@callmack1 @The Windsor Rabbit time for my review:
I always knew coming off such a high last week and with how much energy we put into that that'd be very hard to back it up up there. It's very humid conditions up there and the Cows were always gonna be tough and really want that win.
When AJ went off with the hammy I was instantly worried about GI at fullback and I still am as of now. As we all know he's lost quite a bit of pace and the strain of playing fullback week in and week out will be no good for his troublesome knee/s. So when AJ is back in a few weeks surely AJ goes to the back again or maybe they can alternate as we need GI out there. It's far too risky as I said permanently at the back for him now!
Then bloody hell Sammy went off and I honestly then felt it'd come down to the wire and I thought we may just get pipped unless there is a piece of magic. I could really see how much we missed Sam out there for what he brings defensively and of course with the tough metres he gains and some creative play we have seen from him lately!
We were just a bit off but that was to be expected especially as the Cows have had the wood over us lately! I thought blokes like Murray and Tatola tackles their arses off but weren't there to make the metres we needed to take the pressure off ourselves!
I was also bewildered at how the Cows when behind kept taking the 2. With our backline having 3 of our guys out they could've really tried to exploit us more but didn't.
It was a lucky escape but the good sides find ways to win those and we are playing with a never say die attitude as well!
These silly errors on tackle 1 need to stop from both Gagai and Hunt. They put so much pressure onto you making them early every week. In saying that though I thought Hymel lifted so I can forgive him!
Cody was trying to create but it just didn't happen as he Cows were awake to it!
AJ: Not much to say as he didn't last long.
Campbell: Ok he let that try in but he did shut a couple down that were in dangerous situations too. The last try the Cows scores if you look closely Gagai was standing too close to AR like not far from his pockets so it left Graham with not much hope. I thought Campbell cleaned up a couple of dicey situations in defusing grubbers as well but at times under the high ball he looked all at sea. Not as busy with the shit work either. It was a mixed bag from him but I'm not gonna be too hard on him as he's still a baby.
GI: Well he was very good controlling things when he went to the back. He looked dangerous just lurking around and sniffing for opportunities which he created but lacked a bit of polish like when he passed that silly pass putting Hunt over the sideline and knocking on that bomb. He made such good metres though. I'd have liked him involved a bit more but can't blame him due to all the extra demand at the back.
Gagai: Well he needs to get these silly errors out of his game. Not sure whether it's a confidence thing or concentration thing but I expect better. I expect much better defensively from him too. He didn't do that much shitwork either or gain much ground. It was like he was going through the motions. For 650k he's not earning that currently.
Hunt: Well these silly errors on tackle 1 need to stop coming out of our own end and it's been a problem ever since he's been with us. He did make up for it though and was safe under the high ball plus he was our best back with the shit work. This is the area he's really improved with on the wing and he made many tough yards last night helping those tired forwards who tackled their backsides off!
Cody: I thought he was white good. Definitely asked lots of questions and was giving it his all. No doubt he will be disappointed in himself for the sin bin for dissent but he will learn from that. What a play from him at the end too.
Reynolds: I thought he was good with his kicking game and his goal kicking got us over the line with such a high accuracy as usual. I thought defensively he was sound again and his kicks for touch off penalties were great touch finders with very good depth. Shame about the kick off out on the full from him but I'll forgive him. Normally it's GI who kicks off but I think he was spent having the extra load at the back.
Tom: Once again played about 40mins which is the constant theme for him. I thought he was strong for us again with strong carries.
Cook: Wow without his try assist for Georgie and his individual brilliant try we don't win this game and for me he was the most influential player on the field. His passing was fast and crisp as usual. He didn't overplay his hand and he made 47 tackles and worked his arse off in the middle. He had some back issues in the warm up I think and a calf issue in the much but he just kept going. I didn't even see that George try coming as it happened so fast from Cookie. His instincts are great when to run too and he cut them to pieces there in the 52nd minute. He's also been cutting out the couple of errors and odd penalty he has given away previously. He's down to a minimum with those and it's the big difference I've noticed lately between him and Mctortoise.
George: He was on fire from the start. Penetrating runs and at 126kg like his brother he's just so big but fit and strong. Growing his hair seems to be working too hahahaha. I just loved his energy in his 2 stints and what a try from him. Then ate the end getting down low to defuse and ground that grubber in the in goal was a big play from home and I don't think some have emphasised that big play enough from Georgie. Then off the back of Cookie" offload near the end he barnstormed onto the ball and gave his all. When AR was kicking the penalty George looked like the most tired bloke on the field such were his efforts. He and Tom have both improved defensively too.
Sutton: Another good performance from him doing those things some don't notice. Strong carries from him and good defensively. Also noticed him really speaking up a there and taking on that leadership role. He was really firing the boys up. I love Sutto the legend!
Crichton: Played very well and ran off those AR balls really strongly. He really put in Angus. He just needs to clean up those silly passes that aren't on. Just focus on holding onto it and putting his head down. Still I'm proud of him.
Sam: He started well in the middle and looked threatening. We really missed him after he went off. We were missing what he brings out there big time.
Murray: He just toiled so hard. Held the middle together as best as he could and played the last 56mins. 41 tackles I think he made. Did some nice ball playing too. Would've liked some more metres from him but I'll forgive him for that.
Douiehi: This is exactly why we need him on the bench and he's come in handy now a couple of times this season. He got caught out a bit giving away some ground but for the most part was fine. Did a good job as a stop gap option out there.
Clark: Worked really hard on his defence. Did his job. Would've liked a couple more hit ups though.
Tatola: Much like Murray and playing extra mins he looked fatigued but kept his head down and kept going and making his tackles. I can forgive him for that knock on. Once again I think like Murray he was too exhausted to make more hit ups.
All in all very proud to escape with the win up there. We found a way and that's what counts! Now to recover well for the boys as we head into 2 extremely tough matches the next fortnight!
When Cookie went over I was in tears and when George was on the ground absolutely spent at the end!
