Gameday Witzer Pre-Season challenge round 2- Warriors vs Manly

[sup42]

I know you've watched a fair bit of him too Sup and been positive so I didn't want to jump down on it all.

To be fair, there are very few guys in Super League that are being lined up by NRL clubs, the Kangaroos tour showed just how far back they are.

I'm sure Gannon will offer something and a 3 year contract means it may not be until next year that he gets a real crack but who knows.

Yeah, even I am in the who knows basket, he's a good player, loads of potential, gonna have to go through a massive adjustment, and yesterday that showed.

 

[Falcon]

After rewatching the second half (mainly to see how the pathways boys were looking) with a little less caring about the scoresheet, I actually think webby would be happy with the majority of the boys.

All of them looked fit and seemed dialled in, except from the expected rust. It was clear from his pre match interview he wanted everyone to get a run.

We definitely didn’t throw anything at them but I don’t think we were even trying to, more focused on individuals playing well. It looked like the fringe 1st graders were almost more subdued than some of the younger boys getting a chance.

The other big takeout for me was how depth we have in our backs now, compared to last year and the year before. Not just the new boys but the ones who have been here for a year or two ( Kali, pasikala, Hansen) all played way better than previous years. Motu particularly, he was green as anything last year, but looked solid this year.

Highlights for me
- Mellars has the athleticism to be a real problem on the wing eventually
- pasikala and Kali are way ahead of this time last year
- inch is a great runner, looks strong in bouncing out of contact and a good footy brain
- RTV has the height and frame to be a monster and looks very aggressive.
- junior Sikuvea seems very strong on the carry and tough on D. Looks promising as a replacement for Clark eventually
- jack Thompson has some classy playmaking skills and puts his body on the line. Just needs to break 70 kg
- Tafua looks like natural scrappy hooker, good instincts
- tss was clearly a level above some of the other middles on the park. Again, awesome progress vs this time last year
- putuko looks like a great OB prospect

It looked like we had the most energy and go forward in the last 20 when the young ins came on and had a crack.

Rant over, Exciting times!

Summed it up perfectly. A lot to look forward to with our NSW Cup side this year.

 

[Brightman]

one trial game down and a shit load of chicken littles'! It was a good hit out for the greater player base and the second trial always presents more clarity but let's not forget that rnd 1 is in March..

 

[Warrior#138]

The Tanah Boyd play-book.

Do we think other teams can see him coming?

 

[Noitall]

The Tanah Boyd play-book.

Do we think other teams can see him coming?



View attachment 15769

Watching TMM closely today, felt that backline had very little shape yesterday

 

[kos]

Ah the safe option.
Isnt that the Webster attacking style.
Grind grind grind.
Is that what the coach is telling him to play?

 

[Inruin]

Watching TMM closely today, felt that backline had very little shape yesterday

Hope the weather plays it's part.

Probably two potential performances today.

TMM plays poorly at 7

TMM plays well at 7

I think both will have no affect on AW running with Boyd at 7 in the first game

 

[Damo]

Watching TMM closely today, felt that backline had very little shape yesterday

TMM has the benefit of their team actually trying things today

 

[Inruin]

TMM has the benefit of their team actually trying things today

And a strong pack. Has every reason to perform today. If he can't then it will be Boyd at 7 for at least a few rounds

 

[Boats n Hoes]

And a strong pack. Has every reason to perform today. If he can't then it will be Boyd at 7 for at least a few rounds

Im a fan of how Te Maire can create space and set up shape but he'll be the only kicker for the māori today. Be interesting how that sits with him.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Im a fan of how Te Maire can create space and set up shape but he'll be the only kicker for the Maori today. Be interesting how that sits with him.

I'd imagine Webster will feel quite exposed with anyone other than Boyd's kicking game round 1...and his goal kicking.

I personally think his general play kicking is overblown - great at NSW Cup with the extra time, not so in first grade. He has a good grubber, but we have a match plan of not using it, and pinning them in the corners so that Klein et al can piggyback the opposition out on tackle 4.

His goal kicking is an asset that we would miss if he does not play.

The first rounds are not going to be pretty imo. I see us on the edges of the 8.

 

[Inruin]

Im a fan of how Te Maire can create space and set up shape but he'll be the only kicker for the Maori today. Be interesting how that sits with him.

