It’s a thing in tennis, sometimes there’s no point fighting your way back when 4-2 down or something … just throw the set and get some energy back for the next one!
NRL Round 8 - Knights Vs Panthers - 2:00pm Sunday, 26st April - McDonald Jones Stadium
- Thread starter Lefty
- Start date
Defence wins games
Todd Bates
At the game it looked like Penrith’s speed caused pressure to us in every aspect of the game, causing errors and relentless tiredness, which causes more errors.
I watched the Panthers in defence, and many times in sets of 6(when we completed), were on our back or slow to play the ball.
Conversely Penrith were rarely put on their back and invariably played from their fronts, resulting in fast play the balls.
Everything Penrith did was at speed.
This makes them more lethal under PVL ball.
Macca89
Shane Christensen
I wonder if it’s more JSaf not wanting to let his teammates down being the leader and trying to do too much. His minutes have definitely increased since Friz went down though
Newygirl
Todd Bates
Yeah Tennis you can do it because there’s no clock and the scoring structure is so different. It’s also just one v one, so you only have to worry about yourself, not 12 other teammates
You can always concede a set to make sure you’re first to serve on the next, particularly in a Grand Slam. Most top players would only do it down two breaks, like 5-1 or something, and even then, someone like Nadal would loathe thought of not trying to win every point. Kyrgios on the other hand, does it all the time
Not saying I love it, but there’s definitely been times over the years watching the Knights I’ve thought “just concede a try here, it’s not worth spending sets on our own line and getting totally gassed”. Tends to be when we have say an 8 point lead and later in the game, rather than being behind on the scoreboard early in the game, though. But maybe teams need to make that adjustment under Vlandysball, tries are a dime a dozen atm …
Newygirl
Todd Bates
Yeah it’s a complete farce that teams are now in a position where they would even have to contemplate doing this.
Just think it could be a slippery slope. You think you’re just giving up one but if a couple things quickly go wrong you weren’t expecting and suddenly you could be down 18 or more. Agreed it’s a **** situation
Have to say playing AOB grindball would be a complete catastrophe this season, thank goodness we are capable of scoring some points, at least. Almost every side is having defensive struggles … but if we were focussed on defence and grinding games out like previous years I think we’d be getting lapped by 40 or 50 points every week, right now.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
It's genuinely cool seeing Gagai collect jerseys from his most respected opponents over the years. I rate the "I want to play next year but you never know" attitude & that he seems at peace with whatever outcome, and the way he just seems to be soaking it all in either way. Seems to have a perspective on life and maturity that everyone would like to have and most never attain.
And so much of our chat about footy players is negative, just bagging blokes, which is fun of course. But man you look at a guy like Isaah Yeo and, Jesus. What a marvel. He's the Cameron Smith of lock forwards, it's amazing he's still at the level he's at given the physical demands of the position. He's the kind of forward you would give up a nut to spawn at your club lol. I'd want his jersey too if I'd been playing against him for a decade+.
I've said it before but I hope the club lines up a job for him after he hangs them up, even if he goes somewhere else to play next year. You couldn't ask for a better mentor for young men.
And so much of our chat about footy players is negative, just bagging blokes, which is fun of course. But man you look at a guy like Isaah Yeo and, Jesus. What a marvel. He's the Cameron Smith of lock forwards, it's amazing he's still at the level he's at given the physical demands of the position. He's the kind of forward you would give up a nut to spawn at your club lol. I'd want his jersey too if I'd been playing against him for a decade+.
I've said it before but I hope the club lines up a job for him after he hangs them up, even if he goes somewhere else to play next year. You couldn't ask for a better mentor for young men.
danknights
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I really think we need to throws arms in the air as fans about the current 6 again rule. It should go back to last year where it was a penalty inside 20. It allows both teams a half a rest and the defending team will think twice about giving away an easy let out.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Holbrook said something in the presser about how much he's asking of some older players atm so he's aware of it. He just doesn't want to ask too much of young players like Hopwood and hurt their progression I reckon. Which is fair enough.
If I was a betting man, I'm putting money on J Saf sub 55 minutes this weekend with Frizell back.
frankLauda
Ben Kennedy
We actually play a very
I actually thought we defended pretty well on our line. It was just the relentless pressure which we handed to them from our errors.
Yes I was at the game too, unfortunately my temporary seat for this year is down the southern end of the ground . Didn't see any footy for the first 15 min . Spent that time watching the screen
. At this stage we can only dream of getting to the level Penrith is .
alexwilliams
Sean Rudder
Unfortunately we just had a round where every game sold out. NRL could easily just say the game is now more popular than ever under the new rules
Macca89
Shane Christensen
Wonder if he was there as a fan or was some some recon
krustykraz
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He was there to sign Ponga
.How did the rubbish media even come up with the Ponga to the Dogs BS?
Unfortunately that's exactly what I was thinking
MontyBrogan
Max Chapman
Spot on Slots. Just go back and look at their first try. It's not slick ball movement from Penrith, they're basically not even running shape - there are just huge holes in the defensive line because our blokes are totally gassed.
And that's 14 minutes into the game! I said at the time the game was over - you can't overcome a fatigue deficit like that against a team as clinical as Penrith.
Maybe it's good for viewership to bring more points into the game, but for me, the way the ruck is being refereed and the way that has so hugely increased the speed and pace of play - is making the sport much less enjoyable to watch.
Yeah I get it, but it's a horrible spectacle to watch