Where/how have we improved ?

B

Beaumont

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I'd like to think given the dramatic changes in the roster from 2017 to 2018 we were always going to improve this year. We have varied expectations of where the team will finish just as there'll be various opinions on how or where we've improved up until now. 2 things for me a) I think we're a real good chance of scoring every time we get in the opposition 20m. Can't really remember feeling like that since the halcyon days of Joey and b) watching how genuinely excited our new recruits look to be playing for us. Seen a few in past years look like they're going through the motions.
 
Absolutely, we're looking much more dangerous in attack.

For mine, I see a big improvement in competition between players to hold their position which has taken away some complacency among established squad members. Griffin relegating Levi to reserves is probably one of the best examples of this.
 
Pretty much what’s been mentioned. A lot more resilience too. Over the last couple of years we’d of found a way to lose the games that we’ve won in 2018. The game on the weekend was a prime example. If we’d of conceded the 3 tries in quick succession in 2017 we’d of fallen apart and had a score put on us. Not the case this season.
 
They've hit on most of the signings, I think that's the biggest thing.

Pearce and Ponga are our two best players
Ese'ese is our best middle forward
Griffin has been superb.
Lillyman and Heighno don't put up big numbers but are crucial to that attitude and resilience, always putting in effort plays, kick chase etc.
Guerra hard to rate for me, undecided.
Watson was doing his job before injury.
Moga was disappointing.
 
We are ant getting dominated in the middle like we were last few years. Meaning we are not constantly working the ball away from our own line. Pearce brings another dimension to our kicking game and helps us keep good field position. Not only are we getting better clearing kicks, we are also actually getting some repeat sets which we seemed incapable of doing last few.

We also can score points which helps the possession percentages, less time with the ball for the opposition means less scoring chances.

Obviously Ponga has added a great deal to the team, just as much as Pearce for mine, safe at the back and has proven himself a good fullback positioning and making those last man tackles. But in attack he adds another attacking option he is both dangerous running the ball and passing. Gun!

Maturity. This year we have seen the team go behind but show the maturity to stay in it and come back to win. Last few those would have been losses. The last game is a prime example, The Tigers came out after half time and on the back of some refs calls capitalised and put some points on us, last few years teams would not have come back from that.
 
As others said.

Pearce and Ponga our two top performers. Griffin and Watson steady. Guerra reliable and an improved version of Houston. Fitzy only junior to have stepped up to the mark. Cogger wait and see. Heighington and Lillyman very good for what they are ~ players in the final year or so of their careers.
 
slotmachine said:
Lillyman and Heighno don't put up big numbers but are crucial to that attitude and resilience, always putting in effort plays, kick chase etc.
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I would add Guerra here, too. He hasn't been spectacular but definitely see him putting in the effort plays. He's also been strong in the 20m zone and has been unlucky not to score a few times running good lines off Pearce.
 
danknights said:
I dunno how you can be undecided on Guerra. Just watch him alone for a whole game then come back and tell us your thoughts. I'd have him in my team and id even go to the trenches with the bloke.
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Danknights , I am with you on this one have , I always been a big proponent for the importance of good Defense , this is often overlooked for the tryscorers and flashy attackers .

You just have to watch what Guerra does off the ball in defense and the way he reads opposition and team mates - remembering he is on the side which is being peppered with twice the attack as the Left and his one on one ball and all on the big blokes leaves me shuddering , I just wish someone would attack the ribs while he holds them and the off loads up.
 
Well we better hope that spending the full salary cap and having a full squad of players that can compete at this level is the difference, because if it all comes down to having a quality playmaker in control, as it often seems in the NRL, it might get pretty hard from here on.
 
slotmachine said:
They've hit on most of the signings, I think that's the biggest thing.

Pearce and Ponga are our two best players
Ese'ese is our best middle forward
Griffin has been superb.
Lillyman and Heighno don't put up big numbers but are crucial to that attitude and resilience, always putting in effort plays, kick chase etc.
Guerra hard to rate for me, undecided.
Watson was doing his job before injury.
Moga was disappointing.
Click to expand...

Guerra's been good, just goes about his work quietly, averaged 83 metres & 34 tackles a game according to Fox sports which is decent. Also has shown he can be an alternate option to Fitzgibbon when the halves are throwing those short balls at the line.
 
All the players mentioned in the thread have improved different aspects of our game, Pearce has been huge, but it will all mean nothing if someone doesn't step up in his place. Pearce & Ponga have pretty much single handedly lifted our attack, will Ponga/Cogger/Lamb/Watson be able to keep that standard for the rest of the season with Pearce gone?
 
For the record I have no issue with Guerra and agree he is going about his work. He's on a bit of a hiding to nothing because he gets all the traffic run at that bad right edge in defence, and doesn't get the benefit of ponga running the left in attack.
 
Beaumont said:
I'd like to think given the dramatic changes in the roster from 2017 to 2018 we were always going to improve this year. We have varied expectations of where the team will finish just as there'll be various opinions on how or where we've improved up until now. 2 things for me a) I think we're a real good chance of scoring every time we get in the opposition 20m. Can't really remember feeling like that since the halcyon days of Joey and b) watching how genuinely excited our new recruits look to be playing for us. Seen a few in past years look like they're going through the motions.
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Loving point B and totally agree. Can’t underestimate this and how important it is. Compare Ponga, Pearce, Guerra and Co to Boyd for example!
 
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