FATIGUE + DECOYS = POOR DEFENSIVE DECISIONS.
From my rd 3 review blog:
"Our attack is still very questionable. We weren’t looking threatening when Moses was off the field because our widespread shapes are not going to lead to tries. We do not use decoys on the edge which is bad. Non – decoy plays are only dangerous on short sides, big overlaps and a play after a big line break. We were purely relying on Niukore to beat his opponent. The only time there was a slight chance is because D Brown squares up the defense very well before hitting Gutho. We need to add decoys whether it is the center or backrow to make the sharks player have to make defensive reads under fatigue. Otherwise, opponents just need to slide and make their tackle. Keep in mind, that shape of Mahoney to Brown to Gutho to Niukore became so predictable.
I did notice a couple times where we tried to add decoys but bloody hell it looked bad. The most evident one when Moses hit Opacic when he was aiming for Gutho. Obviously, the combinations on the edges are developing, but Opacic, Lane, etc don’t run good decoy lines. It really needs working
I must also add that we need to earn the right to play wide. We spread the ball a couple times during a set before we gained any momement throught the middle. If we force our way down the middle, we slow the defensive line and create opportunites outwide or through the ruck. This is espicially very vital if we don't want to use wide decoys in shapes.
Our attack seems to be sparked by offloads and the last 2 tries were all created by our forwards linking together. One try was also scored of a shark’s error and another of a great short side play. So clearly our halves and shapes are still not clicking. Don’t let the 28 point score line trick you."
Stats - Use of Decoys but good attacking teams:
In order to prove my point about decoys I have got the follow statistics from NRL.COM. Note that is not fully updated as the stats from the titan’s vs cowboys game has not been updated.
I know it’s only early days in the competition but as you can see Panthers, Rabbitohs, Roosters and Raiders are real premiership contenders this year and are in the top 5 for most decoys used in the NRL. Whereas cowboys who have really struggled attack barely use any decoys (avg 18/game). Looking from last year, panthers, Rabbitohs, and storm were lethal in attack, where majority of their widespread shapes used decoys at centre or backrow. Rabbitohs did it the best through the spread of Cook to Murray to Reynold’s to Walker to Mitchell/Allan to Johnston/Gagai. Obviously, it helps having Walker (best short side player) and Mitchell (very good hands) but this is something BA needs to look at in order to improve our attack. I really believe this is something that Dylan Brown (Walkers role) could really thrive at because he has genuine pace (these plays need to be done at quick pace to allow defenders minimum time to react and cause incorrect defensive decisions under fatigue) and is deceptively strong for if he runs himself.
I won’t harp on too long because I expressed my main thoughts above in the rd 3 review blog, but please note that I am mainly talking about attacking shapes (not general hit-ups) and that I also don’t want every attacking play to have decoys in them as sometimes quick spreads or just playing through the middle is the way to go. I just believe that we barely use them and when we do, our combination is so poor that it is not very threatening. Also, we tend to go sideline to sideline sometimes without any proper decoy related shape. Decoys will just help create more opportunities and make our attack lethal given the great ball playing and offloading skills are middles already have.
Replies
Sorry it should read. Stats - Use of Decoys "By" good attacking teams:
Well picked up on mate, good blog.
Nice insightful break down with statistical analysis. I appreciate your time. Thanks, mate.
We defo needs to sharpen up because at times it can look comical with players running the wrong or across each others line.
Our offense seems sorted..sorta. A lot of work though needs to be done in the opposition 20. The only way it seems we're trying to score is barging over.
Good blog. I noticed in the Broncos game, Opacic and Papali ran as decoys. Maybe they were playing as they were coached previously, and now Arthur has coached it out of them.
Good blog. It wouldn't surprise me if we played more conservatively when Moses went off. We looked a little disjointed, players looked to miss their timing when he went off. I wonder if it's also something to do with the right edge having to be re-tooled with Marata out there and Brown and Lane being switched over. That pass that hit Opacic seemed to be a mis-timed run from Tom, he was supposed to be running that X line back on the inside but left it too late.
I keep harping on about "Bodies in Motion - or in the case of the Eels the LACK thereof.
That said I think it has marginally improved.
Only Round 3, we still have a long way to go before we get to the Lolly shop
Great blog
These can also be used to set up your next play. Panthers got us like that last year. First nearly scored with quick hands to the winger with a decoy to take Waqa out of the play. Next play Waqa was drifting to help out wide but this time the decoy was active and scored.
The main thing is we need new tactics for the finals to stay a step ahead. Teams will work us out if we use the same tactics all year. Need a few surprises for when it counts
I loved the play against the sharks where Ray Stone scored. Not a lof of bodies in motion but a decoy. Stone being the first man it being passed to him at the line instead of going out the back as we usually do. I thought it was a great deceptive play. Stone hit the ball at full pace our sweeping backline moves don't usually involve a player hitting a hole at that pace.
Elvis, I hope that Ray Stone try does not count as the kind of decoy running we think will drastically improve the Eels' attack! Here is the highlights package, and Stone's try starts about 3:16: Els/Sharks Highlights, Round 3, 2021
Sharks #8 totally bungles his assignment. Even holds his head in shame in backplay as Stone sprints away. Will Smith was out the back of Stone, but this just looks like not taking your man!
No it doesn't count as the kind of decoy running we need. I just liked it and the execution was perfect. Too often Parra just shift along a the backline with no deception at all.
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