A couple of stats from the match
Nate Myles 75min 54 tackles
Luke Douglas 51 min 42 tackles
Ryan James 43 min 42 tackles
Zillman 80 min 0 tackles, 1 missed
#itaintweaktospeak
Ridge is where we lost out, imho. His defence on the right was sadly missed and if he is no good for next week that's another issue.
"Zero" Zillman, it's about time we gave this protected species what he deserves.
As far as where do we go next: Zillman won't get dropped, Michaels is our only centre option and if both half's are stuffed then it can only be Rankin and Henry ... no brainer. Shuffling the side to accommodate O'Dwyer and/or Minichiello would be plainly ridiculous.
And if you think a nights sleep has tempered my disillusionment at the coach's display pre-media conference last night then you would be very wrong ... he has lost what little respect he had from me and the others who witnessed it with me.
Anybody else notice Bailey roaming around lost last night, trying to get into plays and being largely ignored then barking at all and sundry?
Also I thought Bird went well although he is not a 5/8 at all but will we lose him for a week or so? Then City/Country.
Last edited by Titanic; 06-04-13 at 11:29 AM.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
I'm not as harsh on Zillman as others are on this forum because Cartwright doesn't know how to structure a back line or create plays to incude Zillman's ability.
The guy cops a bagging even if he plays well but tonight he played poor and didn't involve himself...I was especially disappointment with his defense attempt on Hoffman.
My issue with the call for another fullback is still the coaching structure...I thought having a forward dominating team would suit the style of a straight hard running fullback like Zillman...I thought Carty would give him opportunities around the ruck once our forwards had the defense on the back foot.
Mead has the potential to do well and could have a similar style but having more enthusiasm could be what is needed.
I personally would miss him on the wing.
Thinking about changes in the backline without Kelly at in the halves makes things tricky.
Mate, we have nearly the simplest attacking structure in the entire competition. Zillman cannot provide even the most basic support play by staying on the hip of some of our wrecking balls who have a hand free just about 70% of the time they get tackled and it doesn't get any easier than that. He over runs outside inside plays 99% of time. He looks absolutely clueless on the rare occasion he does break the line, and can't put a man away to save his life. In terms of defense, his one on one 'try-saving' ability is easily the worst for any fullback in the comp, his read and attempt on the hoffman try was shocking, his lack of urgency for the Gillett try was even worse imo. When people say he is 'safe' i suppose they refer to under the high-ball? but i think the only safe thing about him, is that he is safely the least exciting fullback in the game. How is he vice captain? I cannot see what value he adds on the field in any regard.
He made Micahels look great last night. That is really saying something.
I honestly believe that with the squad we have, a better coach could take us to a GF... but even in that scenario, Zillman would be the weakest link, and would probably be dropped before anyone else > fullback is too important a position these days to just be a passanger
A laughable moment was when bird did make a break and for once zillman WAS on his hip...literally, as in attached and running while his body was touching birds.
Bird couldn't step, swerve, pass or do anything because 'zero' was hampering him in every way.
If it wasn't so depressing I would laugh.
He also left any ball that wasn't directly to him for mead...but I'm pretty happy about that. Shows even 'zero' knows who the FB should be.