Draw

No one knew how important the collapse of the Colchester wall, in the summer of 1648 during the English Civil War, would prove for generations of children. Unfortunately, the wall where Humpty Dumpty (the King's cannon) sat, collapsed because of the weight of all Humpty's friends (the other cannons). We know the rest. Sadly, Humpty fell to the ground and "all of the King's men and all of the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again."

Tonight, it was our defensive "Wall" on the line that crumbled, when the Sharks went feasting for tries. It was also the "King" who helped the Sharks to another serving.

It was a disappointing way to honour Moses’ 200th NRL game.

Well, this is the worst start to a season since 2018. 

In 26 years of NRL history this is only the sixth time we’ve started the season with two straight losses.

Here's are those six occasions in NRL history with number of straight losses to start the season: 2018 (6 losses, came 16th last), 2012 Four Losses (4 losses came 16th last), 2007 (2 losses came 5th, appeared in finals), 2003 (2 losses came 9th, missed finals), 2000 (2 losses came 7th, appeared in finals), 2023 (two for now). We only made the semi-finals in 2 of 5 times (40%), and the spoon 2/5 times (40%) of times.

Also, we lost two straight at Commbank for the first time, and lost two straight games in the regular season for the first time since 2021.

As pointed out in this week's preview there was concern surrounding our defensive vulnerabilities. Conceding 30 points is a worry.

Again, like in the Storm game (despite having a 50% possession against the Sharks and 53% against the Storm) we conceded over 1900m and more than our opposition and another 5 linebreaks (10 for the year). This was a trend we saw last year, too.

How will we respond to the high-flying Turbo-charged Silvertails at their Spiritual home, 4 Pines Park in Brookvale?

We've only won 4 of the last 11 games at 4 Pines.

Of grounds we've played at recently (this century), there are only two grounds we have a worse overall record at than 4Pines: Raiders’ GIO Stadium (played there 2022) and, Saints' Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (last played in 2020). 

But we did win at 4Pines last year, 36-20 (R21). Refer the pictures below for evidence. Although it was to a slumping Manly that was in the midst of a 7 game-losing streak (post rainbow round dramas) to end the season. Still, a win's a win.

2022 is looking pretty good.

Can we get back into the winner's circle? We might not be able to put Humpty back together again, but let's hope our wall holds up.