Grand Final - Storm v Panthers
Feeling a lot of sadness this morning. I genuinely felt like we were ready for it, but having been to most of our Grand Finals I had the same sinking feeling early on as I’ve had for previous losses.
First impression upon reflection is that NAS was a monstrous loss. We had no forwards that could match the Panthers pack and despite some controversy we are on the back foot all night.
We had our moments but Penrith were just so calm and collected in the key moments. They handled the occasion better.
With all this said, I am very confident we go one better next season. We are a very young side and not losing anyone of note. We are also adding Stefano into the side. Perhaps this is our 2020 Panthers moment.
We go again!
First impression upon reflection is that NAS was a monstrous loss. We had no forwards that could match the Panthers pack and despite some controversy we are on the back foot all night.
We had our moments but Penrith were just so calm and collected in the key moments. They handled the occasion better.
With all this said, I am very confident we go one better next season. We are a very young side and not losing anyone of note. We are also adding Stefano into the side. Perhaps this is our 2020 Panthers moment.
We go again!
-
Ray Traylor
- Weather Forecaster
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2023 9:36 pm
There's no chance I was going to watch the entire game again...but I had to check a couple of things.
I'm now absolutely certain that the foot was in the air when the ball was caught from the kick-off, and definitely should have been our ball - no idea how it was missed by the officials, it's a shame we didn't challenge the call as it could have been a huge moment for us. Also, just before that, as I'm sure everyone already knew - the Panthers scored a try from an absolute phantom six again call, the ref must have thought it bounced off Hughes but it was Cleary that had tapped it back. If even just one of those flat out incorrect decisions went our way (as they should have) it likely changes the entire game.
Now the Howarth no try, I'm less convinced about. I did (and do) think it's a try - but it could have gone either way really, and again - it went against us. Regardless, it's yet another moment that would have changed everything and it's really painful that we had so much go against us.....but it's completely expected. I've always enjoyed Rugby League, I think it's the best sport to watch - but every single game there are just terrible decisions that cost teams and it seems to get worse with every year.
I wanted to also mention how Grand Finals are always extra difficult for us to win. Someone in here had seemed to indicate that the club isn't really all that successful because we probably should have converted more Grand Final appearances into Premierships. Maybe so, but one thing that always gets me, is that every time it's just another away game. There are definitely Storm supporters there, but the neutrals always favour the other side - this year seemed even worse, the ground announcer and people that control the PA system were all very much cheering the Panthers on - they would make a half break or tackle someone and there'd be the Panthers home game sound effects blaring, I don't recall us being afforded the same level of support. I could be wrong and I'm happy to be corrected, but it felt like the deck was stacked against us. Shout to the Storm fans in attendance, they were doing an excellent job while being outnumbered (maybe we just need to hack the PA next time).
At the end of the day, I think both teams were great, everyone left everything they had on the field....we had a few too many mistakes, and they were probably just a bit better. The final take away is that for everything achieved by the team this year, I believe they can and will be even better next year - which is great for us and very concerning for everyone else.
I'm now absolutely certain that the foot was in the air when the ball was caught from the kick-off, and definitely should have been our ball - no idea how it was missed by the officials, it's a shame we didn't challenge the call as it could have been a huge moment for us. Also, just before that, as I'm sure everyone already knew - the Panthers scored a try from an absolute phantom six again call, the ref must have thought it bounced off Hughes but it was Cleary that had tapped it back. If even just one of those flat out incorrect decisions went our way (as they should have) it likely changes the entire game.
Now the Howarth no try, I'm less convinced about. I did (and do) think it's a try - but it could have gone either way really, and again - it went against us. Regardless, it's yet another moment that would have changed everything and it's really painful that we had so much go against us.....but it's completely expected. I've always enjoyed Rugby League, I think it's the best sport to watch - but every single game there are just terrible decisions that cost teams and it seems to get worse with every year.
I wanted to also mention how Grand Finals are always extra difficult for us to win. Someone in here had seemed to indicate that the club isn't really all that successful because we probably should have converted more Grand Final appearances into Premierships. Maybe so, but one thing that always gets me, is that every time it's just another away game. There are definitely Storm supporters there, but the neutrals always favour the other side - this year seemed even worse, the ground announcer and people that control the PA system were all very much cheering the Panthers on - they would make a half break or tackle someone and there'd be the Panthers home game sound effects blaring, I don't recall us being afforded the same level of support. I could be wrong and I'm happy to be corrected, but it felt like the deck was stacked against us. Shout to the Storm fans in attendance, they were doing an excellent job while being outnumbered (maybe we just need to hack the PA next time).
