Yow Yeh cops coach's criticism and learns
He scored two tries, one with freakish skills, yet exceptional young winger Jharal Yow Yeh was down on himself after Brisbane's 30-10 win over Gold Coast on Friday night.
Yow Yeh knew coach Anthony Griffin was not happy with him after a glaring defensive error opened the door for the Titans' first try.
The 21-year-old was caught badly out of position after rushing off his wing and allowed former Bronco Steve Michaels to post the Titans first try off a long cut-out ball from halfback Scott Prince.
He made amends with a spectacular snatch-and-grab four pointer in the second half but later vowed to mend his defensive ways.
Griffin took the opportunity to get his message across to Yow Yeh when asked about his "freakish" second-half play, when he somehow plucked a Darren Lockyer bomb out of Luke Capewell's grasp at full pace to score.
"He pulled off a freakish play as well in the first half, in the first five minutes," said Griffin, referring to Michaels' early try.
"The last two times we've played here he's put us six points behind.
"I'm his biggest fan, I'm not being cross on him or overly critical but it's a mistake that he makes and we have to work hard on him to make better decisions.
"He's a tremendously talented individual.
"The way he scored that try .... I haven't seen a try like that off a kick that I can remember off a high kick, running at full speed, to be able take it like that."
To his credit Yow Yeh copped his coach's criticism on the chin.
Yow Yeh, who scored tries on debut for Australia and Queensland this season, said he needed to get back to the "old Jharal" and play for the team and not himself.
"I definitely want to be a team player. I think a little bit of (over confidence) took me over the edge," he told AAP.
"I'm a massive fan of Hook (Griffin) and if he gives me a spray or tells me something I've done good, I'm going to take it in.
"He didn't give me a spray at halftime but he looked at me and said `you know what you've done and what you've got to fix'."
Griffin was disappointed in more than just Yow Yeh's costly defensive lapse, describing his players' opening 40 minutes as "poor"
Skipper Lockyer, who set up Yow Yeh's first try 30 seconds after play resumed, admitted he sensed danger at halftime after the Titans rallied to 10-all.
"I think the whole team did," he said.
"We were all a bit quiet at halftime, looking around at each other trying to find some answers."
Lockyer provided them with a classy second half which pleased Griffin a week out from an away clash with competition leaders Melbourne.
Griffin said Brisbane had to start playing finals football every week, not just for one half of footy.
"Next week we're playing the top team in the competition at their home ground," he said.
"You have to prepare to get ready for that. You can't just meander through.
"That's the thing that disappointed me in the first half."
![AAP](https://www.thefanatics.com/images/aaplogo2.gif)
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.