Tiger Tarl
Well-known member
So we're about halfway through the season. We're obviously not going great but for context let's use the expectations from the start of the year as our yardstick...
At the start of the season, most on here said something along the lines of "as long as we are competing in every game" "effort areas" "just so long as we don't win the spoon again" etc. then this year was all about building towards 2025. Well apart from one game, I believe we have been competitive in all our games and effort areas have shown improvement despite not winning more than 2 games, the same as this time last year.
Injuries and suspensions have been huge for us and possibly the difference between one or two extra wins. Personally, I believe we need Aidan Sezer to direct the team around the park for us to get another win but if we happen to win the next two games (possible but not probable) then suddenly things look a little better.
Recruitment, we're losing Tupou, arguably our best winger but we're getting Turuva. We're also losing Papalii but have not found a replacement for him. Stef is up in the air (although I'm quietly confident he'll resign). This year so far has shown we desperately need first-grade standard outside backs but also maybe one more explosive front rower. Our juniors coming through are still a question mark for me, but i have hope (Galvin was a surprise and keeps the dream alive for more breakout juniors on the way).
So definitely some positives but very little improvement on the ladder. It's a strange feeling. Somewhere between hope and despair. Hopefully the second half of the year brings more wins and we end up out of the bottom 3 but as things look, I'm not sure that's realistic. Perhaps it's all about building a foundation and strong core work ethic so we can hit the ground running in 2025...
At the start of the season, most on here said something along the lines of "as long as we are competing in every game" "effort areas" "just so long as we don't win the spoon again" etc. then this year was all about building towards 2025. Well apart from one game, I believe we have been competitive in all our games and effort areas have shown improvement despite not winning more than 2 games, the same as this time last year.
Injuries and suspensions have been huge for us and possibly the difference between one or two extra wins. Personally, I believe we need Aidan Sezer to direct the team around the park for us to get another win but if we happen to win the next two games (possible but not probable) then suddenly things look a little better.
Recruitment, we're losing Tupou, arguably our best winger but we're getting Turuva. We're also losing Papalii but have not found a replacement for him. Stef is up in the air (although I'm quietly confident he'll resign). This year so far has shown we desperately need first-grade standard outside backs but also maybe one more explosive front rower. Our juniors coming through are still a question mark for me, but i have hope (Galvin was a surprise and keeps the dream alive for more breakout juniors on the way).
So definitely some positives but very little improvement on the ladder. It's a strange feeling. Somewhere between hope and despair. Hopefully the second half of the year brings more wins and we end up out of the bottom 3 but as things look, I'm not sure that's realistic. Perhaps it's all about building a foundation and strong core work ethic so we can hit the ground running in 2025...
