Let's start with the positives, besides the improved second half.
Isaiah Iongi was a bright spot on a dark day | Getty Images
Our young fullback, Isaiah Iongi, was a bright spot.
Ryley Smith's debut was full of energy | Getty Images
As Macy remarked, we have found a special player in our young hooker, Ryley Smith.
Will Penisini scores in the 68' | Getty Images
And I thought Will Penisini was decent.
Jack Williams also gets a pass. And the new kid the young Prop, Sam Tuivaiti (below), all 118kg of him was okay.
Sam Tuivaiti showed promise | Getty Images
After that it is hard to be enthused about anything much.
Bup was disappointed in J'maine Hopgood.
Dylan Brown struggles to get hold of Wishart | Getty Images
Dylan Brown disappointed me more. The main reason is I have always supported him is his effort. But, today, I saw none of that usual effort on effort plays, sadly.
Joe Ofahengaue, what happened to him? I barely sighted him after the run on.
Brendan Hands was bloody awful, and he cannot start ahead of Riley Smith.
Tackle technique was also very poor and the one reflection on the coach.
But I stress that the idiots that are calling for his head are way out of order.
"Game awareness" was also lacking. Being an ex Storm coach I thought we should have been more aware. If I were Bellamy, I would have been wondering what he (Ryles) had in store for them. Obviously it was naivety on my part.
Lets hope Dean Hawkins is available next week. Ronald Volkman had ample opportities to impress and basically failed. But it's given he is not a half, always was recognised as a 5/8.
Zac Lomax tried hard but again had poor game awareness, but he will be Ok.
The two wingers, Jake Tago and Sean Russell, are not first grade standard. But we knew that. Yet, I'm concerned that maybe the coaching staff have not.
What do you say after that? Honestly, there's not much you can say.
Maybe this team were overwhelmed by it all and the second half may have at the very least gives them something to go forward with. I hope so.
Additionally, I was a bit neutral about chasing Brandon Smith. But I think that after watching today, we need his mongrel. He can play as a middle and still fill in as Hooker, so he will give flexibility to the pack. I know he is probably 12 weeks away, but it looks like we need him BADLY. Even if it ends up being next season bfore we see the best of him.
Jason Ryles looks on | Getty Images
Replies
I thought we lost the contact and physicality early and on a 35 degree day we needed to be near perfect with the ball to stay in the contest at all.
With young blokes, rookies, a rookie coach and system changes we were on a hiding to nothing playing the storm. They probably beat every team in the comp today and we werent given any room to breathe.
I think there were positives : Our team wanted to stay in the fight, our contact improved 2nd half , we had young blokes taught a lesson in what small concetration errors and lack of attention to detail can do and I thought our rucks and edges didn't get blown to pieces by system flaws but moreso we couldn't keep up physcially and the heat got us. That can be improved throughout the season. I'm not that down on the performance .. if thats what we dish up for the next month I will be but I think theres lots for the coaching staff to correct from the game, lots for players to learn and I expect we'll improve week to week.
Good response SP, good to see we have people who can create positives and your points are pretty valid.
For and gainst -38...... maybe we can square everything up next week against Tiges.
Think you being harsh on Russell
Have you now changed your opinion about Hands being special ? You harped on and on about him for 12 months when he wasn't getting his full time shot .
He's dead now ? And you're a DB hater ?
Please learn to tell the truth Wiz, I was backing Hands this year because I thought he may have broken through from the inexperiened to the matured. I have never "harped" on about him ever. DB hater? well one swallow does not a summer make Wizard, but I call it as I see it. Unfortunately when you call it you never see it. Ce La Vie!
The forst half was tough... Id chalk up a quite a few mistakes to on the day nerves for the new guys, and the big changes the old dogs are having to adapt to. Doesnt make it easier to watch though. Storm I think eased of in the second half. The game was done and there was no reason for them to keep pushing in risking injury.
It was good to see that even 46-6 there was still some fight in the team, they didnt just flame out.
Iongi had a good game, hopgood i think may take some time to get back to his best after his injury. Not saying he was bad, just not what we've seen.
understanding the 'rebuild' phase we've begun, my question is - what is a reasonable timeframe to see improvement?
Seraph, Can't argue with anything you have said. Maybe the lessoning off of Storm in the second half can be a salutary lesson in that you can slacken even at the slightest level and lose concentration. Even if you are Storm.
Summed it up well Poppa. I was extremely disappointed with Hopgood and Brown, I didn't have high expectations for most of our team today as the majority are not First Grade standard (wingers, half, props, second row etc) but I do of those two.
2 things I noticed.
we need a hooker badly. Smith had 24 tackles 4 missed, 2 errors and let in 2 tries before cramping up after 50 mins (it was hot tbf). But it reiterates my point that he needs a full season in cup. He's not close to being ready, I hate bagging juniors and wish the kid the best.
The front row was pathetic. No size, didn't win a single tackle, if we don't fix that up we won't win a game this year. Joe O to the bench, but no idea who could possibly start
I'd love to see us chase Liddle, he would be perfect for our club and young Smith. Yes our front row was pathetic and I agree.
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