Billy Smith

[King Salvo]

You are more likely to suffer an injury during a game if you're not physically prepared for the game. How do you physically prepare by playing against shadows? Or tackling a bag that doesn't move, doesn't have the shape or hardness of a human body. I can see you have a different opinion on this, but I think I trust the experts more than I trust your judgement. Ohh and by the way, McGrath was just walking back to the dressing room after warming up and just stood on a cricket ball. Maybe he shouldn't have warmed up that day!

McGrath, 35, trod on a stray cricket ball during a game of touch-rugby and had to be helped into a groundsman's buggy by his team-mates. His place in the side was taken by fellow seamer Michael Kasprowicz, who picked up five wickets in the drawn warm-up match against Worcestershire this week.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/m...-injury-215050

[Headless Chook]

McGrath, 35, trod on a stray cricket ball during a game of touch-rugby and had to be helped into a groundsman's buggy by his team-mates. His place in the side was taken by fellow seamer Michael Kasprowicz, who picked up five wickets in the drawn warm-up match against Worcestershire this week.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/m...-injury-215050

We're both half right

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3biu6w

Wasn't playing touch footy. Just passing a ball with Brad Haddin

[Vasco]

There were a lot of good defenders in the teams back in the 70 and 80's though.

What do these so called "opposed" sessions do for defence though when players are not 100% committed as you would hope they in a real game - can only teach players poor techniques/ bad habits and laziness as after all it is just training not a real game and who would wan to get injured in a training mishap for no real reason.

It's daft having "opposed" training sessions simulating defence and offence against your own team mates and then think the attacking moves etc will work against your next opponents as it worked in the simulated opposed sessions and or the defence will hold up as it did so in the simulated opposed sessions.

I reckon they know what they are doing. We're not the Wests Tigers.

[King Salvo]

I reckon they know what they are doing. We're not the Wests Tigers.

Just Copying what they do in the NFL

Too robotic in the NRL with all teams training the same way and game plans are way over structured which is a reflection of the way they train - need to get back to the tried and tested way they used to train and work their way into a game as both a team and individual and let the natural skill and ability of players shine with way less structured play.

I remember seeing Fairfax as an example chip kicking over the top of the defence from the Kick off. Imagine a player doing that nowadays - No - oh we don't practice that in opposed sessions and what we don't practice we don't do in games.

The way the Chooks would throw the ball around in 1974/1975 was so good to watch - never be attempted nowadays that type of play as it's the U Word - Unstructured Football.

The newer rules and additions to these may result in a decline of structured football resulting in different mindsets in how teams train and prepare - preseason and for upcoming games.

[roostermcgregor]

"Originally posted by King Salvo"

The way the Chooks would throw the ball around in 1974/1975 was so good to watch - never be attempted nowadays that type of play as it's the U Word - Unstructured Football.


In fairness Salvo, you have got to look at the quintet that big Jack had at his disposal in 1975 - Fairfax, Schubert, Harris, Brass , Mullins.
Those five were light years ahead of anything the opposition had - and big Jack knew it.
I can just about picture what Jack's instructions would be before the game - to his halves -"pass the ball to your three-quarters"
to his three-quarter line - "just have fun and throw the ball around"

I am not in anyway denigrating our current side, but even though the current Roosters have a great set of backs, there are other teams in the NRL who are right up with them, and the competition is pretty intense.
As the competition is so close, playing unstructured football can mean that you make mistakes, loose field position and momentum, which is important in today's game.
Anyway, Robbo seems to coach our team to "try their hand" more times than other teams, and we are up there with the highest mistake counts , and play reasonably entertaining football in these times.
You can't compare the 75 Roosters with today - different team, different time, different game.

[ism22]

Just Copying what they do in the NFL

Too robotic in the NRL with all teams training the same way and game plans are way over structured which is a reflection of the way they train - need to get back to the tried and tested way they used to train and work their way into a game as both a team and individual and let the natural skill and ability of players shine with way less structured play.

I remember seeing Fairfax as an example chip kicking over the top of the defence from the Kick off. Imagine a player doing that nowadays - No - oh we don't practice that in opposed sessions and what we don't practice we don't do in games.

The way the Chooks would throw the ball around in 1974/1975 was so good to watch - never be attempted nowadays that type of play as it's the U Word - Unstructured Football.

The newer rules and additions to these may result in a decline of structured football resulting in different mindsets in how teams train and prepare - preseason and for upcoming games.

Different sessions have different purposes. Also, players are far more athletic now (whereas in the 70's they were all about my size + would smoke ciggies in the changerooms). The difference is huge and the training is far more structured/intense. Not saying it wasn't rougher (less cameras, shoulder charges...etc) or that ad-lib footy isn't fun. However, current-gen players can also do that kinda unstructured ballplay when they get desperate. Hint... some skeleton who looks like he's about 80 wouldn't smoke modern-day fullbacks to score a gazillion tries off long-range kick and chases.

IMO your example is a bit like comparing street basketball to the NBA. Street ball will be rougher and there will be lots of crazy tricks going on (which can be more fun). It's also far more individualistic with a focus on 'ankle breaking 1-on-1' stuff. However, most of these tricks get weeded out when these guys try to make it in the NBA because the increased structure/awareness/athleticism/size means you're not fooling anybody or 'breaking ankles'.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Lucky we let go of Latrell.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Shoulder reco, saying out 4 months now...aim for mid year return.

[OMR]

Lucky we let go of Latrell.

Your tongue in cheek comment is noted , however it was an astute decision to snatch Sualli .

[zac]

bring back ryan hall

[Rooster1908]

bring back ryan hall

Give yourself an uppercut

[Mad_Rabid_Rooster]

All the very best to the young kid. I hope he doesn't drop his bundle and pushes on. Hopefully he will bounce back by mid season and roar back into some top form for the team.