Our Finals Chances.

[franklin2323]

I understand but there are measures that can be taken to improve how a player approaches a game. You conveniently ignored the part where I pointed out some improvement as well.

I'm not entirely convinced our slow progression over the last few weeks in attack isn't because of Brandy rather than Griffin.

I did miss that my apologies. Whatever it was hopefully it stays going forward

Gus last year ran our attack. I have no doubt it is Brandy this year... The players aren't up to it neither is the coach

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Billy is right though, this is the same shit argument we have every week. I will give it a rest for once.

I tend to lay off Griffin if we win; it's only fair. If he can put enough wins together to win us a comp, then he's fine by me. Ultimately we are building a squad that is strong enough that I don't think we will need an absolute supercoach to win it - just someone who does enough. (I don't think he will in the end, but I'll be the first to admit I was wrong if he does).

Enjoying seeing Edwards and Moylan in their correct positions is enough for me to tolerate Griffinball.

 

[PenrithPanther45]

Someone seriously rates our chances....

 

[mxlegend99]

I'm not entirely convinced our slow progression over the last few weeks in attack isn't because of Brandy rather than Griffin.

Last year Gus supposedly had input mid-season. Things turned around.

This year we have Brandy joining mid-season. Things turn around.

But having a real fullback hasnt hurt. Nor has settling on Blake in the centres, Peachey returning to centre temporarily and having the same 3/4 pairing from last year.

Cleary has improved since Brandy came onboard. His attacking options have been alot better. More variety in him now. Its not just bomb and pray anymore... thats definitely Brandys influence.

 

[umina panther]

Someone seriously rates our chances....

Awful bet unless they have knowledge Melbourne are cheating the cap again

 

[OldPanther]

Last year Gus supposedly had input mid-season. Things turned around.

This year we have Brandy joining mid-season. Things turn around.

But having a real fullback hasnt hurt. Nor has settling on Blake in the centres, Peachey returning to centre temporarily and having the same 3/4 pairing from last year.

Cleary has improved since Brandy came onboard. His attacking options have been alot better. More variety in him now. Its not just bomb and pray anymore... thats definitely Brandys influence.

That's pretty much what I was thinking though I didn't know about the Gus part. I can't believe Blake was moved. He's such a gun in that centre spot.

 

[betcats]

Last year Gus supposedly had input mid-season. Things turned around.

This year we have Brandy joining mid-season. Things turn around.

But having a real fullback hasnt hurt. Nor has settling on Blake in the centres, Peachey returning to centre temporarily and having the same 3/4 pairing from last year.

Cleary has improved since Brandy came onboard. His attacking options have been alot better. More variety in him now. Its not just bomb and pray anymore... thats definitely Brandys influence.

Hmm you'd think any coach who needs tactical help and adjustments this late two seasons in a row probably just isn't up to it.

 

[TheEroticGamer]

Someone seriously rates our chances....

The only team who can win the comp other than Melbourne is us, but we'd have to be at peak performance to do it.

As long as we're confident and playing well, I'm not worried with having to play all four games.Cowboys did that and won the comp in 2015.All about playing at a top four level to make both instances practically identical.

Although I don't see us playing at such a level till 2018.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

The only team who can win the comp other than Melbourne is us, but we'd have to be at peak performance to do it.
.

What are you talking about? The Sharks could easily win it again, and the Roosters are in with a strong shout as well. Where do you come up with this stuff?

 

[betcats]

There are a number of teams that could win it if they turned in a peak performance, I don't think we are one of them though, we aren't beating melb.

 

[franklin2323]

Hmm you'd think any coach who needs tactical help and adjustments this late two seasons in a row probably just isn't up to it.

Coaches have assistants purely for the fact they can't be good at everything. Gus and Brandy have other stuff on so probably don't want to be offical assistants

 

[franklin2323]

There are a number of teams that could win it if they turned in a peak performance, I don't think we are one of them though, we aren't beating melb.

Rumours are Smith's pec is gone. Take him out and they come right back into the pack

 

[TheFrog]

Coaches have assistants purely for the fact they can't be good at everything. Gus and Brandy have other stuff on so probably don't want to be offical assistants

I'd see Gould's role with this team as more on the motivational side, rather than moves and drills. Alexander, however, is a tremendous acquisition for a couple of young/inexperienced halves like we have, especially in the kicking area. One only has to look at the latter stages of the '91 GF to see how he locked up Canberra with his kicking game both short and long (among other things). Short kicks, long kicks, field goals from 40m, pressure conversions from the sideline, and perfectly executed set moves leading to points, they are all there in the last 15 minutes of that game.

