SQUAD v COWBOYS

[ism22]

I know they're ranked 2nd and have a solid squad but I'll be disappointed if NQ beat us this week.

To me they almost look like a poor man's Roosters outfit. That is...

- 3 Fullbacks but instead of Teddy, Manu and Suaalii (with Toops as a front-row winger) it's Drinkwater, Holmes and Hiku (with Hampton sitting out). It's almost like they bought ALL the off-contract FBs and put them into one squad.

- Solid forwards in Taumalolo, Hess, McLean and Leilua. As opposed to... JWH, Lodge, Crichton and Rads. I dunno! I feel like their forwards are very good but not as good (on average) and fall off a cliff somewhere.

- Dearden was VERY good last time we played them, but I dunno if he's Keary/Walker kinda good.

- Reece Robson's jumped Jake Granville. I'm backing our boy Sammy V.

I know the Cows have form and consistency but their squad's a little bit meh I reckon. The bookies are backing us as favourites and I'm looking forward to another Todd P rant about how Cows would be #1 if they got the same generosity from the refs as we do.

[Johnny Brass]

Then you lose Watson's impact as a running forward if he goes back to dummy half - my bench would be Hutch/Watson/SST/Collins

Valid point Salvo about the dummy half role but I've loved the work of Egan and Watson coming on in the middle. Injuries and suspensions we always seem to be down one prop so it mightn't work out that they are all available at the same time.

[Johnny Brass]

Cracking weekend of footy with some big clashes besides our game.
Panthers v storm and Eels v Rabbits will give us a prelude to the finals early.
Looking forward to seeing how we stand next to a cowboys outfit that have been very strong, bummer that we copped Klein after his weeks penance for robbing the tigers.

[Teddy]

God how good would it be to have all our pigs on the park JWH and Lodge to start Collins and SST to maintain the rage absolutely relentless get back on the park boys.

[BraveTheWorld]

Actually a bit more confident this week than I was against the Broncos. I don't think we have to show any extreme level of talent to beat the Cowboys. They're a tough side that doesn't beat themselves, but I really just think they're consistent and have had a pretty easy draw. They're no joke, but I haven't seen premiership-winning footy from them at any stage this year.

The competition will take notice if we win, that's for sure.

[Thirteen]

Then you lose Watson's impact as a running forward if he goes back to dummy half - my bench would be Hutch/Watson/SST/Collins

Sam V can play 80. Watson can be a running forward and can cover the backs if someone is injured. Or he can have a short spell at dummy half to relieve Sam and then run in the forwards.

[ism22]

Valid point Salvo about the dummy half role but I've loved the work of Egan and Watson coming on in the middle. Injuries and suspensions we always seem to be down one prop so it mightn't work out that they are all available at the same time.

Makes me wonder about props... is it relevant that Toops and Suaalii run the ball down the middle and are both solid defenders? (Add Manu and Teddy in there too TBH).

I feel that in contrast the Cows have Drinkwater, Hammer, Holmes and Hiku who are all about 6 foot and fast.

IMO it's possible that Robbo's not putting guys who match Leilua and McLean on the bench because our backline runs down the middle. We then use our bench for its utility value as people seem to get injured EVERY week, and Robbo values versatility as opposed to having a big bopper on your bench who has one role... replacing another big bopper when he gets tired.

Probably just my odd, COVID-fuelled rambling but I reckon Robbo's onto something with the combo of Hutcho and Watson. We seem to have quite a few creative player rotations that favour live-wire attacking play or cool, calm defensive phases.

Building towards playing a full 80... I picture our perfect 80 will involve four quarters with DJ Robbo gently twisting the tempo knob throughout, depending on how the dancefloor's looking.

Alright... time for a Berocca and some sleep I think. I've been playing too much Splatterhouse on my PC Engine (finally finished it!), watching too many long Japanese movies (google 'Drive My Car' if you're interested - a 3 hour masterpiece) and stealing too many of the neighbours' grapefruits (I wish our figs, cherries and feijoas were in season instead!)

