Stats I'd like to see

[Frenzy.]

Number of crash plays per game. Per team, per game
Number of tries per game from crash plays
Number of tries scored on the edges after crash plays

Why?

Well, I see every team doing them, not just the Sharks. Not prepared to guesstimate which team does the most.

Many, many Sharks fans seem to think they are a plague in our side but I'm not sure they are. I do think they are as boring as bat shit but for every team to do them nearly every week there has to be a reason.

Therefore it would be of interest to know the above stats, if they existed, I reckon they do but are not published.

I have my own theory, interested if anyone else has a theory.

 

[Cheese sandwich]

I've wondered if its to simply drag certain defenders in to the ruck so they are effectively out of play the next set?

 

[R-15-3]

I know we would lead the stat of try’s conceded to crash plays.
Im actually not against us using them and in theory repetitive attempts against the same defenders should work.
I think if we used with the correct players % wise should pay off. We only seem to use Finucane, Toby, Mcdickhands the most.
Prefer Nikora, Uele, Talakai

 

[Quigs]

I thought it was just a ploy to give big dumb blockheads a chance to get a porky pie.

 

[Mr Angry]

My thoughts.

I miss Ennis and Cam Smith dominated the game for 10 years from dummy half as he could direct play and kick.

I want at least an attempt at a 40/20, a short kick for a repeat set.

Being a shovel, a good shovel is all we get.

 

[Frenzy.]

I've wondered if its to simply drag certain defenders in to the ruck so they are effectively out of play the next set?

That's pretty much the basis of my theory but I also think it's designed to get the fullback filling in the line in the middle and therefore missing for a kick or a sweep play

If you watch for it you see it all the time. Only the very best fullbacks can cover from the guts

 

[Frenzy.]

It's also ironic that people don't like crash plays when one led to our 2016 GF win.

Just saying.

 

[Mr Angry]

Hey I am all for it, there has to be variety or becomes easy to read.

 

[Weaponhead]

A couple of seasons ago they ran a beautiful crash play for Talakai cutting back against the grain. He scored a great try against the Donks at Suncorp with that play.

Crash plays with deception to isolate a defender can be a smart way to get a cheap try.

My issue Brailey this season is that there is no deception. The runner is always under pressure and the defence can load up numbers. He also does it multiple times per set for no result.

 

[Frenzy.]

A couple of seasons ago they ran a beautiful crash play for Talakai cutting back against the grain. He scored a great try against the Donks at Suncorp with that play.

Crash plays with deception to isolate a defender can be a smart way to get a cheap try.

My issue Brailey this season is that there is no deception. The runner is always under pressure and the defence can load up numbers. He also does it multiple times per set for no result.

You don't think that could be exactly the purpose in the way we do it?

Enquiring minds need to know

 

[DJDL]

Crash plays are fine and, as you said, every team uses them.
I agree on why they’re used as well.

The issue I have with our use of them is hitting pharquing McInnes time after time.
If you’re going to use them, at least hit a forward who attracts more than one defender.

 

[Weaponhead]

You don't think that could be exactly the purpose in the way we do it?

Enquiring minds need to know

Sure, it can suck in defenders. It also places significant pressure on the runner to secure possession when there is no deception and we have seen several dropped balls this season on those runs.

In previous seasons, they have had some specific decoy plays that have been effective. This season I can't recall seeing any. Either this is coached or the players aren't organised enough to do it. Brailey has the ability to use deception but he aint doing it now.

Anyways, goal line attack is not the issue for this team right now. Goal line defence is a massive issue.

 

[Frenzy.]

I'm trying to avoid talking about GLD. It's maddening

 

[Cheese sandwich]

Whatever happened to that dummy half play we've done for years where he'd sort of feign to the right before bringing a big unit underneath to crash over

 

[R-15-3]

Think a lot of our failed attempts come down to Nicho not playing.
Him demanding the ball will have the fullback taking eyes of the ruck and pushing early also as well as tricky played he wasn’t demanding the ball in the 20 and Braily was left with no one organising and just took the options available to him.

 

[Frenzy.]

Think a lot of our failed attempts come down to Nicho not playing.
Him demanding the ball will have the fullback taking eyes of the ruck and pushing early also as well as tricky played he wasn’t demanding the ball in the 20 and Braily was left with no one organising and just took the options available to him.

That's a leadership issue in part. A big part.

Brailey has played 90 games. He's not a rookie. He should be at a level to show leadership himself. But that won't happen if he can't find or moreso demand better options.

 

[Stake Removed]

My thoughts.

I miss Ennis and Cam Smith dominated the game for 10 years from dummy half as he could direct play and kick.

I want at least an attempt at a 40/20, a short kick for a repeat set.

Being a shovel, a good shovel is all we get.

Ennis would put those grubbers in from dummy half, Brailey would prefer the crash play

 

[Mr Angry]

Ennis would put those grubbers in from dummy half, Brailey would prefer the crash play

Ennis mixed it up, that is the point, he might go a grubber, he might go a crash play, he might dish it out the back.

I still ask is Brailey following instruction, does he doubt his skills, why is he not considered a leader.

I watched that kid own it in Jets, did it all, once he came to firsts it is like, safety first, no errors, do not try things just pass to the high paid halves and the forwards.

I had such high hopes, have not given up, but there is a Luke Brooks turning point, his was at least 5 years ago, they still persist poor Wests fans.