GAME PLAN AGAINST KNIGHTS

[innsaneink]

When I see who they have just from Gooses and strykers posts….its a big concern.
Their centers are awesome, gagai is a freak and will go all the way in this game
God help anyone opposing tahu if they get a bad ball and have to stop or turn to catch it....he loves smashing blokes, can put a hit on.....and then the pigs stryker mentiond, aggro and skill, muscle power ...Mullen when he''s on can be terrific, same for Daaahhhrius if its not that time of the month...tough first up -especially up there

I picked Ink's post as it mentions Goose"s and Stryker's posts. Which in conjunction with Happy's ideas seem to be spot on. My initial comments are based on the assumption that Woods was still limping on Saturday night so probably won't play and this I think leaves a huge hole in our limited go forward as we don't have any other player with the same capability to plug the gap. This means that when I look at the Knights pack and Bennetts traditional game plan of tough uncompromising defence and structured attack we are not likely to be able to match let alone get the better of them in the most important forward battle unless we play smart by being patient and wearing them down at both ends of each half.

Defence
To stop their forward momentum and as they probably will be physically bigger than us we will need to get multiple defenders in every tackle and drive them backwards into the ground on their backs so we minimise the offloads and legitimately keep them on the ground for a longer time so we get time to reload ourselves for the next play. There has to be an absolute focus on keeping hands off the ball at all times (especially late in the tackle count) as the refs have signalled that this is an area they will penalise heavily . We saw clear evidence of this last week and also in Robbies comments at the presser when he said it was the only way we could slow down the Roosters forward momentum. To maintain the constant gang tackle mentality how MP uses the bench will be critical and this mentality is the only way I can see we can leverage the advantage of being smaller and more mobile to our advantage.

Make sure Robbie, Milky and Benji put themselves in a position to pressure the 2 knight's kickers . And make sure if Benji jumps out of the line to do this that someone is covering the big hole he invariably leave.

In conjunction with gang tackles we use our kick/chase game to keep turning them around again and again so the bigger pack will tire more easily and lose forward momentum. This means early tackle count kicks to the corners and a great chase. And if we are in their 20 not trying for the magic play rather go for multiple ingoal dropouts to maintain pressure. One of the real positive areas for us this year over previous years has been our kick chase and Robbie, Milky and Benji have excelled.
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Attack (to be continued)

Yeh I like this idea, gang tackling is effective and may be our only hope….its not easy, and highly fatiguing...thats why I'd be kicking for touch a lot at least for the first half and maybe early in the second....give US a breather, we'll be buggered.
Every time I recall Newie on a Mon it seems to be horrific conditions....this needs to be taken into account as well
If we can stay with them while the ref asserts his authority and is finally happy with how the games settling, then we are in with a show, if - to quote Wally- if theyre allowed to dictate terms + we play catch up x mistakes ensue = we screwd

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

lets pinpoint this. Its our defence. It needs work.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

On current form I agree X. If our two can recapture the form that saw them ripping sides apart in 2011 though they are superior.

This will be a forwards battle though and the more I think about it, without Woods, the Newcastle forward pack is very dangerous. There is some tough, hard hitting footballers amongst them…I dont envy our blokes at all.

Having said that, they can match it and I am excited to see whether they have improved their attitude from last year.

I agree too. On current form or lack thereof.

 

[Guest]

God help us if Potsys on here looking for ideas

Fwiw, we need to win the ruck before anything - easier said than done

Agree. Win the ruck, then the backs have a platform to play off. Lose the ruck and we lose the game, simple.

 

[snowleopard]

Defence Forwards
To stop their forward momentum and as they probably will be physically bigger than us we will need to get multiple defenders in every tackle and drive them backwards into the ground on their backs so we minimise the offloads and legitimately keep them on the ground for a longer time so we get time to reload ourselves for the next play. There has to be an absolute focus on keeping hands off the ball at all times (especially late in the tackle count) as the refs have signalled that this is an area they will penalise heavily . We saw clear evidence of this last week and also in Robbies comments at the presser when he said it was the only way we could slow down the Roosters forward momentum. To maintain the constant gang tackle mentality how MP uses the bench will be critical and this mentality is the only way I can see we can leverage the advantage of being smaller and more mobile to our advantage.

