How do we flip the script?

[Blue Suede Schubert]

Pretty much it really. Defence.

Love your name mate.

Thanks mate. There were several I could have chosen but that one just came to me when I was registering. It was inspired by The Rutles.

[QWERTY]

I can’t stand that pouting poor-man’s young Johnny Depp kid. Fast forward all his scenes.

Looks like Johnny Depp from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory

[The Marshall]

To take a quote from Cobra Kai which I've been watching lately, if we are to win from here then we have to flip the script.

I say this because the path we appear to be on looks terribly predictable. A tired, champion team that will soon be overrun.

I can see us scraping by the Raiders this week in a brutal tussle, and then being mauled by NAS, Tino, Welch, Kaufusi and Brandon Smith the week after.

So what, if anything, can Robbo do to change our fortunes?

I think Lam at halfback is one option. Tell him to play like Jahrome Hughes. Just run straight and hard and keep the defence honest unlike Flanno who the defence doesn't have to worry about.

Or how about something a bit more left field like SBW at 5/8 with Keary to halfback? Keary can play both sides of the field like in the GF.

Another option given how we've run out of steam after the first 15-20 minutes the last two weeks might be to start one or both of JWH & SST on the bench.

Start with Collins and Butcher and bring on our gun starters when we have been starting to gas. Sticky did this with Papalii in some of last year's finals and it worked a treat.

Whatever it is, I just feel as though Robbo has to take a risk and make a slight change. Nothing dramatic. (No Manu at hooker, though maybe that'd get him involved for once). I wouldn't mind Lussick on the bench to keep us playing direct up the middle; just run, run, run and feed SST and SBW with angles through the ruck.

Otherwise the rest of the finals series will play out to script, with us being bundled out in predictable fashion.

I'd like to see the following line up vs Canberra, with a bench designed for maximum impact to maintain the momentum in the ruck.

Teddy
Toops
Jmoz
Manu
Bmoz
Keary
Lam
JWH
Friend
Collins
Cordner
Crichton
Butcher

Taukeiaho
Liu
SBW
Lussick

I like the how do we flip the script idea as I agree we are currently on a predictable path. The issue that really hampers any alternatives is the goal kicking. I think
the raiders game will be tight and we need a kicker. The option presented by Tommy has no viable kicker until TKO comes on and he is not in my opinion reliable. The club does need to sort this out in the future.

[The Marshall]

Not only that make Manu watch how he played last year and tell him to find what he has lost as he's a shadow of his former self.

I agree wholeheartedly he has been very poor of late and offered very little.
The other issues are simple IMO
1. the forwards have lost the middle. What can we do? Start Collins and use TKO or JWH in bursts. Keep Gus on for 80. Maybe drop Stili for SBW but I really don’t think SBW offers much more these days
2. experience- we had a hooker in his 5th game and a half in his 28th. We can fix one with Friend.
3. Right side defence has been bloody hopeless for a few weeks - this is Robbo’s passion so hopefully between him and fitzy it is sorted out.

[Chickenman]

To take a quote from Cobra Kai which I've been watching lately, if we are to win from here then we have to flip the script.

I say this because the path we appear to be on looks terribly predictable. A tired, champion team that will soon be overrun.

I can see us scraping by the Raiders this week in a brutal tussle, and then being mauled by NAS, Tino, Welch, Kaufusi and Brandon Smith the week after.

So what, if anything, can Robbo do to change our fortunes?

I think Lam at halfback is one option. Tell him to play like Jahrome Hughes. Just run straight and hard and keep the defence honest unlike Flanno who the defence doesn't have to worry about.

Or how about something a bit more left field like SBW at 5/8 with Keary to halfback? Keary can play both sides of the field like in the GF.

Another option given how we've run out of steam after the first 15-20 minutes the last two weeks might be to start one or both of JWH & SST on the bench.

Start with Collins and Butcher and bring on our gun starters when we have been starting to gas. Sticky did this with Papalii in some of last year's finals and it worked a treat.

Whatever it is, I just feel as though Robbo has to take a risk and make a slight change. Nothing dramatic. (No Manu at hooker, though maybe that'd get him involved for once). I wouldn't mind Lussick on the bench to keep us playing direct up the middle; just run, run, run and feed SST and SBW with angles through the ruck.

Otherwise the rest of the finals series will play out to script, with us being bundled out in predictable fashion.

I'd like to see the following line up vs Canberra, with a bench designed for maximum impact to maintain the momentum in the ruck.

Teddy
Toops
Jmoz
Manu
Bmoz
Keary
Lam
JWH
Friend
Collins
Cordner
Crichton
Butcher

Taukeiaho
Liu
SBW
Lussick

Jake will be a big in for us and then after the vermin’s demolition we would of gained confidence and belief after the Panthers.
Contrary to what critics are saying I feel our biggest problem is not playing a lot of games together due to injuries.
Cordner in only his second game back was immense and should only be better this week.Most key player are rested and I don’t buy into the tired thing, it’s cohesion.
The side is pretty fresh and I believe if we can get past the Raiders without injury we will give the Storm a shake.
needless to say Flanagan is the weak link in attack attack but he is in his first year! Remember Nathan a couple of years back !
Expect the D to better again this week and more cohesion
with Jake steering the bus.
The Fox crew only need to look at their own promo of Robbo showing the same emotion during last years GF.
it’s great to see a coach that’s smart but still shows his primitive side!
Go Easts!

[The Skeez]

We just need the ball. And to keep it off them.

