Bulldogs just too good in the end. Despite being under all sorts they didn't crumble like the Cowboys did and concede three cheap turn overs in their own half.
Both Graham & Jackson were stand outs for me. James' ability to ball-play close to the line really makes him a weapon as it puts the defence in two minds and Josh's ability to sum up the play was beyond his experience.
Barba is like Jaws out there. You know he's lurking, somewhere in support and when he presents himself it's try time.
Yeah, Dogs were pretty lucky at times. I thought Inu lost it into Linnett but given current interpretations I can see why Hampstead went the way they did. Thought they were very fortunate not to concede some penalties or forward passes & I'd like to see a replay of the 'strip' penalty for clarity but really, it's spilt milk really.
Defence played a big difference too. Cows always looked vulnerable on the fringes, JT has always been soft in that department but Morgan was out of his depth at times too. His work in the lead up to Barba's first was very ordinary, just gave Reynolds all the space he needed to set Barba up.
Cows have plenty of things to like about their side but I still don't know if they have the weapons to challenge the form side in the finals. Front row, JT & Bowen combo can only take them so far.
Reckon it'll be very interesting to see how the Dogs respond to their loss. They strike me as a confidence side and if a side knocks them down a peg or two I don't think they'll recover.
