WTF is the go with uncontested bombs? Every couple of weeks, I await from my slumber in a cold sweat screaming at Ben Smith to wake up to the fact that Greg Inglis is steaming in from behind it and that he needs to frigging contest that kick.
Tonight, I counted at least four times that Penrith put up a bomb that came down somewhere in the ruck and not once did a Parramatta player put themselves in a position to catch the ball. On at least three of those kicks, the ball ended up taking a bounce or being dropped further down the line and Penrith got the ball back. I know those nightmares are going to be back to haunt me tonight...
Any NRL player should be able to catch an uncontested kick.Penrith didn't contest any of those kicks tonight either. All players just let the ball bounce and it became a jackpot as to where it ended up and deservedly so we lost more than we won tonight.
Now, I grant you on surface value, you could easily say this doesn't mean anything. Every week in the NRL bombs go up and players just let the ball bounce. However, to me it's one of those little psychological issues that reveal a lot.
What this play requires is a player to have confidence in themselves to take responsibility for a job that isn't necessarily theres. It's the fullback's job to catch these kicks. If I'm a centre and the ball comes down near me, what do I risk by letting it bounce. Nothing, because it's not my job. If the opposition ends up with the ball, we'll all just put it down to the bounce of the ball. Not my fault.
Those kinds of decisions don't win you premierships. In fact, as my nightmares so often remind me those kinds of decisions cost you premierships. I want Parramatta to be the type of TEAM that where ever the ball comes down, even if its not their job, every single player on that TEAM will be willing to put their hand up and take responsibility for making sure that the bounce of the ball doesn't come into play. If you play for luck, eventually your luck will run out. If you have the ability to catch a ball, back that ability. I'd much rather see our players drop the ball than not put themselves in a position to catch it at all.
I have no doubt that there is no team in the competition with more ability than Parramatta. This side needs to play like that's the case. Bullshit plays like letting very catchable kicks hit the deck mean that skill advantage is negated and the advantage is handed back to the team that does back themselves. I'm not going to get hung up on the result tonight. In fact, I'm glad the side got smacked because I hope it will allow Daniel Anderson to alert his team to what happens when you let these little dog plays slip into your game.
Replies
what i have an issue about is pressuring the kickers, that is what i think is a BIG play. i think just running up and pressuring the kicker changes the odds dramatically, abit of pressure can cause a miskick to go in the wrong spot, go out on the full or even cause the kicker to make a mistake. Steve price is a good example he always puts pressure on the kickers and it pays off. lately ive seen parra and alot of teams just hang back which always them to run or do a very good kick.
As you say it wasn't always Hayne last year but he is the fullback and the problem starts there in my opinion.
There are times when it is ok to let it bounce.... mid fielders on tackle 5, swirlers close to the touch line but never ever inside your own 20m
Teams will continue to go the air with parramatta as they know they are 50/50 chance of getting a positive result. That INGLIS moment in the GF killed us, momentum was our way and indecision off that kick and lack of communication, urgency destroyed us.
Another quality effort ieyed....