Anyway, rewatched the replay. Some thoughts:
Fuccccck that was an enjoyable watch. Comfortably the toughest opponent we've played in a grand final but we went up a gear in intensity in response. Just awe inspiring.
It was a good example of what being hit extremely hard by a defense can do. Melbourne looked a completely different team, a combination of our wall not having any cracks in it and just the wear of being hit like that ensuring they lost that 10% of their previous intensity. Hughes suddenly looked desperate and flustered. They defended extremely well though. We beat almost any other team by 30.
Martin was worthy of the CC. Was hitting like a truck throughout the first half and made the big play the blow the game open. He was just everywhere for long periods of the match. I think its an appropriate award in a game like that. If not Martin, I'd have given it to Kenny. He tidied up so much in the middle, made some enormous hits, ran the ball really well on occassion, all while maintaining really good general distribution. Yeo was also extremely good in that regard (and deserves accolades in general), but I'd have Kenny shading him without the ball and in a grind like that I think that counts.
It's not lost on me that I'd have seriously considered him for a CC either. Much like Edwards, there was a time I'd have said I don't think he'd amount to much. Now I think most clubs would be very lucky to have him, even on good coin.
Alamoti probably 4th best on ground. Again, just a few weeks ago I had doubts about him. Incredible. This time last year, I was lamenting that Critta, with his massive plays in big moments, was the missing piece that would cost us the fine margin we needed. Turned out the guy we replaced him with did every bit as well when it counted.
Garner didn't play huge minutes, but he was extremely good in difficult circumstances. About 5 minutes left he absolutely pulverised Katoa in a tackle, who had been dominant to that point. Some excellent carries when we needed it too. If he played like that for 70+ he'd have been well in the frame for the CC. 3 for 3 on players I've had doubts on coming up very good in a grand final.
I don't think Munster bit down, but when you have form you shouldn't act shocked when people take allegations like that against you seriously.
So so gooooooooood.
