Michael Morgan

[ram raid]

Milford had Morgan covered. The problem was that Reed never had O'Neill covered. Milford was trying to buy time for Reed by sliding, if he commits early to Morgan, Morgan simply gives it to O'Neill who draws Oates and Feldt scores. Reed wasn't in the picture. The front-on angle will show you this.

Oates wasn't really drawn in by Morgan at all, he had to position himself further infield because O'Neill was totally unmarked. By the time it became apparent O'Neill wasn't getting the ball it was too late.

OK I just watched it a few times including the front on angle. I'm not seeing what you're seeing. The 4 on 3 overlap is not as relevant as you are making out because there wasn't enough space. A 5 on 2 overlap is not a threat if there isn't space to use it. Reed didn't need to have O'Neil covered because Oates did and if O'Neil gets the ball Reed and Oates slide left (and Darius is coming across in cover as well). The sideline kinda acts as another defender in a situation like that. The try is created because Morgan draws not one or two but three players creating the space for Feldt to score.

 

[Charlie124]

 

[ram raid]

Yeah baby!

 

[big hit!]

Prob a blessing in disguise that pass .
If it was clean JT certainly would have put up a bomb.
He shapes to kick after Blair falls off him .

Definitely.

So many line breaks and tries come from a pass like that, it's not funny. Defensive lines largely operate automatically tackle after tackle, set after set, just doing the same thing over and over again..........man up, move up and slide......and they work expecting plays operating effectively from the ruck which happens 90% of the time.

A shit pass like that throws the defensive line process off a bit. It also meant Thurston didn't have enough time to complete what he originally intended to do which was probably release the ball not long after he got it. Instead he drew out the play and drew out defenders out of the line when he changed direction and extended the play. The discipline in the Broncos defensive line broke down with the unconventional backwards and sideways play. Parker was never in the defensive line but still went too far up and in trying to close Thurston down. He had to make the tackle once he committed. The 4 defender outside him was a good 10m behind him and it gave Morgan a tonne of space to create uncertainty in the 3 & 2 defenders and draw them out too.

The 4 defender (it's usually Glenn on that side but I can't tell on the footage) and the guys outside him should have moved up together too as they basically sat back while the middle defenders were up in Thurston's face. As i said, Parker never retreated to the back to the line. The 4 defender had to take up Parker's position in the line. Parker then got involved in the play but the 4 defender was a fair way inside and behind the play covering his spot. Once Thurston got the ball out, there was a tonne of space for Morgan with the 4 and the guys outside him moving up late and requiring to slide back into their usual positions. The 4 was always out of it. Being one man down with Parker out of the line meant the 3-2-1 in Milford-Reed-Oates had practically the left-side goal post to the sideline to cover. They scrambled well but it was a lot of territory for 3 players to cover.

 

[wittyfan]

Instagram is worth a peek tonight for all Morgan fans.

 

[ram raid]

Chillin out in Bali by the looks of it.

 

[Cloud]

I don't think Milford and Morgan would work as a halves combination in Origin.

 

[Charlie124]

I get the feeling Milford will have a Matty Bowen style origin career. Always talked about, possibly grab a game or two off the bench but never cement a spot on account of being too small and too "hit & miss". Morgan has the size and power and running game to nail down the spot.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Milford could not be expected to do much more than perform like he did in the GF, to prove he could handle Origin. Performing so strongly in that environment so early in his career was very impressive.

The make up of future Qld halves combinations is still up for grabs. I'm certainly not writing off Cherry-Evans, and even Ben Hunt deserves an opportunity to atone for his dreadful GF showing.

But Morgan is ahead of them all right now for the five-eighth spot, and by a substantial margin.

 

[ram raid]

My short term memory is poor due to years of substance abuse and a congenitally low IQ but Morgan played brilliantly in his limited match time this year didn't he (in Origin)?

 

[TheVelourFog]

My short term memory is poor due to years of substance abuse and a congenitally low IQ but Morgan played brilliantly in his limited match time this year didn't he (in Origin)?

grabbed a try in game 3, played pretty well in general

 

[Kiwi]

I get the feeling Milford will have a Matty Bowen style origin career. Always talked about, possibly grab a game or two off the bench but never cement a spot on account of being too small and too "hit & miss". Morgan has the size and power and running game to nail down the spot.

Really? I tend to disagree on all fronts. Both players have the ability on all you mention to make it in origin. You are being very biased and my player is the best just because here. All biased aside both right now are equally as good as each other.

 

[Kiwi]

Milford could not be expected to do much more than perform like he did in the GF, to prove he could handle Origin. Performing so strongly in that environment so early in his career was very impressive.

The make up of future Qld halves combinations is still up for grabs. I'm certainly not writing off Cherry-Evans, and even Ben Hunt deserves an opportunity to atone for his dreadful GF showing.

But Morgan is ahead of them all right now for the five-eighth spot, and by a substantial margin.

