Post-Game Discussion Bulldogs V Manly [Round 21, 2025]

[mave]

If they can see it, maybe the coaches should try actually coaching instead of just dropping someone to 4th pick? How hard is it to teach someone to pass efficiently from the ground?

Well one of two things must be happening. Either the coaching staff are all blind, and haven't noticed the stutter, or Gordy is incapable of breaking his little habit.
I know which horse I'm betting on there.

Why hasn’t Saabs handling problems been fixed?

Because he has the hands, and frame of a baby giraffe. See Daniel Toupo. Their strengths lie in other areas.

Why did the Garrick to centre experiment fail?

Did it fail? He wasn't a terrible centre, in fact he went better than Tom at centre, he's just a much ,much,much better winger.

Why can’t our outside backs make consistent kick return yardage and quick play the balls for early set momentum?

This one does actually annoy me. Garrick has improved a lot in this area over the years, as has Saab (although he is still not great). Tommy at centre helps in this space though. He made some good early set metres yesterday.

Why are koula and Hoppa so under-utilised?

Are they? Without looking at the stats, Hoppa gets heaps of touches from fullback.

Koula could be used more. He is very effective, although that may be the reason?

Why do we have no discernible playing style?

Lol at this one. We spent all year playing weapons footy, now have spent the last 4 weeks trying to grind out wins.
They look like different discernible styles to me.

Why do we not give Talau and Caleb a go?

Our underuse of these 2 is criminal, and unexplainable to me.

 

[Brookie1973]

Well one of two things must be happening. Either the coaching staff are all blind, and haven't noticed the stutter, or Gordy is incapable of breaking his little habit.
I know which horse I'm betting on there.


Because he has the hands, and frame of a baby giraffe. See Daniel Toupo. Their strengths lie in other areas.


Did it fail? He wasn't a terrible centre, in fact he went better than Tom at centre, he's just a much ,much,much better winger.



This one does actually annoy me. Garrick has improved a lot in this area over the years, as has Saab (although he is still not great). Tommy at centre helps in this space though. He made some good early set metres yesterday.


Are they? Without looking at the stats, Hoppa gets heaps of touches from fullback.

Koula could be used more. He is very effective, although that may be the reason?


Lol at this one. We spent all year playing weapons footy, now have spent the last 4 weeks trying to grind out wins.
They look like different discernible styles to me.



Our underuse of these 2 is criminal, and unexplainable to me.

Gordy - I believe a full time professional dummy half should be able to fix a basic elementary problem via coaching.
Saab - any comparison to Daniel Topou just makes Saabs hands appear even worse.
Garrick - well he’s back to where he belongs on the wing, so that suggests to me it didn’t work. Not a natural centre and the coaching wasn’t able to turn him into one.
Outside backs yardage - let’s agree to disagree. I’d say we are light years from the top teams in this area.
Hoppa/Koula - same, agree to disagree.
Playing style - I think “using our weapons” is simply shorthand for get it to Tom. Not sure that’s a style. The fact we now seem to be playing the grind I think proves my point. If you have a discernible style you don’t chop and change half way through a season. I suggest all we have done under Seibolds tenure is play to individual player strengths, rather than mould a team playing structure similar to what the dogs, panthers do.

 

[JoeMoore]

I am sorry to say but I believe Turbo has become a liability. Opposition teams are running in his line because he cannot tackle to save his life. This requires Saab and DCE to come off their defensive lines to assist Turbo, thus creating gaps inside and outside of him. He also can't break tackles anymore. Very sad to see such a former great player, playing with no commitment and no confidence.

 

[LeonardCohen]

After that disappointing capitulation, I want to forget about today's game and not stress myself out anymore, but I just want to give a special mention to Gordy who I thought had a great game and almost changed the momentum when he came on. Jazz has been great and with him moving on next year and the fact we can't attract another 9, time for Seibold to start playing Simpkins and Gordy. I would've thought with Ennis there he'd improve their game and skills. Just my opinion.

Not to be a contrary and argumentative thorn in your side, I have another take on things…not saying I’m right but…

I thought he made a couple of darting runs that gave the impression he was effective, when his direction, service and defence were largely ineffective. There was a crucial period early in the second half when we were pressing the Dogs line at 12-4 and looking to get back in the game. There were three rucks that we won (I’m talking lightening fast) and all Gordy had to do was feed his halves and he hesitated before trying to send a forward up through the middle. These fast rucks are a golden opportunity to run shape at the opposition because the lead runners draw defenders into the space that cannot be covered by the middle that’s shot to bits. The Dogs scored their first second half try like this when Burton made his line break. Off the ensuing play-the-ball, Galvin simply had a lead runner take a defender and went out the back and that’s all she wrote.

