Our forwards aren't making an impact in offence

[Burwood]

I seem to touch on this every week, and also a bit last year, but tonight really highlighted how poor the performance of some of our forwards are.

8. Perry- 11 runs; 92m; 27 tackles. ✔
10. Newton- 10 runs; 94m; 21 tackles ✔
11. Simpson- 9 runs; 59m; 26 tackles ✘
16. White- 5 runs; 36m; 24 tackles ✘
13. Tolar- 6 runs; 50m; 31 tackles ✘
14. Paterson- 8 runs; 52m; 22 tackles ✘
15. Woolnough- 14 runs; 86m; 36 tackles ✔
17. Reynoldson- 7 runs; 57m; 29 tackles ✘


Now I know that these stats don't paint the whole picture, but they do illustrate some areas where we aren't performing too well. Tonight I was happy with our frontrowers in Perry, Newton and Woolnough (although Woolnough's runs weren't of the highest quality), but our backrowers pack the punch of a pillow. It is pretty sad when Simpson's 59m is seen as the highlight.

There is no doubt that our forwards are looking 10x better in defence than they did last year, but I just don't see anybody in the side who is putting their hand up to help cart the ball out when the chips are down, or making any real damaging runs. It seems like the gameplan is for our forwards to act as tackle bags, while our backs do the majority of the dirty work of running with the ball.

It is so frustrating to watch our backline chew up 5 tackles while working the ball a grand total of 30m out from our line- it happened all too many times tonight.

 

[Johns Magic]

Simpson's been very average this year...almost Tanner-esque in some games.

Don't rate Tolar in the backrow, he needs to be running the ball.

Woolnough is soft.

Newton's looking good.

White made one or two good runs but his defence is sh*thouse.

Perry...meh...not too bad, could be so much better though.

 

[RABK]

Brisbane's line speed mixed with them been off side the entire game helped stop our forwards get over the advantage line.

We have no line speed. Some very lazy players in this side.

 

[CJKnight]

Not one forward made 100m? That's a very worrying sign... although I must say I like the look of Newton at Prop. I seem to notice alot more of him whever he plays there.

TBH I was impressed by some of our high-intensity defence last night. White, Patto and Perry put some massive hits on blokes. Very good to see that area has improved considerably.

 

[K-Man]

Yeah Tolar is not a backrower. He seems unsure of his role now, whereas it used to be so clear: come on and just keep carting it forward, using some footwork at the line, looking for that great offload that he has.

You always used to know Tolar was on becuase it seemed like every single set the red head was right in there having a dig, now he goes missing a bit because he's trying to play like a lock instead of a metre-eater with skill.

Sometimes I don't think our forwards are even attempting to break the line. They are content to make their 8 metres per run and hope it all works out. In other sides there are at least a couple of forwards in each team (like Gallen, Watmough, Hoffman, Moi Moi, Webb, the list goes on) who run with purpose and the intent to bust the line wide open. I wish we had a forward like that.

And I wish we still had Gred Bird! Buying back the farm is a great idea, but I'd give up Doogs, Franze and Polglase for Bird.

 

[Frederick]

And I wish we still had Gred Bird! Buying back the farm is a great idea, but I'd give up Doogs, Franze and Polglase for Bird.

Doogs has been our best back, besides Kids, and Franze has been outstanding in Prems. You'd give them up for another back-rower, leaving us almost devoid of options in the backs? :?

 

[Pika]

Our offencive effort is down in the forwards.

Defence as a pack is excellent.

 

[Nuffy]

None of the off contract forwards are doing themselves any favours at the moment. There just doesn't seem to be any effort at the moment from most of them, particularly when you compare their off the line speed and pace of carting the ball into the defensive line.

Its a half paced run at best most of the time, not the sprint thats actually required.

I suspect we've got a generation of forwards who just coasted under Hagan and now seem unable to improve and maintain a high standard.

I'll also add that Simpson looks well below his best ATM, I can't recall him busting the line recently, which is concerning as he seems to be running wider.

I think part of the problem is that Abes is being wasted at 5/8 also, hes needed at lock.

 

[knightsyeah12]

Ive been impressed wth Newton in the front row, he has been playing well. Perry the past 2 weeks has improved alot, however he still gives away stupid penalties. wooly has also surprised me. the rest have surprised me but in a bad way, the past couple of weeks the others have been passengers and havent really done anything. i agree abes to lock we need him there and bring Walsh to FG when he come back from injury, we need a proper half, 5/8th combination

 

[Yosh]

Ive been impressed wth Newton in the front row, he has been playing well. Perry the past 2 weeks has improved alot, however he still gives away stupid penalties. wooly has also surprised me. the rest have surprised me but in a bad way, the past couple of weeks the others have been passengers and havent really done anything. i agree abes to lock we need him there and bring Walsh to FG when he come back from injury, we need a proper half, 5/8th combination

To memory Perry only gave away one last night so life is good. Hopefully its only 1 penality a game, which is okay for a front rower.

We definately the forwards to get the ball at least 3 or 4 times a set. I hate seeing sets where only backs take up the ball. Sure the first or 2nd yeah, while the forwards are getting ready, but we need the forwards to take up the rest, set up a platform for the kicker and then have our backs rush and chase the kick to set us up for the next defensive set.

Hmmm.... defense wise its okay I guess, just they need to get the ball in hand more.

 

[macavity]

Simmo has been playing like a busted ar$e this year. I don't know what is going on, he is supposed to be injury free. on current form he doesnt deserve SOO selection.

Im very much warming to the idea of Pato in the centres

13 Abes
12 Simmo
11 Taufua
10 Newto
9 Bedsy
8 Perry

14 (utility)
15 Wooly
16 White
17 Tolar

that is our current best pack IMO - the best line up for team balance.

 

[voltron]

well in simmo's defense he was backing up from a game on friday
but then again, so was alot of the broncs players
and they played a huge part in the tries scored

 

[Rusty]

We need to get rid of Perry...does anyone have the stats on the errors he averages or penalties he gives away per game?

 

[Johns Magic]

He wasn't bad yesterday.

Cameramen seem to have a habit of focussing on Perry when penalties are awarded, even if he's not involved.

White's was bloody disgraceful.

 

[Jono078]

I thought it was one of Perry's best games this year, dont think he made an error or penalty and he made some solid runs and tackles.

Matt White, not really seeing why he's in PL. Seems to get hammered when he runs and doesnt seem to tackle hard at all. Sargent in for White IMO.

 

[Yosh]

We need to get rid of Perry...does anyone have the stats on the errors he averages or penalties he gives away per game?

Why are you baggin out Perry all the time? He played well last night and he also played decent the game before. He gave away one penalty and on a night everyone was dropping the ball I dont think he did. Look he didnt make over a 100m but he played better then all of our fowards out their yesterday. Also he defends really hard all game. You guys keep a watch on his defense, he hardly misses a tackle and while he is on he tackles nearly everything down the middle of the ruck. So please leave the bloke alone.

 

[CJKnight]

Yosh = Josh

 

[K-Man]

Yosh = Josh

:lol:

 

[K-Man]

Thinking back to when Perry first came into first grade and used to run so hard at the line, it's just so frustrating watching him jog up to the line and then use his strength to carry defenders. If he had the kind of fire in the belly that O'Meley has he would be unstoppable.

Remember his first ever hitup from the kick off where he busted straight through for a 40 metre run. He's lost all the oomph in his game, but kept all the dumb mistakes.

 

[RABK]

It's a lot easier to look good taking the 4th hit up after Kennedy, Parsons and Simpson have got the defense on the back foot after making a 13 metre hit up each.