Halfback Discussion here : Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:36 am
It’s obvious that so far this season we’re really showing our lack of halfback that can dictate play. It seems every side we play has someone buzzing around doing the job better than either of ours and we seem increasingly unable to break defences down other than by sheer weight of possession.Gaskell seems to be getting extra attention since both Addy and Mathers lack any running threat do to their lack of pace. Our kicking game has been poor with kicks going out on the full. Our game management has been lacking with nobody able to apply pressure properly.
I think there are a few issues here. First we’re playing Addy in a position he’s not suited to. He’s done the job for years now but should never have been put in this position. It’s frustrating to watch but it must be worse for him and his teammates. However until we sign someone who can play in that position we are where we are. We’ve been here too long. It’s time Ferres sorted this.
Secondly during games we seem to no longer give either halfback enough options to pass to. Versus Halifax we tried a lot of passing down the line but the line was flat. There was no support play or dummy runners creating space. All halfbacks need players in motion to create doubt in the defence. We are increasingly predictable in this area. It’s up to Lowes to sort this out.
Thirdly we often seem to get a slow PTB which puts pressure on the halfbacks. How often do our forwards get dominated in the tackle and put on their back? Way too often. That means defences are in Gaskell and Addy’s faces before they can do anything or it’s rushed and we make mistakes or throw forward passes. It’s meant we’ve had an awful lot of kicks charged down this season too.
It’s obvious other teams have done their homework on us and our attacking threat. Without Mullaney we are effectively playing with one halfback who is really more of a runner than an organiser. As a result we’re struggling. You can see that. The players need to take ownership themselves as well as the coach. I’d like to see our centres and backrowers think more about how they can support the ball carrier. A few times versus Fax there were gaps if someone had run a drop off line or even just been on the shoulder of the ball carrier. I see Haggerty has a decent pair of hands – lets get men around him in support.
As far as signing a halfback is concerned I can’t believe we aren’t in the market. I guess every club knows that too so we’d have to pay a large fee for someone. Thing is can we afford not to?
