2019 Rd 24 V Sharks: Game Day

[Johno]

The longer I stay up the quicker game day comes around.

One more cup of coffee before I go..

"To the valley below"

[Pete Cash]

Croker does way more good than bad.
Last player I’d consider ever dropping.

I was surprised when Morris caught him. Thought he was faster!

I think we are just a little slow compared to other teams but it doesn't really make a huge difference. We just have to finish off those breaks when we get caught

[TongueFTW]

We will know before our game whether we need a win to get 3rd (Souths and Manly play before us). After today I am even more keen for us to rest players. We have had a tough run and played an extremely physical style for a long time this season. I understand the momentum argument, but it’s not like rolling through an abysmal Warriors side will suddenly prepare us for the Roosters the following week. I would be looking to rest CNK, Papa, Wighton, Bateman and Hodgson. Bring in Oldfield, Guler, Sam Williams, Tapine, and Murchie.

[Billy Walker]

Croker's read for the first try was not great, that try is absolutely on him. I dont think you can pin the 3rd try on him, after the offload it's 3 on 3, the sharks have a backrower, centre and winger on Whitehead, Wighton and Simo... they should shut that down 10 times out of 10.

He played a role in us being down 12-0, and played a role in us winning the game. Match changing play, and kicked his goals in a stiff wind when his opposite couldnt hit water falling out of a boat.

I though Sezer and Hodgson were the same. Very poor games from them over the 90 minutes (or there abouts) but ultimately Hodgson dominated at the back half of the second half and got us going forard, Sezer went 3/3 on FGs and won the game.

They made up for it in the end.

Yeah that’s probably fair. His lack of speed surprised me but Morris also ran down Wighton pretty easily a few plays earlier. The other concern today was Raps. He did nothing wrong but geez he’s not the player he was. He’s just not impacting with his dummy half runs. He puts his body on the line and that takes a toll - again his first picked winger for the year but I hope he can find another gear. It’s probably quite a positive that we beat a good hungry team today with a good number of players not at their absolute best.

[Coastalraider]

Looks like a Roosters away first round finals game for us now - who's going?

100%

just waiting to figure out what day so I can make plans!

Most likely Saturday early game

Sent from my CPH1831 using Tapatalk

That'd be good, drive up early and then drive back afterwards...hopefully singing the victory song all the way back down the Hume...

That would be ideal, I’m running Sydney marathon in Sunday morning and I’m really hoping we don’t play in Melbourne....

[Coastalraider]

That was a very fragile win. Play like that against Mel, Chooks, Bunnies and we are toast. Ricky has to have word with Hodgson to tone it down; he is not as good as he thinks he is. Also, Jack's erratic kicking needs to be fixed fast. On today's performance I can't see us stringing together enough wins to get us to the GF. Hope I'm wrong and Lady Luck smiles on us!

You mean 2 games?

[Boomercm]

Not sure JC made a bad read for the first try, or was just following our defensive structure. I suspect the latter and that Simmo should have followed him in. JC should have wrapped the ball up later when he made good initial contact - that try was definitely on him. Overall JC is going good.

Sort of related to that, I was surprised we couldn't create shape down that side today. Sezer seemed to be over there a lot getting in Jack's way. Not sure what that was all about.

[Coastalraider]

Just saw Hors with his shirt off - imagine how good he’s going to be when someone buys him a gym membership.

And to think he nearly got off the nudie run today - I think the bunker should have allowed his try for the common good!

[Botman]

Na, the first try was a bad read. Croker in the context of that play shouldnt have come in. That try was definitely on him. On the third, after the offload, the cronulla backrower looks up and sees a classic 3 on 3, he successfully suckered Wighton to come in for help, when Whitehead didnt need it. That try was on Wighton.

[Seiffert82]

Croker's read for the first try was not great, that try is absolutely on him. I dont think you can pin the 3rd try on him, after the offload it's 3 on 3, the sharks have a backrower, centre and winger on Whitehead, Wighton and Simo... they should shut that down 10 times out of 10.

He played a role in us being down 12-0, and played a role in us winning the game. Match changing play, and kicked his goals in a stiff wind when his opposite couldnt hit water falling out of a boat.

