Official Blayke Brailey

[Sparkles]

some of his runs are pointless and that is my gripe with him

They're not straight into defenders though. I don't have a problem with the timing, moreso with the lack of options when he does it.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Seems a silly tactic but I understand it.

Why is it silly ?

 

[Milkshark]

I’d rather put the ball in the in goal for a repeat set or actually come up with something on the last to score some points then cheaply hand the ball over.

Just my opinion

 

[Sir Chadley]

Not silly. Smart.

Best way to end a set = score a try
Next best way = get the ball back
Next best way = tackle them 1m out in the corner

BUT doing any of those things generally brings some risk with it. In general you can't score or get repeat sets, or tackle them 1m out regularly without kicking, or stringing together a few passes. Doing those things close to the line quite often result in a mistake (handover at the 10) or the other team either getting a 7 tackle set, or running 90+ metres to score.

So what's the next best way to end a set? Get tackled 1m out in the corner.

It's tackle 0 rather than tackle 1, but they are 99m from the stripe, you get some time to set your defensive line, and you can get up quick and bash them on plays 1 and 2 because you know which way they are running. Better yet, this play beings with it zero risk.

It's probably not in the spirit of the game, and would look ridiculous - but if some coach decided that he wanted to end his sets by having his second rower play the ball half a metre out without a dummy half, let the opposition dive on it, and then have two players lay on him - that would actually give you a better result. Tackle 1, 1m out, in the corner, off a slow play the ball. Now that would be a silly tactic.

@Chad send this to Fitz and tell him "Burgo said you are welcome"

Ha ha! Would love to do that mate! Unfortunately though, I may have been ghosted by the great man - I did email him about coming to the Captains run on Wednesday as he had suggested that to me in the previous email. I emailed asking what time, but he never responded. But perhaps he had a few other things on his mind!

I love your unethical tactic but with the way the refs are these days, we'd probably get a penalty for their player diving on the ball in the ruck!

 

[bort]

I’d rather put the ball in the in goal for a repeat set or actually come up with something on the last to score some points then cheaply hand the ball over.

Just my opinion

Everyone would rather get a repeat set or try, it's the consequences of 7 tackle set or return against broken line we don't like.
The 1m turn over is low reward but also low risk.

You may think it is worth the risk, Fitz disagrees.
I probably don't know the stats well enough to say who is right between you two, but I'm going to assume it's him (no offence)

 

[Wiz]

Everyone would rather get a repeat set or try, it's the consequences of 7 tackle set or return against broken line we don't like.
The 1m turn over is low reward but also low risk.

You may think it is worth the risk, Fitz disagrees.
I probably don't know the stats well enough to say who is right between you two, but I'm going to assume it's him (no offence)

I Don’t think it’s that deep -

Nothing wrong with being conservative but also would be nice to get repeat sets, no one is wrong or right… I think we are more conservative due to our kickers not being the best.

If we had a Reynolds or a Thurston or a Cleary we would definitely be doing more grubbers or plays on the last - it is what it is

 

[Wiz]

I'd be interested to see which teams are actually doing this the most, and in which situations. I reckon if we did it in the first 5 minutes it's a bit too conservative, but when holding a lead late it is something lots of teams do. Sharks last night were just winding down the clock for much of the second half with kicks to corners, and this type of play. It worked nicely in game where they were leading 20-0 at halftime. There wasn't really much need to be expansive.

Kicks to the corners are always and will always be a smart tactic - I think closer to the line is where it would be interesting to see which teams do what

 

[apezza]

Not silly. Smart.

Best way to end a set = score a try
Next best way = get the ball back
Next best way = tackle them 1m out in the corner

BUT doing any of those things generally brings some risk with it. In general you can't score or get repeat sets, or tackle them 1m out regularly without kicking, or stringing together a few passes. Doing those things close to the line quite often result in a mistake (handover at the 10) or the other team either getting a 7 tackle set, or running 90+ metres to score.

So what's the next best way to end a set? Get tackled 1m out in the corner.

It's tackle 0 rather than tackle 1, but they are 99m from the stripe, you get some time to set your defensive line, and you can get up quick and bash them on plays 1 and 2 because you know which way they are running. Better yet, this play beings with it zero risk of a mistake, 7 tackle set, or opposition runaway.

It's probably not in the spirit of the game, and it would look ridiculous - but if some coach decided that he wanted to end his sets by having his second rower play the ball half a metre out in the corner with no dummy half, let the opposition dive on it, and then have two players lay on him - that would actually give you a better result. Tackle 1, 1m out, in the corner, off a slow play the ball. Now that would be a silly tactic, albeit an effective one. Can you imagine us fans losing our **** if the Sharks did that 5 times in a game - deliberately?

