I'm thankful for not getting to catch the game live last night. Watching the replay today, well at least the first 60 minutes, my take away is there's still hope for us. Reading through the game blog I was expecting the worse.
Key takeaways
Attack- although run metres were down, IMO we didn't struggle that badly in attack. We seemed to make reasonable metres with ball in hand but applied no pressure with terrible last tackle options. Brown tackled well, and ran well, but kicked poorly and threw some terrible passes. Effort was there and we're better with him in the side, but he's no playmaker. How would you be signing him for $13M to playmake. Dylan Walker seems a better fit until Moses is back, he keeps a cool head, push Brown to centre, at least in attack.
Defence - This is what lost us the game. All the damage came from Canberra taking advantage of no structure and communication, particularly around the ruck. We don't recover when there's a line break, so we need to stop handing them out so often.
For the first try Joe O blocks his own markers from making the tackle while getting back on side.
2nd try, just a good play, Canberra score from a kick behind the line. Longhi could have been positioned better.
3rd try, only three players chase the kick, the full back beats all three who came in too hot and aren't talking, then he beats three more sloppy tackles in open field. Eels defence is scattered with no structure and back peddling. Raiders go 100m in a set to score.
4th try, Canberra take advantage from dummy half with only a single marker and Hawkins the first line Defender on that side of the ruck. An Eels defender is on the ground. No talk again. It's still only 24-12 at this point.
5th try, 20 minutes left on the clock, Simmonson is at marker, and gets drawn in by some niggle. Completely side tracked while the dummy half takes the scoot. At this point it's 32-12, the game's a write off.
If Ryles can improve our ruck defence and has the Kahunas to move Brown away from 5/8 in attack, we'll at least win our share of games
Replies
Yeah exactly.
If only BA was around to save us..
Not even BA can save us lol
Raiders forward has in top class stacked to rep forward, we couldn't handle them physically - errors and penalties just compounded, the ref was an absolute joke, Raiders offside on numerous occasions flying of the line. I'm sure will see massive improvement when Moses, Simo and Matto are all back On deck.The younger brigade received a tough lesson last night on what is takes to be consistent and show up every week
Simo was there
Understand Legends, we will have more FG experience
After 6 rounds and a pre season, we still dont defend as a line, no structure. Canberra flogged us in this area. Sam Moa needs to fix this asap
This was the toughest preseason ever
Moa and Ryles. Ryles leads the defence with Moa.
I can say where it went wrong
1 letting go of Gutherson
2 letting go of RCG AND keeping Paulo
3 sticking with Dylan Brown
4 getting Jason Ryles he has no idea how to coach
My dear lord. Ok.
1. We nearly got the spoon with Gutho
2. RCG was here too nearly got the spoon and also his contract was off-contract before Paulo's and also cheaper. So therefore it was easier offloading RCG who also was open to going for a long term deal. Not sure if you have noticed but RCG ain't doing much for GC at the moment.
3. With Moses out it was the right call to go with Brown for experience, having two inexperienced halves would have made everything much worse.
4. Ryles is 6 games in, give him a full season or two to see how he actually is. Try to eliminate as many excuses as possible so he can demonstrate his abilities.
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