Practical Suggestions to Improve

[HK_Eagle]

Just wanted to share some constructive suggestions on how the team performance may be improved with some small things. I have no way of knowing if these things are already being done, and it is not meant to be an exhaustive list at all. Feel free to comment and add.

1. Attacking bombs. I would like to see our team training and implementing the strategy of putting up attacking bombs aimed around the three-quarters (not wings) or even closer to the middle, for Tommy to contest. It's something we use to see with Lyon & Snake to great effect, and we have a tall athletic fullback with the potential to be a real weapon in this area. I just see it as a huge gap that has never really been explored with Tommy and this team.

2. Defending kicks. We could benefit from having a designated player (or two, with one each side of the ruck) given the role to hunt down and make the opposition kicker's life hell (much like our Ronny Rambo of yesteryear, and Simms is doing to great effect with the Steelers this year). I saw a Manly player genuinely rush just the one kick today (Thompson) and that was less strategy than opportunity because he was in the vicinity to do so. Every other kick Cronk took today, he casually sauntered a few steps to adjust himself before launching a kick without a single player making any genuine effort to put pressure on. This could be especially beneficial given our vulnerability under high kicks (on the wings especially).

3. Some work with specialists outside the club on emotional control or performing under pressure. I know there is an amazing guy named Nam Baldwin there in Oz who does some great work in this area. He works with a lot of big wave surfers and worked with Mick Fanning for some time, including through his last world title year. Mick's emotional control and focus is second to none, and exactly the sort of thing that this team would reap huge benefits from.

4. Related to point 3, I would drill the players in shutting out any dwelling thoughts on perceived negative decisions or bad luck (that's for us fans on the forum). Every time the whistle is blown against us, I would love to see us drilled to immediately ignore the events that brought it up, and race back to position to defend. Any negative thoughts or emotions to be immediately channeled into determination of making the next defensive set the best. Perhaps some trigger word the team shares, that the leader(s) shouts out when he senses any hint of frustration brewing. Upon hearing it, players are reminded of their commitment to this philosophy.

I've stayed away from player selection and positions, as I think there is more than enough written around this... Furthermore, I wanted to focus on small things we could do as a system and work with whoever we have in the team.

 

[sheridanstand78]

For far too long we have not got any results from scoring tries from bombs and we continue to concede repeat sets and tries because our back 3 have TOO many errors in them. I agree that we need to put more pressure on opposition kickers and we need to aim bombs away from the wings because I can't remember the last time we scored a try in that regard.

The team is close to a win, the last two weeks, the effort has been there, the execution of clutch plays and attention to detail and our criminal ball control has ensured that we came up short. The ball control is the issue right now and we need to do better in order to help our defence which often wilts on the end of a dropped ball, inevitable penalty and then conceding a try, it's a bad habit and we need to deal with it!!

Points 3 and 4 can be dealt with by the club having a professional outlook and we need desperately some leadership and discipline.

When you consider what is currently against us, today was a really good effort, what we must do moving forward is cut out the errors and take our chances, the Donkeys game is winnable if we do these things!!!

 

[Nordburg]

Use of the bench.I could have missed him but did Brown get a run today?Once again a fresh player sits on the pine.If Barrett isn’t going to use a player,what’s the point in picking him?May as well put a young bloke there to add enthusiasm

 

[highlandeagle]

Just wanted to share some constructive suggestions on how the team performance may be improved with some small things. I have no way of knowing if these things are already being done, and it is not meant to be an exhaustive list at all. Feel free to comment and add.

1. Attacking bombs. I would like to see our team training and implementing the strategy of putting up attacking bombs aimed around the three-quarters (not wings) or even closer to the middle, for Tommy to contest. It's something we use to see with Lyon to great effect, and we have a tall athletic fullback with the potential to be a real weapon in this area. I just see it as a huge gap that has never really been explored with Tommy and this team.

2. Defending kicks. We could benefit from having a designated player (or two, with one each side of the ruck) given the role to hunt down and make the opposition kicker's life hell (much like our Ronny Rambo of yesteryear, and Simms is doing to great effect with the Steelers this year). I saw a Manly player genuinely rush just the one kick today (Thompson) and that was less strategy than opportunity because he was in the vicinity to do so. Every other kick Cronk took today, he casually sauntered a few steps to adjust himself before launching a kick without a single player making any genuine effort to put pressure on. This could be especially beneficial given our vulnerability under high kicks (on the wings especially).

