(though Wests did play a few long balls towards Billingsley; probably a good tactic in this game).
Heard a few people around me commenting that Wests were playing long-ball. (lol)
The difference being that they'd keep possession and wait until Onehunga set a high defensive line, then they wouldn't hesitate to play over top.
Not stupid at all when:
a) your players are fast
b) the opposition is playing a high line and
c) the people playing the long balls aren't being pressured
Over the last year Wests have found that teams have packed the middle and sat deep against them, so they have focused on exploiting the counter and the spaces in behind when teams do press a bit higher. People misinterpret why Declan likes his teams to keep the ball. It's not about passing the ball into the back of the net every time, it's about controlling the game and then finding the way to break the opponent down, whether it's playing through, around, or over. This is Declan's best team so far, in part because they're very adaptable without having to alter their basic shape or playing style. Whoever they get next, they will find a way to score goals.