News on head

[_Johnsy]

From the website, I hope his inuries are behind him, but I doubt it. I would love to be proven wrong, because on his day he is brilliant. In form we would have the best kicking 1/2's by some stretch.
http://www.dragons.com.au/index.asp?pageID=101&menuItemID=10&articleID=3209

Mathew Head returns to St George Illawarra with a point to prove. After being released by the club 18 months ago due to ongoing injury and form battles the Dapto junior has found his way ‘home’ and is ready to fulfill his destiny.
Growing up in the Illawarra Head was always destined to represent the area. The scheming halfback dominated his age group and was a leading force in the last Illawarra Steelers Harold Matthews triumph back in 1996. It seemed only a matter of time before he progressed to the NRL ranks.
Of course, he did make it, he even showed flashes of brilliance and in 2004 he was being touted as a future New South Wales and Australian test player.
But injuries can be cruel and knee problems cut the cocky number seven down to size, robbing him of his confidence and speed, something that has taken years to get over. Head now claims he is ready to start again and he couldn’t be happier his resurrection is at ‘home’.
“It pretty much feels like I haven’t moved,” he says with a smile.
“I was really only gone for 18 months or so but while all the boys are the same there is a whole new coaching staff so it does feel like a new club.
“I’m obviously a lot happier that training is back to just 10 minutes away most days. It’s basically a fresh start for me. I left the club with injuries and a few issues but was able to go to another part of the world (English Super League side Hull FC) where I played some good footy. Then I had a reasonable year at the Wests Tigers but when I heard Wayne Bennett had signed with the Dragons I was filthy I had left. But I got the opportunity to come back and I grabbed it, I had to take it, and now I’m excited to be back.”
The 26-year-old claims his injury concerns are behind him and actually believes the break from the club gave him significant time to recover after countless comebacks in previous years had been thwarted by early returns.
“Going to England allowed me to have it a little bit easier at training as I joined mid season and I got a good six to eight months where I didn’t have to put excess workload on my knee and I’m certain that really helped me,” he explains.
“I have pretty much recovered pain wise and I just have to manage it like anyone who has had knee reconstructions before. I have a lot of confidence in the new rehab and conditioning staff here, I worked with Jeremy (Hickmans – new high performance manager) at the Queensland Academy of Sport a few years ago and he is great at what he does. Come next season there will be no excuses from me.”
The arrival of new coach Bennett has really lifted Head’s spirits. With a major part of his battles being confidence there is no better man than ‘Benny’ to get inside a players head to sort them out.
“He just brings that aura and respect,” Head says of his new mentor.
“Whatever he says you listen to, you know he’s straight down the line, he tells you how it is and he’s 100percent honest. If you watched him after the World Cup final you could see how happy he was to be part of success. He brings that enthusiasm and will to win and you can tell he wants to help you grow as an individual not just as a player.
“You don’t stay at a club for over 20 years and win six premierships if you’re not doing something right. I’m really looking forward to more one-on-one time with him and listening to what he says. He has coached Alfie Langer and we all know how good Alfie was so hopefully I can learn from him.”
When asked if he has a point to prove Head is upfront. He knows some locals gave up on him and he’d love nothing better to have them eating humble pie.
“There are plenty of people around the Illawarra particularly who have said things about me and who have doubted me but after leaving the club I knew I needed to lift and I believe I have,” he says.
“Firstly I just want the number seven back. It’s been a long time since I was a regular first grader and while I’ve had some doubts whether I could get back to the form I had before the injuries, to speak to Wayne and come back here for another chance has really boosted my confidence.
“It all starts in preseason training so I’m ripping in and come those first few trials hopefully I’m ready to perform at my peak. Then I hope to be part of a squad that goes on to win a competition.”

 

[watatank]

Hopefully he can get over his injuries, he would fit into the team so well right now.

 

[boxa777]

Massive trepidation on my part regarding Head.. the player.

Not sure how Soward and him would go in the halves but I would have an urge to possibly find out cause I'd rather play Hornby as the pivotal fullback that Slater, Hunt and Hohaia have been perfecting. I would have rather played Boyd at fullback but that's another story. He is needed in the centres.

On Head he is a lefty and so is Soward. We could lose that left-right kicking combination that is so valuable in the game. Also another part-timer Young is a lefty also. I guess Hornby can still do some kicking from the right so it should be ok.

Head is smart, and I've been one of his most vocal critics because his injuries frustrate me. I hope it works out well for him as in defence he will have plenty of protection in JSmith, Costo, Creagh and Scott..

 

[Jasdragon]

The bloke is sh*t and is a turnstile in defence injured or not, can't run the footy for sh*t, he's a waste of money. He is a f**king tiger reject and for good reason.

 

[Godz Illa]

Egads man - 3 swear words and a typo! It's Friday ffs - try to relax! Put on some easy listening tunes, Crowded House perhaps...

