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"Thanks Randy, that's heaps better."
"Blore is average. We are top heavy for forwards, very light on in the backs, now you want to get rid of two backs for an average forward. I'm glad Mon is part of the recruitment team, and not you."
"What makes you say that, and is that a good thing or a bad thing"
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Only if we get rid of Sefa and get 1 or 2 experenced forwards who put in every game to help guide our young pack and give us some consistency.
Watching the way Sandow and Norman played left me thinking that we have great halves
I really do not hold Sefa or our forwards responsible for Parra's lack of consistency this year. In fact, I'll argue that our young forward pack has been the "real surprise" in 2014. There is so much talent, in particular with Moeroa and Pauli Pauli - that it will not surprise me if they BOTH play International Football before their careers are over.
But the real villains in 2014 have been inconsistent play by BOTH halves and lack of on field leadership.
I would argue that if our halves had "seized" control of MORE match winning opportunities, particularly in the kicking game in "attack"......and IF our on field leaders had been able to ENFORCE better discipline, instead of ALLOWING Parra to endure extended periods without the football - then Parra would already be considered a worthy Top 8 candidate in 2014.
It's easy to look at Parra's dreadful defensive record - but that is a direct result of "giving" away far too much possession in 2014, through turn overs and penalties - it's not the final penalty count or turnovers that are important. It is WHEN these occur, and do these occur in "bunches" that allows for major momentum swings for our opponents to capitalise on. - add to this us Parra's unique ability to make bad situations worse by consistently "re-offending" or not completing sets,,,,,after enduring a penalty or turnover - and therefore avoiding ALL chance of a smart "last play" have simply KILLED Parra in 2014 ......at times, Parra seem "brain dead" in the halves and with our captains
I'll argue that our existing squad - when playing "smart" can match it with the best - just look at our form against the Roosters (game 2) and against Manly. Even Souths - with a depleted side, Parra were in the contest for most of the game
UNTIL.......I'll repeat it...UNTIL...Parra start to play smarter in the halves and have BETTER captains, NOTHING will change
Our points against indicate that we leak far too many points, and concede way too metres and penalties etc . Not all the tries are as a result of poor defense up the middle but the fact we are consistently on the back foot shows that the forwards are giving the opposition too much easy metres. We compound this shite defense with poor kicking to help alleviate built up pressure. As you've mentioned previously we don't know how to buy a repeat set( although maybe BA read your Blog) which compounds our defensive frailties.
In essence I guess I am saying that we need to improve our squad in the forwards cause it all begins in the engine. If we can at least hold the opposition in the forward battle I'm confident we have the backs to capital use against many other sides. I don't think Sandow or Norman are the best in their positions but in them I think we have a half pair that's capable of leading us to a premiership so long as the forwards do their bit.
This is where we fundamentally disagree, Our forwards, when given "possession flow" in equal portions to the opposition have proven (to me at least) that they match up very well against the competition heavy weight forward packs. All except for 1 game against the Cowboys (1st time) - where we appeared to be outsized and were manhandled. Even Mau was made to like like a child in that game - and Mau is/was one of the "finds" of the year for Parra
Where Parra has more often than not "lost the plot" is where extended periods of play AGAINST Parra occur - usually by our own un-doing - penalties and turnovers have occurred in bunches in almost EVERY game in 2014 - allowing extended pressure to build on our young and in-experienced but HIGHLY TALENTED forwards.
The antidote to this - is "smart" play by the halves - recognising that they MUST keep this uniquely fresh faced but talented pack "in the game" - our forwards have proven this against Roosters (game 2) Manly, Cowboys (game 2) and Souths - even the Souths match was a real "peak" into the future - as the forwards, badly depleted, STILL match up favorably for MOST of that match. This young pack are hungry, not lazy - hunt as a pack and have an exciting 1-2 punch with Moeroa and Pauli Pauli in "attack" - something Parra has lacked for YEARS - Moeroa ALREADY looks like a wide running forward that will scare the crap out of opposing defenses - amd Pauli Pauli has "off loading" NATURAL talent nearly as good as ANY NRL forward - SBW being the only player with MORE natural ability in this area (now) - I predict that Pauli Pauli will emerge as one of the BEST offloaders in the modern game
Add in the mongrel, size and speed of our OTHER young Props and Second Rowers - Paulo Edwards Mau and others and you have a forward pack that has ALREADY proven that they match up against the Top 4 packs - they have PROVEN this, already
It is - and always has been - the responsibility for "halves" to keep their forwards on the front foot - and to adjust the tempo of the game when they are in trouble - in times where extended periods of defense have occurred - in 2014, this is THE major FAILURE of our halves AND captains - neither offering extended periods "in attack" through repeat sets and/or field position via kicks and NOT getting our forwards out of trouble by playing "smart" after extended periods of defending.
