larrycorowa
New member
I have just finished watching most of last weekends matches on Fox.
Sure we looked rusty, but I think we went in underdone (Galloway, Mackinnon, Moltzen) and carrying a few players (Farah, Payten, Ellis) and it is definately not panic stations. We have much more upside than the Dogs and we ran them pretty close really.
But what stood out like a sore thumb was that our kicking game was by far the worst of any of the leading contenders. In each game, most teams scored at least one try from a kick. Now this isn't a new phenomenon; it probably cost us the comp last year. But what compounded it last week was that we tried to adopt a conservative game plan that relies on getting results (field position or points) and consecutive sets from kicks.
Think about last year. In games where we were run down (Souths and the final against Easts spring to mind) we tried to shut the game down and adopt a conservative style which ultimately brought about our undoing. Conversely we pulled off some miraculous victories last year (Raiders, Cowboys, Penrith etc.) when we were forced to attack at all costs because of the game situation (which may have been brought about by our conservative game style).
In part this reflects the increasing maturity of our team and game style; trying to find a happy balance between attack and defence has been our challenge for the last few years. We are getting it right, but it is painful and not something you can change overnight.
But whichever way you cut it up; the equation is simple - our kicking game needs to improve if we are to take the next step.
Sure we looked rusty, but I think we went in underdone (Galloway, Mackinnon, Moltzen) and carrying a few players (Farah, Payten, Ellis) and it is definately not panic stations. We have much more upside than the Dogs and we ran them pretty close really.
But what stood out like a sore thumb was that our kicking game was by far the worst of any of the leading contenders. In each game, most teams scored at least one try from a kick. Now this isn't a new phenomenon; it probably cost us the comp last year. But what compounded it last week was that we tried to adopt a conservative game plan that relies on getting results (field position or points) and consecutive sets from kicks.
Think about last year. In games where we were run down (Souths and the final against Easts spring to mind) we tried to shut the game down and adopt a conservative style which ultimately brought about our undoing. Conversely we pulled off some miraculous victories last year (Raiders, Cowboys, Penrith etc.) when we were forced to attack at all costs because of the game situation (which may have been brought about by our conservative game style).
In part this reflects the increasing maturity of our team and game style; trying to find a happy balance between attack and defence has been our challenge for the last few years. We are getting it right, but it is painful and not something you can change overnight.
But whichever way you cut it up; the equation is simple - our kicking game needs to improve if we are to take the next step.
