cf2 is back
Reserve Grader
The Good:
Not the most exciting game of footy with the monsoonal weather and an opposition who would have struggled to beat a NSW Cup team, but nonetheless a couple of major highlights from the soggy night. Firstly our defence was once again absolutely superb for the entire 80 minutes, particularly given we had very little ball or territory in the first 15. The impenetrable wall shown tonight has become the standout feature of 2011 and here's betting Dessie was more pleased with the 0 than the 20. Obviously to put it in perspective Canberra without Shillington, Learoyd-Lahrs, Dugan and of course Campese are easily the worst team in the comp as proven by the table. We knew it, they knew it, and the by the time we scored for 16-0 in the second half the match became no more than a Manly training run. But we did the job and put them away clinically. The bitter sweet highlight of the night was of course Brett. He brought the small crowd to it's feet with his first try, caused an encore standing ovation for his second and wonderful 100th career try, and threw us all into raptures with his hat trick, but for mine I would have swapped all 3 tries to avoid the deeply worrying and sorry sight of a frail looking Brett barely able to break out of 2nd gear on the right wing. The hammie is obviously far from ok, but if there's any good news it's surely that Dessie would have hauled him off fast if there was a chance of doing more damage. We can only pray that with further careful treatment it's a soon to be fixed situation rather than any of those annoying rumours of a far more serious problem. One thing for sure is that if Brett can score 3 tries on one leg we are all in for a wonderful treat when he's 100% fit at fullback. In terms of individual performances tonight there was not a bad one in there, but running through the team Robbo was rock solid as usual, Lyon was a constant menace in attack and probed some mouth watering holes through their left defence, Matai too was dangerous at times, Hoppa proved why there is no possible alternative other than signing him no matter what it takes (Kite and one other such as Wolfman let go being the obvious solution), Foran was again wonderful in every aspect of his rapidly exploding career, DCE was exceptionally good tonight with a masterful kicking game and a more positively creative display in attack (with just the lone letdown being when he made that wonderful 1st half break only to inexplicably fail to put an unmarked Brett under the posts). In the forwards Glen was tremendous and showed the benefit of his Country captains knock, Choc was a total workhorse with 42 bone jarring tackles, Buhrer was again exciting to watch, George belted it up with gusto, and off the bench Joe and Tim Robinson were also solid workers. I'd like to see more of Robinson he's a good thing.
The Bad:
Not much to discuss here other than Brett's worrying hammie as mentioned above. One slight head shaker was Des's slightly peculiar decision to hold back Mauro until the last 7 minutes, but perhaps it was simply to ensure the other guys got the necessary game time. I've got nothing against Mauro but I just can't see for the life of me how he get's a bench spot ahead of other's including redhead Harrison. With King, Kite, George, Joe and Robinson at our disposal we don't need another bench prop who in all honesty is a poor man's Mark Bryant at best. For mine our best bench with all fit is: 14. Robinson; 15. Buhrer; 16. Rose; 17. T Rex or Harrison. (18. Rodney; 19. Mauro). But I digress from the bad - having that depth is all good!
The Ugly:
Obviously nobody can do anything about weather that bad resulting in a 6,000 crowd but god I hate Monday night football. There's just nothing good about it no matter what the weather. Nil atmosphere, nil excitement, and a bitch to get to in time for the 7pm kick off. How awesome would have it been to see us play yesterday afto in the balmy mothers day sun in front of 15,000? If I was the NRL Commissioner the first thing I'd do is change the absolutely ugly NRL schedule. Games 1 & 2: Fri 7.30pm (Ch 9 live with viewers choice); Game 3: Sat 3pm (Fox live); Game 4: Sat 5.30pm (Fox live); Game 5: Sat 7.30pm (Fox live); Games 6 & 7: Sun 2pm (Fox live with viewers choice); Game 8: Sun 4pm (Ch 9 live). Instead of the ridiculous 6 night and 2 day games there'd be 4 night and 4 day games and no MNF. I'm betting the tv ratings would be no worse and the fans WAY happier.
