The game evolves.
The wrestle is one of the main tactics of some of the most dominant teams in game the last few years, i.e., the Melbourne Storm teams.
When a teams have been as successful as they have, others will see it as the winning strategy and attempt to mimick it.
Canterbury largely believed they had the game to succeed against the Storm's (and ultimately the rest of the competition's) defensive tactics. It certainly was against the bulk of their opposition this season which is why they had such a great year. Ball playing forwards that kept the ball moving, and utilising the width of the field generally which limited the opportunity for multi-player tackles such as those in 1 or 2 from the ruck plays, or dominant tackles by getting towards the outside of outside defenders.
The GF was truly a battle of the coaches and strategy and those who didn't appreciate it are fickle fans who are would rather be entertained with the razzle dazzle of touch footy.
This year's GF was again the chess game of two great rugby league masterminds in their now regular end-of-year grand championship finale.
Bellamy countered the Hasler ball players by moving his defenders positioned 2 or more from the ruck quicker than the ability of Haslers forwards to ball play. It shut them down. Frankly, no ball playing forward is not going to be as quick and agile as one of the three ball playing halves. The Storm dominated Canterbury's ball playing forwards, and Canterbury's forward became stuck in no man's land and unable to adapt from what had been so successful for them all season.
There will be a team that will utilise tactics and will suceed against Melbourne's wrestle. Until then, it is going to be the preferred tactic of most teams, as long as Melbourne are winning premierships with it. Amending rules such as the 40m can promote kicking early sets an is an over reaction. We don't want rugby league replicating union. Running the ball out of the defensive redzone and pressure of a dominant defence in this instance is one of the highlights of rugby league. Fiddling around with rules as a knee-jerk reaction to the strategic facet of part of the game can lead to unwanted implications elsewhere.
The wrestle is one of the main tactics of some of the most dominant teams in game the last few years, i.e., the Melbourne Storm teams.
When a teams have been as successful as they have, others will see it as the winning strategy and attempt to mimick it.
Canterbury largely believed they had the game to succeed against the Storm's (and ultimately the rest of the competition's) defensive tactics. It certainly was against the bulk of their opposition this season which is why they had such a great year. Ball playing forwards that kept the ball moving, and utilising the width of the field generally which limited the opportunity for multi-player tackles such as those in 1 or 2 from the ruck plays, or dominant tackles by getting towards the outside of outside defenders.
The GF was truly a battle of the coaches and strategy and those who didn't appreciate it are fickle fans who are would rather be entertained with the razzle dazzle of touch footy.
This year's GF was again the chess game of two great rugby league masterminds in their now regular end-of-year grand championship finale.
Bellamy countered the Hasler ball players by moving his defenders positioned 2 or more from the ruck quicker than the ability of Haslers forwards to ball play. It shut them down. Frankly, no ball playing forward is not going to be as quick and agile as one of the three ball playing halves. The Storm dominated Canterbury's ball playing forwards, and Canterbury's forward became stuck in no man's land and unable to adapt from what had been so successful for them all season.
There will be a team that will utilise tactics and will suceed against Melbourne's wrestle. Until then, it is going to be the preferred tactic of most teams, as long as Melbourne are winning premierships with it. Amending rules such as the 40m can promote kicking early sets an is an over reaction. We don't want rugby league replicating union. Running the ball out of the defensive redzone and pressure of a dominant defence in this instance is one of the highlights of rugby league. Fiddling around with rules as a knee-jerk reaction to the strategic facet of part of the game can lead to unwanted implications elsewhere.