Noticed the effort and energy especially in the opening stanza. We are a different team when we play with commitment, speed and purpose. Everyone looked switched on - wasn't just a few carrying the team like usual.
Did someone tell Flano it is not 2008 anymore? Kicking for goal and grinding out a win isn't going to happen. We need to put teams to the sword, especially as we fall away late in games with errors and lapses in concentration and fitness.
The cowboys wern't interested in the first half. I think teams struggle to lift against us until they relise they might actually lose the game.
Did you see the ease at which we made breaks. Best ran through a massive gap and the defender looked to be complaining about something instead of tackling but credit to the Sharks for taking advantage of their lapses.
Kelly needed more help in defense, he isn't going to be able to tackle the big boys on his try line alone. Can he defend out wide like Soward at Merge? This might conserve some energy for him as well although our defense on the wings is not convincing at this stage either but was improved this game.
The other try when Gallen missed he was injured and looked exhausted when he over ran it. It's been a long season for him.
I could tell Ike was going to drop that ball ahead of time when he attacked it under pressure. Gards might have done the same thing who knows.
Was happy how we kept hitting back on the scoreboard when we got behind instead of losing the plot (until right at the death). Enterntaining game. Smith worked his backside off and the pillow looked fitter than he has in a while and played accordingly. Our bench didn't do alot with the exception of Aiton.
Keep some perspective. We didn't have a shocker and the effort and commitment was there for a change across the park.
Take away the Best out of line brain snap, the Gallen injured/exhausted tackle miss or even the Ike fumble and maybe we win that.
That game highlighted what a joke the "strip" rule is.
It's been a long frustrating year but their are good signs and talent at this club. Flano just has to better organise, utilise and motivate and hopefully the consistancy and confidence will follow.
Even with our attacking gun in AK back in the team we should play to our strengths around our forwards and backrow until our halves take more control. We look great when they run hard and straight and have the courage to pop an offload. Our second phase play can really carve up teams and give us easy metres when the support play is there. Hopefully Fifita can carry on the work that Snowy was doing last night and Toops needs more ball - duh.
A premiership is still some years away but I really do see better times ahead for this team but Flanno really has to faciliate the potential.
AK, Graham, Degoise and Gards next year is going to be a dynamo combo. Our backrow remains strong and I can't wait to see what 2012 brings.
For some reason I sniff a win against the Tigers next week providing the boys arn't completely over 2011 by now. Rip in.
Hotdog is our best winger and agree with Snowy he needs a new contract. Wade has great energy, strength and commitment game after game. See him sprint to the wing to try and stop that try - almost put the player over the touchline. Excellent signing and our most improved player.
Ike is good to have in the team but needs to better utilise players around him as he is bit selfish sometimes I feel or maybe he just backs his speed.
Mills will come good but needs to develop a bit of a shimmy in his footwork to go with his raw strength if he is to be a solution in our centres - if not he will be Wing depth.
His speed might not improve alot - he has had alot of knee surgery right?