On that I think we let the occasion get to us. Other than that Fitzgibbon for me had been our most influential player. I really hope we can get him back like that for the whole season.

Don't get me wrong I think Fitzgibbon is a great attacking 2nd rower.

Re: occasion - I wasn't buying the inexperienced/caught in headlights argument though for our final performance. We had a good number of experienced players all over the field

Rod Tai - International. Played in World Cup
Toby King - International, won a CCF and GF
Ben Currie - already won a CCF
Matty Ashton - International
George Williams - International, GF winner
John Drinkwater - already won a CCF, GF appearance.
Vaughan, SOO, International
Fitzgibbon - NRL GF winner.
Powell - Multiple GF winner
Bullock - GF appearance
Dufty - 90+ NRL games
Musgrove - 70+ NRL games


Wigan were, and are, just better than us currently. I guess Sam couldn't say that at the time. But no disgrace - we are currently (probably) the 3rd best team in SL which is a remarkable turnaround from 20th August 2023 when we were 8 losses on the bounce and at our lowest ebb in recent memory.

Fitzgibbon wasn't fit in that final - one of a couple of coaching mistakes Burgess has made and maybe won't again.

We were dreadful in the final, our worst performance of the season really - it happens. We got to the CC final, finished the season with the best attack and defence and really should've been walking out at OT. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but not resting all those players before Wembley would've seen us finish with the LLS as well. I just had a sneaky feeling we'd have done it at OT - I'm aware that's based on little and Wigan were deserved winners.

For me the gap wasn't wide at all this season I just feel with an inexperienced 7 (whoever it may be) and a Nicholson replacement that can't get into the PNG squad it will widen in 2025. Going to be a real test for Burgess next year.