Morgan is the incumbent bench utility of that their is no doubt, but ahead by a substantial margin? yeah nah. Milford could easily be picked game 1 next year if his form keeps improving, ahead of Morgan, so could Hunt, so could DCE, it's not that clear cut. As shown with DCE this year there isn't much between these players, DCE dropped off slightly and was left behind all year. He has the class and ability to turn that around for sure, and guys like Hunt, Milford and Morgan who have had a couple of good seasons each, they can just as easily drop off like DCE did.

 

[beave]

What a conundrum to be in for qld......... So much talent in the halves.

One things for sure, I hope that beady eyed Tin Tin looking f**kwit is kept right away from any QLD origin side. Take ya pick from Milford, Hunt, Morgan in the halves once the current boys give it away and hopefully QLD continues their dominance.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Morgan is the incumbent bench utility of that their is no doubt, but ahead by a substantial margin? yeah nah. Milford could easily be picked game 1 next year if his form keeps improving, ahead of Morgan, so could Hunt, so could DCE, it's not that clear cut. As shown with DCE this year there isn't much between these players, DCE dropped off slightly and was left behind all year. He has the class and ability to turn that around for sure, and guys like Hunt, Milford and Morgan who have had a couple of good seasons each, they can just as easily drop off like DCE did.

There is no implication on my part of things being clear cut.

However, the situation now is that Morgan has proven himself in both Origin and GF circumstances, excelling and demonstrating his poise. If you are lining up columns of pros and cons, Morgan has little against him at this point. Lack of a strong kicking game would be the one major point against him. Origin is more than anything a test of mental strength and Morgan has a level-headed nature that will serve him well.

He is substantially ahead because he is already part of the Queensland system, which rewards loyalty more than anything.

It is easy though for NSW to pick a team that can exploit Milford in defense. I see it as similar to when Qld effectively targeted James Maloney and destroyed him by continually running players at him. NSW can run a succession of back rowers at their disposal at Milford and that is a risk to great to afford. Origin is a different beast where weaknesses take on greater proportions. From the bench though he could be a real weapon, and is sure to get his initial start in that manner. No different to Morgan, DCE and Cronk before him.

The main reason DCE stays in the frame is because he has the strongest kicking game of all. I think he is one good game away from building a solid, if not great Origin career, and easing the fears of the doubters. Hopefully he can put the upset of the Titans saga behind him because he is a quality player.

 

[Desert Qlder]

What a conundrum to be in for qld......... So much talent in the halves.

One things for sure, I hope that beady eyed Tin Tin looking f**kwit is kept right away from any QLD origin side. Take ya pick from Milford, Hunt, Morgan in the halves once the current boys give it away and hopefully QLD continues their dominance.

Absolutely, I used to think it was sheer luck that we had strong halves to choose from but I thought Peter Nolan's thoughts were very interesting in this article:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...-halves-than-nsw/story-fn2mcuj6-1227552288945

 

[ram raid]

Absolutely, I used to think it was sheer luck that we had strong halves to choose from but I thought Peter Nolan's thoughts were very interesting in this article:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...-halves-than-nsw/story-fn2mcuj6-1227552288945

Very interesting. Sometimes I wonder if NRL teams are being over coached. I mean by all means, give them a game plan. But you don't want to confuse the shit out of players.

But then again, Bennett coaches the f**k out of hit players. So I don't know.

 

[tomdl]

My short term memory is poor due to years of substance abuse and a congenitally low IQ but Morgan played brilliantly in his limited match time this year didn't he (in Origin)?

Yep, much more impact than DCE has managed off the bench. Scored a try and threw the last pass for at least 1 try.

 

[Kiwi]

Very interesting. Sometimes I wonder if NRL teams are being over coached. I mean by all means, give them a game plan. But you don't want to confuse the shit out of players.

But then again, Bennett coaches the f**k out of hit players. So I don't know.

Defense Bennett is definitely very strict, but didn't he admit that he hadn't really worked on attack this year. Milford, Hunt and Nikorima seemed to be encouraged to play their natural games. Sure they had jobs to do, but I remember reading an article earlier in the year where they were encouraging Milford to stand deeper in attack, run the ball and play to his strengths, he seemed to really kick on from there. A lot of the Broncos attack seemed very adlib and play what's in front of you no matter where you are on the field, they seemed to score a lot of ranged tries and make breaks from deep in their own half. I think you need to find that balance and there is a big difference to strength, agility, endurance and defensive training to drilling set plays etc. How many times do you just see a side just bash it out of their own half, one out hit ups and a clearing kick, this year the Cowboys and Broncos broke that mould, both sides attacked from everywhere, it was brilliant to watch. If other sides don't adapt the Cowboys and Broncos will be in a league of their own and untouchable in 2016 barring injuries.

 

[Billybob]

Is DCE our Mitchell Pearce ?

cant recall him standing out in any of the SOO games

1. Morgans benefit is his ability to cover 1 - 7
2. Milford will get his chance next time there is an Injury to the halves I feel
3. DCE and Hunt may well have slipped down that pecking order