Well that was a good result. Newcastle had us rattled and worked really hard. We nearly lost that game and I hope it fires the team up for the game against South's. A couple of points:
- I can't agree with Martie that we were dominated in the forwards. I think the policing of the ruck made all the difference. We just have to accept that refs will allow other teams to lay on us and slow down the ruck. It is a trend this season as refs subconsciously try and even the game out. Consider this, the Knights play the ball speed was 2.96 seconds, the Panthers was 3.68. Yet our average set distance was 44m vs 35m. How can that be? We are dominating the go forward but can't play the ball more quickly or at least equal to the Knights? The result of laying in the ruck was to stymy our attack and turn it into turgid, coagulated shit on a stick. We just couldn't adjust to it.
- Luai is in dreadful form. He is just out of sorts and trying too hard. That said the Knights gave him no space with their rushing defence and laying in the ruck. He just has to work through this.
- Crichton just doesn't have his head in the game this year. He has delivered one good performance so far. I don't know where he get's off running for 59m when he is built like Tarzan. Turuva is as big as one of Crichton's legs and yet he happily delivers nearly three times as many metres. Every week. He is being very lazy and I would consider dropping him to NSW cup if he does the same against South's. Stephen, wake up you are not in the Dogs team yet.
- Spencer. Letting him go is a terrible decision. Nuff said. He won't die wondering and made all the difference when he was on. If only Crichton had his willingness to get involved in the game. Robinson would have been smiling watching his performance. Sigh.......
- Yeo delivered 47 tackles for no misses, 147m. Admittedly, he threw a few clunky passes, but even so, his performance was incredible.
- Luke had a reality check on being a first grader. He made a number of errors as the Knights put pressure on the ruck. We just have to accept he is still learning and let him develop his game. He needs to know when less is more and not try and push the pass.
- Kenny took 11 hit ups and 1 run for 118m. The man is nails hard and works his butt off. 52 tackles as well. We are lucky to have such a committed team player. He might not be Api in attack, but he gives us plenty of go forward and solidity in defence so others can shine.
I'll end on a positive note and say that Edwards, Tago, Turuva, Leota and Cleary all played well in a tough day at the office. Edwards is really starting to figure in the conversation in top five fullbacks. He has got better again this year.
