Round 11 - Bulldogs vs. Broncos - Post Match Discussion

[broncos4life]

Nahh...it's not actually. Since when is it the halves job to run hit ups to get us out of trouble? Clue .....?

It's not.

What is their job, is to organise the forwards/ other runners to get in position to take the hit ups. Organise the team to put them in the best field position to make the attacking play. Neither of our halves did that well last night.

Case in point, the last play of the game in which we scored.......prior to that Wallace takes a hit up. All that shows is desperation, desperation because he has nothing else to offer. Funnily enough, as the play ensues ....space (yes, some of the players were involved in the blue, but they primarily came in from the left side) is found out to the right where Wallace should have been passing the ball instead of pretending he is a front rower.

It's dumb plays like this that Wallace is guilty of....McC too. They are killing us !!!

Well if the halves didn't take the hit ups who the **** would? There is no one there and the forwards are tired after 10 minutes for ***** sake. I know everyone hates Wallace but I don't think any halves could have done anything different last not, or most weeks unfortunately. How can the halves pass when there's no one there???

 

[Alec]

That goes for the last play as well, Wallace had literally no one to pass the ball to and was surrounded by Dogs players, which is the reason why he took the hit-up, not the other way around. That's just plain dishonest from you.

That's a lack of organisation. I have no idea who is supposed to be doing it out there, I assume it's either Wallace and McCullough. They are both capable of doing a good job of it, they've done it before, so I can only assume it's something to do with the coaching.

 

[Big Pete]

The offence wasn't the problem last night.

 

[Alec]

The offence wasn't the problem last night.

Not the main problem, but it's still a problem. Just because you've been shot doesn't mean your AIDS suddenly stops being a problem in the long run.

 

[Big Pete]

Yet it's constantly getting the most focus - when really it isn't as dire as it's being made out and most of the problems being pointed out aren't really true.

Forwards were simply out muscled - wasn't much our playmakers could do when they're all behind the play the ball on their haunches.

 

[Alec]

Yet it's constantly getting the most focus - when really it isn't as dire as it's being made out and most of the problems being pointed out aren't really true.

Like what?

McCullough's passing to the halves that a viewer passing by would actually think was in slow motion?
Lack of support play?
Players hitting holes at speed?

Our forwards lost us the game last night, but they are usually the ones dominating. I just don't want the problems we've been having all year to be forgotten about just because of this.

 

[Big Pete]

McCullough's passing to the halves that a viewer passing by would actually think was in slow motion?

Speak for yourself. This simply doesn't happen as often as you make out.

Lack of support play?

Got to get momentum before you can worry about throwing the ball around.

Players hitting holes at speed?

Got to create the holes for players to run into. When there are holes, our players don't have problems exploiting them.

Our forwards lost us the game last night, but they are usually the ones dominating.

Review the losses and with you'll find with the exception of the Storm and Eels games they were thoroughly out-played up-front. For all the cash we've spent on our forwards, they're simply not playing as strongly as they should be in both attack and defence.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Review the losses and with you'll find with the exception of the Storm and Eels games they were thoroughly out-played up-front. For all the cash we've spent on our forwards, they're simply not playing as strongly as they should be in both attack and defence.

This is so true. They aren't doing partly because of game plan and structures and partly due to poor attitudes and just no working hard enough.

 

[Alec]

Speak for yourself. This simply doesn't happen as often as you make out.

I know you rate him highly, but it really does happen all the time. Now before people once again start saying that he directs the forwards well, that's not what I'm talking about. His passing to the halves when on the attack is slow largely due to his poor technique. That's part of the reason why they aren't going so great either, I guess. Can't do much when the defence has plenty of time to either get set or run up 3 or 4 extra metres.

 

[Big Pete]

The problem for mine is that we have too many forwards of the same type. Lean or compact players with big motors but aren't capable of making huge impressions in the defensive line unless they're rolling on the back of momentum. It sounds strange, but I wouldn't be against us throwing some coin at a Lama Tasi, Tom Learoyd Lahrs or somebody of that ilk to give us some intimidation up-front.

 

[broncos4life]

The problem for mine is that we have too many forwards of the same type. Lean or compact players with big motors but aren't capable of making huge impressions in the defensive line unless they're rolling on the back of momentum. It sounds strange, but I wouldn't be against us throwing some coin at a Lama Tasi, Tom Learoyd Lahrs or somebody of that ilk to give us some intimidation up-front.

Couldn't agree more. There was a strong rumour earlier in the year that we had signed TLL. Have heard nothing further so most likely we didn't but gee he would add so much to our forward pack. A big, as in tall and big forward is exactly what we need

 

[Bucking Beads]

I know what you mean. McGuire, Anderson, Wallace, Hannant are all work horse props. We need those really big boppers who suck in a heap of defenders who help suck in defenders.

 

[Porthoz]

I know you rate him highly, but it really does happen all the time. Now before people once again start saying that he directs the forwards well, that's not what I'm talking about. His passing to the halves when on the attack is slow largely due to his poor technique. That's part of the reason why they aren't going so great either, I guess. Can't do much when the defence has plenty of time to either get set or run up 3 or 4 extra metres.

Yes, finally!

 

[Big Pete]

I know you rate him highly, but it really does happen all the time. Now before people once again start saying that he directs the forwards well, that's not what I'm talking about. His passing to the halves when on the attack is slow largely due to his poor technique. That's part of the reason why they aren't going so great either, I guess. Can't do much when the defence has plenty of time to either get set or run up 3 or 4 extra metres.

I don't see the point in arguing this when you're merely generalising and exaggerating to make an argument.

 

[Alec]

Well, we could potentially have some variety, if Griffin allowed for it. I mean yeah, guys like Glenn and Gillett and even Reed are all fairly similar. But Glenn has shown he has a pretty good passing game though, and Gillett can offload. Hannant is a workhorse, but if Griffin allowed him to use his passing game like last year he could be a mini James Graham. Parker is also a workhorse, but provides offloads. Hala is a George Rose/Burgess type off the bench, he just needs better fitness. Someone who could hit hard in defence like Carroll used to would be pretty welcome.

It all comes down to how Hook is coaching them though IMO.

 

[Alec]

I don't see the point in arguing this when you're merely generalising and exaggerating to make an argument.

It is a bit of an exaggeration, but passing has really always been the main purpose of a hooker. McCullough is seriously one of the worst at it.
I think he could be a gun player, his other attributes are great. Strong defence, good kicking game, and some smart running at times...but he really needs to work on his technique, because at the moment it's really shit.

 

[mieko]

What a tough game. The forwards were dominated from the get go which puts the rest of the team on the back foot.

Thought Hunt had another solid game and will warm into the spot over time. As for the 70 games in first grade, 60 of those were off the bench in the hooking role so with more of a chance in the starting role in the halves he will dominate. Also thought Maranta played quite well and nobody bar Inglis would have scored that try.

As for Hodges, gee what an absolute shocker!! Just trying to do it all himself and more often than not failing.

Hoffman was a standout as was Parker, top games.

those Warriors forwards are a big bunch too...

 

[Alec]

I think Hunt is settling in. He started to back himself a bit more in the 2nd half, just like last week. Showed some nice vision in his kick for Maranta, it's interesting to see a half who isn't afraid to take chances, even if it's early in the set. It shows he has vision, and as he plays he'll learn when to do it and when it's better not to.