Granty
01-09-2006, 02:09 AM
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,20322143%255E14793,00.html
Guns off the leash
By ANTONY STEWART
01sep06
SUPPORTING the ball carrier will be a priority as the Young Guns enjoy a 'free rein' in their sudden-death Queensland Cup semi-final against Easts at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight, according to utility Mark Dalle Cort.
Following a disappointing fortnight, which saw North Queensland fall to consecutive defeats for the first time this season, the defending premiers have done some tinkering to their usual game plan during the week.
Dalle Cort, who has been listed to play in the centres but could end up in the back row, said coach Mick Crawley had given the players the green light to use the ball a little more freely in attack.
After using the tactic in an opposed training run against the first-grade Cowboys squad during the week – a session Dalle Cort described as one of the Young Guns' best all year – he said he thought it was the right approach against the Tigers.
"(Crawley) has given us more of a free rein to play footy," he said.
"Before, we might have been playing a bit too structured and players were worried about where they were meant to go.
"Mick just wants us to push up and play footy and I think that can come off for us."
While poor ball security was a major contributor to the Young Guns' back-to-back defeats to Toowoomba and Redcliffe, Dalle Cort does not believe playing a more expansive game is a gamble.
He said the key to eliminating the errors was ensuring the ball runners were well supported at all times.
"We weren't doing anything too fancy, but maybe we were a bit reckless and not showing as much care as we should," Dalle Cort said of the 22-8 loss to the Dolphins.
"(Crawley) wants everyone to work as a team, to make sure everyone is working for each other and ensure that someone is always pushing up so that if the ball is popped there is always someone there."
As of last night no changes were expected to be made to the North Queensland and Easts teams that were announced on Tuesday.
Dalle Cort said the Young Guns were expecting their opposition to have a similar approach to Redcliffe.
"They grind really hard and I guess we have got to be prepared for that grind," he said.
"They scramble really well and work hard in defence so we've got to be patient if we are to win."
Meanwhile, prior to the Young Gun's match, the Arrive Alive Cup national semi-final will be played between Gold Coast's Keebra Park State High and St Dominic's of Penrith.
Adding a local flavour to the clash will be the return of former Townsville player Robert Lui, who will start at five-eighth for Keebra.
The winner will face either Endeavour Sports High or Patrician Brothers Blacktown in the final in Sydney on September 22.
Kick-off is at 4.15pm.
Guns off the leash
By ANTONY STEWART
01sep06
SUPPORTING the ball carrier will be a priority as the Young Guns enjoy a 'free rein' in their sudden-death Queensland Cup semi-final against Easts at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight, according to utility Mark Dalle Cort.
Following a disappointing fortnight, which saw North Queensland fall to consecutive defeats for the first time this season, the defending premiers have done some tinkering to their usual game plan during the week.
Dalle Cort, who has been listed to play in the centres but could end up in the back row, said coach Mick Crawley had given the players the green light to use the ball a little more freely in attack.
After using the tactic in an opposed training run against the first-grade Cowboys squad during the week – a session Dalle Cort described as one of the Young Guns' best all year – he said he thought it was the right approach against the Tigers.
"(Crawley) has given us more of a free rein to play footy," he said.
"Before, we might have been playing a bit too structured and players were worried about where they were meant to go.
"Mick just wants us to push up and play footy and I think that can come off for us."
While poor ball security was a major contributor to the Young Guns' back-to-back defeats to Toowoomba and Redcliffe, Dalle Cort does not believe playing a more expansive game is a gamble.
He said the key to eliminating the errors was ensuring the ball runners were well supported at all times.
"We weren't doing anything too fancy, but maybe we were a bit reckless and not showing as much care as we should," Dalle Cort said of the 22-8 loss to the Dolphins.
"(Crawley) wants everyone to work as a team, to make sure everyone is working for each other and ensure that someone is always pushing up so that if the ball is popped there is always someone there."
As of last night no changes were expected to be made to the North Queensland and Easts teams that were announced on Tuesday.
Dalle Cort said the Young Guns were expecting their opposition to have a similar approach to Redcliffe.
"They grind really hard and I guess we have got to be prepared for that grind," he said.
"They scramble really well and work hard in defence so we've got to be patient if we are to win."
Meanwhile, prior to the Young Gun's match, the Arrive Alive Cup national semi-final will be played between Gold Coast's Keebra Park State High and St Dominic's of Penrith.
Adding a local flavour to the clash will be the return of former Townsville player Robert Lui, who will start at five-eighth for Keebra.
The winner will face either Endeavour Sports High or Patrician Brothers Blacktown in the final in Sydney on September 22.
Kick-off is at 4.15pm.