Why arent the spine gelling?

[David Bill Williams]

The question has to be asked, Its round 6 and it still feels like the spine hasnt properly gelled together.
Before you can say "because we got a new half and fullback" look back to last year, we had a new fullback in Flash Gordon and Keary and we came out guns blazing in game 1 and maintained most of that form for the rest of the year.

Makes you think, is it because Cronk is too structured?

The bright side is, there's alot of room for improvement and when they do finally gel we will get to see the side to its full potential

[PeeGee]

The question has to be asked, Its round 6 and it still feels like the spine hasnt properly gelled together.

The bright side is, there's alot of room for improvement and when they do finally gel we will get to see the side to its full potential

I think it’s got a lot to do with the forwards not dominating, and Jakes ‘service’ and general play in at hooker.

fix these 2 aspects and the odd offload and I’m sure the spine will have more time, Teddy backing up offloads. And Cooper and Keary doing what they do best. Much easier said than done. Is it even achievable? One has to ask

[Maxy Walker]

Because too many turnovers. Just not getting to the end of sets in good field position often enough for the spine to do much. Then they start trying to force plays that aren’t really on and it all starts to compound.

The only time we had a reasonable completion rate against the sharks the spine looked really good.

[novice chook]

Don't forget that both Cronk and Tedesco had a very limited pre-season with the team as both played in the WC. And then as soon as Cronk started training Keary broke his jaw/had concussion and didn't return til round 2. So they did very little together. And remember Cronk had 14 seasons of Storm footy which is totally different to the 'Roosters style'.

Both Keary and Gordon had a full offseason (and a long one at that) with the players before the start of 2017 after the disaster of 2016.

[Lydon]

Robbo keeps telling us the best is yet to come,he said it regarding the team gelling and the improvement in JWH game..
As much as I’m sick of his talk and false hope,I have no choice but to trust it and hope it comes to fruition..

[Cockadoodledoo]

I think the attacking structures we have adopted aren't suiting the spine to date. Also as mentioned the drop balls. I think our attack is a little too flat and when we push passes, the opposition defences are in our face. I started to see some good signs with the inside ball to Teddy from around the ruck. We use to employ this with Mini regularly, occasionally he would even catch the ball.

The biggest issue in our attack though is the overuse of the sweep play. Opposition teams have worked this one out and it just sees our play going from side to side and the centres and wingers end up running out of room. We need to try to get more early ball to Latrell and Manu when he is in the Centres so they can isolate their opposite number 1 on 1. This isn't happening enough. Also we need to mix up our hitups a little. A little more plays 2 off the ruck and also we need more support runners. One out hitups are too predictable. The opposition knows we won't pass the ball and don't need to commit as many defenders.

In summary, play with a little more depth, vary up our hitups with support runners or passing to the second man to give the opportunity to offload but also put a little doubt to the opposition defences as to how we are going to run the play. Less side to side and more early ball to the Centres.

[King Salvo]

Robbo keeps telling us the best is yet to come,he said it regarding the team gelling and the improvement in JWH game..
As much as I’m sick of his talk and false hope,I have no choice but to trust it and hope it comes to fruition..

Trust in Robbo and get in the Rolls Royce or be under it.

[The Brain]

Cause Cronk always had a short oasding game passing to second rowers... Pearce had an expansive and longer game which produced better backline play.

[Flipper Hands]

I think the attacking structures we have adopted aren't suiting the spine to date. Also as mentioned the drop balls. I think our attack is a little too flat and when we push passes, the opposition defences are in our face. I started to see some good signs with the inside ball to Teddy from around the ruck. We use to employ this with Mini regularly, occasionally he would even catch the ball.

The biggest issue in our attack though is the overuse of the sweep play. Opposition teams have worked this one out and it just sees our play going from side to side and the centres and wingers end up running out of room. We need to try to get more early ball to Latrell and Manu when he is in the Centres so they can isolate their opposite number 1 on 1. This isn't happening enough. Also we need to mix up our hitups a little. A little more plays 2 off the ruck and also we need more support runners. One out hitups are too predictable. The opposition knows we won't pass the ball and don't need to commit as many defenders.

