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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2602944, member: 1899"] [B]Match #3 West Tigers vs Canberra Raiders[/B] Forgot how heated these matches could be. When they all raced in after the Lee double and again when Milford dropped the kick off it really brought the match to life. I actually think this is one of the more underrated rivalries in the game and would much rather watch it than say Roosters/Rabbitohs which does absolutely nothing for me. Usually more talk than action. Tigers were really brave, no other way to put it. Got off to an early lead and it seemed like they'd win simply by spreading it to either corner but then injuries struck and they basically lost Tedesco, Simona and Nofoaluma who basically played on one leg for the rest of the night. The forwards really stood up in their absence and I thought Braith Anasta played very well and wouldn't be surprised to hear if it was his best performance of the season. His kick into touch late and the match winning field goal was huge. They're an interesting young team the Tigers because hardly anybody talks about them. Woods gets a lot of accolades and deservedly so, as he's really taken his game to the next level with his 'good' performances in Origin. Dare I say, Scott/Woods opening pairing for the Four Nations? But basically anybody who follows the game would tell you the same. The players that really impressed me here were Taupau, Thompson and Austin. Taupau has been one of the best buys all year and has made a real difference to the Tigers. Still has the odd fumble in him but is a big upgrade on the likes of Groat, Bell and Buchannan and sort of lives as a pace setter and to be an inspiration. One of those players I wouldn't nominate for a Dally M or anything, but certainly a player I would enjoy watching. Bodene Thompson is an interesting player. I actually liked the bits I saw of him at the Titans before Cartwright decided to basically play him exclusively at centre like a dumb ****. From there his form evaporated and he basically seemed more interested in starting fights and throwing balls at the back of people's heads because he played for a crap club. Or something, I don't know, it was a weird phase. Potter has introduced a semblance of stability to his first grade career and he's been able to flourish as a result poking his head through with a lot of his runs and not being completely useless. To me, he's basically the player Ben Murdoch-Masila should have been and right now, a handy squad player. Anyways aside from a couple of strong runs which I thought got the Tigers on the front foot, was really impressed with his work in the lead up to the Nofoaluma try. Austin reminds me of Casey McGuire. He can't really main a position because he just doesn't have the specific skill-set to satisfy the role on a consistent basis but dammit if he isn't going to get on the field and give it a red-hot crack. Outside of one mistake (which he's usually guilty of making) he did a really good job of filling in for Tedesco all things considered. So yeah, round of applause to Wests. The big over-achievers of 2014. Canberra really could take a page or three from that book. Why isn't Cornish playing? Dead-set I cannot believe how delusional Sticky is being. It isn't like he's dealing with the Broncos halves situation, he's got two of the best halves prospects sitting waiting for a fair opportunity and they've basically been given bugger all. All it took for Cornish to get dropped was a bad 20 minute performance in a game that had been well and truly lost before he'd even come onto the field. How is that his problem? How does that performance justify being dropped but all the terrible McCrone games allow him to stay on? Boggles the mind. It's a shame because despite the poor management, they still have plenty of talent to make a contest. Was cool to see the Queensland combination combining for the first few Canberra tries - Papalii just storming over Brooks to set Lee up and then Milford with some of the best foot-work and lead up work to put Lee into space was brilliant. If you missed it, check it out, so far it's been the best play of R16. When Campo sent Croker over with 30 minutes left to play, really, that should have been the sign for them to lay on a few more tries down the corner but they rarely peppered them through that area and when they did, the interchange of passing was so slow that even Adam Woolnough would have been able to block it. Interesting to note that's around the time Baptiste came on. Didn't think Kurt played too badly but he appeared a bit fortunate at times (eg. rebound pass, getting the ball knocked out) and seemed a little disjointed. He's a player I'd like to see the Raiders persevere with but got to say, he didn't exactly make me think Gee made the wrong decision letting him go. Brenko is still very raw, can't say I was excited over him yet but he's being played before his time and out of position, it's a rough deal and already has a nice career highlight. But yeah, thought their best was Shillo with Vaughan and Papalii deserving honorable mentions. Rest either had their moments or were just plain crap and would be close to the worst players in their respective positions. [/QUOTE]

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