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    We beat Aus ONCE in the last 7 games and all of a sudden we are thrashing SOO and their national team lol

    Guess they dont say Kiwis have a chip on their shoulder for no reason.

    Congrats to everyone who makes representive honours for whichever team/country they are representing. They should always be celebrated and not put down just to try to make ourselves look better.
     
    My humble pie is our owner. I gave him heaps of stick about the whole Alpha thing. He is really investing in this club especially our pathways. Early days yet but our pathways are looking strong and strong pathways are what will turn us into a powerhouse club. Really glad we have an owner that actually wants us to success and doesn't care about how much money we make.

    And Cameron George

    I thought the guy was an absolute potato

    When he signed SK to an extension, let SJ go then proceeded to talk about his treasure chest and his phone running hot. I thought the guy was completely bonkers.

    He’s come good since then. Real good.
     
    Id like to see our replacements before making that call.

    Who's next in line after Lussick? Surely not just Roach and CHT - we've hardly seen CHT there and Roache has less than 100 minutes in first grade.

    Same as Kosi...if I'm honest I'm worried that Dallin takes up a contract somewhere else in 2026, so really we only have Montoya, RTS and Graham-Taufua on the books who have played fg and would go alright at winger, so I think that's something we probably need to address before dropping Kosi.
    Moala Graham-Taufa is already better than Kosi imo. I'd be happy to dump Kosi promote MGT to top 30 as back up winger, then have Sio Kali/Motu Pasikala and 4th and 5th string wingers from the development list.

    Kosi's time is up in my opinion. It's painfully obvious he's on the Ken Maumalo pathway if you take into account his age and lack of improvement over the past two years. He still goes well in reserve grade, but the reduced ceiling is not worth the investment any longer.

    On Lussick, I'd be happy for him to stick around another year but he's on borrowed time with Jacob Auloa/Makaia Tafua/Kaawyne Patterson coming through.

    You're right on Roache, I'd need to see more than a two game sample size to know if he's top 30 worthy. Helluva game against Penrith but hasnt been a standout at NSW cup level.

    I'd be fine with Dallin taking a contract elsewhere in 2026 if we can't afford him, 30 year old wingers don't tend to be elite. I think we will need to revamp our wing stocks by then anyway Montoya included. Again we have Sio and Motu coming through who should hopefully be top 30 in 2026 (with almost 1.5 years NSW cup experience under their belt ). Then probably the next crop coming through getting the odd NSW cup reps in 2026 like Siale Pahulu etc.
     
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    Been critical of TMM in the past but in the last two performances he has really stood up. HIs defence and workrate was fantastic yday. Those repeat sets were master-like.

    How well has Chanel blended into the team? We have the makings of a really good team here if we can just learn to add some flair and unopredictability into the side. SJ, Egan and Berry being out at the same time has been a good wakeup call to the coaching staff where much of the strategy has been devised around them.
     
    The bombs with Berry are great. They keep us in the right end of the field they were never the problem.

    Trapping the opposition inside their 10 is a powerful play for sure. And yes, the major issue with it, was our discipline after we had done it.

    However, when our gameplan is so incredible simplistic, it becomes robotic. There is no eyes up footy, you almost have muscle memory taking over. The opposition knows what we are going to do, builds a corresponding gameplan, and gains confidence from it. And I believe the NRL will encourage refs to manage ultra-conservative tactics.

    I definitely don't want to see it disappear entirely, but I'd like to see the whole team using their skills and intuition together rather than playing the percentages to that degree.
     
    Just a few late thoughts on the game.

    - MGT is one hearty mofo. Second and Third run on the exit set are tough carries and he was getting pcms all day. Defence is FG standard.
    - Bunty made Plath his bitch.
    - Dyl Walker's speed and ball playing at the line generates good mid set momentum - this suits Ale and Jazz.
    - Where to fit SJ? TMM has shown the control enough to run that right side and get the team around. Also some 1v1 defensive efforts have been heroic. Let SJ make magic on the left side?
    - Pompey surely has won his spot over RTS. Just so safe and has good hands for his winger because he doesn't get rushed and shut down like Roger.
    - Niukore's impact on the edge has been sorely missed. His lack of match fitness is to Laban's benefit. The rise of the Webby Era stable is a pleasing sign towards the top 30 all being capable of first grade.
    The last 2 weeks the aggression and intent in contact has won it for us because we're not relying on stars to carry us - no point in having icing without a cake.
    - The thought of a Barnett and JFH combo next year is mouthwatering.
     
    As I mentioned in the gameday thread, the minute we switched up to the NSWarriors, we stopped giving up soft ruck penalties. I'm pretty sure we were giving up multiple penalties for slowing the ruck, cos the old fellas couldn't get up and back 10. Last two weeks we have looked much fitter and faster and no surprise, winning the penalty and 6 again counts.
     
    Barnett just keeps getting better!
    Moala Graham -Taufa bought speed and energy to today and looked at home in first grade.
    The thing I’ve noticed the past two weeks is a loosening off of over structured game plan - heck there have even been some off loads in the tackles!
    DWZ - 0-100Kmh in 3 seconds.
    Love this team! 💪🏾
    Thought Ale played his best game ever yesterday.
    Monty also very good.
     
    Got to say I thought Ford was massive yesterday - I know he has an error in him, but if it's because he's giving 100% for 80m I can live with it, and they seem down on last year. I think calls to trade him out are nuts. He's really stepped up when we've been down on troops and looks like he's filling out a bit -looked like his assignment was to keep Bromich & Nichols quiet, did well. Big effort player with big motor - just Webby's cup of tea, must be due for an early extension!
     
    Watching the Sky 51 replay, the opening prologue gave me goosebumps

    TMM was in football god mode in that 60-70th minute choke

    CHT playing to his strength backing up, and SJ type bombs from halfway

    Moala I thought was CNK, we had these guys in the backyard!?

    DWZ grew into the game, some clunks (pass to Kosi too high etc), but overall a fantastic fill in

    Pompey is our No.1 centre, ironman and kicks goals, kick offs too. Monty was immense back to pre-extension form

    Ale continues to be a beast, shows he has an offload game, needs to calm down a bit

    Afoa 🤯🤯🤯

    Marata was immense, aggressive on defense too, IMO we don’t win without him. Was he playing middle or edge at the end??

    Jazz, Walker, Ford all good, Walker gave Ford a hospital pass lol

    Barney could be co-captain for the rest of the season, what an inspirational story this year

    PS As an introvert, is TMM 1 of those shy guys and sits back at meetings and work, even if he has the experience, talents and ideas? Looks like one. Especially when SJ is dominant and an icon in NZ? Webby needs to make sure he takes the talking ball off SJ and let TMM contribute and plan/execute ideas for the sake of the team balance and attacking threats going forward “Thank you Shaun, Te Maire what do you think?” 🤣
     
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