Well done Rebels, exciting game and did think they would get up. Reds aren't really kicking on under Thorne unfortunately. Tight 5 injuries not helping at all either.
A couple of points.
The Reds are clearly training for flat passes at the defensive line. JOCs passes aren't being called out at this stage because he is taking the line pretty hard and not obviously forward. Could be a smart coaching decision on this given the way they are refereeing the game. Also he is throwing the pass to where the player is, looks to me like his support players are over running their line a bit for some of his passes. That'll come along as they play more I would imagine. IMO not really his fault. I've only seen 1 or 2 blatant forwards from him this year which he shouldn't have thrown, particularly given his experience.
Wilson is an absolute workhourse, skillful and clearly a leader. He is strong and powerful but he looks to be using it wrong. Like a guy who has been bigger and dominated with that for a while/during development. The best guys in contact, take Ardie for example, accelerate into the contact/tackler. It doesn't matter if he is jogging and accelerates or going 90% and accelerating to 100% at contact. He wins the contact. Wilson doesn't do this. He often hits the line at a flat pace without acceleration into the contact. So a bloke standing still accelerating into the contact can will that collision easily. F=MA. If Wilson can learn this he will be one of the most complete 6/8's in the world. He just hasn't got that crucial aspect to his game yet.
Valetini does this quite well but now and then he runs very upright at a flat pace and doesn't win the contact. Often against smaller players.
Thought Jock had a fine game, he did a lot of cleaning up at the back. Made some solid meters and good decisions. Stats don't show decision making, which he almost always makes the correct one.
Again well done Rebels. That 8 is powerful.... is he aus eligible or full kiwi? Is he they guy who played for Wests in Brisbane? Thought it was odd the other big 8 wasn't selected and I believe he actually played for wests on the weekend.
Carter Gordon coming good is fantastic to watch. Finally some options for the Wobs at 10.