Now that I’ve calmed down a little my realistic take on the game is as follows:
1) i knew we couldn’t score enough points to win without a huge focus and effort in D.
2) all indications were that Storm were going to be up and would finally hit their straps
3) the team we fielded would probably not beat any team in the NRL. Without our 5 best players this season we had little chance.
4) the above said I was disappointed with the lack of aggression and intent from the outset. We have lost the driving D and line speed we had in early weeks and are starting to resemble the old Tigers. We are being dominated in the ruck and in every tackle on both sides of the game.
5) Some players worth commenting on:
Mason - just very average in A and poor in D
Herbert - tries more than Toa but is awfully slow and not the answer.
Madden- doesn’t look so good behind a pack without momentum.
Bunty- very average was expecting more
Pole- soft in D and really looked average today
Royce - needs to run onto the ball and get more involved for the short minutes he plays
Hope- absolutely not up for it. Was woeful.
Luai - just not doing enough to take control of games
Positives - players who played well were:
May, Seyfarth, KPP, Sione, Twal