Don't be fooled by the "points against" column - this is an optical illusion of immense proportions - keep in mind that Parra have been undone when extended periods of defending have occurred - usually through "silly" turnovers and penalties - in a row
Parra has PROVEN that when given an even possession FLOW - I'll say it again - possession flow - forget game time possession - that figure is bollocks - it's all about "chunks" of time - in an "arm wrestle situation - even sets and penalty/turnover spread that is similar to our opponent - no matter WHO they have been this year - Parra matches up, and can score points, as well as defend our line
Except for the number 13 jersey - Parra has an almost "embarrassment" of riches of YOUTH in the forwards that has an abundance of raw natural talent that I have NOT seen in over 15 years - not since the young Hindmarsh brothers and young Cayless arrived in the late 90's
Remember - this is just YEAR 1 for MOST of these players - MOST have NEVER been first grade regulars - and they can already match it with the big guns - and they will be better again next season
No - I "blame" our halves here, and our captains for having POOR match awareness through dumb decision making
Just watch our forward play when there is an even or dominant periods of possession flow "our way" - Just watch our forwards when our "halves" play smart - this pack is as good as ANY running around in the NRL - and will be even BETTER in 2014 - of this I am quite certain
There hasn't been a side in the history of the game that hasn't had a pack that in the very least is able to contain an oppositions pack if not dominate. This is the case because EVERY side requires their forwards to go forward and hold the middle so that their halves can control a game.
I don't think it works arse backwards. No matter how great a 7 or a 6 are they are still beholdant to the foundation laid by the PIGS. Now they used to be known by this name because they get in there and do all the dirty stuff.
Our guys seem to still be a little gun shy in this department, probably because of their age/experience. They definitely have the makings of a great pack but its way to early to brand them as such. In any case time will tell.
But getting back to my point, our backs aren't responsible for the go forward the forwards are. The backs can only capitalise on the hard work, the platform that is laid by the forwards. Good forwards can make you metres not only in attack but with defence and this is something our boys haven't been doing. They've been back peddling for many games this year. Any games that we've won this year I would say it has been off the back of our forwards going forward or holding their own. Our backs are good enough to win us games only if the lads do their bit.
Any games that we've won this year I would say it has been off the back of our forwards going forward or holding their own. Our backs are good enough to win us games only if the lads do their bit.
I agree with your premise about the forwards being a "physical" presence - they need to dominate or at worst nuetralise the opponents pack in order to win consistently. I agree with everything you say about the forwards "role"
But we differ in what "halves" can do assist forwards establish, maintain or "get back" dominance - and that is through field position via a clever kicking game
And as a "Team" it is helpful to forwards establish, maintain or "get back" dominance - and that is with efficient "possession flow management" ie NOT compounding errors (penalties/turnovers) with additional penalties/turnovers that give the opposition extended possession - this is where Parramatta have FAILED miserably - when under the pump, Parra usually compounds their errors with other ones - all while the opposition mount pressure on our forward pack - and lack of "on field" leadership and "poor game awareness" I blame entirely on Hayne, Sandow and Norman for FAILING to help the forwards "out" of these "negative possession flows" that Parra seem to find themselves in - game after game after game.........seriously, how hard is it to ruck it up for 5 tackles and get a good kick away.
It is these extended possession flows against Parra that has hurt Parra more than anything else (including injuries) in 2014 - the "brains trust" of Hayne, Sandow and Norman - have NOT helped our forwards in times of crisis by playing smart
As I keep saying - when "possession flows" have been fairly even in 2014 - Parranatta's young forwards look up to the task
Remember 2014 is the WORST we will see from this pack, as age and first grade experience catch up to their rivals
Look at the spreadsheet below, I have sorted by "likely first grade 2015 playing day squad" - highlighting games played, average age etc
Incredibally - Parra may average 23yo throughout their ENTIRE Team in 2015 - and we cxan already "match up" with the big guns
Seriously DO NOT underestimate the talent of this 2014 "rookie class" - this long overdue injection of youth and talent IS very exciting - It seems like literally a lifetime ago since Parra had such a large number of "inexperienced talent"
As I said - 2014 is the "worst" we will see from this lot - they NEED their brains trust to "guide them through the "rough seas" during their embryonic stage - as they get bigger and faster and smarter and tougher - all the "text book" forward play you desire will be there for you to enjoy - the spreadsheet below shows that the MAJORITY of this pack have played under 20 first grade games - even with "veterans" like the 26yo Mannah and 23yo Peets - the average first grade experience is 39games !!
Don't think for a moment that Pauli Pauli and Moeroa are not the real deal - just click on the photo for a larger version if needed
This debate between Frank & Tele 1 looks like a couple of cups of tea and and a lot of concentration. It's 10:24 my brain is asleep already, I am going to dive in tomorrow.