Robbo & Bani are currently both tentative, lightweight & uncommitted. Â Skittles near the try line.
When will Des accept that Robbo is NOT solid at fullback? He's a liability there. Guaranteed linedropout if Robbo gets the ball in or near the ingoal. Â Sits on the tryline waiting for the attacker and then makes uncommitted hand-grabs. Unable to break a tackle in attack. Â His significant attacking attributes are ability to catch a ball and speed, both of which are suited to wing but are not enough for fullback. Â
Bani similarly is currently a tentative skittle on the wing. Â Tentative in attack, tentative in defence, even tentative in grabbing the ball. Waiting on the tryline, especially when you're in that frame of mind and that weight just gifts the opposition a try.
Both Robbo & Bani need to drop the tentative jinking on the spot in attack and just go for the gap at full speed, full commitment. And put a step on at pace if you're able. Like Robbo was doing last season.
The ridiculous passes by Ox & Cuthbo last night & the missed tries last week by Matai & Lyon are great examples of players trying too hard. Â And playing to the scoreboard and to the competition table. Â Players can only successfully play what is in front of them, not their image of what should be there. Â Manly's currently playing the image, and not noticing what's actually there.
Oppositions are successfully targeting the defensive gap between Ox and Watmough.
With the 2 referees, the game has changed. Â The game has sped up due to less video ref stoppages, exposing fitness deficiencies in bigger forwards. Â Inexperienced referees are picking up infringements that more experienced referees previously let go & the extra eyes adds more penalties. Â So games are now being determined by refereeing penalties. Â Either Manly go from the most penalised team to one of the least, or kiss the season (and following seasons) good-bye.
Could the 2 referee system spell the end of brilliant but erratic players like Watmough? Or can they adapt?
Can Des adapt?