Well, a 30 odd degree scorcher saw me leave the Gong to go west young man. I was looking forward to seeing the new recruits and how they are shaping up.
Unfortunately, it seemed only 1 team really turned up. 40-10 was a fair indication and we just never seemed in the game.
Blake Ferguson absolutely destroyed us, and Farrar and Chapman on the left side. It nearly ended up he would score when it suited him. He was joking to players, mucking around, what an absolute star he is. If he gets his head right, he will be a superstar but that's probably a big if.
Sorry it seems a sad report but hard to write great stuff in a one way game.
Standouts for us:
Chisholm worked tirelessly in a well beaten team. Definitely a great back up for Keiran and DCE.
Chee Kam didn't do anything outstanding but worked his guts off. He definitely needs a few games but he stood up against a tough pack.
Ratings: Hiku: safe and made some excellent tackles however he got a loose ball and took off and was ran down by a lock. Bit of a shock as thought he was quicker.
Chapman: out of his depth. Been at the club for a few years, skinny, gets smashed and whilst he can motor never seems to look for the ball. Dropped a couple and Ferguson gave him a pasting.
Farrar: similar to Chapman: I didn't realise how small he is. Ben did very little in attack and got walked over by Ferguson. He did try and hang on but it was a bit of a David vs Goliath contest. I know I'm not a fan but he isn't NRL standard and we will be scraping the barrel if he makes the 17. Made one half run and got cleaned up in record time.
Esi Tonga: Parra fans laughed when we signed him. He was very average and didn't really get involved.
Gagan: One cracker try when in space. Gee, he is quick and looks willing. Tonga kept giving him inside hospital passes.
Seage: Nice kicking game and solid play. Didn't do much when we had the ball. Only new though.
Skinner: Making up the numbers. Pedestrian, willing though but seems a plodder at best and Raiders made him look average. Couldn't be anywhere near top 17.
Hasson: Sharks recruit but didn't do a lot. I was hoping he may have been better but pretty quiet.
Rose: Looks like it's over for big George. Even when he wound up they hit him quick and stopped him in his tracks. It felt like the game has moved on from him. I can see why Tooves hasn't played him.
Lawton: made some nice runs and quick passes. Worked hard in defence. Quite solid.
Cunningham: ex junior star but not really stepping up in higher grades. Shame, as he is big enough but didn't do much.
Higgins: looked sharp and made some great runs and crisp passes. Behind Lawton it seems so he would be hoping Kayne gets a bench spot in 17.
Ligi Sao: Like what I saw. Very willing to run and made some good inroads. Young kid and will need some time.
Jesse: Got smashed a few times. His wife/gf was near me and kept encouraging him loudly. Didn't do much but tried hard.
Lemalu: worked hard as rotating prop. Nothing spectacular.
Unfortunately, it seemed only 1 team really turned up. 40-10 was a fair indication and we just never seemed in the game.
Blake Ferguson absolutely destroyed us, and Farrar and Chapman on the left side. It nearly ended up he would score when it suited him. He was joking to players, mucking around, what an absolute star he is. If he gets his head right, he will be a superstar but that's probably a big if.
Sorry it seems a sad report but hard to write great stuff in a one way game.
Standouts for us:
Chisholm worked tirelessly in a well beaten team. Definitely a great back up for Keiran and DCE.
Chee Kam didn't do anything outstanding but worked his guts off. He definitely needs a few games but he stood up against a tough pack.
Ratings: Hiku: safe and made some excellent tackles however he got a loose ball and took off and was ran down by a lock. Bit of a shock as thought he was quicker.
Chapman: out of his depth. Been at the club for a few years, skinny, gets smashed and whilst he can motor never seems to look for the ball. Dropped a couple and Ferguson gave him a pasting.
Farrar: similar to Chapman: I didn't realise how small he is. Ben did very little in attack and got walked over by Ferguson. He did try and hang on but it was a bit of a David vs Goliath contest. I know I'm not a fan but he isn't NRL standard and we will be scraping the barrel if he makes the 17. Made one half run and got cleaned up in record time.
Esi Tonga: Parra fans laughed when we signed him. He was very average and didn't really get involved.
Gagan: One cracker try when in space. Gee, he is quick and looks willing. Tonga kept giving him inside hospital passes.
Seage: Nice kicking game and solid play. Didn't do much when we had the ball. Only new though.
Skinner: Making up the numbers. Pedestrian, willing though but seems a plodder at best and Raiders made him look average. Couldn't be anywhere near top 17.
Hasson: Sharks recruit but didn't do a lot. I was hoping he may have been better but pretty quiet.
Rose: Looks like it's over for big George. Even when he wound up they hit him quick and stopped him in his tracks. It felt like the game has moved on from him. I can see why Tooves hasn't played him.
Lawton: made some nice runs and quick passes. Worked hard in defence. Quite solid.
Cunningham: ex junior star but not really stepping up in higher grades. Shame, as he is big enough but didn't do much.
Higgins: looked sharp and made some great runs and crisp passes. Behind Lawton it seems so he would be hoping Kayne gets a bench spot in 17.
Ligi Sao: Like what I saw. Very willing to run and made some good inroads. Young kid and will need some time.
Jesse: Got smashed a few times. His wife/gf was near me and kept encouraging him loudly. Didn't do much but tried hard.
Lemalu: worked hard as rotating prop. Nothing spectacular.