Game was won on control. From about 20-25 minutes in when Chad and PJ started pulling the reins. I can see now where the early Cronk comparisons came from in regards to PJ.
Everything that could be in the side’s control was controlled from midway through half 1 except maybe ruck speed but that was clearly planned for judging by the positioning of where kicks were being taken. Even with Storm doing everything bar rooting charnts on the ground ( avg PTB speed for Sharks a whopping 3.9 seconds!) they couldn’t get their shooters effective and our kickers had little pressure on them a) because there were options b) because they were smart enough to be where the shooters couldn’t access them. They hardly got touched.
There were a lot of contributors to that win. Lots of high rating in effort areas, flash, 1%ers, commitment, concentration, execution and ability but I’m going with the controllers
3. Chad
2. PJ - work on ya PTB speed kiddo. 6.52 not good
1. Dugan
Bomber deadset outsmarted Bellyache in this one. The Sharks should have been the frustrated team in this one but the more Melbourne went about their usual speed geniusation tactics the more frustrated they got because as much as they escalated the wrestle it didn’t work for them till they got snitchy and panicky.
Thing of beauty.