Firstly let me say that after the recents goings on of another star half, I'm very glad we have DCE. he has one a grand final, a CC medal and numerous MOM performances. Not only that but some games I've seen him play where he totally dominated the opposition really made me take notice of him as a quality half.
In saying that he has been out of form.
Be it - non structured play, a non dominating forward pack, different combos week in week out, new coaching staff, no Foran, no Balin, niggling injuries pressure from MEGA contract and pressure from media/fans or maybe just out of a bit of form?
I for one believe that he really misses Ballin efficient passing games from dummy half. Ballin might not have set the witless on fire as a running hooker but he summed up numbers very well and chose the right player to pass to at the right time. Our halves would both call for the ball and Matty would 90% of the time would choose the right way to go with crisp passing for our illustrious backline to do thier thing. Then all of a sudden our backiline lost some luster, and so did Matty and so did Manly.
Back to my original point about great players being out of form? I know (and some of us like to conveniently forget) that Cliffy had a few off years. Darren Lockyer is another. I also remember Brandy Alexander having a bad season and coming back even better.
Can anyone shed some light on players ours or others that have had indifferent seasons only to come back better?
In saying that he has been out of form.
Be it - non structured play, a non dominating forward pack, different combos week in week out, new coaching staff, no Foran, no Balin, niggling injuries pressure from MEGA contract and pressure from media/fans or maybe just out of a bit of form?
I for one believe that he really misses Ballin efficient passing games from dummy half. Ballin might not have set the witless on fire as a running hooker but he summed up numbers very well and chose the right player to pass to at the right time. Our halves would both call for the ball and Matty would 90% of the time would choose the right way to go with crisp passing for our illustrious backline to do thier thing. Then all of a sudden our backiline lost some luster, and so did Matty and so did Manly.
Back to my original point about great players being out of form? I know (and some of us like to conveniently forget) that Cliffy had a few off years. Darren Lockyer is another. I also remember Brandy Alexander having a bad season and coming back even better.
Can anyone shed some light on players ours or others that have had indifferent seasons only to come back better?