Official Dale Finucane

[bort]

What we are trying to do works playing off the front foot. Much more difficult against a set defensive line.

Need good go forward and quick PTBs. Offloads are a big contributor.

That spread that looks like nothing is a line break and a try when run at a retreating defence

 

[Sparkles]

Our set plays aren't as effective anymore, we are seriously lacking offloads and prob need to see some more unstructured ad lib play, we have the players to do it. Sometimes we get an offload and the next player just carts it up or spreads it wide for someone else to come up with something.

We might appear like a fly by the seat of our pants kinda team but I actually think we are quite structured and premeditated in what we do and now that teams have figured us we are looking robotic and bit devoid of ideas.

Just to be argumentative (it is a forum after all)...
I actually think the problem is that our structure has fallen apart. When it was humming we were in that 'they know what we're going to do but can't do anything to stop it' zone. That's what's missing now. Watching Hynes, he seems to be looking around and hesitating with the ball, which is throwing out the backlines timing and giving the defence plenty of time to jam in and cut him off. Was it two games ago(?) where our first half was Nicho looking like he was playing 'eyes up' footy, then the second half just giving quicker, earlier service. We looked a mile better in that second half.

It probably didn't help that Wade was parked in front of the backs and still getting back up to speed either.

Recipe for success:
Forwards chaining some short passes to break up and tire the defence.
Nicho picking the time for a quick setup and backline movement.
Will looping in at speed.
Wade in the middle of the park so he's out of the way when that happens. He can have a bit of edging fun the rest of the game.

 

[Gumby]

Just to be argumentative (it is a forum after all)...
I actually think the problem is that our structure has fallen apart. When it was humming we were in that 'they know what we're going to do but can't do anything to stop it' zone. That's what's missing now. Watching Hynes, he seems to be looking around and hesitating with the ball, which is throwing out the backlines timing and giving the defence plenty of time to jam in and cut him off. Was it two games ago(?) where our first half was Nicho looking like he was playing 'eyes up' footy, then the second half just giving quicker, earlier service. We looked a mile better in that second half.

It probably didn't help that Wade was parked in front of the backs and still getting back up to speed either.

Recipe for success:
Forwards chaining some short passes to break up and tire the defence.
Nicho picking the time for a quick setup and backline movement.
Will looping in at speed.
Wade in the middle of the park so he's out of the way when that happens. He can have a bit of edging fun the rest of the game.

Good post mate

 

[Gards]

What we are trying to do works playing off the front foot. Much more difficult against a set defensive line.

Need good go forward and quick PTBs. Offloads are a big contributor.

That spread that looks like nothing is a line break and a try when run at a retreating defence

Agree and we havn't been playing against retreating defenses lately so it isn't working and the players are looking around wondering why and what to do- coaching team have let us down here not coming up with new plans and ways to combat the set line and rushing defense. We need to play with some more depth even if it's at the expense of some field position or metres.

The defense being up in our face has turned us into a flat type attacking team

Maybe it's been too much of an ask with players on sidelines and 2 fullback/5/8 still working out how to be a solid consistent halves pairing

Just to be argumentative (it is a forum after all)...
I actually think the problem is that our structure has fallen apart. When it was humming we were in that 'they know what we're going to do but can't do anything to stop it' zone. That's what's missing now. Watching Hynes, he seems to be looking around and hesitating with the ball, which is throwing out the backlines timing and giving the defence plenty of time to jam in and cut him off. Was it two games ago(?) where our first half was Nicho looking like he was playing 'eyes up' footy, then the second half just giving quicker, earlier service. We looked a mile better in that second half.

It probably didn't help that Wade was parked in front of the backs and still getting back up to speed either.

Recipe for success:
Forwards chaining some short passes to break up and tire the defence.
Nicho picking the time for a quick setup and backline movement.
Will looping in at speed.
Wade in the middle of the park so he's out of the way when that happens. He can have a bit of edging fun the rest of the game.

Our structure has certainly been crumbling. When I say eyes up I mean everyone needs to be contributing, not just Hynes

 

[bort]

Agree and we havn't been playing against retreating defenses lately so it isn't working and the players are looking around wondering why and what to do- coaching team have let us down here not coming up with new plans and ways to combat the set line and rushing defense. We need to play with some more depth even if it's at the expense of some field position or metres.

