Change of playing style for 2012

[fletch]

with the likely axing of Carney, looks like we will have to adapt to another new game plan as the razzle dazzle ball movement of 2010 will certainly not work with the current playing roster minus Carney, the backline shifts will be clogged up on one side by Anasta and if Maubs starts on the right hand side he is likely to clog up that side as he doesn't like to release the ball once he gets hold of it.

without question our strength next year will be our forward rotation, we have some damaging big boppers who on their night as individuals can be extremely destructive, it is up to Smith to get them playing together as a pack and make sure we have the right balance between explosive power and defensive workrate at all times.

as for the backline we need to keep it simple, hopefully our forwards can at least hold their own and provide a decent platform, once we get into the attacking 20 we need to use straight runners (Guerra/SKD/Takarangi/Maubs) running off mainly Pearce and then Anasta as our bread and butter play.

by the looks of it we are still going to be lacking genuine speed accross the board so we must take advantage of our power/size to create opportunities.

would be interesting to hear others thoughts?

[bondi-boy]

Simple doesn't work much anymore, the defence just reads the attack like an open book and is ready.
...as in the Sharks game.

The above 'bread and butter plays' are good for maybe 2 tries a match, but that's usually not enough points to win games these days.
Also, 'deft short passes' to straight and hard running forwards, in our team usually get dropped.
They tend to be "bullets" and too high or too low.

[Guest]

Peni Tagive is extremely fast so if the ball gets to him and he has some room to move chances are he'll score. I reckon you're mostly on the ball though and I think we'll have a great young forward rotation. I would love to see Moga come up to first grade so our wingers and centres (SKD, Moga, Tagive, Perrett) will be fast and easily able to break the line. Leilua isn't the greatest at breaking the line and i think he'll fit in better in the 2nd row.

[Guest]

with the likely axing of Carney, looks like we will have to adapt to another new game plan as the razzle dazzle ball movement of 2010 will certainly not work with the current playing roster minus Carney, the backline shifts will be clogged up on one side by Anasta and if Maubs starts on the right hand side he is likely to clog up that side as he doesn't like to release the ball once he gets hold of it.

without question our strength next year will be our forward rotation, we have some damaging big boppers who on their night as individuals can be extremely destructive, it is up to Smith to get them playing together as a pack and make sure we have the right balance between explosive power and defensive workrate at all times.

as for the backline we need to keep it simple, hopefully our forwards can at least hold their own and provide a decent platform, once we get into the attacking 20 we need to use straight runners (Guerra/SKD/Takarangi/Maubs) running off mainly Pearce and then Anasta as our bread and butter play.

by the looks of it we are still going to be lacking genuine speed accross the board so we must take advantage of our power/size to create opportunities.

would be interesting to hear others thoughts?

If Anasta is 5/8 in 2012 the season is over before it starts

Management must know that, so I expect he'll be moved on or at the very least someone else will play 5/8 and Braith can wander around in the pack questioning the ref

[Guest]

I think over the last couple of weeks we have got a glimpse on how we will play next year.
Our forwards (esp second rowers) have been getting alot more involved in our attacking sets,and Pearcey has been looking for them regularly close to the line.
Also Friendy has exceled in his running game which has helped our attack,he has been getting involved alot more.
If unfortunately Braith stays at 5/8th next year,expect most of our forwards to step up and get involved in our attack alot more..

[bondi-boy]

Well y'all wanted Carney gone, so now Anasta is 5/8 and goalkicker, Pearce half, and we go from there.

Leilua's line break record listed in the Big League program before the Cronulla game, on the match day program for that game was the highest in our team, from memory, and Carney second.

[Guest]

if Maubs starts on the right hand side he is likely to clog up that side as he doesn't like to release the ball once he gets hold of it.

I understand what you're saying in terms of sweeping backline moves, though Maubs is very good at getting a final offload away. Nabbed a whole bag of try assists that way last year.

[Guest]

We've been winning games by playing straighter, all the top teams play straight. Our sideways game of 2010 was useless in 2011, there are times in games to go sideways but more questions are asked of opps teams when you play straight! straight play compresses defensive lines, and give room on the outside. Coaches teach kids this from the time they start playing, it ain't scientific!

[Guest]

I know I'm going to get eaten alive for this but I don't think you should bag anasta for the moment... in his last 2 games he's performed really well... he's been running to the line... giving some short passes which have worked and created havok for the opposition fringe defenders (as opposed to the long cut outs he usually throws)... he's had some half breaks himself finding tired forwards and markers... his inside ball to friend was great (not giving him complete credit for try was an amazing run by friend carrying the defenders)... I really think both he and pearce have mixed up the attacking game a bit and we're seeing more points as a result... granted its on the pack of a pack that is finally going forward (yes prob due to the fact we have an extra backrower instead of anasta there)... but i have been very impressed with his recent play at 5/8...

I think the only thing you can ask of the halves has been a problem for the last 4 years and thats to mix up the kicking game... mainly look for a grubber close to the line rather than bombing

[chook 56]

Can't argue with that, gaz.

[Guest]

I know I'm going to get eaten alive for this but I don't think you should bag anasta for the moment... in his last 2 games he's performed really well... he's been running to the line... giving some short passes which have worked and created havok for the opposition fringe defenders (as opposed to the long cut outs he usually throws)... he's had some half breaks himself finding tired forwards and markers... his inside ball to friend was great (not giving him complete credit for try was an amazing run by friend carrying the defenders)... I really think both he and pearce have mixed up the attacking game a bit and we're seeing more points as a result... granted its on the pack of a pack that is finally going forward (yes prob due to the fact we have an extra backrower instead of anasta there)... but i have been very impressed with his recent play at 5/8...

I think the only thing you can ask of the halves has been a problem for the last 4 years and thats to mix up the kicking game... mainly look for a grubber close to the line rather than bombing

Yep agree, exept grubbers picked up by flying opposition players can cost you and make you look silly ! high kicks are the most productive, I personally get frustrated with people kicking instead of attcking on last plays when your on the line. Opps teams are always preparing to cop a kick and there are holes everywhere!

[chook 56]

Agree with that, too. Mix it up so they never know what is coming.

[ism22]

2012 Will be the year of the forwards IMO. Lots of young forwards will come of age, so rather than having poor forwards + a NEED for a flashy 5/8, we'll dominate the heavy work, and Anasta/Pearce will be a decent enough halves fairing.

We'll still play down the centre as we lack speed/skills on the wing, but our forwards will be our biggest asset. Carney will then come back matured and ready to prove himself in 2013... we'll win a GF in 2013.

[Guest]

We will struggle for points, because we have no ballplaying option at fullback.

The key will be second phase play - offloads. Razzle dazzle won't work on first phase, because Braith is no Carney, but off the back of phase play, we look dangerous.

Guys like Guerra, Taikarangi, Aubusson and Ryles need to be encouraged to develop an offload, because it will be our biggest weapon on the back of go forward generated by Kennedy, Tasi, JWH and Masoe.

[Guest]

People are beginning to overrate our forward pack a little next year and underrate our halves. I think we'll put quite a few point on and Anasta/Pearce will generally play well but I'm not so confident about our pack.

We have a genuine starting prop rotation in Ryles and Kennedy. However, JWH has yet to establish himself, although he's showing signs, and the like can be said for Masoe, Tasi etc.

We are also still missing a genuine tight-running backrower in the mould of Myles and Cordner isn't the answer there (at least at the moment). We have good wide running backrowers in Aubbo, FPN and Guerra but our other options are generally unproven or inexperienced.

I can see our forward pack competing week in week out but we won't feature within the top packs next year.