After braving the hottest and most humid night I can remember at Suncorp, as well as that absolute garbage that we got served, I'm surprised I'm this calm. Don't count on me to enter the Bennett discussion though... I'm not going to judge anything based on 1 game, even if I clearly disagree with some of his selections.
I just watched Wayne's presser and it was refreshing to see him tell it like it was, especially about Thaiday and the ruck wrestle.
You can see this is a Maguire coached team, in the way they totally dominated the ruck and play the ball speed from both sides, which greatly helped Luke tear us apart and Macca having a crappy game. We dearly missed Vidot's hit-ups tonight, as most of our runs ended up with Souths driving our player back...
That really was the story of the night, our ruck speed was absolute crap, our ruck defense slowly but surely wore off, the penalties and unforced errors gave Souffs all the possession and time in the world to put us to the sword, and they did. Kuddos to Maguire, although I will never like the Bellyache grubby style he has them play. They're essentially the new Storm, and while it's very effective, I loathe the way they niggle, push the boundaries, pressure the ball catcher, etc... in that particular aspect, Keary got away with at least 3 times deliberately taking a player out, and only got punished once. Refs need to police that stuff better!
On an individual basis, not many players deserve wraps, but not that many deserve a bashing either. Anyway, here goes nothing...
Kahu - I got a lot of time for that kid, as I know what he's capable of. Tonight, he didn't even get close to it, although besides that sitter he dropped, I don't think he was too bad. He has a limited time frame to earn a spot in the team, and being able to keep it, regardless of Boyd's return, he'll need to improve heaps for that to happen.
Reed - I'd say Vidot should get his spot back.
Copley - He's a centre. Play him there!
Hodgo - Although most of the promising attacking moments came from his hands, he didn't deliver as much as I was hoping. Still the best player in the 3/4's by far.
Maranta - Didn't shame himself, and should keep the winger spot ahead of Reed imo. Safe in defense, he just lacks in attack and will never be a finisher.
Milford - Behind a well beaten pack, never got a chance to do much of anything. Needs time to gel with his partner. Was looking for opportunities all night, but they never really came.
Hunt - Didn't stop trying all night, but succumbed under the pressure of trying to make something happen. Kicking twice out on the full... come on!
McGuire - Definitely in the top 2 tonight for us. Unrelenting, unforgiving, fought like possessed a losing battle.
McCullough - Got a clinic from Luke, but like the halves, was hopelessly outgunned behind a beaten pack. Most embarrassing was seeing Parker teach him a thing or two about fast service!
Blair - Was one of the most vocal people against his recruitment, but he was definitely one of the few forwards capable of holding their head high tonight.
Glenn - Tried hard, but was inconsequential. Like most others, didn't give up either... just lacked something and kept being pushed back.
Thaiday - I used to go to bat for this guy, but his attitude as a senior player has to change. He single handedly gave Souffs control of the game, and took it away from us when we were still evening the stakes. Needs to be dropped to the bench at the very least...
Parker - Not the player we're used to. No offloads, no slanted runs, less work and minutes than usual... maybe the occasion got to him. Still did a half decent job in a spot he should have never been!
Dodds - Clearly a man on a mission from a defensive perspective. Hit a few Souths runners hard, and that was good to see... still unable to cart the ball forward with any grunt though.
Gavet - Tried too hard, made too many mistakes, but is a player we need in a doo gooders team. Hopefully Garbutt can carry the torch if James gets suspended.
Gillett - The best a man can get. Only guy who systematically got meters with his go footwork and go forward. Troubled Souffs otherwise fairly easy job against our runners. Deserved his try, even if the team as a whole didn't. MOTM for mine (and yes, I know I am biased)
Whitchurch - I feel for the kid, but he was so clearly out of his depth, it's not funny... surely he won't be back next week?
TLDR: Gillett and Moose are awesome, Thaiday, Reed and Whitchurch suck, our ruck is still a disgrace in all facets.
