It eats me up inside to see us loose, but you cant single out a certain player who is souly responsible.
The team is under immense pressure from doing so well last year and the loss of Monaghan in a key position doesnt help.
I think everyone will agree we lack creativity in the halves. I noticed it last year but it wasn't as obvious due to the fact we had two geniune playmakers in Orford and Monaghan on the field. The stats for try assists in '07 shows it was a 50/50 effort. So in all essence we have lost 50% of our "potential" attacking ability with the loss of Monaghan.
Monaghan wanted to play halfback and i feel the club did the right thing by him letting him go.
However i dont think they counted on loosing Travis Burns as well.
So whats the answer ??
Personally i dont think its Jamie Lyon in the Number 6 or bringing back Cliff Lyons...
I think we have persisted long enough with Jamie and its clear to me and everyone else including Jamie that he isn't a 5/8.
We all know what he can do at centre, and i think he is the best centre in the squad... Hands down.
The answer to our problems at 5/8 is simple.
***GLENN STEWART***
I know he isn't a genuine 5/8! But, take note of the way he chimes into the backline moves. Most set plays we had last year involved him coming into the backline at second reciever. Turning the ball inside to Brett or feeding it out wider. He throws a great pass both sides, he is fit enough, he has great deffence and he has the footwork.
Move Jamie back into the centres with Bell.
The backrow would then be Williamson, Watmough and Menzies.
What about Matai ? Play him of the bench or in the back row.
The team is under immense pressure from doing so well last year and the loss of Monaghan in a key position doesnt help.
I think everyone will agree we lack creativity in the halves. I noticed it last year but it wasn't as obvious due to the fact we had two geniune playmakers in Orford and Monaghan on the field. The stats for try assists in '07 shows it was a 50/50 effort. So in all essence we have lost 50% of our "potential" attacking ability with the loss of Monaghan.
Monaghan wanted to play halfback and i feel the club did the right thing by him letting him go.
However i dont think they counted on loosing Travis Burns as well.
So whats the answer ??
Personally i dont think its Jamie Lyon in the Number 6 or bringing back Cliff Lyons...
I think we have persisted long enough with Jamie and its clear to me and everyone else including Jamie that he isn't a 5/8.
We all know what he can do at centre, and i think he is the best centre in the squad... Hands down.
The answer to our problems at 5/8 is simple.
***GLENN STEWART***
I know he isn't a genuine 5/8! But, take note of the way he chimes into the backline moves. Most set plays we had last year involved him coming into the backline at second reciever. Turning the ball inside to Brett or feeding it out wider. He throws a great pass both sides, he is fit enough, he has great deffence and he has the footwork.
Move Jamie back into the centres with Bell.
The backrow would then be Williamson, Watmough and Menzies.
What about Matai ? Play him of the bench or in the back row.