The statistic we must improve

[Not Paul Kent]

The striking statistic that stands out to me is field position.

This year there were four teams who held their opponents to more than 60% of play the balls in their own half, a feat that only occurred once since 2014 (the Panthers in 2020). At the other end of the scale Manly are dead last with 53%

The big difference is where we allow possession. The Storm like to control opponents in their own half, and are holding opponents to 60% of play the balls inside their own half.

During the same time period, Manly are at the other end of the scale, with only 53% of opponents play the balls inside their own half. No other team in the NRL is below 52% over the same rounds – even teams facing the Broncos and Bulldogs are in the 54% range.

That’s the big factor that means we struggle against the top teams, you can’t allow teams with such quality in both attack and defence such a significant advantage in field position, they will take advantage of it.

Absolutely imperative we make this one of our top focuses for however many games we have remaining.

 

[wombatgc]

Interesting stats. But not surprised. We need to be kicking to corners. We now have speed to burn in our wingers, so our kick, chase should be better. Sometimes we do it, only to be pipped with a 6 again call, or a straight out off-side penalty. Our discipline at this point has to be 100%.
Easier said than done. But really, we can’t be playing so much ball out of our half.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

I think it also shows that we aren’t being patient enough with the footy. We try to score off almost every set and what the top teams do so well is play patient footy waiting for the best opportunities to strike.

We clearly score some spectacular tries but lack of patience places us under extra pressure in defence and allows the opposition to get on top in the forward battle. Almost impossible to win the close games under that circumstance.

 

[AlxFromNthNarra]

Interesting stat.

Although I would hazard a guess and say we would have a high volume of breaks and tries scored from long-range - which would impact the number of tackles we endure with the ball in our own half, as we either score off a break from our own half, or very shortly thereafter.

Definitely agree with the patience element though - sometimes it feels like its the last minute for 80mins the way we play - but I won't deny that it is great to watch! Just gets frustrating at times when we get a case of the dropsies.

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Too many dots there to actually know how they get that stat
The one Stat that is Manlys problem is errors too many errors
Cut out the errors and those dots change

 

[Shoe1]

Too many dots there to actually know how they get that stat
The one Stat that is Manlys problem is errors too many errors
Cut out the errors and those dots change

I think that was a picture of coronavirus in the western suburbs?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Let’s face it at times our kicking at the end of a set is pretty bloody ordinary.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

In our favour tonight is that Easts are poor in very similar areas.

The Roosters make the fourth-most missed tackles in the competition, to go with the most errors in the competition, and give away the second-most penalties.

The only way the Sea Eagles' dangerous attack was shut down last week was by extreme discipline of the Storm, and those stats suggest the Roosters simply won't be able to do anything about it. In saying that, it could be a sloppy encounter, given the Sea Eagles sit second for errors.

What the Roosters do have to their advantage though is some of the best power-runners in the competition. They sit fourth for post-contact yardage out of all teams. If we get in another ugly error ridden game they may have the attributes to get over the top of us in the arm wrestle.

This game will be won by whoever plays the more professional game of footy and plays from good field position.

 

[The Who]

For the first time in several seasons we have a speedy and skilful backs who can score tries from deep within our own half. We are a much more dangerous team now, so field position is not as critical as it once was.

 

[XV-1]

For the first time in several seasons we have a speedy and skilful backs who can score tries from deep within our own half. We are a much more dangerous team now, so field position is not as critical as it once was.

Against the crap teams agree.

against the top teams, field position, possession and defence are of utmost importance.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

Against the crap teams agree.

against the top teams, field position, possession and defence are of utmost importance.

Spot on

 

[malroon]

We are an adlib team , mistakes and errors are expected, want a structured team , go follow NFL..

 

[Hibyemama]

We didnt give away silly penalties tonite on the 5th tackle. Jake wasnt lying all over a player too long. we controlled the ball, and the attacking game then just happens. We need to maintain this key component in our game for the next game.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

We dominated the areas we had to tonight. However that was very much a result of how poor the Chooks were.

Hopefully we realise how important field position is?