Surprise Packets

Discussion in 'The Cesspit: Rugby League Discussion' started by GYR, Jul 31, 2013.

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  1. GYR DW Lewis

    Which teams have surprised you guys so far? (Both good and bad).

    I think personally my biggest surprise has been Penrith. The side that they started the season with on paper and with Coote getting injured early on I thought they would be spoon contenders for sure. Honestly they are just one of those average teams who are playing to their full potential, which is a testament to the players and Cleary.

    My other one would be the Titans. Even though they haven't been going very well lately, halfway through the season they were like 5th or something and playing way better than I thought. Aidan Sezer has really impressed me too. Just the composure he has shown being brought in to direct a side in his first full season as a first grader. Definitely has huge potential. Also has the coolest kicking style.
     
    GYR, Jul 31, 2013
    #1

  2. Julian BJ Taylor

    definitely Easts. I'll put my hand up, I wrote them off. I just didn't think they'd have the attack to win so many games. their front row has surprised me more than any other group of players from a club all year.
     
    Julian, Jul 31, 2013
    #2

  3. morgieb MC Burridge

    Easts. Was unconvinced of their points scoring potential given their halves and thought their pack was kinda inexperienced, but they've definitely proven me wrong. 2nd and a good shot at the comp.

    Also agree with Penrith and Gold Coast ftr.
     
    morgieb, Jul 31, 2013
    #3

  4. Tartmaster AJ James

    Yeah, definitely the Chooks
    Didn't rate them at all at the start of the year.
     
    Tartmaster, Jul 31, 2013
    #4

  5. Cribbage RG Cribb

    Yeah agree with most of what's been said so far - Penrith and Easts in particular have performed well above expectations. I still get surprised by Easts every time I look at their lineup and then watch them play; something just doesn't quite add up.

    Gold Coast had a bit of a golden period where their inexperienced halves combination fired but they've predictably not been able to up their consistency along with the other sides as the season has gone on and they still desperately lack depth in the outside backs. Their start surprised me but if you look at their season as a whole - overall disappointing with a purple patch in there - that's pretty much exactly what I expected.

    Canterbury and Manly have both been disappointing IMO. Yeah they're third and fifth but as I just said in the other thread about Manly, even in their wins they've had really lazy periods of under-performance. Surprised by this.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2013
    Cribbage, Jul 31, 2013
    #5

  6. GYR DW Lewis

    I thought we were a chance at the 8 but definitely at this stage we were going to be one of those teams on 20 or 22 points fighting it out.

    Huge credit definitely goes to our forward pack for that one. Especially Moa and Hargreaves. Moa has been one of the finds of the season and Hargreaves's second phase play after good go forward has been invaluable. It is no coincidence that our low period of the season came during those 7 weeks he was out (most of which Moa was out too). Also I would have to say Jake Friend has been one of the most improved players this year, completely different player than he was last year.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2013
    GYR, Jul 31, 2013
    #6

  7. Cribbage RG Cribb

    I think it just looks like that because he's playing behind a dominant forward pack now. I don't think much about him has actually changed as such.
     
    Cribbage, Jul 31, 2013
    #7

  8. GYR DW Lewis

    Yeah that is probably true but it just feels like his awareness at dummy half has improved. Perfect example of this would be that try he scored against Manly where on last tackle he went himself and ran 30 metres to score. No way in the world would he even think of it last year.

    If only he could get rid of his ridiculous short and flat ball to a prop 2 metres out from the line obsession that he has. He does it so much that everyone expects it to happen and the two times this season he cut the prop out, we scored.
     
    GYR, Jul 31, 2013
    #8

  9. morgieb MC Burridge

    Biggest disappointment for me is North Queensland. I thought they'd challenge for the title. Instead they look like being spoon contenders.
     
    morgieb, Jul 31, 2013
    #9

  10. crowley DA Crowley

    Parramatta have been the surprise packets for me. I never expected them to win 3 games.
     
    crowley, Jul 31, 2013
    #10

  11. Wilson SB Wilson

    Cowboys have been seriously poo. I've lost a fair bit of cash on those cunts this year. Should be much, much better then they are, especially at home. Disgraceful.
     
    Wilson, Jul 31, 2013
    #11

  12. Cribbage RG Cribb

    The thing with them though is that they're like this every year. Good squad, rubbish output. If they won the comp this year I wouldn't have been that surprised but seeing them continue on their trend of being shunts wasn't surprising in the slightest either.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2013
    Cribbage, Jul 31, 2013
    #12

  13. Toolman TR Man

    I didn't think Anasta would be amazing or anything but i've been surprised at just how horrible he has been.
     
    Toolman, Jul 31, 2013
    #13

  14. Cribbage RG Cribb

    Yeah he's completely phoned it in. Modern structures should suit him down to the ground and he's been abysmal.
     
    Cribbage, Jul 31, 2013
    #14

  15. Magic AJ Parker

    Yeh this, he just gets the opportunity to run the ball more behind a strong forward pack which in a lot of people's eyes is the be all and end all for dummy halves.
     
    Magic, Jul 31, 2013
    #15

  16. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    Hope he keeps it up so he can slot in to the Maroons side when Smith is done.
    Would hate if fucking McCullough was given the gig.
     
    jazman84, Aug 1, 2013
    #16

  17. Old Mate M Perry

    It would be a blessing.
     
    Old Mate, Aug 1, 2013
    #17

  18. SM MD Dorn

    Sharks are disappointing IMO. They have a stacked roster, should be fighting it out for the minor premiership.

    Manly surprise me, i dunno why. They're just good every year
     
    SM, Aug 1, 2013
    #18

  19. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    To the Blues.
     
    jazman84, Aug 2, 2013
    #19

  20. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    I can't believe how well Quinlan went at 5/8th for the Dragons. Had been pretty dreadful there in NSW cup earlier this year and in the 20's last year by all reports.
     
    Sultan Pepper, Sep 10, 2013
    #20
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