Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 23, 2015 at 2:32pm

  We probably have a more mobile pack of forwards than most, we should be one of the teams it benefits most if BA can get the interchange right.
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  SuperEel 22 July 23, 2015 at 2:32pm

  I personally don't think the game is going to get much quicker. In fact, as Anthony Watmough said a few weeks back, you're going to see more wrestling in order to keep control of the ruck. An increase in speed will only happen if refs call held quicker and we all know they never do that for longer than the first six weeks of the season. Essentially what you'll see is defenders standing up the ball carrier, dancing him around before the third man comes in and puts him on the deck.

  If and that's a big "if" the game does become quicker, I think Tepai will become the order of the day for forwards. 110kg, mobile, fit and a ball of muscle. Teams will still carry at least one big bopper for the impact factor with the remainder of their forwards being around Tepai's size.

  I can see what the NRL is trying to do, I just don't think it's going to work because they haven't seriously looked at it from more than one point of view.
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    Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > SuperEel 22 July 23, 2015 at 2:37pm

    I agree super, to see a dramatic change they needed to cut it down to 6.
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    Ham Sammich > SuperEel 22 July 23, 2015 at 3:03pm

    Imagine trying to tackle someone as big as say Pauli at the end of a match? With our second-rowers able to play big minutes for next year he could be brought on fresh later in the game. Could be a big factor for us.
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    Wayne > SuperEel 22 July 23, 2015 at 3:12pm

    The easiest way to stop wrestling is to limit tackles to 2 defenders only. Players are now taught to get first 2 in to hold the player up and wrap up the ball and 3rd man to tackle around the legs to drop the attacking player. By eliminating the 3rd man, defenders have to change their technique allowing bigger players more time to offload. It also removes the 3rd player from getting involved in the wrestle allowing quicker play the balls.
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    Earl Grey > SuperEel 22 July 23, 2015 at 5:40pm

    I've mentioned it on here before, but if you forced all tacklers to be markers (or automatically offside the next tackle), you'd see far less wrestle, as overcommiting tacklers would see you vulnerable on the next play.
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  SuperEel 22 July 23, 2015 at 2:54pm

  No no no no no no. You've mis-read me Snake. Simply reducing the interchange does not automatically quicken the game. It needs an approach from all angles. I personally think we are going to see more injuries. Fatigue is a key factor in the majority of soft tissue injuries. Hamstring and calf injuries will become more prevalent due to the increased fatigue and Anthony Watmough has said players will be looking to wrestle as much as possible. If you want to get rid of the wrestle, they need to take a look at when referees call held and look to sort that area out first.
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  Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 23, 2015 at 3:13pm

  That counts you out then mitch.
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  Ham Sammich July 23, 2015 at 3:18pm

  Or you could just decrease the defensive line.
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  Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" July 23, 2015 at 3:22pm

  Shot clock my arze.

  Kickers ALREADY are supposed to take the goal kicks within 90 seconds and drop outs in 40 seconds.

  The refs just stop the clock when they feel like it.

  We've all seen how the ball mysteriously cannot be found for drop outs - and the ball boys NOT being able to get a kicking Tee out for goal kickers.

  I call BULLSHIT.

  8 Interchanges will NOT dramatically affect most of the forwards.

  Backrowers and locks will play longer minutes to compensate the loss of two interchanges.

  Oh - that's right - we are ALREADY seeing this happen when players like Alvaro ONLY get 5 - 10 minutes per game.

  This is nothing more than the old politicians trick - as long as the they are being seen to be doing SOMETHING then the dumbass punters will think they are being pro active.

  If you analyse this closely you will see it is ALMOST making NO changes at all.