2019 Discussion

[maple_69]

Am I missing something about Grant? He played 5 games this year and hasn’t shown anything to suggest he belongs in a contending side for half a decade. I’d prefer Mckendry or Lui-Toso getting his shot first.

My pick at the moment is Edwards, Katoa and May up the middle.
Left side of Sauce, Whare, Maloney, Yeo, Tamou.
Right side of DWZ, Blake, Cleary, Kikau, JFH.
Bench of Egan, RCG, Leota, Hetherington.

I know everyone hates Hetherington and he needs a humbling over the off season but get the balance right and he can be one hell of a player. Keen to see him on an edge. If he’s a bust Martin, Waddell and Blore all worth a look or JFH/May goes wide and Lui-Toso gets a crack.

 

[cain3y]

DWZ over Edwards for me. No fullback in the game catches the ball on the fly like DWZ does, it's beautiful to watch. A full preseason at the back will sort out his timing in attack, i have no doubt. Edwards can bide his time on the wing.

 

[cain3y]

Am I missing something about Grant? He played 5 games this year and hasn’t shown anything to suggest he belongs in a contending side for half a decade. I’d prefer Mckendry or Lui-Toso getting his shot first.

My pick at the moment is Edwards, Katoa and May up the middle.
Left side of Sauce, Whare, Maloney, Yeo, Tamou.
Right side of DWZ, Blake, Cleary, Kikau, JFH.
Bench of Egan, RCG, Leota, Hetherington.

I know everyone hates Hetherington and he needs a humbling over the off season but get the balance right and he can be one hell of a player. Keen to see him on an edge. If he’s a bust Martin, Waddell and Blore all worth a look or JFH/May goes wide and Lui-Toso gets a crack.

Poor Grant won't get a game if Ivan Cleary is the coach.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

1. Edwards over DWZ
2. Why is Grant anywhere near the starting 17?

 

[Flashstep]

while dwz might be a better runner, who has the better ballplaying skills? we need a FB who can get those passes away and finish off those plays to get nice tries. I think Edwards wins in that department. from what I've heard he was brought in as a HB so he might have some prior ball playing skills that a good coach could unlock in the pre season

If that is the case then I agree I would rather Edwards, the thing is he knows how to get into the right positions but when he gets the ball his decision making is very poor, however you’re right a better coach could get potentially get the best out of his playmaking

 

[Blues Riff]

Poor Grant won't get a game if Ivan Cleary is the coach.

They were never the same after the Kakoda trail. What the hell happened up there between those two?

 

[OldPanther]

Edwards is our fullback. There is no question.

 

[betcats]

DWZ over Edwards for me. No fullback in the game catches the ball on the fly like DWZ does, it's beautiful to watch. A full preseason at the back will sort out his timing in attack, i have no doubt. Edwards can bide his time on the wing.

Agree. He just gets us going better, he attacks the ball. Our best performances this year had Dallin at fullback, and he’s a better passer of the ball then Edwards imo.

 

[martielang]

Our team needs Edwards at the back imo. Gives us a much better balance across the park & I think Edwards backs up a little better. He’s still very young as well, should keep improving.

If Edwards goes down next year, I think I’d try Aekins there before DWZ, purely on balance. DWZ was great this year at the back though.

 

[betcats]

Edwards backs up better in support for sure but Dallin does most other things a fullback does better. He covers the back better with his athleticism and seems to catch a lot more kicks on the full. A full preseason training at fullback and I think Dallin will be comfortably better than he was this year.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Is he going to be on a million +?

No idea. I'd imagine it might be a little cheaper than first expected with his dad coming.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Edwards will be given the first opportunity at fullback next year.

Suddenly the club is looking OK for fullbacks actually. They need to identify who will end up being the best of Aekins, Laurie and Staines fairly early. We won't be able to keep all 3 beyond say 2020.

 

[mxlegend99]

No idea. I'd imagine it might be a little cheaper than first expected with his dad coming.

Nathan on $100k a season... his dad on $2m a season. Nothing to see here...

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Edwards backs up better in support for sure but Dallin does most other things a fullback does better. He covers the back better with his athleticism and seems to catch a lot more kicks on the full. A full preseason training at fullback and I think Dallin will be comfortably better than he was this year.

I disagree with you completely, and luckily the club will side with me on this.

 

[betcats]

I disagree with you completely, and luckily the club will side with me on this.

Lol that's great Billy im glad you are inside the clubs head, who will be our hooker next year since you know so much? what a strange comment. If we get supercoach Ivan for next season you might be surprised.

Despite Billys convincing arguments I still think Dallin is the better fullback.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Lol that's great Billy im glad you are inside the clubs head, who will be our hooker next year since you know so much? what a strange comment.

Edwards will be given the first opportunity at fullback next year.
.

The end.

 

[betcats]

The end.

What’s that got to do with my opinion? No matter who gets first crack I still think Dallin is the better option. I never claimed to know who will get picked first next season.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

What’s that got to do with my opinion? No matter who gets first crack I still think Dallin is the better option. I never claimed to know who will get picked first next season.

I was just saying that I disagree with you - I think Edwards is better than DWZ at fullback when considering their all-round game - but it is all beside the point because Edwards is going to be fullback at the start of next season assuming he is fit (via Panther Daz's mail). That is it.

But then you went off on one of your patented rants, and here we are.

But surely, when Lewis strolled through our line and DWZ didn't even get a touch on him, you weren't thinking "Yep, better defender than Edwards for sure"?

 

[betcats]

I was just saying that I disagree with you - I think Edwards is better than DWZ at fullback when considering their all-round game - but it is all beside the point because Edwards is going to be fullback at the start of next season assuming he is fit (via Panther Daz's mail). That is it.

But then you went off on one of your patented rants, and here we are.

But surely, when Lewis strolled through our line and DWZ didn't even get a touch on him, you weren't thinking "Yep, better defender than Edwards for sure"?

This comment is more of a rant than my four lines you idiot lol wtf.

 

[Fangs]

I think Egan will be better than Katoa eventually. Though I'm hoping Katoa pulls his finger out and has a big 2019.

We can't keep putting inexperienced players into key position like the 9. Katoa has played more FG. It's not much more xp than Egan however it now includes finals games and international games for Tonga. It's in our best interests that he succeeds. Otherwise we lose that experience and start completely fresh again with Egan.

Of course none of that matters if we just go and buy an experienced 9.