Longing for the day ...

Bugger!

Not good enough, Maroons!

What is it about that stadium? Whenever the Maroons play down there they just seem to be drained of all energy and enthusiasm. Last the night the Blues were fired up, enthusiastic, passionate ... and Qld just didn't go with them. Then they tried to play catchup and made too many silly mistakes.

From a technical standpoint, their line speed in defence was pedestrian, their kicking game was woeful, they lacked variety around the ruck and they failed to adjust to the referee's standards or the Blues' defensive tactics. When it became apparent that the ref was not going to ping defenders at marker for going early, Qld needed to get a short-passing game going from half (like the Blues did brilliantly). When it became apparent that the Blues defenders were going to rush up on the outside to cut off ball movement to the brilliant Qld outside backs, they needed to change the point of attack, stand deeper or try something to make the defence think twice - like a grubber or chip behind the defenders.

But none of that matters squat if the players are off the emotional pace - the Blues just steam-rolled them. Accordingly, most of the luck went their way ...

Well done, boys. Seeya in three weeks.