03-05-2017, 02:44 AM
It was the lack of intensity and effort from many of the mid tier players that really concerned me yesterday. These are guys who would think are fighting for a place in the team in R1 and didn't fire a shot. I'm talking about guys like Boek, Graham & Lamb who we need as the link players and should be good users of the ball who had zero impact on the game. And don't get me started on Thomas - zero tackles from the senior pro yesterday and a guy who sets a terrible example for the young guys in terms of not putting his body on the line. We all know Jones is a highlight reel player only - yesterday is just another classic example.
I'm not worried [yet] about the young guys, and some of them showed some good signs albeit glimpses only. Fisher and McKay both look to me like they need a fair bit of time in the NB's before they are ready for senior action. Marchbank looks a standout, and Macreadie did some nice things as well.
The other thing that stood out like proverbials yesterday is just how bad our field kicking is. Curnow, Kerridge and Palmer are ok at getting ball, but their efficiency by foot is terrible and they had 12 clangers between them. If your mids cannot keep hold of the ball then you are going to get blow off the park on turnover.
I'm not worried [yet] about the young guys, and some of them showed some good signs albeit glimpses only. Fisher and McKay both look to me like they need a fair bit of time in the NB's before they are ready for senior action. Marchbank looks a standout, and Macreadie did some nice things as well.
The other thing that stood out like proverbials yesterday is just how bad our field kicking is. Curnow, Kerridge and Palmer are ok at getting ball, but their efficiency by foot is terrible and they had 12 clangers between them. If your mids cannot keep hold of the ball then you are going to get blow off the park on turnover.