It was a strange game for me to watch. I already knew the score when I sat down and it looked on paper like a flogging, a late try to make it more respectable - typical Suncorp performance.
But watching the first 30 minutes, I started to wonder if I got the score wrong because Tigers were everywhere: strong defence, gallant running; even slowpokes like Twal taking intercepts, running into holes, putting on shots. The Broncos are a monster pack and Tigers really gave them stick, I can't recall many games like it where the other team had a clearly more experienced / notable pack and we really went after them.
We never really got on top of Carrigan unfortunately, he's such a smart footballer, but we handled Haas well and most of the other lads until Willison got his double.
Typical Tigers unfortunately losing concentration in and around half-time, but you can't take credit away from Broncos for stepping up when those opportunities presented. Would have helped immensely if we'd kicked 2 or 3 of those first tries.
It's obviously a big deal for us not to have Luai, even if both sides lost their halfbacks, it takes away that rudder that Broncos fell back on when we got into the wrestle.
You have to remember that as a fan: when the opposition turns up for the arm wrestle, teams have to fall back on their basics to get the W - kick/chase, shoulders into tackles, presenting a straight line, ball control, opportune runs from DH. Unfortunately for our lads Broncos did those moments better, the classic 1%ers when the game was there for the taking.
Agree with an earlier comment that Galvin has to stay his hand; it's not touch footy, he doesn't need to turn up everywhere. His kicking is pretty good and I don't mind when he decides to run. His support is great.
Galvin's main downside, apart from the sometimes-frantic play, is he will often hold the ball a little too long and kill the play if the defence gets up in a line. Usually that means doubling-back inside and taking the run. His outside players get left empty-handed A LOT. It's again that classic touch footy play where you probe the line then step back to reconsider your options, before driving at selected defenders to get the quick PTB for the next play. That doesn't work in League, they will monster you and slow the PTB if you half-heartedly pull out of a play. He needs to either run intentionally or distribute a bit earlier.
BUT I was fairly optimistic after what was not a great scoreboard. I agree with another poster that this team just needs to get into the habit of winning, to get more outcome from their efforts. Every team fancies their chances against Tigers, because of our reputation, even late in the game and it makes it a little harder to put teams away. We don't yet have that winning formula or elite talent to fall back on for every tough match.
Benji seems cool-headed, I like it.
