Do you want Brad Arthur as coach

[Gary Gutful]

I still maintain that Norman has been poor.

 

[Noise]

Can you work out for me whether Norman plays on the left and if so, who has he had outside him that would encourage the overall play to go left? I mean would the left side edge forward, centre and winger be better players than those on the right and therefore we would be more likely to have more attempts down that side?

Oh and on the running metres average, can you work out a comparison between when Norman runs and gets caught with the ball vs when this happens to Moses, maybe even include when it happens on the last tackle too please.

Cheers

Why don’t you just do it?

 

[T-Boon]

Titanic

Haha, no that is a comedy about watching DiCaprio drowning.

 

[Happy MEel]

Can you work out for me whether Norman plays on the left and if so, who has he had outside him that would encourage the overall play to go left? I mean would the left side edge forward, centre and winger be better players than those on the right and therefore we would be more likely to have more attempts down that side?

Oh and on the running metres average, can you work out a comparison between when Norman runs and gets caught with the ball vs when this happens to Moses, maybe even include when it happens on the last tackle too please.

Cheers

1. Yes he does
2. Our left and right centres, wingers and edges have moved around throughout the season (and even mid game as was the case last night). I’ve already confirmed Norman touches the ball more so it stands to reason we make more attempts on the left. Looking at the data, approximately 20% more.
3. Nope I can’t. As we can’t prove either way who gets caught with the ball more often we’ll ignore this. However, I will say that I don’t mind halves being caught with the ball as it keeps the defence honest if they’re genuinely running it to the line. If they’re just passing early defences can too easily slide and cover the outside men.
4. Nope. If you can I’d love to see them.

With the absence of some of the data you requested I’d still place Norman above Moses as the better half in 2019.

 

[T-Boon]

They then asked Matty Johns if he had any thoughts. His response was that we are far too structured and have not adapted to the style of play that is successful this year.

If anyone disagrees with this they need to self exclude themselves from the rugby league world.

 

[Happy MEel]

I still maintain that Norman has been poor.

Oh I absolutely agree with this on the whole (although he has been better the last few weeks). However, Moses has been worse.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Oh I absolutely agree with this on the whole (although he has been better the last few weeks). However, Moses has been worse overall.

I don't feel that Moses hasn't had the opportunities that Norman has.

I think we would be a better team with Moses leading (and Norman playing elsewhere) than we would if it was the other way around.

 

[Happy MEel]

But just because he touches it x times more doesn't mean he should be getting x times more positive stats. He could be receiving the ball closer to the ruck whereas Moses could be receing it wider which means he's more likely to get line breaks or lbas. But that's why we watch the games rather than just looking at stat sheets and box scores.

I think I read somewhere on twitter that Norman is in the top 8 halves for positive contributions for how many touches they make whereas Moses was 17th.

Hey OA,
I had a quick Google search and couldn’t find that positive contributions tweet you mentioned. If you come across it again could you possibly post it? It would make for some interesting reading.

 

[T-Boon]

It’s not just that. We need to encourage offloads,

Exactly, take Hayne. He didn't have a great game last night but he is always looking to make something happen. Gets a nice offload last night that looked impossible. But we then just took easy metres when we should have tried to use the space. That is because of mentality and structure and coaching philosophy.

Arthurs entire philosophy about RL has been built on completions and risk free football. I remember last year there was a story on him that really emphasised this from way back when he was coaching in NQ.
He needs to recreate himself as a coach and I don't think he is capable of it.

Whats more, I eff'ing hate his entire coaching philosophy.

 

[Happy MEel]

I don't feel that Moses hasn't had the opportunities that Norman has.

I think we would be a better team with Moses leading (and Norman playing elsewhere) than we would if it was the other way around.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on that. The stats are firmly in Norman’s favour but I accept they’re not the be-all-and-end-all.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Exactly, take Hayne. He didn't have a great game last night but he is always looking to make something happen. Gets a nice offload last night that looked impossible. But we then just took easy metres when we should have tried to use the space. That is because of mentality and structure and coaching philosophy.

Arthurs entire philosophy about RL has been built on completions and risk free football. I remember last year there was a story on him that really emphasised this from way back when he was coaching in NQ.
He needs to recreate himself as a coach and I don't think he is capable of it.

Whats more, I eff'ing hate his entire coaching philosophy.

There is a pretty strong correlation between completion rates and winning though isn't there? I don't imagine there is a coach alive who doesn't think completing sets is important.

 

[Gary Gutful]

We’ll have to agree to disagree on that. The stats are firmly in Norman’s favour but I accept they’re not the be-all-and-end-all.

They aren't really measuring everything that we are discussing.

 

[Happy MEel]

There is a pretty strong correlation between completion rates and winning though isn't there? I don't imagine there is a coach alive who doesn't think completing sets is important.

Professional footballers should be able to throw the ball around without consistently producing errors. A decent team with effective structures should also be able to defend errors that occur as a result.

 

[T-Boon]

There is a pretty strong correlation between completion rates and winning though isn't there? I don't imagine there is a coach alive who doesn't think completing sets is important.

Of course but it is because completions should mean you are executing the skills at a high level not because you are playing to complete sets.

If I am wrong about that (and it is possible I am) then rugby league is a stupid sport.

 

[Happy MEel]

They aren't really measuring everything that we are discussing.

What opportunities has Norman had that hasn’t been afforded to Moses?

Without being completely comprehensive, they are measuring most of what halves are expected to do. If you compare these stats and apply the measurables across the competition’s halves they are a pretty strong indicators of performance.

BTW, you’re starting to sound like Pou.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Professional footballers should be able to throw the ball around without consistently producing errors.

...and if they aren't then they may be coached to attack with simple structures to reduce errors.

A decent team with effective structures should also be able to defend errors that occur as a result.

To an extent. If any team gives the opposition enough ball they will eventually concede a try.

 

[Happy MEel]

...and if they aren't then they may be coached to attack with simple structures to reduce errors.

If that’s the case then we are in an even more dire situation than I thought.

 

[Gary Gutful]

What opportunities has Norman had that hasn’t been afforded to Moses?

Without being completely comprehensive, they are measuring most of what halves are expected to do. If you compare these stats and apply the measurables across the competition’s halves they are a pretty strong indicators of performance.

BTW, you’re starting to sound like Pou.

If you'd answered my question at the start and told me what was happening in the opposition 20 I wouldn't have to sound like Pou!

The reason I asked that question is that my gut feel is that this is where there is a bigger difference in responsibility. Just a hunch based on watching every game half cut.

 

[Gary Gutful]

If that’s the case then we are in an even more dire situation than I thought.

It's whats been happening in Melbourne for a number of years. It can work if you have the right patience, discipline and leadership.

 

[Bazal]

...and if they aren't then they may be coached to attack with simple structures to reduce errors.


To an extent. If any team gives the opposition enough ball they will eventually concede a try.

Not to mention throwing the ball around without flowing off structure often allows the defence to dominate.

An offload is pointless if the defence is already marching, it's most effective if the defence is on the back foot or there is a lazy defender/gap in the defence around the tackle.