Opinion
Sorry, Graham, but it was my job to kick field goals. This is why blockers are unavoidable
Andrew Johns
League columnistLike everyone, I’m scratching my head over what transpired last Sunday between the Sharks and Knights and the controversy over blockers.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley said during the week, and I will quote him here, “Why do they need to be there?”
Well, Graham, I will tell you exactly what goes through the mind of a halfback or playmaker when they’re trying to set up for a field goal which can decide the result of a match, potentially a season, and even have consequences for a coach’s job or the contracts of players. It was my job to kick field goals, so I should know.
On play one, my position would be 15 to 20 metres behind the ruck and the entire time I would have the middle forwards in front of me. I have to be their eyes and ears and do the thinking for the team. I’m directing them where to run, what defenders to target and the ideal position for the field goal attempt.
Now, the whole idea of taking a field goal is to try to do it after a quick play-the-ball, which in theory should provide you more time to line up the attempt because the defence can’t get to you.
If the fast play-the-ball came on either tackle two, three or four, I would take the shot. If there wasn’t a quick play-the-ball, and we couldn’t get a decent attempt, I would kick to a corner and try for a repeat set.
Knights players during their golden point loss to the Sharks.Credit: Getty Images
But back to the “blockers”. Those middle forwards have to be in a position to take a carry if it’s not a quick play-the-ball, because not every ruck is going to produce the ideal opportunity. They need to be close to the dummy half to make the metres over the advantage line.
So as a halfback sees it, it’s almost impossible for them not to be in front of the field goal kicker. How many long kicks in general play do you see similar situations? You will only ever see the kicker in front of his teammates if it’s a rapid play-the-ball. Are we going to start penalising more of those general play kicks for blocking?
Annesley’s argument is good in theory, but it’s just not practical.
What happened between the Sharks and Knights with consecutive penalties was wrong. From where I was watching, no Cronulla player was impeded or had to drastically change their line, to put pressure on Kalyn Ponga.
Newcastle had only a rough chance of making the finals before last week’s loss, and I emphasise the word rough. It’s almost impossible now.
Last week reaffirmed for me the need to scrap golden point. There was no bigger supporter when it was first introduced, but I feel sorry for the referees because they’re under so much pressure, and it’s just five tackles for a field goal attempt.
If we want to keep the extra time element, it needs to be a golden try.
Flanagan and the Dragons aren’t done yet
If the Dragons can beat their arch-rivals Cronulla on Sunday, it will almost guarantee them a finals berth. That’s a massive achievement given they started the year with most people predicting they would finish in the bottom two. It’s also a huge testament to what Shane Flanagan has done in his first year at the club.
Conversely, if the Sharks win, then that’s a giant leap for them to make the top four.
It’s going to be a warm day with a fast track, which leads me to believe the team that wins will have to score 24 or more points. Looking at the teams, I think the Dragons have a little more attacking strike in them.
I reckon this will be a sensational game to watch, and the Red V fans might be breaking into song with their team on the cusp of ending a finals drought.
Joey’s tip: Dragons by 6
First try-scorer: Ben Hunt
Man of the match: Ben Hunt
Legendary coach Warren Ryan.Credit: NSW Photos
Ryan worthy of Hall of Fame induction
Firstly, I want to congratulate everyone inducted into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday night. It’s a magnificent achievement and all of those players, coaches, referees - and their families - should be incredibly proud.
There’s one person who is not there who I would love to see and that is Warren Ryan. Call me biased, but his record stands the test of time and the game was forced to change the way it was played due to his genius.
The five-metre rule was scrapped to counter his up-and-in defensive style and the old bombs his Canterbury team used to peg teams back in their in-goal also prompted tinkering. He was ahead of his time.
He started coaching me at Newcastle in 1999. I was mid-way through my career and I thought I knew it all. I was wrong.
He opened my eyes and changed the way I approached the game and its attacking philosophies.
I maintain no coach has changed the game more than ‘Wok’. He was the first to devise plans to play back-rowers and centres on opposites sides of the field, and would split up the rugby league field into percentages after having watched the unbeatable billiards player Walter Lindrum in action.
We won the competition in 2001 under Michael Hagan, a fantastic coach, but Warren Ryan’s fingerprints were all over it. He was a genius.
I fear the reason he might not be elevated into the Hall of Fame is because of his battles with certain administrators and journalists over the years, but if he does get his due reward, I will be the first one to stand up and applaud.
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