Those first few games we had this year, with Moses still in the side, our boys were offloading like crazy, I was more excited about the eels finally playing to a long time strength of theirs than the results.
But Since Moses has been gone from the field, since weve been without his kicking game and when we have needed to play to our offloading strengths more than ever, BA has locked the boys down into the most boring, basic and ineffective play style possible.
I keep hearing those half time commentary updates from the coaches , 'BA is happy with the effort, just wants the guys to keep it simple' ...ITS SO WRONG!
Think of 2009...yes Jarryd Hayne had an unbelievable back end of the season, but it wouldn't have been possible had the Eels not thrown the ball around like madmen, that year we had Mortimer and Robson in the halves, both absolute plodders and not organisers by any stretch, but they were great support players. Our starting hooker was one of the worst attacking 9s in the comp. Our team got it done without organisational halves or a crafty 9 because of our wild offloading and excellent support play.
If this season is going to go down the drain over the next few rounds, i dont understand why we dont throw caution to the wind and at least try and scare the shit out of teams with an unpredictable style.
It might work, it might not, but it would at least not be this unbelievably boring and predictable funeral procession towards oblivion.
Replies
Not sure what games you've been watching mate . But we've been offloading more than ever. Just poorly executed or timed more times than not. Especially by players that should know better.
The offloads have dropped off since moses has been out and when they do come they are more by panic than by design that's why they haven't worked.
Appreciate your condescending tone MATE, and while I really should respect my indigenous Elder he hims, I also have to point out that you're actually completely factually incorrect. As the following comments have pointed out, our offloading has both dropped off AND have been a panic move rather than a tactical one.
WE NEED TO SACK BRAD ARTHUR!
Offloads per game
1. 16
2. 14
3. 16
Moses out
4. 13
5. 7
6. 11
7. 9
Offloads have dropped by around 33% since moses has been out.
You'll only get recorded offloads if they don't result in an error. We been offloading plenty but they haven't stuck , as you say they've been panic rubbish .
It has been pretty obvious to me the offloads have been taken out of the game plan, I didn't need to look stats up know we have been offloading less.
The thing is, Moses gets us out of trouble with his long kicks on the 5th. Generally we are not making ground with the ball in hand, but rely on those kicks to slowly gain field position. This is not sustainable, and completely falls apart when Moses isn't there. Last year was a dreadful season, but this year is looking worse. At least during the dark days of the early 90s we weren't expecting anything other than coming second last.