Great evening/arvo of footy at Brothers.
As much as I hate the Filth, an afternoon out at Crosby is always great. I could get used to a few games a season under the lights, thought it was great.
Greene had his way with Easts in the first half. It was one of the most dominant displays from a fly half I've seen. He was quiet in the second, but that was more a result of his side being under pressure.
Tupou (Thor) was similar. He ran amok the first half, but was put under scrum pressure in the second. Credit to AJ Campbell, who has been very good this season for the tigers. Easts have a great scrum, especially when Ready is there.
I thought the tigers looked lost in the first half, especially without Gunn or Ready leading them in defence. As a result, Brothers cut them apart.
Was pleasing to see the turn around in the second half. Shows that Easts have what it takes this season.
For Brothers, I rated Greene for obvious reasons. I was speaking to some Brothers supporters about how it is a travesty he didn't even get a NRC gig last year. I'd put him currently the next best fly half behind Cooper in QLD (ahead of Frisby, Pau'aui and McIntyre). Tupou's ball running was very impressive, but he still isn't at the required level in the scrums. He wasn't bad, but he did fade pretty badly. Matt Mafi was good around the park, and Clyton Knox was strong in the centres.
For Easts, Toby White was my stand out, as he seems to be every week. Elias Power at 8 has flown under the radar this season, but I continue to be more impressed with him every week. His physicality and strength in contact is great to watch. TT can you shed some info on him? Where he's come from etc?
Jimmy Moore at lock is another who goes unnoticed sometimes, but defensively he is always impressive, and his line out and ruck work continues to improve.
Neither team will be overly pleased with there overall performances, but I can see both of them right up there at the pointy end of the season.
I've watched all of Easts games this season, and after losing the likes of Butler, Enever and Placid, I was sceptical about how we'd go. But I couldn't be happier with the Tigers gameplay right now. The teams physicality has stepped up massively, and the boys in the pack have some real mongrel (Gunn, Power, Moore, Milosevic), with those later 3 really stepping up to the level.
I've been very surprised with what's happening at GPS, because every week I look at their team sheet I think they have one of the strongest in the comp. Bond's development has been great for the competition, and I expect them to give a good run for the finals. Interested to see them play.
Currently I think this is where everyone will end up, judging from the games I've watched, match reviews, and general form.
1- University
2- Sunnybank
3- Easts
4- Brothers
5- Bond University
6- Souths
7- GPS
8- Wests
9- Norths
I can see a big gap between the top 5 and the rest come the last few rounds. Brothers and Bond look to fight it out for 4th.
