Round 1 2015 Team

[Obscene Assassin]

Paulo's defence is high work-rate but it's like when Matt Keating or Hindy used to tackle, they never really put any sting into the hit. His short passing game is really good, and his running game doesn't have much of a punch that's why he plays middle half and not a middle forward role.

 

[hindy111]

Edwards runs a little harder and tackles a little harder. If either was playing it wont make too much difference in the outcome of a game thou.
Im not saying Seph is a world beater-I do think he gets a hard time on here thou.Seems like everyone wants to knock him rather than hoping he comes good.And i still reckon if he can get his balance right he is a genuine super sub and a very good player. One guy i hope BA has worked on thru the offseason.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I respect your footy knowledge hindy111 but the idea of Sepha ever being a 'genuine super sub' makes me chuckle.

 

[hindy111]

He had offers from the raiders and the knights, Parra also re-signed him so someone must see something in him.
I doubt he was signed for less than 150k as well.You dont play 102 first grade games if your a complete hack.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

How good were the offers if he didn't sign until well after the season ended? I never said he was a complete hack. He's just a substandard player. That's a long way from being a super sub. And I think Josh McCrone has played over 102 games...

 

[The Colonel]

How good were the offers if he didn't sign until well after the season ended? I never said he was a complete hack. He's just a substandard player. That's a long way from being a super sub. And I think Josh McCrone has played over 102 games...

I think McCrone is a good player. He is trying to be turned into a hooker and has been used as a halfback because of Campese. I just think he is used in the wrong way.

 

[Noise]

How many games did matt keating play? He never received one man of the match award in first grade and was forced into retirement in his 20s because no club wanted to sign the useless hack.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

From memory, about 400.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I think McCrone is a good player. He is trying to be turned into a hooker and has been used as a halfback because of Campese. I just think he is used in the wrong way.

I just remember that game he got given the captaincy last year and got hooked after several diabolical passes into players' heads.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

McCrone is a good player but lacks some of the technical and decision making skill for either halves or hooker. Speaking of which, Keating was an NRL quality defensive hooker, who was a throwback to the brief era (about a decade) between when the best hookers were just converted halfbacks and the more recent development, where they are key decision makers who need to be able to defend in the middle. As Brian Smith said, there was a time when most teams used to spend the least on their hooker, which led to teams being able to carry two of them in the 17. The Eels were still doing that right up until Casey McGuire retired. But the best teams switched to one high quality dummy half about ten years ago.

 

[oldmancraigy]

From memory, about 400.

Is that all??

felt more like 700

 

[oldmancraigy]

No I reckon if he found a running game he would be one.

His defense is passable and his passing game in my view is high level. If he had a secondary threat in attack he would go to another level.

You might be right... but i reckon his D is poor (he is so ineffective when he gets to the tackles).
His passing game is about average. 'Good' for a forward, 'Poor' for a half. He has utility value, hence the 100 fg games, but he is probably below average at everything!

How many line break assists did he create last season? Just because he passed the ball a lot does not mean he is great at it!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

How many line break assists did he create last season?

I'm glad you aksed.

11 Sandow
10 Hayne
9 Hopoate
8 Paulo, Joe
6 Norman
6 Tonga
3 Edwards
3 Pauli
2 Gower
2 Peats
2 Radradra
1 Ma'u
1 Moeroa
1 Moimoi
1 Smith

 

[oldmancraigy]

Thank goodness Pou has the important stats!

So JoeyP is better than average in the passing department!
I'll have to amend my earlier statement - all he needs is a running and defensive game - sound right now?

I think Meatloaf sang a song about him called '1 out of 3 aint bad'

 

[84 Baby]

I think Meatloaf sang a song about him called '1 out of 3 aint bad'

That gives you a choice. Either you:

1) Want Joseph Paulo
2) Need Joseph Paulo, or
3) Love Joseph Paulo

 

[caylo]

Thank goodness Pou has the important stats!

So JoeyP is better than average in the passing department!
I'll have to amend my earlier statement - all he needs is a running and defensive game - sound right now?

I think Meatloaf sang a song about him called '1 out of 3 aint bad'

Above average passing game, average work rate, poor running game, poor defensive game. For me this means at best he can play through the middle and Watmough, Gower and Edwards(obviously injured) can all play a similar role but provide better defensive and running. Yes there passing isn't as good but I prefer more hard nosed tough forwards.

Mannah, Peats, Jnr Paulo, Manu, Watmough. Bench - Gower, Pauli, Lussick, Wicks. Sefs biggest advantage now that edwards is out is that he has a utility value but Ualesi could also find himself with a chance to replace Edwards if he plays well

 

[TheParraboy]

Parra by 7

 

[oldmancraigy]

Above average passing game, average work rate, poor running game, poor defensive game. For me this means at best he can play through the middle and Watmough, Gower and Edwards(obviously injured) can all play a similar role but provide better defensive and running. Yes there passing isn't as good but I prefer more hard nosed tough forwards.

Mannah, Peats, Jnr Paulo, Manu, Watmough. Bench - Gower, Pauli, Lussick, Wicks. Sefs biggest advantage now that edwards is out is that he has a utility value but Ualesi could also find himself with a chance to replace Edwards if he plays well

I think we played him last year as some kind of 'foil' for the forwards. Basically he played like a second point that they could run off and make meterage. We had a very inexperienced pack, and having a virtual '2nd hooker' meant that we didn't get dominated as much as we otherwise might have.

I'd be surprised if Arthur goes the same way this year - all the rookies now have a year of FG experience (Edwards/ Ma'u/ Moeroa), and the grizzled old head of Watmough in the middle most likely means that Paulo is an extreme backup (although he may be favoured as 4th forward on the bench as emergency cover for hooker, halves, fullback [shuffle Norman]).

 

[lingard]

McCrone is a good player but lacks some of the technical and decision making skill for either halves or hooker. Speaking of which, Keating was an NRL quality defensive hooker, who was a throwback to the brief era (about a decade) between when the best hookers were just converted halfbacks and the more recent development, where they are key decision makers who need to be able to defend in the middle. As Brian Smith said, there was a time when most teams used to spend the least on their hooker, which led to teams being able to carry two of them in the 17. The Eels were still doing that right up until Casey McGuire retired. But the best teams switched to one high quality dummy half about ten years ago.

I think you should stop listening to Brian Smith.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

How was Keating's service in any way like a half's? Even a 'failed' half's? Hard to believe we endured him for twenty long years.