04-17-2022, 10:27 AM
[1] Opposition coaches are becoming aware of our game plan, which depends almost totally on getting centre clearances to score. When we dominate the centre, we score easily. When we don't, we struggle.
Today, when Hayes started getting used to how Pittonet rucked, we lost all momentum in the middle of the ground. The lad looks like he is going to be good ruck. He rucks at least as well as Lycett already. Lycett does better around the ground and has the strength and guile.
Not having a proper second ruck option hurt today. Jack Silvagni tried hard, but Hayes had 10 cm on him and got his hand to the ball. We are a much better side when jack is in the forward line, as clubs are now aware of what he brings on the ball.
It would be very nice for us if Tom de Koning could step up. He has the raw athleticism to embarrass other rucks around the ground, but we don't tend to kick to him and he doesn't tend to work hard enough to get good position.
We probably need him to improve significantly, not impossible, or to have Mirkov come good. Mirkov also has the raw athleticism, but he is some way off yet.
[2] Our defence is not yet what it could be. of our taller defenders, only Jacob Weitering trusts himself to take a big mark in defence. That doesn't mean either Young or Parks isn't up to it, but it does restrict their possessions: our smaller defenders tend to get the kicks out of defence because they can provide the run.
Our small defenders get a fair bit of ball, but we don't seem to get the drive from them: things seem to break down before we can get decent entries, unless we dominate the centre.
We also appear to give too much room for people at times. I would like our players to be closer.
[3] When we stop scoring, our small forward drop our of the game totally. When we get the ball into our forward line, Fisher, Owies and Durdin tend to make a significant contribution. When we don't, they don't get a touch. All of them need to work on their one on one contests, because, if we win them, they not only get more possessions, but we get deep entrees.
Today. Fisher had a bigger game and made more of a contribution, but he gets pushed out of the way too easily. Same goes for Owies and Durdin. However, they would get more ball if they worked that big harder and were a bit faster, neither of which is impossible.
Maybe Phlip might be an answer. He is taller and has some real pace. More importantly, he gets his foot to the ball quickly when the goals are close. Cuningham could also bring something here, as he can win his won ball.
[4] Setterfield, Newnes and O'Brien are doing enough not to get dropped, as a general rule, but don't make that big contribution that would make the difference. Newnes was very good early today, but dropped out of the game. Setters wasn't bad, but he isn't giving us the drive from defence that we need to give us a plan B. Jack Carroll or Liam Stocker could be options here, as they have intensity.
Today, when Hayes started getting used to how Pittonet rucked, we lost all momentum in the middle of the ground. The lad looks like he is going to be good ruck. He rucks at least as well as Lycett already. Lycett does better around the ground and has the strength and guile.
Not having a proper second ruck option hurt today. Jack Silvagni tried hard, but Hayes had 10 cm on him and got his hand to the ball. We are a much better side when jack is in the forward line, as clubs are now aware of what he brings on the ball.
It would be very nice for us if Tom de Koning could step up. He has the raw athleticism to embarrass other rucks around the ground, but we don't tend to kick to him and he doesn't tend to work hard enough to get good position.
We probably need him to improve significantly, not impossible, or to have Mirkov come good. Mirkov also has the raw athleticism, but he is some way off yet.
[2] Our defence is not yet what it could be. of our taller defenders, only Jacob Weitering trusts himself to take a big mark in defence. That doesn't mean either Young or Parks isn't up to it, but it does restrict their possessions: our smaller defenders tend to get the kicks out of defence because they can provide the run.
Our small defenders get a fair bit of ball, but we don't seem to get the drive from them: things seem to break down before we can get decent entries, unless we dominate the centre.
We also appear to give too much room for people at times. I would like our players to be closer.
[3] When we stop scoring, our small forward drop our of the game totally. When we get the ball into our forward line, Fisher, Owies and Durdin tend to make a significant contribution. When we don't, they don't get a touch. All of them need to work on their one on one contests, because, if we win them, they not only get more possessions, but we get deep entrees.
Today. Fisher had a bigger game and made more of a contribution, but he gets pushed out of the way too easily. Same goes for Owies and Durdin. However, they would get more ball if they worked that big harder and were a bit faster, neither of which is impossible.
Maybe Phlip might be an answer. He is taller and has some real pace. More importantly, he gets his foot to the ball quickly when the goals are close. Cuningham could also bring something here, as he can win his won ball.
[4] Setterfield, Newnes and O'Brien are doing enough not to get dropped, as a general rule, but don't make that big contribution that would make the difference. Newnes was very good early today, but dropped out of the game. Setters wasn't bad, but he isn't giving us the drive from defence that we need to give us a plan B. Jack Carroll or Liam Stocker could be options here, as they have intensity.
Live Long and Prosper!