A Tale Of Two Halves

A Tale Of Two Halves

By Josh Kemp

Waking up the Friday morning after a Thursday night win. There is no better feeling as a Rabbitoh tragic. You now have the rest of the weekend to enjoy knowing the 2 points are in the bag. 

It was a funny game. If you told me before the game that we would beat the Panthers 28-18, I would have taken that every day of the week. Whilst still happy that we got the win, that second half took a bit of the enjoyment out of it after how good we were in the first half. It was almost a complete reverse of what happened the week before against the Sharks.

Close To Perfection

The first half was as near a perfect half as you would get. The Panthers just didn’t have any answers for us. Whether it was a kick behind the line, a backline move finished by none other than AJ, crash balls close to the line or a dart from dummy half by the smallest bloke on the field getting over the top of you. This first half was as good a half of footy we have played in years. 

Unfortunately we were playing the 4 time defending premiers. Even though they were missing some big name players, they weren’t going to lie down. We saw that the previous week against the Storm with their backs against the wall. 

Stayed In The Sheds

The Panthers came out in the 2^nd half the way I expected them to. The big problem was we didn’t seem to come out of the sheds. Errors started to appear on our end. It was almost like we swapped jerseys at halftime. 

Our discipline was hurting us as well. Putting more pressure on ourselves than we should have. Giving the Panthers extra sets. It was only a matter of time before we would crack. 

The effects of a 5 day turnaround playing in the heat was starting to show. 

All of a sudden it was 28-12. One more try and we would start to get nervous if we weren’t already. The joys of being a tragic. You ride every wave. 

It looked like they were about to get that next try only for the ref to go up as no try. A bit of a controversial decision to some. A decision ruled in our favour. Although in the lead up it did seem by the letter of the law that Leota was tackled. 

From there we were able to defend that lead and only a very late try with Peter Mamouzelos sent to the bin saw the scoreline finish as 28-18. 

Both Missing Players

A win many weren’t expecting. Yes the Panthers were missing key players. Players missing we were constantly reminded of. However when you look at who we had missing it was even more impressive. 

Latrell, Munro, Murray, Aitken, Hubner and Stretch all from our best 17. Not to mention losing AJ at halftime after coming back from that horrific Achilles injury. 

This is what makes it even more impressive. With the injury crisis we are having so early we now sit at 3 wins and one loss after 4 rounds. You can see the affect that Wayne has on this side. We are winning games that we had no right to win. Last year we lose those close games to the Dolphins and Dragons. 

The improvement in the fitness of the players is evident. The resilience they have shown to get back into games late to snatch a win. This is a side that they will give it their all. 

Le Blanc, Bud & Humphreys

There was plenty of talk about the depth. How it was a worry. Yet here we are with the likes of Liam LeBlanc, Bud Sullivan standing up when called on. Liam especially. Last night he played his biggest minutes and his stats showed how good he was. Some of those hits he puts on could be felt in the crowd. 

Jamie Humphreys has really thrown a spanner in the works as well. Here we were all thinking he was going to be sharing the hooking role with Pete. The suspension to Lewis Dodd is all he needed to get his opportunity in 7 jersey and he hasn’t looked back. It’s been his kicking game that has made a huge difference to the side. Even after a poor set coming off our line he is able to get us decent field position. 

Pete & Sean

Pete Mamouzelos is a player many had put a line through. What’s interesting is of late many hookers didn’t really start to make a name for themselves until their mid 20’s. With another 2 try assists last night he is really starting to lift his game. He has been one of the most improved under Wayne. 

Speaking of improved players. Sean Keppie looks to be much better. Whist there’s still areas that need improving, he has really started the season well. Again last night some great runs to get us out of trouble when needed. He was also able to do that in previous games this year. None more noticeable than against the Dragons late in the game. 

Small In Statue Big On Heart

Jye Gray is making it harder with each game that Latrell has been out for Wayne. Whilst Wayne has come out and said that it is Latrell’s jersey, with the injury to AJ last night is there a case to keep Jye at fullback for now and play Latrell in the centres? 

I think the most impressive thing about Jye is his defensive efforts. Last night was no exception. That one on one strip on Papali’i was a huge moment in the context of the game. He may be the smallest bloke on the field, but he has the biggest heart. 

AJ, Keaon, Davvy & Junior

How good was it to see AJ back doing what he does best? Scoring tries. Although it was short lived, it was great to see him moving so freely. Hopefully the injury isn’t as bad as first thought. Would hate to see him out for an extended period again. 

Keaon’s first half paved the way for us. He was causing so much trouble for the Panthers. His understanding with Cody was on show last night in that first half. A few errors in the second half he wouldn’t be happy with. I do like his work cleaning up kicks close to the line. 

Both Davvy and Junior Tatola benefitted from the change that Wayne made. Junior is suited to starting and Davvy seems to be better off the bench. Davvy was rewarded with a try. 

We now come into next weeks game against the Roosters with the return of Latrell and Lachie Hubner. It will be interesting to see what the changes are for this game. 

For now we can all sit back and enjoy the the weekend knowing that our team has won.

A Tale Of Two Halves by Josh Kemp for Bunnies TV.

P.S the Roosters went down to the Titans on Friday night, have an even better weekend!