Gameday Witzer Pre-Season challenge round 2- Warriors vs Manly
- Thread starter Wahs_Ultras
- Start date
CLQV3R
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No, I didn't attend any preseason training last year, but I did go to the second trial game in Hamilton where the Warriors towelled up that young Storm side. It was the second trial and featured an almost full-strength Warriors side against the Melbourne youngsters. I remember them scoring almost at will to start the game—stripping Melbourne on both sides and looking pretty slick. Then, we played the Raiders in Vegas...I didn't see any or that polish of slickness today, even when we had a bunch of experience on the field. Dunno. Hopefully it's all part of the bigger plan.
Was not that worried about that performance as it is just a trial game. Thought they looked good in contact on D. Some real force in those tackles. Positioning and likely communication in D was not great but to be expected with different combinations. TSS impressed me. Been neutral on him but looked like a first grader out there. Liked how Tafua played. Can see him becoming a first grader if he keeps that up.
Don’t know why but that was a great game to watch. RTS was carving up.. Beautiful sunshine. Big crowd. Glorious
One Less Fin
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I agree I thought the tempo stepped up when Healey came on. Seen the knock down go either way before. Could have been our penalty.
Pretty sure i post the same thing after every pre season opener - plenty of rust and errors, everyone gets a run so not much connection out there....no different today hence why nothings worth losing your shit over at this stage
The only thing i look for in warm up games is the effort areas, and tbh i thought our defensive line speed was disappointing and lacking most of the game (until the last 10 minutes or so when the youngsters had their tails up). That said Manly had a couple of big bodies to start the game who we struggled to contain and they got on the back of that. (incidently that number 21 for us Tuipolotou? looked a bit of a throwback to our own "Big warrior forwards" refreshing to see a big guy denting the line like that.
We already knew we're a bit vanilla in the spine and that certainly played out. But i dont think anyones played themselves out of the frame from that, altho improvement will be needed (Gannon for one will need to show more) likewise i dont think any of the youngsters on that performance have said "i must be picked for first grade." Some clearly in need of more development.
Im also not on the Leka to centre bandwagon. Yes moving him out one gives him more space but it also makes it harder to get the ball to him. The ball barely got past the halves on any shifts, we want him with ball in hand as much as possible....not less.
Pre season is just to run the rust out, get some mileage in the legs, get used to contact again, could care less about the final score tbh. Come season opener....thats all that counts.
The only thing i look for in warm up games is the effort areas, and tbh i thought our defensive line speed was disappointing and lacking most of the game (until the last 10 minutes or so when the youngsters had their tails up). That said Manly had a couple of big bodies to start the game who we struggled to contain and they got on the back of that. (incidently that number 21 for us Tuipolotou? looked a bit of a throwback to our own "Big warrior forwards" refreshing to see a big guy denting the line like that.
We already knew we're a bit vanilla in the spine and that certainly played out. But i dont think anyones played themselves out of the frame from that, altho improvement will be needed (Gannon for one will need to show more) likewise i dont think any of the youngsters on that performance have said "i must be picked for first grade." Some clearly in need of more development.
Im also not on the Leka to centre bandwagon. Yes moving him out one gives him more space but it also makes it harder to get the ball to him. The ball barely got past the halves on any shifts, we want him with ball in hand as much as possible....not less.
Pre season is just to run the rust out, get some mileage in the legs, get used to contact again, could care less about the final score tbh. Come season opener....thats all that counts.
One Less Fin
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Only remember the knock down.
I think a lot of this was that Manly were pretty much up in our faces most of the game. Young guys, plenty of line speed. We didn't change the pattern, realise that and move the ball wide early nor kick early One out doesn't do it. Result won't matter much to the club but never forget the number of people there today who were wanting a win.
As I posted earlier, the number of defenders on Leka created space for Hansen and the Wing. No advantage taken.
Yeah credit to Manly they did maintain that line speed. The amount of pressure passes we were throwing at the line and spilling was due to this. Thought we put ourselves under pressure setting up for shape and lost the space doing that when at times just early ball through the hands is the way to go, then once the defence is stretched set up for shape.
All learnings which is what pre seasons about.
Crisp passing as usual from Egan it's such a pity Tanahs still stuck in the mud.
Mr Drag
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He looked sunburnt
Be interested to know why you have that opinion on Hanson. Not to sure what the wingers you named showed in that trial that would put them above Mellars either.
What's the verdict on Gannon?
No one wants to say anything on a sample of 40 minutes I expect. Need to see him again next week. Some of it would have been nerves.
WHB
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It's an ego era.
Grassroots is even worse.
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