Great win.
To those who thought it was a bad game:
The error rate was normal and they're weren't many penalties. Both teams turned up, Souths were just a bit off and our blokes were a bit down on confidence.
Regardless, any side with Jeremy Smith and Paul Gallen in the pack with Jeff Robson and Matt Wright at 7 and 1 are always going to try and win big games by grinding it out.
Especially against a Club who are renowned for being a bit soft in the head and who got bashed up by Manly last week.
It was honest football. Make all your 1 on 1 tackles, hold on to the ball, kick and chase well, control the ruck. Things that Souths don't always do well.
I sometimes get the feeling that many here complain mostly because the way this side plays (or the way certain players play) doesn't fit their personal 'idealized' model. If that's it, you're missing the point.
Winning is the goal, nothing else. You don't get extra points for scoring from further out, having thrown more passes or for doing backflips once you get across the line.
If this wasn't a winning season, then the naysayers may have a point. But the fact is they've beaten every other side in the 8 apart from the Dogs and the coaching staff have done it by putting together a system that suits this group. Once the plan is settled then its all about effort and execution.
The effort was back tonight. The execution must improve- Graham back in the 17 will help, as will the confidence they'll take from this. IMO they got the mix wrong and didn't take Souths on enough on the edges, but mostly it was there. Doing the basic stuff wins games.
Just win Sharks.
