As disappointing as that game was, it was still 3 tries all!!
The same issues that we've had all season finally caught up with us tonight - goalkicking, switching off at different times of the game, trying to score every play, lack of patience and repeat sets, etc. We've got a lot to improve...
I thought Klein/Bunker had a good game. The sin bins were all reasonable and tbh half the tries were scored by the team who were a player short anyway. It was one of those finals where I'd struggle to see either team being able to back up for another win next week.
We desperately need a hooker. Our two hookers at the moment are a guy that no NRL team wants to sign for next year, and the coach's son who is in a similar boat. It is pointless having strong forwards if we have no one to take advantage of it, and Reynolds won't last much longer if he is the...
My recollection is that we were looking our best when Billy started at hooker for the first 20 or so, with Paix coming on after that and giving us the extra spark out of dummy half. Whenever he would come on, we suddenly looked much better in attack with better go forward. I agree that none...
It was a rough win, but we're still not at a point where can afford to be without several of our first-choice players (Paix, Farnsworth, Carrigan) and expect to stay with the top teams. Hooker in particular continues to be a concern without Paix there, as he was providing the attacking spark...
I agree and am comfortable with longer bans for it too. The issue is the Cleary tackle only getting 5 weeks (and only with prior loading) when the risks of that tackle are so much worse.
It wasn't a good looking tackle and a dreadful injury for Hastings.... but I have a real hard time accepting any argument that Carrigan should be suspended for more than the 5 weeks Cleary just got for a tackle that could potentially paralyse or even kill a person.
The centres are an issue for Queensland. We didn't come good in the first game until Holmes had to move out to the wing. Gagai has looked off the pace in the centres in both games.
Kicking and kick chase has been a massive difference this game.
That's the third time in the past 4 games we've conceded a try just before halftime, which then seems to carry over into the second half (conceded 28 in the second half vs Panthers, 24 vs Roosters, 24 vs Cowboys). We also conceded just after halftime vs Roosters and Cowboys.
Yet again, just far too many errors/penalties/repeat sets down our end in that second half. When we actually had the ball up the field in attack we looked miles better than last week.
Our service from dummy half is sooooo slow. Makes it too easy to read those sweeping players out to the wings.
Our poor attack and errors in general has put far too much pressure on our defense in the past 3 weeks.
Like last week, too many errors making for lopsided possession and field position, and we struggle to even get up into attacking half to give ourselves a chance.
I've got no issues with the current system, except maybe the situation of TPJ joining a club for the last few weeks to help them win a premiership.
However, every team (including Storm and Roosters) needs to be allocated catchment areas of a similar size to one another and given responsibility...
I remember going to the first game of the season in 2004 and looking forward to seeing Motu Tony debut for us at fullback... only to see him completely and utterly upstaged by Karmichael Hunt.
I'd go for a 6 or 7, given the context of this season and player turnover that needed to take place, and did.
Would need at least a top 8 finish for a 6 or 7 mark next year.
Let's not forget Kevin Walters had a shorter preseason last year with a vastly different looking squad and plenty of distractions to contend with. A more settled, full preseason with a squad he has more knowledge about and control over, coming off the back of a positive finish to this season...
I quite liked both the home and away jerseys this year (also didn't mind the previous away one). Better than most of the jerseys we've had in the past 10-20 years.