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Jai Field to Sharks

George Dragon

Juniors
Messages
1,985
Aussie Jai Field emerges as possible target for Leeds Rhinos
AUSTRALIAN BACK Jai Field is a potential target for Leeds Rhinos, but only one of several possible options.

By Peter Smith

Wednesday, 25th December 2019, 12:10 pm
QVNIMTEyODA2MDEy.jpg

Jai Field in action for St George Illawarra Dragons.
Field, 22, is a free-agent after being released by St George-Illawarra.

He can play in the outside-backs or as a pivot and Leeds have been made aware of his availability.

“He is a player I know from my time at St George,” said Rhinos boss Richard Agar who spent the 2017 season on the NRL club’s backroom staff.

QVNIMTEyODA2MDEx.jpg

Jai Field in action for St George Illawarra Dragons.

“We have got a good rating on him, we think he is a good young player with a lot of years in front of him.

“Tentatively we have spoken to his agent, but at this time we haven’t got a [overseas quota] spot.”

Leeds’ Australian-born forward Rhyse Martin has applied for a Papua New Guinea passport and if that is granted it will – combined with the departure of Nathaniel Peteru earlier in pre-season – open up a quota space.

But Agar insisted they have yet to make a firm decision on who they want to bring in.

“We have got to weigh up what’s the best fit for our squad in terms of positions,” he added.

“We think we need a utility-back and he [Field] would certainly fill that bill, but we also think we need a middle forward too.

“We will make that decision when the spot comes and it might be a different decision in two weeks’ time to what it is today.”

Only one of Leeds’ four new signings, scrum-half Luke Gale, has been named in the starting lineup for tomorrow’s Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge against Wakefield Trinity at Emerald Headingley. Hooker Kruise Leeming (knee) and second-row Alex Mellor (groin), have been ruled out by injury.

Australian prop Matt Prior is due to arrive before the new year, in time for a warm weather training camp in Spain.

He could make his debut in Jamie Jones’ testimonial game – which is also a benefit for Rob Burrow – at home to Bradford Bulls on Sunday, January 12.

The departure of marquee recruit Trent Merrin, along with nine other players who featured for the first team in 2019, has left Rhinos with space on their salary cap, but the club have insisted they are prepared to wait for the right player to become available rather than rush into a signing.


https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...-emerges-possible-target-leeds-rhinos-1349412
Done deal from what I was told last year.
 

Saint_JimmyG

First Grade
Messages
5,067
Does anyone know with certainty what Field’s best position is anyway? From what I’ve seen...not a great deal...he’s definitely not suited to the halves.
 

Dragonsamy

Bench
Messages
2,882
Does anyone know with certainty what Field’s best position is anyway? From what I’ve seen...not a great deal...he’s definitely not suited to the halves.

Jimmy I agree not a half.
I think he better suited as fb but his defense would need to improve greatly
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,947
Does anyone know with certainty what Field’s best position is anyway? From what I’ve seen...not a great deal...he’s definitely not suited to the halves.
I think the best I saw of him in 1st grade was when he spent some time at left centre in one game.
His defence was half decent (if not mistaken lucky for him he had Gaz inside him) and he showed ability in standing up the defence and putting his winger into a hole and also had vision to turn the ball back inside.
Really he never had enough time in 1 spot to make a judgement as to where he showed his best attributes.
 

Saint_JimmyG

First Grade
Messages
5,067
I think the best I saw of him in 1st grade was when he spent some time at left centre in one game.
His defence was half decent (if not mistaken lucky for him he had Gaz inside him) and he showed ability in standing up the defence and putting his winger into a hole and also had vision to turn the ball back inside.
Really he never had enough time in 1 spot to make a judgement as to where he showed his best attributes.

Redolent of Kurt Mann.

How much better SGI would be with him instead of Aitken and/or Lafai in the centres.

Deep sigh.
 

