susan said:
Guess who is the number 1 team for metres conceded this year.Yes you got it-Manly.
Much of the above comment is simply a reaction to a couple of ordinary performances.You don't get to be number 1 in the metres conceded category without doing something right and defence wins comps.In attack we get a lot more metres than most from our second rowers like chock and joe than other sides who rely a lot more on the front rowers.Our is more evenly spread and would be better if Kite and King lifted a little which will happen as the games get bigger. To suggest our pack is a major problem is totally wrong and jumping at shadows.Most sides who play us get beat next week and most rate us the toughest defensive pack in the comp or close to it so get a grip guys- WE ARE DOING PLENTY RIGHT.
The inconsistency stems from having a young halves pairing who are learning quickly but can drift in and out of games under pressure.This is to be expected and will get better.i think DCE in particular and Foran are a year short of a title in regrds to decision making and this will be our undoing this year at the backend.Watch out 2012 onwards-these blokes are future champions.Foran is already there in terms of toughness and reading a game-he just needs tpo pace himself better.DCE is simply learning and learning fast.
As i've stated before i'm not worried about our lack of intensity in defence i know it will pick up when its counts. Our fast defensive line that is Origin like in intensity is hard to sustain all season and i'm well aware our yardage conceded per game is the best(not sure if that is still the case now)--- but the last month or so we are allowing more metres against us.
I have noticed a few reading errors and timing issues on top of hanging back in defence with our outside backs it's not as composed as it usually is. Obviously Oldfield and Hoppa come to mind but i've even noticed Matai and Lyon a little more hesitant in coming up and in (probably as a result of line up changes)---- the way our centres read the play is usually our strong point.
I'm sure this will all rectify once all players are on deck but its still worrying to see and can develop even further if it continues for too long.
Just on a side note Buhrer seems to be struggling with the pace and intensity of first grade---he looks sharp at times especially early in the season yet other times looks lethargic and slow---sometimes i notice after short periods he is sucking it in big time.