Starting with the positives, the direct explosive good leg drive/punch in our forward pack is relentless now and does not fade in rotation.(i've wanted more punch and directness in our forwards for years)
Forwards are also working off the ball better and actually looking to be put through holes with a trailing run expecting a short pass or an offload into a hole not just second phase play with a lay off pass.
Defensive line speed, mobility and effort has greatly improved along with fitness levels. The added depth in our forwards has also helped raise the level of intensity for longer periods.
The attack has been worked on, trying to be more direct especially during the Bronco's game--- Horo running good decoy lines with real effort and expectation he might get the ball not just for the sake of making the run.
Foran has looked sharp with more flexibility to add numbers in the middle and right side for variation, obviously working more in tandem with DCE also which is good but it could be short term(i hope not) to add more variation to the right side attack until Stewart comes back.
Still not happy with DCE no problem with his effort but he is lacking any sharpness, directness through the middle, either with a show and go, a show go and pop a ball off his hip or working some sharp short inside and outside plays. To me he is over complicating his thoughts and not playing with simplicity, always second guessing himself.
Foran has looked real sharp this year but i still want to see him offer a short passing option off his hip on either side, most of his passes are second man plays, holding the ball back for a deeper option or an early long pass to our outside backs. Both halves are lacking short pass variation with a double pump or show outside and pass inside off the hip, need more trailing runners not just outside in decoys.
Things are looking good this part of the year and I'm not complaining very happy with the effort and fine tuning so far but our attack needs more variation and science in the red zone. I can still see us being frustrated and not scoring early points against good defensive outfits.