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Let me preface this by saying I'm a massive Roosters fan. I've watched every minute of every game this season and to say there have been some worrying signs is an understatement.
After Premiership success last year, 2014 has greeted the Sydney Roosters with a serious reality check. Many of the players look disinterested and unfit - problems often contributed to the 'Premiership hangover'. It goes further than that though, so I decided to look a little deeper in to what is actually going wrong.
Now, I understand that you don't win a premiership in March or April but it has become abundantly clear that half the squad went without a pre-season. SBW confirmed as much during the week in his press conference by admitting the suspension gave him an opportunity to do the training he never had. Other players such as Warea-Hargreaves, Jennings and Minichiello have looked completely out of touch and thats before I get to the real problem - the NSW halves combination.
Last night, in greasy conditions, a field goal was the difference against the Bulldogs who won 9-8, Pearce missed his attempt just before the 70 minute mark allowing the Dogs to march up the field with Reynolds able to convert as a result. It is actually a nice metaphor for where the two players currently stand, much to Pearce detractors' delight.
If you watch closely however, Pearce hasn't been the real problem. His inconsistent kicking game and penchant to run at the line at 100% before delivering a hospital ball can be frustrating but he is effectively trying to make up for a one-dimensional attack. Laurie Daley also came out during the week saying Mitchell is the NSW halfback, a statement that will end up having the opposite effect of its intention.
Anthony Minichiello has offered nothing in attack besides decent support play since 2005 and James Maloney has gone completely missing. We know what to expect from Mini but Maloney is where the real concern on the attacking side of the ball lies.
Through five games Maloney has been able to produce just one try assist and two line break assists (as per nrlstats.com). That's no tries, no line breaks, eight errors and not a single forced drop out in 2014, including a period where they put on 86 points in two games. The reason for Maloney's complete loss of ability is somewhat confounding but there are a few trends that jump out quicker than Shaun Kenny-Dowall jumps out of the defensive line.
There is simply no kicking game in attack.
Daniel Mortimer is the only Rooster to force a line drop out (1). They are the only team in the NRL to not score off the boot and their pet cross field bomb to Daniel Tupou has been effectively rubbed out by 'blockers', highlighted in round 4 by Jamie Lyon who was brilliant in taking advantage of the referees unwillingness to penalise obstruction by the defensive side. I actually struggle to remember a single instant where a ball has been put through along the ground other than Mortimer's forced drop out against the Broncos.
This allows opposing defenses to come up on the line quickly within their own 10, not having to account for balls being put behind the line and cramping any attacking movements in an already claustrophobic area of the field.
This should be an easy fix right? Apparently not.
Besides the kicking game, the Roosters need to add extra layers to their attacking sets. A suggestion moving forward is that Tuivasa-Scheck needs to make the permanent switch to fullback. If you go back and look at the Eels game in round 2, he was simply tremendous dancing around opponents, running well timed lines and being an all-round menace when given license to inject himself in to the play. Again, round 3 in Brisbane, late in the game and needing points - RTS was shifted to fullback. He was able to make a game winning play off a nice Pearce ball to grab an undeserved victory in the dying seconds. Besides those occasions, he has been limited to dummy half and first pass hit ups within his own 20. That and wayward passes from Shaun Kenny-Dowall who just isn't up to first grade standard.
There is still a very long way to go on 2014 and its not time for panic stations just yet. The defense over the last two rounds has been staunch and the lack of front row depth has definitely impacted the teams abillity to go forward. These are not glaring issues though with JWH and Remi Casty due back soon. 8 points scored 160 minutes of football just isn't good enough and Trent Robinson needs to be very careful he doesn't become complacent and adapt "It'll be right" attitude.
After Premiership success last year, 2014 has greeted the Sydney Roosters with a serious reality check. Many of the players look disinterested and unfit - problems often contributed to the 'Premiership hangover'. It goes further than that though, so I decided to look a little deeper in to what is actually going wrong.
Now, I understand that you don't win a premiership in March or April but it has become abundantly clear that half the squad went without a pre-season. SBW confirmed as much during the week in his press conference by admitting the suspension gave him an opportunity to do the training he never had. Other players such as Warea-Hargreaves, Jennings and Minichiello have looked completely out of touch and thats before I get to the real problem - the NSW halves combination.
Last night, in greasy conditions, a field goal was the difference against the Bulldogs who won 9-8, Pearce missed his attempt just before the 70 minute mark allowing the Dogs to march up the field with Reynolds able to convert as a result. It is actually a nice metaphor for where the two players currently stand, much to Pearce detractors' delight.
If you watch closely however, Pearce hasn't been the real problem. His inconsistent kicking game and penchant to run at the line at 100% before delivering a hospital ball can be frustrating but he is effectively trying to make up for a one-dimensional attack. Laurie Daley also came out during the week saying Mitchell is the NSW halfback, a statement that will end up having the opposite effect of its intention.
Anthony Minichiello has offered nothing in attack besides decent support play since 2005 and James Maloney has gone completely missing. We know what to expect from Mini but Maloney is where the real concern on the attacking side of the ball lies.
Through five games Maloney has been able to produce just one try assist and two line break assists (as per nrlstats.com). That's no tries, no line breaks, eight errors and not a single forced drop out in 2014, including a period where they put on 86 points in two games. The reason for Maloney's complete loss of ability is somewhat confounding but there are a few trends that jump out quicker than Shaun Kenny-Dowall jumps out of the defensive line.
There is simply no kicking game in attack.
Daniel Mortimer is the only Rooster to force a line drop out (1). They are the only team in the NRL to not score off the boot and their pet cross field bomb to Daniel Tupou has been effectively rubbed out by 'blockers', highlighted in round 4 by Jamie Lyon who was brilliant in taking advantage of the referees unwillingness to penalise obstruction by the defensive side. I actually struggle to remember a single instant where a ball has been put through along the ground other than Mortimer's forced drop out against the Broncos.
This allows opposing defenses to come up on the line quickly within their own 10, not having to account for balls being put behind the line and cramping any attacking movements in an already claustrophobic area of the field.
This should be an easy fix right? Apparently not.
Besides the kicking game, the Roosters need to add extra layers to their attacking sets. A suggestion moving forward is that Tuivasa-Scheck needs to make the permanent switch to fullback. If you go back and look at the Eels game in round 2, he was simply tremendous dancing around opponents, running well timed lines and being an all-round menace when given license to inject himself in to the play. Again, round 3 in Brisbane, late in the game and needing points - RTS was shifted to fullback. He was able to make a game winning play off a nice Pearce ball to grab an undeserved victory in the dying seconds. Besides those occasions, he has been limited to dummy half and first pass hit ups within his own 20. That and wayward passes from Shaun Kenny-Dowall who just isn't up to first grade standard.
There is still a very long way to go on 2014 and its not time for panic stations just yet. The defense over the last two rounds has been staunch and the lack of front row depth has definitely impacted the teams abillity to go forward. These are not glaring issues though with JWH and Remi Casty due back soon. 8 points scored 160 minutes of football just isn't good enough and Trent Robinson needs to be very careful he doesn't become complacent and adapt "It'll be right" attitude.
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