where we need to improve most

[OMR]

Our kicking in general play was very ordinary. The only times we were able to pin them inside their quarter from a kick we gave away a penalty to give them relief.
We will need those towering Anasta bombs that spiral and hang in the air for eternity, giving the chasers a chance to chase and pressure the catcher.

Overall I thought we battled well, and out young pack stood up to a more hardened pack of old heads. The future looks very rosy. WE will probably lose games this years that we're supposed to win, but that's part of the learning process. Making the playoffs and going deep into them will be a bonus, but this team , if kept together somehow, will be a dominant team for 3-5 years.

With Moga, SKD and Anasta ( yes Anasta) to come into the side, it will balance out nicely, and the bolter for outstanding talent this year will be young Mortimer! Parra will rue the day they let him go. The boy is a footballer and will mature into a handy utility off the bench, mark my words.

Finally, as I walked up the steps of ANZ stadium with 3:33 on the clock I was saying to my daughter not feel bad , we gave it a good shot, but played a little dumb due to inexperience, only to have JWH barge over as I stood at the top of the stairs. It took me 3 steps to bolt down to the bootom near the fence, and screamed my head off as Mini ran onto the ball and score!~!!!! There is a GOD up there who must have pity on me, or is an avid Roosters fan.

[Yak]

I thought we actually missed Anasta's kick-offs, as strange as that sounds. They were all woeful and Souths were starting on the 20 every time they received (on the 30 when Carney kicked off). Leilua's kick off was the only good one. Got caught about 2m inside the dead ball line and we made the first tackle on the 10. Makes a big difference. That will be a plus when Anasta comes back.

[alex0063]

I thought we actually missed Anasta's kick-offs, as strange as that sounds. They were all woeful and Souths were starting on the 20 every time they received (on the 30 when Carney kicked off). Leilua's kick off was the only good one. Got caught about 2m inside the dead ball line and we made the first tackle on the 10. Makes a big difference. That will be a plus when Anasta comes back.

But when Anasta kicks off they start back at halfway with a penalty

[Yak]

But when Anasta kicks off they start back at halfway with a penalty

I'm telling you. I'll take a few penalties throughout the season if it means each of 1st tackles start inside the 10 rather than on or just outside the 20. Pearce's were low and flat and were landing about 5 or 10 out. That gives the defence no chance to stop the runner before the 20.

[Guest]

I thought we actually missed Anasta's kick-offs, as strange as that sounds. They were all woeful and Souths were starting on the 20 every time they received (on the 30 when Carney kicked off). Leilua's kick off was the only good one. Got caught about 2m inside the dead ball line and we made the first tackle on the 10. Makes a big difference. That will be a plus when Anasta comes back.

Good observation, Yak. Players rarely seem to get kudos for great kick-offs, yet are immediately crucified by fans and commentators if they put one out on the full (yeah, OK Anasta bashers, in his case more than one). Same is true of missing touch from a penalty, whereas long, attacking touch finders (Pearce made a beauty when we were making our surge towards the end) often go unacknowledged.

[Rooster_6]

I thought we actually missed Anasta's kick-offs, as strange as that sounds. They were all woeful and Souths were starting on the 20 every time they received (on the 30 when Carney kicked off). Leilua's kick off was the only good one. Got caught about 2m inside the dead ball line and we made the first tackle on the 10. Makes a big difference. That will be a plus when Anasta comes back.

Haha yeh said this at the game, Pearce's kick offs didn't lack distance they just lacked hang time. By the time we met them at the 20 they had great momentum and it just kicked off their sets for them. SKD usually takes them from memory if Anasta doesn't.

This along with our penalties inside their 20m zone are the two quickest things we can fix up in time for next weeks game.

There's a few deeper issues that need attention but they go beyond being simple fixes for a number of reasons;

1) We lack creativity in the spine, I don't see where our points are going to come from this season. This is not Mitchell Pearce or Jake Friend's fault, both are great players and perform their role perfectly. Both will set up tries but neither have the flair to create.

