Jolls
Well-known member
We have had a pretty good run on the recruiting front so far and I trust that Richo and Benji have a few more presents for us fans.
Our team now the weapons in the middle of the park and on the edges to enable our attack. We have enough strike to make scoring points less of a challenge. We're probably a couple of players short of being able to blow teams off the park but we should be able to match it with them on the "for" side of the ledger.
The key to us getting up towards/into the eight is to take care of the embarassing "against" side of the ledger. Some of this will happen naturally due to our "kids" getting older and more accustomed to the grind, some through the players we have purchased, potentially a little through improved fitness.
The big change we need is in attitude - and changing attitude is all about leadership.
In the middle I think we are still a bit short. I really haven't seen in from Klem (maybe off the field) amd I'm not sure May is the answer here. Lead by example yes, but he doesn't come across as the man to inspire those around him. Api is a lead by example kind of guy, he doesn't come across the fella maintaining standards on and off the field (maybe he does off the field; I trust someone can fill in the blanks).
In the backs, Luai is a leader and does not accept below par efforts. We need more of that. I don't get a great vibe from Bula at the back though. Benji needs to unlock him on both sides of the ledger. He needs to be hanging around May and Hunt like a bad smell in the middle and pushing up in support of the edges of Luai and Galvin. If he is not showing leadership at the back - pehaps it is time for him to move to centre. I trust that Hodgo can bring this out in him. If not - what options doe we have with Taruva and Mason?
I'm not sure Benji got the team's or his laedership right last season; especially his approach to Spoon Bowl. He appears to be setting the tone this year though, issuing breach notices to those who aren't meeting agreed standards and punting Miller. I think he needs to get in the ear of some of our senior players and have them not only set standards, but not to walk past (accept) anything that is not up to par.
Is Api still the right guy to have the C beside his name?
Do we run a co-captain scheme; especially if Benji sees it like most of us and doesn't have Api punching out 80 mins week in week out?
How do Bird, Klemmer and Olam fit in, are they part of a leadership group?
What about May? Lead by example yes, but he doesn't come across as the man to inspire those around him.
My solution: Api (C), Luai (VC), Bula - Defensive Organisation, May/Seyfarth Linespeed. Spread the load a little and make it happen.
Thoughts?
Our team now the weapons in the middle of the park and on the edges to enable our attack. We have enough strike to make scoring points less of a challenge. We're probably a couple of players short of being able to blow teams off the park but we should be able to match it with them on the "for" side of the ledger.
The key to us getting up towards/into the eight is to take care of the embarassing "against" side of the ledger. Some of this will happen naturally due to our "kids" getting older and more accustomed to the grind, some through the players we have purchased, potentially a little through improved fitness.
The big change we need is in attitude - and changing attitude is all about leadership.
In the middle I think we are still a bit short. I really haven't seen in from Klem (maybe off the field) amd I'm not sure May is the answer here. Lead by example yes, but he doesn't come across as the man to inspire those around him. Api is a lead by example kind of guy, he doesn't come across the fella maintaining standards on and off the field (maybe he does off the field; I trust someone can fill in the blanks).
In the backs, Luai is a leader and does not accept below par efforts. We need more of that. I don't get a great vibe from Bula at the back though. Benji needs to unlock him on both sides of the ledger. He needs to be hanging around May and Hunt like a bad smell in the middle and pushing up in support of the edges of Luai and Galvin. If he is not showing leadership at the back - pehaps it is time for him to move to centre. I trust that Hodgo can bring this out in him. If not - what options doe we have with Taruva and Mason?
I'm not sure Benji got the team's or his laedership right last season; especially his approach to Spoon Bowl. He appears to be setting the tone this year though, issuing breach notices to those who aren't meeting agreed standards and punting Miller. I think he needs to get in the ear of some of our senior players and have them not only set standards, but not to walk past (accept) anything that is not up to par.
Is Api still the right guy to have the C beside his name?
Do we run a co-captain scheme; especially if Benji sees it like most of us and doesn't have Api punching out 80 mins week in week out?
How do Bird, Klemmer and Olam fit in, are they part of a leadership group?
What about May? Lead by example yes, but he doesn't come across as the man to inspire those around him.
My solution: Api (C), Luai (VC), Bula - Defensive Organisation, May/Seyfarth Linespeed. Spread the load a little and make it happen.
Thoughts?
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