2016 signings player watch thread

[Bigfella]

I'm not sure why you have such a problem with someone having a different opinion to you on a football Internet forum?

We haven't made the semis for a long time.

We are entitled to be sceptical especially when most of the people managing our club are f**king useless.

People like you who just blow smoke up out player's and managements arses despite what is obvious were all telling us how good hoppa would go at halfback last year too.

His failure was a big let in our poor start to the year.

Not sure why you seem to think fullback isn't important in the modern game. Every other NRL coach and club seems to think differently.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Why's your point?

Ennis and bird are their best spine players by miles.

They can carry a journeyman fullback because they rotate electric attacking players in Holmes and barba through the games.

He's a solid player.

Every other team in the comp will have an outstanding fullback - we won't.

At least he's solid, which makes him much better than this year's options.

But it's a sign of how low we aim'in general and how easily satisfied our fans are.

We have a very good hooker plus close to the best halves in the comp, all working behind a very strong pack. I think we'll be able to carry Gordon as well as Cronulla does.

 

[Bigfella]

We have a good defensive hooker who is highly injury prone and whose attacking game needs to improve.

We have one elite, and one very good half. Their combination is completely untested and they are both left hand side players. The halves are probably the most exciting thing for our season - but there are a few unknowns about them too.

The forward pack is improving steadily. It is still below where the top sides are.

Considering the weakness of the centres and all but one of the wingers in our club, fullback is a position we could have added some much needed strike.

I'd be much more comfortable with Gordon if we could get a strike centre.

 

[T.S Quint]

it's attribute to our recruitment that we will again have the worst fullback in the comp next year, but it will actually be a big improvement on our fullbacks this year.

Who is the Roosters' fullback next year?

 

[Bigfella]

I've heard Blake ferguson and Jackson Hastings named as possibilities.

They have the pommy winger burgess coming next year. Not sure if they think he is a chance to play there or not. They also picked up the very talented Broncos junior.

They will have a few options there, and all of them are dynamic players.

Plus they could still sign a more established name theoretically.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I've heard Blake ferguson and Jackson Hastings named as possibilities.

They have the pommy winger burgess coming next year. Not sure if they think he is a chance to play there or not. They also picked up the very talented Broncos junior.

They will have a few options there, and all of them are dynamic players.

Plus they could still sign a more established name theoretically.

Roosters options are no better then Gordon at this stage. Jackson will play in the halves (plus isn't a fullback but could develop into one), ferguson won't be fit enough to play fullback plus he might have a strong running game I doubt his positioning / defence will be up to fullback level (time will tell). Every other option is a rookie.

 

[hineyrulz]

Sigh!! And on it goes.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Sigh!! And on it goes.

Ha ha how long to our first game ? Could be a long off season

 

[T.S Quint]

Roosters options are no better then Gordon at this stage. Jackson will play in the halves (plus isn't a fullback but could develop into one), ferguson won't be fit enough to play fullback plus he might have a strong running game I doubt his positioning / defence will be up to fullback level (time will tell). Every other option is a rookie.

Exactly.
The fullback position at the Roosters at the moment is a complete unknown. And yet some can say that they are already miles ahead of us in that position.
We have signed a reliable, experienced fullback who is playing pretty well in Finals footy right now. He's no superstar, but I think he's a very good signing.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Why's your point?

Ennis and bird are their best spine players by miles.

They can carry a journeyman fullback because they rotate electric attacking players in Holmes and barba through the games.

He's a solid player.

Every other team in the comp will have an outstanding fullback - we won't.

At least he's solid, which makes him much better than this year's options.

But it's a sign of how low we aim'in general and how easily satisfied our fans are.

Insightful analysis as always.
Holmes and Barba were standout attacking sparks yesterday while Gordon did nothing....
Or did Holmes stand on the wing injured for 60 minutes before being replaced by Barba, who came on after the game was over.
Meantime Gordon ran the fullback plays like a consumate professional.