3. Some work with specialists outside the club on emotional control or performing under pressure. I know there is an amazing guy named Nam Baldwin there in Oz who does some great work in this area. He works with a lot of big wave surfers and worked with Mick Fanning for some time, including through his last world title year. Mick's emotional control and focus is second to none, and exactly the sort of thing that this team would reap huge benefits from.

4. Related to point 3, I would drill the players in shutting out any dwelling thoughts on perceived negative decisions or bad luck (that's for us fans on the forum). Every time the whistle is blown against us, I would love to see us drilled to immediately ignore the events that brought it up, and race back to position to defend. Any negative thoughts or emotions to be immediately channeled into determination of making the next defensive set the best. Perhaps some trigger word the team shares, that the leader(s) shouts out when he senses any hint of frustration brewing. Upon hearing it, players are reminded of their commitment to this philosophy.

I've stayed away from player selection and positions, as I think there is more than enough written around this... Furthermore, I wanted to focus on small things we could do as a system and work with whoever we have in the team.

= new coach with imagination and balls

 

[winnyason]

Just wanted to share some constructive suggestions on how the team performance may be improved with some small things. I have no way of knowing if these things are already being done, and it is not meant to be an exhaustive list at all. Feel free to comment and add.

1. Attacking bombs. I would like to see our team training and implementing the strategy of putting up attacking bombs aimed around the three-quarters (not wings) or even closer to the middle, for Tommy to contest. It's something we use to see with Lyon to great effect, and we have a tall athletic fullback with the potential to be a real weapon in this area. I just see it as a huge gap that has never really been explored with Tommy and this team.

2. Defending kicks. We could benefit from having a designated player (or two, with one each side of the ruck) given the role to hunt down and make the opposition kicker's life hell (much like our Ronny Rambo of yesteryear, and Simms is doing to great effect with the Steelers this year). I saw a Manly player genuinely rush just the one kick today (Thompson) and that was less strategy than opportunity because he was in the vicinity to do so. Every other kick Cronk took today, he casually sauntered a few steps to adjust himself before launching a kick without a single player making any genuine effort to put pressure on. This could be especially beneficial given our vulnerability under high kicks (on the wings especially).

3. Some work with specialists outside the club on emotional control or performing under pressure. I know there is an amazing guy named Nam Baldwin there in Oz who does some great work in this area. He works with a lot of big wave surfers and worked with Mick Fanning for some time, including through his last world title year. Mick's emotional control and focus is second to none, and exactly the sort of thing that this team would reap huge benefits from.

4. Related to point 3, I would drill the players in shutting out any dwelling thoughts on perceived negative decisions or bad luck (that's for us fans on the forum). Every time the whistle is blown against us, I would love to see us drilled to immediately ignore the events that brought it up, and race back to position to defend. Any negative thoughts or emotions to be immediately channeled into determination of making the next defensive set the best. Perhaps some trigger word the team shares, that the leader(s) shouts out when he senses any hint of frustration brewing. Upon hearing it, players are reminded of their commitment to this philosophy.

I've stayed away from player selection and positions, as I think there is more than enough written around this... Furthermore, I wanted to focus on small things we could do as a system and work with whoever we have in the team.

yeah some good points
the tom thing with bombs needs to be alot better, i mean snake was lethal with bombs in the air.
jake and tom need to combine alot more
no problems with our go forward jake, marty, addin and paseka damaging.
its the end to sets unfortunately thats come to dce - i dont know how we fix this.
the walker at 6 yeah postive he got alot more ball in hand negative he go no idea in attack.
suli very solid in defence anf thompson best game
again we are missing blake green end to sets, there no repeat sets at all. dce bomb to wright i mean he had tom inside him run it. i have grave concerns is around our 7 our go forward is massive but he got zero idea.

 

[Frogz]

Sorry, but this team is a bottom 4 team and will be fighting for the spoon. We aint on the same page as anyone else. Broncos (our home game) theN Melbourne then Raiders, Nth Qld and Warriors.. Last last last.

 

[highlandeagle]

Sorry, but this team is a bottom 4 team and will be fighting for the spoon. We aint on the same page as anyone else. Broncos (our home game) theN Melbourne then Raiders, Nth Qld and Warriors.. Last last last.

