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Robson Eels No.7

Wise Old Eel

Juniors
Messages
448
Who knows? Maybe the way Joey developed as a kid was much more efficient than the way Robson developed. Personally, I just don't believe that there's anything people are born with beyond genes that would give them a massive edge over others.
Of course, Robson is way past it to be doing anything brilliant imo haha.

Obviously, Osborne doesn't share your theory. He went to quite an effort to make sure people knew about the kid with the "Mortimer gene" signing with Parramatta. If he believed there was nothing "special" about those genes (or "beyond the average gene" as you put it), he [as well as certain sections of the media] would not have mentioned them. And going on Mortimer's stella 2010 season, it may also explain why he was never "dropped" throughout the season (you can't drop him, he's a Mortimer).

I was sure the knowledge of genes played a major part in the breeding of race horses...

WOE
 
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Wise Old Eel

Juniors
Messages
448
Jarryd Hayne I believe is one of those people who have a natural gift or ability that gives him the edge. Just my opinion.

I have a baseball background and some guys can throw 90+ miles and hour and some can't, it's not something you can train to do, you either can or you can't.

Very true.

The same goes for footballers. That's why some play Origin and some try their guts out but never make it. It is true you can learn many of the skills required to be successful in sport but some people just naturally possess them. Geneology plays its part. While having the right genes does not guarantee you of success, it is still a huge advantage to have. It's up to you not to waste it.

Unfortunately, Daniel Mortimer - at this stage anyway - seems only to have inherited the "toughness" gene from his ancestors. He is going to have to work at acquiring the "skills" himself. I wish him luck. The same goes for Robson.

WOE
 

boxhead

First Grade
Messages
5,958
The thing is though with Origin WOE, is that great players like Luke Burt who people would tell you are very talented and good at what they do, never make it to Origin not because of lack of talent but because they have too many players ahead of them.

I think regardless of his past performances, the hard work Mortimer is putting in - as well as Robson for that matter - will still help them improve immensely from 2010. We know they were both horribly out of form this year, so even if they don't have talent, at least they can do the job. After all, many teams do well even without a great pairing of halves, like the Dragons; of course, the teams with the best halves tend to do much better such as the Roosters, but one has to be careful of course to not weaken the rest of the team (like the Cowboys).
I believe that if Kearney instills confidence into the two and they work very hard, as well as Kearney structuring the team to suit the two, they could still do the job and land us a finals berth.
I'd say patience and confidence in the team if what will count most next year, not lack of talent.

Again though, whoever are the halves for us next year I will both have sympathy for and cheer them on very passionately, they will need all the support they can get.
 
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mrpwnd

Bench
Messages
2,640
Obviously, Osborne doesn't share your theory. He went to quite an effort to make sure people knew about the kid with the "Mortimer gene" signing with Parramatta. If he believed there was nothing "special" about those genes (or "beyond the average gene" as you put it), he [as well as certain sections of the media] would not have mentioned them.

WOE
That sure as hell worked wonders for us.
 
Messages
18,509
You usually can tell early on if a player has it or not. Robson will be 29 this year he will never have it.

Mortimer is a tough player but he is devoid of vision and skill. It's a shame because he has a killer attitude.
 

Stagger eel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
66,452
You usually can tell early on if a player has it or not. Robson will be 29 this year he will never have it.

Mortimer is a tough player but he is devoid of vision and skill. It's a shame because he has a killer attitude.

granted regarding Robo but I'd be willing to give Morts a season under SK and Arthur to develop..
 

lingard

Coach
Messages
11,572
granted regarding Robo but I'd be willing to give Morts a season under SK and Arthur to develop..



Me too, but I want them to replace him if he`s not performing up to scratch. This is the Parramatta football team - not the Daniel Mortimer half-back school. Never mind the attitude stuff; this is Daniel Mortimer`s make or break year. His entire career hangs on this year. I`m not convinced, but I`m willing to get behind him. I never had anything against the kid - only the idiot who kept selecting him in first grade. Come on, mate, show us what you can do.
 
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Eels Dude

Coach
Messages
19,065
The thing is though with Origin WOE, is that great players like Luke Burt who people would tell you are very talented and good at what they do, never make it to Origin not because of lack of talent but because they have too many players ahead of them.

WOE used a very poor example there. Let's look at it from another angle and say as hard as a gifted tennis player may try and train, he's never going to be as good as Roger Federer. Same for all sports. Natural gifts and talent play more of a part than anything.

After all, many teams do well even without a great pairing of halves, like the Dragons; of course, the teams with the best halves tend to do much better such as the Roosters

The Dragons halves combo is under-rated. Ben Hornby is a very accomplished player. He wouldn't have played for NSW and Australia if otherwise. He's not a world beater, but he's a good enough halfback to know what has to be done in certain situations and how to execute it well. Soward has a solid long and short kicking game and in attacking situations he knows how to get the ball to the outside backs at the right time. He also knows how to get a repeat set.

