Here is my two cents on the Cowboys game last night.
Firstly I was really filthy after the game, don’t know why coz I’ve gotten used to us losing lately, but I was looking forward to seeing our youngsters gel and finish off the season strong, last night was a PATHETIC performance, particularly defensively. Here is the good, the bad and the ugly (but in reverse order coz I gotta get it outta my system)
UGLY:
- Our defence is PATHETIC, I remember reading that defence is all about attitude, desire and commitment, well then this team has none of that and Elliot has a massive job to do to get this team ready for next season. Maybe they have all given up for the year and are just interested in scoring points. Whatever it is it needs to be rectified because we will win the spoon again next year with defense like ours.
- Its frustrating because you know that as soon as the opposition has the ball inside our 20 that they will score, it’s a given. Its sad when as a Panthers fan you know your team will still lose despite being up by 10 with 8mins remaining.
- Our attack was terrible and execution was very poor. We had the majority of possession and field position, yet it took us forever to get across the line. Our set plays look nice but at times it was predictable; long ball to Gower, Gower long ball behind 2 runners to Wallace, pass to centres. Notice that when Gower finally went short to Clinton we scored. Need to add more variety to our attack, was definitely poor tonight.
BAD:
- Sammut: Oh geez, I really hope that our juniors coming through will lead us to success, Sammut has shown that he is a livewire and can create opportunities, however I just think he is too small to play first grade and it really is a shame but its just reality. Last night he got hammered 2-3 times by MATT BOWEN, he missed 2-3 one-on-one tackles on Bowen and Thurston, and in at least 2-3 of the tries he had an opportunity to make a ball-and-all tackle on the try scorer but was merely swatted away, I’m sure that if Wesser was playing he would have held one of them up. I just don’t think he can play fullback in FG and at 5/8 he would be even more exposed, I wish he could bulk up because I think in attack he has a lot to offer but I don’t wanna go through the same problem we had with Preston of having to hide him in the defensive line, he will become a turnstile.
- Jennings: Again I hope that this guy is the next superstar of our game, at the moment his attack is 10/10 but his defense is 2/10 and it is really hurting our team. Last night he was caught out twice at dummy half and both times it directly led to tries. Also, the last try in regulation we were numbered up and the ball came to Graham 2 metres out from the line, Jennings makes a lame attempt at a tackle around the waist and Graham simply falls over the line and scores. When you’re on your line you gotta rush up and make a ball-and-all tackle, Jennings seems to lack commitment in defense and he is really gonna have to work on it over the offseason. Those talking up his chances to play State Of Origin have to be kidding, his defense at the moment is pathetic and he would get abused by Hodges and co. if he played Origin.
- Wallace: The guy offers nothing, has no pace, no elusiveness and simply floats long balls out to the centres. We are not competing for the finals anymore so he should be dropped and we should start experimenting with others to see what options we have at 5/8. He is an average starter, a defensive 5/8 but offers nothing in attack.
- N.Smith: I’m with Big Mick, I don’t know what everyone’s infatuation is with this guy but he offers nothing in attack and is good for a couple of penalties, a couple of crucial missed tackles and a couple of handling errors every game. Last night in the lead up to the final try Bowen ran straight passed him through the defensive line, Smith wasn’t even close. I hope he is not in our starting side next year.
- Wingers: Anyone else worry that our wingers are too short, Daniella had plenty of opportunities with high balls but couldn’t get up high enough to take them. Rooney is great in this department.
GOOD:
- Blair: The more I see of him the more I like, quite elusive and strong runner of the football, also equally committed in defense (why I like him over Jennings at the moment). He has some mongrel in him and he wants to run over the top of people and punish people both in attack and defense.
- Waterhouse: I know he made some handling errors (crucial one in golden point) but I will let him off due to rust. It was great to see him back and he looked dangerous everytime he ran the ball, got his arms free often with some nice offlaods (Wallace should have caught that offload in golden point)
- Lewis: I really like the look of him at lock for next season (needs to bulk up 5kg). Runs hard and has ball skills, can set up other forwards and he and Waterhouse had a nice combination going, could be something to watch for next year.
- Forwards: I though Pritchard, Clinton, Puletua and Cross were all very good.
Very frustrating game, defense was pathetic, they showed no desire and commitment to close it out.