In summary, play with a little more depth, vary up our hitups with support runners or passing to the second man to give the opportunity to offload but also put a little doubt to the opposition defences as to how we are going to run the play. Less side to side and more early ball to the Centres.

We are not executing the basics well and you want more complexity? I can see that working.

[Rooster_6]

Cause Cronk always had a short oasding game passing to second rowers... Pearce had an expansive and longer game which produced better backline play.

Interesting comment.

Pearce averaged 70 touches a game, Cronk averages 45.
Pearce had an average short kicking game, Cronk has a world class short kicking game.
Pearce had a good long kicking game, Cronk has an average long kicking game.
Pearce plays an up tempo game, Cronk likes to slow the tempo of a game.
Pearce bases his game around persistance, Cronk bases his game around execution.

Both are organising halves, but they're subtly different in the way they go about their job.

It's not about better or worse, it's about different.

The players need to adapt to Cooper and Cooper needs to adapt his fellow players.

I think changing your halfback especially the way we play is almost as significant as changing your coach. It forces you to change the way you play.

[stringaz]

Interesting comment.

Pearce averaged 70 touches a game, Cronk averages 45.
Pearce had an average short kicking game, Cronk has a world class short kicking game.
Pearce had a good long kicking game, Cronk has an average long kicking game.
Pearce plays an up tempo game, Cronk likes to slow the tempo of a game.
Pearce bases his game around persistance, Cronk bases his game around execution.

Both are organising halves, but they're subtly different in the way they go about their job.

It's not about better or worse, it's about different.

The players need to adapt to Cooper and Cooper needs to adapt his fellow players.

I think changing your halfback especially the way we play is almost as significant as changing your coach. It forces you to change the way you play.

Hence the argument in saying cronk was superior to Pearce as a half, I always thought they approached the game differently. Different strengths, weaknesses etc.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Is Anthony Gelling?

[Adam Stone]

The question has to be asked, Its round 6 and it still feels like the spine hasnt properly gelled together.
Before you can say "because we got a new half and fullback" look back to last year, we had a new fullback in Flash Gordon and Keary and we came out guns blazing in game 1 and maintained most of that form for the rest of the year.

Makes you think, is it because Cronk is too structured?

The bright side is, there's alot of room for improvement and when they do finally gel we will get to see the side to its full potential

Of course it is Cronk. It's easy to blame the others, but the problem is Cronk, he is supposed to be steering the ship around the park, but nobody knows what he is up to.

Stick to your structure, stick to the process blah blah blah.

How about not kicking the ball dead and giving them 7 tackles form which they score. Just because he speaks well we all give up and look to blame others.

What has he done?

One try assist all year and Zero line breaks. Tedesco has 3 try assists and 6 line breaks.

Less talk about what you are going to do Cronk and more doing.

[PeeGee]

Of course it is Cronk. It's easy to blame the others, but the problem is Cronk, he is supposed to be steering the ship around the park, but nobody knows what he is up to.

Stick to your structure, stick to the process blah blah blah.

How about not kicking the ball dead and giving them 7 tackles form which they score. Just because he speaks well we all give up and look to blame others.

What has he done?

One try assist all year and Zero line breaks. Tedesco has 3 try assists and 6 line breaks.

Less talk about what you are going to do Cronk and more doing.

I think we can all safely say that Cronk is a clutch player who produces in the big games and when under pressure. Tomorrow, Anzac Day, we will see what he’s made of.

Remember though, that Cronk played 14 years at the Storm playing the Bellamy Storm way. He, smith and Slater knew each other’s games as much as their own.

It will take more than half the season, but the spine will come good. Again, they won’t if the forwards don’t get more go forward and the odd offload.

If the Saints’ forwards steam-roll us tomorrow then we’ll see more of the same Shyte we’ve been seeing all year.

Concerned about the trys from kicks by the merge also.

[King Salvo]

Roosters play a very structured and technical game with not much add lib footy or offoads allowed one has to say - Never the less the onus should be on players to play what they see and if something isn`t working have the confidence to change it up.

Be a real test tomorrow as the Dragons do have a good team no matter what one thinks - strong and skilful pack /smart halves combo and backs that can finish it off or create opportunities on their own. All depends on what Roosters team turns up.