Thanks to Trent

 

[HK_Eagle]

yeah some good points
the tom thing with bombs needs to be alot better, i mean snake was lethal with bombs in the air.
jake and tom need to combine alot more
no problems with our go forward jake, marty, addin and paseka damaging.
its the end to sets unfortunately thats come to dce - i dont know how we fix this.
the walker at 6 yeah postive he got alot more ball in hand negative he go no idea in attack.
suli very solid in defence anf thompson best game
again we are missing blake green end to sets, there no repeat sets at all. dce bomb to wright i mean he had tom inside him run it. i have grave concerns is around our 7 our go forward is massive but he got zero idea.

Completely agree. The go forward has been generally very impressive this year and it has been frustrating to see us fail to fully cash in on it. I think we can all agree that perhaps our biggest weakness is the lack of organisation and polished execution on the back of the go forward. Unfortunately, I don't see any answer to that problem within the current squad... (putting aside the JH dilemma). Perhaps we just need to find creative left field solutions around it. I thought the changes by Baz for today were at least positive signs of trying things.

 

[Clay]

I could list areas for improvement, we were our own own worst enemy today but the truth is Barret won't change his game plan or style. Prepare for the same next week from Manly . Hopefully the Broncos have a shocker and we can get the win

 

[Frogz]

Sorry, but this team is a bottom 4 team and will be fighting for the spoon. We aint on the same page as anyone else. Broncos (our home game) theN Melbourne then Raiders, Nth Qld and Warriors.. Last last last.

Wheres your next win @frank stokes you dummy spit but where is it. Mate we are bottom feeders

 

[HK_Eagle]

Use of the bench.I could have missed him but did Brown get a run today?Once again a fresh player sits on the pine.If Barrett isn’t going to use a player,what’s the point in picking him?May as well put a young bloke there to add enthusiasm

Yep, tend to agree. I'm happy to see some of the younger guys get up in the team this year (e.g; Paseka & Suli). I guess this has been somewhat forced upon Baz rather than being a masterstroke of courage, but he put them in nonetheless. I would also have preferred to see another youngster (probably T. Wright) given that bench spot over Brown, or even in place of M. Wright (who I thought had a fair game today), but I can also understand the reluctance with so much pressure on bringing so many youngsters in.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Sorry, but this team is a bottom 4 team and will be fighting for the spoon. We aint on the same page as anyone else. Broncos (our home game) theN Melbourne then Raiders, Nth Qld and Warriors.. Last last last.

Yeah, I understand that some of the cattle and forced changes probably warrant that analysis. Nevertheless, I still think we could be doing a lot better working on getting more from this team as a team.

 

[HK_Eagle]

I could list areas for improvement, we were our own own worst enemy today but the truth is Barret won't change his game plan or style. Prepare for the same next week from Manly . Hopefully the Broncos have a shocker and we can get the win

Is one possible solution changing our game plan and style? What could we change in our game plan/style to be more effective with what we've got?

How do we change the players self-sabotaging behaviour (i.e; dropped balls, ill-discipline)? I had this in mind when I brought up points 3 and 4. I think we would have to agree this is a psychological/mental thing, thus why I would advocate bringing in the right people to work in this area.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Oh, one thing I forgot to add to the original list was utilising Suli for those hard dummy half runs coming out of our half. Missing Jorge's role in this area, and Suli looks the body type that could certainly help out here. IMO, it would have been more effective than using M. Wright for that role today.

 

[Clay]

Is one possible solution changing our game plan and style? What could we change in our game plan/style to be more effective with what we've got?

How do we change the players self-sabotaging behaviour (i.e; dropped balls, ill-discipline)? I had this in mind when I brought up points 3 and 4. I think we would have to agree this is a psychological/mental thing, thus why I would advocate bringing in the right people to work in this area.

TB doesn't hold players accountable for indiscipline that is the culture he has fostered. Even when there were options players weren't dropped, and they weren't challenged at least publicly. TB game plan of DCE being the sole half for two and half years hasn't worked. The forwards are more interested in offloading then bending the line. Wingers that can't catch a bomb even though the current trend in the NRL for at least 5 years has been tall athletic wingers. He also prefers to only use 3 interchange players . Takes AFB and Tapau off usually within a couple of minuets of each other and we always drop in intensity after that.
TB could instruct his Second rowers to run the ball more then he could stagger AFB and Tapau a little more but its seems he prefers his second rowers not to hit up the ball as they rarely have for 2.5 years.
Put in a genuine 5/8 would change our attacking structure and general play kicking game.
Use the full bench. More importantly hold he can start to change the culture that dropped balls and back chat will not longer be tolerated.

