A bit of retrospect

[Mr_Knightside]

I am getting the feeling that Bennett wants Gidley and Danny to get fixed for next year because he has written off this season.

Hmmm I think that's probably a bit of an over-statement, a coach of Bennett's calibre would not write off a year just because we are 4/9 to start the season. The fact is that Kurt would be lucky to play again this year and even if he does he will take a while to recover, Bennett knows this and he's always made comments about player wellfare and how he wouldn't want Kurt to come back early and play busted. And really how much of a difference could a crippled Kurt Gidley make to our team at the back end of our season?

Danny is a different kettle of fish, he will be a massive asset during the Origin period with his experience and we can use that if we are playing any teams missing their stars, assuming that he will now miss his chance to play SOO (although if who-ever is at hooker has a bad game then Stuart might try to bring him into the team) then hopefully we have him back soon.

 

[Yosh]

2 things for me:

1. Dropballs and stupid penalties. If we are gonna play the simple safe Bennett game then we need to do the basics right. Seems like the basics are something too advanced for us.

2. We look like a team who has never played together at times, especially in the opposition 20. Work on some set plays or we're never gonna have enough points in us to win games.

Work on these two things and i'll be happy no matter where we finish on the ladder this season.

 

[Pika]

That is three things

 

[Yosh]

That is three things

Is it?

 

[Burwood]

When was the last time Bennett missed the top 8? I can't imagine him wanting to break that long stretch now.

 

[Pika]

1. Drop balls
2. Stupid penalties
3. We look like a team who has never played together.

 

[Rod]

When was the last time Bennett missed the top 8? I can't imagine him wanting to break that long stretch now.

He hasn't since his first year with the Broncos, and even then it was because only 6 teams made the finals back then.

 

[Spot On]

We simply dont have he size to compete with the sides who do

Snowden and now Mason are our only dedicated go forward piggies. Next we have guys like Taia who is a wide runner, House the same, Eddie and McKinnon who are gap runners, Faas tries hard but is too small to run at multiple defenders and lastly Waltzing and Costigan who are backup hookers and tacklers.

Too many guys who play their best footy when others are doing the go forward, not enough guys who actually get that go forward for them

Bennett won a comp and a couple minor premierships with a pack that had Nev Costigan at prop. I can see your point but I don't believe it is the major factor in why the squad is going shit. The skill level of this bunch seems to be well below par.

 

[Frances the Mute]

I am getting the feeling that Bennett wants Gidley and Danny to get fixed for next year because he has written off this season.

Bingo and loads of players know they are gone which explains the lack of pride

 

[Yosh]

1. Drop balls
2. Stupid penalties
3. We look like a team who has never played together.

Yeah... You're right actually. Touche.:crazy:

 

[Joker's Wild]

Bennett won a comp and a couple minor premierships with a pack that had Nev Costigan at prop. I can see your point but I don't believe it is the major factor in why the squad is going shit. The skill level of this bunch seems to be well below par.

Yep, yet he also had Weyman, Merrin, Saffy, Smith and Scott to back him up. Far better than our current pack and with much more size.

Its a massive factor mate. Our backs simply have no room to move behind a pack that is getting pounded

 

[Joker's Wild]

Eddie a gap runner? Has he ever run through a gap before?

Lol he tab though half a gap after the opposition had all stopped because they saw a knock on. The bloke is just useless in attack

Exactly my point about him mate. Unless there is clear space in front of him he never looks like breaking the line on his own. He has a nice step approaching the line but lacks the size to turn that into a break or an offload.

Alex can at least produce an offload but should not be hitting the ball up from within our own 30, yet he has too because we have no one else.

I dont use the term "Gap runner" as a positive

 

[The Showstopper]

Maybe we take a punt on Laurie. We know he is huge. There is nothing to lose right now. If he made us an extra 60 or 70 metres a game then it would give us opportunity in the backs. Mase is easily our best forward.

 

[Yosh]

I can't see what Eddy offers over Dane... I think it's worth a punt.

 

[Rod]

Well he's suspended this week. Could be a chance to give Laurie a go.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Laurie cant even make our NSW Cup side and you fellas want him in FG?

Wow

 

[Pika]

I am not suggesting he is the answer to our problems, but Laurie is a starter for NSW Cup when fit

 

[Serc]

Interesting, I thought he has been injured for most of this year so far but as a result, had no idea of where he was in the pecking order

 

[Big Tim]

Edwards got suspended for that tackle??

 

[The Showstopper]

Who in NSW Cup would improve our go forward? If they are there then why aren't we giving them a run. Laurie may flop but I think a couple of weeks of rolling the dice is not going to make things any worse.