We lost the first half because we tried to score (with bombs) at every opportunity. We got on top early and had really good field position that we should have used to tire the opposition out e.g. with grubbers into goal - we were very close to the goal line on a number of occassions. Instead we let them off the hook trying to score each time. One bomb to feel out the defence may have been justifiable. But they were well prepared and had blockers in place. I like that we are thinking of doing high balls to our wingers but no point when it is being well defended. Maybe later in the game when the blockers become lazy.
In the second half we spent 20 minutes wearing them down and when they were tired and easier to attack the points flowed. Glad we learnt mid game and adjusted. Awesome game. Penrith are a good team and likely top four. Unlike Moanly who need favourable ref decisions to get them back in the game. I may be biased about the Walker try and a bunch of forward passes from their dummy half and Tafua's last try in last weeks match. But I watched the Moanly Broncos game and Moanly only got back into it with all the 50/50s going their way and a few howlers - Keppie lost the ball cold and Moanly were gifted a penalty and Jack T lost the ball in a fair one on one strip which was penalised.
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Agree
I I think both Manly and Parra were flat this week after playing each other the previous week and both ended up getting a tongue lashing at half time,as you would after a dismal first half, then managed to come to their senses in the end half and show their true potential.
Liked your summary in the 1st paragraph. Pretty spot on.
We applied the pressure patiently against both Titans and Broncos until they were out of juice and then simply had our dirty way with them. Neither will be in the top 8 though. Wasn't as easy vs Manly and the Panthers. Both will be top 8. I actually like what I've see from the Panthers so far but they seem to have a conditioning issue as they were gassed is the last 20 vs both us and an injury- ravaged Knights team who lost both halves during the first half.
I think the game was decided by 3 factors in the 2nd half. Gutho's try saver on Kikau, Browny coming on for his second stint all fired up, constantly penetrating their middle 3rd and Waqa deciding to bully Stephen Crichton. If anyone noticed, after he was fended he smashed his face on the turf. That's the equivilent of someone flushing your head down the dunny in RL terms. Both embarrasing and humbling. After that, Waqa stood a metre over him and skipped passed him simply using his footwork because Chrichton psychologically was busted and afraid to try get infront of Waqa for fear of seconds. Instead he tried to grab him using arms only.
PS Kudos to Dylbags who picked up that time was almost up and probably only a tackle or two left before the clock ran out, laying all over the Penrith player until all his team mates had re-set the defensive line and the ref blew to send him to the bin. Smarts. Good boy. This kid doesnt fail to excite me with his sharp mind. Very Cameron Smithe- que.
Lol
agree
Would've been even better if Brown had got up and asked Sutton why he was being binned. Just slow it down even more.
Haha. (Devilish laugh)!!! :)
Yep, Dylan definitely has exceptional game sense for such a young player. It was absolutely the right play, and yeah Gutho should've drawn it out even more ala Cam Smith.
Manly are very well coached. They know the forward passes around the ruck are gonna get pinged every now and then, but they budget for it. The ones they get away with they take advantage of and the ones they dont they use line speed and push the boundaries with that (like all teams really). But yeah even manly fans could see they were getting the 50/50 calls.
I agree with your point regarding our kick selection. that might have been a game plan though. the coaching stuff might have seen something in the panthers back 3 on all the video work they do these days. for what its worth i thought cleary's bombs were more accurate i.e. landing in the sweet spot just before the tryline etc.
Right place but wrong time - maybe a bit early
Also Panthers probably knew their weaknesses and our obvious attack plan and practiced well to defend
We looked a bit lazy in attack in the first half. Agreed that it was clear the bombs to the wing were not working, yet both halves kept doing it. That's where we need to be more patient and to try a few different things. No doubt BA told them that at half time.
I also felt that Penrith were crowding us a little, and we took some time to adjust to that. It wasn't until the second half when Penrith forwards were getting tired that we made better inroads up the middle. This is despite Gus boasting that Penrith looked less tired than Parra!
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