will Benji's coaching come under the microscope? Perhaps even starting this thread may be seen as a symptom of future malcontent. However I am hoping we don't pull the trigger (as we've done previously), and understand that this is a long term work in progress.
Unlike previous years, we are at least starting to resemble a club with intent to have strong building blocks more so than the temporary bridging approach used in the past.
Will we. the fans, have the patience to wait?
I think Benji is doing OK. He has already stated that we have focussed on Defence as we build. This can be seen on the on field performance of the team.
Our defence, apart from some shocking one on one misses, is OK. Line speed could improve, our ruck dominance could improve, at times our aggression could be better and I think some of our winger reads leave us vulnerable at times. The foundation is there. Benji/Morris have done a good job getting this in place - it needs refinement but is workable already.
On the attack front Benji has simplified the game plan from what Sheens was trying to execute and appears to be building to a plan. Sure our attack is pretty one dimensional at the moment; but that comes with simplification. I'm sure there is a desire to have players in motion and swinging the ball about from one side of the field to the other. We need to build the foundation first though.
While the simplification makes us look one dimensional the issue isn't so much the style of play but the execution of the plays in contact; and that takes a bit of time. Our attack breaks down at pivotal moments; one more pass or a drop off to a slightly different line or at a faster pace and we will look a vastly better prospect. Sure we require a player upgrade or two, but the key element is having the players at the right place, at the right time in contact. This level of cohesion only comes from playing together and building on field, in contact, execution.
Going from a wooden spoon or two to a premiership is not something that will happen overnight at this level of competition. We need to build the system, rehearse the plays, ad nauseum, and then put them into practice in contact. Get the basics right (which we haven't nailed yet) to then build from a solid foundation. It is frustrating to watch - sure; but we are on the up. I think Benji has the support of the fan base at the moment and will continue to do so as long as we are on the improve.
I think that our biggest challenge is building a roster with depth to cater for the inevitable injuries. I think Bud has potential, he needs work and I'm sure he has the right coaching staff to provide him with the right guidance to develop. I don't see much on our KOE team to be excited about and we are a couple of years away from the junior pathways projects emerging. Some astute purchases just outside of the top 30 will go a long way - this is something I think the club, as opposed to Benji, needs to focus on in the short term. This will support what Benji and the coaching staff are tying to develop.
If we aren't seeing more complexity in our attack towards the end of this season as the fan base we should be starting to ask questions, but I expect Benji will still have the support. I personally believe that it will be 2025 before we see significant changes in our FG team's direction. We will have a core playing group that will benefit from the injection of some spark into the halves and some more strike in the outside backs. Our defensive structure should be well set to take to the next step and our attacking structure should by then be starting to trouble the top eight teams. If we aren't seeing this in 2025 then the fan base will start to revolt.
