Matabele
Journey Man
Matabele's positives AND negatives
Positives:
The best thing I heard out of the game was Hasler saying that it’s “early days yet� and that there was much room for improvement. Whilst it’s great to be outright leaders after seven rounds there are no prizes for being April Premiers.
There is still a long way to go and every win that we can secure now will be vital as the season reaches the pointy end. Let’s not forget that in recent years the Tigers have made a habit of strong starts to the season only to see a woeful capitulation at the back end deny them a chance to play beyond the first week in September. Hasler is doing the right thing by trying to keep a lid on the joy.
Menzies’ form has been exceptional – possibly the best he has ever played. His defence is inspirational – he pulled off at least a dozen big hits yesterday and there will be many forwards looking to run away from him in the next few weeks.
Blue Arsed has finally discovered what it means to stand level in the defensive line with his team mates and is running the ball with venom. It’s gratifying to hear that he’s putting effort into his football though it does beg the question as to whether we should be asking for some of the money back from the past few seasons where he has been lazy and mediocre.
I’ve been particularly taken with the form of handbag Harris. He started majestically yesterday, pulling off some big hits and hitting the ball up with venom. I was surprised he spent so much time on the bench. Maybe Hasler was keeping him fresh for the Broncos game.
Sitting in the crowd on Friday night’s Test Match it was obvious that Kennedy was not right. Off the ball he was noticeably limping and favouring his left leg so it was no surprise that he did not play against the Bunnies. We didn’t need him and saves him from playing three games in the space of seven days.
Negatives:
King was again pathetic. At times I had to blink to check that Donnelly’s ghost hadn’t invaded Brookvale Oval as King sauntered up to the Souths defensive line or crabbed across field looking for a smaller man to run at. His work was completely lacking in venom and was marked by weak surrender and lack of involvement.
Randall also made a couple of darts out of dummy half that were severely lacking in intent and had ‘powder puff’ written all over them. One of King or Randall must surely be due for a stint back in the Reggies as we can’t afford to be carrying both of them.
Stephenson was also dicey at times. Matai has probably gone past him in terms of the pecking order of our Centres and when Hill is right to play it might be Stephenson getting the chop rather than Matai.
Witt’s ability to bomb is very good and he can tackle a whole lot better than either Walker that has worn the 6 in recent seasons but he is proving to be a liability with ball in hand. Close to the opposition try line he seems to freeze and step back inside consistently when he should be passing to supports and setting up the gaps out wide or putting a grubber through for the repeat set. His indecision will cost us against the better credentialed sides.
Positives:
The best thing I heard out of the game was Hasler saying that it’s “early days yet� and that there was much room for improvement. Whilst it’s great to be outright leaders after seven rounds there are no prizes for being April Premiers.
There is still a long way to go and every win that we can secure now will be vital as the season reaches the pointy end. Let’s not forget that in recent years the Tigers have made a habit of strong starts to the season only to see a woeful capitulation at the back end deny them a chance to play beyond the first week in September. Hasler is doing the right thing by trying to keep a lid on the joy.
Menzies’ form has been exceptional – possibly the best he has ever played. His defence is inspirational – he pulled off at least a dozen big hits yesterday and there will be many forwards looking to run away from him in the next few weeks.
Blue Arsed has finally discovered what it means to stand level in the defensive line with his team mates and is running the ball with venom. It’s gratifying to hear that he’s putting effort into his football though it does beg the question as to whether we should be asking for some of the money back from the past few seasons where he has been lazy and mediocre.
I’ve been particularly taken with the form of handbag Harris. He started majestically yesterday, pulling off some big hits and hitting the ball up with venom. I was surprised he spent so much time on the bench. Maybe Hasler was keeping him fresh for the Broncos game.
Sitting in the crowd on Friday night’s Test Match it was obvious that Kennedy was not right. Off the ball he was noticeably limping and favouring his left leg so it was no surprise that he did not play against the Bunnies. We didn’t need him and saves him from playing three games in the space of seven days.
Negatives:
King was again pathetic. At times I had to blink to check that Donnelly’s ghost hadn’t invaded Brookvale Oval as King sauntered up to the Souths defensive line or crabbed across field looking for a smaller man to run at. His work was completely lacking in venom and was marked by weak surrender and lack of involvement.
Randall also made a couple of darts out of dummy half that were severely lacking in intent and had ‘powder puff’ written all over them. One of King or Randall must surely be due for a stint back in the Reggies as we can’t afford to be carrying both of them.
Stephenson was also dicey at times. Matai has probably gone past him in terms of the pecking order of our Centres and when Hill is right to play it might be Stephenson getting the chop rather than Matai.
Witt’s ability to bomb is very good and he can tackle a whole lot better than either Walker that has worn the 6 in recent seasons but he is proving to be a liability with ball in hand. Close to the opposition try line he seems to freeze and step back inside consistently when he should be passing to supports and setting up the gaps out wide or putting a grubber through for the repeat set. His indecision will cost us against the better credentialed sides.