That last attempt from Cherry-Evans was just insane given the bullshit 7-tackle restart. Clear example that it’s not a deterrent and of what we talk about when criticising the hyper-aggressive mindset of the modern player. Should’ve rolled it into touch.
24k turned up apparently. Now Newy's home ground is far more conveniently located than pretty much any Sydney ground, but that's a very impressive effort for a 6pm start, especially given how dire Newcastle have been recently.
Such a weird feeling being pumped to see Pearce kick that field go. I've never REALLY wanted to see another team other than the Roosters win a game unless I had money on it or there was a team playing opposition who I disliked.
Just Poor game management from DCE. Pearce only had the two shots at field goal and clearly resisted on plenty of occasions because like you said it's insane given the 7-tackle restart to take a low percentage shot. There's no deterrent to dumb.
Is that actually why he didn't attempt them? That's a half truth afaic. Pearce only attempted two shots because Manly's defenders (and Newcastle's on DCE) were blatantly jumping the gun. He had every intention of taking at least one more shot but alas didn't have the time or space. The question is how much did Pearce not believing he would kick it account for his non-attempt, as opposed to his fear of forfeiting a 7-tackle restart? The answer is we don't know but it seems a hell of a lot more of the first than the second, to me. I don't believe for one minute that they attempt virtually every clean shot they get in reasonable field position, but then when they're being rushed by the defence, all of a sudden start to worry about the 7-tackle restart.
The primary concern is making the shot or not making the shot. The concern for an extra tackle restart is second order at best. You can call DCE's attempt dumb but he isn't attempting it without believing he can win the game right then and there. Today's players don't know the meaning of the words 'percentage football.'
