Best 22 in 21

[ElwoodBlues1]

Like all of our defenders, Samo, Doc and Saad are made to look bad by lack of defensive effort up the ground and rebound entries from poor delivery into our forward 50.  How many times did the Saints score after gaining possession on halfback?

I think that Samo, Doc and Saad all defend reasonably well (and Saad’s defensive work is better than I thought), but they are playing to instructions and within a structure that relies on rebounding and retaining possession.  Williamson is another rebounding defender so four of our seven first line defenders are primarily less defensively orientated.

Williamson spent a fair bit of time on the wing against the Bummers and I would prefer to see Samo spending more time there.  Fewer rotations mean that the opportunity to spell defenders on the bench will be limited.  I would like to see our defenders “rested” up the ground and, depending on match ups and game situation, more defensive players like Newnes, Silvagni, McGovern and Newman spending time in the backline.

I believe Ratten instructed his team to play through Saad and Dochertys match ups to offset their rebound. Richmond seem to get away with Houli and Short running up the ground because their other defenders ie Vlastuin rotate  across to cover them or a midfielder drops back. We don't seem organised enough and as you say when the ball rebounds we have these loose opposition players in our forward line.
Short had 45 possies in their community game and needs a minder, I hope our coaches/scouts were paying attention...