Here’s my full report,
After watching the replay and analysing things further, I’m actually feeling a lot better about this game. Yes, a loss is a loss, but we showed a lot in that game. Obviously started off far too slow and we couldn’t handle the Storm onslaught, although, I don’t think many teams would have. However, once we started to get our shit sorted, things began to fall in place and we looked fantastic! I honestly believe we were the batter side for much of second half and it showed as we kept them scoreless for 50mins and won that period 18-6. So if we didn’t start so poorly and could hold the bal, who knows what might happen? One thing I will say too is that our defence requires a lot of work still as some of those tries we conceded were shocking.
Mitchell: Had a stellar game, one of the best I’ve seen him play for Souths. This time last year his critics were saying he’s not involved enough, didn’t have enough impact etc. Well, that certainly wasn’t the case last night! He was everywhere. Great positioning at the back, chiming into the backline really well and demanding the Footy, taking on the line on kick returns too. Not only that but he looked so dangerous with every touch, constantly making tackle breaks. Was great hands to put AJ over for his first and then scored a brilliant try of his own through his speed and power. He wasn’t fully without fault though, a poor read on Munster as he was fully sold by his dummy for the Storm’s first try. He also dropped a high ball. However, apart from that, Trell was all class and I reckon he’s in for a huge year.
Johnston: Not a bad game for AJ. His running game was decent although I would have liked to see him be more busy. He did look a bit hesitant on the end of some of our shapes, I’d like to see him just pin the ears back and have a go more but he did still have two fantastic finishes in the corner which were great.
Gagai: A bit of a mixed review for Gags. He made some good runs that we have become used to but then had some really poor ones at times that lacked intensity, one of those produced an error right on our line. He looked elusive attacking their line and the Storm struggled to nab him first time. In defence, it was his poor read that lead to Paps’ try but that was his only bad read for the night.
Graham: Was pretty solid all game without being spectacular. I have no real criticism for him. Very solid hit ups, I thought his work rate was good and he did threaten to break the line a few times while we were on the attack.
Mansour: Was average. I have to be honest. His hit ups were fine, he had some really good runs throughout the game but I think his work rate was a bit lacking. Dropped an easy catch on the end of a right side shift early on which was a chance gone begging as it would have put him one on one with Addo-Carr. Also, that pushed pass he did to AJ, I think it was in the second half, was inexcusable. Wingers should not be linking up in that situation and there was no need for it. I’m willing to cut him some slack though, his first official game at a new club in the unfamiliar right wing spot. No doubt there’ll be a bedding in period.
Walker: A rocks and diamonds start to the Season for Cody as he had a few really nice moments and then some really poor moments. Gotta be honest, probably more bad than good. I’ll start with the bad. Upon watching the replay, he bombed two tries last night. The first was mid first half, I think the Storm were up 12-0 at that stage, we’re attacking their line and put on a great shape to the left. The play works and we look to have got them as Latrell is swooping around the back of Cody with Gags and AJ outside him, thus, creating a three on two. However, Cody decides not to pass which kills the play. The second bombed try is the last play before half time. Again, similar position, similar shape, again, an overlap. But this time Cody take his eye off the ball and it bounces straight off his chest. We need better in these two situations. What’s more, he made an error at a separate time. Now to the good. Cody did still look dangerous on some plays, he was creating chances. He was involved in most of the good attacking raids we made. Provided and absolute beauty of a cut-out ball for AJ’s second, that was special. Otherwise, overall I expect better from Cody.
Reynolds: Was also pretty quiet last night. Apart from a a handful of attacking raids, we was barely seen on the attack at all. He didn’t float over to the left to be involved in a play over there, nothing. We need more involvement than that from our halfback. Even his kicking game was a bit off I thought. Despite a few good kicks, the rest just didn’t seem to have any ‘oompf’ to them. Then on defence, he was sound for most of the game apart from a very poor read on his part but also a bit of bad communication with Su’A.
Burgess: One of the least impactful games I’ve seen him play for a while. The Storm just ran all over him in that opening stanza and Tom was very quiet. Not good enough from a starting front rower of his calibre. Suffered that injury but thankfully he’s okay.
Cook: This is going to be harsh but he was probably our worst player of the game last night. He did do a lot of defence but on attack he added nothing. No runs and some really bad passing from dummy half, one of which mid way through the first half cost us big time as I could feel a try coming in that set but that killed our momentum. Not sure what it is with Cookie in these big games but it’s a worry.
Tatola: Just as poor as Burgess and I’d kind of give these two the same comments.
Host: A pretty quiet game compared to his efforts in the Charity Shield, it was like he was running straight into brick walls as it seems he just couldn’t make any meters. Had an error in him too. First game for the club though so I’ll cut him some slack.
Su’A: Again, I’m gonna be pretty harsh but that’s one of the worst games I’ve seen him play. Hardly made an impact out there on the right edge and was hooked early as a result. He’s had an injury and I get it going to take some time to get back to his best but I still expect a lot better than that from him.
Murray: Wasn’t too bad but probably had a quiet game by his standards. When he did run that ball, it was the Cam Murray we know and love but the problem was he didn’t do enough of that last night. He played too much like another ball player, a link player. We all know his ball playing is great but there needs to be a balance between his ball playing and running (which is his biggest strength). Too much focus on being a ball player which blunted his effectiveness in attack. He didn’t use the biggest weapon in his Arseanal.
Marshall: Because of the state of the game, Benji was put on way earlier than expected however, it proved to be a great call. Benji had a big impact and kind of changed the game when he came on. We started to look a bit more crisp, more direct and determined. He was making some space up there and it was him that started the movement for our tries. Turns out he was exactly the change we needed. One of our best.
Nicholls; Played well. Despite playing reduced minutes, he managed a nice litte stinit. Some awesome hit ups, solid defence and he certainly didn’t let anyone down.
Koloamatangi: Despite a few silly errors, Keaon picked up right where he left off last year. Another big meter-eating performance as he had plenty of runs and charged into the line with a truck load of aggression. Was up there with the top run maters all game off the bench so that’s a strong effort.
Arrow: One hell of a club debut!! He gave it his all last night and wore that Rabbit on his chest with pride. He came off the bench and looked so determined, it was go time from the get go. Jai just kept going, and going all game, it was great run after great run. Honestly, I was blown away, he was just everywhere. A top shelf game!
So yea, I do think there’s a lot to like and be proud of there, still plenty to work on which is always good. We have now come back to earth a bit and hopefully there’ll be a lot less hype.
