Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:The thing is, it's not long ago that we were talking about trebles and could make a realistic claim to being the best team in the league. Yes there were good things about our performance last night and I am sure that a win isn't far away. The way we played last night would probably be too good for half the teams in the division. But to even be talking like that shows just how far we have gone backwards in a very short space of time.
Our pack absolutely ran riot not so long ago, teams just couldn't live with them. Now we have Taylor who is international quality, and Westerman who I rate very highly, and then what?
Green is imo our second best prop, but his injury record is terrible, when he returns can we keep him there for more than 2 games? Bowden is good, but not a world beater, and he has had a very serious injury, will he be the same player? Paea is garbage, he can leave tomorrow for me. Masi doesn't make any yards. Minichiello doesn't offer any threat any more, Manu isn't much better. Thompson tries but is too lightweight, in fairness to him he should go better when the pitches firm up. Washbrook is a handy squad player because of his versatility, but again, he never makes any impact.
Then you have Fash who is a grafter but is again too small and light. Lane who has a lot of potential but is years away from reaching it. Hadley is probably our best second rower and that says it all because he is Mr average. Beinek is yet to prove himself. Brown hasn't played a first grade game yet, and Levy hasn't pulled up any trees at his other clubs.
It's an awful group of players really.
Last night has shown where our biggest problem is and our weakest area and that is the forwards. Taylor is the only one that gives us any go forward. Paea for me is a total waste of a quota spot but also a spot in the 17 as he offers us nothing, Masi is still progressing but is not yet there. Mini & Manu for me offer little now which is a shame as Mini has been one the clubs best import signings on the whole but sentiment won't win us games, neither should have been re signed.
Bowden has been out for so long after a horrible injury its hard to say whether he will be as good as he was and will take him time to get back in to things even when he does make a return. Green for me can be good but just doesn't use his size enough and is rarely on the field.
Thompson is not a front rower and would be better in the 2nd row and have more effect than Mini but at present he is the best option which says an awful lot about the poor state we are in with front rowers. Hadley, Thompson and Lane for me would offer more than Mini & Manu.
Bienek as yet is relatively untried and untested at this level and Brown who impressed in pre season is yet to taste SL action.
We need 2 front rowers who can take help share the workload of Taylor and give us much needed go forward, unfortunately that isn't going to happen this season. So we are stuck with what we have this season due to very poor recruitment and retention.
We can only hope for big changes next season but sadly can't see anything changing or improving much this season, just hoped I'm proved wrong.
