Big defence wins big games, it's as simple as that. Kidwell is responsible for coaching that defence and he has been a massive failure. He must go.
Looking at 2016 from a benchmarking perspective the Cowboys game was our best by far. The reason for that was when we did rush up we did it as a team. They tried to get around us but couldn't. I don't expect this quality of defence every weekend but something resembling it would be nice. The main offenders in rushing up and taking thin air are Kev, Moses, and Brooks. I think we'd be best off in shopping Kev to other clubs. I'm pretty sure we'd get some takers. I just can't see him making any improvement and his defensive weaknesses far outweigh what he offers in attack. Don't know who is available but anyone would be an improvement.
Likewise Brooks. We just can't afford to carry 2 halves with defensive weaknesses. It's a pity because I remember watching his debut at the SCG and walking away thinking how good the next 10 years were going to be, but he's only played a handful of games even close to that quality. Moses is a bit of a speed bump but at least he has a go and puts his body on the line. Brooks, much like Kev is a traffic cone. Just creates yawning gaps that aren't all that hard to get around. I thought Drinkwater was enormous in that Cowboys game considering they ran at him plenty.
We'd be better off using Rankin's salary on a trip to Fiji or Tonga and coming back with a massive unit who could be another potential Semi.
The forward pack looks pretty good except we need a specialist hooker next year. Whether Taylor has an aversion to the position, doesn't think it's as important as it used to be, or plans on using a specialist hooker next year but didn't want to this year because of Farah......your guess is as good as mine. We need a hooker though.
Looking at recent history we were last a good defensive team when Folkes was coach. Look what happened then.....we were a top 4 team 2 years in a row. He needs to be enticed away from his Jillaroo job as a major priority. He's got a proven track record at the club.
If we persist with what we've got I reckon next year will be similar to this one. Making the semi's would be nice but realistically, if you're not in the top 4 you're just making up the numbers. I want us to be challenging and that begins and ends with defence.