The defense being up in our face has turned us into a flat type attacking team

You’d like to think Talakai hitting the defence a meter shorter but with more of a run up over the course of a game makes more extra meters than it loses.

 

[Flanno]

I didn't even know snowy had a show. Now I know he has a show, but I don't know what it is or how to find it. **** plug.

Gotta be better then listening to Paul Kent, James Hooper and buzz rothfield

 

[BurgoShark]

Agree and we havn't been playing against retreating defenses lately so it isn't working and the players are looking around wondering why and what to do- coaching team have let us down here not coming up with new plans and ways to combat the set line and rushing defense. We need to play with some more depth even if it's at the expense of some field position or metres.

Game plan =

1. Forwards go forward
2. Halves and backs take advantage of that

Your plan is to fix #1 by changing #2.

I’d prefer that they just fix #1. Given they are missing their best forward, their best impact forward, and the bloke with the fastest play the ball - I’d suggest they need to adjust how they play in the middle before changing too much out wide. New personnel, different approach, different rotation, all of them? Something needs to change in the middle.

 

[Bundy Shark]

Game plan =

1. Forwards go forward
2. Halves and backs take advantage of that

Your plan is to fix #1 by changing #2.

I’d prefer that they just fix #1. Given they are missing their best forward, their best impact forward, and the bloke with the fastest play the ball - I’d suggest they need to adjust how they play in the middle before changing too much out wide. New personnel, different approach, different rotation, all of them? Something needs to change in the middle.

Well said Burg, I said something similar a few weeks back but you delivered & explained it way better than what I did.

Yeh, we have a tonne to work on but if we fix up our forward issues first it goes a long way towards solving a lot of the other issues which ties in with so many other parts to our game & elements of each of the areas we are poor in.

 

[apezza]

Well said Burg, I said something similar a few weeks back but you delivered & explained it way better than what I did.

Yeh, we have a tonne to work on but if we fix up our forward issues first it goes a long way towards solving a lot of the other issues which ties in with so many other parts to our game & elements of each of the areas we are poor in.

So how do you fix the forwards issue with our current available players? That is the riddle which Fitz needs to solve.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

So how do you fix the forwards issue with our current available players? That is the riddle which Fitz needs to solve.

Them coming back from Injury would be a big help. Otherwise we try and recruit another middle forward.

 

[Great_White_Shark]

Hopefully this guy is back soon, we 100% miss him and BHU

 

[Sir Chadley]

Hopefully this guy is back soon, we 100% miss him and BHU

Round 16/17
BHU, no idea at the moment.

 

[Gards]

So how do you fix the forwards issue with our current available players? That is the riddle which Fitz needs to solve.

That's what I was gunna reply with. The backline and halves have to learn to work with the forwards they have got cause Dale, BHU, Jack Williams ect are out for the time being. Yes it would be nice for Fitz to find a way to leverage the current forwards we have better or find different ways to use them but I don't think we have seen alot of evidence of this taking place but Hunt, Wade & the Nut in the team at least gives us a chance for something a bit different

It's not all about the forwards anyway, we have been getting time spent on the opposition tryline and still had alot of trouble scoring or getting repeat sets. We have looked really clunky but this wasn't the case up to the Manly game for the most part.

 

[bort]

That's what I was gunna reply with. The backline and halves have to learn to work with the forwards they have got cause Dale, BHU, Jack Williams ect are out for the time being. Yes it would be nice for Fitz to find a way to leverage the current forwards we have better or find different ways to use them but I don't think we have seen alot of evidence of this taking place but Hunt, Wade & the Nut in the team at least gives us a chance for something a bit different

It's not all about the forwards anyway, we have been getting time spent on the opposition tryline and still had alot of trouble scoring or getting repeat sets. We have looked really clunky but this wasn't the case up to the Manly game for the most part.

Remember a lot of teams don’t mind defending try line. It can be easier than defending from 20 out. It was a great tactic for a while to just keep giving away penalties son your line if you had to until other team eventually turned ball over.

If we can maintain a weight of possession and field position I don’t mind if it takes us a few extra goes (or even extra sets) to score on the line.

I’m more worried about keeping ourselves on front foot and in good field position and also us being better at completing tackles (and staying switched on) so we don’t get so chopped up by offloads.

