Re-watched the game here are my thoughts.
We virtually played with half a spine.
- The obvious concerning point is we didn't score a point after the 23rd minute. With 73% possession at one stage late in the 1st half. The Knights were very gallant, but our attack at times, in my opinion, could have had asked a little more of the defence. If we had a bit of luck we could have scored a few more tries being said. Whare and Yeo were both held up, Crichton made half a break in the Knights half and was looking dangerous before he slipped over. A speedster would have likely scored in the corner where Mansour did not.
- Aekins is a fine under the high ball and rarely makes mistakes, but he offers nothing in attack. You can get away with a fullback like him if you have 2 dominant halves, a dominant hooker and maybe a speedster on the wing. In our case that is not an option.
- Luai did not play a halves role in the 1st half. He was absent and when he did get the ball he was a deer in the headlights. Clueless. The 2nd half he perked up more with a few runs (mainly from dummy half) and a clever touch finder in the Knights corner. Apart from that, he was largely disappointing. With a 2 game rookie next to him I would have thought he would have been more involved. To create and offer another attacking threat the Knights would have to counter. In 90 minutes he only had 1 kick. Surely the coach wanted more from him?
- Burtin played both sides and was the only playmaker. For a 2 game rookie, has was solid. From my point, I would have liked a bit more variety in his kicking. It seemed to be a tactic of bombing, bombing, and more bombing on the last. He did have a few cross kicks and one or 2 grubbers in the in goal but mainly resorted to bombs. I would have liked to have seen him run at the line more too. maybe if Luai did more he could of. He is only 2 games in and will learn and improve. Especially next to a more experienced half.
- Mansour wasn't as bad as some make out. Yes, he missed passing to Kikau in the early stages of Golden point when he opted for the safe option. He didn't have the speed to score in the corner in the early stages of the 1st half, where a pacy winger would have. Apart from that, he did nothing wrong. Anyone that makes over 300 metres in a game I tip my hat to him. He needs to score tries though. We have 17 games left I would respectfully like him to score 8 or 9 tires. Would love 15+ but that won't happen. He can't have another season of minimal tries.
- If Crichton stays in the centres on Kikau's side, and both get good clean ball, lookout. That is a mouth-watering combination.
- The Knights were always hanging in the game, but I thought like others once Api went off they perked up and took their chances as we appeared to lose control of the ruck. Api needs to be out there as much as possible but given his past injuries at Manly, there will be times he needs a breather. Whether its Kenny or someone else we need to ensure we don't lose too much momentum when and if he needs a breather.
- Burns and Kenny were irrelevant. Kenny was only there to give Api a breather and didn't do much. Burns didn't do much either. Martin, Leniu or Hetherington will offer more
- I know Andrew Johns is a Novascastrian but as a commentator, he is very frustrating to listen to when your side happens to play his.
- I like Leota's aggression when he runs but he has to get the birdbrain fumbles out of his game.
It was round one again. Hopefully, when Cleary returns and the rust blows off we will improve. I don't expect a premiership this year but I expect to win more than we lose and make the finals.
