HaroldBishop
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One poor effort I thought against Canberra. Other than that his defence has been top notch this year imo.
Definitely a big improvement on years gone by.
Official William Kennedy
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Definitely a big improvement on years gone by.
BurgoShark
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Yeah - I think everyone agree he could have done better there.
I am more interested in the poor support play comment.
Gards
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At one point Kennedy looked like a top 5 fullback on the brisk of becoming elite but I cant remember the last time he threw a key pass or broke the line. Where has his support play and role in our attacking shape gone?
Put through a nice grubber for Ronnies try but generally he played like his shoulder was busted again. That attempted tackle on the winger was kinda weak
It would be unfair to expect him to be the next Peachey but surely he can offer a bit more than just some generally improved defense
A young bloke like Jayden Campbell would eat it up playing in a team like ours with our spine and outside backs
This is what happens when you don't have an annual Full back off Hunger Games. Flanno was a genious
Put through a nice grubber for Ronnies try but generally he played like his shoulder was busted again. That attempted tackle on the winger was kinda weak
It would be unfair to expect him to be the next Peachey but surely he can offer a bit more than just some generally improved defense
A young bloke like Jayden Campbell would eat it up playing in a team like ours with our spine and outside backs
This is what happens when you don't have an annual Full back off Hunger Games. Flanno was a genious
I have always thought he lacked support for the big boys in the middle. I don't remember the last time he was there to catch an offload and do any damage, I hope to be proven wrong though
BurgoShark
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Leads us to a couple more questions…
Does Fitz want him to play like that? This was how Tracey played, but WK is much more likely to be on an edge playing shape. Can’t be in two places at once.
And
Is he actually doing this, but the offloads etc. just aren’t coming? He was definitely making some nice runs in and around the ruck off Brailey in round 20 and 21 last year before his i jury. That’s not support play, but shows he is around the ruck making positive plays at stages of the game.
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@Gards as far as his involvement in shape goes, that is on the halves, and I would specifically say on Trindall. Too much sideways movement. Tricky seems to be able to play straight and create space on a short side OK, but when they have a wider shift he either drifts across field or shows and goes. This runs WK and his edge into a dead end. Has been happening all year. Raiders game it was really bad.
WK’s last few games with Moylan + healthy Wilton last year were some of his best in terms of taking advantage of 3 on 2’s. Tricky just isn’t doing the job (yet).
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Sevshark
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HaroldBishop
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You can't but we see other fullbacks such as Turbo doing both. Supports up the middle and also plays on an edge.
I know he's elite but I don't think it's right to say you can't do both.
Whether or not Fitz wants him to is a different matter I suppose.
Billy Slator was the best at it. Mind you he's probably a future Immortal so a bit harsh to compare.
No harm in aiming to to be the best though.
I wonder if it is a change in focus from Fitz. You can tell since about the last few rounds of last year to now the game plan has mainly been around a more simple approach of positional play and defence.
Maybe Kennedy's main focus / energy is getting the team in the right position in defence.
If we keep chalking up wins then our attack eventually returns to focus (including Kennedy) then watch out!
BurgoShark
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What Fitz wants is what I am talking about.
The question is… where is Will when these “missed half opportunities” are happening? Is he standing around scratching his balls or is he in a different part of the field because that is what his coach tells him to do?
It’s also possible that he IS in place to take advantage of half breaks, but those opportunities just aren’t happening.
HaroldBishop
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I know, that's what I said in my last sentence.
I can't think of too many fullbacks that don't sniff around the middle at least occasionally. Would be strange if Fitz is telling him not to do it imo.
BurgoShark
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Yeah - but you are only counting when he gets a result. If he is sniffing around and nothing comes of it that doesn't mean he isn't doing his job.
A player can also be in position to take advantage off an offload without being the player who catches the offload. Forward --> Brailey --> Kennedy also counts.
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HaroldBishop
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That's the thing, he doesn't.
BurgoShark
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Ok. So now I understand what your claim is.
I don't have an opinion on whether is it is actually the case or not. I haven’t watched him and paid specific attention to where he is when there is an opportunity for someone else to play at the line or get an arm free.
In general it always annoys me when Brailey runs and no backs follow though. McInnes, Williams and Finucane are pretty good at it, but if someone fast was on the spot for a 1-2 of those occasionally it would be nice.
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I think you'd find instances of Kennedy backing up, but like you're brailey example they aren't consistent enough for us to convert half chances when they occur.
I'd like to see all our spine/team looking for more opportunities in this space. Would also help to have a little more pace in the side.
There are plenty of examples of good fullbacks doing it, but I think Ezra is another great example at the moment. He seems to score more off backing up than anyone in the league.
HaroldBishop
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Agree with all of that, especially us lacking pace. We really don't have a fast game breaker which is a shame.
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He's support on the sweeping wing plays has been a bit below par. His passes have been shockers from what I recall
BurgoShark
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Imo there are only two fullbacks in the NRL who can play like that, and the other one is playing halfback for the Sharks.
Lots of converted 6's playing fullback in the NRL. Run-first players with a decent passing game. Ponga, Gutho, Walsh to name a few.
Drinky is the only one who played halfback consistently coming through the system. He was Aus schoolboys as a #7 and he split time between 1, 6 and 7 in cup. I've had a man crush on Drinky since 2017.
Sir Chadley
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So if we are not happy with Will Kennedy as our fullback, who do we put in his place?