I think he gets a lot of flack for his kicking game. He has a decent short kicking game. Doesn't have the distance of the better halves running around though. But with our pack it shouldn't be required to get us out of trouble. And against the Panthers in that famous magic round upset he was the sole kicker and kicked for nearly 600m

I don't think it's as big of an issue as some make it out to be and the upside of his playmaking negates this for me.

 

[Noitall]

I'd imagine Webster will feel quite exposed with anyone other than Boyd's kicking game round 1...and his goal kicking.

I personally think his general play kicking is overblown - great at NSW Cup with the extra time, not so in first grade. He has a good grubber, but we have a match plan of not using it, and pinning them in the corners so that Klein et al can piggyback the opposition out on tackle 4.

His goal kicking is an asset that we would miss if he does not play.

The first rounds are not going to be pretty imo. I see us on the edges of the 8.

I actually thought Hanson had some good nudges that were gauged perfectly falling just out from the try line. That short footage of all the kickers trying to land it close to the sideline in preseason footage, it was Hanson landing it closest too. Think he’s got a fairly accurate boot on him, not sure about distance though?

 

[Noitall]

TMM has the benefit of their team actually trying things today

Boyd with nrl experience didn’t really blow his counterpart with no nrl experience out of the water though. Thompson without a doubt had the best vision for us in terms of halves and balls to put hits on and take the line on, don’t think he disappointed at all. Would like to see him playing nsw cup

 

[Damo]

Boyd with nrl experience didn’t really blow his counterpart with no nrl experience out of the water though. Thompson without a doubt had the best vision for us in terms of halves and balls to put hits on and take the line on, don’t think he disappointed at all. Would like to see him playing nsw cup

He didn't exactly need to or tried to. People read far too much into a first trial where many first graders are just going through the motions

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Not sure anyone expected him to fire straightaway?

Not seeing too many kneejerk reactions either.

Webby loves a project and wouldn't it be awesome if he could grow into something.

In reality though, 22 (he's not 21) is not that young and Super League lacks the physicality required to prepare for the NRL.

So I'm seeing a long road ahead for him. Opportunities will come, hope he takes them.

Hard for you to deny what is publicly observable on this forum. Comments on here are reminiscent of the way Souths treated Dodd, with many forumers here ready to write him off as another failed English experiment. Now he may well end up being another English dud like Tomkins, but none of you can truly know that after a trial played in horrendous conditions in what was his first ever game on our shores. Give him a real sample size of games (in both nrl and cup) before passing judgment.

I really don't see what the distinction between 22 vs 21 makes: that is very young. Unless you are a freak of nature (ie Leka), very few players are regular NRL players at that age. Again I repeat myself, but maybe give him some time before writing him off.

 

[Noitall]

He didn't exactly need to or tried to. People read far too much into a first trial where many first graders are just going through the motions

That’s assuming the 7 jersey is his guaranteed that he doesn’t need to impress, personally don’t think he did himself any favours. Perhaps being taken off at halftime was putting him on ice for next week? Players going through the motions sure, but I’d still like to see my halfback showing what good halfbacks do if he has dibs on the round 1 jersey and lead us around. Go for a 40/20 what we lack, Metcalf did in trials last year

 

[Damo]

That’s assuming the 7 jersey is his guaranteed that he doesn’t need to impress, personally don’t think he did himself any favours. Perhaps being taken off at halftime was putting him on ice for next week? Players going through the motions sure, but I’d still like to see my halfback showing what good halfbacks do if he has dibs on the round 1 jersey and lead us around. Go for a 40/20 what we lack, Metcalf did in trials last year

Webster said before the game the NRL forwards will mostly get ~40 minutes, same for the backs.

 

[Noitall]

Webster said before the game the NRL forwards will mostly get ~40 minutes, same for the backs.

It’s probably premature but I can’t shake that knights game and really are riding on some nrl and and a good showing in nsw cup and state cup to get us off to a good start to the season with Boyd. There was a discussion around ego on some players yesterday and how Boyd could use some, looking like not a hugely confident player in my eyes, and it’s far too early to make this distinction that his season will be like this but it just looked like much of the same as last year when he took over at 7. I’ve probably hyped myself up a bit but seeing the slow start to the season for the young lads, I’m just going to simmer a bit. I think we started slow in grades last year too didn’t we, not that that had a bearing on the top team

 

[WAH MAN]

And wives!

Real post office the day