On reflection, the sharks played a tough, finals intensity game.
Owning the big moments and taking the right option was the main difference.
Loots no look pass over the sideline. Uf he dummies, he scores. If he looks and executes the pass Feki scores. Contrast that with Manu who dummies, rides the tackle, keeps the ball off the line and scores.
Holmes makes a break and is one on one with the fullback. Options were Chad inside and Duges outside or take on the fullback. He hesitates, runs into Dugan lane and throws a poor pass. Chad had Friend chasing but in the slippery conditions may well have made it. He also could have taken Tedesco on.
Lewis just needed to secure possession and he scores. Great play by Mitchell but that play had to be executed.
One great example of owning the moment was Chad on an early tackle, seeing the opportunity and executing the kick for Lee.
Easts on the other hand got lucky bounces off Wade and the Tupou knock down.
They also benefited from the Sutton benefit of very little doubt.
Losing Wade is massive and none of the replacement options cover anywhere near his skill set. Losing his kicking game put more pressure on Chad. Chad did ok but just doesn't have a strong long kicking game.
If they play with intensity they will roll over Penrith.
No, he doesn’t have a long kick. But overall his kicking was as good as Scooper Donk’s.
Published kicking stats dont give accuracy but can be analysed a bit to make a comparison
Cronk - 20 kicks, 685 metres, 3 bombs, 1 grubber, 2 cross field kicks, 0 kicked dead, 0 repeat sets.
Chad - 17 kicks, 540 metres, 5 bombs, 2 grubbers (1 a try assist, the other should have been), 1 cross field kick, 0 kicked dead, 0 repeat sets.
Based on this one game, to me, that is more indicative of different kick strategy by the sides. Tupou has a dropped bomb in him every game. No surprise they bombed him. IMO part of the Roosters kick plan was to wear Felix out and that worked as mentioned elsewhere. He had to run way too much.
I don’t think his kicking game was a major contributor to the loss. He was far more pressured than Gronk too. WG gone and the lack of kick protection as Milky mentioned were the main factors, not the individual.
