Haven't read the whole thread but immediately after the game I was thinking there only had to be two changes, three at most, and they were all bench players.
Out - Creagh, Buhrer, Merrin (can live with Merrin remaining)
In - Watmough, Woods, Learoyd-Lahrs (only if Merrin is dropped)
Heard this morning that T-Rex is out as is possibly Lewis, so that changes things. I'd go with:
1. Stewart
2. Hayne
3. Morris
4. Jennings
5. Uate
6. Carney
7. Pearce
8. Gallen
9. Farah
10. Tamou
11. Lewis (left) - if fit, otherwise Watmough to start middle with Bird playing left
12. G Stewart (right)
13. Bird (middle)
14. Woods
15. Merrin
16. Learoyd-Lahrs
17. Watmough if Lewis fit otherwise Hinchcliffe
TLL can come on and alternate between middle and edge running, Woods, Watmough and Merrin to sub Tamou & Bird.
The absolute critical thing though is Sticky has to use his interchange better, as I just can't stop thinking:
1. Tamou was rested too long during the second half (he may well have been gassed)
2. Williams wasn't used enough
3. Creagh and Buhrer don't provide anything from the bench
4. We lost a lot when Bird came off (due to injury but still)
If we absolutely have to interchange Farah it should be with someone that plays hooker week in, week out. I lean towards Hinchcliffe. But I'd still prefer four forwards, and using them a whole lot smarter than how we've used our bench the last four games. As others have said, Buhrer killed us when we had that set on their line.
I'd also defend Pearce on the right - I think it was a mistake to line Carney up on Inglis' side. Whilst Inglis didn't have a huge game, he made some really strong runs that resulted in quick play the balls that got the QLDers on the front foot. Compare:
Inglis: 12 runs for 134 metres
Hodges: 12 runs for 78 metres
That's not all Pearce defending well on Hodges (obviously had Lewis & Jennings), but for the simple fact he's the best defensive half in the game IMO I'd have him working the opposite flank.
I tend to think that much of the misreads in defence on the right came down to a new 3/4 combination as well as some lack of communication from Morris - he's not the strongest defender. I can't blame Uate for the first try as we were short on the open side from the previous ptb - hardly the wingers fault. He had two men to mark up on and he committed to the inside run from Inglis (from memory) and was caught in no mans land - he made a decision and it was the wrong decision, but there should have been more numbers to being with (i.e. from the ptb we had four defenders on the short side while QLD had two - of course they went open and beat us for numbers). Not having Jennings there would have hurt in this respect, as the Blues probably thought they had to compensate down the short side when the opposite was true. For the second try, he was a fraction slow in getting to Slater. This is more his fault as he hesitated for a split second which allowed Slater to get rid of the ball, but it was also excellent work from Smith who read the numbers and sent the ball the short side, where the QLDers again had the numbers advantage. Uate having to make a decision on which of two players he defends is not his fault, his inside man (Morris) has to read the play better and communicate to his inside men to get across.
Carney must must must play better if we are to win. He was the worst on field for the Blues I thought, overawed by the occasion, didn't run at the line, didn't seem to get involved at all. He can play a lot better which is the positive.
Otherwise there wasn't much between the sides and I was happy with the starting XIII. We lost momentum at various points when our starters went off so that to me indicates we need to look at our interchange players (selection) and how best to utilise those interchange players (coaching). Ricky is both selector and coach - hopefully he gets both right next game.
Thurston sucks/Merritt is the best winger in the world post every few months
