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    roguei said:
    Feels that way. So we have:
    Niukore -> Leka
    Capes -> Laban
    JFH/Barney -> Demetric
    Tohu/Walker -> Erin and Gannon?

    Feels like Demetric was meant to take the tohu slot. But i think thats going to be impossible unless you force him to 5/8 for some games. Those sorts of locks, at some point were playing as a half. Clark was, tohu was, walker was... So probably best to just make him into a good all out prop.
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    Prop: Demetric, TSS, Tuipulotu-Vea, Salalilo, Crosby, Durbin
    Second Row: Halasima, Laban, Ieremia-Toeava, Fatialofa
    Lock: Gannon

    Even further down the junior pathways to the Harold Matts we have some potential superstar forwards in Lennox Tuiloma, Bishop Neal, Lucian Mikaele, Satali Fretton, Ronan Byford and Krushil Koteka.
     
    Great for the boys to notch up another W! I was nervous before this one, thinking it may be the dreaded banana skin game, but this side certainly has a great level of resilience to go with the tight camaraderie that the coaching staff have built. I have to give Webby, Stacey, Agar and Cappy their dues for that. To be 5-2 from 7 is a fantastic start and one I didn’t see coming, and even more so once we began losing key troops in DWZ, RTS, and JFH in season, and with the departures or retirements of Tohu, Walker and SJ.

    On the game, I’d like to go back and look at a replay but my initial impressions were :
    - Metcalf had his best game at 7. I noticed he straightened up to help pull in the D line for one of Fords tries. His support play is also a fantastic feature of his game that can’t be underestimated.
    - Clark is not only the buy of the season but could be our player of the year if his form carries on. Has been immense.
    - Ford. Hats off to him for his 2 pies. For him to grind out multiple games of over 100m in the middle is a real testament to him and I am beginning to see more now as to why Webby backs him.

    Even with all the positives of the above and relishing the fact we are sitting 3rd after 8 rounds, I am still tempering my expectations for us. Reason being is our PD being as poor as it is will mean if we drop a game or two we will plummet quickly. A teams PD is generally a strong indicator of where they are truly at, so unless we get a big win over the next few rounds I certainly won’t be getting carried away. If we pump the Cows or Drags (entirely possible) my expectations will begin to rise then.

    Either way, I will celebrate another W!
     
    CWC said:
    Isiah Yeo project?
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    Feels that way. So we have:
    Niukore -> Leka
    Capes -> Laban
    JFH/Barney -> Demetric
    Tohu/Walker -> Erin and Gannon?

    Feels like Demetric was meant to take the tohu slot. But i think thats going to be impossible unless you force him to 5/8 for some games. Those sorts of locks, at some point were playing as a half. Clark was, tohu was, walker was... So probably best to just make him into a good all out prop.
     
    I watched some of the second half again. Gagai absoiutely clean skinned Leiataua on the Knights first try.
    However Ali L learned from it and there was a play later in the match where Gagai attempted it again and Ali improved his lateral edge defence and moved sideways quicker to shut him down. So a our young blokes are learning from game to game and improving.
     
    3rdstriker said:
    Flat boring scrappy game but we got the 2 win.
    Great game from Capewell again he's winding back the clock,
    With Egan, Clark, and Ford tonight had superior effort.
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    With the attributes of the roster we've got i would say when u see its a boring scrappy game unfolding......thats a great thing for us, Thats where we need to live, u know we're on the right track.We're not a side thats going to blow teams off the park.

    Been critical of Capewell as well this year (deserved imo) but without doubt his best effort of the year.
     
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    BangBro's (still banging) said:
    Don't know about you guys but I'm over Niukore, what does he actually offer that the kids don't?
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    He has one of the fastest play the ball speeds. 0.5 seconds quicker that the team average. As a result the lad taking the hit up after him tends to make more meters as defenses are often still back tracking when the ball is in Wade's hands.
    I am not a MN fan boy but you asked the question, there is the answer
     
    run_it_str8_again said:
    With 2 fullbacks and 3 centres we won with zero wingers and our marquee signing and a whole bunch of mid level wouldn't get a start at any other club guys.

    Winning in itself is a challenge. But winning cold night games, wet rainy night games and being where we are after 7 games is so much further ahead than I envisaged pre season.
    Click to expand...
    We are having one of the best season openers in the clubs history. Seems to be passing a few folk by who are focussed on the small stuff.
    Look, we ain't anywhere as good as Melbourne, but we play in a comp where the goal should be to focus on getting the most from what you have, rather than comparing yourselves to the special case in the Storm.
    Otherwise you will never be happy and the buzz will pass us by.
    Ever Hopeful said:
    Two players that I reckon are getting unfair criticism tonight

    Pompey - had a big hand in 3 of our tries and is usually safe in the air and safe in defence. Yes, he's a bit slow, but still a great player for us with such an outside back crisis right now.
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    Pompey improves year on year.
    He is finding his attacking confidence now, posting Try's and making assists.
    Clearly he is evidence that Webster has a very strong effect on his players off the field, almost all are improving slowly year on year.

    Pompey should be one of the first backs picked, he is our defensive anchor, all he needed was to learn to be less humble, less selfless when he has the ball, take it and gun it. For that reason a stint at Wing play has opened his eyes a bit to what he is capable of as a finisher in his own right.
     
    Kaos A.D. said:
    Just watched the presser on YouTube and someone in the comments said Ponga sang the NZ national anthem... Yes something is definitely up
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    The Warriors aren't a rep team and neither are the Knights. They did the anthems as part of an ANZAC ceremony. Ponga has NZ background. That's all. Nothing to do with league contracts. Whether he comes here or not, he's not dropping hints by singing the anthem.
     
    Citygirl said:
    Loved to see this quote from Erin Clark

    “I’m happy here, bro,’’ the Kiwis international said. ”I’m valued here and I’m learning heaps under this coaching staff and the players.“
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    there has been many criticisms of Webby (from myself included). But, he has improved every single player that has come here.

    That's pretty special. And he seems to be working out his issues with bench and rotations too.
     
    We never once looked like losing that game. From set 1, we looked hungrier and more effective than the knights and for me, it was just a matter of time before the floodgates opened. And that’s pretty much how it was.

    Our defense was solid. I thought as a defensive unit, we were gritty and executed well on the hole. Clark was once again outstanding and a lock for POTY. What a gem we have found to replace Tohu!

    Marata going into the middle is inspired - whilst there were a few errors there and a sin bin (a touch unlucky but that’s where the game is right now) I thought he did ok and added some steel alongside Egan Ford and Barnett. Bench prop is probably his bag now.

    We bombed a few opportunities but we are creating! TT was unlucky - Dal prob would have score that though! CNK was unlucky - Leka was perhaps a touch naive with his running line.

    Our team (despite OB injuries) is looking way more balanced with Demetric Leka and Jacob in the side. Wish Fish RTS and Dal not far away, it’s going to be tough on a few players who will ship back down to Cup. Our depth this year has really improved!

    Pathways and an injection of classy young players have lifted this team into the best position we have had in years. And they look like a super happy squad too. Don’t underestimate how culture is impacting results. Maybe it was time for SJ Tohu AFB to leave to let others shine.

    Really happy with the performance and still we haven’t hit our ceiling. Cows next at Magic Round.

    Once again,, my favorite coach to batter in Toddy P. Mr Rejection has a few issues up there and the way we are playing, we should beat them.

    Anzac Day wins are special and it’s another curse we have now shaken off. Only the Melbourne one remains.

    Onwards to Brisbane. I hope Titans win today and beat Dogs next week.
     
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