I think Gordy is willing and will always be a running threat but there are other aspects of his game that require a heap of work.

 

[Rackets]

Not to be a contrary and argumentative thorn in your side, I have another take on things…not saying I’m right but…

I thought he made a couple of darting runs that gave the impression he was effective, when his direction, service and defence were largely ineffective. There was a crucial period early in the second half when we were pressing the Dogs line at 12-4 and looking to get back in the game. There were three rucks that we won (I’m talking lightening fast) and all Gordy had to do was feed his halves and he hesitated before trying to send a forward up through the middle. These fast rucks are a golden opportunity to run shape at the opposition because the lead runners draw defenders into the space that cannot be covered by the middle that’s shot to bits. The Dogs scored their first second half try like this when Burton made his line break. Off the ensuing play-the-ball, Galvin simply had a lead runner take a defender and went out the back and that’s all she wrote.

I think Gordy is willing and will always be a running threat but there are other aspects of his game that require a heap of work.

All good LC appreciate your comments and opinions. You make some valid points and also to the point I made was the fact, has Ennis been coaching him to improve those deficiencies? You are right some runs/decisions could've been better, but I thought he went ok. He's a pocket rocket out of dummy half but just needs a good mentor to help him with his service and to mould him into that "smart" hooker to know when to pass and when to run. Is Ennis doing all those things with him, and if not, then what's his role?

 

[LeonardCohen]

All good LC appreciate your comments and opinions. You make some valid points and also to the point I made was the fact, has Ennis been coaching him to improve those deficiencies? You are right some runs/decisions could've been better, but I thought he went ok. He's a pocket rocket out of dummy half but just needs a good mentor to help him with his service and to mould him into that "smart" hooker to know when to pass and when to run. Is Ennis doing all those things with him, and if not, then what's his role?

I can only speak from my own experiences coaching and/or being coached and that’s that there will always be limitations in what can and can’t be learned or taught. One could spend years ‘working’ on improving decision making but when the pressure is on in the heat of the contest, the only person left to make a decision is the player and that’s what will always separate the elite from the average.

I’m not knocking Gordon or suggesting that he cannot improve or that’s it’s futile to try…I’m just suggesting that he has particular strengths and weaknesses that are unique to him, independent of what the coaching staff do or don’t do with them.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

I am sorry to say but I believe Turbo has become a liability. Opposition teams are running in his line because he cannot tackle to save his life. This requires Saab and DCE to come off their defensive lines to assist Turbo, thus creating gaps inside and outside of him. He also can't break tackles anymore. Very sad to see such a former great player, playing with no commitment and no confidence.

Wow - very harsh.

 

[Highflier]

Judiciary: Round 21 vs Bulldogs

Siua Taukeiaho and Toafofoa Sipley have been hit with charges following Sunday’s loss to the Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium.

www.seaeagles.com.au

Sipley was handed a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact charge (tripping) for an incident in the 28th minute involving Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri.

Taukeiaho has slapped with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle for an incident involving Bulldogs winger Enari Tuala in the 67th minute.

Both players will escape with fines with an early plea.

For a guy who hasn't played a ton of games, Toff certainly racks up the fines/suspensions, poor bugger.

Maybe but he is a saint compared to that serial offender and grub Nelson who just seems to get the minimum dose every time for his regular carpet wearing trip to judiciary to be judged for yet another atrocity .
Anyways great that Lodge and Sippers should be good to go against the Rorters.
Lodge has been right up there the last 2 weeks in the MVPs

 

[The Insomniac]

You think Ennis and the coaches cant see what everyone else can see?

Maybe there's a reason Gordy is 4th pick.

Good point.

 

[swoop]

My take on the team

1 We need one more quality prop to join Paseka up front and keep Sipley and use Jake up front as with backups of players like TKO and lodge

2 Quality hooker but if we can't afford one use Simpkin and GCKT

3 Another quality hard running 2nd rower to partner Houmole with Bullemor, Navale, Burbo

We don't need Chee kam, Matterson who can't crack 1st grade
Tavega and Alioa won't be here next year
Brown's best is behind him.
Some of the others that can't crack 1st grade James and Patolo I can't comment on because I haven't seen much of them.

We keep the same backs with Fogarty, but I'd rather see Turbo at fullback and Lehi on the wing with Faulalo, Talau and Walsh as back up.

Currently we are lacking punch up front with which chokes our backline.