That was a very well controlled performance from North Queensland. I saw the game from the 25th minute so missed the early exchanges, but from that point on it was disciplined stuff.
Put simply, the kicking game tonight was exquisite. All of Thurston, Thompson and Bowen showed tremendous patience and accuracy with their kicks and it was backed up by a good chases from the outside backs. Winterstein has strengthened in this area and I like him in the centres at present. It's nice to have the variety in the kicking department, even Payne was contributing nicely.
The forward pack easily handled the much vaunted Sharks outfit. NQ rightly needed to earn some respect from other clubs after the past few seasons, and they are acquitting themselves extremely well. I love the balance, each knows his role well. Further to this, they are all in peak condition. Seems the replacement of Billy Johnstone may have been the right move by the club. That or they are a group of individuals who take their own personal fitness very seriously. Paul Gallen will be having nightmares about Tariq Sims.
Of course, Cronulla were severely understrength tonight. A point I'm sure Neil Henry will not miss. But a win like that will do wonders for the confidence of the club to travel Sydney and get the win, and have clubs paying our forward pack a lot of respect.
