So much this. I have no doubt if we kept playing our normal footy we get at least one more try and ice the game, why did we go away from what we know works?
Who sets the game plan?
The kicks into touch were, IIRC, planned. Macca and Hunt, repeatedly doing it. I can't see they did that of their own initiative.
In fact, at times in the first half, and for a lot of the 2nd, I was utterly mystified at the change to our winning formula. I thought often our playmakers, Milford in particular, looked confused and frustrated that players weren't where they were supposed to be and performing their roles as in previous winning structures.
The first try off the Blair offload - one of our great plays, was almost the exception than the rule. Does anyone remember how many times Blair and parker offloaded?
To me, it looked like the changed game plan put everyone off, including Hunt, and especially us not continuing to pressure their increasingly fragile defence on their line in the 2nd half when I thought they were really vulnerable.
Instead, the Cowboys attacked our line in THAT try an an offload did it. We should have been doing that all the time instead of booting it into touch.
As for Hunt's future, I think he will be almost at the top of the half back tree next year. If his kicking game improves, he can be the best. For mine, Aside from his kicking game, which has had it moment, the GF added the last element to his development as a truly great halfback - composure under pressure, discipline and mental toughness.
I also think the captaincy might make that happen, but then, leadership is always a 2-edged sword for a lot of players. In Hunt's case, I think he would make a great captain, and this experience will really add to his class. He is too good to dismiss or forget.