unwanted reality check but important to remember just what happened this offseason

[fletch]

I would normally be one of the first people here to blast the players after a performance like this, yes its disappointing but is it really that unexpected we lost well over a thousand games of NRL experience and replaced them with kids with little or no NRL experience.

there is going to be massive growing pains this season and after today some real fears our season could be done before JWH/Cordner/Pearce return.

the most important thing about this year will be getting game time into our youngsters and hope they grow as the season rolls on.

[Johnny Tobin]

No mate. No excuse for this performance.

[elo]

The senior players (bar SKD and Moa who have been good) and Robbo have to take the heat here.

The response next week against a Raiders side without their star halves (but a very big and experienced pack) will be telling.

[eddie]

25 minutes in , and we'd still had no ball.
Lose a bit of composure in this modern game and the scoreboard can accelerate like a GTHO.
All ain't lost.
Two small steps.Fergo back to centre and Moa to start.

[Johnny Tobin]

Look at why we had no ball.

Terrible kicking game and penalties.

[Guest]

You're dead right about it being a reality check. The only positive I can see out of this circus is we won't lose many players to rep duties this season. My bet is zero reps.

[Guest]

Personally I will enjoy matches like these for the next 8 weeks as they will vindicate our absent halfback and prove the people who hate him just how incorrect they are.

[Danish]

The only players who's performed is SKD, and the only other players who've shown a bit of heart are Niko and Hendo (not hendo's fault the best he can give is still rubbish).

Don't know why people are praising Moa. ****ing cat put on an arm grabbing clinic to let Inglis score, and hasn't bent the line once all game.

Friend and Guerra particularly need to wake up to themselves. Friend's performance is surprising but Guerra hasn't looked interested in our colours in 2 years.

We will need huge improvement just to be in contention for the 8

[eddie]

Personally I will enjoy matches like these for the next 8 weeks as they will vindicate our absent halfback and prove the people who hate him just how incorrect they are.

You gonna be a pain in the ass for the next two months?
Won't change things much, will it?

[Ruzza]

Take the good with the bad, you know. Id much prefer to watch the youngster play and improve than say loose Juniors to bring in $BW or Hayne.

[fletch]

the most worrying thing about today is we are getting absolutely towelled up by a pretty average team when compared to the real big guns of the competition.

was fairly obvious in the preseason we were going to be fragile on the fringe, and today didn't do anything to ease those fears.

[Ruzza]

As great as a win would be, this isnt the end of thee world. Its a long year, the next 10 weeks will be hard, maybe injuries and more young players to debut. Not sure we will loose to many players to origin, so hopefully we are playing good footy by mid season and have it together by the end of the year for the finals.

[fletch]

big week ahead of Robbo to try and pick up the boys ahead of a six day turnaround and another extreme hot weather game predicted in Canberra.

there are things on show today that can't be fixed in a week, some of our most basic structures completely broke down today.

I hope a few egos got popped today, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

[Johnny Tobin]

Looking forward to the press conference.

[The Baron 31]

We got behind early in the tackle count, and the points followed.

The message from Robinson should have been a simple one all pre-season, we dont have many points in us, we need to defend well, make sure the opposition play out from their own half when they start their sets and in order to do that, we must complete/not give away penalties. We dropped ball, gave away penalties and Souths had their way with us.

No surprise the halves were average, Nikorima looked hesitant for much of the game, although I can understand that from him given his situation, and I expect plenty more of that from him. Hastings improved as the game wore on, hopefully he grows into the chief playmaker role, but at the end of the day, he isnt ready for it.