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Quick review of season 2024.
We peaked in round 22 with a good win against a very good Canberra side.
Best in rounds 21, 22, 23, 24.
Injuries, inexperience, fatigue and a lack of size limited or ability to make an impact at the end of the season.
Compared to the Storm and Panthers we give far too many silly soft penalties.

The stronger clubs also had more squad depth and enough points to make the top 4, so they could focus on getting the squad in good shape for the semis.

We emptied the tank just making the semis, i was pleased that we were able to find the energy for the semi final performance.

The aim should be to start 2025 matching our 2024 round 22 performance in fitness, energy, desire and execution.

Building on that we simply need improve discipline and play a bit smarter.

We need to see round 21 Sexton more often, more go forward might give him more time.
 
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Hounddog said:
Quick review of season 2024.
We peaked in round 22 with a good win against a very good Canberra side.
Best in rounds 21, 22, 23, 24.
Injuries, inexperience, fatigue and a lack of size limited or ability to make an impact at the end of the season.
Compared to the Storm and Panthers we give far too many silly soft penalties.

The stronger clubs also had more squad depth and enough points to make the top 4, so they could focus on getting the squad in good shape for the semis.

We emptied the tank just making the semis, i was pleased that we were able to find the energy for the semi final performance.

The aim should be to start 2025 matching our 2024 round 22 performance in fitness, energy, desire and execution.

Building on that we simply need improve discipline and play a bit smarter.

We need to see round 21 Sexton more often, more go forward might give him more time.
Click to expand...
I disagree, or at the very least feel you missed a key issue as to why we bowed out.

Our spine is still not good enough.

There are afew that put it down to inexperience. I dont. Its ability (or rather lack thereof).

The guy that destroyed us was a 36 year old DCE who is a master of making the right plays or winning the big moments.

Our guys had ample chances to ice that game - they didnt. We even had time to setup for a decent attempt at a 2 point field goal amd even butchered that -twice.

The reality is that we dont have any x-factors in our spine. And the players we have there are just not in the top 5 or 6 of their position and it shows.

Im bitterly disappointed we couldnt land Hunt as i reckon he makes us definite for top 8 next season.

As it stands now, we are 50-50.

Given that we dont like spending anything on other positions, it looks even more of a poor decision.
 
Marki said:
I disagree, or at the very least feel you missed a key issue as to why we bowed out.

Our spine is still not good enough.

There are afew that put it down to inexperience. I dont. Its ability (or rather lack thereof).

The guy that destroyed us was a 36 year old DCE who is a master of making the right plays or winning the big moments.

Our guys had ample chances to ice that game - they didnt. We even had time to setup for a decent attempt at a 2 point field goal amd even butchered that -twice.

The reality is that we dont have any x-factors in our spine. And the players we have there are just not in the top 5 or 6 of their position and it shows.

Im bitterly disappointed we couldnt land Hunt as i reckon he makes us definite for top 8 next season.

As it stands now, we are 50-50.

Given that we dont like spending anything on other positions, it looks even more of a poor decision.
Click to expand...
I was expecting this response.

Agree to disagree.

Sexton does need to become more consistent however his form rounds 21-24 was good.

We are lacking a bit of X-Factor at fullback, I was slightly surprised that we let Papalii go. I have a hunch that we might have another player in mind.

It is clear to me that we are building slowly the aim for 2025 is to be better than 2024. Top 4 is a stretch target, we don't need to improve much to be a chance.
 
Hounddog said:
I was expecting this response.

Agree to disagree.

Sexton does need to become more consistent however his form rounds 21-24 was good.

We are lacking a bit of X-Factor at fullback, I was slightly surprised that we let Papalii go. I have a hunch that we might have another player in mind.

It is clear to me that we are building slowly the aim for 2025 is to be better than 2024. Top 4 is a stretch target, we don't need to improve much to be a chance.
Click to expand...
I wasnt aiming squarely at Sexton.
Burton has been around for a while now and really needs to go to next level. Personally i feel he's reached his limit but happy to be proven wrong.

Mahoney and Tracey were disappointing in that final. Pretty much cost us the game with their errors at crucial times.

As you noted, FB is an unresolved issue. Tracey is serviceable but without much flair in the other spine positions and unlikely to change, i would have liked to see us snag a gun FB with x-factor.

My 2 choices were Pappy and Gutho. With them gone now, i would hope for someone like Drinkwater but again, i dont think Gus sees value in those type of players.

Oh well. We hope we have another season like '24 and hopefully be better in the final -if we make it.
 
I think that we have signed depth and the quality is mainly in the lower grades.

Gus seems focused on developing our own talent.

Compared to 2024, 2025 is the same team with a bit more depth.
 
Marhoney gives away too many penalties which often shift momentum when we are well on top.

That is something he needs to improve.
 
Welcome and happy Christmas doggie fans.
Noticed the thread back in the other site.
Got some relos live around the area we have some good banter over the years for the mighty Sea Eagles usually have the better of you for sometime let alone on the ladder.
Sounds like the Gould long time rebuild is getting there - good luck we shall see but GO the maroon and whites 😀
 
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