Gutsy but dumb performance

[fletch]

no doubting the heart and courage displayed by the boys today which is a massive improvement on what we were showing early in the season.

but until we learn to treat the ball with some respect we will struggle in the final series, no one can win with a 54% completion rate and being outgunned 1019 metres to the Dragons 1582.

if anything we have been taught a valuable lesson today about the level we need to get too if we have designs on winning a premiership.

on a positive note, we were very ordinary today and only lost by 7pts to the minor premiers.

on a concerning note we are very light on outwide now with injuries to Linnett, Leilua, Maubs, Jones.

hopefully we can put a competitive team out on the field for friday night and get the two points against the Sharks.

[redwhiteandbluester]

Very good post.

We were terrible and we were competitive against the side coming first. That is hugely encouraging.

[fletch]

you can't really blame Pearce,Carney,Anasta for what happened today we were badly beaten in the forwards and at no stage had the Dragons on the back foot where we could use our lethal spread attack, Masoe and JWH were good today but the rest did little than tackle their hearts out.

[The Axe]

As always Fletch, spot on with your assessment. Your title says it all.

I actually think this was a most useful week for us. With us featuring nearly every day in the papers and media; with the 75 celebrations and the Hall of Fame; this resembled GF week. Great preparation and experience for us; whether unplanned or by design.

[Guest]

our forwards were strangled and belted out of the game. We hardly ever got over the advantage line and tried to play around the dragons by constantly forcing unnecesary passes and offloads

[TheLoneRooster]

Can't add much to what's already been said here as you guys have all captured it well.
They played the game effectively one man short given Linnett's and Leilua's injuries so whilst I'm not happy about losing to the merge scum, I'm not as unhappy as I usually am after a loss.

[Hawkeye]

I think "gutsy, dumb performance" just about says it all really !

[Guest]

Good post Fletch and nice analysis man.

That 15mins right up to halftime was bad. We lost a lot of momentum during that period. Is Myles playing busted? And Ryles just wanted to go the niggle.

We can play far better than that.

Chook.

[Guest]

Poor hands. Too many knock ons cost us.

[Guest]

Dragqueens were constantly off side,stiffled our go forward & made us drop the ball alot.They were never square at marker as well.When they were hitting the ball up Youngs passes were 90% forward which gave them a huge advatage.They remind me of the 1999 melbourne storm team.FFS with all that possesion they couldnt flog us.The only down side to this loss was all the injuries.

[Geohood]

What are the nature of these injuries? How many weeks will Linnett and Leilua be out for? Isn't Maubs back this week?

[Guest]

What are the nature of these injuries? How many weeks will Linnett and Leilua be out for? Isn't Maubs back this week?

BJ has a bad cork to his leg.Some heavy physio should have him right.
Kane has medial ligament damage.Did not look snapped when the Dr was checking its stability.Could be 3 to 8 weeks depending upon the grade if it is only torn.If only strained,should be 2-4 weeks
Maubs should be rested until fully recovered,as his type of shoulder injury is probable to re-occur if not 100%

[Geohood]

IMO Linnett and Leilua are equal atm so hopefully at least one of them stays healthy for the rest of the year.

[supermario]

Continuing with injuries.

Braith has a back problem

TC has concussion after his clash with Braith

Nate is still suffering from a hip problem

and JWH still has a calf problem.

[Guest]

I am so not liking the sound of those on top of Linnett and BJ

Is Carney's concussion mild or serious?