The Chopping Block – Monthly Review

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What a month of NRL action. We’ve had a resurgent Dragons outfit challenging for top spot until injury saw them slip a little. While pre-season favourites Penrith, and to a lesser degree Canberra, has struggled with consistency.

Manly are proving to be a tipster’s nightmare and our good mates in The Bunker are continuing their outstanding performances. The rumour mill is in overdrive, suggesting The Bunker will replace the Brisbane Bronco’s current No.1 sponsor NRMA Insurance in 2018.

Ray advised me YouI will be the Storm’s new main sponsor in 2018, after being impressed after signing Cam Smith as an ambassador and mentor of the current crop of officials in 2017.

Meanwhile, over the ditch the New Zealand Warriors are about to part ways with Vodafone and link up with GEP (Global Energy Products Inc.), suppliers of choke products. While the Raiders are close to inking a deal with Jenny Craig to replace the struggling smartphone Huawei.

With so much turmoil off the field we now turn our attention to the on-field action of the past month. Here are the Chopping Block’s standout performers.

Joey ‘BJ’ Leilua

From NSW State of Origin centre to potential ISP Cup Mounties centre, that is the predicament at the alarming drop in form of the damaging Raider.

Leilua’s performances have been a reminder of his days with the Knights where inconsistency, poor missed tackles and handling errors where part of his weekly highlights reel.

Whatever has happened needs to be addressed and fast as the Raiders’ season is slowly slipping away from them after an inept performance to the Knights, a side who recorded only their second win in 26 games last Sunday.

Maybe a stint in NSW Cup might do Leilua the world of good as it appears to have worked for Sydney Roosters youngster Latrell Mitchell.

BJ’s drop in form has also had a major effect on the scoreboard as most of the Raiders’ points are now coming from the usually less prolific opposite side of attack via Jarrod Croker and young Neville Cotric.

The halves are not helping the cause, it must be said, with a very low assist rate between them. For the Raiders’ season to fully catch fire, they need their big physical centre to find his mojo and fast.

Ray reckons BJ might be destined for the forwards if he can’t sort out his defence and rediscover his form. I disagree, as the Raiders already possess too many 35-minute forwards in their pack!

Shaun Johnson

The Warriors’ highest paid player of all time has failed to suit up in the second half over the last month. Taking away slotting a penalty goal in the gritty win over the Roosters, Johnson has looked tired, down on confidence and more prone to making poor options after the interval and when his side is under the pump.

Is it coach Stephen Kearney taking a conservative approach tactically or the cardio levels of his forward pack letting him down? Who knows, but one thing’s for sure, Johnson has been average and inconsistent in defence and lacks game management or patience in the clutch periods.

Take his defence in the Anzac Test, which was one of his highlights in a sub-par attacking performance, and then compare it with the lack of purpose displayed at Pepper Stadium on Saturday. It’s clear he is still inconsistent, much like his side.

Excuses can’t be accepted given the amount of years and experience he has under his belt. Johnson’s desire to be the club captain and leader will never be realised until he addresses the major flaws in his performances. The difference between his best and worst is still miles apart in all aspects of his game.

What will happen now over the Origin period will be the usual false dawn that has all long-suffering Warrior fans salivating and media types labelling them dark horses. Only for the current form to fade into the sunset during the last four or five rounds.

The No.7 holds the key to destroy this annual phenomenon, but he needs to start showing consistency every week in defence and attack under pressure. Maybe then he can justify his price tag and realise the importance and influence he has on his team’s fortunes.



Bryce Cartwright

Sounds like we have an agenda on dynamic attacking players in this edition, maybe other sides have finally worked on gameplans to mute their influence on performances. However, a common theme has surfaced on Cartwright’s game, and that is missed tackles.

Last year a large majority wanted him on the bench for the NSW Blues and were gobsmacked he was overlooked. Defence was often a response. Well, it’s clear to see it was and is still a major issue.

More: http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/theroar/rugby-league/~3/eMhXEJCzAoc/