Thoughts on last 2 weeks

[Rooster_6]

I know Mini said there's been no talk about changing the way they play and I understand that to an extent, they still follow the same principles & fundamentals that they did last year but I reckon there's been two pretty noticeable changes over the last fortnight in the way the team now finishes sets & returns kicks.

Point 1 - Finishing sets. Whilst Jimmy & Pearce still like to bomb a lot (as much a ploy for field position as it is a scoring opportunity) it's clear in my opinion that they're consciously trying to get repeat sets now (3 repeat sets this week & 2 last week). I'm not really sure why the change in thinking here but it's definitely something they're looking to do when in the right position.

Point 2 - Kick returns. After the Bulldogs game where we got dominated on our kick returns quite a bit we now seem to be intent on shifting the ball from Winger to winger or even just from fullback to winger and it's working. We're not the only club doing it either, a lot of clubs aren't afraid to play a little footy coming out of their own end. Reminds me of 2010 quite a bit where teams were making easy metres coming out of their own end on the back of playing some footy, getting quick play the balls as a result of isolating defenders & making good metres out of dummy half.

They're subtle but significant changes imo. Defence was poor, too many simple missed tackles & linebreaks conceded and our attack was far from inspiring also but I thought we dominated the game in terms of field position and that was on the back of our much improved yardage game and our ability to put a few back to back sets on their line.

Curious to see if others think we've tinkered with our game plan or I'm just spitting dribble...

[Guest]

You said it in your post.

'a lot of clubs aren't afraid of playing a little footy'.

I'm not having a crack at you here 6, more of a general statement, but when did the clubs stop playing footy. It's been automatic.

Hit up, hit up, hit up, hit up, hit up, kick.

What happened to the good old fashioned side step? What about a chip and chase? Kicking on the second or third tackle for a 40/20?

Think RTS, Sandow, Carney, that do these sorts of things, and they become the talk of the town when they come off. That is what will bring people through the gates.

Playing old school footy will win games and win fans.

[rwbfl]

Yes the dropouts have definitely been a standout, and I think it floods back to teams targeting us when they play against us. Last year when our attack blitzed whoever we played, we didn't really need many drop outs. But now that we understand teams are aiming up in defence against us, patience is required and maybe Trent has told the boys to be more content with a drop out and not expect to score every time we go down the other end.

[Guest]

Its a faster game this year and Easts haven't been up to speed, Field position and ruck speed are more important than ever..

[The Axe]

Turk you are right about speed. Our first try was as much a result of JWH's fast play the ball.
Geez, I'm sick of wrestling.

Just saw Melbourne's first try. Surely, Jnr Jnr would be taught to grubber the ball into the posts???

[ROC181]

You said it in your post.

'a lot of clubs aren't afraid of playing a little footy'.

I'm not having a crack at you here 6, more of a general statement, but when did the clubs stop playing footy. It's been automatic.

Hit up, hit up, hit up, hit up, hit up, kick.

What happened to the good old fashioned side step? What about a chip and chase? Kicking on the second or third tackle for a 40/20?

Think RTS, Sandow, Carney, that do these sorts of things, and they become the talk of the town when they come off. That is what will bring people through the gates.

Playing old school footy will win games and win fans.

Carney did a couple of chip & chase last night. You'd think Morts would have picked up something from his uncle.

[Guest]

The first hit up is so important in the context of the ensuing set. Ive noticed that the back three were definately running harder after getting dominated in previous games.

[Headless Chook]

Carney did a couple of chip & chase last night. You'd think Morts would have picked up something from his uncle.

We scored off one and won the game off the back of the other. Very low percentage play

[Salvatori Grubber]

We scored off one and won the game off the back of the other. Very low percentage play

This is definitely true, although Sandow did a few last week that I think proved the opposite.

[Guest]

agree with 6's comments. We have made some minor changes that are bringing results.
Last season inside the opposition 20 we scored nearly all the time, our attack so far in 2014 is not there yet. Maloney and SBW are not at 100% of form.

I think we are one game away from clicking and the roll to the top 4 will begin. When it clicks we will put on a big score Hopefully it will be this week

[Guest]

I reckon they should do the short high kickoff every time. It's a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back, if it doesn't come off you have to make sure your defence is on song for that set.

[Guest]

I reckon they should do the short high kickoff every time. It's a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back, if it doesn't come off you have to make sure your defence is on song for that set.

Hi Mickey Lane,

This is a very interesting point you have made and I am now reminded of a match a couple of years ago where the Sydney Roosters surprised everybody and kicked off the game with a short kick off and gained possession of the ball and from there controlled possession and territory for the majority of the game. Perhaps every once in a while it is worth having an attempt at this to try and catch a team off guard.

[ROC181]

We scored off one and won the game off the back of the other. Very low percentage play

sure but if you had players that were a little more creative then maybe we would be executing plays like that to be successful. I think we lack creativity and the only one at the moment who is showing great signs is RTS. Even SBW is having a not so successful season. I'm not a stats man but from what I see, I feel that when it comes to making breaks, I would say we are average ATM.

[Chook Norris]

Have definitely noticed a change in regards to kick for repeat sets. We've seen it a lot more in recent weeks. Is perhaps recognition we need to build more pressure since we don't seem to be scoring at the same ease as in the past. It's good. Provides a bit more variety than simply bomb and hope and gives us more possession. Jimmy did it well yesterday and had a much more better game at controlling things. Hopefully means he's returning back to form after a terrible start to the season. Wasn't very happy with Pearce's performance yesterday and he acknowledged it after the game as well. Some good passes but his defence and short kicking game left a bit to be desired

[elo]

Our kick returns have improved out of sight the past 2 weeks, no doubt they've changed that up.

End of sets is about the same, we've just had better positions to take shorter kicks due to making a crapload more metres than both the Sharks and Eels.