Start with goal kicking! Last year we had Moses and Lomax followed by Russell.
Yesterday it was down to Moses, TDS's one effort was OK.
Well when you look where we scored, 3 kicks were from the extreme outside. Kicking a goal was the difference, but we had plenty of chances that were not taken. Yes Parra should have won the game but at least 50% (big difference in a golden point game) could be related to Parra error's, cold dropped and lost balls were a huge feature of the game from a Parra perspective.
The ref showed us no favours and also was a reason, but it was not as if we didn't have control over our own fate, we fcuked up big time. Pezet, Walker starting and I agree with Mutt's comment, what has happened to Moretti, he was like a mouse. Unfortunately Kelly (who had been filling in well) is not up to first grade standard anymore. I watch Reserve grade yesterday and aknowledge they had a huge number of players out.... that said I was astounded by the lack of basic skills. These blokes and first grade as well seemingly need to have catching and passing practice, and lets not talk about tackling technique.
I am assuming Moses will be fit to play next week, but if he has a groin injury, it could be with him for the whole season. We cannot afford a slow Moses (restricting his pace) and a slower Pezet (lets not mention his defence). Twidle has to come into full back and Joash to 5/8.
Completely different balance to the side. Josh showed his defence is much better than Pezet's and of course his link passing is streets ahead. Its hard to imagine the difference that the loss of Simmosson will make to the side, but he definately was playing the best football of his career up to yesterdays disaster. No winger in Cup is capable of filling in, given what I saw yesterday. JAC could have damaged ribs as well, I would expect him to play anyway, unless there is a break.
Just as a matter of interest if Moses is out next week I would play Volkman ahead of Pezet. Notwithstanding Pezet maybe a proper half, but I see no reason to say so on his form with Parra.
Titans will run us off our feet next week if we don't get this balance right.
NB And something that will drive some of our members crazy....I'm looking at you Chief!
If St George wanted get get rid of Gutho now, say 300k and St George pay the freight (that conversation of dropping Guth is now on over there) than we could do worse than pick him up as a utility, he could play 5/8 or centre and even Hooker in desperate circumstances. If Moses is ruled out it could be even more than imperative. We had poor depth when we started this year, its now getting to disaster levels!
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Your last sentence sum things up.
Great write-up pops.
I would be excited to see what an Apa and Joash combo could look like in the spine - given both of their age and experience, and mixing TDS in there as well, it'd be a heck of a lot of rocks and diamonds...but it'd be fun to watch if nothing else.
Our depth really is scary at this point, and I know we've had a shocking run of injuries to start the season, but far out it's pretty grim where only a few weeks into the season we are already going to have to carry some half-busted players (JAC, Moses) just to field a side.
It's literally the worst time in recent history to be depth hunting too with Perth and PNG both entering into the competition making the market for any players even hotter than it should be. At this stage it looks like we're left to simply looking for options to field a team (any team), and no longer looking at the rebuild / strategic side we should have. Urgh, I really didn't want to be having these conversations this early in the season!!! Yuck!!
I'm not even contemplating Moses being out - a busted moses on one leg is still significantly better than Pezet and Volkman.
Time to eat more Easter chocolate to get the endorphins pumping again...
Thanks Cappy, its reassuring to see you see it like me.....yesterday's game will prove pivotal in a year that confirms my view THAT this game was so important to win.
i.e. if we don't beat Tigers this round ......we are in deep shit....matter of fact we could be standing on some ones shoulders and still in deep shit!.......for those that think that is pretty deep....wait to we play the Titans.
PS I am not bagging Ryles but I will be disappointed if Pezet is picked at 5/8, alternatively I would expect him to be on the bench for Moses anyway (even though, I wouldn't even do that).