Too easy. Well deserved — the better side won. And they score again, 40-22!!!
But I’ve got some serious doubts about the coach’s credentials. Yeah, they dominated the NSW Cup in 2025, but let’s not pretend that squad wasn’t stacked with NRL experience, that matters. It’s a different game when you’re rolling out seasoned bodies every week versus actually developing combinations under pressure.
Today exposed a few things, the selections felt off, either too safe or just not suited to the matchup. Discipline was poor, penalties and errors killed any moment. Game management looked clunk, no real control when it mattered.
And that’s the kicker, the Bears rolled out with next to no NRL experience and still got it done. You can wear a loss, but when a side outplays you on effort areas and composure, it raises bigger questions than just an off day. I know they will get some experience back over the next 3-4 weeks.
No real standouts, just some good individual highlights.
Jett and Doyle made some poor decisions on tackle 5. Playing Thompson at fullback was a real head scratcher!