At the end of the day, I think both teams were great, everyone left everything they had on the field....we had a few too many mistakes, and they were probably just a bit better. The final take away is that for everything achieved by the team this year, I believe they can and will be even better next year - which is great for us and very concerning for everyone else.
-
Ray Traylor
- Weather Forecaster
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2023 9:36 pm
I was certain that Munster was going to get suspended.....a couple of minutes before that 'incident' I had thought to myself he was due to lash out or do something silly - late in the game, things not going his way, he has in the past done some dumb things in similar situations. Not to mention when defenders shove their arm into the ball carriers mouth, the latter always seems to get suspended (often incorrectly so).
Sigh. Beaten by the better side and not much went our way. Did well to stay close despite this.
I dunno if it is Tui and Welch themselves, or how they're being used by CB that is to blame. But for mine, the question is whether we bin both or maybe keep one. Stefano comes in next season, and NAS will return breathing fire I assume, Laz and Alec will be better for the run and improve next year. So where does that leave the old props? Big off-season coming up for Powell, Lisati, Chan - CB is making it pretty damn clear there's a spot up for grabs if you work hard enough.
Plenty of optimism though going into next year. SURELY we'll have a better run with injuries. Paps, Blore, Howarth , Sua will all be better next year too I believe.
I dunno if it is Tui and Welch themselves, or how they're being used by CB that is to blame. But for mine, the question is whether we bin both or maybe keep one. Stefano comes in next season, and NAS will return breathing fire I assume, Laz and Alec will be better for the run and improve next year. So where does that leave the old props? Big off-season coming up for Powell, Lisati, Chan - CB is making it pretty damn clear there's a spot up for grabs if you work hard enough.
Plenty of optimism though going into next year. SURELY we'll have a better run with injuries. Paps, Blore, Howarth , Sua will all be better next year too I believe.
-
riders of the storm
- Thunderstorm
- Posts: 690
- Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 8:08 pm
Went to the game last night. I had a sense Penrith were going to show up and be quite physical.
Really needed more from the front-row. Kamikamica having two runs and only playing 17 minutes isn’t going to cut it. I’d also argue Welch, who I think is a really great clubman, has his best days behind him. In my mind - the future will see Chan and potentially Vaalepu take their positions with Utoikamanu joining the fold.
Without getting that good field position the halves and fullback weren’t really able to do anything. The kicking was also pretty bad but I put that down to the guys being gassed and being unable to pressure with an effective kick chase.
The good though - Grant’s come on leaps and bounds. He’s outrageously good. Howarth will only get better and will likely get Origin experience under his belt. Loeiro and the back-rowers had some good carries.
Unsure what next year holds but we’ve seen the club bounce back from stuff like this before.
Really needed more from the front-row. Kamikamica having two runs and only playing 17 minutes isn’t going to cut it. I’d also argue Welch, who I think is a really great clubman, has his best days behind him. In my mind - the future will see Chan and potentially Vaalepu take their positions with Utoikamanu joining the fold.
Without getting that good field position the halves and fullback weren’t really able to do anything. The kicking was also pretty bad but I put that down to the guys being gassed and being unable to pressure with an effective kick chase.
The good though - Grant’s come on leaps and bounds. He’s outrageously good. Howarth will only get better and will likely get Origin experience under his belt. Loeiro and the back-rowers had some good carries.
Unsure what next year holds but we’ve seen the club bounce back from stuff like this before.
-
SunshineCoastStormer
- Hail Storm
- Posts: 318
- Joined: Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:27 pm
Was gutted last night.
Sitting back now I would like to thank Craig and the boys for an immense season. Massive improvement on 23 and the squad will be better for experience and addition of Utoikumanu in 25. As others have said, I hope we can follow up a GF loss with a win..
We have been beaten by an all time great team and now have a taste of it we must go back for more. While some teams look weaker for next year we good be better. It doesn’t feel as bad as the 2021 prelim v Panthers when we were the stand out team and primed to win it. This feels like a stepping stone on the journey.
I won’t get into negatives about tactics but a) we were always going to struggle without Nelson and we just didn’t try something different (early spread of ball or cross kick) to move them about. B) we had them on toast with high kicks but needed to get people around Coates/Warbrick to follow up. C) linked to a) Chan or Faalongo would have made more impact than what we got from Welch, Tui and Lazarus combined. I like Lisati over all three and would love to see make of him next year.
Rest up all, have a good off season and see you in 25.
Sitting back now I would like to thank Craig and the boys for an immense season. Massive improvement on 23 and the squad will be better for experience and addition of Utoikumanu in 25. As others have said, I hope we can follow up a GF loss with a win..
