Back to winners list and feels different. I had a feeling all week leading up we were going to do well but it was dependant on how Moses was feeling, if there was rust and if it limited how he played. But it looked like he hadn't missed a week. Trent Barrett deserves credit for what seems to be the releasing of shackles on the playing group, definately a lot of confidence around the joint and a win v Canterbury sends us off on the trek to top 8 footy. For those who do not want us to win incase Barrett gets the gig, if he gets us to the 8 from where we are, he might deserve it.
Ok i want to get this off my chest since it is something bothering me. It wont be popular with some here and that is ok, but i really want to address it myself. Many have commented that we perhaps should have let BA see out Moses returning before giving him the flick. To that i respond with "We won without him". That is fact, we won without him, Barrett made changes that BA would not have. Hands at Hooker, Lane back to the bench and coming on in the middle, Greig back in the 17. Did it cause us to put on 34 points alone? No, but it sure did help. Would BA of dropped either Lussick or Lane? He had plenty of chances too, i doubt it. Another comment was we won off BA's gameplan. Ok, so the attack we displayed is and always was on Barrett, with himself putting more emphasis on the focus. The defence would be similar since BA was the defensive coach. The motivations and match preparations is all on Barrett, he got them up. To say we won on the ghost of BA is ridiculous, i reply that what about Souths? Wouldn't that be his gameplan too? Then the constant "It's hard when you lose Moses and Gutho" newsflash we had Gutho most of the time and we were still bad. Other clubs have found some wins without their best, why can't we? That is a coaching problem added. Another is comments that "BA doesn't drop the ball or miss tackles". However, v Souths all you heard was "That loss is what happens when you have Barrett as your coach, he is useless" But Barrett is not the one missing the tackles though guys? TCT even brought it up in a fashion of why did we not have someone lined up and let BA get Moses back, then proceed to say Hands was fine but struggled getting through the 80, have they watch Lussick at all recently? This whole thing of BA should have been given time as those coaches will be available in September, but they need time for recruiting, getting accustomed to everything, get assistants ready. Look at Hands, Tuilagi, Greig and many other players now feeling confident. Not saying BA was a cancer or anything but perhaps past the senior players there was a bit of rustling going on. But overall, the BA support is getting to a hypocritical stage, he i feel had not much if anything to do with this win. Those in sorrow over the fact we won without shows those in favour of getting rid of him some ammo as it is that exactly we won without him.
Stats: Our completions were low but our metres were dominant. Well over 2,000 metres on the night. Missed tackles were even with 40-42 in our favour. Play the ball speed from both teams is a big stat too, showing how fast the game actually was, it is about time we are picking up the speed of our play the balls. Shackles were off more than ever with offloads, 19 of them putting us back into form.
Most Impressive:
Mitchell Moses: As he put up that first bomb, i could hear the angels singing 'Hallelujah' it was deafening but relieving at the same time. How good and organised did the attack look with an elite Halfback? Moses looked like he didn't miss a game, if anything it was as if he was making up for lost time. It is a ripple effect where Gutho and Brown performed well also.
Brendan Hands: 53 tackles and ran the ball a few times more than he used to. He looked more confident in his ability and more comfortable in the NRL. Even though he might have fatigued late, he has not played full 80 mins in a long time, he was still leaps and bounds better than Lussick before him who looked fatigued after 5 mins in the middle. Hands was around the ball effeciently looking for an offload, he also expressed energy. He surely has wrapped up the Hooker spot for the rest of 2024 and maybe even for 2025.
Clint Gutherson: 279 metres, that's it, that is all you need to know. He looked back to his old self, he did get a bit fatigued late in the game but seems his knee is back to the point where it was last year. Now, it could be a chronic thing where he needs surgery on it regularly when it starts to affect him again but for now let's enjoy the King dominate the week before his birthday.
Kelma Tuilagi: Another example of opportunity since BA was sacked, could have worked in our favour. He is playing with confidence, adding in a pass to his game. Managed to rack up the full 80mins which BA mentioned was a goal for him this year. Now is on track to become the new Papali'i for us? No, but he can be a decent back-rower for us if he continues to improve.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard: He is nearly 31 and is playing like he is 5 years younger. I am not sure how long he has left but i hope he still good after 2025 to keep him around. He was back in his Origin form best with 179 metres, leading from the front.
Will Penisini: He looked fully confident again, seems to be a theme here with confidence. Penisini had a few defensive lapses but he cornered Iro a lot, in attack he was great as well. He will move to the left in 2025, i am wondering if that might suit him better down the stretch.
Honorable mentions: Simonsson, Paulo, Greig.
Most Disappointing:
Use of Blaize Talagi: I understand Barrett in that it is important having a back on the bench, but Talagi at this stage in his career he needs game time. But leaving him on the bench he missed a chance for 80 mins of footy he would have gotten in NSW Cup. Even at the end, i can sort of understand that it was getting close and Cronulla were getting momentum so you didn't want to throw Talagi in cause you have him, but if you don't trust him in that situation why name him in the first place? Just name Asi who it doesn't matter as much if he gets limited game time.
Only one disappointment as i want to go with positives, it is the brightest part so far of the post BA era and hope it goes from there. Now onto Gutho's bday weekend against Canterbury. Very winnable game. Canterbury are tough in both defence and attack, though with no JAC they lose speed, we gain speed with the likes of Moses on the edge.
As for team changes, Russell goes to the wing for Simonsson. I believe they will go Harper at Centre, but Talagi is an option also. I think rest of the team is the same with Hopgood coming in and either Makatoa or Greig dropping out. I think Makatoa drops out as Greig offers starting ability. If Talagi goes to Centre, i am not sure who goes to 14, but Barrett could go four forwards with Makatoa keeping his spot, MA could come onto the bench or dare i say Lussick even.
Enjoy your long weekend, Moses save Parramatta.
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