Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Bulldogs

[Random Rooster]

Disappointing 2nd half.

I wonder how the Dogs were so fast off their line in the 2nd half? I noted Klein keeping only 7 meters a couple of times on TV, I wonder what it was like at the game?

Really poor, lazy defence in the middle from Collins and Radley for all of their tries (3 from Radley, 2 from Collins). Uncharacteristic from both of them. It was interesting to see Angus absolutely glare at Radley after their last try. Our D out wide has become excellent.

Sandon Smith took too many poor options as the more senior half and that forward pass at the end was inexcusable. We really, really need Walker back managing the team.

Mark N can do some magical things with the ball and his defence was great, but FFS can we teach him how to catch. Catch 100 balls at training this week before you can go home.

Spencer can be so destructive carting the ball up, but works himself up so much he loses his grip on the ball. He helped set the first half platform though and needed to come back on with 20 mins to go.

Foketi’s aggression would have served us better than Egan Butcher.

We can improve dramatically on that effort.

Foketi needs to be in the 17. He has been too good this year to leave out

[roostermcgregor]

Without Spencer on the field, our forwards lost momentum and the yardage battle in the second half.
The dogs ran some soft tries through the middle.
So disappointing.
Couple that with 6? dropped balls from Marky Mark, and that’s a recipe for disaster.
Toia made the mistake with the bombed try, but is so dangerous with the ball, and tackles hard. He kept Kikau in check, which is no mean feat.

[King Salvo]

This is why DCE is a absolute must signing...might be able to stop the chook choking...like tonight..

mmm They kicked you off the Souffs site after you ridiculed Bennett saying he should be in a retirement village and was past his use buy date as a coach- There can't be two Rocky Rhodes

[Random Rooster]

We did good.

middle defence went to hell after Spence went off.

Burton’s kicking game was the difference.

the Dogs are way ahead of the comp and at the beginning of the season I predicted spoon for us.

we are over performing.

anyone whinging about about this being a loss hasn’t been around long enough to know their arse from their elbow

I can cop a loss but im getting frustrated with the way we just throw games away with poor handling and attacking misreads FFS the Dogs weren't that good tonight-they just hanged in there waiting for us to gift them the win- and we did exactly that

[Steggles]

Disappointing 2nd half.

I wonder how the Dogs were so fast off their line in the 2nd half? I noted Klein keeping only 7 meters a couple of times on TV, I wonder what it was like at the game?

Really poor, lazy defence in the middle from Collins and Radley for all of their tries (3 from Radley, 2 from Collins). Uncharacteristic from both of them. It was interesting to see Angus absolutely glare at Radley after their last try. Our D out wide has become excellent.

Sandon Smith took too many poor options as the more senior half and that forward pass at the end was inexcusable. We really, really need Walker back managing the team.

Mark N can do some magical things with the ball and his defence was great, but FFS can we teach him how to catch. Catch 100 balls at training this week before you can go home.

Spencer can be so destructive carting the ball up, but works himself up so much he loses his grip on the ball. He helped set the first half platform though and needed to come back on with 20 mins to go.

Foketi’s aggression would have served us better than Egan Butcher.

We can improve dramatically on that effort.

[Rooster_6]

I told you it was a 50/50 game, it could have gone either way.

We lost that game twice.

It's not a 50/50 probability when the Dogs continue to win games like that and we continue to lose games like that (See Warriors & Rabbitohs games previously).

[HunchoRooster]

Not quite More think his decision making in the last nine minutes was terrible Started with us up 20-18 attacking their line on the first tackle and he throws a forward pass We don’t touch it again till we are down 24-20 Shit kick on the last then another inexplicable kick the next set The thing is one of either Sandon or Hugo go when Walker returns I really hope it’s Sandon

I think everything that Sandon can do, Sammy does better. Yes Sandon has some X factor and can pull stuff out, but so can Sam. Sandon probably has Sam covered for pace but everything else Sam is light years ahead.

Neither Sam or Sandon have what young Hugo brings to the table, which is a long kicking game and a big body.

Hugo and Sam is the way to go in my opinion.

[Rooster1908]

Not quite More think his decision making in the last nine minutes was terrible Started with us up 20-18 attacking their line on the first tackle and he throws a forward pass We don’t touch it again till we are down 24-20 Shit kick on the last then another inexplicable kick the next set The thing is one of either Sandon or Hugo go when Walker returns I really hope it’s Sandon

So I don't disagree that's Sandon probably will make room for Sam but no way those 2 mistakes you mentioned lost us that game .If toups passes to billy we win .If Rads doesn't give a penalty we have the ball .It's to easy to just blame a half .

[DP1990]

Where the heck was Spencer for most of the second half ???

He only popped up with 10mins ago ... seriously what the heck ?

PS: Why do we keep persisting with Egan Butcher ... FFS !

[A Country Member]

Great game and great effort to go toe to toe with top of the table.

But our defence just isn't there yet, it was always going to be a case of holding the Dogs to 2-3 tries to beat them and we just weren't good enough. Some really soft line breaks up the middle which was disappointing to see.

Couple of lazy misses from Vic lead to tries under the sticks.

[Chook2]

Thoughts tonight

robbos bench rotation was poor - dogs arnt that great we lost it ourselves. needed Spencer earlier and need another front rower

it’s hard to watch when you should have won the game - and some poor defence reads and 18 errors and simple mistakes you just implode and loose it yourself

- toia drop over the line
- egans drop
- Sandons 2 errors when we were close to scoring
- Lindsay and rads 2 defensive errors in the middle
- mark made 6 errors with 4 soft drops

good things were we came out hard, had a crack and showed come good moments! Tbh defence in first half was great but the 2nd half was completely the opposite we undid everything we made

3. Angus - thought one of his better games
2. Watson
1. Not to a player but hope Lindsay Collins played himself out of origin contention tonight

[HDTONE]

Marky can do some damn magic but 3 drop balls especially the last one led to a try.

CC dine his homework and that chucked up bombs to Marky. Hopefully he gets more confident and technique it it's gonna be what other teams exploit

[King Salvo]

That for all the know alls that think we don’t need an experienced half … see ya sandon

Clueless

Where were the Dogs tries scored though - mmm through the middle perhaps ? and who spilled the pill at least 4 times giving the Dogs repeat sets and 2 tries.

[Bansai Pipeline]

We did good.

middle defence went to hell after Spence went off.

Burton’s kicking game was the difference.

the Dogs are way ahead of the comp and at the beginning of the season I predicted spoon for us.

we are over performing.

anyone whinging about about this being a loss hasn’t been around long enough to know their arse from their elbow

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Can anyone explain why Vic didn't hit Xerri on that inside run....he was close enough to give him a kiss n cuddle. Was he called offside or expecting him him to step back off the right foot? Can't work it out.