[Rooster1908]

Jake will be a big in for us and then after the vermin’s demolition we would of gained confidence and belief after the Panthers.
Contrary to what critics are saying I feel our biggest problem is not playing a lot of games together due to injuries.
Cordner in only his second game back was immense and should only be better this week.Most key player are rested and I don’t buy into the tired thing, it’s cohesion.
The side is pretty fresh and I believe if we can get past the Raiders without injury we will give the Storm a shake.
needless to say Flanagan is the weak link in attack attack but he is in his first year! Remember Nathan a couple of years back !
Expect the D to better again this week and more cohesion
with Jake steering the bus.
The Fox crew only need to look at their own promo of Robbo showing the same emotion during last years GF.
it’s great to see a coach that’s smart but still shows his primitive side!
Go Easts!

Agree with this , more game time not less, I know we have injuries but I think playing this week is a good thing

[Jacks Fur Coat]

It's a mental game now for us. We had an aura during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and you can see teams don't fear us as much or doubt themselves against us.

Two words sum it up for me...freshness and hunger.

Robbo has to find it and get the team working with it. I hope we have a light week physically and mentally and emphasise getting a fresh vibe back in the team. Enjoy ourselves again. We have the talent and resources.

The other thing is hunger. (mentioned in another thread by Mattyh). We need to want to win this comp more than the other teams, otherwise we won't. Down to Robbo again, and no doubt he has worked on this all year. But maybe we need a fresh resolve...just in time. Think Cronk like. The whole team.

Line up wise bring back Jake, SBW and Lam into the squad. It will make a difference.

Flanagan in for Cronk this year had me concerned from day 1. He has done better than I expected for the most part but lacks the talent of some of his counterparts. Not saying Lachie is the definite answer but he has never really got any sustained chances in the halves. Bloody injuries. The guys enjoy playing with him too I think. Be interesting to see what Robbo does this week.

[zac]

Jake will be a big in for us and then after the vermin’s demolition we would of gained confidence and belief after the Panthers.
Contrary to what critics are saying I feel our biggest problem is not playing a lot of games together due to injuries.
Cordner in only his second game back was immense and should only be better this week.Most key player are rested and I don’t buy into the tired thing, it’s cohesion.
The side is pretty fresh and I believe if we can get past the Raiders without injury we will give the Storm a shake.
needless to say Flanagan is the weak link in attack attack but he is in his first year! Remember Nathan a couple of years back !
Expect the D to better again this week and more cohesion
with Jake steering the bus.
The Fox crew only need to look at their own promo of Robbo showing the same emotion during last years GF.
it’s great to see a coach that’s smart but still shows his primitive side!
Go Easts!

yep

[chopstiks]

It's a mental game now for us. We had an aura during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and you can see teams don't fear us as much or doubt themselves against us.

Two words sum it up for me...freshness and hunger.

Robbo has to find it and get the team working with it. I hope we have a light week physically and mentally and emphasise getting a fresh vibe back in the team. Enjoy ourselves again. We have the talent and resources.

The other thing is hunger. (mentioned in another thread by Mattyh). We need to want to win this comp more than the other teams, otherwise we won't. Down to Robbo again, and no doubt he has worked on this all year. But maybe we need a fresh resolve...just in time. Think Cronk like. The whole team.

Line up wise bring back Jake, SBW and Lam into the squad. It will make a difference.

Flanagan in for Cronk this year had me concerned from day 1. He has done better than I expected for the most part but lacks the talent of some of his counterparts. Not saying Lachie is the definite answer but he has never really got any sustained chances in the halves. Bloody injuries. The guys enjoy playing with him too I think. Be interesting to see what Robbo does this week.

hit the nail on the head there mate, in my opinion.
Look at Liverpool getting walloped by Aston villa this morning, I know folks here hate soccer but forget that I'm talking about mentality , the champions just rocked up expecting another cruisey win. We're not that bad, but mentality does come into it, and i can barely mention the penrith game its still sickening , but i believe that's what got them over the line in 80.

I think light week too yes, intense analysis or meetings and putting that into practice on the SCG pitch training wise, rather than the usual routine. I dunno.

All I do know is Ricky the braniac will be thinking Flano for his game plan. Predictable.

[Bondicigar]

This moment was always going to come for Flanno. He has be playing behind a beaten pack the last couple of weeks. If the chooks can find there mojo in defence again most of his problems will go away imo.
he has a tough gig that becomes that much harder when we are retreating in defence.

[Bansai Pipeline]

There is no flipping the script. The mountain is now insurmountable. Form slump at the worst possible time.

[gragra]

We need to fix the leaky defence of Manu. I would move Joey to wing and but Moz in the centre when defending and switch then around when we have the ball. Too many times Joey rushes up or slides and comes up with no one or leave a hole back on the inside. Moz would nail that defence and with Joey on the wing there is no where for him to slide but stay there and Defend.

I think its too late to drop Flanno....goal kicking is too important.....

[Johnny Brass]

I think it's too late to be flipping switches , friend will stiffen up the middle and I really think we need SBW in the team.
I just don't see any attack coming from our right edge unless he is there to ball play in the middle of the park.
We lost by a bees last week and the Raiders weren't looking that impressive early against the Sharks. I think we'll beat them.

[TheLoneRooster]

There is no flipping the script. The mountain is now insurmountable. Form slump at the worst possible time.

Unfortunately that’s how I feel and I think the tank is empty based on what the team has shown in the last two games. I want so much to be wrong on this but all good things come to an end. Nevertheless I will have an egg ready. Go Easts!!!