This is already and essay so I will leave it there

 

[winnyason]

Completely agree. The go forward has been generally very impressive this year and it has been frustrating to see us fail to fully cash in on it. I think we can all agree that perhaps our biggest weakness is the lack of organisation and polished execution on the back of the go forward. Unfortunately, I don't see any answer to that problem within the current squad... (putting aside the JH dilemma). Perhaps we just need to find creative left field solutions around it. I thought the changes by Baz for today were at least positive signs of trying things.

Yeah we in trouble in end of sets for us to be a competitive top 8 side we need a 500-600k 5/8 while evans is on our books. Marty doing it every week.
Will Trent take a punt on tom wright at 6. Dylan simply a 3 centre with 6 on his back.

 

[Nordburg]

Oh, one thing I forgot to add to the original list was utilising Suli for those hard dummy half runs coming out of our half. Missing Jorge's role in this area, and Suli looks the body type that could certainly help out here. IMO, it would have been more effective than using M. Wright for that role today.

I think Suli was lucky today due to the Roosters poor attack.Latrell Mitchell is being wasted at the moment due to Roosters reluctance to spread the ball.He could of torn an unfit Suli apart today

 

[winnyason]

TB doesn't hold players accountable for indiscipline that is the culture he has fostered. Even when there were options players weren't dropped, and they weren't challenged at least publicly. TB game plan of DCE being the sole half for two and half years hasn't worked. The forwards are more interested in offloading then bending the line. Wingers that can't catch a bomb even though the current trend in the NRL for at least 5 years has been tall athletic wingers. He also prefers to only use 3 interchange players . Takes AFB and Tapau off usually within a couple of minuets of each other and we always drop in intensity after that.
TB could instruct his Second rowers to run the ball more then he could stagger AFB and Tapau a little more but its seems he prefers his second rowers not to hit up the ball as they rarely have for 2.5 years.
Put in a genuine 5/8 would change our attacking structure and general play kicking game.
Use the full bench. More importantly hold he can start to change the culture that dropped balls and back chat will not longer be tolerated.

This is already and essay so I will leave it there

Dce the problem here when we had a genuine 6 in foz and blake green we where a force and when we dont we suck.

 

[bringbackbeaver]

TB doesn't hold players accountable for indiscipline that is the culture he has fostered. Even when there were options players weren't dropped, and they weren't challenged at least publicly. TB game plan of DCE being the sole half for two and half years hasn't worked. The forwards are more interested in offloading then bending the line. Wingers that can't catch a bomb even though the current trend in the NRL for at least 5 years has been tall athletic wingers. He also prefers to only use 3 interchange players . Takes AFB and Tapau off usually within a couple of minuets of each other and we always drop in intensity after that.
TB could instruct his Second rowers to run the ball more then he could stagger AFB and Tapau a little more but its seems he prefers his second rowers not to hit up the ball as they rarely have for 2.5 years.
Put in a genuine 5/8 would change our attacking structure and general play kicking game.
Use the full bench. More importantly hold he can start to change the culture that dropped balls and back chat will not longer be tolerated.

This is already and essay so I will leave it there

Yep . Baz doesnt have the respect of the players. They all love him but they don't respect him, including DCE. Case in point, breaking curfew against Baz's orders. Baz needs to be demoted to assistant. Bring in a hard nosed older coach (Des anyone?) as the coach. Walker was ineffective today. Baz needs a 6 ASAP or we get the spoon

 

[HK_Eagle]

I think Suli was lucky today due to the Roosters poor attack.Latrell Mitchell is being wasted at the moment due to Roosters reluctance to spread the ball.He could of torn an unfit Suli apart today

Yep, agree with this. I was also concerned about Suli's defence after watching him rush out and grab nothing on that one raid down his side on the line. Luckily, it was covered up by the cover defence. I also agree that a dumb Roosters outfit failed to properly utilize Latrell's potential and exploit that potential weakness in our side. Hard to know how good or bad Suli's defence is. That particular incident was not a good look, but didn't see him tested enough to get a full picture just yet.