Let's take a look at the key talking points from our first forty against the Tigers!
A Boot to the Head and a Backline Shuffle
A wayward pass during a Rabbitohs set play in the 6th minute fell into the arms of Tigers winger David Nofoaluma who fumbled it but managed to toe it forward before it hit the Deck. As Campbell Graham reached for the ball Josh Reynolds (appropriately nicknamed ‘The Grub’) let the boot fly missing the ball by a metre and collecting Campbell Graham in the head.
As he went for a mandatory HIA assessment, Cameron Murray made the move to centre for the first time since Round 25 last year. His impact was felt almost immediately, as he saved a near certain try as the Tigers collected towering bomb. His short cameo came to an end in the 18th minute though as Graham passed his HIA assessment and returned to the field.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
"There’s nothing in it!” Said someone from the crowd and the Bunker agreed whole heartedly when Su’a’s tackle on Doueihi in the 28th minute was originally deemed high by the on field officials. Following the knock on we were able to win the ball back in decent field position only for the Tigers defence to stand strong.
6 Again = Points
It took sometime to get our first ‘six again’ but it was a timely one. From there we got a penalty right in front but went for the juggler opting to take the tap instead. Another six again came early in the set before Latrell Mitchell threw everything at the line only to be held up by four defenders. Off the back of that we swung it right and an overlap saw Gagai dot down in the corner. First four pointer goes to Souths. It was a case of Déjà vu for the Tigers and our man Dane Gagai moments out before the break when yet another six again resulted in a meat pie for our rep winger.
Home Crowd Advantage
For the first time since the season resumption our home crowd are outnumbering the cardboard cut outs (although there where still a heap of those, thanks to Menulog), & Dane Gagai provided them some early rewards - crossing twice right in front of the Burrow. In a tight match a vocal home crowd cheering the team home might just be the difference.
