Gilbert averaged 37 - between the 2 of them that's a huge shortfall to make up for.
Well, that explains it. As for Tommy Gilbert, it's not only the number of tackles but the effectiveness of them. Roll ons like the Eels were getting set after set were much harder to get when Tommy was defending in the middle.
Definitely, he made it harder for the opposition to get a roll on, as did JMK and even Kafusi at his prime earlier in the year with their defense. Couple that with a much slower attack without JMK feeding ball and exposing gaps, and less go forward without Gilbert and Wallace, we are really lacking in key areas which made us so effective earlier in the year.
100%!
Then our backs and halves haven't had any space or territory to work with - and except for Hammer who is a damn freak and scores/setsup from anywhere in the field, we've been smothered.
And Milf's long kicking is far better than Katoa's, SOS's and Niko's.
I reckon the Broncos will be in the GF with Penrith. Their defense, especially in the first half last night, has been outstanding. And if their attack gets to the top gear they are capable of with all the attacking weapons and combos they have, they are gonna be hard to beat.
Defence seemed pretty good last night but keep in mind the well publicised troubles of the Roosters attack this season. Brandon Smith for 800k for 4 years was a massive mistake. He's a lock who can fill in at hooker.
I thought the Roosters played quite well in attack for the most part. Smith is definitely a lock, I agree with that.
Yep. Agree 100% re Cowboys. Melbourne and Souths as well. Penrith are far from invulnerable, as they were last year. It'll take an upset for them to not make the GF but not a huge upset.
With Pap back on board, one of their big guns, I think that and the mental block Melbourne have over the Broncos might see a Melbourne-Penrith GF. Souths, Cowboys and Broncos are spoilers.
And a lot of people would have previously regarded Parramatta as one of the "big guns".
Parra is missing a few players, but they were pretty average. RCG and Lane were out, but I was still surprised how Melbourne dominated them up front, considering they were missing NAS and have a bunch of no-names in their forwards (apart from Welch)
They still have some big names in the forwards. More than most other teams. Welch, Grant, NAS. They let go of Bromwiches at the right time.
Welch is 2nd tier for Qld who has a smaller field of props than NSW now. NAS is great when on the field, and Grant I wouldn't call a forward moreso a spine player.
On paper that is a really poor forward pack.
I hate the wrestling, chocking, cannonnalls, chicken wings and etc but have to give credit where it's due in regard to Bellamy's coaching. Keep in mind Hughes was a reject fullback from Gold Coast and Papenhauzen was a reject from Wests Tigers.
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