The Melbourne Ruck....

[SunnyCoastChook]

Is it any surprise really that they win so many games and have had such a great record when they are pretty much allowed to do what they want in the ruck.

The way they have destroyed the game with the wrestle and then the refs just let them continue to do it is a disgrace. Our play the balls tonight were so slow and we never got a single penalty for it.

They are just so easy to despise

[elo]

Our average play the ball speed was slightly faster than Melbourne's in this game according to the official stats.

Melbourne just physically dominated us early and it took us way too long to get a hold in the game and even then we committed 15 errors and completed at under 70%.....same old against The Storm.

[Cooko]

And any play they weren't wrestling they were lying in the road of our dummy half.

[Andrew Walker]

And any play they weren't wrestling they were lying in the road of our dummy half.

That was extremely frustrating

[Rooster_6]

I’ll be honest I thought the rucks were pretty good tonight.

My issue with the Melbourne rucks is that advantages they look for when they have ball in hand. Whether it’s holding a defender to stop them getting back onside or playing the ball off the mark to put the markers offside. It’s clearly intentional as you can see them attack the space where the held back defender would’ve been or run right through the ruck when they’ve managed to get away with a play the ball off the mark.

They do it very well and they know it’s not something referees look at.

My only other grievance was that Grant Atkins said Luke Keary was milking an obstruction call early in the game which is fair but then when Papenhuyzen went down from the slightest of touches are threw his hands up in the air like he was so quick to give the penalty. If you’re going to ignore penalties for milking then it needs to go both ways, you can’t just pick and choose when a player milking minimal contact is ok and when it’s not.

I do wonder how much of these little things have to do with how clearly the referees do not like James Tedesco and the way he speaks to them.

[Big Dog]

Our average play the ball speed was slightly faster than Melbourne's in this game according to the official stats.

Melbourne just physically dominated us early and it took us way too long to get a hold in the game and even then we committed 15 errors and completed at under 70%.....same old against The Storm.

Storm's first three tries came directly on the back of our mistakes. It's not rocket science, just hold on to the ball.

[Rooster_6]

And any play they weren't wrestling they were lying in the road of our dummy half.

This is a really annoying trend this year, where the defender just stands in the ruck hands in the air but clearly obstructing the dummy half from being able to pick up the ball efficiently. Harry Grant and Jarome Hughes are the best at it.

It’s fall out from the decision to rule dummy halves passing the ball into a defender lying in the ruck a knock on rather than a penalty so now defenders just stay in the ruck and play dumb. One of the most fundamental parts of the game is that the defender has to make an attempt to clear the ruck, it’s funny how convoluted officiating can become that the most basic of ruck interference can go unchecked.

[Teddy]

Is it any surprise really that they win so many games and have had such a great record when they are pretty much allowed to do what they want in the ruck.

The way they have destroyed the game with the wrestle and then the refs just let them continue to do it is a disgrace. Our play the balls tonight were so slow and we never got a single penalty for it.

They are just so easy to despise

I understand your frustration mate, however they manhandled us from the get go the old they ran harder and tackled harder was on show for all to see.

We cannot construct a game to save our life Keary/Walker have no idea how to marshall our team or even put some fatigue into 12 man team, all miracle plays totally disjointed nobody knowing what’s going on because neither of them own this team, no game manager, watch Hughes always on the ball barking at his team he has them going exactly where he wants them all game Grant/Paps then know exactly when to chime in this is what they do all day every day in sync Hughes owns that team Cleary is the same.

15 errors man 2 brain explosions for sin bins we have to be smarter

[FlamingRooster]

I’m curious to see what other people think about some of the bunker calls. I thought the ruck was fine but I had a few issues;
Keary inconclusive challenge: for me it’s clear he didn’t touch it
Daniel Tupou/ Tedesco disallowed try: if Grant is shielding the ball, Tupou was playing the ball. Look at his eyes they never leave the ball, that’s play on for me
Meaney should’ve been sinbinned for the Suaalii tackle: yes it was completely accidental and Suaalii body position wasn’t helping… but Suaalii was sent for a perfect technique tackle because of Walsh’s body position. Meaney put Suaalii in an exceptionally dangerous position. The duty of care is on the player and Meaney should’ve been binnrd

[mightyrooster]

And any play they weren't wrestling they were lying in the road of our dummy half.

Yes, yes! I kept complaining at the ref through the TV screen.

[Ron Burgundy]

Slowing down the ruck is what the best teams do, no use complaining about it. Robbo has to find a way to counter it or we will continue to beat up on the weak teams and lose to storm and panthers.

[The Godfather]

Is it any surprise really that they win so many games and have had such a great record when they are pretty much allowed to do what they want in the ruck.

The way they have destroyed the game with the wrestle and then the refs just let them continue to do it is a disgrace. Our play the balls tonight were so slow and we never got a single penalty for it.

They are just so easy to despise

100% but I blame us for not fighting against it

Their walking forwards after tackle was complete drove me bananas

[Steggles]

I’ll be honest I thought the rucks were pretty good tonight.

My issue with the Melbourne rucks is that advantages they look for when they have ball in hand. Whether it’s holding a defender to stop them getting back onside or playing the ball off the mark to put the markers offside. It’s clearly intentional as you can see them attack the space where the held back defender would’ve been or run right through the ruck when they’ve managed to get away with a play the ball off the mark.

They do it very well and they know it’s not something referees look at.

My only other grievance was that Grant Atkins said Luke Keary was milking an obstruction call early in the game which is fair but then when Papenhuyzen went down from the slightest of touches are threw his hands up in the air like he was so quick to give the penalty. If you’re going to ignore penalties for milking then it needs to go both ways, you can’t just pick and choose when a player milking minimal contact is ok and when it’s not.

I do wonder how much of these little things have to do with how clearly the referees do not like James Tedesco and the way he speaks to them.

The way Atkins spoke to Teddy numerous times in the game was downright rude, dismissive and belligerent. It happens all to regularly unfortunately. The club needs to start supporting their captain through lodging complaints through official channels, or replace him with someone that will be more respected. He’s the Australian captain FFS, so I don’t understand the lack of respect from officialdom.

[Steggles]

I understand your frustration mate, however they manhandled us from the get go the old they ran harder and tackled harder was on show for all to see.

We cannot construct a game to save our life Keary/Walker have no idea how to marshall our team or even put some fatigue into 12 man team, all miracle plays totally disjointed nobody knowing what’s going on because neither of them own this team, no game manager, watch Hughes always on the ball barking at his team he has them going exactly where he wants them all game Grant/Paps then know exactly when to chime in this is what they do all day every day in sync Hughes owns that team Cleary is the same.

15 errors man 2 brain explosions for sin bins we have to be smarter

This.

[Roosters1908]

After one such interaction between the ref and Teddy, even Dan Ginnane said something along the lines of “Grant Atkins’ troubled relationship with the Roosters continues”. I think there’s an issue there, and everyone knows it, and that needs to get sorted pronto. Any referee that lets his personal opinions colour his decisions or the way he interacts with the players has no business refereeing anywhere, much less in the NRL. Having said that, I don’t think Atkins cost us the game.