I didn't like that performance. I hope it's the worst we'll see. I think Des might chop and change after a few rounds but give a few of these guys enough rope under him. I don't know about fitness levels in the team or injuries but it looked to me like our bench could've been handled better (I know, trust in Des). Liu started well and only got 23 minutes all up. I never like having Tino, Mo and Randall of the field at the same time either - and that's when nearly all their points came.
There were a few unforgivable things for me. Verrills turning his back on the play was lazy stuff. I expect so much more from one of our leaders. The A defender was asleep too. Who was it? BK's hands are terrible. Lofi had no interest in either marking Lomax for the pass (he was well inside of him) and too slow to react to what was a predictable kick. Beau was awful and made it really hard for Weaver, who had to make 24 tackles and doesn't look to do that very well. Klese is too slow off the line too often and Tanah had to make 31 tackles. Klese made 46 but how many of those were first contact? Not that it excuses Tanah's poor form, which was obvious before he had to make any tackles.
AJ and Tino were brilliant. Kini was was very good too. Randall was good in the first half but I wonder if he can play more than 40 in the back row. I'm not sure of his lateral movement to be an edge backrower but he has to be a consideration, or Alick gets a shot. I don't understand having Erin, Randall and Liu all in the 17, especially if Tino or Palasia spend anytime at lock. Des might be sussing them out.
I think the left edge missed three or four times as many tackles as the right edge and the right edge made heaps more. The left looks like a rabble. Getting DF back on the right will make our right edge the best it's been in many years.
I was thinking the same as you HS about Weaver at 7 for Round 3. I think Tanah will have to really make the case to Des to keep him after that. I worry about Weaver and Klese together though, so he might wait until DF comes back.
Lots to think about after that one. Tanah, BK and Beau all have a case to make to keep their spots. With Foran back for the next one, AJ could move to the left and Jojo on the right. Foran and AJ would keep Beau and Lofi more accountable. Beau's smart enough to get it right after the video sessions. I think with all the middles, Alick is an easy swap for Erin on the bench and brings a bigger and different body shape.
I think Titanic warned us: the first part of the season could be really hard to watch but Des will work it out.