you_know_who
New member
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-forward-gareth-ellis-inspired-by-defensive-example-of-south-sydneys-michael-crocker/story-e6frexs9-1226106222164
Article Telegraph - Stats a worry for Dragons
- Thread starter you_know_who
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happy_tiger
Well-known member
Big point it shows if we can keep it nice and tight early and be in front or all square at half time and complete our sets in the second half we can win this game and probably win comfortably
**<big>Stats show Dragons going backwards in second halves of matches</big>**
**Paul Crawley From: The Daily Telegraph August 02, 2011 12:00AM**
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WESTS Tigers enforcer Gareth Ellis admits he watched with interest how Rabbitohs tough guy Michael Crocker went about belting the Dragons last Sunday and it provided the big Englishman with the perfect motivation in the countdown to Friday night's blockbuster.
Ellis was inspired by how Crocker's defence helped lift Souths to a miraculous comeback as the Dragons capitulated for the second time in as many weeks.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal some alarming statistics coming out of Sunday's match that highlight exactly why Wayne Bennett fears an attitude problem could cost the reigning premiers back-to-back titles.
The breakdown of Souths' stunning fightback shows two distinct periods in the match - before and after the moment Mark Gasnier dropped the ball on his own line and Souths scored in the next set.
The completion rates during that 34 to 80-minute period tells the story.
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After they trailed 20-0, the Rabbitohs outscored the Dragons 34-4.
It's no coincidence during that period they completed 22 of 24 sets while Saints managed only 12 from 17.
In fact, almost every statistic makes embarrassing reading for the Dragons and clearly shows why Bennett decided to give his players a rare public spray post-match.
Bennett rarely criticises his players to the media but after Sunday's loss he didn't hide his disappointment.
How could you blame him when you take time to digest these stats.
To make matters worse, a Fox Sports Stats breakdown of Saints' first and second half performances in the past seven matches shows a worrying trend - how rivals are coming home over the top of the premiers in points scored and conceded.
Many believe Souths' aggression was the key to Sunday's fightback.
With no Jeremy Smith or Neville Costigan in 2011, there is a feeling out there that Saints can be intimidated and Crocker's performance didn't do anything to harm that theory.
Ellis admits he tuned in when Crocker let rip with some old fashioned bell-ringers that clearly rattled the Dragons' big men and lifted Souths in the process.
"I had the weekend off but I saw my friend from Leeds, Luke Burgess, was playing so I thought I'd watch him," Ellis explained.
"They way that they came out and gave it to the Dragons and with Crocker putting on a few hits, it lifted the team and you could see that.
"Once they got a sniff they were back in the game.
"What it shows, especially against these top teams, is if you can hang in during the periods when they are on top you are a chance and that's what we'll be doing."
Ellis himself came up with a bone-rattler on Manly's Jason King that lifted the Tigers' spirits during their own comeback win on Friday night and he was hopeful to do more of the same this week.
"You try and do that every week; you try and unsettle your opponents," he said.
"You don't consciously think you are going to do it but if the opportunity comes … you can see the reaction from the boys.
"I think it lifted them ... it's my job to do that and the more often I can do it the better for the team."
Ellis said there was a feeling within the Tigers that they can challenge for the title this year.
"We obviously came very close last year without really knowing it," he said.
"Whereas this year we really do believe that we can win the competition.
"Obviously we have not hit our straps by any stretch of the imagination up until the last few weeks.
"The Dragons will not be wanting to lose three on the bounce but we're in a pretty good place ourselves at the moment so we want to carry on our winning form."
**Paul Crawley From: The Daily Telegraph August 02, 2011 12:00AM**
\
\
WESTS Tigers enforcer Gareth Ellis admits he watched with interest how Rabbitohs tough guy Michael Crocker went about belting the Dragons last Sunday and it provided the big Englishman with the perfect motivation in the countdown to Friday night's blockbuster.
Ellis was inspired by how Crocker's defence helped lift Souths to a miraculous comeback as the Dragons capitulated for the second time in as many weeks.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal some alarming statistics coming out of Sunday's match that highlight exactly why Wayne Bennett fears an attitude problem could cost the reigning premiers back-to-back titles.
The breakdown of Souths' stunning fightback shows two distinct periods in the match - before and after the moment Mark Gasnier dropped the ball on his own line and Souths scored in the next set.
The completion rates during that 34 to 80-minute period tells the story.
\
\
After they trailed 20-0, the Rabbitohs outscored the Dragons 34-4.
It's no coincidence during that period they completed 22 of 24 sets while Saints managed only 12 from 17.
In fact, almost every statistic makes embarrassing reading for the Dragons and clearly shows why Bennett decided to give his players a rare public spray post-match.
Bennett rarely criticises his players to the media but after Sunday's loss he didn't hide his disappointment.
How could you blame him when you take time to digest these stats.
To make matters worse, a Fox Sports Stats breakdown of Saints' first and second half performances in the past seven matches shows a worrying trend - how rivals are coming home over the top of the premiers in points scored and conceded.
Many believe Souths' aggression was the key to Sunday's fightback.
With no Jeremy Smith or Neville Costigan in 2011, there is a feeling out there that Saints can be intimidated and Crocker's performance didn't do anything to harm that theory.
Ellis admits he tuned in when Crocker let rip with some old fashioned bell-ringers that clearly rattled the Dragons' big men and lifted Souths in the process.
"I had the weekend off but I saw my friend from Leeds, Luke Burgess, was playing so I thought I'd watch him," Ellis explained.
"They way that they came out and gave it to the Dragons and with Crocker putting on a few hits, it lifted the team and you could see that.
"Once they got a sniff they were back in the game.
"What it shows, especially against these top teams, is if you can hang in during the periods when they are on top you are a chance and that's what we'll be doing."
Ellis himself came up with a bone-rattler on Manly's Jason King that lifted the Tigers' spirits during their own comeback win on Friday night and he was hopeful to do more of the same this week.
"You try and do that every week; you try and unsettle your opponents," he said.
"You don't consciously think you are going to do it but if the opportunity comes … you can see the reaction from the boys.
"I think it lifted them ... it's my job to do that and the more often I can do it the better for the team."
Ellis said there was a feeling within the Tigers that they can challenge for the title this year.
"We obviously came very close last year without really knowing it," he said.
"Whereas this year we really do believe that we can win the competition.
"Obviously we have not hit our straps by any stretch of the imagination up until the last few weeks.
"The Dragons will not be wanting to lose three on the bounce but we're in a pretty good place ourselves at the moment so we want to carry on our winning form."
Balmain_Bug
New member
Completions are important, but its our risky plays that have gotten us out of trouble this year. We need that fine balance dont we?
Or do we just go hell for leather ??
Or do we just go hell for leather ??
