Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Size no longer matters
Who'd be an NRL coach? Parramatta bulked up in the off-season to try and combat the dominant bash and barge style of play and five weeks into the competition it seems quick play the balls and dummy half running is back in vogue.
Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald today, Roy Masters wrote that so far this year its been a return to the Super League era with "quick play-the-balls, easy metres from dummy-half, covering half the field in five tackles" the way the game has been played so far this year.
Masters quoted statistics that show there have been 1,704 fast play the balls this year compared to 991 last year.
"It is a style that suits the 'shoot and scoot' Dragons but it disadvantages teams with big packs and clever halves, such as Brisbane and Penrith. Nor does it suit Parramatta, who bought size in the off-season."
Noting these facts its easy to see why some Parramatta players, originally on the outer are now back in vogue. James Webster, was left out of the opening game, but has quickly re-established his place in the team. Dean Widders was also shunned in the early part of the season as Parramatta went for size but his mobility has proven a god-send to the team and he was promoted into the starting line-up last week. Luke O'Dwyer lacks size but has been able to maintain his place on the bench. Meanwhile, Chris Armit's mobility has probably been the factor that has seen him chosen over bigger options like Justin Tsoulos, Fui Fui Moi Moi and Mal Kaufusi.
In fact, Parramatta no longer has a "monster" pack, at all. Vella, Armit, Morris, Cayless, Hindmarsh and Widders would not rate in the top half dozen packs in terms of size, especially when you throw Luke O'Dwyer into the mix off the bench.
Fortunately for the Eels, while Smith bought some size, he also has plenty of mobile forwards to call on. Lee Hopkins is another mobile forward, who is very effective out of dummy half and that may help him win a place back on the bench when he returns from injury.
The statistics also support's Smith decision to play a dual-lock strategy. With so many metres being gained close to the rucks, the need for a five-eighth to create scoring opportunities for himself and the outside backs are lessened. A player like Daniel Wagon who is defensively strong and able to tighten up the rucks makes far more sense in this scenario, especially when John Morris is able to drift out on dummy half and take the five-eighth role when needed.
Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald today, Roy Masters wrote that so far this year its been a return to the Super League era with "quick play-the-balls, easy metres from dummy-half, covering half the field in five tackles" the way the game has been played so far this year.
Masters quoted statistics that show there have been 1,704 fast play the balls this year compared to 991 last year.
"It is a style that suits the 'shoot and scoot' Dragons but it disadvantages teams with big packs and clever halves, such as Brisbane and Penrith. Nor does it suit Parramatta, who bought size in the off-season."
Noting these facts its easy to see why some Parramatta players, originally on the outer are now back in vogue. James Webster, was left out of the opening game, but has quickly re-established his place in the team. Dean Widders was also shunned in the early part of the season as Parramatta went for size but his mobility has proven a god-send to the team and he was promoted into the starting line-up last week. Luke O'Dwyer lacks size but has been able to maintain his place on the bench. Meanwhile, Chris Armit's mobility has probably been the factor that has seen him chosen over bigger options like Justin Tsoulos, Fui Fui Moi Moi and Mal Kaufusi.
In fact, Parramatta no longer has a "monster" pack, at all. Vella, Armit, Morris, Cayless, Hindmarsh and Widders would not rate in the top half dozen packs in terms of size, especially when you throw Luke O'Dwyer into the mix off the bench.
Fortunately for the Eels, while Smith bought some size, he also has plenty of mobile forwards to call on. Lee Hopkins is another mobile forward, who is very effective out of dummy half and that may help him win a place back on the bench when he returns from injury.
The statistics also support's Smith decision to play a dual-lock strategy. With so many metres being gained close to the rucks, the need for a five-eighth to create scoring opportunities for himself and the outside backs are lessened. A player like Daniel Wagon who is defensively strong and able to tighten up the rucks makes far more sense in this scenario, especially when John Morris is able to drift out on dummy half and take the five-eighth role when needed.
