I'm not sure that game last night was as bad as some people think.
Sure the attack from both teams seemed a little lacklustre, but was this just because the defensive effort and structures were so good,
Bulldogs aren't a bad team the won 5/6 heading into this game and with a new seaseon were keen to start well.
To say it was scrappy is a little harsh as well, sure we only completed at 72% but it was the first game of the season.
If we compare this game 1st of the season to the last round last year (32-16 win over Manly) its not that bad.
Completions 72% (1st round 2020) compared to 79% (last round 2019)
Effective tackle % 91.2% (1st round 2020) compared to 80.1% (last round 2019)
Missed tackles 26 (1st round 2020) compared to 45 (last round 2019)
Ineffective tackles 6 (1st round 2020) compared to 26 (last round 2019)
Errors 13 (1st round 2020) compared to 12 (last round 2019)
Penalties conceded 6 (1st round 2020) compared to 5 (last round 2019)
Metres gain and average set was down of course but again that credit to the doggies defence.
My assessment for what its worth
Only a handful of errors and penalties really strong defence overall a good effort and start to the season.
The attack will come.
Replies
Great research and assessment. Cheers
Intersting take on it C - agree it was a good first up game and your stats suggest we're on the improve. Another sign of improvement is we lost to the Doggies late last year playing that style of grinding football, but we out gritted them last night
Great blog chuck.
you nailed it . It was a very good defensive effort by both teams . Technically very good , effective and little or no wrestling. The hits were aimed at bread baskets and were tough .
I didn't see our weakness in our middle like last year . Hope our attack flows but it was a good start - winning when you have to and all things don't go your way !
Defence was really good from both teams - in fact the way the Dogs started I was expecting the Eels to fold, but they held their own.
At one stage I think we were 3/9 possession wise - that is going to cost us dearly and pathetic.
We gave the Dogs way too many chances and fortunately for us they did not have the cattle to capitalise on our pathetic handling.
Highlight of the night was none of the dropped balls can be credited to Terepo.