Saint_JimmyG

First Grade
Messages
5,067
Jimmy I agree not a half.
I think he better suited as fb but his defense would need to improve greatly

Funnily enough, I think the same thing.

He’s a fullback. Again, lack of size (a la Dufty) is a concern but his defence is pretty good.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,947
Redolent of Kurt Mann.

How much better SGI would be with him instead of Aitken and/or Lafai in the centres.

Deep sigh.
Evidently single handedly cost us a shot at a grand final rumour has it that sweat and salt got into his whip marks late in the game and tears got in his eyes at a critical moment.
Your sigh x 2
 

Frank Facer

First Grade
Messages
5,069
I think the best I saw of him in 1st grade was when he spent some time at left centre in one game.
His defence was half decent (if not mistaken lucky for him he had Gaz inside him) and he showed ability in standing up the defence and putting his winger into a hole and also had vision to turn the ball back inside.
Really he never had enough time in 1 spot to make a judgement as to where he showed his best attributes.
I actually suggested the idea of giving Field a run at centre last year. I was shot down by some for suggesting the idea.
 

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,061
I think the best I saw of him in 1st grade was when he spent some time at left centre in one game.
His defence was half decent (if not mistaken lucky for him he had Gaz inside him) and he showed ability in standing up the defence and putting his winger into a hole and also had vision to turn the ball back inside.
Really he never had enough time in 1 spot to make a judgement as to where he showed his best attributes.
Not one of your best judgements OT..Field could not defend in the halves or fullback let alone centre
And the game your thinking of is against a depleted origin missing Melbourne side and Field had to fill in briefly for injury.
People on here keep wanting to throw out of desperation and annoyance from the dynamic duo of Timmy & Euie concocting anything to play in the centre those who have no NRL and let alone lower grade centre experience. I have heard Rav and even Saab mentioned.
We have one in Lomax, surely there is someone with centre experience within our club now to fill the other spot.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,947
Not one of your best judgements OT..Field could not defend in the halves or fullback let alone centre
And the game your thinking of is against a depleted origin missing Melbourne side and Field had to fill in briefly for injury.
People on here keep wanting to throw out of desperation and annoyance from the dynamic duo of Timmy & Euie concocting anything to play in the centre those who have no NRL and let alone lower grade centre experience. I have heard Rav and even Saab mentioned.
We have one in Lomax, surely there is someone with centre experience within our club now to fill the other spot.
I think you may have missed judged my post.
I said that's where I think I saw the best of him compared to everywhere else he slotted in.
Do not interpret that as saying he was of good enough quality to hold that position it merely indicates if that was his best then in the other positions he was bog average.
 

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,061
I think you may have missed judged my post.
I said that's where I think I saw the best of him compared to everywhere else he slotted in.
Do not interpret that as saying he was of good enough quality to hold that position it merely indicates if that was his best then in the other positions he was bog average.
No not really I didnt..it was more your kind of support of FF and it even being a discussion point.
As you rightfully put it he was bog average in other positions...it would of been even worse at centre and a crazy idea at NRL level. I'd rather Dufty get a shot a centre 1st before Field if we went down that path which is just as crazy.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,591
Not one of your best judgements OT..Field could not defend in the halves or fullback let alone centre
And the game your thinking of is against a depleted origin missing Melbourne side and Field had to fill in briefly for injury.
People on here keep wanting to throw out of desperation and annoyance from the dynamic duo of Timmy & Euie concocting anything to play in the centre those who have no NRL and let alone lower grade centre experience. I have heard Rav and even Saab mentioned.
We have one in Lomax, surely there is someone with centre experience within our club now to fill the other spot.
Millward has recently recruited two players who might turn out to be good centres. In addition we have some promising junior outside backs coming through. The damage was done when Aitken and Lafai were signed long term even though their form was suspect. We are now paying the price but hopefully both will be moved on by/at season end.

For season 2020 I would be happy if players would be selected on form.
 
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