I missed the start by 30 minutes so watched it on delay and tried my very hardest not to open MarathonStadium.
What can I say? So proud of this team. They rose to the occasion beautifully. Everyone played their part, and I think everyone had a pretty good game.
There was a handful of sets they made good yardage up, otherwise, we kept them well contained and played a very mature game.
Dane Gagai - will go down as one of the legends of this game. You could say he gambled the game - could have been a soft binning for his jersey punch and Latrell looked ready to kill, he could’ve gone on to have a blinder and they’d probably all blame Gags. So good he took the first contact into Latrell after that. Didn’t take a backward step the whole night. Impressive. Vintage Gagai. Performances like that make me sad he only has 3 more games left here.
I don’t think I can single many of them out without referencing the next, but our forwards were immense. I feel bad with the disrespect sometimes, but Cant did well as well when he came on in the end. Hopwood, Manu and McEwen are absolute stars. Crouch, Frizz and Croker also great.
Ponga had one of his better games in recent times. Didn’t try too much, but always scheming.
Smith one of his best games this season too imo.
Thought our edge defence was good. Dom and Marzhew were great again. Wish there was some sideline awareness at times.
Crossland an absolute workhouse. We miss him so much. He does the work of 2.
Overall, I thought this was a much more mature performance. I noted a few ‘sprays’ - one from gags at McEwen after he stayed in the line and gags had to surrender, and one from Best towards Manu when Manu threw the back blindly back and Best had to recover. These boys are holding eachother to standards now. There was a gameplan. And I think that is what is exciting me the most tbh. It wasn’t just out attack them.
We did get a bit of luck go our way, but I think we made our own luck last night. Could’ve easily had a few more in the first half as well, we were that good.
Can’t wait to see them get to work this week. Always tough ask against a top 4 team - they need to lose 2 in a row. But as I’ve said, we can beat anybody on our day.
Lastly, big props to Mr Holbrook - turned this place around.