Parramatta's attack was too limited at key times and was more vulnerable as the game went on. The ball hitting the posts off the Moses kick was dreadful and the lack of desperation afterwards (esp. Takarangi) - bring back Pricey!
I think it is also a significant worry when teams like Parramatta are super hyped up when they run onto the field. Every point was roared for by the players...too over the top. The composure required was not there. The wasted energy and emotion - especially for some early points - really costs the team late in the game. How many times have we seen this with Origin teams in the past? Inexperienced finals exponents.... It is a long journey.
When Taka starts on your centre/ wing position you have troubles. Too slow and Souths were probably not too severe on it. The Parramatta roster needed some rejuvenation and more depth with outside backs. It could be time to farewell Fergo too. Gutherson can't do it all alone. He needs speed and size from a few friends... they need flair and speed. More speed for Sivo - less weights. Is Semi Radrardra sick of union yet? Moses needs more work too. He will struggle to lead a team to a GF victory on current form. Unfortunately, he goes quiet when it matters most and forgets the basics.
The character of South Sydney to score 30-6 in the second half was outstanding. The mistakes as Parramatta started to panic under pressure with 15 minutes to go was staggering. They lack leadership (Moses?) and Dylan Brown has hopefully woken up to himself with newfound humility...All Blacks? Million dollar contracts? He made three horrific errors in the last ten minutes.
I think it is time for a 30 second 'time out' to be given to both teams at the 65th minute of finals.
The skills of the modern backrower as ball playing forwards are amazing. It started with the James Graham/ Jake Trobjevic examples, but Junior Paulo has changed the game again. A super talent. His offloads, his hit and spins and his grunt work... so many hit ups from the scrum as well. So tough. His step is like David Solomona who killed teams out wide for a long time. A deserved NSW Origin jersey for Paulo. He brings to the game what great ball players like Arthur Beetson brought... excitement and anticipation when he touches the ball.
2. Jennings - Drug Drama. Fancy Michael Jennings letting down his team in such a serious and stupid manner. He vows to clear his name...a bad kebab, toothpaste, a rogue tablet in the bottom of the sportsbag, a cocaine fuelled flatmate, a bad piece of meat....
Surely taking such 'dirty' basic drugs is either an incredible mistake or one of the dumbest errors in NRL history. Interesting that there are other athletes in this same drug category (the swimmer, Shayna Jack).
His brother George plays better these days. Michael has been on borrowed time for mine. Hopefully he is not another desperate league player, intent on extending a flagging career. It may be gilt edged with more speed coming into the team as a result. However Michael Jennings has the best manager in the game. He has just negotiated a two year contract extension...! The Sailor lad has a highly serious time ahead too.
3. Passing Fad. The passing game of Cook and Mahoney is something else. Both are supreme talents from dummy half. Not since Darren Lockyer have we seen the quality of passing as this year. Throw in Cameron Smith and Munster's skill here...it is critical in the modern game. Canberra struggle in this area from dummy half with the injured Pommy hooker, Hodgson out. The Panthers have it from Cleary outwards.
4. AFL. The halftime of 60-6 from Geelong v Collingwood was embarrassing (100-32 final score). Richmond still look very good. Their game v Port will be a cracking showdown. Not so sure about Geelong v Brisbane. I think Brisbane have too much pace and talent...but Geelong have the experience. The Melbourne teams are getting a good taste of what it is like for a team outside Melbourne to win the flag. Geelong are up and down. Next week they could get lapped!
5. Bledisloe Cup. Just when you thought we were no where near the standard.... we bounce back and have everything go against us really. The new NZ - AUS coach, Dave Rennie is to be congratulated! The power of youth and opportunity. The refereeing oversights however were staggering. That last one in front of the posts...incredibly bad. His brother must be the trophy engraver. The touch judging from an Aussie was equally terrible. The VMO checks things fifty times, and is the world's slowest, but still an error. How can a NZ ref go to training with the All Blacks and then do the game? COVID-19 seems to be the excuse that carries most weight in society at present. Maybe Michael Jennings needs to think about this one in his defence!
Anyhow 16-16 it is and it is not changing. Fancy the ball hitting the goalpost again and causing such turmoil! Two pivotal moments in crucial games in two different codes in two days!
6. Sheffield Shield. This Michael Neser (5/32) seems to get more wickets than most, but the invisible ceiling on 140kmph bowlers making the Australian team is alive and well. Interesting to see Siddle playing at Tassie (1/50 expert off 25 overs). Surely a younger bowler would be a better investment? Lloyd Pope got 5/164 as well... back the brilliant red! The absence of dominant batsmen domestically is a real weakness of Australian cricket. Hopefully the new season unearths some talent. Labuschagne hit a dominant 160+ but other than that.... Liking the look of the WA middle order player - Cameron Green. Seems an incredible talent.
7. NBA. LA Lakers v Miami Heat. Hotting up, but surely Le Bron wins on the back of his skill. Time will tell.
8. Great French Open Finals. To have the 19 year old Iga Swiatek (Poland) win the women's final v Kenin, really shows how the axis of the world tennis game has shifted to the European strength. She has been phenomenal. She gave up 28 games in ten sets of tennis ie 84 v 28...dominant and did not drop a set all tournament.
Nadal has given up 46 games and won 110, without dropping a set so far. The final is tonight.
Nadal v Djokovic in the final was almost inevitable too. This will be Nadal's 29th Grand Slam Final and Djokovic's 28th Grand Slam Final. If Nadal wins, he equals the great Roger Federer with 20 wins and makes it 13 French Open wins - surely this will never be beaten! Djokovic zooms in closer to it too and would land on 18 Grand Slam wins!
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9. MLB. Tampa Bay Rays, LA Dodgers, Houston Astros (post suspensions for cheating!) and Atlanta all through. The next phase sees Rays v Astros and Dodgers v Braves for positions in the World Series. A truncated season, but the world is getting there still! The terrible COVID-19 situation in Florida has elevated the Rays' success to great heights!
Get ready for the Astros games to really hot up with their cheating proven over recent seasons. Emotions will be red hot!
10. Ole Kirk. How good was he in the Caulfield Guineas? Looks like now it will never be seen past the doors of the breeding barn, given its bloodline connections to Black Caviar. Sounds like a popular career move.
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