4 days ago
10
Warren Ryan has always said to me that attacking out of dummy-half is the simplest way to get your team rolling – and the most dangerous, too. That doesn’t always mean running – there are different ways to get moving. But look at Cronulla. When Blayke Brailey started to run, they were a completely different team.
A threat at dummy-half takes pressure off your halves and keeps the markers tight in defence; it keeps them interested in one man and can help open up the rest of the field for his teammates.
Kerrod Walters was a master at dummy-half and a great foil for Allan Langer (background).Credit: Fairfax Media
For mine, four teams have really tapped into quality dummy-half play and attacking structures – starting with the Broncos of the early 1990s when Kerrod Walters was at hooker with Alfie Langer and Kevvy Walters in the halves.
They terrorised opposition packs as a trio. Then at Newcastle at the end of that decade, we had Danny Buderus leading the ruck attack as a dummy-half genius. Myself, Robbie O’Davis and Matthew Johns would get to work around him.
The Cowboys around 2005 had a similar approach with Aaron Payne as a crafty hooker, Matty Bowen’s speed and elusiveness and Johnathan Thurston at halfback.
The best of all was Melbourne’s set-up around Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
All those sides could move the marker defence around with deception or a run threat out of dummy-half, then have fast players with lightning footwork changing the angles of attack with short passes.
At about the 60-minute mark is when that comes to the fore. By this point in the contest, your middle forwards have made about 30 tackles and the hooker might have clocked up 40 or 50 tackles. So those defenders are begging you to pass, just begging you to send the ball somewhere else.
What they don’t want is a couple of small, fast, agile ball-runners picking them out when they’re retreating as a defence.
A slippery, dewy night – which it will be at AAMI Park – makes it very hard to shift the ball laterally against smart defenders.
So I’d be trying to tap into Canterbury’s strength, which is building momentum through the middle with leg speed and quick play-the-balls, trying to isolate one marker and really attacking around the ruck.
When it came to attacking the try line in State of Origin, Phil Gould used to always say to me: “The best passes in the opposition’s 20-metre zone travel less than one metre”.
Whether that’s your half, your dummy-half or your ball-runners getting over the advantage line, you’re looking to terrorise those tired defenders. You might as well start at the ruck, especially if you’re a Bulldogs side looking to get your mojo back.
As for the rest of the finals contenders, here’s where they win and lose in week one of the finals.
Why the Storm can win
They’ve got elite big-game players in Harry Grant and Cameron Munster and, of course, they’re coached by the best in Craig Bellamy. Their ruck defence is incredibly well drilled – you don’t see many quick play-the-balls against the Storm. And then out wide their wingers Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick are near unbeatable in the air.
Why they could come unstuck
Their left edge has been leaking plenty of points of late. Jack Howarth returns from a groin injury and the hope is he can shore them up defensively. Melbourne haven’t produced a polished 80-minute performance in a long time either and they’ve got a new No.7 with Tyran Wishart named to start at halfback and Jonah Pezet on the bench. I expect Pezet to get an extensive run guiding the team, but he is untried under big-game pressure.
Joey’s tip: Storm by 12.
Why the Warriors can win
Andrew Webster has a young tearaway forward in Leka Halasima to provide oomph in a team that otherwise plays really safe, conservative footy with few errors. Playing at home, they’ll have a serious crowd behind them, too. If they can bring the fans into the game, that could offer a massive boost. So too Wayde Egan returning at hooker. He adds so much to their attack.
Why they could come unstuck
The season-ending injuries to Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf – who was such a loss given the form he was in – have really cruelled their momentum. They’ve limped into the finals with two wins from their past seven games, and they’re inexperienced in the spine, where it matters most in big games.
Nathan Cleary has been widely tipped to dominate the finals – again.Credit: Steven Siewert
Why the Panthers can win
The opposite of the Warriors, they have champions in key positions and know how to win big games. They handle pressure better than anyone and have freshened up with smart rotations from Ivan Cleary. Their left edge of Blaize Talagi and Casey McLean has emerged as a real threat and Nathan Cleary’s kicking game is without peer.
Why they could come unstuck
Before Mitch Kenny was ruled out, I had nothing. But he is such a reliable, underrated player. The effort he puts in for his side is irreplaceable, and I genuinely think he makes an 8-10-point difference to the Panthers. If any side can win the title from outside the top four, it’s this Penrith outfit, but Kenny has to be fit and holding them together.
Joey’s tip: Panthers by two.
Why the Roosters can win
They’re full of confidence with James Tedesco in career-best form, which is saying something. Mark Nawaqanitawase and Daniel Tupou are brilliant in the air, they’ve got a strong, young forward pack and Sam Walker makes them so unpredictable when he’s kicking close to the line.
Why they could come unstuck
The Roosters have silly errors in their game that puts them under so much pressure coming out of trouble. In their loss to Parramatta, they completed at 57 per cent, which no team can win with, and they do have that kind of game in them.
Why the Sharks can win
Their back three are fantastic bringing the ball out of trouble, Cronulla’s forward pack is tough and hardworking, and they get plenty of impact from their bench, too. Nicho Hynes beating that hip-drop tackle suspension is the kind of confidence boost you love to start a finals week with.
Why they could come unstuck
The stats say it all. The Sharks have won just one of their past nine finals games and the question mark is legitimate. We just don’t see them go up a gear against the best players and opposition enough to have faith in them.
Joey’s tip: Roosters by four.
Why the Raiders can win
Canberra are absolutely flying with brilliant, unpredictable attack based on offloads, a power game and their speed out wide. The Raiders have the best forward pack in the NRL, and they’re playing without fear. Ricky Stuart’s coaching is such an asset too for a young side with so much potential.
Why they could come unstuck
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There is pressure and expectation growing on them, and they’ll feel that playing at home. Canberra’s right edge can be suspect in defence, and while they rested plenty last week, they are behind a couple of days on the turnaround compared to Brisbane. Josh Papali’i’s dodgy ankle is a real worry, too.
Why the Broncos can win
Brisbane have averaged 38 points a game the past three weeks and their attack is unstoppable when it sticks. Reece Walsh and Payne Haas are obvious match-winners, but I love the work of toilers such as Kobe Hetherington and Corey Jensen, too. They balance their star power so well.
Why they could come unstuck
Like the Roosters, the Broncos do have errors in them. Not having Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam as their halves is a blow, particularly given Ezra offers such a point of difference.
Joey’s tip: Raiders by two.
