Manly only really attack well away from the try line, off power and speed penetration through the middle with offloads during fast go forward sets or during fresh periods of the game.
DCE uses way too many under passes and for most of his career played off the back of second man plays for added space when he receives the ball.
The best teams hit the first man more often, use more face balls than the average team
and avoid under balls during go forward sets to promote direct straightness in their games. Under balls are just lazy not having any idea plays especially when it is a lone inside runner---yeah you might target the odd lazy inside defender back through the ruck or move forwards around but in general not much gain.
If you are going to use under plays mix it up, have the inside under runner ball play to a straight explosive runner also pushing up, or use a double under play---outside defenders tend to switch off when they see the under play ball carrier receiving the ball so if that player also hits another under runner in quick succession that player can hit a straight running Tom through the middle.
Too great a percentage of DCE's passes are in this category, needs to be reduced drastically---if you watch the Storm over the years they try to avoid this lazy play more often than most---they were also moving their game away from the over use of second man plays much earlier than other clubs.
Yesterday showed with a lack of composed experience in the halves and at hooker Melbs error rate increases due to a lack of confidence they have the points in them when the game is in a grind. More risk taking and the feeling of being under pressure will create errors and a lack of field position and possession in quality zones.(same with their losses earlier in the season)
It is why i always say good structured, fast, straight go forward sets and attack wins games, great defence keeps you in the grind for a chance to win games. Even great defence will succumb with a lack of quality possession and field position.
The positives from the last few games has been seeing Manly "enjoying" the grind and competing, not just enjoying the flat wicket everything going our way periods.
