I always think one of the misunderstood elements of Rugby League is that the way game changes, and the patterns and structures that are used, actually have a far bigger influence on the success of individual players. And I'm going to use Ryan Morgan as an example, being a player who's fortunes have pretty wildly fluctuated over the past three of four years. Because, I've noticed him already copping a pasting and I think he could actually finally his feet this year, and that will have as much to do with the way we play and the players around him, as it does about Morgs himself.
A lot of Eels supporters got pretty excited about Morgan's potential in 2013. He made a number of fantastic long-range breaks, showing the kind of acceleration and balance to blitz through a hole, with a running style that reminded many of us of a young Jamie Lyon. Morgan had come out of nowhere - he was a fringe winger in the U20 squad the year before - to grab a first grade spot in 2011 and after a couple of years of inconsistent performances, he finally looked like being a player that could take that next step. He was praised by his coaches as a hard-working, committed player who's work ethic seemed to indicate that he could keep raising the bar. While initially, a bit of a defensive liability, in 2013 he fitted nicely into a defensive structure that was reliant on a winger charging in to cut out an overlap that teams had become expert in creating via sweep plays that injected the fullback into the line as an extra man. Morgan with his acceleration and excellent lateral movement, was typically charged with sliding behind his winger to make a cover tackle and he did that job ably.
By 2014, however, the role of the centre had changed, and they became so good at using quick hands to beat the rushing winger that teams instead charged their centres with making the up and in defensive play, and hitting the sweeping fullback before it reached the outside backs. Suddenly Morgan was all at sea defensively. As a centre who was not particularly intimidating and being forced to defend in a manner that didn't take advantage of his lateral movement, he was ill-equipped for this defensive role and 2014 was a year to forget as his game failed to keep up with the broader changes in the game.
In attack, his limitations were laid ever barer. As a centre that was oft-criticised for not passing the ball, he was totally out of his depth in Brad Arthur's attacking structure that used multiple sweeps with the goal of getting good early ball to our wingers.
However, last year the game changed again. We saw some absolutely breath-taking skills at the start of last year, which often involved tip-on plays from the fullback AND winger. I would argue it was then Wayne Bennett who changed the way teams defended. Brisbane's defence was very aggressive when teams were working it through the forwards, but as soon as the ball went to the backline, Brisbane's centre and winger would hold and wait for the attack to unfold and rely on brilliant last-ditch defence to keep out the opposition with Jack Reed arguably establishing himself as the best defensive centre in the NRL.
By the back-half of the season most teams had adopted similar defensive patterns and for Parramatta that saw Brad Arthur opt to use Morgan as a defensive centre despite playing on the wing. Suddenly Morgan's lateral movement and his cover defense skills were back in vogue and to my mind by the end of the year, Morgan had established himself as a very reliable defender.
As we go into 2015, chances are that if Clint Gutherson is chosen as a centre that Brad Arthur will likely repeat the formula he used last year, given Gutherson's inexperience.
However, it could just be that Parramatta's attacking structures shift in Morgan's favour as well. It appears that Kieran Foran will play as our right-side half, and he plays far more direct and flatter than any half we've had in recent memory. Just as his combination at Manly was built on Foran attacking the line and hitting Steve Matai with flat passes, there is the potential that Foran can develop that same kind of combination with Morgan. As he has shown at times, particularly during 2013, Morgan is very adept at bursting through a hole. Rather than relying on sweep plays, we'll have a half who can run at the line with options and our success on that side is likely going to come down to how well Foran can develop into a truly world-class playmaking and get those options right (whereas we're likely to continue to focus our sweep plays on the left with the goal of putting Radradra into space as we did so successfully last year).
After a number of years, where Ryan Morgan struggled due to changes in our structure and the game, it just might be that 2016 is tailor-made for him to finally deliver on his potential.
Replies
Well thats it then, you can put a line through Ryan Morgans name for next year lol
Morgan will flop or be made to look good by Foran.
Last year he showed massive improvement in this area but couldn't maintain solid Defense for eighty minutes. He showed he could run angles and had speed.
2015 he played at par level when called upon until the last third or so of the season when his Defense and attack lifted to almost a full time NRL player level.
This year would appear to be a make or break year for Ryan. If his game doesn't improve with the likes of the half pairing we have now, I can't see him being in BA's plans in the future.
Agree with a lot of what you have said.
When you add to the fact that Morgan was defending inside the slowest winger in the game, and outside the 2nd worst defensive half in the game I think some people have been a bit harsh on Morgan.
I wouldn't mind seeing him play on the wing in attack, and centre defensively as Gutherson gains first grade experience.
Morgan is still zippy and I reckon could be a fantastic finisher on a right side that read:
Scott
Foran
Gutherson
Morgan
Considering the gap was left between him and SANDOW. I imagine as a centre or winger (having never played centre or wing- not fast enough) it would be hard defending your marked player also knowing that more than likely you'll have to slide to compensate for the player who's just trampled your halfback, or who your halfback just just unsuccessfully (and illegally) tried to shoulder charge and has now created a 3 on 2 overlap!
Personally I'm not the biggest fan of Morgan but I also think he could be valuable to us this year. I think the biggest thing about signing Kieran Foran is going the be how our players improve around him- we have to remember Morgan being right side mostly has been playing outside a halfback who's let the club down. I think with the right half there AND a dedicated fullback who's got good positional play, Morgan could be a great asset to us this year- especially teamed with Guth that's a very quick right side!!!!
I love a good mum joke!
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 11 Next