Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Titans

[Spirit of 66]

Let's just assume Manly is going to beat us. If Sam Walker is to lead us to a premiership next year or the year after, he needs to experience a full semi final now.

[roosterchook]

Let's just assume Manly is going to beat us. If Sam Walker is to lead us to a premiership next year or the year after, he needs to experience a full semi final now.

I think it’s his weight and worries huge forwards will run right through him especially in the finals.

[King Salvo]

Yep but it was the tits player on the right who bombed it as well.

Thinking about it, we didn’t win that game, the Tits lost it.

Chooks were never headed in that game though and missed a few chances themselves with the decoy runners and shepherd and Radley should have been awarded a penalty try - Titans had nothing to lose and played accordingly.

Weather played its part - 77% or so humidity which may have contributed to poor completion rates for both teams - Chooks 23 out of 36 (64%) and Titans 24 out of 36 (67%)

I would say Robbo will give them some extra time off as they Play again on Friday in Mackay- Doubt if SST will play though

[Spirit of 66]

I think it’s his weight and worries huge forwards will run right through him especially in the finals.

Yeah, I know. But I say give him the experience of a final anyway. We ain't winning this comp, but maybe next year.

[Johnny73]

Getting into the 2nd week of the semis with all the players we have out is a tremendous effort. This season is above a pass mark now.

I would have been okay with just making the finals. Anything more after this is a bonus.

[RoosterBoi]

From naming Iku as one of my favourites to almost throwing the game..

[roosterchook]

I would have been okay with just making the finals. Anything more after this is a bonus.

We must be very, very proud of these boys. It’s incredible against all odds what they’ve achieved.

[Bruce 38-0]

They looked so clunky tonight. But then again take out Ikavalu’s dropped ball and the double contested bomb they scored a try off and it’s a different story. Whilst I appreciate they didn’t play well we were forced to set up all out tries There were no gifts.

Lets not forget the try that Ikuvalu scored.

Lastly, it just shows how important any kick is.

[King Salvo]

It’s finals footy. I think we did well considering our injuries and that we are fielding a C grade team. We helped the Titans score half their points. It was an ugly win but we did win on our merits. Walker with that saving tackle and his fg was masterclass stuff.

Not a C Grade team though as the players are all in the NRL squad - It's not like the old days having to bring in reggies players who may not be up to it - The NRL squad players all train together and are in the NRL squad as they are deemed NRL level players.

[rented tracksuit]

From naming Iku as one of my favourites to almost throwing the game..

I know right. There was another thread recently crucifying him saying his hands can cost us games. I made the point that he wins us more games than he loses but bugger me I ate my words tonight as he almost cost us not just the game but the season!

[Spirit of 66]

Microbrain Gordon said in Holbrook's press conference that Verrills should have been sin-binned. I don't think it should even have been a penalty - he just stood his ground.

[MCMLXVI]

I know right. There was another thread recently crucifying him saying his hands can cost us games. I made the point that he wins us more games than he loses but bugger me I ate my words tonight as he almost cost us not just the game but the season!

He still is our second highest try scorer this season though, after Toups... rocks and diamonds

[Bansai Pipeline]

Hutch and Lam can’t close out a game.

Was nervous after the early decision to take the 2 immediately after the send off. Didn’t get any better after that.

[RoosterBoi]

I know right. There was another thread recently crucifying him saying his hands can cost us games. I made the point that he wins us more games than he loses but bugger me I ate my words tonight as he almost cost us not just the game but the season!

I'll still back him and he's still someone who I like but that really made me upset. Literally a routine pass and he pulls that. I thought nothing of it and then I see that.

[BraveTheWorld]

Well, that was just about the most disgusting game of footy I've ever seen. That was horrible for the old ticker.

I have so many thoughts to unpack regarding this. Firstly, well done to Tedesco, Radley, Crichton, Tupou and Hargreaves. They were all absolutely massive. We probably don't win if any of them are out.

I am resigned to the fact that we'll never have a good, consistent completion rate. That's part-and-parcel of being a Chooks fan. With that being said; there are positive errors, negative errors, and inexcusably stupid errors.

Positive error is what we did in '18 and '19 very often. Have a half break and trying to score off a play, and the pass is a bit too tough to hold. I can cop these.
Radley throwing that pass to Tedesco in traffic with about 10-15 to go was absolutely horrendous. The Titan were out on their feet, we were making like 60m per set, and I'm sitting at home thinking "just 2-3 more minutes of this and the game is over." And then Radley throws a completely ridiculous pass in traffic, on our side of the field to give them possession, and they score like two sets later.

Not only did Ikavalu have some bad errors, but they came at the worst possible times. Right after points and then on our try line to gift the Titans a try. He scores tries that borderline no other Winger scores, just f*** me dead he needs adjust something about his catching. Still, he caught some very important kicks to end the game.

I've given Lam a fair bit of leeway, but this guy is just not a starting half. I thought outside of some defense, he was very poor. His 5th tackle mid-field kicks were disastrous, and he just doesn't ever look likely when he is ball-playing. He is a runner and should make a career as an interchange player. Maybe even a Watson-like Lock.

Make no mistake though, the better team won. The Titans had about three tries gifted to them on a platter.
1. Horrendous wicked bounce on the grubber kick at the end of the first half
2. Keighran and Tupou collide in the air
3. Ikavalu dropped balled on the try line

Defensively we were actually quite strong. It's just the utterly egregious errors that need to be fixed.

I'll be happy to never think or talk about this game again.