First Trial Game - Sharks v Sea Eagles Sunday February 14

[Tiger Shark]

Wasnt maloney worst defensive 6 in the league last year?
Pretty sure he was up there for missed tackles.

Yeah but if you watch the games most of those missed tackles are him being first contact and getting bumped off, his team mates then come in and do the rest. I'd say in the majority of those situations no line breaks are created or tries are conceeded.

From a statistical point of view those are counted as missed tackles though.

I know he's not a Robbo defender but I'm not overly concerned with his defence. Besides the benefits he brings from a kicking, passing, running and game management perspective far outweighs any defensive issues imo.

 

[endevour shark]

Yeah but if you watch the games most of those missed tackles are him being first contact and getting bumped off, his team mates then come in and do the rest. I'd say in the majority of those situations no line breaks are created or tries are conceeded.

From a statistical point of view those are counted as missed tackles though.

I know he's not a Robbo defender but I'm not overly concerned with his defence. Besides the benefits he brings from a kicking, passing, running and game management perspective far outweighs any defensive issues imo.

I agree he is up in their face quick and allows our other guys a bit of time to then finish off a tackle. Far better than just letting them run or constantly being 3rd into a tackle

 

[gando2230]

Did jsl play?

 

[vicsharkfan]

Did jsl play?

He went alright

 

[stormshark]

I did not like what I saw, -don't care trial or not. The Tomatoe impressed in his 10 mins, dangerous and unpredictable, would be interesting if he made it into firsts.

 

[Shark Magnet]

How did Joseph Paulo go? I recon him for the surprise packet of the season.

 

[fishermanaxe]

How did Joseph Paulo go? I recon him for the surprise packet of the season.

From what I saw Paulo looked like he went pretty well . Bakuya better pull his socks up or he could be in trouble.

 

[Bigberm]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

 

[evertonshark]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

You'll be starting in the left centre position then Ricky ?

 

[HaroldBishop]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

You'd have Nu and Barba on the bench?

 

[Bigberm]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

You'd have Nu and Barba on the bench?

Barba reggies Nu bench spot.

 

[Born&bred]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

Crazy talk

 

[Bigberm]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

You'll be starting in the left centre position then Ricky ?

Beale Loots centre pairing

 

[Bigberm]

Bird has to be Fullback hands down, ball playing into the back line, strong on the counter and tough., think he's a waste at centre, he needs to be touching the ball all the time. Holmes is more lethal on the wing and has a good combination with beale. Barba bench or reserve grade. Nu Brown utility off the bench.

Crazy talk

Flano talk

 

[gando2230]

Did jsl play?

Ok thanks. Haven't heard much talk about him. Did he get many minutes?

 

[Born&bred]

In all seriousness - Val has looked seriously out of his depth as a prospective fullback anytime he's been tried - under the highball, calling the defence from the back etc... and regardless of Bird's ability as a player he really wasn't a "custodian" at all in the trial, and didn't fill me with confidence.

Barba is proven in the position - why can't people get that?

 

[Mr Wright]

In all seriousness - Val has looked seriously out of his depth as a prospective fullback anytime he's been tried - under the highball, calling the defence from the back etc... and regardless of Bird's ability as a player he really wasn't a "custodian" at all in the trial, and didn't fill me with confidence.

Barba is proven in the position - why can't people get that?

Perception.

 

[Born&bred]

Perception.

Fair enough, but I question the logic / analytical skills behind such perceptions.

 

[WillyInBris]

Barba is proven in the position - why can't people get that?

Yes coach

 

[Mr Wright]

Fair enough, but I question the logic / analytical skills behind such perceptions.

I dont agree with it either.

But i just get the feeling that Val/Bird are the new up coming stars that are viewed as sure things. Unlike Barba who is perceived to be inconsistent and even a failure by some.