Some disagreement over some ruling by Hayne Scuba.
Villasanti running forward and being belted backwards, same with Guttenbeil and Seu Seu is rank amatuer. Add in that when we're defending, we come up hard, and then hold so that when the attack hits us they're able to either:-
A: Roll forward another 3-4-5-6-23 metres
B: Be tackled to their stomach meaning
Bi: They are able to get to their feet quicker
Bii: The defenders are generally down around the legs as they drive 2-3-4-5-6-23 metres through the tackle meaning
Bii sub clause A: We're defeated from marker easily
Bii sub clause B: Unable to dominate the ruck
Bii sub clause C: Able to easily offload against us
The offload game is fine to bring back, but, we're the highest offloading team in the NRL still. The quality is what is poor. Look at Seu Seu's offload to Koopu. One of your best - simply dreadful. Its not a matter of offloading as you're bashed backwards to compensate for lack of mongrel in the ability to go forward. For mine, they need to look at more set piece plays. That is, more decoy runners, second man plays, inside passes etc. The Roosters, Dragons, Bulldogs, Broncos, Knights, Panthers - all the leading teams, are past masters at it. Once they get a roll on, they distribute it to the weakest area of defence and manipulate them accordingly. We rely on a play it as you see it structure, offload it if you will to try and create room. No real structure or pre-offload thought in how to create room.
Its too late to save 2004, the season is gone. We can get away from the wooden spoon, but for mine if we cannot take 2 points off Manly at home we have buckleys chance of getting enough points to get into the 8. Even if we turn it around next week, apparently we have to go something like 10 wins and only 5 losses to get on the fringe of the 8 at round 26. We have to now start making adjustments for 2005.
I believe this, coupled with Seu Seu's poor effort today in getting go forward or any defensive domination means he no longer commands a spot in the team. We need to look at Danny Sullivan or Kane Ferris who are both here for the long term. Richard Villasanti needs a spell back with the Bulls because he's lost all that mongrel from 2003. Epalahame Lauaki needs to look in the mirror and ask himself why he's continuing to bring on the same penalties each and every week. Sione Faumuina needs a spell back with Glenora. Toopi is apparently out for the season with a knee injury. Stacey Jones needs to be the last option play maker with the boot, not Lance Hohaia. Like the idea of Jones playing five eighth, just don't believe Hohaia has the confidence or ability to put the ball into the corners/onto the ground regularly enough to tire out an opposition pack. Brent Webb needs to be taught the art of ball returns - his handling under the high ball is great, but he needs to charge back with ball in hand.
Add to that, we have to completely rearrange our defensive structure, more to a Roosters style of continuing to roll forward in defence. As I allude to above, we roll forward, then stop. We've got to move forward with venom and give them little time to execute their options.
The main crises though is the lack of heart and hunger. They are professionals, their focus should mainly be on a committed performance. Working together, working as a team, working towards a premiership. They did for the past 3 years, now it all seems to going to hell and back. There must be severe disharmony at the club, because there is too much talent for this to be a regular occurence otherwise. Ownership still therefore falls squarely on the players shoulders, it should be an honour to represent the Warriors. They're treating it as a right, not a priveledge. This is a squad that should hold next to no peer in terms of talent, especially prior to Ali's offloading. Clearly though we're a long way off the pace in terms of passion.
Sullyfan, I now understand how your team has felt for 90% of your clubs existence.
