I didn't expect to win this game and was impressed we lost by four points and only conceded two tries, in spite of the fact we had 45% possession and made 25% more tackles. We played 65 minutes with 16 players.
The player missing was our fourth choice prop. We were missing our 1st and 3rd choice prop.
Martin was missing. Injured.
May was missing. Injured.
Tago was missing. Injured.
Garner was missing. Still not fit.
I don't know in what universe we thought we could be brilliant with six first graders missing and a seventh out injured after 15 minutes. With so many fowrads missing, we were out gunned through the middle with Klemmer making 215m and Twal 173m. Their forwards owned us.
Losing Eisenhuth was the straw that broke the camels back, with now a fifth choice prop taking the field. Couple that with a misfiring attack and we would struggle to beat any side let alone a fired up Tigers.
Of course we look poor in attack, the team had six new players in the team. We may be a development club, but we are not that good we can win easily fielding rookies like Smith, Turuva, Luke, Henry. Even Hosking is a rookie with 10 games to his name. Those players will benefit from this next year, but meanwhile, we are going to struggle.
That said, I don't understand why Jenkins wasn't given a shot instead of Peachey, who delivered his two mandatory penalties a game. I don't understand why Cleary didn't kick more grubbers, the ball was sticking to the ground in the wet.