Did no one else notice the shoulder to the head of james donaldson in the first 5-10mins (I think... earlyish anyway) of the game? By Cooper, who scored not too long after.

All part of the inconsistency in the game/season. Seemed a far better case for yellow card than anything else that game, and I'm not even sure it was given as a penalty (may be wrong - it was a while ago now).

Either way, Dwyer great - Newman's inability to pass is being glossed over because he's a specimen - seemed odd not to bring King on - but very hopeful for what this team can do this year never mind next year, although we need a 2nd proper half back!

Does anyone else thing Agar was using some of Brian McD's big picture thinking re: subs etc? Artificially creating short term adversity with subs/intentional fatigue in order to get long term benefits at the business end of the season?

I often felt like BMcD was doing that when he was with us: playing chess while everyone else was playing draughts.

Not seen it from Agar until yesterday (apart from one warm up game), but maybe.....

Agar has talked before about observing players under fatigue,

I think he’s just overworked players again in an attempt to make something out of this season. Agar didn’t make the fixture list or invent COVID though.

Agar threw all his eggs in to one basket to get a win and it didn’t pay off, I think circumstances have seen key players demonstrate what they’re like under fatigue enough as it is.

To be honest we were better than we had any right to be. We looked the better of the two sides for most of the game.

From the outside looking in, our young players will be better for some more development time, you look at our missing 6, and think we’d have to be a better side next year.

However the comp standard isn’t mega at the moment and I can understand why the club wants to push now. We could shake a few cages if we get in the play-offs.

I just feel if we’d been more patient at times this season, in difficult circumstances, we might have had a healthier feeling squad at this time - and no worse off on the league ladder. Putting your best names out every week isn’t the same thing as putting your best side out.

There's no getting around that using (pretty much) 15 players on a 3 day turnaround was crackers, mcdermott would have been hauled over the coals for less.

TBH it's difficult with only 8 substitutions.

Rotating props giving 20 minute spells uses 6 of them, subbing Dwyer on and off used the other 2. Normally there would only be 1 hooker rotation giving an extra substitution.

according to sky's graphics you had 10 subs

Brain McD was at the ground on Sunday so maybe some of his old soldier, leave em on the bench magic dust got transferred into the dressing room. He did not stay for the lunch but turned up to see the 2011 team who were there, albeit not many of them attended which for many was understandable as in Aus/nz or still playing elsewhere.

I actually thought Sutcliffe was one of our most threatening players against wire. He's not a controlling half, but made a lot of half breaks, and looked dangerous with the ball in hand.

Until his complete brain-explosion, Tom Briscoe was absolutely immense. He won almost every collision, and it's baffling how he does not get a 6-again at almost every tackle.

Overall, disappointing to get lose the game, but great effort by the team. Providing we can get in the playoffs, I only really think Catalans and Saints are much further ahead than us.

Sutcliffe for all the stick he gets on here is a talented and quality player, he is however a centre (IMO) I think he will get the number 4 shirt and a starting centre position next season with Hurrell leaving or dropping down in the pecking order.

As for Briscoe he was very very good against Wire (and has been for a few months IMO) but that brain fart of a forward pass is ultimately what lost us the game, I still can't believe he did it, and Im sure hell be thinking the same

Called it. 2 games.

He's such a moron. The last thing we need as we're finally starting to get a settled team together.

Seems as he gets older and nearer the end of his career the easier it is for opposition to rile and wind him up. Not sure if it’s his frustrations at his niggling injuries this year and/or his form but when he has played this year he looks quite frenetic and making a lot of poor decisions

This is why the Austin thing makes complete sense!!!
As well as injuries and COVID we have a senior player who has a serious discipline problem.
Let the club down yet again.
So we are back without a recognised half back for a couple of games again.