I think there amongst the rabble there is actually a football team within our squad. This is the core I think can be successful going forward.
7. Luke Kelly
We need some stability. I've been impressed with both Kelly's kicking and passing and he's defensively okay as well. As you'll see, I'm moving Sandow right out of the 13 which means we won't have an obvious defensive frailty. In this squad Kelly is playing more of a central half-back role and will do the bulk of the guiding the team around the park at first receiver. He talks, is solid and would bring some consistency to our performances.
6. Jarryd Hayne
Honestly, it's time for Jarryd to start earning his money. The key for Hayne is him to play less like a modern-day six (in a split-halves formation) and more like a traditional five-eighth at second or even third receiver. He will need to aim up being in the defensive line, but once he does that we'll have a far more solid defence with no obvious weaknesses. The structure here is about Hayne getting the ball more than he does at one, but keeping him wider than he has played previously when six. And the key to doing that is...
13. Joseph Paulo
Paulo is key to this stucture. He would play more of the second half-back role than Hayne would. He would float around the blind side or provide an additional link in a deep backline movement so that Hayne can stay wide. I'd be telling Ben Roberts to-bulk up in the off-season as his role under this structure would be under-study to Paulo.
1. Mullaney
Mullaney has the electric pace you need to threaten the defensive line. If you look at all of the best set-plays in Rugby League they all involve a VERY quick fullback, who doesn't have to do all that much except threaten with his speed.
14. Chris Sandow
Sandow's role in this side is the super-sub. Unfortunately, I do not believe in modern-day NRL you can carry a player of Sandow's size in the front-line. It doesn't matter where you put him, he is always going to be targetted and your going to have players either side of him worried about covering him. Sandow's primary role is to come on and offer some spark from dummy half. He could dramatically lift the tempo and would be a really problem for opposition defences out of dummy half with his ability to run and kick, and also to provide a more creative option to your steadier seven. He'd get bounced around in the middle of the defence, but he couldn't get isolated so easy and then the coach would have an attacking/defensive option depending on how the game was going. If you needed to chase points you could move Sandow to seven and potentially shift Kelly to nine if you wanted to go all-out attack.
The great thing about this role for Chris is you don't have to reign him in - you tell him to go out there and cut-loose. I think he'd have more impact on the game playing in these kinds of bursts then he currently has at seven.
9. Matt Keating
As a defensive, solid hooker he is the perfect counterpoint for the dynamic Sandow. Let him soak up the early exchanges then get Sandow on there to lift the tempo.
Let's face it, we have some unique players in our side. We need to think beyond the same old split-halves structure that has become common-place and structure the side around the strengths of these unique individuals. This is not a structure that needs anyone to play any different from their natural game, indeed it is a structure based on letting all of these players play their natural game. Kelly's steady play, Sandow's brilliance, Hayne's ability to suck in defences, Paulo's ball-skills, Keating's defence and Mullaney's acceleration.
Replies
I hadnt given up on sandow, and i rate him, but im starting to come round to the issues you have raised above, it pains me to see our 550k buy on the bench, but i agree n think it could be for the best of the team.
i dont think he has the goods to lead a team around from half, and imo that is a must have ability for a modern day half.
he needs to be an impact player n use his off the cuff style to his advantage, it is simply to unpradictable to lead a team round for 80 mins
His lack of organisational skills and overall vision for a game is lacking.
He has dissapointed me with his kicking game in general, and his lack of awareness for whats going on around him.
I am yet to make a decision if a new coach could help him, but i susspect he could, but untill then i think the way to go is from the bench.
1eyed, I like the blog mate, I really do. I do think Hayne should stay at fullback, IMO he is not good with pressure situations, and Kelly may provide the stablilty our halves need. I also think Paulo must be 13. He can then float around and allow Hayne to chime in. I think Sandow must be 7 or he needs to go- I know theres a good footballer in him, we need to get the best from him or ot of him. I think Mullaney could play fullback like you said, but with Hayne there.....not sure. Tonga has not hit his straps thus far- and needs early ball and to hit holes.
I noticed you have left out Mannah- he needs to step up IMO and nothing short of him leading the pack will do. Keating is solid but should never be allowed to kick in gen play. mind you Nathan Smith looks good. Matt Ryan and Lussick, Allgood, along with Fui, and hopefully John Mannah. Reni Maitua and also Harrison too- and maybe O'Hanlon and Poore?
Hoppa in 2 yrs along with Israel and another strong fwd is what we need. I think we have 3 guys in the HS National team too- must keep them signed. Pauli is one of them
I was just laying out a spine, I haven't gone into the outside backs, second rowers or forward but until we get the spine right and the right basic structure everything else is secondary.
I still don't think Hayne has mastered his fullback play and as Sterlo said, until he's mastered one position, don't move him to a second. Hayne needs more room and this hinges heavily on the game plan. We need a game plan that allows the creative players like Paulo to do their thing. I understand Sandow is a bit of a defensive frailty but his ability far outweighs that. Kelly is Sandow's steadying hand, the cool head. You could almost play Sandow at 5/8 and have Kelly directing the team around.
The fullback position is where Hayne is the most dangerous. If the halves can get him early, clean ball he will be dangerous. We've failed to do that a lot this season. Our sweeping play is 1 dimensional and has no-one straightening on Hayne's outside. Matt Ryan straightened his run last week against Manly, it sucked in Kieran Foran and Kelly was able to deliver the pass to Sio. If someone does this when Hayne has the ball expect more and more tries as the inside defenders bunch to tackle Hayne and the hard running forward. Fullback allows Hayne freedom and he's not relied on as heavily if the halves pull their weight. Maitua and Paulo should almost become interchangeable with Horo being Paulo's understudy. They can all ball play as well as offload, they need to be developed.
Bottom line, we need a free-flowing game plan with a solid base. This will allow the team to still remain organised but have an ability to play what's in front of them when needed.
Well said
Hayne is not going to get any better as a fullback. His little injuries that he will keep copping will mean his speed only is further hampered. If you block out 2009 out of your mind - 90 per cent of Jarryd Hayne's highlight reels are him playing a traditional six role. If you swap Kelly and Sandow at six and seven nothing changes - they play split halves so the number on their back means nothing.
In this structure you have -
* Attacking penetration from dummy half when Sandow is on
* Attacking penetration from either side of the ruck via Paulo and Hayne
* Attacking penetration from the back
All built on a base of a reliable, dependable number seven calling the shots
Our current structure offers... well nothing except the same Hayne play we've had for the last few years and the occasional dart from Sandow
I like the thought of a Kelly/Hayne combo, that is on the proviso that Hayne puts his heart and head into playing five-eigth. He can play the position, its whether or not he believes he can that is holding him back.
No one can say that Sandow isn't at least having a dig out there.. but he is definately consistently throwing up rocks and diamonds. Bringing him off the bench and just telling him to 'play footy' may be an effective ploy, at least in the short term.
Paulo needs to play 80 he keeps the defense guessing at all times, unfortunately he keeps his teamates guessing as well... With Hindy and Smith in the team we need that attacking balance in the backrow which he offers.
Sandud needs to be traded.
Taking up too much cap bone head SK
At this stage of the year, its essential to keep paulo in the line up, seeing as much game time as possible, we need to cut our losses and use the rest of the year to give the young blokes game time if we are to salvage anything from this year..
playing in the number for 7 for parramatta is like batting for 3 for australia - need to ease them into that role. i would like to let kelly continue to develop at 6 after all he has come to the club with the biggest expectations of a halfback.
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