Some stats to consider when evaluating our season
2022 Wins 12 Losses 12
2024 Thus far Wins 11 Losses 12
In the games we won in 2022
Ave points scored 21.75 so 1 point every 3.7 minute
Ave points scored against us 13.65 so 1 point every 5.85 minutes
In the games we won in 2024
Ave points scored 28.5 so 1 point every 2.8 minutes
Ave points scored against us 12.9 so 1 point every 6.2 minutes
So we won games by a higher margin but a win by 1 point is worth the same as a win by a 20 points but fair to say there is higher enjoyment in bigger wins.
In the games we lost in 2022
Ave points scored by us 14.85 so 1 point every 5.4 minutes
Ave points scored against us 32.5 so 1 point every 2.5 minutes
The differential to make up between wins and losses was 19 points per game.
In the games we have lost thus far in 2024
Ave points scored by us 14.1 so 1 point every 5.65 minutes
Ave points scored against us 39 so 1 point every 2.06 minutes
The differential to make up between wins and losses is now 26 points per game.
So anyone who thinks we are improving needs to understand what the statistics around our losses actually means.
After all, it’s the losses that must be turned around so this year compared to 2022 we scored similar points and conceded more points per game in our losses so that means less time in possession and a greater margin to pull back.
I for the life of me can’t see how that can be a sign of anything other than going backwards.
Now for those that insist on looking at 2023 then IMO we should only look at the games Hook coached of which we lost 8.
Our opposition scored an average of 28 points per game in each of those losses so a point every 2.85 minutes.
We scored an average of 17.25 points per game in each of those losses so a point every 4.63 minutes.
The differential to make up between losses and wins was 11 points per game.
These losses led to Hook being punted yet when you look at the raw numbers in respect of the nature of those losses in 2023 they were far less devastating than those of either 2022 or 2024 and the task to turning things around re semi final footy was in some ways closer.
So IMO in 2024 we have picked some very low hanging fruit to get some wins off a very much easier base than the challenge that now confronts us.
Wins against top 8 sides:
2022 - Souths (7th), Canberra (8th)
2024 - Manly (7th), Panther (2nd), Storm (1st), Dolphins (probably 8th)
At least we showed we could compete with the big boys in 2024.
Biggest Home Crowd:
2022 - 16,000 at WIN against Wests Tigers
2024 - 19,000 at WIN against Penrith
So a 20% improvement on attendances when you don't play stodgeball with a bunch of old queensland players.
My purely unbiased opinion is that compared to 2022, this year we played better, but yes we also played worse. Which would you rather support? A consistent but poor side with no likelihood of improvement, or a side that occassionally rises to great heights with the hope of better to come?