Round 21 - Knights vs. Broncos - Pre Match Discussion

[Splinter]

Interestingly, I played around with the NRL Predictor and it looks like if we do win the majority of our games that the Knights will be the team to drop out of the 8. We all knew that we had to all our games except possibly one (which we'll pencil in as the Dogs game in R26), but what it means is that our destiny is in our own hands, we don't have to worry about Team X beating Team Y. Beat the Knights twice, or if we drop one, beat the Dogs in R26, and we'll have a shot for the 8. Obviously, Sharks being docked is not in these calculations.

Pretty sure the team this week picks itself, except of course the bloody wingers. Let's hoke Kahu can get back faster than expected. Otherwise, a couple of rookie wingers will have real trouble against McManus & Uate. For that reason alone, I'd hold Maranta purely because defensively he has been solid. While he can of course butcher a try or 4, a rookie winger can defensively cost us just as badly. And poor Wallace, would bleed for his club, but we need spark from dummy-half against a tiring opponent.

1| Hoffman
2| Kahu (Please please please)
3| Oates
4| Hodges
5| Maranta

6| Prince
7| Hunt

8| Hannant
9| McCullough
10| McGuire
11| Gillett
12| Thaiday
13| Parker

14| Baptiste / Granville
15| Dodds
16| Stagg
17| Tasi

As for the game plan, Hoffman at fullback for defence, with Hodges at fullback for attack, is a wonderful way to take advantage of both players' strengths and weaknesses. Hodges would be rooted from the constant movement required to defensively position himself at fullback, especially when defending the line, and Hoffman has shown to be both fearless and dependable. In contrast, a roaming Hodges, with his ability to cause doubt in the defensive line, and silky ball-playing skills, is an absolute must in attack.

I agree with both sides of the Thaiday argument. He is an excellent, hardworking player who unfortunately gives away stupid penalties, makes dumb-arse mistakes, and does not have the fitness for 80 minutes. Whether it's an Origin hangover or he's just off the pace in general, you'd have to lay the blame 50/50 between him and Hook, in terms of managing the interchange.

Now as to the brilliant start, ending up in the not-so-brilliant middle / end of game. In my opinion, the reason it worked so well was the passes were sticking and everything was working out rosy. The problem is, the more you ball-play, the greater the chance of errors, and that's what started to happen. A short pass gets dropped. An intended decoy gets the ball by accident. To me it speaks volumes on why Hook has resisted such creative play - because he is such a percentage-driven coach that he tries to minimise that risk. When things started to go bad, they reverted to the previous game plan of percentage football, minimal risk, one-out posession / field position grind. The positive though is that all it would take is more focus on this ball-playing at training. Sure they'd be pretty well drilled on the skills side of thing, but if the game plan has been away from this side of thing, you'd assume there wouldn't be a huge focus on it. Now that there is a definite shift to this more expansive play, and the coaching staff have definitely acknowledged that it is the way to move forward (both in game plan & team selection), you would think that they'll put more focus on this at training. Let's hope to see crisper passes, much better communication, and more sustained focus on this style of attack.

Did the predictor allow for loss of points for drug cheating?

 

[rnabokov]

I still cannot agree with the 2 hookers set up. For mine, Macca should be up for 80 minutes. If he's not fit for 80, then he shouldn't be playing. He's is not a prop.

For the rest of this season, we need a strong bench (in fact OUR BENCH would make a good thread given the way Hook uses it).

Stagg as the utility - and his defence in our current situation would be invaluable
McGuire for impact (I'd start with Dodds but it really doesn't matter matter that much)
Tasi for impact
Wallace J.

BTW, as far as I am concerned, many of Gillett's defensive lapses on the right hand side are because Maranta stands 20m back from the play leaving Gillett a target for 2 on 1. Play Gillett left side - he should not be on the same side as Maranta. Pity whoever is.

IIRC, he played left side on Friday? He missed 1 tackle

 

[Big Pete]

I don't understand the compulsion to play Macca for 80.

75% of the competition don't play 80. Not even 'World Class' Jake Friend.

 

[rnabokov]

I don't understand the compulsion to play Macca for 80.

75% of the competition don't play 80. Not even 'World Class' Jake Friend.

