Hoffman was average at best IMO. Not that he's not doing the job he has been given, but I lost count how many times I yelled "pass the fucking ball" until he actually did. Guess what... 2 fucking tries!
Even as a big Hoffman fan, I have to admit his lack of passing was getting pretty damn annoying. That pass for Reed was an absolute belter though.
Look, I know he's not a half - we all know that - but with a bit of coaching and some willingness to learn, I still think he could be a damaging ball runner from five-eighth.
A few times last night he received the ball with nothing on, from a standing start, and still managed to beat a few defenders with good footwork and brute strength. If he can learn to run the right lines and time his runs better, I can see him making a few breaks. He also has to start passing more too, as that'll put the defence in two minds about whether he'll run it or pass it on.
His long-kicking technique could do with some work too - it just doesn't look right. He only made one long kick last night from memory, and when he kicks it, it looks like he's not getting the full amount of power he can from his kicking leg - if that makes sense to people. Plus, he's kicking it end over end and putting a lot of backspin on it, which means it's always going to float slowly downfield and sit up for the fullback/winger if he can manage to find the grass. I don't know, but to me, his technique just looks really awkward when punting it long - seems really focused on making sure when he drops the ball to kick, it goes where it's meant to, so he takes that little bit longer. The bomb he put up was boss though.
