RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
That makes perfect sense and I agree with your points regarding Genia.
Ruggo, it's Genia's kicks that worry me. They are slowly but surely getting Barnes-like under pressure: too quickly executed when containing possession looks far more prudent, often ill-delivered high and direct to a good opposition player in good space. Then a fired up opposition, loving the gift, mounts a productive counter attack and the ensuing possession is used to send us 10, 20 whatever metres backwards, having to tackle on the way back like demons, and ending up in a wholly defensive posture with much lost territory and zero, absolutely zero gained from the initial kick.
Look at Genia's kick forward around 30+ mins in (fatigue has me forgetting the time precisely) when IMO there was absolutely no sound tactical reason not to treasure possession and work the ball in phases up the field (as the Reds did so often in 2011 to productive effect). Possession was gifted away and, directly or indirectly, it was the clear turning point in the Sharks points revival and improved attacking execution.
I have just grown to hate toxic, wasteful gifts to opposition via unnecessary loose kicks forward when they are neither truly needed, nor productive. Look at what this type of kicking did for the Tahs last night.