RedV Resurgence
Juniors
- Messages
- 726
For the best part of the last decade we have been playing a style of football that has been less than successful. Further with the introduction of '6 again' rule change we have failed to adapt. It's now time to change and prepare for 2021.
Under the Mary and Price regimes we have played one out football up the centre and then on the 4th tackle run a sweeping play out the backline. This has rarely worked.
Just recently, we have started to kick on the 3rd tackle into open space (before the wingers drop back after the 4th tackle). This is a good tactic if used sparingly. We are now somewhat kick happy and whilst it gains ground, its has a draining effect on the players. Think of the forwards that have just made it back behind the tackled player and then need to run up to the other end of the field. This is now a good strategy and other teams are now awake to this play.
Another recent component of Dragons footy is playing Hunt (88kg & 178cm ) at hooker and moving McInness (91kg & 177cm ) to Lock. This approach leaves us with 4 big bodies on the field to get us on the front foot, and then letting these two run around playing quick football with a defensive line. I have not witnessed this occurring in any of our past 5 or 6 games with any regularity. Our Props are focussing on holding the ball and catch the ball and placing it under their arm and running straight at the defensive line. I watch Lawrie each week and get annoyed, not at him so much, but the coaching staff that has not got him to hold the ball in front of him when running towards the defensive line and secondly, change direction before he hits the line. These two things would stop the defensive live moving up on him and nullifying his run. Once he starts hitting the line that is on the back foot somewhat, and he can dent the line, Lawrie can start looking for offloads. Similar for the other forwards.
Once the props and second rowers start doing similar to having two smaller forwards will come become beneficial for us. The way we are playing now, it is a waste having two small forwards playing 80 minutes each. Further, our forwards are not the biggest or most aggressive in the competition so this game play is not working.
Our focus on possession statistics is killing us. Yes its good to hold the ball, but our players seem to think that they achieve 80-90% completion rates and the wins will come. All its is really doing is making us predictable with straight up forwards running and then one sweeping play on the 4th tackle followed by a long range kick.
Every coach knows this game plan, with a variation of Dufty linking into the link a providing a cutout pass for our wingers. Someone please grab Dufty and tell him to change it up. Sometimes kick behind, sometimes run himself, sometimes provide the short pass. Don't let opposition coaches set concrete instructions for their centres and wingers how to combat Dufty.
Now our halves. Oh Shit. Why is it we have a mortgage on side ways running halves? Why can't our coaches set our structure so the hales runs at the line with 2 forwards in tow? I watch Norman and Hunt run sideways and then just pass a simple ball back on the inside to a near stationary forward. If the forwards don't run in support of their half, He should absolutely go and give them a mouthful. I watch this each week and can't believe this is happening at NRL level. Even a park football level I would give the big boys a serve, even if you are not the captain, just take control.
I have watched Host link up in this manner with Clunne over the past 2 games and we have made yardage and breaks. So we have the ability, why can't Young see this is effective and start compelling other to follow this approach.
Now for changes
Norman and Hunt to sit out the rest of the year - Hunt is not a dummy half. If he wahts to play halfback, then he has to show he can control the side and start running straight and demand his forwards run with him. Get him to watch Pence for Newcastle. Thats what he has to do week in week out. He needs to lead the team or piss-off.
Norman - Should never play for the Dragons again.
Clunne - needs to step up and start taking control, I've watched him in the reserves and he dominated. Young tell him he is in charge, when he wants the ball call for it and tell McInness when he hears Clunnes voice get him the ball.
Centres get Max Feagai into Aitken's position for the rest of the year and gain experience. Let him know its his for the rest of the year and the objective is to get him comfortable.
Wingers are improving most weeks, just make sure they are fit for next year.
Now 5/8 Sailor or Sullivan. If Sailor wants to stay he should be playing. He has shown enough that he is willing to run at the line, can kick short and long. I know his defence may need some work but that can managed. eg play him in the second row at scrums, get the second rower inside of him to help him out.
Young - He needs to chance the mindset of the players to start playing expansive football. Look for second phase plays, dont punish players that are keeping the ball alive, let the halves play whats in fornt of them. Get the halves to count the defensive line and move the ball to the side with the less defenders. Look for players that are injured and run the ball towards them.
Defence - Young needs to change our defensive structure and ensure no-one runs around us. Teams are targeting us by running angles into use and forcing our defensive line to compact and then shifting the ball towards the wingers where they have a 4 on 2 situation. Its been happening of years and Price/Mary/Young have not adjusted our defensive structure.
What's really frustrating is watching the cover coming across and knowing that they may have stopped the try if the inside runners cant pass the ball to unmarked attackers outside. Our sliding defence will generally get to the half running the ball but can't cover the winger.
In Short. Dragons Football needs to be :
* Quick ball the balls
* Waves of attackers following the halves running at the line
* Halves are in charge of each play - they must demand where the ball is going.
* Forwards need to run with the ball ready for a pass and after contact, look for a opportunity to pass the ball.
* Focus needs to be removed from preventing making mistakes and focus on playing what's infornt of them.
