IMO the biggest single issue standing in the way of the Eels and a premiership is our kicking game. Remember the final 10 minutes of the first half of the GF and the poor kicking options that killed our momentum and the opportunity to strike ?
Well it was back against the Sharks. 4 times in the final 15 minutes we went for all or nothing kick and chase options that lost us the ball and failed to see our field position turned into points. be patient grubber into the in goal be patient and we score and Burt shoots for the win. Instead we play panic must score footy.
I loved Humble post game interview when he said we only scored long range agianst the run of play tries so we didnt deserve to win ! At last honesty in a post match interview. And with honesty comes the hope we can fix our limitations. Because this team can win a comp if it can fix its panic under pressure options.
Yes we had no Hayne but please we need to be able to play without JH as far as kicking goes.
A forum member wrote that he believed Mortimer has a poor kicking technique and I agree 100%. Somone needs to show him fast,
For mine:
Mannah speed in playing the ball is outstanding and he should teach Justin Poore this skill. Poore is too upright when he runs and hence is flipped on his back and gives us slow play the balls. Get him running like Mannah and problem solved.
Inu is not a center. Nuff said. Wing or Wenty ! If we need a center Jono Wright
Stick with Humble as a 6 as his kicking game gives us more than the other two. Which means playing either KK or Morts at 7. DA seems to favour Morts which leaves KK and his brother battling out for the 14 spot.
Replies
When Morts started his kicking was terrible and then after a month it improved 1000%... after he copped a knock on his hip in the Semi his kicking went downhill again. No doubt it is something he is working on.
Hayne's long kciking is improving, his short kicking not so good.
KK on the other hand has a good long and short kick, So I really think he can't be moved from the halves. However none of our halves have a polished kciking games... that is the reality. DA is working with future stars in his halves and not polished professionals at this time. Kicking is going to be our archilles heel fro a while you would think.
Problem number 2 (which will get worse without Mateo) is that our red zone attack against good teams is not very good. Just not enough pionts in our 6,7,9 and 14. We have a 1 learning to be a ball player and again, no polsished ball players.
I think at some point, Humble needs more time at 6 (he looked uncomfortable under the high ball so wouldn't have him at 1 ) but wholesale changes are unlikely to happen although I could make a good argument for them.
Darkie, we have not lost 1 game... in the context of the season the team is waaaayyyyy underpeforming.
Just for the record... IMO Morts is a 9 or 6... not a 7... and more 9 than 6.. reality is though DA will never play him at 9..... who am I too argue though. I have no doubt DA is a great coach and has a plan long and short term.
Have you noticed we have some of the worst attack in the NRL based of points for ? Thats because we dont build pressure in attack. PS we have lost a lot more than 1 game due to this problem.