Just watching the replay, Bird definitely should've been penalised for that late hit on Cronk which left him down momentarily. It was definitely late.
It's strange watching the game again because NSW's defence which, though I know it's going to sound like a cliche especially coming from me, is where I think they won this year's series, wasn't actually very good anywhere but on their own goal line in Game 3. Beau Scott got plaudits from the press but his defence other than the try savers, was abysmal bordering on disgraceful. And in general, the Blues defensive line especially in the middle, was really quite poor. They allowed so many offloads and a lot of cheap ground. I mean just look at the metres from each individual QLD forward, the amount of second phase, and the number of line breaks. Johns made the shrewd observation that NSW's inside their own 10m, only defended with one marker so as to allow the extra man in the defensive line. That aided their efforts to prevent overlaps but QLD still found numbers quite frequently even though they could get over the line. It's the scramble of the Blues that deserves a lot of credit; scrambling they had to do because a lot of their first contact was actually quite poor.
Er yes, I know. Neither I nor Johns were suggesting it was a novel idea on Daley's part. This NSW side did it quite a bit more, however, and certainly more than say, the QLD side does. Seemed like a very concerted effort.
You need to get off the stats sites and watch more games dude. On a side note, it was hard to enjoy at the time but the play Manly ran against the Roosters a couple weeks back that was set up around exposing the one marker was absolutely brilliant. I don't know who comes up with their set plays but they're a fucking genius.
You need to stop being a condescending dickhead looking to start yet another argument. Johns noticed it during the game and having watched the replay, he's right. What stats site? Wtf are you talking about?
It's hard not to sound condescending when speaking to someone who's just noticed something that's been a part of the game for quite some time.. It's not shrewd analysis, it's common knowledge. Apologies if I've hurt your feelings.
Nah mate, you haven't hurt my feelings. I mean I'm not gonna cry as you have every time someone's mentioned Cronk this series. You've just proven yet again why it's pointless talking to you. And you have the gall to instruct other members about not telling them what they really think, or for going looking to start arguments. It's just nauseating how you can be so hypocritical. FMD. What stats sites are you referring to? What stats did I post or imply or could I have used to derive such a position? I've watched the games more times than you can count. The pre-existence of this phenomenon doesn't mean it's been used to the same extent. Whether that's what Johns meant, I can't be sure but it certainly isn't what I meant. But go on, continue to tell me it is. You're just a pathetic troll when you reply to me.
So you keep saying but Brisbane's dream draw is about to come to an end. Even by the end of this week there's every chance both teams could be on 20. Brisbane have only had to play 6 top 8 sides thus far, Dragons have played 11. Nearly double the amount the Broncos have played and yet like I said every chance they'll be sitting on exactly the same Win-Loss record after this week. I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you.
I'm really not in the mood for another three page argument especially with you after the way you've posted today. So I'll just ask one question - Putting aside the ladder and all the stats you've mentioned (the sort of which, btw, I used last year against the Chooks and we know how that turned out) do you honestly think St. George proved to be a better side than Brisbane? They may yet finish higher than us but there's no way they're the better side based on how both sides have played so far this year. I think it's quite clear you, and I, and most other people dramatically underrated the Broncos. And we beat the Dragons convincingly at their home ground.
