Lasts nights game was a massive positive

Yes, we were rusty but ...We have a squad with a lot of new players particularly in the backs and right edge. They will need time to gel.We were missing our marquee half signing (who defends on the right edge).We were facing the premiership favourites, at full strength with a roster that has not changed much and have all their formations down like clockwork.Let's look at the stats...We made almost half as many missed tackles (17 to 29) even though we had 60 odd more total tackles (368 to 309)We won the penalty count 3 to 4 and were even on errors 12 each.Even though they had 8 more sets than us possession stats were still 49% to 51% to them.I know a lot of folks here don't rate stats but for a team having our only first string half out for half the game and the highest paid player in the team sitting in the stands they are pretty impressive against the competition favorites.I saw this 1st round loss as a much better indicator than the big wins we have racked up in prior years.Only problem is we come up against the same issues with the Cowboys next week (full strength with a roster that has not changed much and have all their formations down like clockwork).Hopefully we will have our halves back on deck.

1 Will Warbrick 2. Dave Moale 3. Shawn Blore4. Trent Toelau5. Jack Hetherington6. Tui KamikamikaThese are the 6 Storm players off contract this year, and are most likely to be offered in exchange for Lomax. Its only a matter of now narrowing it…

Replies

GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman March 4, 2016 at 6:32pm

Yes, good analysis Mapik.
Your last sentence is the most poignant one.
We will have our halves back and be a different team because of that.
After watching the replay twice lol, I thought many times, if Foran or Norman were on, we could have scored a few more tries quite easily. We had opportunities but just no direction or execution without Norman and Foran.
Next week will be a much better test for us and all the new players have had a solid 80 minutes of real footy together now as well.
Frank The Tank March 4, 2016 at 6:46pm

I hope you're right Mapik, although I think we may still not have both of our halves back next week and if that's the case we could be in for another long night. Especially if our 'number 1' back up half plays.
To make matters worse Norman may be a little gun shy now after the neck thing so don't count your chickens until game day.
All in all I thought the guys played ok, defended very well, need to have better ball control and should get better as the rounds tick by.
- Mapik > Frank The Tank March 4, 2016 at 8:34pm
  
  Frank I am honestly a cynic at heart but I absolutely took more positives than negatives from that game.
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst March 4, 2016 at 7:12pm

I thought we lacked go forward in the second half
This reply was deleted.
- Carloeel March 4, 2016 at 8:29pm
  
  Good stats thanks :-)
3h6g5vd736my0 March 4, 2016 at 8:44pm

Not happy we lost, never am, but I think the effort and the desire to win is there. Not happy with our right side defence. Thought Guttherson had a shocker. We lost Norman injured. Our forwards matched the Broncos IMO. We still have Foran, Wicks and Watmough to come back. New combos may take a little time, but I was happy with the effort! Remember, also, this was against last years Grand Finalists. PERSPECTIVE.

Also think Junior Paulo looks over weight and unfit. Just my opinion.
Enforcer Eel March 4, 2016 at 9:05pm

We have to change our game plan up a bit, we are predictable.
Our forwards lack skill.
Halves have to get the ball to Jennings.
And we need to fix our dumb penalties every week!!
- Enforcer Eel > Enforcer Eel March 4, 2016 at 9:22pm
  
  Apart from Kenny Edwards, our forwards arnt skillful. Including Peats.
- Prof. Daz > Enforcer Eel March 5, 2016 at 9:00am
  
  TTGIR, I am imagining that you missed all the off load and poking head through line stuff of Ma'u, Edwards and Paulo? There is enough skill there. Each player just had to use their skills at the right time
Stevo March 4, 2016 at 9:08pm

Like your analysis Mapik, once we are able to field our full strength side we are going to get noticed