Searching for reasons...

[hackthefortress]

I think most of us are searching for reasons as to why we played poorly and putting the blame on an individual is unfair.

Let's review what we know - so far this year we have reacted to the performance of the previous games... EG: Defence was destroyed by Souths, so we focused on our defence against the Dogs.

This week it was clear that we focused on completions. We have been a very error prone side so far this year and I think that the focus during the buildup and the plan for the day of completing our sets and backing our defence cost us.

It's cost us because the choice to complete stifles the creativity and freedom of each player. Reduction in offloads, no flick passes, less passing per tackle. The one out runs that we complain about, they are great if your focus is completions... they aren't great if you want some expansive and creative attack.

Unfortunately I feel that so far we have been focusing weekly on completions (and still coming up wanting) and it has had an adverse effect on our sides attacking creativity.

The standard through the hands: Cronk > Keary > Mitchell appears to be good for one try per game but we aren't offering much outside of that because of where the coaching staff have steered the playing group.

You have to remember that if left uncoached the same mistakes will appear week after week, Robbo has obviously been working on our D and completions... something that had worked really well for us in 2013 which was backed up by the stars (Maloney, SBW, Jennings, RTS).

Robbo admits this himself in the presser, the structures effect freedom, but the structures just focus on the fundamentals which we weren't/aren't getting right.

I think we will see a Roosters outfit next week play with much more creativity and purpose in attack, not the usual.

[The Brain]

can only hope so .....but isnt there enough players there with experience to do it right? or too compare to 2013 is fruitless as this group isnt good enough to respond quick and its going to take a bit of time.I cant read the coaches mind .
Mind you the coaches use of the bench is diabolical at times .
I expect to beat Manly ...anything less will spell a long hard season.

[dice]

We already know the reason. Playing so disorganised is only a surprise to those who don't understand the significance of losing our main organiser for the last decade.

Cronk/Keary/Teddy will work it out. This year will resemble 2010.

[RoosterChick]

Our spine not having a preseason together hasn’t helped but I agree they will work it and they will eventually click. The quality of the players in our spine is so good it’s just a matter of time. I think the whole team is working hard and showing some improvement in all areas each week. We will continue to improve and all the pieces will fall into place and we will go on a run probably by mid season. I think we will have a very good second half of the season. We’ll make the semifinals and go deep.

[Louis N]

Once (or if) we start opening up the ruck and breaking down the middle all else will follow. Cronk and Keary will do their stuff, oppositions defences will contract toward centre and our outside men will post the points we all know they can. In 2013 we dominated the middle and it all fed off that. Anzac Day was an arm wrestle in the centre that we didn't finish off. Our one break there led to Mitchell's try, which was a gem of an effort and showed what Tedesco, Keary and Mitchell can do. That try showed how well we can gel when we crack the midfield.

The importance of securing the middle was shown in the first set of six when St George scored. Friend came up, without line support, and Hunt stepped through. Until then Ferguson was backpedalling ready for the kick. Instead our outside backs had to come in and shut down the damage. Ferguson came back up and in, which he had to do, Widdup kicked perfectly and Fergo had to reverse back, take it looking the wrong way and it came off his fingertips. Those centre-field breaks usually gives a team left and right options - hard to defend!

Despite the fact that we spent a lot less in 2013 our forward pack was much better and far more penetrative. Our hope for this year is that the old heads stand up better and the young ones come on fast. If there was a good forward on the market, like a Chris Hill, it sure would help matters.

[theGman]

Once (or if) we start opening up the ruck and breaking down the middle all else will follow. Cronk and Keary will do their stuff, oppositions defences will contract toward centre and our outside men will post the points we all know they can. In 2013 we dominated the middle and it all fed off that. Anzac Day was an arm wrestle in the centre that we didn't finish off. Our one break there led to Mitchell's try, which was a gem of an effort and showed what Tedesco, Keary and Mitchell can do. That try showed how well we can gel when we crack the midfield.

The importance of securing the middle was shown in the first set of six when St George scored. Friend came up, without line support, and Hunt stepped through. Until then Ferguson was backpedalling ready for the kick. Instead our outside backs had to come in and shut down the damage. Ferguson came back up and in, which he had to do, Widdup kicked perfectly and Fergo had to reverse back, take it looking the wrong way and it came off his fingertips. Those centre-field breaks usually gives a team left and right options - hard to defend!

Despite the fact that we spent a lot less in 2013 our forward pack was much better and far more penetrative. Our hope for this year is that the old heads stand up better and the young ones come on fast. If there was a good forward on the market, like a Chris Hill, it sure would help matters.

Mr Louis, the Dogs have apparently signed Chris Smith on minimum wage $95k pending a release from us.

Why is he on the nose with TRobbo? His versatility in the centres and in the pack could surely be used at the moment don't you think? That's why the rabids are signing him for. WTF???

[Louis N]

Mr Louis, the Dogs have apparently signed Chris Smith on minimum wage $95k pending a release from us.

Why is he on the nose with TRobbo? His versatility in the centres and in the pack could surely be used at the moment don't you think? That's why the rabids are signing him for. WTF???

Read it again G-man. No mention of Chris Smith by me.

Have you heard of Chris Hill? He was in England's front row in the World Cup and has played quite a few internationals. Was one of the best forwards on the field in the final and played much better than Alex Walmsley, who was once rumoured to be on our shopping list.

Here's a link to the man in question. I'm sure he'd do the job well and his defence is also top shelf.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hill_(rugby_league)

This is the guy I was referring to.

[eddie]

We already know the reason.
Cronk/Keary/Teddy will work it out. This year will resemble 2010.