2) We lack a worker in the front row, Kennedy made a solid return which is a good sign as he's one who's capable of stepping up. Disappointing that Tasi only played 35 minutes, I would've liked to see if he could sustain his performance for long minutes... he was great when he was on the field.

3) Mini's kick returns are woeful, he wont be replaced any time soon so I'm resigned to it but they're seriously costing us.

[Guest]

Guys our problem for the last 5 years is and always has been in the wrestle and at the ruck. We got murdered there again last night it's the main reason why we can never win a penalty count. So many times we are left on the ground and left with only one marker, it's killing us we need to fix it. It's where the modern game is won and lost. Look at Manly, Storm and Dragons they are the masters of it and have been the dominant teams for the last 6 years.

I'm a Smith fan but disappointed we haven't fixed this issue.

[rooster_booster]

Kennedy was very poor imo. Dominated in tackles, no leg drive and not explosive enough off the line. I understand hes had a long lay off but he was one of the most disappointing players on the field.

Off topic - but doesn't Carney look like Vin Diesel ?

Vin+attends+a+meeting+IQWT7lvqHPyl.jpg

[Tom Verlaine's Ghost]

We'll be in this competition for a long way. As the season grinds on our youngsters may start to feel the pinch, but for 3/4 of this season I reckon we'll be in the top 4 or 5.

Don't forget Souths played a very good game for 77 minutes. They'll beat more teams than not. We did well to go with them.

The stats indicate it was a pretty high quality game.

[elo]

Mini's kick returns and the predictable one out hit-ups for 4 tackles every set are the main concerns for me, it's just way too easy for defences to dominate us due to these two things. If Perrett has dropped back, Mini should pass it to him and our forwards need to run in pairs when hitting the ball up to create doubt.

[Thirteen]

I think our forward were ordinary. We are already missin having an older guy in the side to lead the pack.
Perrett tries so hard but his handling and taking of bombs is so ordinary.
Carney tried hard too but he just isn't a first grader/
We will be a lot stronger with Braith and Moga in the team.
We just don't have a go to man.
I thought Mitchell Aubo was out best player. Very strong defensively.

[roosterproud]

oh where to improve....i was on the fence with carney. now i have fallen completely off it landing on my back....hes gawn

bj on the wing was crap. had no ball, got no ball. no ball no runs. he is a centre

dummy half runs are getting verry predictable. i call sam mr 10 meters, every scoot gains 10 meters.

big marty was ordinary. needs more game time

arona needs to watch the game more and control his disaplin.

i noticed that we are not contesting the high ball. we did it last year. if we are not going to attack the high ball we at least need to stop the ball catcher dead in his tracks.shut them down and dominate.

ref fukc ups. where to start... sam up marking the ball with dumb hair king grabing him prior to grasping the ball.
minni get tripped by australias most overrated 5/8 in suddon by him running of his line watching minni then throws the leg out

[rooster_booster]

oh where to improve....i was on the fence with carney. now i have fallen completely off it landing on my back....hes gawn

What made you land on your back? He didn't make one single mistake all night.

bj on the wing was crap. had no ball, got no ball. no ball no runs. he is a centre

How can he be crap if he didnt see any ball.

big marty was ordinary. needs more game time

Maybe he didn't get as much game time because he was ordinary and they're easing him back?

arona needs to watch the game more and control his disaplin.

Whats a disaplin?

i noticed that we are not contesting the high ball. we did it last year. if we are not going to attack the high ball we at least need to stop the ball catcher dead in his tracks.shut them down and dominate.

We didn't contest the high ball because Pearce kept putting them 5-10m too long. This imo is a flow on effect from him being our only real kicking and playmaking option and thus, being constantly pushed up upon.

minni get tripped by australias most overrated 5/8 in suddon by him running of his line watching minni then throws the leg out

No one rates Sutton

[Guest]

Agree with all said 6. The biggest worry will be points.

[Guest]

Having actually watched the game now three times (once live, twice on the tv) I can say that Justin Carney played very well last night. He defended well and hit it up like a forward, making the second most amount of metres with 145.