Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Wed Apr 24, 2024 3:30 pm  

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Wed Apr 24, 2024 3:43 pm  

If everyone is actually fit, then it would be our strongest 17 since round 1. I think that's the only game we've had Amone, Mulhern and Asiata all playing.

I'd hold off on McIntosh and stick with the same backline as last week, and bring Asiata in for Holmes. Can't expect someone that's been playing wing for a while to come in at full back and cause problems to the top of the league team

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:40 pm  

I disagree about McIntosh. I think he goes straight in at Fullback, so Moylan can go to the halves. I would be running plays all week with Asiata at the heart of everything.

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Wed Apr 24, 2024 6:52 pm  

Lam said in his press conference that Asiata and Mulhern were possibles only. I really hope they are fit and play.
As for McIntosh, I would put him at 1 and bring Moylan back to 6. McNamara has done nothing wrong but also hasn’t lit it up at 6.
If Asiata is back and Moylan is at 6, we are a whole new animal.

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:04 am  

After the performance last week, I'm not sure why we'd want to change too much. Asiata obviously comes back in, but given McIntosh was only signed on Tuesday, not sure it's wise to bring him into a spine position, and move Moylan (which will also weaken the defensive line).

If McIntosh had been playing full back regularly in the last couple of years there might be more of a case for it, but he's been playing on the wing. If he does come in, we'll have to play slightly differently because he won't do the job O'Brien or Moylan have done at full back. We've seen Hardaker trying to play like an extra half, and it never went well.

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:56 pm  

A great win and a great performance. What’s more pleasing is just the two points against. I know Catalans were poor, but I think that’s because we got into them, should really been nil only for giving a stupid penalty right on half time. Great to see Asiata back. Hopefully another good win next week.

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Fri Apr 26, 2024 10:35 pm  

I thought after the arm wrestle of the first 20-25 that Cats looked tired and unenthusiastic. Seemed to resort to a lot of niggle all night which was allowed but we didn't rise to.

Great discipline and resolve and it's sadly easier to pick the weaker players after a performance like that where I thought the vast majority were firing on all cylinders.

Honestly I thought Hanleys try was forward but I'll take that over all the missed calls and what went against us.

Highlight reel trys and beautiful play with solid defence like the team of last season.

Holmes really stood out as solid while the flair happened around him

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Fri Apr 26, 2024 11:10 pm  

Deeeekos wrote:

Honestly I thought Hanleys try was forward but I'll take that over all the missed calls and what went against us.

Yes, it appeared to go forward, but it was intercepted by Cats, so the try was absolutely fine.

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Fri Apr 26, 2024 11:42 pm  

Amone breaks free, and Cats hold him down long enough to get their players back in line, and nothing said. today's penalties were 8 - 3 against us. Not the best officiating display tonight but, hey ho.

Re: Squads - Leopards v Dragons : Sat Apr 27, 2024 12:24 am  

Yeh I agree, I thought they were allowed far more time in the tackle than us. We were quicker to clear the ruck than them all night, but still penalised. I thought O’Donnell played well tonight. A bit of a headache for Lammy next week regarding full back, but a good one for a change.