missing spark!

[maxta]

Lets face it -Ballin is not a flashy hooker but does the hard work - he has played SOO so can handle the long periods & the attrition. The real question is late in halves when you want a dynamo out of dummy half to attack a weakening D. Seu Seu had massive wraps at Drugcastle as a junior but honestly has not lived up to the calls. Maybe extra time will help his cause, otherwise check out Higgins in Toyota Cup or Riccardi who plays at 5/8 now but would be happy to play off the bench if given a go. People will argue he specialises at 5/8 -true - but he is behind Foran who may be with us just a little while.

 

[north coast eagle]

Seu Seu is very good footballer - however he hasnt been able to show it in first grade and I dont think the role Des has him in suits him. I dont know that Des is in a position to use him very differently though. It could come back to bite us if he were let go as he can really shred a defence with speed and step when he is confident and has room to move.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Seu Seu is very good footballer - however he hasnt been able to show it in first grade and I dont think the role Des has him in suits him. I dont know that Des is in a position to use him very differently though.

Now this I agree with., to the point that CU2 isnt being utilised as much as could be beneficial to Ballins game in both time on field and tactics.

It may well be however that Des is being conservative (good lord could this be true ?) and may well expand CU2s role as we progress through the season. I would hope so because Ballins game cannot go on as it is indefinitely.

 

[The Eagle]

Ballin is a solid but somewhat bland hooker these days.....Is this new or 2010 onwards?

 

[Masked Eagle]

I don't think you can underestimate the subtle change in interpretation at the ruck and what impact that has had on the role of dummy half.  Pretty much every no 9 in the game has been blunted, except for Cameron Smith.  Making players stand up and play the ball on the spot gives away that split second which allowes the markers to be set taking away alot of opportunities for those scooting type dummy halves.  Smith has been the exception but thats because that type of running has never been his game, he holds up the markers and gets his forwards over the ad line, which is lucky because with the forwards they've got they need all the help they can get.

Unfortunately this extra time has also helped the defensive line and they are able to be more aggressive which makes the delivery from your dummy half to your first receivers more important than their running ability which is a change from the last 5-10 years. 

So to sum up IMO Ballin struggled towards the end of last year due to the workload but the perceived drop in effectiveness this year is down more to the rule changes than a drop in form.

 

[bazeagle]

Really smart post masked eagle.
You're spot on I reckon. Top grade is a game of split second opportunities and the new rule has slowed that part down just enough to make a difference in attack.

 

[Cletus]

I don't think you can underestimate the subtle change in interpretation at the ruck and what impact that has had on the role of dummy half.  Pretty much every no 9 in the game has been blunted, except for Cameron Smith.  Making players stand up and play the ball on the spot gives away that split second which allowes the markers to be set taking away alot of opportunities for those scooting type dummy halves.  Smith has been the exception but thats because that type of running has never been his game, he holds up the markers and gets his forwards over the ad line, which is lucky because with the forwards they've got they need all the help they can get.

Unfortunately this extra time has also helped the defensive line and they are able to be more aggressive which makes the delivery from your dummy half to your first receivers more important than their running ability which is a change from the last 5-10 years. 

So to sum up IMO Ballin struggled towards the end of last year due to the workload but the perceived drop in effectiveness this year is down more to the rule changes than a drop in form.

I really like the way they are doing it this year, I got sick of seeing players step sideways off the mark and then the markers would get penalised for not being square.

 

[DSM5]

Yes Cletus it irked me as well.  However I would think that to tell the man playing the ball to go back to the spot would be reward enough for the defensive team.  I don't think a step away from the spot is worth a thirty metre restart with six tackles.  It's not like an illegal tackle or a tackle in the air.  It's a minor indiscretion and we see plenty of those let go.  Civonoceva takes a big step.  Should he be penalized.   

 

[Jatz Crackers]

If you are missing spark, dont forget to check the spark plug leads.

They can misfire.....not unlike Choc on occassions.