It was all my fault.
Notice how ever since I stopped blogging here, we’ve gone on a winning streak. I blame myself too.
Anyway, looks like I don’t have enough time for this blog these days. Don’t run away though; I’ll try post a few photo’s/opinions every now and then!
Round 7: MOTM and best young prop in the game, Aaron Woods, takes on the Panthers.
Round 7: Benji Marshall vs Panthers
Round 7: Panthers (0) vs Tigers (30) (Centrebet Stadium)
It’s easy to get excited at the result of this game, but the performance was still nowhere near our best. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s hard to take away anything from today’s game because the Panthers had nothing. In saying that though, it was a very solid performance and it was pleasing to hold a team to 0 for the first time since the club made its (merged) debut. Especially with us losing Farah after 13 minutes; how bad is our luck!
Good to see Ray Cashmere score on his return to the club; he was VERY good off the bench. As were Junior Moors and Blake Ayshford. I hope Moors can secure a permanent bench spot now; he’s deserved it for a long time and after another very good performance, surely he can’t be denied. It’ll be interesting when Groat comes back into contention in a couple of weeks time.
Aaron Woods was simply amazing tonight; I can’t believe how good he is for a prop at that age, his prime years are so far ahead! Wouldn’t look out of place in a NSW jersey at all. Beau Ryan is playing so well and I’m loving the consistency in his game. Adam Blair is still drifting out of the game; he needs to get more involved, he’s too good to float around doing nothing. Matt Bell was great at lock, he really tightened up our defence in the middle; Fulton too, who had another very good game.
Can’t fault anyone’s efforts too much tonight to be honest. I just hope they continue to improve and turn up to play a desperate Eels side in 2 weeks time.
I hate BYE rounds.
Eh.
Struggling to keep this dated. It’s harder to keep myself motivated when the team is doing so horribly.
At least the Bulldogs lost…
Round 5: Wests Tigers (16) vs Raiders (17) (Allianz Stadium, 2012)
I’m so pissed off I’m going to be a badass and say….
FUCK.
Round 5: Gameday
Pretty sure we’re running out as per program.
Starting
1. Tim Moltzen
2. Beau Ryan
3. Joel Reddy
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Lote Tuqiri
6. Benji Marshall (c)
7. Tom Humble
8. Aaron Woods
9. Liam Fulton
10. Matt Bell
11. Adam Blair
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Chris Heighington
Bench
14. Sean Meaney
15. Ben Murdoch-Masila
16. Matt Groat
17. Blake Ayshford
Wonder what will happen with the rotation this week. The bench suggests a lot of players are going to have to move around to accommodate, unless Meaney is the direct hooker swap with Fulton. If it’s not that then I’d assume the following; Humble goes to hooker at some stage of the game, probably early second half; Moltzen goes to halfback for Humble and Reddy moves to fullback to allow Ayshford to come into the centres. That would obviously be ridiculous. But things like this have happened before with Sheens.
Either way, we really need this. So do Souths, but at least they have shown some good form in their losses. We’re desperate! As long as we can tackle this week, we’ll be fine.
I’m expecting BIG things again. Better not be let down… again.
Up the Tigers!
Round 5: Tips.
Storm vs Knights - Can’t go past the Storm… even though you’d think they are due a loss. Not willing to stick my neck out though, so I’ll go with a tough Storm 1-12 win.
Broncos vs Dragons - Really hard to pick this one, but I see more in the Dragons than I do in the Broncos. I just get the feeling the Broncos have been overachieving so far. It’s at Suncorp though… I’m so on the fence. Broncos 1-12, even though it contradicts what I just said. I was going with the Dragons with the same margin, last minute change of heart.
Panthers vs Sharks - Another tough game to pick, hope the Sharks win it though. I remember the days I hated the Sharks, I find myself hoping they’d win very often these days; I think it’s all the former Tiger players they have. Purely because they are at home, Panthers 1-12. I often do that when I’m undecided, if you haven’t noticed.
Eels vs Manly - Ha. Eels are no chance. I expected them to lift a couple of weeks ago, nothing changed. If there’s ever a week to fire up it will be this week for them. Hindmarsh announcing his retirement and Hayne due back… they have to perform. The obvious says Manly 13+, but I still smell an upset. A crazy one.
Roosters vs Warriors - Roosters are paying good money. For some reason I’m confident of a Roosters win here. Roosters 1-12.
Titans vs Bulldogs - Too much drama at the Titans and the Bulldogs are going too good. Really can’t see the Titans winning here, even though it would be awesome. Bulldogs 13+.
Tigers vs Rabbitohs - We have to win… but I don’t know if we have the team to do it. The Rabbits scare me, especially with Inglis roaming around wherever he wants now. Our defence HAS to be on form if we have a chance of winning. Sadly, Rabbits 1-12 is what I think may happen.
Raiders vs Cowboys - Interesting game. I’d love to see the Raiders kick-on from last weeks win against us. I want to see them prove a real point and they have a chance here against a very good team in the Cowboys. Should be a really good watch this. Raiders 1-12.
Round 5: Team to face the Rabbits.
Never expected Sheens to drop players for under-performing; not one of the bigger names anyway. Not that he’s completely dropped anyone - Blake Ayshford has been relegated to the bench with Joel Reddy moving into his centre spot while Lote Tuqiri makes a return at his usual wing spot. Matt Groat has also, finally, been relegated back to the bench for Matt Bell - who has been very solid.
Jacob Miller has been dropped, due to injury I believe; or so it better be, we should persist with him when he recovers. This brings Humble in at halfback; he looked very good there when he replaced Miller after he came off last week, so this should be interesting.
Again, a weak bench with two backs. Ayshford can and I’m assuming will be used in the backrow at some stage, while Meaney won’t be getting much game time as usual I’m guessing.
Decent looking starting team I suppose though; we REALLY need to prove everyone wrong this week. Rumours of Benji sitting out this week got me very nervous, glad that was squashed quickly.
Starting
1. Tim Moltzen
2. Beau Ryan
3. Joel Reddy
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Lote Tuqiri
6. Benji Marshall (c)
7. Tom Humble
8. Aaron Woods
9. Liam Fulton
10. Matt Bell
11. Adam Blair
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Chris Heighington
Bench
14. Sean Meaney
15. Ben Murdoch-Masila
16. Matt Groat
17. Blake Ayshford
As usual, expect changes.
Round 4: Wests Tigers (16) vs Raiders (30) (Campbelltown Sports, 2012)
Very hard to reflect on this one.
Frustrated is an understatement. There’s just so much wrong. Willie Mason needed to be signed (not that he would have made a difference tonight, just saying) and if he does get signed this week, it’s going to be laughable. Maybe some people are right about our management.
Even I’m starting to doubt Sheens. I don’t understand his selections.
Adam Blair… that is not the same Blair from the Storm. He’s not turning up and we’re not using him right. He needs the ball WAY more often.
Chris Lawrence will be gone for a week or two for that tackle thanks to a messed up judiciary system. We’re really going to struggle next week against a very good Rabbitohs team.
Things just seem to be getting worse.
An even more interesting week coming up.
