Thursday, March 11, 2004
Pet put down?
If Parramatta starts with the team that has been named for Saturday night's clash against the Bulldogs, it might mark the end of one of Brian Smith's pet strategies.
For many years, Smith has played a zippy hooker off the interchange bench with the aim of being able to exploit holes around the ruck as opposing players tire late in a half.
The strategy worked a charm in 2001 when Smith would routinely replace the playmaking Brad Drew with the electric PJ Marsh who was able to make many metres out of dummy half against tiring defenders. Last year, players like Shane Dunley and James Webster filled the role and while they had some success, Parra's forward pack seldom got on top of their opposition in 2003 meaning there were fewer gaps to exploit.
The selection of David Vaeliki on the interchange bench suggests Smith may now be ready to closet the interchange hooker strategy, preferring to keep the physical pressure on his opposition.
Ironically, Parra’s much bigger forward pack stands a far better chance of regularly getting over the advantage line this year, which will almost certainly open up the kind of opportunities around the ruck that the interchange hooker strategy is designed to exploit.
For many years, Smith has played a zippy hooker off the interchange bench with the aim of being able to exploit holes around the ruck as opposing players tire late in a half.
The strategy worked a charm in 2001 when Smith would routinely replace the playmaking Brad Drew with the electric PJ Marsh who was able to make many metres out of dummy half against tiring defenders. Last year, players like Shane Dunley and James Webster filled the role and while they had some success, Parra's forward pack seldom got on top of their opposition in 2003 meaning there were fewer gaps to exploit.
The selection of David Vaeliki on the interchange bench suggests Smith may now be ready to closet the interchange hooker strategy, preferring to keep the physical pressure on his opposition.
Ironically, Parra’s much bigger forward pack stands a far better chance of regularly getting over the advantage line this year, which will almost certainly open up the kind of opportunities around the ruck that the interchange hooker strategy is designed to exploit.
