Widdop at Fullback

[giboz71]

Playing FB again today.

 

[Saints Forever]

See no point in moving Widdop to Full Back in 2018 unless Dufty and Mann fail to impress

Field and Sailor are much further away from playing FG at 5/8 than Dufty/Mann playing Full Back

If all else fails Nicholls could play in the halves with Widdop to Full Back

My prediction is Dufty will succeed at Full Back in 2018, he has the skill set.

Once Leilua gets game time in FG, he and Dufty will renew their lethal attacking combo.

Leilua will be looking to offload to a flying Dufty up the middle and out wide. Its a mouth watering prospect !

 

[Dragonslayer]

Widdop is playing fullback through necessity not design.
Their regular fullback was injured and wirh no back-up, Widdop who played some fullback with the Storm, was the only logical choice considering they did have a back-up half 5/8.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Widdop is playing fullback through necessity not design.
Their regular fullback was injured and wirh no back-up, Widdop who played some fullback with the Storm, was the only logical choice considering they did have a back-up half 5/8.

100% dragonslayer.

 

[watatank]

Widdop is playing fullback through necessity not design.
Their regular fullback was injured and wirh no back-up, Widdop who played some fullback with the Storm, was the only logical choice considering they did have a back-up half 5/8.

Well they have Ratchford who played fullback in the midyear test but I suspect that Bennett doesn't rate him.

I think Bennett wanted more ball players in the team and figured that Widdop would be a better fit and could help the halves anyway.

 

[Crush]

Widdop has had a good game today vs PNG. He always looks good when he is chiming in and running at the line.
When he is on he can be very good. Can't wait to see how he goes next year.

 

[JasonE]

I thought he was competent but not quite quick enough to play fullback imo.

 

[watatank]

My view of Gareth is that he is a top class player and I'm glad he is playing for us.

No I don't call him a 'super star' ( say at the standing of JT, BIlly Slater, Cam Smith, Milford Inglis when not injured. As exemples) but he is a really good acquisition.

. Sniff a try and backs up with great timing. Can score a try with a bit of work to do.
. Intercept specialist and never seen him run down from behind even 90 metres out.
. Throws a sublime cut out pass to the left. Yes shanks the odd one but most are pearls.
. Defends stoutly and well.
. A competent goal kicker and general field position
. Yes, sometimes tries too hard and crabs but at least asks the question looking for a gap.
. Basically has a go. Still remember him run out against Bulldogs with the worlds most heavily strapped leg 2015 semi? Dived on loose balls with dogs forwards pounding him; got ticker.

I do not care where he plays 5/8 or fullback but great to have him in the team.

I think that's all fair. Widdop is a good player, he can score points and make plays and the stats (try assists, line break assists, tries, points) clearly reflect that.

I think my main issue has been that can't play like a halfback in a competition where this is pretty much expected. That is to say, leading the attack and guiding/organising the team around the field. can If you look at all the best 6 or 7 of every club, they can all play that way. Some players that are recognised as a 6 have been asked to play 7. I think the club and we all recognise this, since everyone agrees that signing Hunt was the right move and it shouldn't be too much of an issue, as no one gets injured.

 

[Brutalitops]

Widdop is severely underrated defensively. His positional awareness today was excellent.

Defensive fullback and attacking half was basically the role he played today

 

[Drag Queen]

Widdop is severely underrated defensively. His positional awareness today was excellent.

Defensive fullback and attacking half was basically the role he played today

I thought England made a tonne of errors today but I thought Widdop was one of the best for Dad's Army. Defensively he looked great and his attack wasn't lacking either. A couple of errors but he seriously looked hungry all game.

 

[Carlton]

I am not a fan of Widdop in the halves but fullback seems to suit is skills better. When he was part of the second man block play he is much more effective as the fullback in the move. When he runs this play as a 5/8 he does not seem to get the timing right and is not crisp. This may be because he is trying to organise players as well as his own role and/or he has to make decisions about how to progress the play if things change while it is being run. As fullback his role was a lot more defined and he looked good when he didn't have to worry about other players or changing the play on the run.

 

[Life's Good]

I thought he was competent but not quite quick enough to play fullback imo.

I hold the same view. He is a skilful attacking player and good in defence but I just don’t think he has that electrifying acceleration that you want in an FB that can bust a line open. Stays at 6 for mine.

 

[Drag Queen]

I hold the same view. He is a skilful attacking player and good in defence but I just don’t think he has that electrifying acceleration that you want in an FB that can bust a line open. Stays at 6 for mine.

We don't have that though. Any solutions?

 

[Life's Good]

We don't have that though. Any solutions?

I know you’re not a fan of Dufty but I see him as the solution. I think there is plenty of upside after a good preseason and playing off quality halves. My opinion(and hope)is the he becomes the FB to compliment our 6/7.

 

[Drag Queen]

I know you’re not a fan of Dufty but I see him as the solution. I think there is plenty of upside after a good preseason and playing off quality halves. My opinion(and hope)is the he becomes the FB to compliment our 6/7.

Fair enough. If Dufty can catch a bomb or even get us out of the 10 metre line, not get dragged sideways or actually run the ball I will concur with you.

 

[Crush]

Fair enough. If Dufty can catch a bomb or even get us out of the 10 metre line, not get dragged sideways or actually run the ball I will concur with you.

If he can just be adequate in defense and potent in attack that will be a win. A little guy like Dufty is never going to give you big bustling runs out of the 10 meter line. If at the other end of the field he is tearing teams apart with blistering speed and scoring bags full of tries then I am sure you can put up with some defensive deficiencies? Within reason ofcourse.

 

[blacksafake]

Having Hunt on board will make a hell of a difference to Widdops game next year. Hunt being the natural 1/2 will control the game, then Widdop can play his natural running game & what’s in front of him. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Drag Queen]

Of course Crush, but is comparing ourselves to other teams adequate enough? This is a spine position and mediiocre doesn't cut it. Just a thought.

 

[JDHD]

If he can just be adequate in defense and potent in attack that will be a win. A little guy like Dufty is never going to give you big bustling runs out of the 10 meter line. If at the other end of the field he is tearing teams apart with blistering speed and scoring bags full of tries then I am sure you can put up with some defensive deficiencies? Within reason ofcourse.

It's like Ben Barba. If you can make a game plan that accounts for his weaknesses and takes advantage of his strengths, he will win you a premiership. If not, he's a bench utility.

 

[Life's Good]

Fair enough. If Dufty can catch a bomb or even get us out of the 10 metre line, not get dragged sideways or actually run the ball I will concur with you.

I think he showed enough to suggest he can do that. I sure hope so because I fear our back up option is Nighty which is a backward step in my eyes.