So glad to get away with that one. Being at the game had me on the edge of my seat for about the last 30 minutes. My poor ticket copped a hammering from slamming into my hand a thousand times while I nervously fidgeted in my seat.
Onto the game, I'll break it down...
Hunt: Just keeps improving. Every week he doesn't do the silly thing he did the week before and builds on his previous week. He threw one or two passes that didn't need to be thrown, but his ability to get us repeat sets is invaluable. He was a little quiet in the first half, but that's probably because we didn't have a lot of ball, and the ball we did have, we gave up too quickly. In the second half, Hunt really took the game to the Dragons I felt. That play on the 5th tackle down the short blind side - The cutout pass to Reed who got the ball back on the inside to Gillett - That was absolutely beautiful play, and something Lockyer would have done. Taking the line on, on the last play - Absolutely loved it.
Gillett: HUGE game from Gillet. Had some magic touches, got through a mountain of work and looked really strong with his work. His fitness is coming along too. By next year he'll be an 80 minute player easily. Looks like he's sorted out his niggling injuries and is playing career best footy.
Macca: I thought Macca was excellent. His work around the middle, getting the forwards on the front foot was really good. Since Hunt has moved to Halfback, Macca has gone up two gears. He seems much more comfortable in his role.
Prince: I hope Prince stays around for next year. I don't care what anyone says about that, these last few weeks since he's been told to take a hike, he's stood up big time. His goal kicking is exemplary, his link play has been class and he's even had a few individual glimpses of what we know he can do. I really think if he runs around another year for us in the number 6, with Hunt at 7, Hunt can learn a lot of things off Prince. I think Prince is a very good influence on Hunt and can really help his passing and kicking games. Look at the difference between Wallace and Prince since they were both told to take a hike. Night and day, really. In the off season, I'd really like to see Prince work on his speed off the mark and definitely work on his sliding defence.
Hoffman: What can you say? He's a tremendous Fullback. Yeah, he doesn't have the ball playing skills of Hodges, or the backline finesse of a Brett Stewart, but he's as safe as a house at the back. You know when a bomb goes up that he's going to catch it, and 9 times out of 10 he's going to make meters to go with it. Some of his runs getting us out of trouble were very good, too.
Parker/McGuire/Thaiday: I thought these guys all had stellar games. All 3 got through a lot of work and took some hard meters. Big Sam had one of his better games and seems to be playing with a better attitude which is rubbing off on the younger blokes.
Poor Hodges. I think it's all been said, but I have no doubt he'll be back. Even if the only reason he comes back is to shut everyone up who says he can't come back. I hope he retires from rep footy when he comes back, but we could use his experience in the backline next year, and even the year after if his body holds up. We are going to have a very young backline and Hodges being there, guiding them, will be invaluable.
So, the negatives. We gave away too many silly penalties (although some of those decisions were completely f**ked). Our right side defence was TERRIBLE. I'm sorry Stagg fans, but David Stagg IS NOT A CENTRE. If we play him there this week, Hayne and Loko will run at him and Prince all night and I'm telling you now, it'll get ugly. We need to throw big Corey Oates into the centres and pray to all f**k that Kahu is fit to return to the wing. You can't have a rookie winger in Drew, defending on the same side as Stagg and Prince. Peter Wallace continues to show why no NRL club wants to sign him. The hospital passes, rushing out of the defensive line, giving away penalties. GET HIM OUT OF THE TEAM IMMEDIATELY. It is painful watching the team regress when he comes on. It is so obvious.
Overall, I'll take the win. I thought again this week, we showed good character to come back from a deficit and take the win. I just wish we could get rid of those silly errors from our game and the silly penalties. Teams like Melbourne and Souths will destroy us on the back of those.
Edit: Scores. I forgot.
3. Gillett
2. Macca
1. Hunt
