Both this year and last year we would lead at half time and get run down in the second half. This has happened fairly consistently since the second Manly game this year. Yes I know we are missing players but most are backs but they are not our problem.
We always struggle against teams with big forwards, particularly in the second half of the season. The reason, and the sole reason imo, is the lack of size in our forwards. Our props, not our backrowers, are too small and struggle to make ground and struggle to stop the forward momentum of our opponents. This requires 2 or 3 forwards to assist in the tackle. This then saps the energy of all our forwards so that they become slow in the ruck or getting back onside resulting in increased penalties and silly errors such as dropped balls.
Our starting props and our bench are all small with O'Brien (if selected) at about 115kg being our heaviest forward. Next year Twal at 105kg is likely to become an NRL regular but is again small. Currently our only new recruit Vave at 117kg is a step in the right direction. Big and aggressive is what we need and another 1 or 2 of similar mould would be ideal.
Look at the long term success of the Storm and Dogs, their formula is simple, big forwards. This is the blueprint we need to adopt. Come on BA get proactive!
Replies
60s I always respect your analysis and in part you are correct, but concentrate on our forwards, and particularly our props. how have they faired against most teams in the second half of the season? Against big packs they tend to hardly bend the D line and then struggle to contain the opponents forwards who always seem to bend our line. This then puts all the other players under stress who have to come out of the line to help. This either shortens our D line or creates holes for the opponents to exploit.
How many times this season since the second Manly game did we dominate in the second half? Very few I would suggest and the main cause is penalties and poor ball control, all caused thru tiredness.
Agree sixties, we are losing because we don't have anywhere near our best team, from the start of the year, on the paddock. We are calling on 2nd and 3rd stringers.
They deserve our support though - they are really busting thier arses for the jersey.
Take both halves and a few more internationals out of any team and they will start losing games. It's as simple as that.
Hi Glenn
I agree, except for the last paragraph.
The storm are successful because they have a general called Cronk 1st then they have forwards who help him play to his ability. But the Bulldogs I wouldnt call successful because they need more from their halves, even though they have the boppers.
Id be more inclined to say that the number 1 priority for any team is the halves, then when youve got that sorted you need some big boppers to give the halves some room to move. Cowboys are another example, but the Broncos issue at the moment is their halves arent firing so the big boppers are a mute point.
Parras problem is in the halves at this stage. ie we dont have any
lol
I think they have the fire power up front but teams are targeting Milford and hes struggling to get the room to move that he's used to.
Im sure its not just one thing and you may well be right, but their halves had gone off the boil big time.
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