If you think about the mindset of our players, they are scared too make a mistake so we play a style of football that tries not make mistakes rather than trying to score trys.
Under the Mary and Price regimes we have played one out football up the centre and then on the 4th tackle run a sweeping play out the backline. This has rarely worked.
Just recently, we have started to kick on the 3rd tackle into open space (before the wingers drop back after the 4th tackle). This is a good tactic if used sparingly. We are now somewhat kick happy and whilst it gains ground, its has a draining effect on the players. Think of the forwards that have just made it back behind the tackled player and then need to run up to the other end of the field. This is now a good strategy and other teams are now awake to this play.
Another recent component of Dragons footy is playing Hunt (88kg & 178cm ) at hooker and moving McInness (91kg & 177cm ) to Lock. This approach leaves us with 4 big bodies on the field to get us on the front foot, and then letting these two run around playing quick football with a defensive line. I have not witnessed this occurring in any of our past 5 or 6 games with any regularity. Our Props are focussing on holding the ball and catch the ball and placing it under their arm and running straight at the defensive line. I watch Lawrie each week and get annoyed, not at him so much, but the coaching staff that has not got him to hold the ball in front of him when running towards the defensive line and secondly, change direction before he hits the line. These two things would stop the defensive live moving up on him and nullifying his run. Once he starts hitting the line that is on the back foot somewhat, and he can dent the line, Lawrie can start looking for offloads. Similar for the other forwards.
Once the props and second rowers start doing similar to having two smaller forwards will come become beneficial for us. The way we are playing now, it is a waste having two small forwards playing 80 minutes each. Further, our forwards are not the biggest or most aggressive in the competition so this game play is not working.
Our focus on possession statistics is killing us. Yes its good to hold the ball, but our players seem to think that they achieve 80-90% completion rates and the wins will come. All its is really doing is making us predictable with straight up forwards running and then one sweeping play on the 4th tackle followed by a long range kick.
Every coach knows this game plan, with a variation of Dufty linking into the link a providing a cutout pass for our wingers. Someone please grab Dufty and tell him to change it up. Sometimes kick behind, sometimes run himself, sometimes provide the short pass. Don't let opposition coaches set concrete instructions for their centres and wingers how to combat Dufty.
Now our halves. Oh Shit. Why is it we have a mortgage on side ways running halves? Why can't our coaches set our structure so the hales runs at the line with 2 forwards in tow? I watch Norman and Hunt run sideways and then just pass a simple ball back on the inside to a near stationary forward. If the forwards don't run in support of their half, He should absolutely go and give them a mouthful. I watch this each week and can't believe this is happening at NRL level. Even a park football level I would give the big boys a serve, even if you are not the captain, just take control.
I have watched Host link up in this manner with Clunne over the past 2 games and we have made yardage and breaks. So we have the ability, why can't Young see this is effective and start compelling other to follow this approach.
Now for changes
Norman and Hunt to sit out the rest of the year - Hunt is not a dummy half. If he wahts to play halfback, then he has to show he can control the side and start running straight and demand his forwards run with him. Get him to watch Pence for Newcastle. Thats what he has to do week in week out. He needs to lead the team or piss-off.
Norman - Should never play for the Dragons again.
Clunne - needs to step up and start taking control, I've watched him in the reserves and he dominated. Young tell him he is in charge, when he wants the ball call for it and tell McInness when he hears Clunnes voice get him the ball.
Centres get Max Feagai into Aitken's position for the rest of the year and gain experience. Let him know its his for the rest of the year and the objective is to get him comfortable.
Wingers are improving most weeks, just make sure they are fit for next year.
Now 5/8 Sailor or Sullivan. If Sailor wants to stay he should be playing. He has shown enough that he is willing to run at the line, can kick short and long. I know his defence may need some work but that can managed. eg play him in the second row at scrums, get the second rower inside of him to help him out.
Young - He needs to chance the mindset of the players to start playing expansive football. Look for second phase plays, dont punish players that are keeping the ball alive, let the halves play whats in fornt of them. Get the halves to count the defensive line and move the ball to the side with the less defenders. Look for players that are injured and run the ball towards them.
Defence - Young needs to change our defensive structure and ensure no-one runs around us. Teams are targeting us by running angles into use and forcing our defensive line to compact and then shifting the ball towards the wingers where they have a 4 on 2 situation. Its been happening of years and Price/Mary/Young have not adjusted our defensive structure.
What's really frustrating is watching the cover coming across and knowing that they may have stopped the try if the inside runners cant pass the ball to unmarked attackers outside. Our sliding defence will generally get to the half running the ball but can't cover the winger.
In Short. Dragons Football needs to be :
* Quick ball the balls
* Waves of attackers following the halves running at the line
* Halves are in charge of each play - they must demand where the ball is going.
* Forwards need to run with the ball ready for a pass and after contact, look for a opportunity to pass the ball.
* Focus needs to be removed from preventing making mistakes and focus on playing what's infornt of them.
If you think about the mindset of our players, they are scared too make a mistake so we play a style of football that tries not make mistakes rather than trying to score trys.