That doesn't answer my question. Why rest a hooker (unless obviously they're injured or play poorly)

Also, we seriously need "starch" in our defence as Porthoz puts it. I don't trust Granville or Baptiste at this stage of our season

 

[noisetheory]

glenn may be ruled out for season if he requires surgery. scans today. i like glenn, but personally i dont think that affects our team that much.

 

[Morkel]

stuart said the other day they wouldnt bother risking him this year.

It says more that they're waiting for him to be 100%. Out for the season is a possibility, but I suspect he'll be a late inclusion in an upcoming game. Y'know, element of surprise. Sticky is a tactical genius, as we all know. They've already got the spoon, so they have nothing to lose and nothing to gain. Except I would think they'd want to put their strongest team on the park so they can get a legit impression of who is and who isn't performing and therefore who should be in contention for spots next year.

Did the predictor allow for loss of points for drug cheating?

... Obviously, Sharks being docked is not in these calculations...

 

[Big Pete]

You didn't ask a question rna.

Matter of preference but by having a rotation you're more likely to maintain a higher quality of service and inject some fresh legs around the ruck. Enabling players to play at full tilt for longer.

Right now, dummy half is a position we can take further advantage of given the quality of our 9s in the Queensland Cup.

 

[noisetheory]

putting the strongest team on the park seems the least of stuart's interests.

 

[rnabokov]

You didn't ask a question rna.

Matter of preference but by having a rotation you're more likely to maintain a higher quality of service and inject some fresh legs around the ruck. Enabling players to play at full tilt for longer.

OK. Fair enough.

Why isn't Macca playing 80? He is no Cam Smith, but the only reason I see not playing Macca is he's not fit.

If that's the case, do we want to trust Granville or Baptiste given we have to win all our games against mostly desperate opposition?

So, it's either one of those 2 ..... or ..... Wally.

Sorry, I prefer Stagg, even if he has to play dummy half

 

[Renegade]

[MENTION=1996]noisetheory[/MENTION] agreed, if this was last season he'd be a loss, but this year, ehh. get another tackle sponge in second row and I don't think we're gonna miss much.

It would be nice to see Oates get a stint in there though.

 

[Morkel]

That doesn't answer my question. Why rest a hooker (unless obviously they're injured or play poorly)

Also, we seriously need "starch" in our defence as Porthoz puts it. I don't trust Granville or Baptiste at this stage of our season

Am I being too obvious when I say fatigue??? Hooker is an extremely taxing position. Most of the time they're defending in the middle with the props, so it is an endless up & back cycle in the defensive line. In attack, they then have to handle the ball more than anyone else, and be called upon to make quick, sharp scoots from dummy-half. On top of that, they have to remain mentally fresh in order to recognise and direct attacking opportunities that arise.

 

[Big Pete]

I'm only speculating as I don't have any definitive answers but I'd imagine it'd have to do with experience more than anything else. There isn't a hooker in his age group that is able to play 80 consistently and I believe that comes down to the development of the player and also the tactics of the teams.

I'd rather trust those two than the other Wallace.

 

[noisetheory]

broncs site says glenn is out for four weeks minimum regardless of surgery.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Not good having Glenn out. Our options are limited unless Reed is back or we pick a back from Q cup. We could see Gillett or Stagg in the centres.

 

[Splinter]

It says more that they're waiting for him to be 100%. Out for the season is a possibility, but I suspect he'll be a late inclusion in an upcoming game. Y'know, element of surprise. Sticky is a tactical genius, as we all know. They've already got the spoon, so they have nothing to lose and nothing to gain. Except I would think they'd want to put their strongest team on the park so they can get a legit impression of who is and who isn't performing and therefore who should be in contention for spots next year.

Sorry it was so long i skim read every 2nd line :biggrin:

 

[Splinter]

Probably Gillett and Stagg swapping all game if Reed is still out

 

[Unbreakable]

1. Josh Hoffman
2. Aaron Whitchurch
3. Corey Oates
4. Justin Hodges
5. Lachlan Maranta
6. Scott Prince
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Mitchell Dodds
11. Matt Gillett
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Corey Parker

14. Peter Wallace
15. Ben Hannant*
16. Lama Tasi
17. David Stagg

18. Dunamis Lui*

I'll predict we see something along those lines.

 

[theshed]

I predict Gillett in the centres.