Okay, my take on last night's fiasco. I think it is very premature to be writing our season off following that game.
I see last night's result as a real wake up call and now a test as to how good our team and coaching staff are.
We have not been playing good football, but still getting wins. We have been playing frantic nearly all season, and it was worse last night. As many others have said, we need to set the base for the flashy plays and we really need to learn to be patient to be able to build pressure like Penrith and the Storm do. I agree that we lost that game last night, just like we lost against the Storm earlier this season and we threw away the GF.
It is going to be a test of our maturity and our leadership whether we finally learn that lesson and change our approach. I also agree that our defence needs significant work.
Everyone needs to step up in Reynold's absence, but Madden should not place pressure on himself that he has to be the saviour. He just has to do his job and build his performance like he has been.
We are still in it this year. The entire focus this week has to be improving the above issues and making sure we beat Parra. Then start all over again and do the same with Manly. If they do that, week in and week out, we will still be in it when Reynolds returns. We just need to win the games we are expected to win and then try and jag a couple of wins where we are underdogs.
If Reynolds needs any other clean up surgery we should be insisting that he gets that done so when he comes back he comes back in the best possible shape.
If we come into the finals on a bit of a form surge without any major injuries and a fresh and fit Reynolds, we are still a huge chance in my view. As a whole the squad should see this period without Reynolds as an opportunity, not a burden.
