theshed
Just a Game
- Aug 28, 2010
- 15,356
- 35,686
Re: PRE-GAME - Round 22 - Canterbury Bulldogs
Here's my opinion of what went wrong in the Manly game and why it probably isn't too much to worry about going forward as long as it doesnt get inside the player's heads.
Our very effective game plan all year is to exude as little energy as possible in the opening 20 minutes while attempting to wear out our opposition. We don't rush up in defence, we pass at the line to engage as many defenders as possible without worrying too much about metres and we keep creating second phase play.
After 20 minutes our opponent tires and we start to score points in large numbers leading into half, and full time.
Against manly, we had less than 40% possession in the first half. This imbalance of possession simply isn't enough to wear down an opponent. The absence of Blair's ball skills, and Milford's endless mistakes is what mostly caused this. Hunt's kicking game didn't help either. Manly scored some very arsie tries and we find ourselves in the closing 20 minutes of the first half well behind, exhausted from tackling, and with an opponent with plenty left in the tank.
We began to panic and instead of sticking to the original game plan of trying to tire them while conceding energy, and being patient until they finally started to crack, we began playing catch up footy. More errors, more poor kick options, expanding unnecessary amounts of energy, not holding our line and trusting the guys next to you all started to creep in. This resulted in the last 60 minutes looking exactly like the first 20.
The boys wondered from the game plan and it cost us dearly. I'm sure Wayne will address this and if our halves, and leadership group are worth anything we will go back to what we've done so well all year.
Here's my opinion of what went wrong in the Manly game and why it probably isn't too much to worry about going forward as long as it doesnt get inside the player's heads.
Our very effective game plan all year is to exude as little energy as possible in the opening 20 minutes while attempting to wear out our opposition. We don't rush up in defence, we pass at the line to engage as many defenders as possible without worrying too much about metres and we keep creating second phase play.
After 20 minutes our opponent tires and we start to score points in large numbers leading into half, and full time.
Against manly, we had less than 40% possession in the first half. This imbalance of possession simply isn't enough to wear down an opponent. The absence of Blair's ball skills, and Milford's endless mistakes is what mostly caused this. Hunt's kicking game didn't help either. Manly scored some very arsie tries and we find ourselves in the closing 20 minutes of the first half well behind, exhausted from tackling, and with an opponent with plenty left in the tank.
We began to panic and instead of sticking to the original game plan of trying to tire them while conceding energy, and being patient until they finally started to crack, we began playing catch up footy. More errors, more poor kick options, expanding unnecessary amounts of energy, not holding our line and trusting the guys next to you all started to creep in. This resulted in the last 60 minutes looking exactly like the first 20.
The boys wondered from the game plan and it cost us dearly. I'm sure Wayne will address this and if our halves, and leadership group are worth anything we will go back to what we've done so well all year.
