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#3222977 26-Apr-2024 07:57

Told ya the Titans would be tough, didn't expect the warriors to drop the ball like that though.

On Jett Cleary, sounds like most fans are ranking him on name alone. At the same age Nathan was a MUCH better player.

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TeaLeaf

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#3223067 26-Apr-2024 13:00

JPNZ:

Told ya the Titans would be tough, didn't expect the warriors to drop the ball like that though.

On Jett Cleary, sounds like most fans are ranking him on name alone. At the same age Nathan was a MUCH better player.

First try again DWZ comes in off his wing, he has got to stick to his man and trust the centre will defend his, or not come off the wing trying to intercept.

Start out strong and fade on defense during the middle, they are far better than this.

Yeh Jett is one Im not sold on, was just big news on the tail of JFH. I would agree he doesnt appear to be at the same stage Nathan was. Webby must have had some input. although Id rather players who want to play for us for the right reasons.

Lets hope if they start out strong the next game they do it for 80 mins, I just wonder if its wort contesting some of these bombs they just keep targeting the danger kick returner with.... I know Webby wants consistency though and if we werent making basic defensive errors it would prob be the smart tactic to follow.

tdgeek

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#3223148 26-Apr-2024 18:48

JPNZ:

Told ya the Titans would be tough, didn't expect the warriors to drop the ball like that though.

On Jett Cleary, sounds like most fans are ranking him on name alone. At the same age Nathan was a MUCH better player.

Told who?

Warriors last year were excellent. This year, they lose each week, well for 3 weeks. Titans bottom of the ladder. We do not lack talent. We do not lack the coach.

No excuse. Now I dont know the strategy for these last 3 matches, but what I see is a common theme, which is obvious. Webster confirms the same

I watch a lot of sport, this is purely a between the ears syndrome.

Fast play, running the ball, innovative and creative play, not predictable, frequent offloads, where are they? Lately in the opposing team.

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#3223151 26-Apr-2024 18:54

TeaLeaf:

JPNZ:

Told ya the Titans would be tough, didn't expect the warriors to drop the ball like that though.

On Jett Cleary, sounds like most fans are ranking him on name alone. At the same age Nathan was a MUCH better player.

First try again DWZ comes in off his wing, he has got to stick to his man and trust the centre will defend his, or not come off the wing trying to intercept.

Start out strong and fade on defense during the middle, they are far better than this.

Yeh Jett is one Im not sold on, was just big news on the tail of JFH. I would agree he doesnt appear to be at the same stage Nathan was. Webby must have had some input. although Id rather players who want to play for us for the right reasons.

Lets hope if they start out strong the next game they do it for 80 mins, I just wonder if its wort contesting some of these bombs they just keep targeting the danger kick returner with.... I know Webby wants consistency though and if we werent making basic defensive errors it would prob be the smart tactic to follow.

DWZ. How often have we seen the amazing corner tries, or close? Hardly ever 2024

"Start out strong and fade on defense during the middle, they are far better than this." I agree but why??

All I know is last year we were excellent, innovative and we placed speed and pressure throughout. Causing the opposing team to be forced to find something from nothing, high risk high reward play, which generally failed. Not this year. Hardly see a running play, hardly see offloads. Solid, stable and reliable doesnt won matches. It does against bottom teams then Thursday at home against one, it didnt.

TeaLeaf

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#3223281 27-Apr-2024 10:57

tdgeek:

DWZ. How often have we seen the amazing corner tries, or close? Hardly ever 2024

"Start out strong and fade on defense during the middle, they are far better than this." I agree but why??

To be fair hes scored 3 pretty special tries this year, but hes cost as many with his defense, or more, more to the point trying to intercept or coming off his wing, which usually equals an open try line or just the FB to beat.

Well, its definitely a problem with our defense. The plan is simple, we get to the 5th tackle and SJ targets the best back 5 returner in the opposition with a bomb somewhere around the 5-10m mark, usually its Berry who waits for the defender to land and they hammer them sometims pushing them back into the ingoal, but if not the idea being to trap them within the 30m mark before theiir kick or to force an error inside their redzone, so then the Warriors in theory end up on offense with only 50-60m to the try line.

That game plan is clearly working very well when the Warriors defend well, they were the best defensive team post round 5.

But they either give away a penalty on the 4th and even worse 5th tackle and that sees them defending their own try line, or we have been out flanked (ie DWZ coming off his wing). But this last game the wost problem was our line speed until the opposition gassed themselves which nearly saw the Warriors win again in the final 5min from well behind.

If I had to sum it up in one word I would say, Discipline. Last week whether one sided or not our defense gave away 4 penalties in 4 sets in a row which lead to 4 tries. DWZ needs to be disciplined on defense and stick to his wing (not blaming him, just something thats caught my eye). The entire team needs to be more disciplined in defensive line speed (without giving away 4 penalties for a foot offside). The Titans game we got beat largely through the middle with our line struggling to get back to be able to apply line speed. almost like the Warriors first two tries stung the Titans into quick play the balls and offensive line speed through the middle.

