- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,370
- 33,590
- Thread starter
- #109
POST GAME Round 25 - Rabbitohs vs Broncos
- Thread starter Super Freak
- Start date
- Jan 25, 2013
- 25,662
- 29,973
Back Down To Earth thoughts:
* Had we held on to the ball last week, that's exactly how the game should have gone against the Bulldogs. Both teams are similar in that they have a huge pack, the halves are decent first graders but they rely on their forwards more than most teams. How they differ is that the Bunnies need the forwards to scatter the opposition in order to get opportunities, whereas the Dogs actually need the forwards to instigate the attack. It was no surprise to see that Milford's and Hodges' breaks were made around tiring big men. That's what you get when they expel a lot of energy in defence and the wrestle. Without that defensive workload, we saw how the Dogs use their size but also their skill to pick apart teams - had they been made to do their fair share of tackling then Kasiano, Pritchard more often than not get exhausted and throw passes that miss the mark. Furthermore, without as much tackling, our players have that energy in the tank to exploit the opposition and vice versa.
* We closed out the game better last night but that was mostly because Souths had clocked off. I mentioned in the live chat about the silly passes. Again, that's what happened last week against the Dogs, instead of building pressure and concentrating on the little things, a wayward pass is thrown on the 2nd or 3rd tackle. Execution is one thing, where a better pass could find the mark, but on low-percentage plays like that the smart option is to get through the sets and wear the opposition down. Hopefully Bennett hammers that in to the team over the next few weeks.
* So, are we seeing the results of a "restful" week in Sydney from the team, or is this what the recent media article referred to - in that the slow legs of the past few weeks are a result of Bennett grinding them fitness-wise so that they're way up there in time for finals?
* Had we held on to the ball last week, that's exactly how the game should have gone against the Bulldogs. Both teams are similar in that they have a huge pack, the halves are decent first graders but they rely on their forwards more than most teams. How they differ is that the Bunnies need the forwards to scatter the opposition in order to get opportunities, whereas the Dogs actually need the forwards to instigate the attack. It was no surprise to see that Milford's and Hodges' breaks were made around tiring big men. That's what you get when they expel a lot of energy in defence and the wrestle. Without that defensive workload, we saw how the Dogs use their size but also their skill to pick apart teams - had they been made to do their fair share of tackling then Kasiano, Pritchard more often than not get exhausted and throw passes that miss the mark. Furthermore, without as much tackling, our players have that energy in the tank to exploit the opposition and vice versa.
* We closed out the game better last night but that was mostly because Souths had clocked off. I mentioned in the live chat about the silly passes. Again, that's what happened last week against the Dogs, instead of building pressure and concentrating on the little things, a wayward pass is thrown on the 2nd or 3rd tackle. Execution is one thing, where a better pass could find the mark, but on low-percentage plays like that the smart option is to get through the sets and wear the opposition down. Hopefully Bennett hammers that in to the team over the next few weeks.
* So, are we seeing the results of a "restful" week in Sydney from the team, or is this what the recent media article referred to - in that the slow legs of the past few weeks are a result of Bennett grinding them fitness-wise so that they're way up there in time for finals?
I bleed Maroon
International Rep
- Apr 17, 2013
- 15,932
- 20,829
I'm starting to believe that's exactly what it is. Bennett has been playing everyone on a break
- Jan 25, 2013
- 25,662
- 29,973
Two weeks sorry!