Now I agree we could clean up the attack on the line a bit but I think if we sort the other two things out we can give ourselves plenty of practice attacking the line as a bonus.

 

[bort]

So how do you fix the forwards issue with our current available players? That is the riddle which Fitz needs to solve.

Maybe we need to rotate our forwards slightly sooner to keep them feeling like they can be explosive/do ‘extras’ while on?

Maybe using Trindall or when fit Wade as a ball playing 13 for a period to make defenders move. We have tried this but Wade can’t stay fit and most times Trindall has missed the assignment.

Run in pairs and use passes in the forwards (or dummy) to get more 1 on 1s or quick PTBs.
Stuff Dale is good at funnily enough.

Fact of the matter is we are down our two best props so the other guys need to lift their games.

An idea for when he is fit and in form… Wade starting 13 with Tolman and Hunt.
Wade and Tolman can bring ball movement, Hunt still adds size. Wade and Tolman will be same in the middle and bring good leadership.
Rotate in McInnes at 13 to look for quick PTBs, Fifita (and later Hazelton) to bring size for Hunt, and Rudolf to take over from Tolman as a worker but a bit more explosive, but less passing.
If Dale back he pushes Tolman out of this setup, or replaces Wade if Wade no good.

Other than Hunt and Fifi our pack is relatively mobile so I don’t mind using early kicks to pressure other team if we are struggling for field position. A good kick chase on these can help turn around field position by defending hard (and smart) against their backs to start next set. Don’t bother doing it if side won’t give a great chase though.

All easier said than done of course.

 

[apezza]

Maybe we need to rotate our forwards slightly sooner to keep them feeling like they can be explosive/do ‘extras’ while on?

Maybe using Trindall or when fit Wade as a ball playing 13 for a period to make defenders move. We have tried this but Wade can’t stay fit and most times Trindall has missed the assignment.

Run in pairs and use passes in the forwards (or dummy) to get more 1 on 1s or quick PTBs.
Stuff Dale is good at funnily enough.

Fact of the matter is we are down our two best props so the other guys need to lift their games.

An idea for when he is fit and in form… Wade starting 13 with Tolman and Hunt.
Wade and Tolman can bring ball movement, Hunt still adds size. Wade and Tolman will be same in the middle and bring good leadership.
Rotate in McInnes at 13 to look for quick PTBs, Fifita (and later Hazelton) to bring size for Hunt, and Rudolf to take over from Tolman as a worker but a bit more explosive, but less passing.
If Dale back he pushes Tolman out of this setup, or replaces Wade if Wade no good.

Other than Hunt and Fifi our pack is relatively mobile so I don’t mind using early kicks to pressure other team if we are struggling for field position. A good kick chase on these can help turn around field position by defending hard (and smart) against their backs to start next set. Don’t bother doing it if side won’t give a great chase though.

All easier said than done of course.

Makes a lot of sense. Are you feeling ok?

 

[Sparkles]

Remember a lot of teams don’t mind defending try line. It can be easier than defending from 20 out. It was a great tactic for a while to just keep giving away penalties son your line if you had to until other team eventually turned ball over.

If we can maintain a weight of possession and field position I don’t mind if it takes us a few extra goes (or even extra sets) to score on the line.

I’m more worried about keeping ourselves on front foot and in good field position and also us being better at completing tackles (and staying switched on) so we don’t get so chopped up by offloads.

Now I agree we could clean up the attack on the line a bit but I think if we sort the other two things out we can give ourselves plenty of practice attacking the line as a bonus.

Did you just turn into a Yorkshireman?

 

[Rob]

Iv said it before but I wouldn’t mind trying something out of left field with Rudolph.
Give him 12-15 min at the start then a very early rest and back on 10 before half time.
I think he is a player that would relish in knowing he only had 10-15 min spells to give it his all then a rest.
We leave him out to long and looks buggered for the back half of his stint then looks empty for his second stint.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Them coming back from Injury would be a big help. Otherwise we try and recruit another middle forward.

Hence Snows posts around Vaughan I guess

 

[apezza]

Hence Snows posts around Vaughan I guess

I thought Vaughan had the perfect opportunity to showcase his resume last week but ended up halting their comeback with his dumb 'Sharkslike' attempt at passing the football.