F**k yea!!! We're on the board for 2018! We're underway! We've all been saying for a wee while now that we're building and we're not far away from clicking. Boy, that was true tonight!
Desire and passion, that was all there tonight. The effort was up and the boys showed real heart there, probably the best we've seen in a fair while.
It was also incredible pleasing that we kept the foot on the throat and kept attacking unlike last week. I was having visions of a Manly comeback when they scored but the boys weren't phased and they went about their business beautifully.
Attack tonight was obviously really good. The forwards got on top of them early on with hard running and we were making great metres. From there, our attack flourished and we looked great in challenging conditions. Throwing the ball around while still keeping it controlled and direct. Doueihi stepped up big time and took control, he shat all over Cherry-Evans tonight. And I said it last week too but our outside backs were brilliant with the tough yards, they started the sets strongly and really helped the forwards.
Defensively, that was awesome too. We were really aggressive and for once, the boys all looked on the same page, we were able to pressure them with the defence and force them into errors. That left edge looked really shaky in Round 1 but Gags and Kennar have struck up a great combination. To turn away a team that was on fire last week is no mean feat and really, we should have held them to nil. Great defence tonight.
There are still some work on's though. Even though overall the defence was great, I thought our line speed could've been better as at times, the boys would take a couple of steps forward and then just wait. This gives the opposition time and leads to more metres. It wasn't bad all the time but we need to improve this area.
Also, it was fixed up in the second stanza but I was disappointed how we were constantly giving away penalties and letting them out of their evenly, this will cost us if it doesn't improve but it was good to see we fixed it up.
A few times we didn't complete after points too which is a big no no but thankfully our great defence prevailed.
Johnston: Was great. His best game this year by a mile! Fantastic positional play all night which saved our asses a few times and lead to his brilliant try, how good was that to watch!!! He really stepped up with his ball playing too and threw some beautiful balls for Jennings. A great game from AJ.
Jennings: What a game from him! If you'd told me a few weeks ago he'd be this good, I wouldn't have believed you. I think he topped the count for running metres which is just outstanding in a game dominated by forwards. This is the area he's really stepped up in. Then there was his hat trick, how good was that?! A great finisher.
Inglis: A bit quiet early on but when he became more involved, he looked good. Some fantastic runs and got his big frame pumping. The fend is returning too!! I was happy with his performance but I still think we need to get him more involved.
Gagai: Much like GI, he was quiet early on but really came into the game after a bit. Strong running and was able to generate quick play the balls. I was pleased with the amount of shit work he did and he was real solid in this regard. Defensively he made some real good decisions as well.
Kennar: Another solid game. Great, strong, powerful runs and in defence he was real good. I love how him and Gagai are starting to work really well on that edge. Two tries too to put the cherry on top.
Doueihi: Reyno who? What a performance! Really stepped up tonight and controlled the game beautifully. A much improved kicking game and his options in attack were decent. I loved the way he was giving all the boys orders during breaks in play as well. A top performance and he really emerged tonight!
Walker: Was good. Stepped up from last week, and didn't fade out of the game this time. He was electric and kept the defence guessing big time, had a big hand in a few of our tries and created a lot of options, I just love his style of play! Kicking game was better tonight I thought.
T.Burgess: Solid. Great, powerful runs and he made plenty of metres. I'm liking how he's going looking for the ball more and getting busy. Tom did make a few errors and gave away penalties but I can forgive that.
Cook: A nice, balanced performance from him. Didn't run as much but he got the forwards rolling nicely and still appeared to be dangerous in attack. Again, he was good in defence too.
S.Burgess: What a performance! So inspirational! Lead the way and was so aggressive the whole game. Got up in the faces of Parra and really disrupted their rhythm, I loved that hit he put on Fonua-Blake! In attack he was a workhorse and did a fantastic job. Man of the match!
Sutton: A good, solid game. Nice running game and defensively he looked better, he was sliding better and getting across to to help his outside backs. Seems to have found some match fitness too.
Crichton: Was better, his best game this year. Looked like the 2017 Gus at times with good lines run. He seemed more focussed and his effort was much better.
Murray: Very impressive. Boy he's just an absolute workhorse and goes hard all game. Big metres, a lot of work and so good in defence. I love this kid!
Hunt: Scored a great try off Cody but otherwise had minimal impact. Tbh, I don't understand why he was there and imo, we'd be better off having another forward there.
Nicholls: Solid. Did his job well.
Tatola: Much like Nicholls, did his job. I liked his impact and he goes hard all the time.
G.Burgess: Great impact off the bench! Some awesome runs and like Tom, seems to be building. Still made a few errors but was really aggressive in defence.
Manly weren't great so we can't get too ahead of ourselves but I'm really stoked with that!
All in all, a great victory against our more fancied opponents. The challenge now is to keep it up.
