Im glad he penalised him.
I see it too often and I can't see how it's not blatant "obstruction" of a defensive player.

He is in the middle of completing a tackle or in the legal process of rolling off and into his defensive position. If the attacking team player interferes with him - blow the fekking penalty!

Averillo replacing Schoupp in the centres..

IMO this improves our skill level in attack and potency at the opposition end.

Schoupp better at making the hard yards and a better defender.

Time for Averillo to show he is physically ready to play centre in the NRL.

Modesty prevents me from saying who suggested this last week. Averillo is a great runner of the ball and feel this is best option. Wakeham at half needs to pretend needs to pretend he is playing for Fiji...maybe all teh crowd should chant Bulla...

Agree on both counts.
Im a big fan of Schoupp but against a smart team in Melb id rather we have 13 smart guys out there rather than 13 skillful guys. 

Averillo IMO is one of the smarter players in the team and so im not against this move, although it would have better to push Naden to wing and play Burns at centre too.

Wakeham is definitely one of those free spirit players that just need to do his thing without worrying if it results in an error or not. The rest of the team just needs to expect the unexpected and follow him

Lol. All this talk about the Sea Eagles turning the corner with this game against the Raiders.

Hope the Raiders put 50 on them

Outside of the top 4 sides the comp is fairly even.

Storm are a likely top 4 team, so big test for us.

I am happy with the side except for TPJ in the 2nd row.

Naden and Averillo are not great defenders. I hope we don't leak soft tries on the right.

I am assuming that the right is Wakeham, TPJ, Averillo and Burns. Duffy also tends to join in on the right.

On the other hand in attack this combination is dangerous Wakeham and Averillo combine well, on his day TPJ can be a match winner. And Duffty offers plenty in attack.

I wasn't happy with TPJ last week, but if he fires we could win. 

I'll channel my inner Marki, the way to win this game is score plenty of points.

I don't think that we can keep the Storm to less than 18 unless we are dominating posession and scoring plenty.

The power of the Mock, a solution for world energy needs and travel to distant planets.

#UseTheForce

Yes, some people seem to reflect on our good record against the storm, but the reality is that good record was from 8-15 years ago. Recently (last 5 or 6 years) our record hasn't been good at all.

In addition, our wins against them were (from memory) relatively low scoring games. So one can deduce that if Melb play a grinding game, they open the door for us. But if they play expansive and score 4 or 5 tries, we can't keep up with them.

Im curious to see how we go.

Really wish Shammerslys men wouldn't shit the bed every time a media types virtue signals about tough, legal Defence...
#istandwithtackling...

At least we don't have Bennyboy and Gezza as refs today (nicknames used by Rorters players as mutual signs of affection)

To be fair Roosters players should be allowed to cry and get a hug from their mummy after a hard tackle.

Especially JWH..

#Innovation 

Are we confident?

No one expects us to win.

#BringOnTheUpset

Actually "mummy" was the other term of endearment they called Gezza Sutton.

Watching the pre game lead up, all the talk is Storm, Storm, Storm we haven't had a mention.... let us make the "experts" look like amatuers.

Hawthorn magnificent in their comeback.
Unfortunately they lost by 1 after taking the lead in the final quarter but great comeback nonetheless.

Hope the Dogs can show the same never say die attitude today

Thanks for the gardening tip, but let's focus on sport on game day.

We must be the only team that feels like settler runs are the way to winning games.

Fekking sack everyone that thinks a forward should even fekking touch the ball inside the 20m

Team selection is right, effort is good, just need better execution.

Poor team can't take a trick. Are we really that far off the pace?

We're going from sh!t to sh!t.

I think Barrett coaching is starting to show . The players are trying but the coaching is crap . 

Offloads are the right idea.

Keep playing, if nothing else it is good practice.

Too passive in defence for the 1st and 3rd tries.

The ball is a bit slippery and the Storm a bit too good.

But this is how we have to play.

Main problem with our attack is good wrestle and number up from the Storm and dropping the ball, but drops are from playing the right style, we need to keep offloading.

Very happy with TPJ, but we are lacking one more big starting prop, maybe King should start.

Baz was credited  with Penrith's attack. He's  gone Penrith's  attack still ok. Us with Baz 5 tries in 7 halves of football. Something doesn't  add up. Did he get too much credit at Penrith or our players beyond help? We did add a few new players this year, some with good attacking reputations.

Yes mate. Play exciting footy. We are trying. But Baz likes his stupid block plays too much and that doesn’t  get the forwards out if the way. 

Fortunately Baz did just that. Naden on the wing with Burns and Avo with Fox

Way too much one out stuff... FFS just throw csution to the wind we are being given a lesson anyway.

I went to the Q Cup yesterday. Falcons v Souths Logan. I enjoyed it more than this.

Now we are just being embarrassed. Wakeham is NOT the answer. 

Baz is out of his depth. Get anybody else now please

Burto having an off day.

We are paying for every mistake.