I really have no idea tbh
At the moment we have a backline who can't score points, or defend consistently enough to stop leaking them as well. Part of that is through injury and inexperience, and partly though poor game plan, or lack of basic skills and communication
How much will Stewart fix this ? He will have an impact, but at this stage I can't really see it as being as big as most of us have been making out. Our sets plays are being run at half pace, and more often than not when in attacking zones we only use 2 options, Ballin to a forward, or Orford trying to maunfacture a kick or a run.
1 of the most frustrating parts for me as well, is that we are only attacking 1 side of the field, and it is entirely predictable, Ball goes to Stewart, someone doubles around him, and we end up cramped against the sideline. Why not hit the other side for once ? Watmough is a big weapon out there that is simply being ignored
I am not completely annoyed, because all week I never thought we would win this, and at halftime I had already confirmed that. A backline of Robertson, Bani, Bailey, Neumann, Williams, Stewart and Orford will not win you NRL matches, Matai was a bigger blow today than usual when he went off
Of much concern to me is the lack of enthusiam. I was tempted to use effort, but that would be a bit harsh because that is there. Apart from a select few, the runs look at half pace. The select few I would point out are Wolfman, Matai, Rodney and Orford when he takes the line on. The scariest part of that whole equation, I have not listed 1 run on forward amongst those running the ball at full noise. Watmough, King and Hall would be the closest, but the likes of Kite, Perry and Stewart are not doing so. Cuthbo has the previous weeks but wasn't today
Orford. Much maligned, and I bet the site will be full of topics hammering him this week. I won't fully partake in those, because simply, I can see him busting his arse out there. His execution is average at best at the moment, but he is trying damn hard, maybe to the point where he is over trying. Also not easy when he can't hold anyone beside him, with Bailey not getting through a full game at 6 in the past 3 weeks which is also frustrating
How to fix it ?
I really don't know. maybe give Matai a new role this week, as forwards coach, as he can teach them how to run the ball with some effort and passion.
Game plan must be very, very basic. Forwards run the ball hard, tackle hard, and give us some room for the backs to work with on tackles 4 and 5. No passes pushed, and play percentage footy. It may be boring, but the grind is simply our only option at this stage, with Stewart, Lyon and possibly Matai missing next weekend. Most importantly in that plan is to get Glenn Stewart hitting the line, he is at his best when the opposition don't know what he will do, and at the moment he is doing nothing more than ball playing, and also get the ball to Watmough more as well, especially with him hitting it at pace
Most importantly, Des has to find a way to get the boys to keep their heads up, because they dropped damn quickly today.
At the moment we have a backline who can't score points, or defend consistently enough to stop leaking them as well. Part of that is through injury and inexperience, and partly though poor game plan, or lack of basic skills and communication
How much will Stewart fix this ? He will have an impact, but at this stage I can't really see it as being as big as most of us have been making out. Our sets plays are being run at half pace, and more often than not when in attacking zones we only use 2 options, Ballin to a forward, or Orford trying to maunfacture a kick or a run.
1 of the most frustrating parts for me as well, is that we are only attacking 1 side of the field, and it is entirely predictable, Ball goes to Stewart, someone doubles around him, and we end up cramped against the sideline. Why not hit the other side for once ? Watmough is a big weapon out there that is simply being ignored
I am not completely annoyed, because all week I never thought we would win this, and at halftime I had already confirmed that. A backline of Robertson, Bani, Bailey, Neumann, Williams, Stewart and Orford will not win you NRL matches, Matai was a bigger blow today than usual when he went off
Of much concern to me is the lack of enthusiam. I was tempted to use effort, but that would be a bit harsh because that is there. Apart from a select few, the runs look at half pace. The select few I would point out are Wolfman, Matai, Rodney and Orford when he takes the line on. The scariest part of that whole equation, I have not listed 1 run on forward amongst those running the ball at full noise. Watmough, King and Hall would be the closest, but the likes of Kite, Perry and Stewart are not doing so. Cuthbo has the previous weeks but wasn't today
Orford. Much maligned, and I bet the site will be full of topics hammering him this week. I won't fully partake in those, because simply, I can see him busting his arse out there. His execution is average at best at the moment, but he is trying damn hard, maybe to the point where he is over trying. Also not easy when he can't hold anyone beside him, with Bailey not getting through a full game at 6 in the past 3 weeks which is also frustrating
How to fix it ?
I really don't know. maybe give Matai a new role this week, as forwards coach, as he can teach them how to run the ball with some effort and passion.
Game plan must be very, very basic. Forwards run the ball hard, tackle hard, and give us some room for the backs to work with on tackles 4 and 5. No passes pushed, and play percentage footy. It may be boring, but the grind is simply our only option at this stage, with Stewart, Lyon and possibly Matai missing next weekend. Most importantly in that plan is to get Glenn Stewart hitting the line, he is at his best when the opposition don't know what he will do, and at the moment he is doing nothing more than ball playing, and also get the ball to Watmough more as well, especially with him hitting it at pace
Most importantly, Des has to find a way to get the boys to keep their heads up, because they dropped damn quickly today.
