Over the course of the season, I like many have lamented our lack of a big prop, speed, creative halves, etc.
But particularly over this last round, I've arrived at the belief that every single problem stems from this passive defensive system the club has employed for years and continues to employ now.
Opposition teams are routinely making more than 50 metres per set meaning after an attacking kick, we're starting our set on or inside our own ten. So while a big, mobile prop would be great, we spend the first three tackles of any set just trying to get to our 20 or 30 before the props even see the ball. Then we're kicking from our own 40 (at best) so they're most often to a fullback who can attack the ball and start their own set on their 40.
Then because we know we're going to be running back from our line, we need to prioritise big outside backs rather than speed. But that then means that when we do find ourselves in position - usually through an opposition error - to take an attacking kick, we bomb to the corner but with backs that aren't fast enough to get to their opposite number to put them under pressure.
So our roster might not be flush with alpha props, elite playmakers and lighning-quick backs, but whilst ever our defensive system allows the opposition to run at least 8 metres before engaging, even if we magically had guns from 1 to 17, they'd be wasted anyway and would likely regress to what we've all been sadly watching for years.
Watching Cronulla or Easts this weekend and their defense was aggressive. They met the opposition early, cut down easy metres, exerting pressure that led to mistakes, field position and points.
I loved Dean Young as a player and I believe Flanno is our best current option as coach but until the passivity of our defensive system - which is surely by design - is addressed, no roster moves big or small are going to make a difference.
