Graham Lowe: Give him licence to roam

In the helter-skelter world of NRL football 2006-style, one commodity is prized above all.

Space. It can be the greatest asset - and yet the biggest danger for any outfit running around in this unpredictable competition. When you've got it you can put the opposition to the sword. When they've got it, look out.

Finding or creating space is the key to opening defences. And it was never better illustrated than in the Warriors' impressive win against the Tigers last weekend.

On the back of barnstorming games from their big men, Steve Price and Ruben Wiki, the Warriors seemed to have acres of space around. And the little men took full advantage, with debut hooker George Gatis providing swift service to a lineup of eager runners.

But the Master of Space, indeed the Emperor of the League Universe, is about to descend on the Warriors with his bag of tricks, this Sunday - Andrew "Joey" Johns.

He is probably the best in the world at creating space for himself and his support players and I reckon he's rated more mentions at Warriors training this week than New Zealand filled fourth places in Melbourne.

It's been said Johns is the type of player who could take the field in a dinner suit, be involved in most attacking plays and not have a crease on him at the end of the match.

The way he's started this season, he could also carry a tray of Bollinger and have Miss Australia on his arm.

Johns' vision and anticipation are gifts few have. He will see things well before any Warriors player on Sunday. If allowed, he'll turn his Knights team into a monster that can devour any team.

It is obvious Johns must be closed down if the Warriors are to win. But the other crucial piece of space I see on Sunday will be the 10 metres behind the ruck.

The Warriors don't have a magician in their halves, but if their forwards can consistently put the Knights defence on the back foot as they did the Tigers, the space behind the marker defence area could be winning ground for them.

It was a piece of real estate in which Gatis shone.

He made some intelligent moves from dummy half and, just as importantly, was backed up. Nobody is giving the Warriors a chance against the Knights because the early form of both clubs is chalk and cheese. The Johns-inspired outfit has already racked up scores that would please the Black Caps, while the Warriors have looked indifferent, even tentative at times.

But last week's win (even though it was against a very ordinary and under-strength Tigers team) produced some encouraging signs. If the Warriors can attack the space that the rules have put in place, I think they are capable of causing a major upset.

A simple game based on the go-forward power of Price and Wiki could easily start an avalanche of points for them.

The NRL is quick to say the salary cap has evened the competition. But I think the 10m rule is keeping the predictability out of the game. Any side can put 20 points on very quickly if their forwards gain ground, the ball is played quickly and relentless attacks are launched from smart dummy-half runs. It doesn't look pretty but it's very effective.

The Broncos continually had the Eels on the back foot because they employed this type of play and made great use of the free space the 10m rule can deliver.

It is in this area that the quick, small men of the game are able to have a picnic, but only if the defence is put on the back foot.

The new rule was introduced because it was felt that under the 5m rule, the game was dominated by defence. To a degree that was right. With this extra space, many sides are running with a very flat back line. I can't go along with that theory because being flat in attack also makes it easier for the defence.

The Knights play a deep attacking game, and this enables Johns to be selective with his passing. It also provides his runners the opportunity to change angles and put on dangerous second-man plays. It is a ploy I would like to see the Warriors try far more than they do.

The game of attacking behind the ruck is simple and, done well, it can create excellent field position. But it's in the attacking zone the Warriors need plenty of improvement. Apart from a crossfield kick, they haven't offered much invention.

Depth is the key when attacking the line. Without it, second-man plays, changes of angle and even simple run-arounds are impossible to execute correctly. Equally, a deep attack at the line tends to force the defence to slide, which in that part of the field is suicide.

The speed of the smaller men is also critical in taking advantage of a defence going backwards. A defence broken down by this probing type of attack will give a player like Clinton Toopi the opportunities to support any breaks. He is showing the signs of a very good player getting back to his best. But if nothing is created in attack he might have to go hunting for a few more chances if they don't come his way.

I think he should do this anyway. Toopi at his best is one of the best backs in the NRL.

I'd love to see him given licence to roam.