2019 Discussion

[Whino]

Didn't he sign a decent deal? If Knights are paying most of it. I'd take him

I think he signed a healthy deal. I would take him too.

Knights looking to offload cult hero
Newcastle are trying to offload cult hero Nathan Ross for next season.

Ross had a disappointing year in 2018, with injury restricting him to 15 games and just two tries.

But that was in sharp contrast to the previous two seasons, when he scored 19 tries in a struggling Knights team, winning the hearts and minds of the fans.
Ross has just undergone major surgery to rectify groin and hernia issues that held him back this year and the Knights have told rival NRL clubs and English teams that he is available for 2019 despite having two years to run on his contract.

At 29, Ross still has plenty of good football in him once he regains full fitness and his versatility - he can play fullback, wing and centre - should see him get a contract.
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/st-geo...the-mole/f7e28ccb-5484-42f1-aa35-1d8c13d15f51

 

[Whino]

Matt Parcell is a very good player, is he even an option?

Probably not.

 

[Luke Bowden]

I think he signed a healthy deal. I would take him too.

Knights looking to offload cult hero
Newcastle are trying to offload cult hero Nathan Ross for next season.

Ross had a disappointing year in 2018, with injury restricting him to 15 games and just two tries.

But that was in sharp contrast to the previous two seasons, when he scored 19 tries in a struggling Knights team, winning the hearts and minds of the fans.
Ross has just undergone major surgery to rectify groin and hernia issues that held him back this year and the Knights have told rival NRL clubs and English teams that he is available for 2019 despite having two years to run on his contract.

At 29, Ross still has plenty of good football in him once he regains full fitness and his versatility - he can play fullback, wing and centre - should see him get a contract.
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/st-geo...the-mole/f7e28ccb-5484-42f1-aa35-1d8c13d15f51

Pass for mine. I think we have better.

 

[jane the pain]

So has this forum.

I can see no reason to doubt them, Freddy pick him as the NSW 7 for a reason.

And Craig Bellamy has huge wraps on him as well.

 

[martielang]

Yep agree, not keen on Ross.

I can't see us getting anyone close to the calibre of Kori or Taupau, as much as we'd love them. I was thinking more secondary players or players under $300k.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I think he's too lazy, and with his shoulder problems not worth the risk.
Matt Parcell would be a better bet.

He’s not going to command big money so there’s not much risk involved.

But I’d be happy with Parcell too.

 

[herbert henry1908]

If it was just coaching it will come sooner. I think it was a combination of the above it will take longer

Well a guy on a million dollar contract can’t afford to take time to deliver, he’s copped a sweet ride from the media so far, that’s over as of next year. There’ll be serious expectations of him.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Wait, did I miss something? Are we now arguing over Nathan Clearys ability?

Y’all are getting yourselves if you don’t think he’s a going to be a super star.

The Johns brothers have both stated that he’s going to be better than Cronk. He has the ability and work ethic to make that a very real possibility.

What a stupid arguement.

It’s not an argument over wether Cleary is good or bad, it’s an argument over wether he’s going to be a superstar or just a solid half.

I fall in the latter camp, and I’m not the only one.

Very few players are genuine superstars, Cleary hasn’t shown nearly enough to be considered in that category. And as umina said a Johns endorsement isn’t worth much, they rave about tons of players. Matt Johns especially.

Better than Cronk is absolutely laughable too. Cronk always had a high quality kicking game from the start, Cleary’s is mediocre. Cronk had the advantage of learning from the best coach in the business & had superstars all around him, that lifts other players ability. Cleary won’t have any of that.

 

[herbert henry1908]

So has this forum.

I can see no reason to doubt them, Freddy pick him as the NSW 7 for a reason.

Yeah he picked him and he did nothing all series in attack. His biggest contribution was a cover tackle.

 

[jane the pain]

Yeah he picked him and he did nothing all series in attack. His biggest contribution was a cover tackle.

