I don't agree that SJ was playing more sided in those first couple of rounds or at all the season any different to what we have seen recently. I think from
TMM's broken leg last year onwards he has been more dominant and controlling with the ball than he has ever been. Saw some stats somewhere that his average receipts were 53 in 2022, 63 in 2023 and 64 in 2024. Also,
TMM has slightly more contributions per game this season than
Metcalf was having (and is doing more running at 6 than
Metcalf was), so either
LM wasn't doing anything with SJ playing more sided or SJ wasn't actually any different than he has been for the last 12 months or so. Or both of those things. I think SJ needs to pull back a little and allow others to contribute.
Walker was very good yesterday, along with the injection straight direct running from other players. There was urgency, enthusiasm and energy in the team that was noticeably different to our performances that looked lackluster over the last rounds. I think this highlights your point 3 as well as perhaps SJ sticking unwaveringly to the same plays over and over. As an aside, look at the try celebration by the team against the Dragons when AFB scored early versus any try we saw yesterday and the difference in energy.
Tohu has looked frail over the last how ever many rounds. He looks busted and was playing like it. I agree, there is still good footy left in him but cant be playing that passing game at the same time as Walker is on. Egan, SJ,
TMM and Walker or Harris is a good mix, as long as we play straight and direct and we have those runners capable of doing that.
I cant actually see SJ letting go enough so its probably best we have a player like CNK at 6, a bit like a Shaun Timmins used to be. The good thing about the play on the weekend was that when we went left we did it with players not crammed in to a tight channel.