Sure, he isnt electric, but will make a big differemce for us next year. Will give us the chance to groom a young bloke for the following year (much like Cronulla are doing)

 

[emjaycee]

I'm not sure why you have such a problem with someone having a different opinion to you on a football Internet forum?

I don't have a problem with differing opinions, just trying to understand them.

We haven't made the semis for a long time.

We are entitled to be sceptical especially when most of the people managing our club are f**king useless.

Healthy scepticism is a good thing. Repetitive negativity grates on most sane people after a while though. I will leave it to you to decide which one suits.

People like you who just blow smoke up out player's and managements arses despite what is obvious were all telling us how good hoppa would go at halfback last year too.

His failure was a big let in our poor start to the year.

Really? You want to find some arse blowing smoke from me and quote it please? Just because I don't get on here and post non-stop negative crap about our players and club at every opportunity doesn't mean I am blowing smoke up peoples arses. There are other ways to offer criticism when needed than an internet forum.

Not sure why you seem to think fullback isn't important in the modern game. Every other NRL coach and club seems to think differently.

Umm, I think my comment about the importance of fullback was similar to yours - with a good spine overall it becomes LESS important, but I don't recall saying it isn't important. As you said, Cronulla have a good 6 and 9 and so Gordon hasn't needed to be a Slater or Hayne level fullback for them. And next year I see Foran and Peats/De Gois being potentially just as good for us as Bird and Ennis were for the team that ran 6th this year and is still playing final footy in week 2.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Why's your point?

Ennis and bird are their best spine players by miles.

They can carry a journeyman fullback because they rotate electric attacking players in Holmes and barba through the games.

He's a solid player.

Every other team in the comp will have an outstanding fullback - we won't.

At least he's solid, which makes him much better than this year's options.

But it's a sign of how low we aim'in general and how easily satisfied our fans are.

And yet with all their "electric" attacking players they still only managed to score 19 more points then us. But the amazing stat is that with their better spine, players etc etc ........we still out scored them 83 tries to their 77 tries.

 

[Bigfella]

And yet with all their "electric" attacking players they still only managed to score 19 more points then us. But the amazing stat is that with their better spine, players etc etc ........we still out scored them 83 tries to their 77 tries.

Apart from the fact that you have misquoted what I said - are you seriously suggesting that we went better than Cronulla because we had better "points for" when they are playing second week of the semis and we were out of contention half way through the season?

Or are you just desperate to prove yourself a better fan than me because you will just see the positive no matter how much you have to distort reality to see it?

You were definitely one of the hoppa for origin brigade, which says it all.

 

[Bigfella]

Insightful analysis as always.
Holmes and Barba were standout attacking sparks yesterday while Gordon did nothing....
Or did Holmes stand on the wing injured for 60 minutes before being replaced by Barba, who came on after the game was over.
Meantime Gordon ran the fullback plays like a consumate professional.

Sure, he isnt electric, but will make a big differemce for us next year. Will give us the chance to groom a young bloke for the following year (much like Cronulla are doing)

That's a stupid post even by your standards.

You ended up agreeing with my basic premise - which is he's not outstanding.

You tried to use a single game as an analysis of an entire season which is completely f**king pointless.

 

[oldmancraigy]

That's a stupid post even by your standards.

You ended up agreeing with my basic premise - which is he's not outstanding.

You tried to use a single game as an analysis of an entire season which is completely f**king pointless.

No I didn't.

You said they could carry a journeyman fullback because they had electric attacking players -- I'm not sure if you realize, but you indicated that Gordon was a passenger in attack, and that the other blokes were the ones generating the points. All I did was provide evidence (in the most recent game they played no less) that you were wrong.
Gordon plays an important role for them (yes, even in attack) - if he didn't, he would be on the wing (or dropped to reserves).

Sure, he's just been keeping the seat warm for Holmes, but Holmes is not yet ready to play FB week in, week out - Gordon has done a sterling job of providing the 'gap year' for the young bloke.
Hope he can do the same for us.

