Opinion Max & Sam - Why no1,2 Punch, CC?

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Rumdogmillionaire

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Does anyone else think this is a curious strategy?

Sam Hughes & Max King - Didn't share the field at ANY field time together v Sharks...

Given that we're lacking size in our middles, it might be worth a shot to play them at the same time. Then at least we could get a decent 1,2 punch; bend the opponents line a bit, thus creating some time and space for our edge players to operate (which surely is our strength).

Wonder what CC's reasons are for not playing them together??
  • Are they a defensive liability together?
  • Do we need to sub one for other, just to ensure we always have one decent big on the field??
Did a bit of trainspotting...
  • When Farmer went down on 1st run, Curran replaced him. (IMO - ideal chance to get Sam on)
  • Sam didn't get on until 38 minute - HIA for Kiks
  • Max replaced Sam after Sharks 2nd try at 57 minute mark
  • Sam replaced Max after Sharks 4th try at 75 minute mark
.... (apologies for my OCD - I'm a Basketball coach - we do this kinda shit all the time)..
I know stats don't tell the whole story, but they provide a bit of useful data. Such as ...

Sam - Very effective in all metrics - Why so underplayed??
Mann & Salmon - tackling machines.
Presto - not getting enough ball (right edge issues??) - another tackling machine!!
Kiks - superstar!! (Missed tackles? - maybe going for big hits ? - &/or leading the kick-chase?)
Max & Curran - workhorses
Morrin - speed good, size an issue. (Maybe Kautoga an option ...surely KK can go hard for 22 mins - he played 80 in reggies)?


STAT ATTACK

Total Field Time Defensive Output Offensive Output
Total (1st/2nd) Tackles Missed Ineffective Runs Metres Post Contact(m) Tackle Breaks Offloads
  • Max - 44 mins (26/18) 31 3 2 10 87 31 1 1
  • Sam - 24 mins (19/5) 23 1 0 2 19 9 1 0
  • Kiks 78 (38/40) 24 5 1 13 137 51 4 1
  • Presto 70 (70/0) 41 1 2 7 56 18 2 0
  • Salmon 54 (40/14) 26 0 0 6 55 16 0 0
  • Mann 48 (38/10) 35 1 0 13 73 12 0 2
  • Curran 59 (27/32) 40 2 4 10 95 38 2 1
  • Morrin 22 (22/0) 22 3 0 7 63 27 2 0
 
halfcast

halfcast

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Dam str8 its weird hughes inevitably always makes post contact metres
I'm no coach but king shouldered the front row last yr
Curran is a modern day prop
Those three I'd rotate
 
D0GMATIC

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Rumdogmillionaire said:
Does anyone else think this is a curious strategy?

Sam Hughes & Max King - Didn't share the field at ANY field time together v Sharks...

Given that we're lacking size in our middles, it might be worth a shot to play them at the same time. Then at least we could get a decent 1,2 punch; bend the opponents line a bit, thus creating some time and space for our edge players to operate (which surely is our strength).

Wonder what CC's reasons are for not playing them together??
  • Are they a defensive liability together?
  • Do we need to sub one for other, just to ensure we always have one decent big on the field??
Did a bit of trainspotting...
  • When Farmer went down on 1st run, Curran replaced him. (IMO - ideal chance to get Sam on)
  • Sam didn't get on until 38 minute - HIA for Kiks
  • Max replaced Sam after Sharks 2nd try at 57 minute mark
  • Sam replaced Max after Sharks 4th try at 75 minute mark
.... (apologies for my OCD - I'm a Basketball coach - we do this kinda shit all the time)..
I know stats don't tell the whole story, but they provide a bit of useful data. Such as ...

Sam - Very effective in all metrics - Why so underplayed??
Mann & Salmon - tackling machines.
Presto - not getting enough ball (right edge issues??) - another tackling machine!!
Kiks - superstar!! (Missed tackles? - maybe going for big hits ? - &/or leading the kick-chase?)
Max & Curran - workhorses
Morrin - speed good, size an issue. (Maybe Kautoga an option ...surely KK can go hard for 22 mins - he played 80 in reggies)?


STAT ATTACK

Total Field Time Defensive Output Offensive Output
Total (1st/2nd) Tackles Missed Ineffective Runs Metres Post Contact(m) Tackle Breaks Offloads
  • Max - 44 mins (26/18) 31 3 2 10 87 31 1 1
  • Sam - 24 mins (19/5) 23 1 0 2 19 9 1 0
  • Kiks 78 (38/40) 24 5 1 13 137 51 4 1
  • Presto 70 (70/0) 41 1 2 7 56 18 2 0
  • Salmon 54 (40/14) 26 0 0 6 55 16 0 0
  • Mann 48 (38/10) 35 1 0 13 73 12 0 2
  • Curran 59 (27/32) 40 2 4 10 95 38 2 1
  • Morrin 22 (22/0) 22 3 0 7 63 27 2 0
Click to expand...
I think he will start in the next few weeks.
 
D0GMATIC

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DogsOfWar1704 said:
Yeah I thought he’d come on sooner. A prop down 10 seconds in and he puts the only other prop in half ways through the game for 20 something minutes
Click to expand...
I understand keeping him fresh for later in the game,but like you say,he didn't play many minutes
 
Kempsey Dog

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DogsOfWar1704 said:
I think because we’re light he puts the 2 bigger better forwards on at separate times idk but I think Sam needs more minutes regardless
Click to expand...
I get the merit behind it... I prefer the risk reward of having them both on and potentially win the middle for one stint and make it easier for the bench players to inject themselves
 
wendog33

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DogsOfWar1704 said:
Yeah I thought he’d come on sooner. A prop down 10 seconds in and he puts the only other prop in half ways through the game for 20 something minutes
Click to expand...
CC put him in at 38 mins. 2 mins before half time (if those stats are correct). Bench usage is not optimised. He could have come on at 25 min or so mark?...like most coaches do.
 
wendog33

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JaTT said:
As much as I'd also like to see Sam play 40-50 minutes, Gus has said he's barely played any footy in 2 years and they will gradually build up his minutes.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't building big minutes via Cup be a sounder plan if he is that match unfit so he is ready in a few weeks?
 
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Played also no footy for ages so they are easing him into it, I think he also took a big knock in the trial when he tackled Hazelton that they are downplaying. Should hopefully be right for more minutes this week. The other issue is CC has to stop picking so many small forwards. Makes his interchanges to complicated with players going everywhere. Needs to drop Morrin for Patolo/knight and maybe also Salmon for a straight up and down prop r Kitone. Then just need to interchange the props and Mann and Curran and would make life so much easier. Kitone can play middle or spell Kiks.
 
wendog33

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JaTT said:
If we put him in Cup, then our bench may as well be back rowers and utilities.
Click to expand...
Yes but this middles dilemma was a known roster impediment while trying to manage his return to big playing minutes.
 
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NPC83

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Don’t think Sammy hit the ball up enough. Might be unpopular opinion but if fit he needs to lift the intensity a bit.
 
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Out of left field regarding a one two punch, why not Joey Leilua. Recently being knocked out in the ring by Curtis Scott may be looking for a new club. May be useful for a twenty minute stint in the middle to back little Mahoney standing up for our players.
 
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