If the Warriors defend well they are hard to beat, but the intensity of defense have been too inconsistent and needs to be 80min

I dont think we are that far off, 3 of the 4 losses have been by one try, which given the refs being human could have gone either way.

But we should be seeing 28-6 wins, not close losses or draws. They have the skills, the players, the fitness, the right coach, they just need to ramp their own intensity up when they feel things not going their way. Hopefully we get back to that and we are within sight of the top 4 by the end of the next quarter of the comp, but with injuries and Egan out during Origin, its going to take commitment or discipline to that intensity when they feel a surge against them.

TeaLeaf

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#3223744 28-Apr-2024 17:24

Well whilst our first grade team sits just outside the 8 and could jump back in with a win away next week vs Newc, we could have been at the top of the table with 3 tries being the difference (some would say blatant decisions also impact that, but you got to play to win with the knowledge human refs will make mistakes and always will). So its not all bleak, we just gotta stick to our defensive line speed being what gives us the ability to attack the opposition try line whilst keeping them out of our own redzone.

But some really good news is our Juniors winning the NSW cup in their first year of the Harold Matthews cup (covid kept us from playing prior seasons). always good to see our pathway players doing well and the work the club has put in at this level seems to be paying off. Congrats to them.

Warriors make history with UNE Harold Matthews Cup title | NRL.com

JPNZ

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#3223868 29-Apr-2024 08:05

Not directly related to the warriors but general NRL, I have started to see a clear top 4 teams emerge after 8 rounds. Storm, Panthers, Sharks and Broncos. I feel the only teams that can challenge those 4 are possibly Roosters (depending on what team turns up) and Manly.

Warriors should make the 8 but can't see them making the top 4.

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TeaLeaf

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#3224107 29-Apr-2024 12:17

JPNZ:

Warriors should make the 8 but can't see them making the top 4.

yep, those are the teams I was expecting to see in the top 4, we have to beat those sides, which makes that last second loss to melb utterly frustrating when up by 8 points with 120 secs to play, along with the 4 point loss to the sharks.

I was expecting the Panthers to be scoring far more points than they are though.

The Broncos Im wanting to see how they go against the Roosters who seem to be in a better place now, both are pretty good offensively however they are both also leaking points, more so Bris. It will be an interesting match being so similar in for and against at this stage.

Manly are looking very good with Tommy Turbo back after last year being largely absent. One to keep an eye on for Finals.

Sharks and Melb you would expect to extend their lead this round, but it really is tight across most of the comp, so who knows.

JPNZ

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#3224185 29-Apr-2024 13:34

TeaLeaf:

The Broncos Im wanting to see how they go against the Roosters who seem to be in a better place now, both are pretty good offensively however they are both also leaking points, more so Bris. It will be an interesting match being so similar in for and against at this stage.

Yep, what a great game on friday night that will be!

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TeaLeaf

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#3224891 1-May-2024 09:33

JPNZ:

Yep, what a great game on friday night that will be!

Indeed, cant wait for that one. I also think the match beforehand between Manly and the Raiders could be a good one. Raiders whilst not the team they were 3-4 years ago are still always a challenge for all teams.

Souths have just lost their Head Coach, so the first game Friday vs Penrith, who should win with ease, are definitely not off to a good start by their standards this year. Its always odd how teams suddenly rebound when they lose their coach. Not suggesting they will, but interested to see how Penrith handle it and if Souths just give up this early in the season or give it a crack.

Bunty and Curt Capewell back from injury this week is very timely. Bunty is under rated, not the step of aFB but hes never afraid to hit the line at pace and a solid defender, Curt is definitely one of our best defenders. If we can just get Niukore back I think we will be far more consistent in our defense with our best defenders returning slowly but surely. He is slotted for round 14 but with injuries never being the same in healing hopefully we get him back a bit earlier.

Without Ponga we should on paper win this away game, if not blow them away with our star studded lineup vs theirs and get the season back on track. So I will be bitterly disappointed if we lose this one Knights v Warriors - Round 9, 2024 - Match Centre | NRL.com

We are not far from it, offensively putting on enough points, just letting too many tries in during the middle periods with that defense not meeting the increase of intensity when we have teams on the back foot and they fight back with increased intensity, we need to be better prepared for when teams start playing hot potato footy too catch up.

RTS sums it up pretty well;

Rd 9 | Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: We have to fix our defence | NRL.com

Our current injury list;

Official NRL Casualty Ward & Injury Information | NRL.com

TeaLeaf

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#3226624 5-May-2024 13:17

Very odd to me, Walker is back one week and says the bench must lift, with two rookies this year and having to use Roache, Ale has been fantastic as has Laban as was Maiu'u last week, I think a bit too early for Walker to make that call, but clearly stats dont lie, but Barnett anf Fonua-Blake are two of the hardest players to interchange for. Maybe this is what the young back rower and recent new prop need to lift to their level or 80% of it. I still think its a bit early to make that analysis with so many different players playing the Bunty role and back rower for Barnett who is a big human, Laban Im not sure if hes even 20 yet will fill out.

