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Message: [QUOTE="rnabokov, post: 2430903, member: 1847"] Again, for mine, the losses so far are important only because they provide lessons to be learned for the business end of the season. Last night's major lesson was to remain composed under pressure. That's why I reckon Wallace and Norman were so ordinary. The Storm just seriously pressured them. Oh, and Anderson just shouldn't be anywhere near this side. My only ongoing concern with this team is that almost half way through the season, we are overdoing that stupid flat attack, where, Macca/Hunt gets the ball and passes to a runner who goes one-out. Then it repeats. And repeats. (Sure, if the play the ball is very quick and the runner is going full tilt, AND there's support, it can work well, but this year, the top sides, like the Storm have figured that one out and nullify it.) And yet this season, there have been some absolutely sublime attacking plays. Like one game where Macca dummied outside then turned the ball inside to Gillett running a nice inside angle and he shreds the defence. It's similar to a move the Maroons use with Inglis running an inside angle. Or the way Glenn was set up a few times out wide with a nice short or long pass as he takes it running at speed. Or those quick passes out wide isolating a centre, or bringing the winger in. And that is the issue: bodies were in motion, there was depth and support play. And we have shown this year that we can do it so damn well. We just don't do it enough. Way too often everyone is standing shallow & flat footed, and easy meat for the defence. Am I wrong, or does Thaiday too often get the ball when he is flat footed, or just started to move, and inevitably there is no support? Same with Parker. Yet I remember one game when Sammy had the ball close to their line and gave a nicely held up pass to a runner who scored. Support play. Running. Moving. Not standing still, flat and shallow. Not giving the ball to Gillett when the defence is almost on top of him. Not using Hodges almost exclusively as a wide dummy half runner. What a waste of strike power! It's like we sort of switch off, especially when we are pressured by quality defence, and revert to that one out stuff. I reckon this side has everything it takes to make the top 4 at least. In particular, Norman and Wallace have done so well. McGuire's return running is awesome. We just need to switch on more often in attack, remain composed under pressure, and we can beat the Storm, and any other team. The only other thing I really miss (apart from Lockyer) is a ball playing full back. [/QUOTE]

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