Storm 3 2 1s

[Valheru]

Obviously that was a disappointing day at the office but it was also completely predictable IMO. We don't do well in Melbourne at the best of times and I also expected a dip in performance after 4 on the trot between the two byes.

The first half, we didn't get off the bus, as simple as that. Storm were punching holes everywhere and the team looked flat, lethargic and uninterested. The defence was not desperate enough and through handling errors we never gave ourselves a chance to build pressure.

Having said that, the 2nd half was much much better IMO. There was more staunch in the defence and storm had to work a lot harder for their opportunities. We only conceded the 2 penalty goals in the 2nd half up until the last 5 minutes where they scored that try after Walker tried a kick in his own half. On the other side of the ball, we only scored the one try but made created way more opportunities. We had that one try disallowed, the one where Radley (I think) caught the bomb and offloaded to Keary and if not for a sensational Hughes tackle would have scored, Teddy went within an inch at one stage and then Young was tackled over the in goal. We score any one of those and we give ourselves a chance to win.

We didn't deserve to win though due to that first half and when you give the storm a jump like that it is almost impossible to claw your way back.

3 Teddy
2 Radley
1 Collins

Just got to shake that one off and move on from here. Everything is still in front of us in terms of the top 4 and once we lock that in if we are still a top 2 chance then all the better.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Collectively the players looked like they had no idea what they were doing. Was a very poor performance all round with some very bad decisions, and discipline? Pfah, there was little. I'm still too disappointed as I thought the team would have learnt something after losing when we played them earlier this year, but nope

 

[H.H]

I said after the Cowboys game that we're flat track bullies and I feel like the other night proved it again. I also saw a stat that said that we've only won once this year against current top 8 sides. That's 1 from 8 by my count - terrible.

I just feel like we're a bit soft whenever we're properly challenged and I don't just mean physically (although that first 25 was diabolical), but mentally too in the way we approach it. We just seem to go to water and to me that comes down to the halves.

While we had 4 backing up from Origin and were also missing Jared and Manu, they were without NAS, Welch, Coates and Munster so there are no excuses. We were ambushed and Robbo was outcoached again by Bellamy.

We've got a way to go to match them and Penrith. They're miles ahead at this stage. Anyway:

3 - Rads
2 - Ted
1 - Collins

Rant over lol

 

[Valheru]

I said after the Cowboys game that we're flat track bullies and I feel like the other night proved it again. I also saw a stat that said that we've only won once this year against current top 8 sides. That's 1 from 8 by my count - terrible.

I just feel like we're a bit soft whenever we're properly challenged and I don't just mean physically (although that first 25 was diabolical), but mentally too in the way we approach it. We just seem to go to water and to me that comes down to the halves.

While we had 4 backing up from Origin and were also missing Jared and Manu, they were without NAS, Welch, Coates and Munster so there are no excuses. We were ambushed and Robbo was outcoached again by Bellamy.

We've got a way to go to match them and Penrith. They're miles ahead at this stage. Anyway:

3 - Rads
2 - Ted
1 - Collins

Rant over lol

That stat, whilst true, is somewhat cherry picked because the dragons were in the 8 until the cowboys won and we beat them twice. I would also note that we are the only team to face Broncos at full strength (twice) and we won both times.

Anyways, we have our chance to put that to rest over the next two weeks with back to back games against Manly and the Dolphins.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

Obviously that was a disappointing day at the office but it was also completely predictable IMO. We don't do well in Melbourne at the best of times and I also expected a dip in performance after 4 on the trot between the two byes.

The first half, we didn't get off the bus, as simple as that. Storm were punching holes everywhere and the team looked flat, lethargic and uninterested. The defence was not desperate enough and through handling errors we never gave ourselves a chance to build pressure.

Having said that, the 2nd half was much much better IMO. There was more staunch in the defence and storm had to work a lot harder for their opportunities. We only conceded the 2 penalty goals in the 2nd half up until the last 5 minutes where they scored that try after Walker tried a kick in his own half. On the other side of the ball, we only scored the one try but made created way more opportunities. We had that one try disallowed, the one where Radley (I think) caught the bomb and offloaded to Keary and if not for a sensational Hughes tackle would have scored, Teddy went within an inch at one stage and then Young was tackled over the in goal. We score any one of those and we give ourselves a chance to win.

We didn't deserve to win though due to that first half and when you give the storm a jump like that it is almost impossible to claw your way back.

3 Teddy
2 Radley
1 Collins

Just got to shake that one off and move on from here. Everything is still in front of us in terms of the top 4 and once we lock that in if we are still a top 2 chance then all the better.

Welcome back, AFL fan!
The game was depressing. The sin bins showed that discipline is still a major concern and we’re just plain dumb at times. As Robbo pointed out during the week, we are our own worst enemy and it was probably a mistake to say we could dominate the competition if we fix our discipline ahead of taking on an opponent who have a storied history of dominating the competition.

That first half said to me we weren’t prepared for the onslaught and they’re probably guilty of reading the papers in the weeks before that had us as specials to make the GF. We sucked and hopefully a lesson that is heeded.

I think we make top four but we’ll go into the finals with a major psychological hurdle to address. Make that two.

3. Teddy
2. Rads
1. Lindsey

 

[Valheru]

Welcome back, AFL fan!
The game was depressing. The sin bins showed that discipline is still a major concern and we’re just plain dumb at times. As Robbo pointed out during the week, we are our own worst enemy and it was probably a mistake to say we could dominate the competition if we fix our discipline ahead of taking on an opponent who have a storied history of dominating the competition.

That first half said to me we weren’t prepared for the onslaught and they’re probably guilty of reading the papers in the weeks before that had us as specials to make the GF. We sucked and hopefully a lesson that is heeded.

I think we make top four but we’ll go into the finals with a major psychological hurdle to address. Make that two.

3. Teddy
2. Rads
1. Lindsey

Thanks, I feel roughly human again after what was an epic session on the tins

I think you nailed it with the bolded part TBH. I also think Melbourne read the press (and the odds) and got their backs up and came out with a point to prove. it is somewhat annoying as the Strom have ambled for a while but every time they play us they are like men obsessed.

The narrative has well and truly turned now with all sections of the media running with "roosters can't beat Storm and Panthers", "psychological scars" etc so we will see how they bounce back.

At the end of the day, we only need to beat those teams when it counts and they are more than capable. Just look at Brisbane last year who hadn't beaten Storm at home for an eternity but come crunch time they flogged them. Have to move forward from here and nail down that top 4 spot and go from there. Looking at the big picture, we have a bye in hand on those above us, a superior F/A to every team in the comp and (touch wood) are relatively healthy.