The thing is we have gone backwards because of injuries. Yes the start to the year was horrendous, but 2 things have to be acknowledged there.
1. Brooks had no pre season and AD returning from major knee surgery. Both needed games under their belt, and that started to show in the Parra game where AD unfortunately got injured again.
2. I believe Benji acknowledges the tactics in the early rounds were all wrong and he takes a lot of blame for it.
We then adjusted our tactics, Brooks got some games under his belt, and Api found his feet. We looked better then we have in years. Then we lose Api and Brooks for extended periods....game over.
I don't care what your thoughts are (not u Earl) on AD and Brooks, the fact is, any team that loses its 2 starting halves and hooker n captain will fail miserably which we obviously did.
A smarter start to the year by the coaches and not losing Api and Brooks I believe we are around 8th to 10th.
IMO we are much better then last year.
Bulldogs have only lost Kikau yet they get a free ride with commentators continually pointing out their so called injury woes. Losing 3 of our spine barley gets a mention. Its disgusting.