[Snapn1]

Best bench watson 10-15min each half with fast dummy half plays / sammy playing close to 55-60min
minutes

Egan another rads mold ball playing foward 10-15min each half giving rads plenty of rest to come back in an fire up

Lodge 15min/ Collins 25min each half
JWH 15min/ SST 25min each half


Best bench in the comp

Watson
JWH
Lodge
Egan

[Mickie Lane]

Cracking weekend of footy with some big clashes besides our game.
Panthers v storm and Eels v Rabbits will give us a prelude to the finals early.
Looking forward to seeing how we stand next to a cowboys outfit that have been very strong, bummer that we copped Klein after his weeks penance for robbing the tigers.

Penrith have 4 huge outs Cleary, JFH, Luai & Kikau, Melbourne have 4 huge outs Hughes, Papenhuyzen, Kaufusi, Welsh plus Reimis Smith. Close one but I think Melbourne.
The Parra v Souths game will come down to Latrell, if he's on Souths win.
The stage is set for the Chooks, its a Saturday afternoon game at the SCG against the number 2 team. If the Chooks win it wont suddenly put them in the top 4 but it will give the message to the top 4 sides that the Roosters are coming if they stay fit. One game at a time & the Roosters have to win this game.

[bondi paul]

One could think that Klein the Klown will be on his best behaviour however it likely he has a return to form. Tipping Easts a win against adversity. I see a 2018 2019 likeness in their approach and back then we won many games whilst officialdom tried to screw Easts.Also I would like no players on report as it has often been the case this year.

[player 1]

Ashley Klein is a big inclusion for the cowboys.

Expect some origin style one sided manipulation of the rucks and 10 metres to frustrate us out of the game.

If we beat the cowboys AND him, we are the real deal.

[Tommy Smith]

They've had a dream draw. Big test for them playing us at home.

Easts to win.

Indeed.

I heard today that they've had 15 games in QLD in 2022.

Very overhyped.

We smashed them in Townsville and might very well dominate them in Sydney too.

[ism22]

Ashley Klein is a big inclusion for the cowboys.

Expect some origin style one sided manipulation of the rucks and 10 metres to frustrate us out of the game.

If we beat the cowboys AND him, we are the real deal.

If Easts are good enough to beat Klein (I feel we need to be ~20% better than our opponent rather than ~10% on the day) then we've got the premiership in the bag.

[ism22]

Penrith have 4 huge outs Cleary, JFH, Luai & Kikau, Melbourne have 4 huge outs Hughes, Papenhuyzen, Kaufusi, Welsh plus Reimis Smith. Close one but I think Melbourne.
The Parra v Souths game will come down to Latrell, if he's on Souths win.
The stage is set for the Chooks, its a Saturday afternoon game at the SCG against the number 2 team. If the Chooks win it wont suddenly put them in the top 4 but it will give the message to the top 4 sides that the Roosters are coming if they stay fit. One game at a time & the Roosters have to win this game.

Drizz have Munster though right?

IMO their spine is still very solid with...
1. Munster
7. Hughes
9. Grant
?. Brandon Smith

They've always got a surplus of quality spine players. But yeah... this year they can't just slot-in (for example) Munster for Billy Slater (with Cronk in the halves), Hynes for Shyssenhoossen (with Munster in the halves) or whatever. They're having to shift their dominant half to FB.

Be interesting! Any mail on Cooper Johns? Good name and woulda grown up playing footy with his uncle. Hasn't set the world on fire though?

[Johnny Brass]

Ashley Klein is a big inclusion for the cowboys.

Expect some origin style one sided manipulation of the rucks and 10 metres to frustrate us out of the game.

If we beat the cowboys AND him, we are the real deal.

Expecting some inside the 10 metres and ruck infringement penalties early to give the Cowboys some leg ups out of their end. We have to be resilient enough to defend our line.
Drinkwater has been a revelation at fullback with his speed and ball playing and they have some terrific forwards led by Taumalolo,Cotter and Nanai.
Really looking forward to this one and will give us a guide to where we are at after playing some of the opposition lately.