Most stats were pretty even last night barring the average play the ball speed:
Melbourne:2.98 seconds
Parra: 3.86 seconds
It's rare you see a gap that big without a 30+ point difference in the final score. Generally speaking an av play the ball speed is somewhere around 3.6 secs.
2.98 is incredibly good for first game of the season. Does that reflect the fact we weren't dominant enough in tackles, didn't hold them down enough or maybe that Melbourne start each year fitter than others and fight hard for a quick play the ball-probably all of the above
Replies
That is becasue Klein allowed the Storm players to lie all over us and slow our play the ball down. He is a grub!
This
One thing that annoyed me was the constant blocking on our kick chase, their players move back and covered the winger with 3 players and they stood there with hands on hips.
Any blocking should be an automatic penalty, it is very easy to police.
The ball carrier was running towards the block to decide which way they would run depending on the defenders. It's not a shepard per say but it is hindering the defence in some way. obviously a ploy they are now using and other teams will mimic no doubt.
Yet again, Melbourne are cheating within the rules and not in the spirit of the game. We need to do the same.
Munster stepped into the Eels kick chasers all the way through the second half.
as I said in an earlier blog if a ref allows a player to slow down the play the ball and constantly be offside in defence then the momentum of the game is changed by the ref.
100% I was watching with a mate, shark supporter & that's all he would say. How long are they taking to get off Parra.
1. Our forwards are not coached on how to run into tackles, avoiding getting held in a group tackle situation. RCG and Paulo are too upright. They are EASY targets
2. Super coach and senior players need to quickly realise if the opposition team is getting away with the wrestling then should quickly adopt the same tactics.
3. Outside backs need to take first 3 tackles with intent of quick play the balls, not bust tackles. Momentum and retreating defence becomes an opportunity for hard running RCG and Paulo on tackles 4&5. Penriff does it so well and why Fischer-Harris and Leota make more impact with just their 1 charge every set. You will also notice neither Fischer-Harris or Leota rushes back while in attack and would rather wait for their ball carriers to bring the play back up field to them. That saves energy for when it's their turn to hit the ball up into a treating defensive line
Something to put a positive spin on the game.Both our halves had an ordinary game quite out of character of their " normal "game. Despite this we were very competitive against the Storm who played to their ability..All our new guys did well enough to justify a first grade spot.
Chin up
Yes Coryn The first game doesn't define our whole season. I think we are all on edge with high expectations.If they are not met it's going to be a long season
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