Brad Fittler instructed him to play that way.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Yeah he picked him and he did nothing all series in attack. His biggest contribution was a cover tackle.

He’s 20, playing in his 1st Origin series and his defence was outstanding.

What exactly were you expecting?

 

[OldPanther]

It’s not an argument over wether Cleary is good or bad, it’s an argument over wether he’s going to be a superstar or just a solid half.

I fall in the latter camp, and I’m not the only one.

Very few players are genuine superstars, Cleary hasn’t shown nearly enough to be considered in that category. And as umina said a Johns endorsement isn’t worth much, they rave about tons of players. Matt Johns especially.

Better than Cronk is absolutely laughable too. Cronk always had a high quality kicking game from the start, Cleary’s is mediocre. Cronk had the advantage of learning from the best coach in the business & had superstars all around him, that lifts other players ability. Cleary won’t have any of that.

Cleary has an amazing kicking game. Can kick a 40/20. Has great length. Control. I'm not sure what's missing.

 

[franklin2323]

Well a guy on a million dollar contract can’t afford to take time to deliver, he’s copped a sweet ride from the media so far, that’s over as of next year. There’ll be serious expectations of him.

Next year he isn't on $1m though. As long as we see it for 3 of the 5 years it is a good investment

 

[Luke Bowden]

It’s not an argument over wether Cleary is good or bad, it’s an argument over wether he’s going to be a superstar or just a solid half.

I fall in the latter camp, and I’m not the only one.

Very few players are genuine superstars, Cleary hasn’t shown nearly enough to be considered in that category. And as umina said a Johns endorsement isn’t worth much, they rave about tons of players. Matt Johns especially.

Better than Cronk is absolutely laughable too. Cronk always had a high quality kicking game from the start, Cleary’s is mediocre. Cronk had the advantage of learning from the best coach in the business & had superstars all around him, that lifts other players ability. Cleary won’t have any of that.

Matty Johns turned Cronk into the half back he is today. Melbourne recruited him as a winger.

Johns said from his 1st meeting with Cronk that he “Wasn’t the most talented player” but he had an unbelievable work ethic and drive to be better.

Now he sees the same traits in Nathan only he’s “A huge talent”.

Now, I’m not saying that you and Unima aren’t amazing judges, but, I’ll take his and every other “actual experts” opinion over yours.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Cleary has an amazing kicking game. .

"Amazing" doesn't seem to mean what it used to mean anymore. Cleary has an okay to solid kicking game. "Amazing" would require the ability to win repeat sets on a regular basis and doing more than putting up massive midfield bombs on the last when on the halfway line.

 

[herbert henry1908]

He’s 20, playing in his 1st Origin series and his defence was outstanding.

What exactly were you expecting?

Call me crazy but someone picked as a playmaker should provide some playmaking.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Cleary has an amazing kicking game. Can kick a 40/20. Has great length. Control. I'm not sure what's missing.

He’s kicked one 40/20 since 2016.

His kicking game is bomb after bomb, and they tend not to produce anything. His short kicking is almost non existent.

Now I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt that this may be because of Hook, but it couldn’t be described as amazing.

 

[OldPanther]

"Amazing" doesn't seem to mean what it used to mean anymore. Cleary has an okay to solid kicking game. "Amazing" would require the ability to win repeat sets on a regular basis and doing more than putting up massive midfield bombs on the last when on the halfway line.

That changed after Griffin was sacked. Someone posted the stats on his repeat sets and his strike rate has gone up massively and now they kick early a bit more and into corners etc.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Next year he isn't on $1m though. As long as we see it for 3 of the 5 years it is a good investment

He’s on an upgraded deal next year. The point is he’ll be under more scrutiny now he’s signed a big deal.

 

[herbert henry1908]

That changed after Griffin was sacked. Someone posted the stats on his repeat sets and his strike rate has gone up massively and now they kick early a bit more and into corners etc.

You can’t use a small sample to prove much. We need to see more to describe it as amazing.