We have been beaten by an all time great team and now have a taste of it we must go back for more. While some teams look weaker for next year we good be better. It doesn’t feel as bad as the 2021 prelim v Panthers when we were the stand out team and primed to win it. This feels like a stepping stone on the journey.
I won’t get into negatives about tactics but a) we were always going to struggle without Nelson and we just didn’t try something different (early spread of ball or cross kick) to move them about. B) we had them on toast with high kicks but needed to get people around Coates/Warbrick to follow up. C) linked to a) Chan or Faalongo would have made more impact than what we got from Welch, Tui and Lazarus combined. I like Lisati over all three and would love to see make of him next year.
Rest up all, have a good off season and see you in 25.
Ergh… Always tough Monday after a GF loss.
The game went so quick and it felt like at stages, stoppages just weren’t happening for long stretches.
Bitterly disappointing as I thought we were so well placed to get this one.
Credit to the Panthers, they were just too good. That boring game plan continues to pay dividends and we just couldn’t get any real traction in the arm wrestle. They ran harder, were suffocating in defence and iced their opportunities.
The things that stood out for me;
The game went so quick and it felt like at stages, stoppages just weren’t happening for long stretches.
Bitterly disappointing as I thought we were so well placed to get this one.
Credit to the Panthers, they were just too good. That boring game plan continues to pay dividends and we just couldn’t get any real traction in the arm wrestle. They ran harder, were suffocating in defence and iced their opportunities.
The things that stood out for me;
As mentioned, our forward pack was completely dominated. We could not bend the Panthers line all night. The rotation is being questioned and fair enough. Surely the plan was not to give Laz 9 minutes and pull him off?
Welch was horrific. Came on seemingly to just drop off tackles. 17 tackles, 6 misses but it felt even worse than that. He got 20 minutes and I will assume those were the last 20mins he will play in a Storm jersey.
Welch was horrific. Came on seemingly to just drop off tackles. 17 tackles, 6 misses but it felt even worse than that. He got 20 minutes and I will assume those were the last 20mins he will play in a Storm jersey.
The Panthers second try was very smart, seeing how hard our blokes were working from the inside, to swing it back the other way and give their outside men some space.
Munster just standing in no mans land. Not putting his body in front of a Panther player. Very embarrassing and obviously not what we needed in a GF.
Munster just standing in no mans land. Not putting his body in front of a Panther player. Very embarrassing and obviously not what we needed in a GF.
We knew going in that we would not get a single benefit of the doubt from the referees.
The Howarth try.
The decision by the bunker I am kind of ok with. It looked like a try, but I can see the argument that Howarth’s own arm was in the way.
Having said that, the Klein decision to send it up as No Try is criminal and what we have come to expect from Klein.
NRL rules stipulate that when the referee’s view is obstructed, it should be awarded a try and the bunker can overturn if there is conclusive evidence. Not in Ashley’s world however.
Also, someone explain to me how Turuva’s try does not meet the same criteria of the ball carrier’s arm preventing the ball touching grass.
The Howarth try.
The decision by the bunker I am kind of ok with. It looked like a try, but I can see the argument that Howarth’s own arm was in the way.
Having said that, the Klein decision to send it up as No Try is criminal and what we have come to expect from Klein.
NRL rules stipulate that when the referee’s view is obstructed, it should be awarded a try and the bunker can overturn if there is conclusive evidence. Not in Ashley’s world however.
Also, someone explain to me how Turuva’s try does not meet the same criteria of the ball carrier’s arm preventing the ball touching grass.
Munster “bite”.
Alamoti had a tight choke around Munster’s chin, then repositioned Hillsong he could ram his forearm into Munster’s face and mouth.
I could not see anywhere where Munster bit down on the bloke ripping his face off.
Remember when grapple tackles were frowned up and you would miss a prelim and a GF if you performed one?
Alamoti had a tight choke around Munster’s chin, then repositioned Hillsong he could ram his forearm into Munster’s face and mouth.
I could not see anywhere where Munster bit down on the bloke ripping his face off.
Remember when grapple tackles were frowned up and you would miss a prelim and a GF if you performed one?
Panthers tackle style continues to avoid any scrutiny whatsoever, with genuine attempts to rip the ball out in two man tackles virtually every set. They get results from it through “errors” or a slow ruck.
Panthers players were arrogant and filthy all game. Standing over Storm players for no reason. Leota changed lines to smash Hughes in the back off a kick off. Play on.
Panthers players were arrogant and filthy all game. Standing over Storm players for no reason. Leota changed lines to smash Hughes in the back off a kick off. Play on.