I though Sezer and Hodgson were the same. Very poor games from them over the 90 minutes (or there abouts) but ultimately Hodgson dominated at the back half of the second half and got us going forard, Sezer went 3/3 on FGs and won the game.

They made up for it in the end.

That first try was a great play by the Sharks. It was essentially 6 on 4. They drew our edge in brilliantly, leaving Croker and Simonsson exposed. Toots rolled the dice and came up with fresh air. It was a tough read for anybody and the reason they scored certainly wasn't entirely on one player. He's shut that play down plenty of times in the past.

The third try was a decent little offload by Flanagan.

[Billy Walker]

Just saw Hors with his shirt off - imagine how good he’s going to be when someone buys him a gym membership.

And to think he nearly got off the nudie run today - I think the bunker should have allowed his try for the common good!

Cam Smith etched out a decent career without the need for a body - Hors was a mess of flabby white with crook tats and topped off with a shock of red hair. It wasn’t pretty!! Geez he’s playing good footy though- big fan!

[The Nickman]

Na, the first try was a bad read. Croker in the context of that play shouldnt have come in. That try was definitely on him. On the third, after the offload, the cronulla backrower looks up and sees a classic 3 on 3, he successfully suckered Wighton to come in for help, when Whitehead didnt need it. That try was on Wighton.

100% agree, Wighton didn’t need to come in on Elliott’s man, I said it at the time too

[raiderskater]

The bigger concern for me on the Croker break was the lack of support runners. Jack should have been fast enough to catch up and be in position, and Sezer was on the treadmill a bit. That said, I think Croker absolutely made the best play he could - and he didn't try any stupid passes or kicks. He recognised that if he took the tackle and retained possession we'd score on the next play. And we did.

[Riaan]

Great win today but our attack sucks. We really need to be putting 30+ points on the warriors next week to get some confidence back.
Imagine being the sharks and having a huge chunk of your cap tied up in Shaun Johnson and Josh Dugan, ones always injured and the other has been exposed as the biggest down hill skier in the nrl oh and some people here were cutting their wrists because we didn’t sign the guy. Bullet dodged.

[LastRaider]

We looked a bit tired today, that the last 4 rounds had taken their toll. I would like to see a few players rested now and to be honest I wouldn’t mind if we lost the next game. I would prefer to play the Storm then the Roosters

[Makaveli]

How slow was Croker making that break

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[afgtnk]

Croker has always been slow. That is pretty close to the fastest he can run or has ever been able to run.

No idea how people have only noticed this now or for some reason thought he was faster.

[Neeeegz]

How the **** are people seriously saying we'll only be making up the numbers in the finals, what, because we'd never stand a chance against a team like storm? Take a deep breath

We beat one top six side all season. Take off your green glasses for a minute.

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

Don't be so neeegzative

Realistic, I've seen this show before, but I'm riding the wave, because it's the thing to do apparently and loving it by the way... but. Things need fixing.

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Botman]

Can't run
Can't pass
Can't tackle
Can't kick
**** captain

Love him

[Neeeegz]

OK I've stopped dying.... **** me they trying to kill off some fans so there are some extra finals tickets available or something?

This.
Even if we make the grand final, I'll probably have a hearty before I can see it

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Neeeegz]

Hey fellas, who is the bloke providing special comments in the box? I know warren smith was commentating.

Griffin.

Most annoying voice I've ever heard

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[-TW-]

Most dull uninspired voice of all time but his analysis **** on blokes like Anasta and Blocker Roach

Sent from my CPH1831 using Tapatalk

[Billy Walker]

Hey fellas, who is the bloke providing special comments in the box? I know warren smith was commentating.

Griffin.

Most annoying voice I've ever heard

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

He speaks with the speed and tone of Cleveland Brown but lacks Cleveland’s funk.

[Love4Noa]

Sezer is half for the rest of this season but we are all comfortable that there is an upgrade coming next year. Croker is centre for the rest of this season but we seriously need to be looking at a Plan B. He rushed up twice on shark tries today and seems to have lost his pace. It’s not a popular conversation but it needs to be had!

Croker is going nowhere. Great player and clubman. I’d be shocked if he ever left.

He'll never leave, and no-one in their right mind would ever want him to.