Also, go back and watch the Sharkies over the last 10 weeks and tell me Gordon is a passenger for them in attack, and that the 'attacking spark' of Barba is paying massive dividends :lol:

Call people names all you like, but saying dumb things will still result in you having said dumb things.
Apologies if you don't think Gordon is just a passenger in attack - it is just the distinct impression you gave.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Apart from the fact that you have misquoted what I said - are you seriously suggesting that we went better than Cronulla because we had better "points for" when they are playing second week of the semis and we were out of contention half way through the season?

Or are you just desperate to prove yourself a better fan than me because you will just see the positive no matter how much you have to distort reality to see it?

You were definitely one of the hoppa for origin brigade, which says it all.

Yes I was a hoppa for origin supporter, and he did play origin. But I agree I was wrong, he didn't perform as I expected at fullback.

No way are we better than the Sharks, just making the point that with all their better "electric" players we still out scored them.

My point of view is that a few are suggesting we need better backs, a better full back etc etc etc ( which would be nice but not always possible) as if suggesting our attack isn't good - but attack is not our problem (which was my point with comparing tries scored against the Sharks), our biggest issue is defence. Fix our defence and we are finals bound.

 

[Bigfella]

I've made it very clear that he will be an improvement for us this year.

But we are the only club who would have signed him, which doesn't get me too excited.

There's no doubt he's a professional, and he still has a bit of oomph.

But he's on the way down as a player and I don't think you build a top aide in the NRL with that sort of player at fullback.

And bevan French is nowhere near at the level that valentine Holmes was at the start of this year where he will seriously be able to mentor him in games.

Holmes was very dominant at junior level before starting on the wing in firsts and was a very strong contributor from the wing from day one.

Guys like him and trjbojevic are as close to being certain successes in first grade because they stand out so much and for a good amount of time in the lower grades.

Bevan isnt at that point yet. There's still more than a chance that he might never get there.

We'd be a far better chance of doing something next year, and stronger for the future, with a Munster type at fullback. They could move elsewhere into the backline if French ever did come on, or take the role
Long term if he didn't.

Then you'd have proper depth because a guy like Gordon would be an outstanding back up, instead of an average first choice.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I've made it very clear that he will be an improvement for us this year.

But we are the only club who would have signed him, which doesn't get me too excited.

There's no doubt he's a professional, and he still has a bit of oomph.

But he's on the way down as a player and I don't think you build a top aide in the NRL with that sort of player at fullback.

And bevan French is nowhere near at the level that valentine Holmes was at the start of this year where he will seriously be able to mentor him in games.

Holmes was very dominant at junior level before starting on the wing in firsts and was a very strong contributor from the wing from day one.

Guys like him and trjbojevic are as close to being certain successes in first grade because they stand out so much and for a good amount of time in the lower grades.

Bevan isnt at that point yet. There's still more than a chance that he might never get there.

We'd be a far better chance of doing something next year, and stronger for the future, with a Munster type at fullback. They could move elsewhere into the backline if French ever did come on, or take the role
Long term if he didn't.

Then you'd have proper depth because a guy like Gordon would be an outstanding back up, instead of an average first choice.

And not easy trying to sign the exact player you want, they have to want to come.

Gordon is no better or worse then Coote (while the dogs made the GF with Perret who is no better or worse). I always believe you can't compare one player spine in isolation, you need to compare the whole spine 1,6,7 and 9. The salary cap will never allow you to get the perfect combo. Looking at the Sharks again, they have Robbo, just looking at him you would never expect him to be a half in a side that is a seriously chance of getting to the GF, but it's the spine combo they have which works.

All we need is Gordon to back up the forwards in the middle and positioning himself correctly at the back ( which Reece is terrible at) and we are on a winner - we have a better halves combo then most sides.

 

[Gronk]

Looking forward to Bevan French in the 9's.

 

[Tommy Coco]

And if Bevan doesn't make it we will have had Gordon in his spot for 12 months while the search goes on.

He is only here for 12 months, so we are hardly building a side around him.