In the Sandow post being discussed elsewhere, I thought this was a very pertinent quote from Sandow:
"At the time, I was killing it at Souths. I thought I was worth that at the time. But then I came and I didn't play too well because what I was doing at Souths, I was winning games on my own. We had a game plan that suited me. When I came to Parra, it was different – organisation on the field, what the coaching staff wanted from me. I wasn't quite used to that."
I think it's pretty obvious to everyone that organisation isn't Sandow's natural gift - he's better suited being able to play what's in front of him and let him use his running game as much as possible.
At the same time, Corey Norman's limitations appear to be decision-making. He executes plays very well, has a shortball that's getting better but he'd not going to be the type of half that threading runners through gaps.
Would not it make more sense for Norman to play more of a similar game to what John Sutton played when he was combined with Sandow. Sutton, despite playing five-eighth, was the dominant half who was doing a lot of the first-receiver grunt work.
Instead of playing with the middle playmaker and split halves, I wonder if we might not be better suited in a sans-Hayne world playing more along the following lines:
- With more powerful running front rowers, I'd like to see Nathan Peats do a lot more creative distribution playing a more Cameron Smith role.
- Corey Norman takes the role of central distributor. I'd like to see Norman calling the shots as a primary first-receiver and rolling the forwards forward. He'd be the first receiver on open-side plays, with Sandow given more space at second receiver.
- Between more going through dummy half, and a more dominant first receiver taking the ball a lot in the middle it would eliminate the middle playmaker role.
- Given we don't have a creative fullback now, I'd be looking to fast-track Ryan Matterson as a ball-playing second rower, mostly employed off the bench. Matterson would be the primary creative ballplayer on the opposite side to Sandow. This employs Matterson skill but doesn't throw him in the deep-end with too much responsibility.
Basically, I wonder if a more traditional structure (only using Norman instead of your halfback) might be better than split-halves system given we appear to have two halves who both have pretty different skillsets.
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I've been thinking something similar. We have to change our style of play and Norman was quite a good first receiver up in Brisbane when he was needed. In the 2011 or 2012 preliminary final, when Lockyer was out injured, Norman called the shots and although Brisbane lost, Norman was responsible for all of their points.
May it be over forever
Seffa was relegated to the history books.... and yay it was good
I had great expectations for Norman when he first came down here Phil - HOWEVER - like all nightmares, you will eventually wake up.
I have said this for a while now; the major thing Norman lacks is speed between the ears.
Plus he rarely takes on the line.
Ben Hunt on his transformation 2014 - "Wally told me to take on the line at least 50% of the time" (the rest is history)
Peats admitted he was busted when he joined us - with a full recovery during the ORF SEEZUN I expect he will play a lot differently in 2015.
I also think we will hardly recognise the Eels playing style in 2015 due to necessary alterations to past thinking and application.
Given we don't have a creative fullback now
That could come back to bite you - bit premature imo.
Mmmm, Hoppa's a very smart footballer, he's more talented than he's shown.
Upmost respect buddy.
Not too sure on Hoppa's speed but I am sort of expecting the 2nd coming of Brett Stewart.
You make some good points Phil but i'd have no confidence in norman calling the shots, i just dont have the faith he could pull it off every week, he struggles to put any plays together for himself let alone for others, i dont think he has the consistency or the ability, reading through many old blogs on the Bronco's HQ, written by some pretty smart posters, it leaves me with even less confidence.
Combine that with what i saw this year from him and i think im starting to see a pattern with Coreys game, i really think he is going to turn out to be one of those 'meh' players for his career.
Every second game you might see a good kick or pass, he might pull an intercept off but thats all you will get from him.
He offers just enough to keep the vultures at bay but not enough to take any club forward from 5/8.
I actually think Norman has good vision. When he's at his best, it's because he sees something in the line and he takes the ball to where he thinks it needs to go with one plan of attack. If you go back through his Brisbane highlights you'll see jump into dummy half and create overlaps and generally run the play pretty well. Where I lose confidence in him is picking from multiple options. I think if you give him a simpler role he'd do really well. As I've said a number of times, he has all the skills he just runs out of time deciding which one to use.
A pretty fair assessment Snake. Still Dozy Norman may surprise come 2015. I hope so because a lot will depend on his performance. If he fails to step up then what will BA do & also importantly, how long will BA give Norman to show his wares.
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