This was another game that we lost which was in the balance up to the 60th minute when we crumbled under a bit of adversity when we had the running of play until then.
It has become really concerning for me as it has happened in three of the matches we have lost to Penrith, Manly and Melbourne.
In fairness we werent quite as dominant in the Manly game but were still in it.
It was similar timing and similar instances where we just folded after little things like a dropped ball in our end, a penalty on play 4 or a dud call by the referee.
We lack the maturity and the mental toughness to handle those things at the moment. I stressed my disappointment afterwards in the sheds.
It is something that we are going to have to deal with better if we are going to make a dent on the competition.
I have no doubt that we have the capabilities as a team. I think we have more football in us than last years team but we lack at the moment the mental strength to push on when things get tough.
We have a lot of first year players and they are struggling a little with the step up in intensity and the duration of that intensity in both games and at training. It is certainly something we have to overcome as a group.
In saying all that I was really pleased with the way they turned up to play.
After not handling the travel mentally last weekend against Manly and the fact that we knew we should beat them our main focus leading into the game was our preparation.
There were more obstacles leading into this weekends game than last weekends.
The boys were really focused and come out aggressive and were physically dominant for the first 60 minutes of the game.
Defensively we forced Melbourne into a lot of mistakes. We were also winning the field position battle and winning it easily.
To Melbournes credit they were able to hold us from scoring more points than we did.
We went in at half time 8-6 up after scoring 2 tries to one.
The game was in the balance until the 55th minute until a big momentum shift occurred when Kurtis Rowe dropped a bomb uncontested.
The boys dropped their heads and Melbourne scored that set. For the next 8 to 10 minutes we were poor.
We had let that one small error and try get to us. We were still only down by 4 points.
It wasnt until Melbourne scored again with 12 minutes left in the game that we sparked again and finished strong but it was that 10 minute period which had cost us the game.
It is nothing more than concentration and the ability mentally to put things behind you and focus on what has to be done next.
To keep pushing yourself when youre tired or when things go against you and not to listen to the little voice inside your head. Its easier said than done and we have to be better at it.
Brendan Santi took out the players player award after an 80 minute effort where he put in a typical effort that we have seen from him over the past two seasons.
He has been leading by example all year. Dallas Graham won the coaches award. It was his first starting opportunity and his aggression defensively was very good. He also took the ball forward strongly all day.
I was also pleased with the effort of all our forwards. It showed in the polling of votes for both awards.
Nathan brown, Daniel Rakvin, Jake Dooner and Andy Fiagatusa were the only vote getters. No backs just the way I like it!
We play St George this weekend who are flying high after 2 consecutive victories.
It is a crucial game for both us and first grade as we dont want to have to rely on a run of wins to get us into the semi finals.
They have a very smart hooker in Craig Garvey, a big front rower in Kem Seru who has given us some grief in the past and a classy centre in Charly Runciman.
It has become really concerning for me as it has happened in three of the matches we have lost to Penrith, Manly and Melbourne.
In fairness we werent quite as dominant in the Manly game but were still in it.
It was similar timing and similar instances where we just folded after little things like a dropped ball in our end, a penalty on play 4 or a dud call by the referee.
We lack the maturity and the mental toughness to handle those things at the moment. I stressed my disappointment afterwards in the sheds.
It is something that we are going to have to deal with better if we are going to make a dent on the competition.
I have no doubt that we have the capabilities as a team. I think we have more football in us than last years team but we lack at the moment the mental strength to push on when things get tough.
We have a lot of first year players and they are struggling a little with the step up in intensity and the duration of that intensity in both games and at training. It is certainly something we have to overcome as a group.
In saying all that I was really pleased with the way they turned up to play.
After not handling the travel mentally last weekend against Manly and the fact that we knew we should beat them our main focus leading into the game was our preparation.
There were more obstacles leading into this weekends game than last weekends.
The boys were really focused and come out aggressive and were physically dominant for the first 60 minutes of the game.
Defensively we forced Melbourne into a lot of mistakes. We were also winning the field position battle and winning it easily.
To Melbournes credit they were able to hold us from scoring more points than we did.
We went in at half time 8-6 up after scoring 2 tries to one.
The game was in the balance until the 55th minute until a big momentum shift occurred when Kurtis Rowe dropped a bomb uncontested.
The boys dropped their heads and Melbourne scored that set. For the next 8 to 10 minutes we were poor.
We had let that one small error and try get to us. We were still only down by 4 points.
It wasnt until Melbourne scored again with 12 minutes left in the game that we sparked again and finished strong but it was that 10 minute period which had cost us the game.
It is nothing more than concentration and the ability mentally to put things behind you and focus on what has to be done next.
To keep pushing yourself when youre tired or when things go against you and not to listen to the little voice inside your head. Its easier said than done and we have to be better at it.
Brendan Santi took out the players player award after an 80 minute effort where he put in a typical effort that we have seen from him over the past two seasons.
He has been leading by example all year. Dallas Graham won the coaches award. It was his first starting opportunity and his aggression defensively was very good. He also took the ball forward strongly all day.
I was also pleased with the effort of all our forwards. It showed in the polling of votes for both awards.
Nathan brown, Daniel Rakvin, Jake Dooner and Andy Fiagatusa were the only vote getters. No backs just the way I like it!
We play St George this weekend who are flying high after 2 consecutive victories.
It is a crucial game for both us and first grade as we dont want to have to rely on a run of wins to get us into the semi finals.
They have a very smart hooker in Craig Garvey, a big front rower in Kem Seru who has given us some grief in the past and a classy centre in Charly Runciman.