Our defensive structure was vastly improved last night. This gives cause for hope as we we without the ball for much of the game against the supposed hottest attacking unit in the NRL. Most of the team showed commitment and pride, and some of the younger and newer players look to be ready to make a significant impression.
We are being held back by several very problems, and I think it frustrates the fan base that they seem SO OBVIOUS, yet there is a failure to rectify them week after week.
If we want to have a succesful season, the following needs to happen ASAP:
1. King needs an extensive stint in PL to regain form and confidence. 23 metres in attack, crucial missed tackles and dumb penalties. The same thing happens week after week after week. I defy someone to name a poorer starting prop in the NRL at the moment. His replacement to be either Cuthbertson or Rose.
2. Burns needs to be retained at 5/8th as he played with passion and tougness last night. Given time he will gel into a good combination with Orford.
3. The hooker conundrum needs to be resolved sooner rather than later. Ballin has been extremely impressive in trials and PL. He should be the starting hooker as he has silken attacking skills and is tough in defense. Monas to be the bench man as he too has been very good defensively and also provides cover for the halves. Monaghan was poor in attack in the first twenty minutes last night but his defense and the ability to run at tiring forwards late in each half would be good off the bench. Dunley back to PL as I rate Ballin a better player and Dunley gives away too many dumb penalties.
4. Monas to be the only "back" on the bench. We need three forwards on the bench. Why have a winger (Stephenson) there? If Rose is picked in place of King, then Cuthbertson MUST take the spot of Williamson. Williamson to gain a reprieve if Cuthbertson is considered adequate replacement for King.
5. Thought given to the possibility of starting Williamson and keeping the ageing Menzies on the bench for his impact. It has worked for the Blues in Origin.
We are being held back by several very problems, and I think it frustrates the fan base that they seem SO OBVIOUS, yet there is a failure to rectify them week after week.
If we want to have a succesful season, the following needs to happen ASAP:
1. King needs an extensive stint in PL to regain form and confidence. 23 metres in attack, crucial missed tackles and dumb penalties. The same thing happens week after week after week. I defy someone to name a poorer starting prop in the NRL at the moment. His replacement to be either Cuthbertson or Rose.
2. Burns needs to be retained at 5/8th as he played with passion and tougness last night. Given time he will gel into a good combination with Orford.
3. The hooker conundrum needs to be resolved sooner rather than later. Ballin has been extremely impressive in trials and PL. He should be the starting hooker as he has silken attacking skills and is tough in defense. Monas to be the bench man as he too has been very good defensively and also provides cover for the halves. Monaghan was poor in attack in the first twenty minutes last night but his defense and the ability to run at tiring forwards late in each half would be good off the bench. Dunley back to PL as I rate Ballin a better player and Dunley gives away too many dumb penalties.
4. Monas to be the only "back" on the bench. We need three forwards on the bench. Why have a winger (Stephenson) there? If Rose is picked in place of King, then Cuthbertson MUST take the spot of Williamson. Williamson to gain a reprieve if Cuthbertson is considered adequate replacement for King.
5. Thought given to the possibility of starting Williamson and keeping the ageing Menzies on the bench for his impact. It has worked for the Blues in Origin.
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