Make sure Robbie, Milky and Benji put themselves in a position to pressure the 2 knight's kickers . And make sure if Benji jumps out of the line to do this that someone is covering the big hole he invariably leave.

In conjunction with gang tackles we use our kick/chase game to keep turning them around again and again so the bigger pack will tire more easily and lose forward momentum. This means early tackle count kicks to the corners and a great chase. And if we are in their 20 not trying for the magic play rather go for multiple ingoal dropouts to maintain pressure. One of the real positive areas for us this year over previous years has been our kick chase and Robbie, Milky and Benji have excelled so far this year.

Defence - Backs

Apart from the neccessity to pick a minder for Benji am struggling to figure out how we stop the knights from going around us early in the tackle count like they did last year (and most others seem to be doing regularly now) and stop gifting tries from high balls to Utai if he is selected. BTW realise the Koro is still suspect reading defence but would be prepared to accept that on the basis that his speed allows him to recover better than anyone else we have. Any ideas?

 

[snowleopard]

Defence Forwards
To stop their forward momentum and as they probably will be physically bigger than us we will need to get multiple defenders in every tackle and drive them backwards into the ground on their backs so we minimise the offloads and legitimately keep them on the ground for a longer time so we get time to reload ourselves for the next play. There has to be an absolute focus on keeping hands off the ball at all times (especially late in the tackle count) as the refs have signalled that this is an area they will penalise heavily . We saw clear evidence of this last week and also in Robbies comments at the presser when he said it was the only way we could slow down the Roosters forward momentum. To maintain the constant gang tackle mentality how MP uses the bench will be critical and this mentality is the only way I can see we can leverage the advantage of being smaller and more mobile to our advantage.

Make sure Robbie, Milky and Benji put themselves in a position to pressure the 2 knight's kickers . And make sure if Benji jumps out of the line to do this that someone is covering the big hole he invariably leave.

In conjunction with gang tackles we use our kick/chase game to keep turning them around again and again so the bigger pack will tire more easily and lose forward momentum. This means early tackle count kicks to the corners and a great chase. And if we are in their 20 not trying for the magic play rather go for multiple ingoal dropouts to maintain pressure. One of the real positive areas for us this year over previous years has been our kick chase and Robbie, Milky and Benji have excelled so far this year.

Defence - Backs

Apart from the neccessity to pick a minder for Benji am struggling to figure out how we stop the knights from going around us early in the tackle count like they did last year (and most others seem to be doing regularly now) and stop gifting tries from high balls to Utai if he is selected. BTW realise the Koro is still suspect reading defence but would be prepared to accept that on the basis that his speed allows him to recover better than anyone else we have. Any ideas?

Defence - Forward Pack if intensity of defence is needed for the first 20 mins of each half.

If the Game Plan strategy in the first 20 mins was to try and get multiple players in tackles to drive them down (and hopefully backwards) , get them on their back and legitimately slow the pay the ball down as well as focus on gaining field position through kicking early and deep which players are best suited? IMO we need players who have good line speed and the motor to make multiple tackles in each set of six. The standouts for me are Farah, Bell, Fulton and potentially Buchannan . Given Galloway will start so who else fits the bill?

 

[Goose]

When I see who they have just from Gooses and strykers posts….its a big concern.
Their centers are awesome, gagai is a freak and will go all the way in this game
God help anyone opposing tahu if they get a bad ball and have to stop or turn to catch it....he loves smashing blokes, can put a hit on.....and then the pigs stryker mentiond, aggro and skill, muscle power ...Mullen when he''s on can be terrific, same for Daaahhhrius if its not that time of the month...tough first up -especially up there

They are some good names….

I agree with both things you said about their centres. Gagai could destroy us in attack, and Tahu could cause a few problems. That said they do make alot of bad defensive reads, hope they come up with a couple on Monday night!

