Five Metre Gap: Round 2 Wrap
Like the way of the five metre gap in defence looking at the points you may have missed from the second round of the NRL.
Whilst in can be folly to look at trends after only two matches it’s interesting the Sydney Roosters have only received six penalties in their first two games, the least of any side to date. In week one the count was 10-2 in favour of the Cowboys, who the Roosters did beat, but the visitors got no penalties in the second half before getting two in each half of their 34-26 lose to South Sydney on Sunday. This sort of scenario isn’t unusual for the Eastern Suburbs outfit under Trent Robinson (during their title campaign in 2013 in 22 out of 26 regular season games they gave away more penalties than their opponents) but it can be energy-sapping and reduces their chances of picking up ‘piggyback penalties.’ However it means their forwards might make more tackles for fantasy players.
Unsurprisingly it was another side that was thrashed in week two were we had a player really let down his side defensively. In Bathurst Gold Coast back-rower Lachlan Burr missed nine tackles as his side conceded eight tries in a 40-0 defeat at the hands of Penrith. In fairness to the 22 year-old he made 29 tackles and reeled off ten hit-ups. But do poor performances like this mean the Titans management would be more likely to want their suspended quintet back ASAP. Certainly it would be good for the depth of Neil Henry’s side. Even Dave Taylor at his most unreliable is unlikely to miss nine tackles.
After a disappointing opening round defeat in Newcastle, Warriors coach Andrew McFadden probably wouldn’t have thought a 66% completion rate would have got his side home in week two but it did as the Penrose-based side won 18-6. Completing only 27 of their 41 sets, and whilst there was no serial offender (five players made two errors and five had one) will be concerning for McFadden ahead of their back-to-back home games in the next fortnight.
In worrying times for Dragons fans the Red V have scored only two tries in the opening fortnight and one of those was a low percentage chip to Eto Nabuli in week one. The same play didn’t work on Monday night late in the game against the Wests Tigers when St George Illawarra were beaten 22-4. Paul McGregor’s side made 18 errors, as did the Gold Coast. By way of comparison limp Cronulla made 13 errors when they lost at home to Brisbane. Fair to say Dragons outside backs are drop-worthy in your fantasy competitions if you have requisite depth.
Last week we noted a Rabbitohs play which is likely to generate a lot of points for them this season but this week the side they played on Sunday missed a chance for some points prior to half-time. As time expired Roosters winger Shaun Kenny–Dowall scampered across the field before ultimately getting tackled in possession however at one stage he opted not to pass to team-mate James Maloney. Given the Roosters were into the home side’s half I wonder why they 5/8 wasn’t calling for the ball to slot a field goal. It’s always puzzled me why more sides don’t play an option like this late in the half when on attack rather than submitting to the tackle. You may recall the 2012 game at Parramatta Stadium when the Tigers were almost run down 31-30 after coughing up a 31-0 lead with 13 minutes to go. The difference was a Benji Marshall field-goal slotted just before the interval. Whilst the 2013 premiers ultimately fell to defeat on Sunday surely it was worth a stab?
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Hamish Neal
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