Correct. The guy is a club legend already and still has 4 years left to play for us.
All time leading try scorer and point scorer for the club and people still doubt his abilities? C'mon. Lose the agenda and appreciate we've got such a great clubman and captain.

[Love4Noa]

Most dull uninspired voice of all time but his analysis **** on blokes like Anasta and Blocker Roach

Sent from my CPH1831 using Tapatalk

I think he's fantastic. The first week he sounded like a drunk uncle, but if you start listening to what he says - he's above and beyond the other éxperts'

[Neeeegz]

Now we have secured top 4, I hope we rest a swag of players next week.

CNK, Bateman, Papa and Croker look like they could do with a rest and recharge next week

Not for me. I’d like to see them put together some good form and develop some confidence going into finals with a good showing against the Warriors. Happy for Ricky to put the cue in the rack and give the bench big minutes once the job is done but momentum is important this time of year.

No rest, rehab and win the next 4 games, will get a week off once we qualify

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Neeeegz]

We will know before our game whether we need a win to get 3rd (Souths and Manly play before us). After today I am even more keen for us to rest players. We have had a tough run and played an extremely physical style for a long time this season. I understand the momentum argument, but it’s not like rolling through an abysmal Warriors side will suddenly prepare us for the Roosters the following week. I would be looking to rest CNK, Papa, Wighton, Bateman and Hodgson. Bring in Oldfield, Guler, Sam Williams, Tapine, and Murchie.

Actually despite my last post, this could be good for the boys

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Neeeegz]

The bigger concern for me on the Croker break was the lack of support runners. Jack should have been fast enough to catch up and be in position, and Sezer was on the treadmill a bit. That said, I think Croker absolutely made the best play he could - and he didn't try any stupid passes or kicks. He recognised that if he took the tackle and retained possession we'd score on the next play. And we did.

Simmo was waiting in support

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Neeeegz]

How slow was Croker making that break

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

Did you watch the first 20 minutes ? It was like we had lead in our boots

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Neeeegz]

Croker has always been slow. That is pretty close to the fastest he can run or has ever been able to run.

No idea how people have only noticed this now or for some reason thought he was faster.

How many NRL tries have you scored ?

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Drandyt]

Croker has always been slow. That is pretty close to the fastest he can run or has ever been able to run.

No idea how people have only noticed this now or for some reason thought he was faster.

Nah, once upon a time he was pretty quick - I suspect that knee cap drama has taken its toll.

[Neeeegz]

Can't run
Can't pass
Can't tackle
Can't kick
**** captain

Love him

He will go down as one of the greats, points etc, but can't get a rep gig yet

Sent from my SM-J530Y using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

[Botman]

Most dull uninspired voice of all time but his analysis **** on blokes like Anasta and Blocker Roach

Sent from my CPH1831 using Tapatalk

I think he's fantastic. The first week he sounded like a drunk uncle, but if you start listening to what he says - he's above and beyond the other éxperts'

He's certainly very capable of stating the bleeding obvious. You'd think a recent former coach might have a little insight than cliches.

[Matt]

Croker's read for the first try was not great, that try is absolutely on him. I dont think you can pin the 3rd try on him, after the offload it's 3 on 3, the sharks have a backrower, centre and winger on Whitehead, Wighton and Simo... they should shut that down 10 times out of 10.

He played a role in us being down 12-0, and played a role in us winning the game. Match changing play, and kicked his goals in a stiff wind when his opposite couldnt hit water falling out of a boat.

I though Sezer and Hodgson were the same. Very poor games from them over the 90 minutes (or there abouts) but ultimately Hodgson dominated at the back half of the second half and got us going forard, Sezer went 3/3 on FGs and won the game.

They made up for it in the end.

I agree.

[Azza]

I wasn't worried either. Away from home we have been outstanding this year.

The GF is away from home Azza...

Week one final is away from home as well. Having a stronger away from home game could be massively in our favour. If we win round one of the finals, do we even get a home final? Pretty sure "regional" stadiums aren't an option for the preliminaries

Come on mate, get with the times. The NRL changed that rule beginning of the year.

I actually don’t want a home game. We play better away

Don't disagree, what is it with us at home this year? Having said that, a preliminary in Canberra would be special.