 

[happy_tiger]

When I see who they have just from Gooses and strykers posts….its a big concern.
Their centers are awesome, gagai is a freak and will go all the way in this game
God help anyone opposing tahu if they get a bad ball and have to stop or turn to catch it....he loves smashing blokes, can put a hit on.....and then the pigs stryker mentiond, aggro and skill, muscle power ...Mullen when he''s on can be terrific, same for Daaahhhrius if its not that time of the month...tough first up -especially up there

I'don't disagree that in attack they will cause us problems Tahu has probably scored as many tries against us as Gasnier has but if you can get him flat footed in defence he lacks speed off the mark and isn't the greatest mover laterally Gagai is a good player also but he can make some defensive blunders

It could be an area that could be exploited if our backline fires

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Score more points than Newcastle.

 

[barra]

Really need to be prepared to come off the line in defence, and turn up more enthusiastically for each other in all areas.
That's where the Roosters had it all over us and the Knights will be looking to do the same.

 

[tig_prmz]

i dont think the normal run hard, hit harder strategy will work for us, if we are looking to win games right from the first round.. it doesn't suit our forwards or our style of play.

galloway is the only one who runs hard, woods imo doesnt run that hard, it's his footwork at the line that causes the tackle breaks.

as people mentioned, running one out wont work, run in packs, hunt in packs and chase in packs. not what tigers do in the jungle but imo that's our only hope on field

 

[Tiger_heart]

Good kick chase , keep a straight line , keep the kicks away from (….) and (...) at all times (....) will be a bit tentative
Pressure on the halves in defence No stupid penalties

80% completion rates , lots on inside balls early to work their bigger forwards around

Keep the crowd out of the game

You might as well cut and paste this for the reminder of the year… :unamused:

 

[sheer64]

Score more points than Newcastle.

Have to agree this sounds promising!
:sign:

 

[cqtiger]

I'm still old school. League is a simple game.
1\. Tackle hard
2\. Run hard
3\. Good last play options
4\. No penalties

I'm sure Potter will have a sound game plan where we play to our strengths and their weaknesses. The guys have to believe and play to it.

 

[kh_canada]

Don't let their big names intimidate us. It's all well and good to have some of the best players but if they don't play together as a team it won't come together. Same is for us.

Win the ruck, no drop balls, straight lines, kick chase, no penalties and most importantly put your heart and soul into the game, show a little passion.

 

[diedpretty]

Arrive at the ground early and lock the gates behind us.

 

[yeti]

Our speed off the defensive line is critical. On the odd occasion we were 'on' over the past couple of seasons we've had great wins. It's this speed that nullifies the bigger opposition forwards. It will mean the odd penalty no doubt - but it's a trade-off. I'll take the speed off the line everyday of the week!

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

Our game plan should be simple.Score more points than they do!. The rest I will leave to Potter

 

[system]

Don't let their big names intimidate us. It's all well and good to have some of the best players but if they don't play together as a team it won't come together. Same is for us.

Win the ruck, no drop balls, straight lines, kick chase, no penalties and most importantly put your heart and soul into the game, show a little passion.

Passion what a great word for our game that sums up everything in league have more passion to win and win u will. more passion in every aspect of the game, toss in some brilliance from Marshall with passion mind u. And victory is ours, to our boys play with passion just as u did as a kid playing junior league good luck.
Or defence defence defence defence 05 we won on DEFENCE and ill more DEFENCE!!!!!!

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[EggButterRoll99]

I hope we win because every game counts to make the finals. If we watch out for dane gagai, darius boyd, Aku Uate, Gidley, Mullen, Smith, Mason Houston and Scott we should be fine. Just make sure the kicks go in behind the fullback and the wingers not to deep so it goes dead but enough so we get a good kick chase on. We need to hold the ball and don't try things that don't pay off so we either lose possession. Get off the player once he is tackled because I can't stand seeing penalties against us because we are holding on too long. If all the players do their part on the field we should get the job done. Fire up tigers because it doesn't matter who we play every game matters.