“Good game, although nearly ruined by a silly kick off event towards then end.

Apart from one or two silly things, such as making a 1db instead of 2db, the play was acceptable.

Some learnings from observation on Norse:

1) PRESSURE

Not afraid to apply the squeeze on us, the Norse base heavily in defence.

This gave us all manner of headaches, especially with our low mobility, agility, and lack of block and (absence of) tackle skill to deal with blodgers.

We did have to dodge out ball carrier away from being marked. Could have lost the game there and then. Lucky.


2) PIG

One- well positioned pig to create the jump up rolls, which did spring a couple of times.

Two- used as a fouling piece successfully, stunning a number of our players to help with the Norse offensive advancement.

Three- screen and corner cage with easy dodge out of contact mobility. Cannot tie this player down.


3) VALKYRIES

Really well used, both the dauntless and strip ball mechanics.

We were sacked a number of times this game. To be fair, they were well found sacks and did not rely on SB, but that was a safety net.


So.. what could we have done?

1) PROTECT

We had a poor T5 on offence.

We identified 'go time' well, and made the penetration, however we did not protect the ball.

There was a better way to move players before moving ball carrier, which would have eliminated the sack ability.


2) SPACE

T4 of second half defence we fall for the 'surf trap'.

Surf is made which is nice, but we traded position and space which is exploited. In the end, by T6 we scrambled and had a critical turn to defend.

The mistake we made, I think, was not blitzing a corner cage to base the ball carrier.

So maybe we'd have done better if we had blitzed into the cage and applied pressure. I think next time this is a better method.


3) LUCKY

This one was a little moot, but if done better maybe could have changed the result.

Final two turns we are able to receive the ball and blitz with a bull upfield. But he was unprotected and 2db sacked. Clean POW, but SB would have worked too.

I think, mistake here, is the potato. Should have stayed back, 9 squares away, protected.

We could have made sure no blitz was available on the ball, and then there is a chance to punch through as well.

Remember for next time, don't always need to run off solo if odds of sack are high. ”