The Prism - Round 18 2015

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The Dragons vs Cowboys game proved that the infatuation with completion rates only serves to hinder attack and makes the game more formulaic. The Dragons are suffering under the weight of having set the wrong Key Performance Indicators (KPI's). There should only be one measure of success; winning.

They were proud of completing 34 from 37 sets at 92%. What this stat does not tell us is that the Dragons played most of the game between their own try line and half way. They ran for 300m less than the Cowboys, only made 2 line breaks and most of their kicks were just to get out of trouble.

The Cowboys on the other hand had 10 offloads and the ball pinged between the players. Most of the kicks were attacking and they regularly looked dangerous, all without Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan.

The Dragons style of negative play is killing the spectacle and is only resulting in just over 16 points per game. Nothing to keep the crowds entertained. They need to loosen up a bit; otherwise they will not only miss the finals but lose the viewers on the way.

Most people look forward to the likes of the Raiders, Warriors and Cowboys putting on a show. Do the casual viewers get excited about completion rates and dour matches or do they want to see skill and spectacular tries?

Predictions

Last week I only picked ¼ in the Origin affected lottery. Here are my picks for this week.

Queensland vs. NSW @ Suncorp Stadium
It is always dangerous to write off a team as old. Queensland by 2

Raiders vs. Knights @ GIO Stadium
The Raiders are coming together well. Raiders by 12

Panthers vs. Roosters @ Pepper Stadium
The Panthers keep upsetting teams whilst short staffed. Panthers by 2

Bulldogs vs. Broncos @ ANZ Stadium
This is the game of the round. Bulldogs by 4

Warriors vs. Storm @ Mt Smart Stadium
The bogey team of the Storm has had little Origin disruption. Warriors by 6

Sharks vs. Dragons @ Remondis Stadium
The Dragons have returned to their attacking woes. Sharks by 6

Titans vs. Sea Eagles @ Cbus Super Stadium
The Sea Eagles have finally gotten to the end of their back-flips. Sea Eagles by 4

Byes: Cowboys, Eels, Rabbitohs, Tigers

Form Guide

The form guide is based on a predictive model that gives more weight to recent performances. There is no adjustment for personal bias, injury or their position on the table. Byes are given a 50% weighting.

  1. Broncos (-) : had their bye after a string of wins
  2. Cowboys (+1) : won without Thurston and their State of Origin stars
  3. Roosters (-1) : had a bye after some good form
  4. Eels (+4) : have won 4 of their last 5 and are quietly rising up the table with a bye to come
  5. Bulldogs (-) : won 4 from their last 5 before their bye
  6. Warriors (+1) : two wins leading into the bye
  7. Sharks (-3) : a loss after three wins and a bye
  8. Panthers (+1) : back to back wins with a makeshift squad
  9. Rabbitohs (-3) : unable to maintain a winning streak
  10. Sea Eagles (+2) : two wins in from the last three
  11. Titans (-1) : cannot maintain any rhythm
  12. Storm (+1) : three losses leading into the bye
  13. Raiders (+1) : should be travelling better than they are
  14. Dragons (-3) : have lost their last four and are looking vulnerable with poor attack
  15. Knights (+1) : lost 10 of their last 11
  16. Tigers (-1) : have placed one hand on the spoon

Composite Team

Last week's composite team was made up of Grand Final coaches. Can you work out the theme for the team below?

  1. Preston Campbell
  2. Roy Bell
  3. Graham Lyons
  4. Ivan Henjak
  5. Jovan Clarke
  6. Darrell Trindall
  7. Mark Schulman
  8. Owen Cunningham
  9. Chris Guider
  10. Kevin ‘Stumpy' Stevens
  11. Robert Simpkins
  12. Alan Cann
  13. Bunny Reilly
  14. Geoff Toovey
  15. Alan Langer
  16. David Trewhella
  17. Anthony Colella

This team has lots of trickiness and guile. Predicted placing in 2015 table: 15th

Flash Back

This week's Flash Back was known as the "Black Pearl". Ellery Hanley was a British five-eight, outside back and lock who made a huge name for himself in the UK and Australia.

Over nineteen years, he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain, Western Suburbs and Leeds. He also had 34 caps for Great Britain.

In 1978 he scored a try on debut for Bradford Northern. He cemented a first grade spot in the 1980's and was instrumental in their 1981 Yorkshire Cup win. In 1984/5, his final season with the club, he scored 55 tries in only 37 appearances and was awarded the Man of Steel award. He finished his time with Bradford with 126 games and 89 tries.

Hanley made his international debut in 1984 against France and played 9 tests that year, scoring 4 tries. They beat France and PNG but lost all 6 tests against Australia and New Zealand. He played another five tests in 1985 with 3 tries.

In 1985 he moved to Wigan and continued his try scoring form with 35 for the season. He followed this up with 63 tries in the next year. He was again named Man of Steel in 1987 for helping Wigan to their first title in 27 years. They followed this up with a World Cup win over Manly.

In 1998, Hanley was on the outer with Wigan, but played a dominant role in the winning final against Halifax. He went on to captain the 1988 Great Britain Lions. During the tour he was signed by Balmain Tigers to finish the season with them.

Hanley played a major role in the Tigers run to the Grand Final against Canterbury. He scored tries in the playoff for 5th, the two semis and the preliminary final. However, his grand final appearance was short lived as Terry Lamb cleaned him up off the ball.

Hanley returned to Wigan in 1989 and led them to the Challenge Cup final over St Helens. He was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for man of the match and he received his third Man of Steel. He topped this off with the Golden Boot for the world's best player. He then twice led Wigan to the League and Cup doubles. 1989 also included a stint with Western Suburbs in the NSWRL.

In Haley's five years with Wigan he played 202 matches and scored an incredible 189 tries. He won a World Club Championship, four Challenge Cups, three Championships and four Lancashire Cups.

In 1991, Hanley joined Leeds and led them to their first Challenge Cup final in 1993/4, their first in 16 years. The next season he scored 41 tries as a forward and they again made the Challenge Cup final. Unfortunately they came up short again.

Although well past his prime, Hanley again signed with the Tigers in 1996 and played two final seasons. He retired with 479 club matches, 396 tries and 91 goals.

In 1990 Hanley was honoured by the Queen for his services to the game. In 2007, he was voted as the greatest British rugby league player of all time.

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