 

[betcats]

Coaches have assistants purely for the fact they can't be good at everything. Gus and Brandy have other stuff on so probably don't want to be offical assistants

This is not the same thing. Gus and Brandy aren't assistants because Griffin already has other coaching assistants.

Twice in his first two years here we've made serious adjustments to our coaching staffs chosen tactics mid year because it wasn't working. Apparently the adjustments have come from outside the coaching staff, that's not a great reflection on our coaches.

 

[betcats]

Rumours are Smith's pec is gone. Take him out and they come right back into the pack

Yeah that changes things, I still don't think we are a genuine contender, we are a far way off with what we have been producing.

 

[Pomoz]

Ricky Stuart was the first halfback I saw use the tactic of rolling the ball into the corner of the sideline and try line (no 7 tackle sets in those days either) so the kick chase could pin the other team in their half. Brandy copied that real fast and the Raiders and the Panthers would do it to most teams. We had the forward pack in those days to make it work because we would then smash them with strong defence.

In 91 we had the best defence and the best attack. One begets the other.

 

[Pomoz]

There are some very old fashioned views on leadership in this forum. If Griffin has the sense to get help from Gus and Brandy it shows excellent leadership and fine coaching ability. Once a leader starts thinking they know everything they are in serious trouble. The leader as a demi-god who knows everything is not realistic and will lead to failure.

I find it interesting that if we make the eight two years in a row some people regard that as a terrible performance by the team. Its great that we now have high expectations for our club, there was a time when mediocrity was accepted. However, we need to have realistic expectations and thinking that a team with 19 year old halfback and a 1st season rookie fullback is going to lead us to top four is fanciful at best. Remember we started with TMM and Cleary in the halves, a completely untried green combination. Again, why would we think that a spine with no experience would lead us to top four? As Hook said, in response to our pre-season favouritism "you don't know football if you thought that".

 

[umina panther]

Can't blame a young spine when we have been playing our best half at fullback for the last 3 years

 

[franklin2323]

There are some very old fashioned views on leadership in this forum. If Griffin has the sense to get help from Gus and Brandy it shows excellent leadership and fine coaching ability. Once a leader starts thinking they know everything they are in serious trouble. The leader as a demi-god who knows everything is not realistic and will lead to failure.

I find it interesting that if we make the eight two years in a row some people regard that as a terrible performance by the team. Its great that we now have high expectations for our club, there was a time when mediocrity was accepted. However, we need to have realistic expectations and thinking that a team with 19 year old halfback and a 1st season rookie fullback is going to lead us to top four is fanciful at best. Remember we started with TMM and Cleary in the halves, a completely untried green combination. Again, why would we think that a spine with no experience would lead us to top four? As Hook said, in response to our pre-season favouritism "you don't know football if you thought that".

good post. For me it is simple:

After 21 rounds last year we were 9 wins 10 losses.

This year: 10 wins 9 losses.

Not in any game have we looked good in attack an defence. Sometimes have put one or the other together yet the record is still better than last year.

For me to have Brandy involved is a good thing. He lives at Manly yet comes to training in between Fox sports and other commitments. Whether we have a new coach or not post 2018. i hope greats like that continue helping

 

[OldPanther]

There are some very old fashioned views on leadership in this forum. If Griffin has the sense to get help from Gus and Brandy it shows excellent leadership and fine coaching ability. Once a leader starts thinking they know everything they are in serious trouble. The leader as a demi-god who knows everything is not realistic and will lead to failure.

I find it interesting that if we make the eight two years in a row some people regard that as a terrible performance by the team. Its great that we now have high expectations for our club, there was a time when mediocrity was accepted. However, we need to have realistic expectations and thinking that a team with 19 year old halfback and a 1st season rookie fullback is going to lead us to top four is fanciful at best. Remember we started with TMM and Cleary in the halves, a completely untried green combination. Again, why would we think that a spine with no experience would lead us to top four? As Hook said, in response to our pre-season favouritism "you don't know football if you thought that".

Can't blame a young spine when we have been playing our best half at fullback for the last 3 years

I agree with both of these.