Not the most exciting game of footy with the monsoonal weather and an opposition who would have struggled to beat a NSW Cup team, but nonetheless a couple of major highlights from the soggy night. Firstly our defence was once again absolutely superb for the entire 80 minutes, particularly given we had very little ball or territory in the first 15. The impenetrable wall shown tonight has become the standout feature of 2011 and here's betting Dessie was more pleased with the 0 than the 20. Obviously to put it in perspective Canberra without Shillington, Learoyd-Lahrs, Dugan and of course Campese are easily the worst team in the comp as proven by the table. We knew it, they knew it, and the by the time we scored for 16-0 in the second half the match became no more than a Manly training run. But we did the job and put them away clinically. The bitter sweet highlight of the night was of course Brett. He brought the small crowd to it's feet with his first try, caused an encore standing ovation for his second and wonderful 100th career try, and threw us all into raptures with his hat trick, but for mine I would have swapped all 3 tries to avoid the deeply worrying and sorry sight of a frail looking Brett barely able to break out of 2nd gear on the right wing. The hammie is obviously far from ok, but if there's any good news it's surely that Dessie would have hauled him off fast if there was a chance of doing more damage. We can only pray that with further careful treatment it's a soon to be fixed situation rather than any of those annoying rumours of a far more serious problem. One thing for sure is that if Brett can score 3 tries on one leg we are all in for a wonderful treat when he's 100% fit at fullback. In terms of individual performances tonight there was not a bad one in there, but running through the team Robbo was rock solid as usual, Lyon was a constant menace in attack and probed some mouth watering holes through their left defence, Matai too was dangerous at times, Hoppa proved why there is no possible alternative other than signing him no matter what it takes (Kite and one other such as Wolfman let go being the obvious solution), Foran was again wonderful in every aspect of his rapidly exploding career, DCE was exceptionally good tonight with a masterful kicking game and a more positively creative display in attack (with just the lone letdown being when he made that wonderful 1st half break only to inexplicably fail to put an unmarked Brett under the posts). In the forwards Glen was tremendous and showed the benefit of his Country captains knock, Choc was a total workhorse with 42 bone jarring tackles, Buhrer was again exciting to watch, George belted it up with gusto, and off the bench Joe and Tim Robinson were also solid workers. I'd like to see more of Robinson he's a good thing.
The Bad:
Not much to discuss here other than Brett's worrying hammie as mentioned above. One slight head shaker was Des's slightly peculiar decision to hold back Mauro until the last 7 minutes, but perhaps it was simply to ensure the other guys got the necessary game time. I've got nothing against Mauro but I just can't see for the life of me how he get's a bench spot ahead of other's including redhead Harrison. With King, Kite, George, Joe and Robinson at our disposal we don't need another bench prop who in all honesty is a poor man's Mark Bryant at best. For mine our best bench with all fit is: 14. Robinson; 15. Buhrer; 16. Rose; 17. T Rex or Harrison. (18. Rodney; 19. Mauro). But I digress from the bad - having that depth is all good!
The Ugly:
Obviously nobody can do anything about weather that bad resulting in a 6,000 crowd but god I hate Monday night football. There's just nothing good about it no matter what the weather. Nil atmosphere, nil excitement, and a bitch to get to in time for the 7pm kick off. How awesome would have it been to see us play yesterday afto in the balmy mothers day sun in front of 15,000? If I was the NRL Commissioner the first thing I'd do is change the absolutely ugly NRL schedule. Games 1 & 2: Fri 7.30pm (Ch 9 live with viewers choice); Game 3: Sat 3pm (Fox live); Game 4: Sat 5.30pm (Fox live); Game 5: Sat 7.30pm (Fox live); Games 6 & 7: Sun 2pm (Fox live with viewers choice); Game 8: Sun 4pm (Ch 9 live). Instead of the ridiculous 6 night and 2 day games there'd be 4 night and 4 day games and no MNF. I'm betting the tv ratings would be no worse and the fans WAY happier.
Foran is getting better at an amazing rate!!!
