When Docker left the field, we were looking at a roster missing Plum, Docker, McKendry and Manu. Basically the entire pack except for Tim Grant (Hookers are more like backs these days but you could argue we had 2/6 starting players). We had to play 60 minutes without Docker and our bench forward Latimore was coming back from a 15 week long injury.
A quick glance at the stats tells you all you need to know about the game (I was there at Centrebet). Their backs carved us up like roast beef on a spit. Their forwards made more metres, but not especially so and Grant was only behind Houston by 4m for most metres by a forward. In fact, up until Docker went off, we were giving it to them in defence.
WIthout doubt, our poor ball control and penalties gave them easy metres and their back line showed us what we are missing at Penrith - strike power at the pointy end. Two rep wingers and a rep fullback made all the difference in attack and they run the tram lines out wide really well. It also didn't help giving Boyd plenty of space and giving him the ball on the full (not one of Luke's best days). If anyone doubted whether Boyd is:
a) Fast and elusive; and
b) Starting to get back to the form he is capable of.
Then I think we answered those questions with a yes. Maybe Luke forgot how good in open field Boyd is, I think he knows now.
Conversely with our backs, Roberts tried too hard and dropped the ball when he made a break and Whare had a day he will want to forget in defence with 5 missed tackles. Those who bag Moylan for not stopping Uate when he streaked down the Eastern touchline are kidding. Coming across field at an angle like that is one of the hardest things to do as a fullback and double the degree of difficulty when the player you are trying to hit tops the league in tackle breaks and has an arse so big, it has its own satellites. Moylan is also in his first season of first grade and his body has not yet got the required muscle to deal with all the rigours of top level football. He will struggle at times, but you can get stronger in the gym, but you can't coach bravery and skill and he has plenty of both. Apart from this mistake in watching the ball in goal that led to the try, I thought he did really well against a team that was on top, dominating field position and scorching the turf. He brought the ball back really strongly as well and in fact matched Boyd for kick return metres.
I was not disappointed by their effort, just by our bad luck and the result. Last year we would have lost by a mozza and probably failed to score.
