Okay, my thoughts for what they are worth. 1. Can anybody now question the worth of Wayne Bennett as a coach and manager after what has occurred at the Dragons and the Broncos???
2. I have posted in a couple of other threads that I thought a lot of what has happened has come down to poor recruiting, both in terms of letting players go that should not have been let go, and buying players that should not have been bought. The prime examples are Petero, Stagg, Ennis and Hannant. Sometimes you just have to pay overs if you want to keep a performer. (Hindsight is 20-20, but can anyone now support losing Petero and Hannant???) One thing I know, is that quartet would not have been turning it up like this current crop of nuff nuffs we have. If Bruno had a significant input into those decisions and we miss the finals, then he should go. We really seem to have allowed the players that had heart and courage to leave, replacing them with lesser quality players who have no background or genuine interest in this club. Is it really any great surprise that the only ones that apparently seem to be having a genuine dig, are the true bronco players that have been in our system for some time, like Parker, Kenny and McGuire.
3. Even the side that took the field last night should have beaten that Cronulla side, therefore for that result to occur, there must be fundamental problems with the player's attitude and confidence. That comes down to a problem with the coaching (not just Henjak, but all of them). Perhaps these players have no confidence in the coaches, they certainly do not seem to be willing to put their bodies on the line for them or the jersey.
4. Can somebody go out and buy some heart for our forward pack?? This is where it starts and ends for us this season. Unless there is a massive turn around in the way our forwards are playing, I fear for where we might finish.
4. In making all of those observations, we are still in this competition (if our players want it). With the comp being so close, we can still make the eight, perhaps even the top four if there is a change in our approach and form. That simply has to start on Sunday against Paramatta. We win that game away, then the Warriors at home and the bye, and we are somewhat back on track.