"Everywhere you go, you always take the weather with you"

 

[Dragonwest]

Head when fit can dominate a game, simple. He did it consistantly throughout 2004 and has showed at times since his done his knee (when fit) that he is still more than capable. All about the new fitness/conditioning team gettin him ready (if possible) to play week in, week out footy.

 

[Jasdragon]

Egads man - 3 swear words and a typo! It's Friday ffs - try to relax! Put on some easy listening tunes, Crowded House perhaps...

"Everywhere you go, you always take the weather with you"

Can't relax people are talking up M.Head .

 

[Jasdragon]

Head when fit can dominate a game, simple. He did it consistantly throughout 2004 and has showed at times since his done his knee (when fit) that he is still more than capable. All about the new fitness/conditioning team gettin him ready (if possible) to play week in, week out footy.

Dominate my ass, I think you have him confused with someone else.

 

[Godz Illa]

I don't get the hate. Does he have carnal knowledge of your mother or something?

 

[Slippery Morris]

Obviously he ain't seen Head in action when fit. He was awesome prior t his injuries and can dominate a game as per Dragonwest's message. Him and Hornby will form a good halves combo. Soward can play reserves or a back up like he use to at the Roosters.

 

[Godz Illa]

I wouldn't say that, I still think Jamie is superior and a must at 6. Just that Matt H is not worthy of such hate

 

[rushndude]

Obviously he ain't seen Head in action when fit. He was awesome prior t his injuries and can dominate a game as per Dragonwest's message. Him and Hornby will form a good halves combo. Soward can play reserves or a back up like he use to at the Roosters.

No way Soward needs to be in the starting lineup, he's been magic for us since he arrived!
I'd give Soward and Head a run in the halves..although only if Head is 100% otherwise he is out and Hornby in at halfback.

So where to put Hornby if not in the halves..it seems like he might possibly start at fullback but i'd much rather Boyd or Nightingale be playing there..

 

[God-King Dean]

Well we won't be able to question if he's having a go or not. This is pretty much his last chance. Hopefully he'll remain injury free (wouldn't bet my last shilling on it) & if he got into the starting line-up with Soward... my god.

 

[boxa777]

Can't relax people are talking up M.Head .

Who's talking him up chief? His running game has been sh*t for some time. You've just jumped in to lay into him..

Something so Strong . . CHouse.

 

[watatank]

The bloke is sh*t and is a turnstile in defence injured or not, can't run the footy for sh*t, he's a waste of money. He is a f**king tiger reject and for good reason.

And yet has far superior vision, a superior kicking and passing game to all the halves at the club bar none and actually has the ability to control the game, something which nobody in the club has.

 

[Jasdragon]

And yet has far superior vision, a superior kicking and passing game to all the halves at the club bar none and actually has the ability to control the game, something which nobody in the club has.

If he is so good why was he dumped by the Tigers and couldn't get a contract anywhere else? And don't say injuries cause plenty of players have had massive injury problems but still manage to find themselves with a decent contract.

He is just like Tim Smith has nothing but a short kicking game and when it's off he has nothing. When he was our regular No 7, I didn't recall us killing the NRL and when we made our run in 05 he was not our No 7 Hornby was. I think our halves should be Hornby and Soward under Bennett's guidance they should kill it.

 

[boxa777]

And yet has far superior vision, a superior kicking and passing game to all the halves at the club bar none and actually has the ability to control the game, something which nobody in the club has.

maybe a short kicking game, but i think Soward has him covered for general kicking and I fail to see how his passing is that much if at all better than Sowards. His left to right is only a floater, can't spiral.

Controlling a game is his strong point and the key attribute that you want in your halfback.

His problem is his confidence with his injuries is so shot that he does not have a running game. He will rarely take the line on and the opposition will know that. You can have all the control you want but if you're never going to threaten the line yourself, the team is in trouble.

We will have to wait and see. At the moment there are few options.

 

[Godz Illa]

Vision is the main advantage Matt H has over his competitors within our club and tbh most halfbacks in the NRL. The ability to read the game, read an opposition's defensive shape, know where the opportunities are. However much like the "Smart QB meter" on Madden NFL 08, his powers of vision are directly linked to his confidence. Injuries and lack of game time have harmed his confidence and have diminished that key talent of his. It isn't gone for good though.

 

[boxa777]

Vision is the main advantage Matt H has over his competitors within our club and tbh most halfbacks in the NRL. The ability to read the game, read an opposition's defensive shape, know where the opportunities are. However much like the "Smart QB meter" on Madden NFL 08, his powers of vision are directly linked to his confidence. Injuries and lack of game time have harmed his confidence and have diminished that key talent of his. It isn't gone for good though.

Did u get your Kings of Leon tix mate?

 

[dragonfan1]

Give head the number 7 and see how he goes. Don't know what to do about hornby. I've said that maybe he should be on the bench as a utility player but some people have disagreed. But he shouldn't be at fullback as that should be where nightingale/boyd should play.