The Game (yes...spoiler)

[Alex28]

Not bad given we made over 90 more tackles than the Panthers - we well and truly brought that upon ourselves. Defence is a nice change - they really did well in defence. Attack was littlered with mistakes but you could probably put that down to first game back.

Johns had a good first game back - kicking was pretty poor but first NRL game in 6 months he could be excused. Great ploy in kicking at Lewis in the last 10 minutes.

David Seage did a fantastic job first game. Ben Kennedy as usual had a fantastic game. Kidley will make the 5/8 his own - however he needs to get himself in the playmaking position on the 5th tackle if Johns isnt there. Wooly did some fantastic stuff. Danny deserved his MOTM award - made a few silly mistakes but made some magic plays in the 1st Half.

Parsons and O'Davis really did look pretty ordinary when they were on the field - Parsons in particular is slow and made next to no ground when he ran. He doesnt look all that fit really - this is his last year under contract right? O'Davis will struggle to get the spot back off Seage - he really does look the goods.

Matt Gidley deserves his very own paragraph - he cops plenty but tonight he played great. Some fantastic passing - that pass to Tahu was just something special. He did well in defence as well.

As was said in the coverage - it was great that the team won a game on defence. They took Wesser out of the game completely. They didnt give Gower much of an opportunity, and Campbell really only had an effect close to the line.

Good start boys

 

[Aussie_Knight]

It was a Great Start

 

[Risa]

Definately the most pleasing aspect of our win tonight was the defense. When Penrith had four cracks at our like and finally did go over, it was from a kick. I really hope they can keep it up all year. Defense like that wins you premierships.

The attack will become better as time progresses. I'm sure next week we'll come out a lot more confident and the players will have a bit of match fitness about them. It will be interesting playing the team coming off the bye in the first round.

I thought Kurt Gidley was fantastic. He really looks to want to make the 5/8 position his own. Just like you said Alex, he just needs to work on backing up Joey on the last tackle option.

A wrap of course to Danny, he was superb. He's just turned into one of those great hookers and his combination with Joey will be more lethal as the season progresses.

Searge was great! One mistake but you can forgive him for that. He seemed to handle the pressure extremely well. Definately has to be our fullback whilst Robbie is out. He looks like he's going to make a name of himself. Wouldn't it be great if he's in really good form and may make Hagan re-think putting O'Davis straight back into the role when he's back from injury.

Speaking of O'Davis, typical of him to get an injury on the first game back. :roll: I can see this as being his last year with us. From all reports I've heard he's been one of the best trainers. Well, didn't really show tonight did it?

Woolnough was excellent. Just to name another couple of names, I thought Lowrie off the bench was pretty good, Tahu in patches, Matt Gidley looked the goods. Of the others, Kennedy, Abraham...

Of course, I haven't mentioned Joey yet. He was showing glimpses of brilliance but it may take a while to get back to where he was before he got injured. It was good to see him not being the real dominant figure tonight. It was just a really good team performance.

Only lowlight was Russell Richardson. He butchered some really good opportunities. If he's not careful George Carmont could push for his position.

All in all, a good win!

 

[Misanthrope]

Our defence was really inspirational. I'm used to just turning away in disgust after we give away a second or third set of six on our line- because in years gone by that translated into points for the opposition. Was very promising to see us repelling raids from last season's top attacking side.