nice add
i thought there errors let us off the hook constantly. some forced, many not
we have always done well with teams that have one finger on the self destruct button
manlys defence had some intensity early
i thought keppie, kelma and oku went in varying degrees of hell yeah
jake solid
toff ok
paseka, ailoi, came up short
even so the backs found a way
more good signs than bad though
I was only able to catch the replay late this arvo and whilst still feeling good about the result, I wasn't feeling as confident about some things as I was last night.
I agree the defence was willing early but it wasn't long before the Roosters were making easy metres. We still seem unable to slow the play the ball down without giving away penalties or 6 again. The Roosters were able to do all those annoying things they do in the play the ball to slow us down but we just suck at it.
Whilst our pressure was good, I just felt that had Walker, Keary and Manu been playing and Sualli had not been injured, that 1st half would have looked very different. Having said that, they did score some very nice tries.
As you say, Kelma and Oku were outstanding. Gordo looks the goods for the future and Jake was Jake. I'm liking the idea of him playing 10 but who to play 13 is the big question. Keps was good at times but he still looks like he runs too upright a lot of the time - and he's not a 13. The thing that really worried me was how much Paseka seemed to struggle. I'm one of his biggest supporters and I was really wanting to see something out of the box last night and it just didn't happen (I admit I haven't looked at his stats). There were a couple of moments but he just didn't seem on the same page as someone like Fifita. Shorter minutes of course could have flattered Fifita but he backed up his stint from last week, I thought. I can put it down to the heat coz Paseka is a big fella but geez he needs to lift if he's picked for the Bulldogs game or his position could become very shakey.
Again, I'm with you on JA. To be fair he didn't get much time and that may have been planned to ease him back in. He also had a couple of moments but it was mostly ... meh. And what's with the forearm back of the head thing he did. That's just BS grubby stuff and does nothing but make him look like a goose.
On the other hand, my goodness Koula is another one heading for stardom. But I do get a bit concerned with how much he wants to take the ball up. Even from tap kicks. He needs to curb that a bit or he'll soon be on the sidelines. If Parks recovers I still think he'll be the other centre (at least initially). Garrick to stay on the wing but I reckon the other is still for grabs. I think Weekes is ready for the 17 but where is the best spot for him when he comes off the bench (coz he wouldn't be a starter yet). Gordo would be a good tag team with Croker but there seems to be a question mark over the 30, right?
And the Shu had a couple of good touches but was pretty conservative - which was ok for mine. He didn't overplay his hand and more flair will come.
Anyway, overall I think we can be pleased (hey Jake!) with how they seem to be working more for each other than they were most of last year. We need a good couple of good weeks before the Bulldogs game and I can't wait to see them run out at Brookie. Go Manly!
