Valheru
Coach
- Messages
- 19,220
Well that was disappointing, we had a real opportunity to entrench ourselves in the top 4 and just didn't execute.
The weather didn't help but it was the same for the cowboys. The luck we got last week through playing smart wet weather footy was reversed this week due to dumb errors.
Defence was good as usual. We only really made the one defensive error for the first try. I'm not convinced Joey didn't get to the ball first in the 2nd try and the last try was complete fluke off a horrible kick. As I said last seek though you make your own luck by doing the little things right and the cowboys certainly did that.
Attack is where the issue is at the moment. It was another wet quagmire but we just look so slow and tentative deep in attack. Part of that is probably confidence but we are 9 games in now and it needs to improve soon.
At the end of the day though this result came down to 2 key errors that flipped field position around. The 1st was the attempted short pass between the 2 forwards (can't remember who) which led to their first try. That just wasn't needed in that position and in that weather. The 2nd was the debacle after a stoppage for HIA where we lost the ball 5 minutes in to the 2nd half after looking likely to score. We didn't see the ball gain until we were 18-0 down.
There were a few positives for the game. As mentioned the defence was good again and I though the pack did their job once again. Billy Smith was sensational and it was good to see him get through. He offers everything sualli doesn't in attack with probing runs threatening to split the line multiple times and he is a very good defender. That left centre spot is his. I thought both crighton and sitilli were very good again, I know they are both returning from long lay-offs but the quicker they start the better.
I know a lot of people are calling for walker to come back immediately but I wouldn't do that just yet. I don't think it is in his best interest to return away against Penrith and I also think the weather has conspired for us to not see what a keary/manu combo really looks like. We have gone down this track now so we have to at least see what it can do in dry conditions which is forecast this week.
Either way, I would move sualli to left wing until toops comes back and then put him on the right at that point. Other centre spot will be manu/momo (when fit) which gives as much more strike in the back line. Nothing against Paulo and Allen who have done their jobs but they aren't match winners and sualli just isn't a good centre.
I try not to get trapped in the moment, it was a very disappointing loss but at the end of the day we are equal 3rd on points and have the same record as storm, Penrith and sharks although our F/A is ordinary. We do have to sort out the attack soon before it's too late but we still have time partly due to the tightness of the comp.
I am strangely confident of a good performance this week against a Penrith side who have similar struggles. It is not a must win just yet but it is a must perform IMO
3 B Smith
2 Crighton
1 Sitilli
The weather didn't help but it was the same for the cowboys. The luck we got last week through playing smart wet weather footy was reversed this week due to dumb errors.
Defence was good as usual. We only really made the one defensive error for the first try. I'm not convinced Joey didn't get to the ball first in the 2nd try and the last try was complete fluke off a horrible kick. As I said last seek though you make your own luck by doing the little things right and the cowboys certainly did that.
Attack is where the issue is at the moment. It was another wet quagmire but we just look so slow and tentative deep in attack. Part of that is probably confidence but we are 9 games in now and it needs to improve soon.
At the end of the day though this result came down to 2 key errors that flipped field position around. The 1st was the attempted short pass between the 2 forwards (can't remember who) which led to their first try. That just wasn't needed in that position and in that weather. The 2nd was the debacle after a stoppage for HIA where we lost the ball 5 minutes in to the 2nd half after looking likely to score. We didn't see the ball gain until we were 18-0 down.
There were a few positives for the game. As mentioned the defence was good again and I though the pack did their job once again. Billy Smith was sensational and it was good to see him get through. He offers everything sualli doesn't in attack with probing runs threatening to split the line multiple times and he is a very good defender. That left centre spot is his. I thought both crighton and sitilli were very good again, I know they are both returning from long lay-offs but the quicker they start the better.
I know a lot of people are calling for walker to come back immediately but I wouldn't do that just yet. I don't think it is in his best interest to return away against Penrith and I also think the weather has conspired for us to not see what a keary/manu combo really looks like. We have gone down this track now so we have to at least see what it can do in dry conditions which is forecast this week.
Either way, I would move sualli to left wing until toops comes back and then put him on the right at that point. Other centre spot will be manu/momo (when fit) which gives as much more strike in the back line. Nothing against Paulo and Allen who have done their jobs but they aren't match winners and sualli just isn't a good centre.
I try not to get trapped in the moment, it was a very disappointing loss but at the end of the day we are equal 3rd on points and have the same record as storm, Penrith and sharks although our F/A is ordinary. We do have to sort out the attack soon before it's too late but we still have time partly due to the tightness of the comp.
I am strangely confident of a good performance this week against a Penrith side who have similar struggles. It is not a must win just yet but it is a must perform IMO
3 B Smith
2 Crighton
1 Sitilli
