Darkness moved out, though his parting words were "I will be back eventually" but didn't take notice of it as i was not prepared for Saturday night. Overall many on social media have mentioned we were lucky, i felt the better team overall won. Asi sured up the left side allowing Gutho and Brown to focus on their roles and the middles benefited from that too. We were much better and went down the route that Cooper Cronk mentioned in that we should play as if Moses is not there, in other words we had same struture to accommodate Moses being there and didn't play to the strengths of who was filling in. How we won? Well shut off the Cowboys left side attack with Dearden, Drinkwater and Holmes. Penisini and Brown did a wonderful job along with Cartwright off shutting them out all night. The two tries on that side, one came from adlib play and the second for Holmes came with Brown in at marker and one on one with Moretti. We won the middle also, had a nice rhythm and momentum to our game.
Stats: We had 51% possession, though even in completions at 72% which is better than 55% we had at HT. We had 13 less metres than NQ but on 15 less runs so overall we averaged more metres but not by much. NQ had more line-breaks 7-4, though made up for it with 39 tackle breaks to 32. Our offload game returned with 11 to 3, while our tackle effeciency was way higher with 89% to 82%. NQ had 22 ineffective tackles to our 4. Errors were split even 11 a piece though NQ conceded more penalties 8-5.
Most Impressive:
Dylan Brown: Ran harder than ever but looked more relaxed and guided us around the park well. Seemed more steady due to not worrying about the other side of the field he could focus on his job and what he needed to do. Defensively was incredible again with 27 tackles to 1 missed, also 147 metres running with a pearler of a kick for Harper's try.
Clint Gutherson: His desire to win rubbed off on the squad and that is how you lead as a captain. Back to his running best during sets and at dummy half, 164 metres.
DaeJarn Asi: Was he fantastic? No, he had a few defensive lapses. But he came in with some pressure and just did his job and did it well. Iced the game well, kicked and ran well. Asi is not a player who will be a superstar 6, but is a very handy depth half to keep in your squad. I wanted him from the start to come in and he showed today the experience was vital in those crucial moments.
Joe Ofahengaue: Just when i said i will give up on him a few weeks ago despite defending him, he brings me back in again. Good on you Joe O. Nothing to stand out in stats but started the game well, sured up the middle and is starting to find his groove within the team and the structure.
Bailey Simonsson: He might not want to play Wing, we surely didn't want him to at start of the year but he is showing how much he has grown into a capable NRL player. Gives his all and is tough with looked like a serious knee injury to coming back and seeing the game out. 7 tackle breaks to cap off a decent display, despite limited metres.
Brad Arthur: Got them up but also when Simonsson went off, moved Brown into Centre in defence. Simple yet very effective move.
Honourable mention: Hopgood
Most Disappointing:
Ryan Matterson: Not entirely his fault but only 22 mins and was ok but not for a player on roughly $600-650k a year. Not making those PCM's that he used to in 2022 where he would have defence's on backfoot creating momentum for us. Is it worthwhile seeking Lomax now for Matterson? It is a case that is hard to argue against but i think Matto is important to this team. However, last few weeks has made me believe the likes of Ogden and Greig could offer the same or more than Matto in the middle.
Sean Russell: Overall, i would name him the most disappointing player so far in 2024. With the added weight and his improvement in 2023, i felt Rusty was in for a killer 2024. But he has shown his ceiling is nowhere near as high as i thought. Now i do not think his ceiling was Origin quality Winger or anything, but a consistent 200 game Winger in this league that can fill in at Fullback and Centre in a pinch. Though he had a couple of OK runs, he is not bending the line as you thought he would considering the weight increase and defence wise is beaten for speed too many times. 66% tackle effeciency, the worst in the 17. If Sivo fixes up his act and Lomax gets here early, i would be more inclined naming Simonsson on the right Wing over Russell. Bit of a shame, not from lack of trying however.
Great win, hopefully only another 2-4 games before Moses being back. Getting a win over a depleted Dolphins squad in Darwin is very doable, and would set us up decently considering how we thought it would look pre Saturday night. If we can beat Redcliffe than beat Manly which is hard, go into the bye with Moses' return literally around the corner we can hit some good momentum for the rest of the season and set ourselves to a point where it is not one loss sets back your season. BA said on NRL 360 Moses said he will be right after 8 weeks or so, that would put him to return in Round 11 against Melbourne in Magic Round. That game being a Sunday gives him more time also. I think, depending on how things go of course, he could also be back week prior for Brisbane at 7 weeks, but Melbourne seems to be the 100% target. If not Brisbane than Melbourne, worst case Souths in round 12. Still better than the 12 weeks everyone else in the media were hoping for.
Anyway, as for team changes, Talagi onto the bench is done with BA confirming it. I am sure he will replace Kelma Tuilagi. No other changes needed unless Simonsson is not good to go, therefore Sivo would come onto that Wing.
Enjoy your week and god bless Parramatta.
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