Rnd 1 Vs Brisbane

[ColdWetPanther]

The kicking game didn’t seem much of an issue on Saturday; I actually thought it was alright and Cleary had enough time. Probably wasn’t deep enough generally, but the wind will have been a factor in that.

I am not sure throwing Peachey on is going to generate a huge amount of space; that is a bit of a weird jump of logic. He might create something out of nothing when the big pigs tire, but he is just as likely to miss an assignment and for it to go the other way.

We do need to create more space when teams play like the did on the weekend but that wasn’t due to Kenny’s performance or not having a dominant second rower on the field (I’ve always found it weird this view that Kiks creates space; he was excellent at exploiting it). Kenny was actually pretty good at engaging the markers outside the 20 (although agree he needs more work on his off the ground service inside the 10).

Outside of just winning the ruck (which we didn’t do) the first try we scored is my route forward for getting more time; the tweak to the system. Forward into the line to create space for Cleary. Yeo obviously is a master of this but he was taking the yards on offer (understandably) rather than setting up his halves. Both Leota and Fish can do this but I think we will need more of it this year.

 

[Kilkenny]

It will be interesting to see what team Ivan comes up with.

May is a loss, very disappointing.

I think he will opt for Sunia Turuva on the wing for the first two games and see how he shapes up. I think he has earnt the right to be first up.

There are question marks now around a few positions obviously.

The first two home games are a tough start to the season.

 

[Kilkenny]

Kikau was as big a threat without the ball as he was with it, because he had defences second guessing. He was the best in the game in his position over this past two - three seasons it is always going to be difficult to overcome the loss of such an influential player.

 

[CCJohnC]

Kikau was as big a threat without the ball as he was with it, because he had defences second guessing. He was the best in the game in his position over this past two - three seasons it is always going to be difficult to overcome the loss of such an influential player.

Come on you are beginning to sound like a broken record. Kikau has gone.

 

[Kilkenny]

Come on you are beginning to sound like a broken record. Kikau has gone.

I’m aware he’s gone, trust me only to well aware.

 

[Iamback]

The halves were rushed because our forth tackle options were bad.

Dylan Edwards fast play the ball fixes that.

They also laid all over us in the ruck and were playing off a very skinny 10m

Which is what happens in the big games, Refs put the whistles away and games turn into wrestling.

If you get a chance watch the Prelim Final from last year.

After Api burns them for that try. The line speed is almost not there which allows the halves to do their thing, That along with Kiks size attracting several defenders allowed the machine to do its thing.

It is not possible to do that same thing without them. As they are being replaced by entirely different style of players

 

[Iamback]

Kikau was as big a threat without the ball as he was with it, because he had defences second guessing. He was the best in the game in his position over this past two - three seasons it is always going to be difficult to overcome the loss of such an influential player.

Yep.

He can pass like a half, has speed and power. Teams didn't let him get 1 on 1 with the opposition half. So the edge backrower would hold back to help him.

Often we'd cut him out, He'd still attract those 2 and the winger goes in untouched.

 

[Iamback]

The kicking game didn’t seem much of an issue on Saturday; I actually thought it was alright and Cleary had enough time. Probably wasn’t deep enough generally, but the wind will have been a factor in that.

I am not sure throwing Peachey on is going to generate a huge amount of space; that is a bit of a weird jump of logic. He might create something out of nothing when the big pigs tire, but he is just as likely to miss an assignment and for it to go the other way.

We do need to create more space when teams play like the did on the weekend but that wasn’t due to Kenny’s performance or not having a dominant second rower on the field (I’ve always found it weird this view that Kiks creates space; he was excellent at exploiting it). Kenny was actually pretty good at engaging the markers outside the 20 (although agree he needs more work on his off the ground service inside the 10).

Outside of just winning the ruck (which we didn’t do) the first try we scored is my route forward for getting more time; the tweak to the system. Forward into the line to create space for Cleary. Yeo obviously is a master of this but he was taking the yards on offer (understandably) rather than setting up his halves. Both Leota and Fish can do this but I think we will need more of it this year.

Any player who causes the defence to second guess will create space.

Not many are in the squad, hence why I mentioned Peachey.

