How do you define "quite well"? Finishing last?
We've been pretty competitive in a heap of games and have lead sides for significant portions of certain matches. We have really played an entire season without a recognised halfback or five-eight. Our only playmaker is Hayne and his running game at fullback has been hurt by having to play at 5/8. Casey McGuire has had to move from hooker to halfback. That has hurt his game as well. It has meant that Keating has had to play a full 80 minutes. Plus we now have two backrowers playing in the centres. Thats four players right there playing 80 minutes when under ordinary circumstances they would get subbed and rested. That kind of puts our second half fades into context.
We also have some diabolical options in the backs (Hicks, Etu etc). Morgan is inexperienced so much so that he's playing wing rather than center (he's been displaced by a forward).
Thats not even addressing the loss of Grothe, Tahu, and the absence of Reddy, Poore for the bulk of the season and the injury to Loko just as he was hitting form. Not to mention the Walker and Webb disappointments or Whatuira. Then there's cutting Mitchell --- but that might have been wise in light of cap issues.
Given the appalling personnel situation Kearney has done pretty well. We can see what he is trying to do. It remains to be seen as to whether he can achieve it with a better squad. I hope that he can.
The only blemishes for mine are his use of the interchange bench and the Billy Rogers saga.
This team might get the wooden spoon. But frankly, this is the most competitive wooden spoon team I've ever seen in all my time watching rugby league. This team deserves better than to be 16th. But sometimes it just does not go your way.