I believe that if Kearney instills confidence into the two and they work very hard, as well as Kearney structuring the team to suit the two, they could still do the job and land us a finals berth.

This is what I hope doesn't happen. You cannot structure the side around what suits Morts and Robson because neither have the playmaking ability to run the show on their own. Hayne has to be our go to man still, so gameplans should revolve around him getting the ball at the right time. If Robson and Mortimor can't do that then other players need to be given a shot.
 

Schiltzenberger

Juniors
Messages
416
lol, at this thread.
Hard work and determination does not guarantee that a player will be successful. The 'born with it talent' still is the over riding factor.

Say Johns and Sterling were born with a potential limit of 100, well hard work and determination got them to near that number. Morts may reach his potential with hard work but his limit is only like a 70-75 compared to Johns and Sterling. No matter how hard he works he won't get any better than his limit.

We are getting into the old Finch argument. He was pathetic but many on here would always mention that he 'works hard', well so bloody what. Lets forget about bringing in talent and just go for toilers, because they 'work hard'. I'm sure there are some hard workers in the Wenty team, lets move them all up to the NRL because they work hard.
After all, this hard work argument usually only comes up to defend the less talented.

Plus, the main reason against this 'works hard' crap......
Morts is in the halves, the halves need some talent and skills, a hard worker is just a bonus if they already have some skill. A 'works hard' player usually suits the forwards and positions where a high skill level isn't as necessary as key positions, like 1,6,7 and even 9.

This isn't defending lazy players or not liking hard workers, so don't even attempt that line. The fact is that most NRL players have worked hard to get there and are still working hard, why is Morts hard work somehow put on a pedestal above his team mates?
 

spartan2153

Juniors
Messages
1,376
This isn't defending lazy players or not liking hard workers, so don't even attempt that line. The fact is that most NRL players have worked hard to get there and are still working hard, why is Morts hard work somehow put on a pedestal above his team mates?

because he is a mortimer & no other reason. If his name was smith or sandow then he would be bashed from pillar to post from supporters & media alike
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
58,105
To be fair, I don't believe in things such as talent or untapped hidden potential.
As a violinist for 15 years I've always been a major believer that hard work and optimized training is the best.
Just this once, I'll pass this year off as a major shocker in form for Mortimer and who knows, with the right coaching and his current mentality something could happen.

Well said.

I was frustrated with Mortimer's 2010 as was everyone else. But throughout his short stint in FG I have seen glimpses of class that show me he has it IMO.
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
58,105
Very true.

The same goes for footballers. That's why some play Origin and some try their guts out but never make it. It is true you can learn many of the skills required to be successful in sport but some people just naturally possess them. Geneology plays its part. While having the right genes does not guarantee you of success, it is still a huge advantage to have. It's up to you not to waste it.

Unfortunately, Daniel Mortimer - at this stage anyway - seems only to have inherited the "toughness" gene from his ancestors. He is going to have to work at acquiring the "skills" himself. I wish him luck. The same goes for Robson.

WOE

No offense, but Origin is a joke anyway. Glenn Morrison in his prime was one of NSW's best. Easily. Never got a shirt.
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
58,105
WOE used a very poor example there. Let's look at it from another angle and say as hard as a gifted tennis player may try and train, he's never going to be as good as Roger Federer. Same for all sports. Natural gifts and talent play more of a part than anything.



The Dragons halves combo is under-rated. Ben Hornby is a very accomplished player. He wouldn't have played for NSW and Australia if otherwise. He's not a world beater, but he's a good enough halfback to know what has to be done in certain situations and how to execute it well. Soward has a solid long and short kicking game and in attacking situations he knows how to get the ball to the outside backs at the right time. He also knows how to get a repeat set.



This is what I hope doesn't happen. You cannot structure the side around what suits Morts and Robson because neither have the playmaking ability to run the show on their own. Hayne has to be our go to man still, so gameplans should revolve around him getting the ball at the right time. If Robson and Mortimor can't do that then other players need to be given a shot.

Good example with the Federer analogy.

However, Roger Federer in his earliest years was pretty ordinary. There was a time when Lleyton Hewitt dominated him easily. Now Lleyton can't buy a win over The Fed Express.
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
58,105
lol, at this thread.
Hard work and determination does not guarantee that a player will be successful. The 'born with it talent' still is the over riding factor.

Say Johns and Sterling were born with a potential limit of 100, well hard work and determination got them to near that number. Morts may reach his potential with hard work but his limit is only like a 70-75 compared to Johns and Sterling. No matter how hard he works he won't get any better than his limit.

We are getting into the old Finch argument. He was pathetic but many on here would always mention that he 'works hard', well so bloody what. Lets forget about bringing in talent and just go for toilers, because they 'work hard'. I'm sure there are some hard workers in the Wenty team, lets move them all up to the NRL because they work hard.
After all, this hard work argument usually only comes up to defend the less talented.

