BA has to step it up from here

BA's done a terrific job getting us to where we are on the table considering we've had no home ground and a raft of injuries especially to our spine. But we are now bordering on the finals and as a coach apart from having the team physically where you need them to be, mentally you need to go to another level.This is where BA needs to use the media ,depending on the opponent and where our players are mentally the media can be used to influence not only players attitude but deflect pressure as well put opposition teams under the microscope. For instance when we win tonight BA could highlight the fact he was "glad they got the win and the fact they haven't read the press this week that the Broncos are the only team challenging the Storm as Brisbane have meant complaceny wasn't an issue and we believe we can challenge for the title" does two things , puts Bennett comments under the microscope as well deflecting any media swarm should we meet the Broncs in the finals all their way.I'd also like to see from BA tonight and in the finals a willingness to implement some bold game plans and trick plays as well as some mid game positional switches. You have to up the ante in the finals playing the same way you have during the premiership will not win you the comp. This is the reason I don't believe Melbourne will win the premiership and the reason they've struggled to in recent years.

"Yea he is mainly a 5/8, If Lorenzo for some reason fails, Risati is the next option. He is a bigger body than Lorenzo with a great running and passing game. He turns 18 next year so will be in SG Ball alongside Fletcher.
Long term, I belive we can…"

"EA, do you have any thoughts on Risati? Heard big raps on him. The way people talk about him, he could be a long-term six solution, alongside Fletcher at seven. Who knows. We're talking years down the track, but just curious."

"Your right. We need to build from within the pathways. We have an elite prospect in every position. It's just that those centre and wingers are only in SG Ball next year. Every other position, they are already in JF or Cup"

Replies

Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow August 24, 2017 at 5:47pm

Great blog Bup and agree 100%.

Trick plays is a very good call. I loved when Moses was one side of the ruck on the 5th and jumped to the other side when he got the ball and ended up securing a try. Stuff like that is what smashes the heavily coached teams.

Gower in the side mixes things up a bit too with his late offloads ala Corey Parker.
The Offside Eel August 24, 2017 at 5:54pm

I agree i remember reading a article with Alex Ferguson saying when it comes to tge end of the season thats when a manager earns his keep the ability to lift the players and get them to keep focused once your at the backend of the season the team knows their structures and know how to win on the field its now up to the coaches to make them able to win upstairs as well.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown August 24, 2017 at 5:57pm

Good call Bup, we need to hit top gear starting tonight.
Frank The Tank August 24, 2017 at 5:58pm

Agreed with everything until that last sentence.
A fully fit Melbourne will win the comp - of this I'm certain.
- Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow > Frank The Tank August 24, 2017 at 6:01pm
  
  I thought that last year Frank, then Todd decided it was a better fairytale if the Sharks won it.
- 2agd8rk0gah1u > Frank The Tank August 24, 2017 at 6:13pm
  
  A fully filled large brown paper bag and the NRL will choose which club they want to win the Competition, Frank of this im certain.
- Bup > Frank The Tank August 24, 2017 at 6:15pm
  
  I don't think the Storm have enough variation in the forwards. Asafa- Solomona is the only one with a decent offload. The Roosters , Sharks and the Eels have that variation and it makes it harder to game manage against those type of packs. The big Storm forwards are vulnerable when forced to move laterally a lot and cover their inside shoulders. They tire and get worked over. With an even share of the ball the Roosters would have easily accounted for them the other week and teams that play tough but fast will worry them a lot in Semi final conditions which generally played at faster tempos and are encouraged to be officiated in just such a way.
The French Fullback #1 August 24, 2017 at 6:20pm

Let's see what happens tonight. This is a finals game for us. If we can't go to another level and match Brisbane, we're making up the numbers. We matched them before, but this is the chance to prove it wasn't a fluke, that we can be consistent, that we have the intensity to match the top sides. Not usually critical of BA, but he has to get them up for this one in front of a vocal crowd in which many of the team haven't played before. Anything other than an 80 minute performance isn't acceptable (if we do but lose, so be it, we have players coming back, but it must be competitive).
- ParraTime > The French Fullback #1 August 24, 2017 at 6:23pm
  
  I love how you say if we lose we are just making the numbers. We might be outplayed and lose, if so, we still have a chance as anyone else in the top 8. Stop getting way to carried away.
This reply was deleted.
- Bup August 24, 2017 at 6:33pm
  
  So does Tim Mannah but their hardly quality parts of their game.

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This reply was deleted.

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