@Chad send this to Fitz and tell him "Burgo said you are welcome"

Agree re Smart however there is one problem with this and that is we have a bad habit of giving away cheap penalties on the first few tackles for offside.

 

[Milkshark]

Agree re Smart however there is one problem with this and that is we have a bad habit of giving away cheap penalties on the first few tackles for offside.

And shoulder charges on the 1st tackle

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Not silly. Smart.

Best way to end a set = score a try
Next best way = get the ball back
Next best way = tackle them 1m out in the corner

BUT doing any of those things generally brings some risk with it. In general you can't score or get repeat sets, or tackle them 1m out regularly without kicking, or stringing together a few passes. Doing those things close to the line quite often result in a mistake (handover at the 10) or the other team either getting a 7 tackle set, or running 90+ metres to score.

So what's the next best way to end a set? Get tackled 1m out in the corner.

It's tackle 0 rather than tackle 1, but they are 99m from the stripe, you get some time to set your defensive line, and you can get up quick and bash them on plays 1 and 2 because you know which way they are running. Better yet, this play beings with it zero risk of a mistake, 7 tackle set, or opposition runaway.

It's probably not in the spirit of the game, and it would look ridiculous - but if some coach decided that he wanted to end his sets by having his second rower play the ball half a metre out in the corner with no dummy half, let the opposition dive on it, and then have two players lay on him - that would actually give you a better result. Tackle 1, 1m out, in the corner, off a slow play the ball. Now that would be a silly tactic, albeit an effective one. Can you imagine us fans losing our **** if the Sharks did that 5 times in a game - deliberately?

@Chad send this to Fitz and tell him "Burgo said you are welcome"

I realli like that play because of the reasons you said. I think it also frustrates the other team.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Agree re Smart however there is one problem with this and that is we have a bad habit of giving away cheap penalties on the first few tackles for offside.

Yeah, that definitely needs to improve. Those mistakes undo everything good.

 

[Milkshark]

I Don’t think it’s that deep -

Nothing wrong with being conservative but also would be nice to get repeat sets, no one is wrong or right… I think we are more conservative due to our kickers not being the best.

If we had a Reynolds or a Thurston or a Cleary we would definitely be doing more grubbers or plays on the last - it is what it is

That’s why I reckon we do it, because the coach doesn’t believe the halves have that kick in their game. That’s ok for now, but I would hope this is only until they can add the kick into their game. It’s a pretty standard skill for a half imo.

On that note, we have seen Brailey put a kick in on the last close to the line, at least do that.

 

[Milkshark]

I'd be interested to see which teams are actually doing this the most, and in which situations. I reckon if we did it in the first 5 minutes it's a bit too conservative, but when holding a lead late it is something lots of teams do. Sharks last night were just winding down the clock for much of the second half with kicks to corners, and this type of play.

It worked nicely in game where they were leading 20-0 at halftime and there wasn't really much need to be expansive. That is game management. It shows that Brailey (and others) are getting better at playing the right way at the right time. If they are running that play down 20-zip, I would have been screaming at the TV.

20-0 up we should be playing to win, not preserve a score line. Teams have lost games in the past playing like that. From memory I Bennett lost a grand final playing like that.

FYI, not arguing against what you are saying

 

[HaroldBishop]

That’s why I reckon we do it, because the coach doesn’t believe the halves have that kick in their game. That’s ok for now, but I would hope this is only until they can add the kick into their game. It’s a pretty standard skill for a half imo.

On that note, we have seen Brailey put a kick in on the last close to the line, at least do that.

Mate even Penrith do it it, you reckon their kicking game is below par?

 

[Milkshark]

Mate even Penrith do it it, you reckon their kicking game is below par?

Dunno, I don’t watch their games so will trust you. Penriths line speed is a lot better than ours so that tactic probably works well for them.

 

[bort]

Dunno, I don’t watch their games so will trust you. Penriths line speed is a lot better than ours so that tactic probably works well for them.

Ours is sensational

Some would say too good

The ref, the ref would say too good

 

[Gards]

this farken bloke loves giving away a penalty or two doesn't he

in the oppositions half or on our line - he ain't picky

been going on for too many seasons now

 

[bort]

Averages 60th in the league so I guess that’s kind of high?

 

[snowman]

Extended him too early and for too long

First error of fitz retention

 

[Sparkles]

Brailey - 10 penalties in 17 games.
Grant - 12 in 13 games.