Take the 2nd row options

Martin
Garner
Hosking
Chris Smith

or Sorensen moves and weakens the bench.

All of them 99/100 are going to take the line on themselves, This means the centres or wingers can rush in and take time away.

So the side will need to spread it early, or kick behind them so they can't rush up. Or we haven't been an offloading side,Start to do that.

All those options are a different style then the dominating possession and strangle the opposition. That has won the past 2 comps and an evolution all great sides need to stay up the top

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Yep.

He can pass like a half, has speed and power. Teams didn't let him get 1 on 1 with the opposition half. So the edge backrower would hold back to help him.

Often we'd cut him out, He'd still attract those 2 and the winger goes in untouched.

You must have been watching a different game to me; Kikau could throw a great pass for a big man, but his best moments where following a rapid spread after the previous tackle made it over the advantage line, trampling over a half one on one.

He wasn’t a second tackle wrecking ball creating space for others, and the two new second rowers we have brought in are actually better hole runners.

The whole, ‘pass it to Kiks and see if he can do something with it’ thankfully went out the window with Hook; we are now punch one side, and then quickly change the point of attack and then punch somewhere else…

 

[Luke Bowden]

Which is what happens in the big games, Refs put the whistles away and games turn into wrestling.

If you get a chance watch the Prelim Final from last year.

After Api burns them for that try. The line speed is almost not there which allows the halves to do their thing, That along with Kiks size attracting several defenders allowed the machine to do its thing.

It is not possible to do that same thing without them. As they are being replaced by entirely different style of players

The prelim final is the worst example you could have picked, that’s one of the few games last year where the halves had pressure applied to them for the majority of the game.

Api and Kiks gave us many advantages, but time and space for kicking wasn’t one of them.

We create that through bashing the opposition for the first 20-30mins of the game and them losing the energy. As long as Soni and Mitch can throw a decent pass, Nathan will have the time to kick where he wants too.

 

[Iamback]

The prelim final is the worst example you could have picked, that’s one of the few games last year where the halves had pressure applied to them for the majority of the game.

Api and Kiks gave us many advantages, but time and space for kicking wasn’t one of them.

We create that through bashing the opposition for the first 20-30mins of the game and them losing the energy. As long as Soni and Mitch can throw a decent pass, Nathan will have the time to kick where he wants too.

This discussion is getting no where, time will tell but you will see the difference a top 9 makes to a side

 

[Iamback]

You must have been watching a different game to me; Kikau could throw a great pass for a big man, but his best moments where following a rapid spread after the previous tackle made it over the advantage line, trampling over a half one on one.

He wasn’t a second tackle wrecking ball creating space for others, and the two new second rowers we have brought in are actually better hole runners.

The whole, ‘pass it to Kiks and see if he can do something with it’ thankfully went out the window with Hook; we are now punch one side, and then quickly change the point of attack and then punch somewhere else…

So what do you put the left side scoring more down too? To'o and Crichton look different players when on the left compared to the right.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

So what do you put the left side scoring more down too? To'o and Crichton look different players when on the left compared to the right.

Luai.

 

[Luke Bowden]

This discussion is getting no where, time will tell but you will see the difference a top 9 makes to a side

Obviously losing Api will make a massive difference, just not in any of the areas you have pointed out.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Luai.

Thank you.

Finally someone has pointed out who actually creates 90% of our attack down the left.

 

[BxTom]

So what do you put the left side scoring more down too? To'o and Crichton look different players when on the left compared to the right.

I can't recall seeing Crichton on the left. When was that happening?

 

[Luke Bowden]

I can't recall seeing Crichton on the left. When was that happening?

You can’t recall it, because it doesn’t happen.

Bizza yes, he prefers the left, Critta definitely not.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Thank you.

Finally someone has pointed out who actually creates 90% of our attack down the left.

While I do think he is very creative, I obviously don’t think 100% of attack can be credited to a single player.

But I have always been susceptible to peer pressure and wanted to be part of the gang.

 

[Iamback]

I can't recall seeing Crichton on the left. When was that happening?

He was Dally M of the year as Left centre in 2020, Then Burton as a rookie was similar

 

[Iamback]

Luai.

Hooks time here Kikau/Blake on the left were very good too