NRL 2024, Round 9, Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors, Dylan Walker, Addin Fonua-Blake, Mitchell Barnett, interchange, statistics | NRL.com

Warriors just have to win this game, the replacement for Ponga wasnt bad, clearly like all just behind first grade wanting to show his ability. But no Ponga, however Jacob Saifiti, Jed Cartwright and Greg Marzhew were all originally listed as injured, only Saifiti (that is probably the guy we didnt want to face) is in the outs list. Its a HUGE risk playing Cartwright and Marzhew with obvious signs on injury post match. I think they are gambling there with Ponga and Saifiti already out, losing those other starters would be no chance, but we will see how they hold up. Playing with 15 men is VERY hard to do even for the fittest of clubs.

Meanwhile the Warriors were given 3 days off told to get away from League entirely. Id say lots of Golf and Fishning would be on the cards. Webby wants to drill their identity back into them.

I still think losing 3 games by a try in which two of them the ref made clear mistakes (not 50/50 sorts), things could easily have gone their way and they are at the top of the table.

Cleary we are still missing some of our top players to injury. But having such an awesome reserves roster means the next guy up can offer something different but be as good at the basics.

Bunty afoa back will be great off the bench, Curt Capewell qld legend, and Taine Tuapiki in on the reserves bench in case of an HIa or foul play ending the night for one of our halves, 9 or FB depending on what the 14 is told to fill.

We should blitz this game. I say play 3-4 sets as normal, but we need to start looking at where the FB is placed and possibly put a small punt or chip in trying to catch him up in the line (so many teams we have played they dont retire the FB until the last play, which is dangerous but also makes it hard for us to run throug). on tackle 4 if we up near the 50m or possibly instead of putting a kick in when we are tackle 5 on their 30, go for running a set play, worst case dying close to their line. Have to mix it up a bit when the play is on to do so.

TeaLeaf

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#3226650 5-May-2024 15:52

Not much change, Saifiti reserved, Pompey in for Laban, Id have stuck with Laban, bigger younger etc BUT Pompey defense is hard to go passed and despite being 101kg he can play back row if needed.

I think Egan could be in for a good day today, up the middle.

Id only expect a 110% intensity from the knights being a challenge on a wet track. Warriors need to play boring footy for a bit this is perfect for our strategy asking the knights get out of the 30 without making errors.

Edit: What the flap was that penalty and on report for? Luckily our defense was strong but just another example of what the?

Edit: 04:15, what a try saver from CNK, thats RTS type stuff at FB.

Edit: 01:21 DWZ special, they need to change that penalty try rule.

Just no control from Warriors. Ref doesnt like their fast defensive line speed, 4 penalties in a row on it. Regardless Rubbish Completion from the Warriors.

TeaLeaf

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#3226720 5-May-2024 18:31

That was tragic, more than enough oppurtunities to put on some offensive moves, its almost like we have forogtten how to put a player into a hole as well.

BUT, to be fair, that was simply outstanding defense from a depleted Knights side, it was that simple.

This ref has a big issue with our line speed, Im not sure if somebody is putting a foot over his line or not, but 4 penalties in a row for it with Newc not getting pinged for it just isnt realistic. Its almost like he wants to control the speed of the game. When this occurs I think the Warriors need to adapt from being a defensive focus side to offensive, pushing the ref for allowing us to play the ball at speed. We are actually the team people expect when we focus on our offensive line speed. Egan had an ultra quiet game. Not blaming the ref, more pointing out the Warriors dont seem to adapt.

We didnt throw a lot at them, of course rain and a ground that turns to an ankle breaker doesnt make for excting footy. Still we just looked the same every set in their Red zone, SJ didnt seem to be creating holes for the runners, TMM it feels like hes just out their to pass the ball.

Im not giving up on the season but the next couple of rounds are big games, teams we should be up in the mix with not languishing down the bottom. I think we should rethink not contesting bombs, not the ones pinning the opposition in their 5, but the ones kicked from 30 or 40, we shouldnt just be waiting for it to bounce or someone to catch, the ones landing 5m out Montoya should be flying onto, perhaps DWZ. Hopefully we get to play the defensive line speed game which is when we pin them in their 30m. It may require checking the footage and if there was some serious offside in those 4 penalties, then correct it. On the back of the 4 penalties in a row, we were completing 5/9. We turned that stat around if there is anything positive to take from the game.

tdgeek

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#3226734 5-May-2024 20:02

Hopeless again. No excuses. I will leave it to the commentators. Warriors dont deserve the win. Lost the mojo.

We have the players, the skill, the coach, but creativity has well and truly gone

Ignoring the disappointment, if you look at the sets, the running, the passing, Warriors are 0-3 to Newcastle

We looked good in the last 3 minutes when it was desperate. Thats about the highlight of our game tonight Pity it didnt start 75 minutes earlier

TeaLeaf

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#3226740 5-May-2024 20:21

tdgeek:

Hopeless again.

We looked good in the last 3 minutes when it was desperate. Thats about the highlight of our game tonight Pity it didnt start 75 minutes earlier

yeh it sucked, losing by one try, yet again, is getting old very quick.

where is our offense? we no longer are rolling over teams through the middle 3rd, we have no shape in the red zone.

I understand the plan, but there needs to be a plan B when that is not feasible.

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