Ah the Cherry Evans on top of the cake. The much maligned, and mostly unlikable, DCE showed his worth in first 20 mins with good control and well placed kicks. We still lacked potent attack and no doubt missed GI in the backline. The commentators as usual were creaming their jeans no doubt under instruction that SOO crowds and ratings were down but while a tense and exciting game due to closeness it was never a great game. It was a game of circumstance which can happen. Foe a number of reasons, most self inflicted, NSW were stuffed after 25 mins and even though scored those 2 tries before halftime – after Hunt came on 🙂 – the fatigue was always going to come back and bite them. It seemed to moi that Freddy finally went off the well crafted script before the game alluding to Smiths retirement and from there on things never went their way. Yes Qld probably got the rub of the green this time but mostly deserved and it was clear from start even before fatigue became a factor that the Blues were holding down in tackles and getting away with it because it was SOO. Some general thoughts before the eagerly awaited player ratings!
1. Giving Billy the Man of the Series was embarrassing. Imagine if he had played 3 matches – he would have won last years as well on countback!
2. Qld are not on the crest of a new era but still very much in transition. They lack size and attack in the forwards and will miss Billy heaps next year. They need a better dummy half option than either one they have at present
3. NSW deficiencies in the backline defense around Mitchell and Ado Carr were clear in every game. Mitchell went completely missing.
4. Why is it only our players can get dragged over the sideline?
5. It was a series of missed opportunities. Qld could easily have won the series. Blues could easily have done a whitewash. There is unlikely to be any great dominance again
So
Billy Slater – 8. Not as threatening as Game 2 but great at times including first try involvement
Val Holmes – 9 Class finisher and his stretched intercept towards end was critical
Will Chambers – 6.5. Solid at best, nothing special
Dane Gagai – 7.5. Much more threatening and involved
Corey Oates – 4. Played like a second rower with butter on his hands . Spooky
Cameron Munster – 7. Usually mixed game. Did set up critical try but can be a frustrating talent to watch
DCE – 8. Great first 20 mins with some deft kicks.If he wasnt such a tool and played for Manly could almost warm to him
Josh McQuire – 6.5. Am sure he does plenty in defense but rarely threatens to turn a game
Jai Arrow – 7. Has potential and tried hard but lacks size
Jarrod Wallace – 4. Has size but no heart
Felise Kafusi – 6 Busy but never spectacular
Josh Papali – 6. 8 for first 15 mins, 4 for rest. Simply looks unfit
Andrew McCullough – 5 Workhorse maybe but not up to this class. Maybe try a regional maiden next
Gavin Cooper – 6.5 Like McQuire am sure he does more than appears which is why I dont see it I guess. Good role in match winning try
Coen Hess – 6. Best effort of series which isnt saying much
Ben Hunt – 5.0001 . Once again seemed to notice more his mistakes than anything great but was more threatening than McCullough. Not a high bar folks
Tim Glasby – 4 Limited opportunities .For a reason
Man of Series Selectors – 1. For allowing Loz to still be associated with an SOO Howler for another year
Kevvie Walters – 6. Handled disappointment after first two matches with class but not convinced he is the answer without the stars. Not a Melbourne Cup field mind you
Freddy Fittler – 8. Did and said all the right things until the day before Game 3. Bought much needed change but methinks more a case he was up against a depleted Maroon outfit
WAGS – Mrs Smith looked sour and maybe just realised she now has to watch SOO because she is stuck with hubby. Mrs Slater not sighted but maybe in the box with the Aussie Selectors spelling Billy’s name? Mrs Cronk wisely stayed away
And its Goodnight from him
flashman181 