I'm still waiting for that feeling of "we are going to blow this somehow!" to go away in the middle of the game.
I'm not sure it will go this season???
How we bounce back from our first loss will be a big measure of how we are going.
We have a solid run coming up.
Broncos
Dragons
Storm (away and short turn around)
Tigers
Roosters
Lucky most at home.
Our first loss could easily be in the next 5 games.
Just hope we can meet Dragons undefeated for a top of table clash.
First Loss i'm picking is against the Dragons. I know that's not rocket science calling them out, with their current red hot form, but the real problem isn't how they are going so much, it is the pattern the Dragons play.
Their formula you could talk about for hours, especially since the Warriors have adopted the same principles in the type of players they have assembled, and the style they are playing with.
What amazes me about St George is that they have stuck with the same mobile solutions to winning the ruck for as long as I've followed them, even through the various coaching changes, they have remained a highly mobile side.
The most obvious thing they do is use Mobile forwards and they go large on dummy half runs and offloads when returning the kick. They win the ruck speed, and they exhaust the opposition.
The mind boggles as to how the new Warriors will adjust to that, and even more exciting from my pov...how do Saints cope with coming up against their protege, the mobile fit Warriors.
I won't bore anyone going further in depth on the styles make fights stuff etc...but gee I'm excited. Getting back to why they are favored, well they have been playing the brand of football we have adopted longer than we have, they have an almost bullet proof confidence against us, you know they never get stressed playing us.
The Statistic where they have won something like twenty and we have won three or thereabouts is no fluke, its about a clash of styles and ours historically not being suitable to play them (for example, St George Illawara are a very tidy team, they have sound completions, and they strangle you, the Warriors penchant for errors and risky footy plays right into that).
So....If we lose to St George Illawara, It won't tell me there is anything new to worry about, I think every team has a style that struggles against another teams strengths (us and Melbourne) and you just pray you don't meet those sides in a finals eliminator.
I know I'm ahead of myself talking up this game, but no matter what happens this week, next week is like a early season Grandfinal for both clubs in a fun way (who cares about the naysayers and their 'March Premiers' ). Everyone in the Comp wants to see this clash, we've earned it, so have they, we might as well enjoy it.
My concern with this week is that I suspect Brisbane who are now in dire straights, are going to revert to their default move against the Warriors - go out there and bash us like it's Queensland Vs NZ. We have had some brutal games when the Broncos are in that mindset. players have been lost for the season, both sides have gotten thoroughly thrashed the following week.
Loving the Footy thanks Mr Kearney and your loyal band of brothers.
