Round 21: St George Illawarra v Wests Tigers

[Chris M]

Team Tips: Ben Hunt will return from Origin duties and start at halfback. Jayden Sullivan (hamstring) is likely to miss the rest of the season as will Jaydn Su’A (shoulder). The Sullivan injury means Moses Mbye likely retains his spot on the interchange bench. The Dragons have a fullback quandry with Tyrell Sloan (calf) and Paul Turner (hip) sustaining last start injuries, however both could be available for selection. If not, Mbye may be asked to step up at the back. Jack Bird returned from injury through the NSW Cup last week and will likely slot into the starting back row for Ben Murdoch-Masila (knee) who will miss three-four weeks.

 

[jodragon40]

Team Tips: Ben Hunt will return from Origin duties and start at halfback. Jayden Sullivan (hamstring) is likely to miss the rest of the season as will Jaydn Su’A (shoulder). The Sullivan injury means Moses Mbye likely retains his spot on the interchange bench. The Dragons have a fullback quandry with Tyrell Sloan (calf) and Paul Turner (hip) sustaining last start injuries, however both could be available for selection. If not, Mbye may be asked to step up at the back. Jack Bird returned from injury through the NSW Cup last week and will likely slot into the starting back row for Ben Murdoch-Masila (knee) who will miss three-four weeks.

Just looked at the team and first impressions are the Tigers pack will make a lot of easy metres. I don't know with that pack if we can actually win.

 

[Morgan]

Just looked at the team and first impressions are the Tigers pack will make a lot of easy metres. I don't know with that pack if we can actually win.

If we lose, the spoon is almost certainly ours.

 

[Chris M]

Dragons team:​

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Talatau Amone
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Billy Burns
12. Dan Russell
13. Jack de Belin
    
    
14. Moses Mbye
15. Michael Molo
16. Toby Couchman
17. Jack Bird
    
    
18. Zane Musgrove
19. Sione Finau
20. Ryan Couchman
21. Max Feagai
22. Jaiyden Hunt

---

Those second rowers will tackle, tackle, tackle. Not offer much in attack. Amone might have to have another big game is we are to score enough points.

 

[jodragon40]

If we lose, the spoon is almost certainly ours.

We lack size and go forward and really no big bodies coming off the bench. After seeing our run on team I can see the likes of Klemmer and Utoikamanau making easy metres. Also their hooker Koroisau was outstanding last week on his return in a beaten team. It really really hurts me to say this but after analysing the teams I'll be picking the Tigers. Either way a close game perhaps 2 - 4 point victory.

 

[jodragon40]

Dragons team:​

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Talatau Amone
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Billy Burns
12. Dan Russell
13. Jack de Belin
    
    
14. Moses Mbye
15. Michael Molo
16. Toby Couchman
17. Jack Bird
    
    
18. Zane Musgrove
19. Sione Finau
20. Ryan Couchman
21. Max Feagai
22. Jaiyden Hunt

---

Those second rowers will tackle, tackle, tackle. Not offer much in attack. Amone might have to have another big game is we are to score enough points.

Agree, and it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to Hunt being back, then there is no Sua which is really going to hurt us on that edge. I can't see where we will make enough metres in the middle of the park to give our backs an even chance. Musgrove should have been in the 17 just for a big body, on his recent efforts in reserves I would have even given him a start in the run on team. I don't understand that team in the forwards

 

[Morgan]

We lack size and go forward and really no big bodies coming off the bench. After seeing our run on team I can see the likes of Klemmer and Utoikamanau making easy metres. Also their hooker Koroisau was outstanding last week on his return in a beaten team. It really really hurts me to say this but after analysing the teams I'll be picking the Tigers. Either way a close game perhaps 2 - 4 point victory.

Maybe the game plan will be to kick early and keep turning their big forwards around.

 

[jodragon40]

Maybe the game plan will be to kick early and keep turning their big forwards around.

Thats what I use to do, and the only game plan to nullify the difference in your pack size. Analyse the opposition identity their strengths and weaknesses pay particular attention to their game breakers and playmaker.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

WTF Jack Bird is back in our 17. Carr and Griffin are tarred with the same brush.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Battle for the wooden spoon? I am tipping us as Tigers are in disarray with players and management.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Musgrove should have been in the 17

No doubt, take a squiz at his main season stats, 160 RM, 730 PCM, 90% effective tackle.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

• Tyrell Sloan- my half
• Mathew Feagai- dumfoundered
• Moses Suli
• Zac Lomax- like Carr to continue experiment at fullback.
• Mikaele Ravalawa
• Talatau Amone - needs to polish new found skills
• Ben Hunt- dumbfounded
• Francis Molo
• Jacob Liddle- run the leather pal
• Blake Lawrie
• Billy Burns- more involvement than BMM
• Dan Russell - good defender
• Jack de Belin- simply, THE BEST
  
  
• Moses Mbye
• Michael Molo
• Toby Couchman- should be in the 13.
• Jack Bird- dumbfounded

 

[Chris M]

WTF Jack Bird is back in our 17. Carr and Griffin are tarred with the same brush.

Seems to be a bit of an injury crisis in the backrow. But I don't mind Bird starting on the bench.

 

[Chris M]

• Tyrell Sloan- my half
• Mathew Feagai- dumfoundered
• Moses Suli
• Zac Lomax- like Carr to continue experiment at fullback.
• Mikaele Ravalawa
• Talatau Amone - needs to polish new found skills
• Ben Hunt- dumbfounded
• Francis Molo
• Jacob Liddle- run the leather pal
• Blake Lawrie
• Billy Burns- more involvement than BMM
• Dan Russell - good defender
• Jack de Belin- simply, THE BEST
  
  
• Moses Mbye
• Michael Molo
• Toby Couchman- should be in the 13.
• Jack Bird- dumbfounded

As for Ben Hunt, I'd agree with you but Sullivan is injured. Might be back for the last round but unlikely. So I think the coach has no choice but to go with Hunt.

 

[jodragon40]

No doubt, take a squiz at his main season stats, 160 RM, 730 PCM, 90% effective tackle.

I do but apparently nobody in the coaching staff does, it's really puzzling to me.

 

[jodragon40]

WTF Jack Bird is back in our 17. Carr and Griffin are tarred with the same brush.

I watched him last week and against a 2nd and mainly 3rd grade team he was good. Good enough to stay there not in 1sts.

 

[Chris M]

I do but apparently nobody in the coaching staff does, it's really puzzling to me.

I wonder if he's in reserve grade for reasons other than what he does on the field.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

I do but apparently nobody in the coaching staff does

He is hovering around first reserve so expect him in the 17 shortly. Sione Finau also hovering, give him a crack on Feagais wing for the rest of the season. Was excellent in Ressies.

 

[Morgan]

He is hovering around first reserve so expect him in the 17 shortly. Sione Finau also hovering, give him a crack on Feagais wing for the rest of the season. Was excellent in Ressies.

Tamale and Finau are certain to be in first grade next year, barring injury.

 

[GCRV]

Wonder what's going on with Hunt. I think someone gave him a blast, told him to STFU and play properly for the rest of the season and he'll get a release for next year.

Otherwide, NSW Cup for the next 2 years.