but coach is sharing playing time

Quote him a few more times to be sure mate.