Long time lurker first time poster.
Having gone to the match in Brisbane yesterday and after pondering the events during the bumpy plane flight back...
Since Wayne Bennett took over I've very rarely been upset with our losses, even in spite of what happened at the end of last season, I always thought we were able to walk away from every loss with our head held high knowing that we gave our best effort (with sole exception of the smashing we copped from Souths late in the season). Being a realist, we weren't going to be successful under his reign straight away but the minor premiership was very well deserved. Before I get too critical, we are without a shadow of a doubt the best defensive team and one of the more mentally gritty teams in the comp (stats or no stats it's there for all to see). Definitely something that was lacking in years gone by and a welcome change for all of us.
But unfortunately as much as we keep hearing out of our camp that we're working on improving our attack we're yet to see it and this has now (for me at least) become frustrating and massive cause for concern. Why did it take going 10-0 down with about 8mins(?) to go before we suddenly sparked up in attack? Running back rowers and hitting the holes (that existed most of the game the Broncos were on the ropes in the whole 2nd half and I was spurring on for someone in the forwards to run with vigor through one of those holes but it just wasn't coming). We looked good when we did that. Why not for the other 72mins?
After yesterday I'm now starting to believe that Bennett is very reluctant to change our style. The general game plan hasn't really changed much at all under his reign and I feel we've become WAY too predictable. Teams aren't going to score much against us but if we can't put points on the board then we're in big trouble. I know it's not an easy job being the bench mark team in the toughest footballing comp in the world. Whether it's a case atm of 'it's easier to chase than to be chased' I'm not sure? Unless we find something different in the next 5 weeks it's going to be de ja vu all over again. We can't use the "best defense in the comp" anymore (this line has worn thin with me now). We've got to find something else.
Thank god Mick Weyman is back next week. His bustling 10-15m carries have been sorely missed and no doubt this is an integral part of the way Bennett wants us to attack. If we're to make further strides before the finals we need him firing.
Priddis? Sadly my patience has run out. Firstly, you won't get a better marker defender in the comp than him or a tougher on field leader. But sadly, his spark out of dummy half is next too non-existent now. We can't expect too much from him late in his career but his service from dummy half is like an F3 traffic jam. In the last 4 weeks especially, Sowie just isn't getting the service needed from dummy half and is having massive pressure put on him, particularly in our attacking third and when we're stuck down in our defensive half trying to get a decent kick away. But I'd say Luke will keep his spot in the team (if fit) due to the fact that he suits Benny's primary game plan.
What other options do we have to spark our dummy half play? I'm thinking Costigan needs to start spending some more time in there? Perhaps even Gasnier? Hornby could also be an option, leaving the main play making duties solely to Sowie? I'm saying this purely on the basis that Fien won't be back. Not sure if he'll be able to find the match fitness in time to make a real impact on this season for us.
The next five weeks (+ week one of the finals) is going to be the toughest test our club has ever faced. Benny, I really hope you make me eat my words here because I don't think we could bare a repeat of last year. IN WAYNE WE TRUST!
Too all the Dragons fans who made the trek up to Brisbane yesterday I admire your commitment. You guys are the best fans ever and I can't wait for the day we can all celebrate a premiership together. The commitment we show to our team is matched by no other in the comp and on this alone we deserve to celebrate a premiership, AND SOON!!
To all the Brisbane/Queensland based Dragons supporters who probably only get see one or two games a year in the flesh, thanks for having us yesterday and keep supporting. You guys don't go unnoticed. It was my first time to Suncorp and it's definitely the second best place to watch a game of Rugby League (after Kogarah off course
)
GO THE DRAGONS!!
Having gone to the match in Brisbane yesterday and after pondering the events during the bumpy plane flight back...
Since Wayne Bennett took over I've very rarely been upset with our losses, even in spite of what happened at the end of last season, I always thought we were able to walk away from every loss with our head held high knowing that we gave our best effort (with sole exception of the smashing we copped from Souths late in the season). Being a realist, we weren't going to be successful under his reign straight away but the minor premiership was very well deserved. Before I get too critical, we are without a shadow of a doubt the best defensive team and one of the more mentally gritty teams in the comp (stats or no stats it's there for all to see). Definitely something that was lacking in years gone by and a welcome change for all of us.
But unfortunately as much as we keep hearing out of our camp that we're working on improving our attack we're yet to see it and this has now (for me at least) become frustrating and massive cause for concern. Why did it take going 10-0 down with about 8mins(?) to go before we suddenly sparked up in attack? Running back rowers and hitting the holes (that existed most of the game the Broncos were on the ropes in the whole 2nd half and I was spurring on for someone in the forwards to run with vigor through one of those holes but it just wasn't coming). We looked good when we did that. Why not for the other 72mins?
After yesterday I'm now starting to believe that Bennett is very reluctant to change our style. The general game plan hasn't really changed much at all under his reign and I feel we've become WAY too predictable. Teams aren't going to score much against us but if we can't put points on the board then we're in big trouble. I know it's not an easy job being the bench mark team in the toughest footballing comp in the world. Whether it's a case atm of 'it's easier to chase than to be chased' I'm not sure? Unless we find something different in the next 5 weeks it's going to be de ja vu all over again. We can't use the "best defense in the comp" anymore (this line has worn thin with me now). We've got to find something else.
Thank god Mick Weyman is back next week. His bustling 10-15m carries have been sorely missed and no doubt this is an integral part of the way Bennett wants us to attack. If we're to make further strides before the finals we need him firing.
Priddis? Sadly my patience has run out. Firstly, you won't get a better marker defender in the comp than him or a tougher on field leader. But sadly, his spark out of dummy half is next too non-existent now. We can't expect too much from him late in his career but his service from dummy half is like an F3 traffic jam. In the last 4 weeks especially, Sowie just isn't getting the service needed from dummy half and is having massive pressure put on him, particularly in our attacking third and when we're stuck down in our defensive half trying to get a decent kick away. But I'd say Luke will keep his spot in the team (if fit) due to the fact that he suits Benny's primary game plan.
What other options do we have to spark our dummy half play? I'm thinking Costigan needs to start spending some more time in there? Perhaps even Gasnier? Hornby could also be an option, leaving the main play making duties solely to Sowie? I'm saying this purely on the basis that Fien won't be back. Not sure if he'll be able to find the match fitness in time to make a real impact on this season for us.
The next five weeks (+ week one of the finals) is going to be the toughest test our club has ever faced. Benny, I really hope you make me eat my words here because I don't think we could bare a repeat of last year. IN WAYNE WE TRUST!
Too all the Dragons fans who made the trek up to Brisbane yesterday I admire your commitment. You guys are the best fans ever and I can't wait for the day we can all celebrate a premiership together. The commitment we show to our team is matched by no other in the comp and on this alone we deserve to celebrate a premiership, AND SOON!!
To all the Brisbane/Queensland based Dragons supporters who probably only get see one or two games a year in the flesh, thanks for having us yesterday and keep supporting. You guys don't go unnoticed. It was my first time to Suncorp and it's definitely the second best place to watch a game of Rugby League (after Kogarah off course
) GO THE DRAGONS!!
