Huge win, for obvious reasons. In terms of pure performance, though, I’d say it’s still second to our win over the Raiders.
Still, what a game! As with our other wins this season, almost everyone deserved points...
3 - Vaimauga - absolutely punishing!
2 - CHT - we’re a much better team with him in the 6 - notice he came off with about 5 to play. No mention by commentators so unsure if HIA or what? Hopefully nothing serious.
1 - Laban - effort on effort - and made sure the Storm’s young fella Cooper Clarke didn’t have any more big moments
HMs
RTS - looked perfectly comfortable in the centres and found plenty of ways to get involved - good to see him back in form
Boyd - his defense really impressed me last night - the Storm ran at him all game (29 tackles according to nrl.com) but he didn’t wilt - he even very nearly did enough to stop Clarke’s try after Niukore fell away
Ford - early momentum-swinging error aside, he rolled his sleeves up as per usual and did the tough stuff on both sides of the ball
AKP - solid debut - marked up really well against Warbrick
Ali - he still got beaten a few times by fast footwork on his outside, and made a couple weak shirt-grab tackle attempts, but he worked hard, and is a definite asset on offense
JFH, Clark, Leka, Egan, TSS all had really good games, too (hope TSS’s injury isn’t too serious)
This isn’t a DM, but Niukore was Niukore. He drifts out of the game so easily. Scored a try, then almost immediately went to sleep on defense. Dropped off Clarke in the leadup to Clarke’s try, then inexplicably let go of Clarke’s ball carrying arm to allow the first offload in the leadup to the Storm’s second try.