Great post

[Freddy]

Once (or if) we start opening up the ruck and breaking down the middle all else will follow. Cronk and Keary will do their stuff, oppositions defences will contract toward centre and our outside men will post the points we all know they can. In 2013 we dominated the middle and it all fed off that. Anzac Day was an arm wrestle in the centre that we didn't finish off. Our one break there led to Mitchell's try, which was a gem of an effort and showed what Tedesco, Keary and Mitchell can do. That try showed how well we can gel when we crack the midfield.

The importance of securing the middle was shown in the first set of six when St George scored. Friend came up, without line support, and Hunt stepped through. Until then Ferguson was backpedalling ready for the kick. Instead our outside backs had to come in and shut down the damage. Ferguson came back up and in, which he had to do, Widdup kicked perfectly and Fergo had to reverse back, take it looking the wrong way and it came off his fingertips. Those centre-field breaks usually gives a team left and right options - hard to defend!

Despite the fact that we spent a lot less in 2013 our forward pack was much better and far more penetrative. Our hope for this year is that the old heads stand up better and the young ones come on fast. If there was a good forward on the market, like a Chris Hill, it sure would help matters.

Chris Hill would be a great buy. Great yards with a good offload. Very surprised we didn’t go after a pommy forward, cheaper but usually tougher. Just what we need

[King Salvo]

Once (or if) we start opening up the ruck and breaking down the middle all else will follow. Cronk and Keary will do their stuff, oppositions defences will contract toward centre and our outside men will post the points we all know they can. In 2013 we dominated the middle and it all fed off that. Anzac Day was an arm wrestle in the centre that we didn't finish off. Our one break there led to Mitchell's try, which was a gem of an effort and showed what Tedesco, Keary and Mitchell can do. That try showed how well we can gel when we crack the midfield.

The importance of securing the middle was shown in the first set of six when St George scored. Friend came up, without line support, and Hunt stepped through. Until then Ferguson was backpedalling ready for the kick. Instead our outside backs had to come in and shut down the damage. Ferguson came back up and in, which he had to do, Widdup kicked perfectly and Fergo had to reverse back, take it looking the wrong way and it came off his fingertips. Those centre-field breaks usually gives a team left and right options - hard to defend!

Despite the fact that we spent a lot less in 2013 our forward pack was much better and far more penetrative. Our hope for this year is that the old heads stand up better and the young ones come on fast. If there was a good forward on the market, like a Chris Hill, it sure would help matters.

Fergo dropped it as cold as a spud - poor play one has to say- a clanger - NRL wingers should be able to catch such kicks though.

[stsae]

We already know the reason. Playing so disorganised is only a surprise to those who don't understand the significance of losing our main organiser for the last decade.

Cronk/Keary/Teddy will work it out. This year will resemble 2010.

This.

[stsae]

Our spine not having a preseason together hasn’t helped but I agree they will work it and they will eventually click. The quality of the players in our spine is so good it’s just a matter of time. I think the whole team is working hard and showing some improvement in all areas each week. We will continue to improve and all the pieces will fall into place and we will go on a run probably by mid season. I think we will have a very good second half of the season. We’ll make the semifinals and go deep.

And this.

[OMR]

Fergo dropped it as cold as a spud - poor play one has to say- a clanger - NRL wingers should be able to catch such kicks though.

You seem to ignore a well reasoned post to push your own ideas and agendas. Unfortunately judging by your past record you’ve lost all credibility to be regarded as a knowledgeable observant of the game , however please continue to post as you provide the comedy relief that’s much needed on this site every now and then.

[theGman]

Read it again G-man. No mention of Chris Smith by me.

Have you heard of Chris Hill? He was in England's front row in the World Cup and has played quite a few internationals. Was one of the best forwards on the field in the final and played much better than Alex Walmsley, who was once rumoured to be on our shopping list.

Here's a link to the man in question. I'm sure he'd do the job well and his defence is also top shelf.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hill_(rugby_league)

This is the guy I was referring to.

Yes Louis...........i speak of one Chris and you speak of another, simply a coincidence. Would be an added bonus to pick up the Pommie fella.

Back to my question about Wyong based player Chris Smith, do you have an idea why he hasn't featured on the 1st grade bench in 2018 after playing a handful of NRL games last year?

[Louis N]

Yes Louis...........i speak of one Chris and you speak of another, simply a coincidence. Would be an added bonus to pick up the Pommie fella.

Back to my question about Wyong based player Chris Smith, do you have an idea why he hasn't featured on the 1st grade bench in 2018 after playing a handful of NRL games last year?

You have a good point. I watched the Wyong Roos v Bulldogs match a few weeks back as it was televised on free to air. It was a pretty one sided affair although Wyong played better in the second half. There wasn't a lot to write home about apart from Sitili showing his ability to run good lines. Chris Smith wasn't in the starting pack, but when he came on Wyong lifted. He made breaks through the centre and was our most dangerous attacking player. It has obviously done enough for the Bulldogs to make an offer of $95,000 for him as you mentioned.

So I can't quite figure this Smith thing out. He was bought mid season - in a hurry to bolster our injury riddled side in 2016. He was hardly used then. Mitch Aubusson sang his praises for 2017 and apart from the Nines, where he played well and scored one spectacular try - he was unwanted. According to our PR he holds the Roosters bench press record. Strange why he hasn't been hardly given a run at Penrith or the Roosters. He was an Australian Schoolboys rep and has a ton of pace for a forward.

He scored an almost length of field try when he debuted for Penrith. I don't know why he has been overlooked at the Roosters, and my guess is that he is looking for an out where he can get a run. Even strange that he should be coming off the bench at Wyong, rather than with the run on side. I can only put that down to him being used his pace, rather than endurance. One of our posters, (was it you?) who mentioned the possibility of him being used in the backs on the wing for hit ups. Can't see any harm in trialling it at Wyong for starters.