1 ) I think for the next three or four weeks that there be little or no training in attack but training in tackling and defence. St George have turned their season around by intense training in those two factors. The attack will look after itself.
2) A sports psychologist should be brought ASAP to advise the players. North Queensland have done that and are now back in the premiership race. Word from there is that the advice was to concentrate on the positives and reject the negatives--a player who thinks he may drop the ball will drop the ball!
3) I think the warm- up time should be cut in half. This is in nature an experiment that might improve the energy level of the players.
4) Players should help each other. When our ball runners are held up and are threatend of being back slammed one or two of our players should come to his aid and hold him up and even push him forward. This should encourage team work and may dissuade the practice of back slamming from the opposing team. Should be done wherever possible.
5) Should aim to have at least three defenders in on each tackle. First man in goes low, the other two high. If two have gone in high at first then the third goes in low, of course.
6) Be prepared for a physical attack from Newcastle and pro -Newcastle refereeing. History suggest it will happen. Fight fire with fire if necessary.
7) Positioning in defence crucial. St George are back in position even when their three men in a tackle have not completed the tackle.
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