The answer is simple....when you don't get the two points, you get fcuk all running second or is there a consolation. I think we have the next best result.
We looked at the individuals for excuses and if reading a summary of those opinions and you didn't know the score and circumstances then you would think we were outclassed.
The reality was we lost 18/10, 12/10 would be a more indicative score. We led twice at important and winnable parts of the game. The game/opposition was led by the worlds best player and 4 other origin players with similar arguments in their respective positions
We had to counter that Moses, who carried a calf injury into the game and was valuable in the first half as he helped create the speed of our attack. He obviously came out worse for wear in the second half wearing a quad ? support, where he acted like, as someone said, an on field coach.
Anyone with half a brain and Moses himself acknowledges Cleary as the best. Doesn't mean he cannot be effective in beating Penrith (he has in the past).
The other experienced players we had were Lomax(obviously) Paulo,Brown (who had a great game) and JAC. Throw in Walker,Hopgood, Matterson (also good).
Our centre pairing showed up Samrani badly and in the forwards Hautonga. The rest of the team rookies alike were solid with Smith outstanding.
My view was that we showed two specific things, Potentionally that we are good enough to match anyone and two they just lack that big match experience, which only comes with a team of experienced winners..... Penrith knows how to win clutch games! if you were thinking they are now not that good, I think you need to look again. The quality of that game last night was universally hailed as finals type speed and quality.
The way some of our supporters turned on the individuals was quite disgusting IMO.
Read the summaries of specific negative posters, during the match day blog, EA's summary and the idiots like Merkin.
Please understand it is fine to be critical if it can be done constructively and in context. Not being outclassed needs to be put into the context I am trying to demonstrate here.
Finally I believe if we could put our top side on the paddock, all injuries aside then I believe we can beat that Penrith side with the experience we have learnt and learning.
Special Note. Watched Sandon Smith from Roosters last night....he is the perfect replacement for Dyllan Brown....I would pay up to what we were prepared to pay for Galvin. Roosters will not be blind to him regardless of who they have coming back (walker) so we need to make an offer too good to refuse! i.e. We probably would have paid 1m to retain DB and 800 to get Galvin. We lose nothing with this guy in comparison, plus he can play half, 5/8 and supposedly hooker.
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We play that again next week against dogs and I fell we are a very good chance of beating them! Panthers would have beaten most teams yesterday.
Totally agree,
One thing I assume we could have injury problems with Moses. Whats the Origin schedule, do the Origin players miss next week. If so, I hope they pick Burton to replace Moses (assuming he is out injured). It effectively weakens the Dogs if Moses was replaced by Burton. Assume Burton would be on standby at least.
Not most......every single one of them..
And if we played like yesterday every week, we would be top 4 right now.
For all this positivity, we must be be sitting in the top 4, at least the top 8.
I just checked, nope still equal last.
The Boys need to get a move on if we are to make a dent in this comp. I'm happy that so many people feel great that we have improved, I'd like a bit more though thanks.
Still too many mistakes, too many combination errors and still a few bodies to be sacked, and improvement players bought.
I can see the direction, and i can see the determination and heart from the players. They want to be here which is great. Thats one thing i'm big on. Two class forwards and two centres would be nice for christmas this year. If it's to be an awesome xmas then a 5/8 would top it off as well.
I would be happy if we got Sandon Smith and very selectively two forwards......they have to be better than the improving nature of our existing pack. i.e. I was critical of Samrani and Hautonga in this game but the experience and what they learn for the rest of this season may mean we cannot buy any better. Tavitee (spell) fits into that same category.... All have as much potential as anything we are currently aware is on the market.
A marquee forward has to be that actually that....same for the centre you are looking for.
Speed is still King as shown by that Canberra fullback yesterday.
Bluey, I hear you and can see the pain.....but you need to stop looking at that points table, Yes we can make the eight but don't count on it or expect it......just pray we continue to get better and we get to a stage of expecting to win, not hoping to win. Even when we expect to win or favourites to win, its again another new experience for this team to learn.
i.e The pressure of expectations.
Christ maybe we can coach them on that one, we have been doing it for a while.
Chin up BE I think yes we can make the 8 but realistically not this year mate and hear what your saying too.
I just believe these errors and learning new structures under a new coach we'll continue to build.
Next year with a fresh roster more players moved on I think we'll continue to improve.
Been saying this for a few weeks we need to keep adding footy players and athletic ones at that.
So no excuses if/when we eat another spoon this year?
All depends Randolph, tell me what you are hoping for and I will work out a response.
No
Ok, I am very patient with children, your one of the few teenagers on here that has some intelligence.
One day when your an adult you can join in with the other adults. In the interim look after that acme, it shows up badly when you blush!
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