I don't think I've seen a forward pack play as dominantly as University did on the weekend. They were absolutely relentless.
On paper, and 90% of the time, on the field, Easts have the best forward pack in the competition, but they were blown away by Uni's intensity and speed at the breakdown.
You could tell their game plan was to rush defence and then flood the breakdown, and it did work. It gave the illusion of them being offside, but most of the time it was simple quick line speed.
I can't think of any really stand outs from the Uni pack, because they were all dominant as a unit. In the backs, they were nothing outstanding to write home about, except for Will Thompson, who was bloody brilliant at half back.
If University can play like that, as a dominant forward unit, for the season, I can't see anyone beating them. Very impressive.
For Easts, I don't think the scoreline did them justice. University were the better team, but the Tigers definatly showed they are up there as contenders. Those two late tries blew out the scoreline.
There was a period in the second half where the Tigers held off about 10 raids inside their own 22m, but failed to get back down the other end.
In this time, there was two key moments that essentially lost them the game.
1) Bartley's dropped ball with no one in front. White made a great line break from his own 22, and then got it to Wilder who then threw a perfect inside ball, which was dropped with no one in front. That was a try for all money. From memory that would of put Easts in front.
2) Easts win a penalty and Josh Parry takes a quick tap on his own 22m, gets smashed, ball turned over. Uni scored soon after. He deserves to play in Reserve Grade for a few weeks after that.
Aside from that, the Tigers muscled up in defence, and they were pretty solid in attack, but again handling errors became an issue. Too much dropped ball in contact.
The usual suspects played well for Easts, Mullins and Brandon were put under heaps of pressure, but still managed to play good games.
Blake Enever has been in great form. His ball running in particular has improved significantly since last season. However his organization of the defensive line out could need work. The Tigers set up with Moore as first pod, Enever as third, and then either Riley/Fattal floating as a second. I'd guess that 75% of Uni's throws went to that second pod, yet at no point did the Tigers realise this. I would have liked to see Enever take the initiative and throw himself up at the second pod, and have the third pod floating. Even if it goes to the third, he is still tall enough and good enough in the air to cause an overthrow or disruption.
Young blindside Moore is also developing well. His ball running still needs a bit of work, but his tackling and work in defensive line outs are quite strong considering he is a new convert from league.
Overall, dominant by University, clearly the better side on the day with their forward pack simply awesome. Physical, aggressive, quick and smart, they will take some beating up front this year.
For Easts, beaten but not clearly outplayed. I wasn't too disappointed with their effort, they were well within winning distance of a clearly superior team, and if it weren't for some silly errors (see 1) and 2)) they could have snatched the upset.
Two teams I expect to see as favourites when the season gets to the pointy end.
