Defence orientated game ?

[Johnsy]

I dont understand what all the fuss is about, players coming out in the media denouncing the style of game that is being played.

Too defence orientated Joey says, crap Johnsy says.

Our game has been on a roundabout for years, defence orientated teams dominate then this lets the attacking skills evolve to a new level.
Afterall how do you beat a great defensive side?

Improve your defense and take your attacking skills to a new level. Score more points than you allow the oppopsition to score and you win. The games I have seen, they have been great games with brilliant attacking football, with great defense (included is the mongrel attitude), all in all it makes for the best standard of football in the 2nd round I have seen for many many years.

Johnsy

 

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[imported_Roopy4246]

My only worry is the toll this will take on players.
Every year the players get bigger and stronger, and the injury toll gets higher.

I love the tough, uncompromising style of forward play. It is better to watch, but the toll on players will be high. We can expect more injuries and players to have shorter careers as the game gets more and more physical.

 

[ozbash]

you wouldnt be refering to a certain knights halfback would you roopy ?

i think this new improved bigger fitter faster player of today is a natural progression (evolution,if you will) of the game.

its good to see.

 

[imported_JoeD]

Don't mention that 'e' word OB you don't know what that might start.

Having primarily focussed on the warriors games so far this year (as you do) I have seen them come up with some spectacular tries using skill and innovation against great defensive teams. I've also seen them put in some great big hits on the opposition and in the Dogs game play well on defence. The level of intensity shown in the first two games of the season is as high as it has ever been at the warriors I think. I just hope it can be maintained throughout the year.

 

[Johnsy]

I may be simplifying it too much but it has to be a natural progression. The defence era of the bulldogs v Parra then the attack era of canberra and brisbane.

 

[imported_midas]

I remember once whe Big Jack Gibbo was questioned about his perceived obsession with defence,he laconically replied "When the other team,s got the ball,what else is there to do?".

 

[berno]

Well unions going down the same path.Has anyone has ever heard of Dave Ellis?
Well he coached the Tara Rugby League team a few years ago & now is the defensive coach for the French RU team & a top flight Englisn RU club.

(Have a look on the map & you will find Tara about 300 kms west of Towoomba.)

http://www.de-fence.co.uk/defence.html

I might add the site is very interesting.

 

[legend]

Johnsy, you make a good point about the change in styles when you refer to the Eels/Dogs era compared to the Raiders/Broncos era. I think the game goes through a cycle and has come full circle after 15-20 years of a more attacking, adventurous style of play back to the defence orientated game that we are currently seeing and I'm all for it because it increases the value of a try for both teams and their spectators, which, when I was growing up was what you wanted to see. The thrill of a try is increased significantly because you don't know when the next one will come so you have to savour it.

In the nineties Canberra and Brisbane blew defensive teams like St George, Canterbury and Manly off the park through their willingness to attack with the football regardless of where they were on the park, especially Canberra. I remember the Raiders would oftern score length of the field tries through adventurous play in their own half and while exciting to watch, it cheapened the value of a try from the point of view of a spectator although I expect many will disagree.

I expect in a couple of years teams will have figured out a way to combat the new defensive schemes currently employed through another Joey Johns or Darren Lockyer and it will merely be the wheel turning again.

 

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[Johnsy]

Legend

The great thing is that there is still some great attacking footy, with the punishing defence. Fans are the winners.

Johnsy