We’re a resilient group of players

Hello everyone, welcome to the 22nd ‘Churchie’s Comment’ for the year in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
The SP Hunters took on the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Rivalry Round of the Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) last weekend.
Our round-four performance against the Falcons was probably our most impressive performance of the year and the Hunters were looking to build on that in the return match. We have had a habit of starting slow in our games, so in the lead-up to the game, we adjusted our routine around training to start better.
This adjustment looked to have paid dividends as we started the better of both teams. We had the Falcons defending their goal for the majority of the first half in a dominant display of field position. A number of times while attacking the line, our outside backs made decisions they prefer to have again. Of our 10 first-half errors, seven of them came from our back five. Most of these weren’t a skills error, they were what I call a ‘decision’ error — a pressure pass in a high-risk situation where the percentage of the outcome is very low. That’s a part of learning to play the game at higher levels.
We managed a few tries through Benji Kot in the first half to lead 10-0, but I felt going into half time that we had left at least 12 points out there through our own actions. We had defended well, stayed in our system and worked as a team.
The message at halftime was to make smarter decisions with the ball but not to go away from what was working for us. A penalty and a wicked bounce of the ball in the set after halftime saw the Falcons score under the posts.
The Hunters regrouped and got back into the grind of the game and got a penalty goal to lead 12-6. Shortly after, the Hunters had a ball that was dislodged in the tackle. This should have resulted in a penalty to the Hunters and us attacking the line.
However, the touch judge ruled otherwise and the ensuing set saw the Falcons attacking our line.
On the end of this attacking set, Kurt Baptise got out from dummy half and passed to one of the Falcons forwards who barged over under the posts. Kurt’s short pass was around a metre forward but was overlooked and they were awarded the try. Clarification from the referee’s boss post-match agreed that both decisions were incorrect. So instead of the chance to go ahead 18-6, we were locked at 12-12 in a possible 12-point turnaround.
From there it was a grind to see who would come out on top. Unfortunately, the Falcons scored twice in five minutes (70th and 75th minutes) to finish the game stronger.
The players’ effort is consistent and they continue to keep themselves in the match. We were, however, let down by our first half, where we dominated everywhere except on the scoreboard. We continue to learn some valuable lessons, lessons we might not see the full benefit from until next season.
Thirteen of the Hunters are in their first full season at the ISC level, if we keep the majority of these guys together, then their development will elevate quickly. That’s when we will see the benefits of the challenges of this season.
I am reminded of a quote from James Lane Allan, “adversity does not build character, it reveals it”.
The challenges that this group have faced, being the first team to live away from PNG for a full season are huge. They have had every reason to find an excuse. Yet after each defeat on the scoreboard, I go to a group of young men so disappointed in the result. They never blame their circumstances.
I feel incredibly lucky to be involved with such a group of resilient young men.
Until next week, stay safe, play safe and let’s all respect and be kind to each other.

Cheers,
Matt