Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:04 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Just thinking how much sharper we look now with Croft at 6 and the distribution from Ackers. Croft is better than I expected in some ways.

One big thing I've noticed is that the guy who is kicking the ball is the guy who is meant to be kicking the ball. How often in the wilderness years of Leeming, Dwyer, Sezer and Austin did we get to the sixth and find a prop or second row trying to manufacture a kick. The new spine are miles better already. As the grounds get firmer we are going to see a lot more from them.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:07 pm  

Agreed Arthur, we just need the pack to make enough ground for them to have the time to put good quality plays on, without that it will be the right players getting the ball but the play will be hurried or a clearance kick instead of an attacking one.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:19 pm  

I actually think Ruan might be the bit of punch we’re missing in an otherwise workmanlike back row.

Miller and Mom will be fine, they have class but are adapting. Frawley has been what I expected. Croft and Ackers clearly have some class. Goudemand solid.

I don’t for the life of me understand the people that bag Martin. Nothing flash but 7/10 every week even not taking into account his kicking.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:25 pm  

christopher wrote:

A penalty try isn’t an 8 point try, you have to take the kick where its ‘scored’ and don’t get another go

Yes I get that but it's almost like Handley would have been better knocking on, getting a penalty try and a kick in front..

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:52 pm  

[quote="kjrhino"

Will ake a judgement on MoM and Frawley after 8/10 games... but to be honest i think they are gonna be duff signings.

Frawley was pants at Hudds and not much better in the NRL.
[/quote]

Frawley doesn’t seem to be a running half back, one that’s gonna keep defences guessing, so I was hoping his kicking game was gonna be a bit better than he shown in the first 3 games. It’s been disappointing to say the least, but we’ve got away with it so far. As for Mom, he’s been under the radar the first 3 games, nothing terrible, took a couple of catches but nothing to make you say wow. He seems happy to let Handley do the hard work and carry the ball out of defence at the moment, I’d expect him to start showing a bit more appetite in future games. Early days, but I’d be lying if I said either player has caught my eye for the right reasons.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:03 pm  

Think your being overly harsh TBH

Momorosvki is a very ‘smart’ RL player, he’s not a flashy player but will make the correct decisions more than not, he’s a proper wingers centre and defensively very strong he will be s great signing.

Frawley is doing his job and will let croft do his thing. Against Cats we had pretty much zero field position so was constantly kicking from deep.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:50 pm  

Thing with Frawley is that he does have Jack Sinfield breathing down his neck.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:36 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Thing with Frawley is that he does have Jack Sinfield breathing down his neck.

He does, but I think young Jack will have to wait for injury to strike. He might not be everybody's cup of tea but I can't recall Frawley missing a tackle, dropping a ball or giving away a penalty yet. Could anybody say the same for Austin or Sezer three games in? He's solid and other players do better for his presence. Good pro for Sinfield to learn from.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:42 pm  

Having watched the game back on sky, I think we defended quite well all be it, Catalans at times made some poor errors and poor decisions. Like I've said last few weeks I think we'll see our attack click when the weather conditions improve and we continue to play a free style of rugby. Croft is impressing me more and more each week coming up with some big plays for our tries. Ruan needs to be getting more game time he defiantly adds something to our pack whether it's in back row or at prop, i don't think we need to or can afford to carry both Bentley, Martin & Mcdonnell all in 17 when and if we have majority/ all of our pack to choose from all play too similar and are all leaner modern day backrowers. Great money ball from Cam Smith who is doing a fine job of leading the team as captain in 2024, Ash Handley just seems to score and finish off outstanding tries for us this season so long may that continue. I think most of us on this forum would take 2 out of 3 wins to start there season let the season fully start before we right the team of eh.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:02 am  

I'm sure Frawley's kicking game would improve significantly if he wasn't having to kick from within his own 40m line most of the time.