Let me start off by saying I think we will make the 8.
Now, hand on heart, we got owned last night, I know last nights game was just one game but this proves to me unless the stars align like never before we are not a chance of winning it this season, when I say stars to align I'm talking we get some unbelievable luck with ref decisions or the other team gun players drop like flies.
I also realize that the more fancied teams like Rabbits, Broncos, Storm & Cowboys have all lost a game or two recently as well, my issue is still our attack or lack of as well as our footy smarts.
Firstly, our attack, call me negative, pessimistic, whatever...I know most on this forum have been happy with our progress over the second half of our season with our attack, I am yet to be convinced.
Its very worrying for me that our go to guy for try assists is our #9 Ennis, don't get me wrong, he has been great for us this season, in fact he is the buy of the season in my book, but......we all know the ruck contest goes a long way to you either winning the game of losing the game, I also realize any #9 is influential in their respective team(s) & has a big say if a team does well in attack or looks ordinary. I also realize we had our two main props out last night in Fifita & Taga so I am prepared to give that that affected how we went or looked last night as well.
My issue is too much of our eggs is in our 9, he has 14 try assists for us this season, from memory this doubles Robson's TA.
Our destiny for season 2015 really comes back or sits with our halves, I am trying to not be overly critical of them, it is what it is, our 6 Bird has been a revelation for us this season, first year rookie, has handled himself well & has done a real good job of being a makeshift 6 for us, we cant or shouldn't expect any more of him.
Imo, our 7 is going to stop us from being a challenger (& this is not a Robo bash post but more so a reason for why we cant win it this season). For a half & a senior one at that he is soooo limited what he brings to the table for us in his attacking arsenal.
I get he is terrific for a half with his defence, I'll even go with Flano as he is forever waffling on that Robson is great in getting us to certain positions on the field for us to launch our attacking plays, but this is where its pretty much dries up for him.
Any half that has played 150 plus games in FG surely should be the main kicking tactician within their team?, kicking for a 7 is their bread & butter. We all know our team shares our kicking responsibility or duties around with either Robson, Ennis, Wade & to a lesser extent Bird (I am not including Flash & his goal kicking as there is no rule or expectation that a half has to kick goals).
A big issue is his fifth tackle options, generally we would all have to agree at best they are average, whether that be a 5th tackle clearing kicks, these generally lack any real depth & just as many rarely find open ground, they either hit a fullback or the wingers on the chest, from there we move down field & its his kicks into the in goal which for a repeat set leaves us wanting & more often than not if the ball falls in his hands for this a repeat set we are in trouble.
Within the team structure its obviously noted that we are weak with our kicking, for that reason alone Ennis has been kicking this year from dummy half more than I can remember, he even takes our touch finders from penalties, I'm guessing this is not only for distance but to ensure we actually kick it out on the full!
Anyway, I hope to be wrong, I'd love us to go all the way, just cant see it happening for the reasons above, fingers crossed with injuries but with Chad & Maloney coming in 2016 will see us be a threat in attack ten fold to what we have to offer right now, 2016? Who knows but we'll be a chance & a very good one at that.
