After last night's game I've sort of resigned myself to the fact that we're not going to make the top 8. If we did, it would have to be a total reversal of form and a lot of luck going our way.
Sadly I just don't see it happening.
I think the players are trying hard but the structures we have make it look like they have never played together before. Let's take a look at our top players for a minute.
Gal. Well he is injured and with Origin coming up he's probably not going to be available long term.
Fifita. If the bloke would just get his discipline right he could be the best forward in the game and possibly the best player. The try he scored last night was just brilliant. But I lost count of how many penalties he gave away and late in the tackle counts.
Barba. I think we all know he's not the player he was in 2012. Back then he would have scored from that run and pass from Bird but not now. He was easily run down. I think there is a place for him in the top 17 still but I'll admit I don't know where and I don't think anyone else does either.
Ennis and Lewis are probably the only players that are playing to what we know. I think Lewis still isn't at the level he was when we first bought him but he's getting there this year. Without Ennis we could easily be none from 9. He is head and shoulders above anyone else.
Val is absolutely wasted on the wing. He has no room to move and needs more space to show his wares. I know he's young but if Barba is to be persisted at fullback I'd put him at 6. Bird is still going OK but I'd put him at lock. From there he can roam and not worry about the responsibility of linking the backline.
Which brings me to the halfback. What can I say? I know Robbo is highly regarded by the players and coaching staff and I do know he is very much revered by the junior players. But, except for his defence, he is not producing the goods and must be one of the few halfbacks that cannot play what is in front of him. I'd be giving Murphy a shot.
All in all, this is another season of trying to get a premiership winning side together for next year. It's a recurring theme unfortunately and if we are without success at the end of next year that will be almost six years under the current coaching regime without the results we all crave.
Despite all this, I will continue to support this club with the same passion I always have and I really hope we can be talking about more positive aspects in the coming weeks.