Sir Chadley
Jaws
Good summation Gards. But I honestly believe we lost the go forward big time with the injuries to BHU and Finucane. BHU especially was killing it and with Dale doing his bit, our backs had more space and looked really good. Dale is now back so our stocks are rising but in my opinion no one has even come close to filling BHU’s shoes.We have shown the massive potential in this team from those opening rounds - we didn't show that level of potential in previous seasons, not for a sustained period of weeks and not to the same extent. The fact we won those opening games is why we are 4th and not battling for 8th spot. We hadn't look that good in 5 years.
We are a more balanced team and have good performers across the park. In previous seasons alot hinged on SJ and if he would turn up a mong or a decent player that game. We have better depth too.
Beating up on pleb teams and putting on 40-0 scorelines is not a given unless perhaps you are the Panthers.
If anything the last month or so has shown that the teams in the bottom 8 sometimes turn up and put on a good performance (Dragons, Dogs, Tigers ect.)
Not saying Titans were good (they weren't) but end of the day we got the job done with a win, it doesn't mean improvement is no longer coming or that we are happy with that performance.
Fitz seems stubborn but most coaches are, you can't throw away a whole off season of planning and structures on a whim. He is backing it to come good again and sticking by his team selections - if it doesn't work out by the time September comes around then he will need to cop some criticism for that.
He will take alot out of season 2022 regardless of where we end up and with those learning's hopefully brings us back even stronger in 2023 and with a better understanding of where he needs to make changes (and when) and when to stick to his guns and when he needs to ask for help!
It's not beyond the realms of possibility we get back to playing some really good footy with and without the ball - just gotta ride the wave in the meantime
Until he returns, we’ll still be that bit short of the top teams.