Plus, the main reason against this 'works hard' crap......
Morts is in the halves, the halves need some talent and skills, a hard worker is just a bonus if they already have some skill. A 'works hard' player usually suits the forwards and positions where a high skill level isn't as necessary as key positions, like 1,6,7 and even 9.

This isn't defending lazy players or not liking hard workers, so don't even attempt that line. The fact is that most NRL players have worked hard to get there and are still working hard, why is Morts hard work somehow put on a pedestal above his team mates?

So according to you Nathan Hindmarsh is super talented?

I idolise the guy, but talented he sure isn't...Compared to Mateo or SBW or Lewis.

But he has a massive heart and a great attitude.

And nobody is putting Mortimer "on a pedestal". I think most are applauding his maturity and attitude - AT AGE 21. It's fine for Hindy or Petero to show that attitude - they're ancient. But Mortimer is a baby and is exhibiting the same mentality. That's commendable.

Obviously you're not a Mortimer fan, and that's cool. But just relax, mate - he's only 21.
 
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Springs

First Grade
Messages
5,682
because he is a mortimer & no other reason. If his name was smith or sandow then he would be bashed from pillar to post from supporters & media alike

Oh yes, he sure is loved by supporters...

Say Johns and Sterling were born with a potential limit of 100, well hard work and determination got them to near that number. Morts may reach his potential with hard work but his limit is only like a 70-75 compared to Johns and Sterling. No matter how hard he works he won't get any better than his limit.

Ridiculous.
A kid can be born with feet for hands, but if he trains every day for ten years he's still going to be pretty good at passing. I don't know the science behind talent, but judging by the number of father-son first grade appearances, genes must have something to do with it. Also what you are taught and how you act during the first 10 years or so of your life would also be a factor. And Daniel's a Mortimer, I wonder what he got up to?
 

caylo

Bench
Messages
4,870
So according to you Nathan Hindmarsh is super talented?

I idolise the guy, but talented he sure isn't...Compared to Mateo or SBW or Lewis.
QUOTE]

First and foremost Hindy has many talents, his strength and pace allowed him to break tackles early in his football days and be know as one of the best ball running backrower along with Tallis. Biological testing showed that Hindmarsh brothers had the capacity to tolerated alot more lactic acid in their bodies then normal well conditioned athletes.

Genes or Natural talents plays an important role in life as well as all sports, african american and aboriginal men have the higher % of fast twitch muscles which are very difficult to aquire even with a alot of training meaning they can run faster and jump higher. People that live in the himalayas have a higher level of EPO because of the decrease in oxygen concentration and have better aerobic conditioning, etc etc etc.

All NRL players have some skills and some work harder then other but it is a combination of them both that makes a player reach great hights. Look at Vatuvi at his best and worst, or Toopi at his best or worst, these guys are amoung the most talented players when they work hard because they have important assests for their positions but they can tend to slack off and it go pear shaped. Halves are the same, if mortimer makes it anywhere in this game it will be because of his work ethic not his natural ability but that same lack of ability compared to Scott Prince or JT means that he will be limited what he can achieve. Someone like Prince gets where he was because of his ability and work ethic while someone like T.Smith gets a shot because of his skills but stagnates due to his work ethic.
 

Eels Dude

Coach
Messages
19,065
Oh yes, he sure is loved by supporters...



Ridiculous.
A kid can be born with feet for hands, but if he trains every day for ten years he's still going to be pretty good at passing. I don't know the science behind talent, but judging by the number of father-son first grade appearances, genes must have something to do with it. Also what you are taught and how you act during the first 10 years or so of your life would also be a factor. And Daniel's a Mortimer, I wonder what he got up to?

I think you're missing the point. Every player has their limits. Otherwise every player would be the same level. Even from junior ages as young as 6 or 7 there's always the talented kids and the not so talented kids in the one side. They may try as hard, but some just more natural ability than others. Mortimor was born into a footy family and no doubt learned a lot from his father and uncles since a very young age. But what he learns will only take him so far. At this stage he's done well play first grade, but whether he's a career first grader remains to be seen. We may have seen the best of his ability already.
 

The Colonel

Immortal
Messages
41,992
Been plenty of talened kids come through the Parramatta junior system over the years. The ones that put in the hard work are the ones that generally succeed in first grade. Mortimer had a decent first season and a poor second one..... how he goes under SK will go along way to determining where he finishes his career. He is quite clearly prepared to work harder than most...... anyone remember Joe Delana?

Talent gets kids recognised. Hardwork and perseverance gets them into first grade......
 

fish eel

Immortal
Messages
42,876
Been plenty of talened kids come through the Parramatta junior system over the years. The ones that put in the hard work are the ones that generally succeed in first grade. Mortimer had a decent first season and a poor second one..... how he goes under SK will go along way to determining where he finishes his career. He is quite clearly prepared to work harder than most...... anyone remember Joe Delana?

Talent gets kids recognised. Hardwork and perseverance gets them into first grade......

His fortunes rose and that sunk along with the clubs, which, for a kid still learning his trade is understandable.
 

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