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Ahhhh yes. It feels so good to be back doing a Monday morning preview after the week off. But we're back, back into it, back into the swing of things and ready and raring to go. It was nice to have a bye last week, it was much needed, and hopefully all the boys are nice and refreshed, both physically and mentally. They'll need to be this week as we come up against a Cowboys outfit who have found their mojo on a rare Sunday afternoon game at home. It's going to be a great occasion and I can't wait!!
As I said, the Cowboys have really found their mojo lately and are starting to turn their poor start to the Season around. it seems to be a trend of 2023 that we play teams at the 'wrong' time, just as they're hitting form, and that is certainly the case this week. A few weeks ago, you'd look at this and think 'easy win,' but I don't think we can claim that now. North Queensland have been playing pretty decent of late. Certainly, they're starting to get closer and closer to that 2022 Cowboys outfit who almost made the Grand Final. Right now, it kind of looks a bit ominous, who knows what they're going to provide for the rest of the year. They walloped the Storm a few weeks back in what was a statement win, and that just shows you the kind of side they are when they're at their best. We have to expect that kind of performance from them this Sunday. The Cowboys play a pretty flamboyant style of Footy which can be great to watch in a neutral game, but really hard to defend when you're playing against them. It all starts with Drinkwater and Deardon, they're the main threats along with backline strike in Holmes, Taulagi and Feldt. Obviously, you then have Townsend who is their general, and he seems to have regained his form a bit. Their pack is formidable too. One of the best packs in the comp on their day that can match it with the best. Of course, we don't know who will back up for them but I'm expecting all their players to be there, so we'll have to contend with all of Robson, Taumalolo, Cotter and Nanai. That's extremely tough to handle.
For that reason, this week for us has to be all about defence. The past five weeks haven't quite gone to plan and the biggest reason for that is because our defence has gone to shit. We've conceded 30, or close to it in every single one of the last four games. All this after being the second-best defensive side after 11 Rounds. It is simply not acceptable. Yea, we have had a lot of players missing, yea, we didn't get a bye until last week, but it has still just not been good enough. The coaching staff and the squad will be the first to admit that, they'll be more than well aware and I'm sure they'll all be coming back in today, fresh, and ready to work to turn that around. That's the biggest focus for us right now, it has to be. We have a defensive process that stands up against anyone in this comp, we have proven that, but the boys just haven't been living it lately. There's no excuse, and we need to see it improve big time this week against a good attacking side. I really see this as a must win if we still want to push for the top two, While still being in a decent position, we have come of the tracks a little, so it's time to get back on those tracks and a win in Round 17 is bloofy crucial. As I mentioned before, there's no reason why we can't do that after the our first bye. Everyone will hopefully be refreshed, ready and raring to go, and excited. Generally, in 2023, teams have gone well off the back of a bye, so hopefully that trend continues. Like the Cowboys, we don't know if Cooky and Cam will back up after Origin, but with one of the longest turnarounds possible after an Origin game, you'd think they'd be a decent chance. The biggest question, clearly, is whether or not Trell plays. I'm not getting my hopes up, but you'd think he'd be a chance. Significantly, we should finally have Tom back and hopefully Cody has had a rest and will be back too. Those two alone will be massive in's. So, yea, this week is simple for us. It's all about just getting back to our Footy. Our style. Play that Rabbitohs Footy that worked so well for us in the past, and we'll be sweet. But continue on how we have been, and we'll really be up against us. It's up to the boys, they control their own destiny.
Really looking forward to this one!! Finally, we have a game to look forward to again. It seems so far away still but that's alright, it will be here before we know it and I guess it's good to get some extra days to prepare. Time to get our Season back on track baby!!! Lessssgooooooo!!
As I said, the Cowboys have really found their mojo lately and are starting to turn their poor start to the Season around. it seems to be a trend of 2023 that we play teams at the 'wrong' time, just as they're hitting form, and that is certainly the case this week. A few weeks ago, you'd look at this and think 'easy win,' but I don't think we can claim that now. North Queensland have been playing pretty decent of late. Certainly, they're starting to get closer and closer to that 2022 Cowboys outfit who almost made the Grand Final. Right now, it kind of looks a bit ominous, who knows what they're going to provide for the rest of the year. They walloped the Storm a few weeks back in what was a statement win, and that just shows you the kind of side they are when they're at their best. We have to expect that kind of performance from them this Sunday. The Cowboys play a pretty flamboyant style of Footy which can be great to watch in a neutral game, but really hard to defend when you're playing against them. It all starts with Drinkwater and Deardon, they're the main threats along with backline strike in Holmes, Taulagi and Feldt. Obviously, you then have Townsend who is their general, and he seems to have regained his form a bit. Their pack is formidable too. One of the best packs in the comp on their day that can match it with the best. Of course, we don't know who will back up for them but I'm expecting all their players to be there, so we'll have to contend with all of Robson, Taumalolo, Cotter and Nanai. That's extremely tough to handle.
For that reason, this week for us has to be all about defence. The past five weeks haven't quite gone to plan and the biggest reason for that is because our defence has gone to shit. We've conceded 30, or close to it in every single one of the last four games. All this after being the second-best defensive side after 11 Rounds. It is simply not acceptable. Yea, we have had a lot of players missing, yea, we didn't get a bye until last week, but it has still just not been good enough. The coaching staff and the squad will be the first to admit that, they'll be more than well aware and I'm sure they'll all be coming back in today, fresh, and ready to work to turn that around. That's the biggest focus for us right now, it has to be. We have a defensive process that stands up against anyone in this comp, we have proven that, but the boys just haven't been living it lately. There's no excuse, and we need to see it improve big time this week against a good attacking side. I really see this as a must win if we still want to push for the top two, While still being in a decent position, we have come of the tracks a little, so it's time to get back on those tracks and a win in Round 17 is bloofy crucial. As I mentioned before, there's no reason why we can't do that after the our first bye. Everyone will hopefully be refreshed, ready and raring to go, and excited. Generally, in 2023, teams have gone well off the back of a bye, so hopefully that trend continues. Like the Cowboys, we don't know if Cooky and Cam will back up after Origin, but with one of the longest turnarounds possible after an Origin game, you'd think they'd be a decent chance. The biggest question, clearly, is whether or not Trell plays. I'm not getting my hopes up, but you'd think he'd be a chance. Significantly, we should finally have Tom back and hopefully Cody has had a rest and will be back too. Those two alone will be massive in's. So, yea, this week is simple for us. It's all about just getting back to our Footy. Our style. Play that Rabbitohs Footy that worked so well for us in the past, and we'll be sweet. But continue on how we have been, and we'll really be up against us. It's up to the boys, they control their own destiny.
Really looking forward to this one!! Finally, we have a game to look forward to again. It seems so far away still but that's alright, it will be here before we know it and I guess it's good to get some extra days to prepare. Time to get our Season back on track baby!!! Lessssgooooooo!!
