2020 season

[betcats]

Reason I questioned this is because big halfbacks are rare, most tend to be on the smaller and more nimble side of things.

There are some great examples of big halves mate I really shouldn't have to point that out.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Parramatta got a spoon in 2018 and will start 2020 as one of the premiership favourites. They advanced from 16th to 7th in a season.

Advancing from the bottom to the middle is easier than from the middle to the top. We’ve seen this with our own team, we’ve been middle of the table for 4 seasons now.

I’m not saying it never happens, I’m saying it’s rare.

 

[herbert henry1908]

There are some great examples of big halves mate I really shouldn't have to point that out.

Who have you got in mind?

 

[Fangs]

No. But he has gotten bigger and stronger and faster this year, so his 2019 version of himself was slower, smaller and weaker than this current version.

Let's see how that translates on field then. If that's true we can expect more tackle breaks and better defence yes?

I'm more interested in his try/line break assists.

 

[betcats]

Who have you got in mind?

Lol I am not doing that. If you think being Nathans size might hurt his halfback play then good for you.

 

[betcats]

Let's see how that translates on field then. If that's true we can expect more tackle breaks and better defence yes?

I'm more interested in his try/line break assists.

Yes Id expect increased size and strength and speed to benefit his running game and defence in particular.

 

[Fangs]

Yes Id expect increased size and strength and speed to benefit his running game and defence in particular.

Stats will reveal all. Beginning next Friday.

Does Nathan Cleary have a nickname? What about 'The Rig'?

 

[betcats]

Stats will reveal all. Beginning next Friday.

Does Nathan Cleary have a nickname? What about 'The Rig'?

I'd wait on the nickname, he has to earn that on the field.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Lol I am not doing that. If you think being Nathans size might hurt his halfback play then good for you.

It was a sincere question, you said it’s obvious but I can’t think of many great halfbacks that were as big as Nathan is.

 

[Fangs]

I'd wait on the nickname, he has to earn that on the field.

Don't talk like that you sound like me.

 

[OldPanther]

You just look for negatives, that isn't realistic it is pessimistic. There are positives and genuine reasons why we can improve on last year.

It is common round here and understandably so, for example an obvious one is many people have decided after two trials, one good and one bad that Naden hasn't gotten better, cant play centre etc that is a negative view, its not realistic.

While I think we will be very good I stick with Naden being a winger.

 

[betcats]

It was a sincere question, you said it’s obvious but I can’t think of many great halfbacks that were as big as Nathan is.

Johns was almost identical in size. Wally also. We have a former rep half on the staff who was his size. Fitler. There isn't a lack of good halves who were nathans size.

 

[betcats]

While I think we will be very good I stick with Naden being a winger.

See my later post on this, that is a reasonable assumption and I don't see it as a negative, he has a wingers skillset from what we have seen of him last year.

 

[OldPanther]

See my later post on this, that is a reasonable assumption and I don't see it as a negative, he has a wingers skillset from what we have seen of him last year.

Yeah I liked your later comment on it as it didn't show up till after my comment and the way the page refreshes on the site.

Also to @herbert henry1908 comment on recruitment I do think we did the best out of all clubs. We got 3 talented players coming from good systems with 2 being premiership winners who are still in the prime years of their careers.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Johns was almost identical in size. Wally also. We have a former rep half on the staff who was his size. Fitler. There isn't a lack of good halves who were nathans size.

I was talking specifically about no.7’s, 5/8’s are often bigger.

Johns was 3kg lighter than Nathan is now. Nathan is the second heaviest halfback in the comp, it’s definitely unusual to be that big as a 7.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Yes Id expect increased size and strength and speed to benefit his running game and defence in particular.

Which would be great, but my concern is he needs to improve his ball playing skills if the side is going to take the next step.

 

[betcats]

I was talking specifically about no.7’s, 5/8’s are often bigger.

Johns was 3kg lighter than Nathan is now. Nathan is the second heaviest halfback in the comp, it’s definitely unusual to be that big as a 7.

Johns was 3kg lighter in an error that was far less professional, you can say the same for Wally who played lots of 7. In this day and age and If Johns had Nathans commitment rather than being on a bender all the time he would've carried more muscle and been a better athlete, probably would of lasted longer also(not cause of the muscle but the commitment to training and looking after himself)

It is unusual perhaps but certainly not unheard of. And tbh I think If it really were unusual to be his size he would be the biggest currently and he isn't even that. Is there a big gap between the two biggest and the rest?

Edit: Wally wasn't smaller, but he played in a far less professional error.

 

[betcats]

Which would be great, but my concern is he needs to improve his ball playing skills if the side is going to take the next step.

No doubt.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Johns was 3kg lighter in an error that was far less professional, you can say the same for Wally who played lots of 7. In this day and age and If Johns had Nathans commitment rather than being on a bender all the time he would've carried more muscle and been a better athlete, probably would of lasted longer also(not cause of the muscle but the commitment to training and looking after himself)

It is unusual perhaps but certainly not unheard of. And tbh I think If it really were unusual to be his size he would be the biggest currently and he isn't even that. Is there a big gap between the two biggest and the rest?

Edit: Wally wasn't smaller, but he played in a far less professional error.

I did say it was rare, not that it never happens.

I was just surprised to see such a focus on building his size, because defence & running game has never been a problem for him.

 

[betcats]

I did say it was rare, not that it never happens.

I was just surprised to see such a focus on building his size, because defence & running game has never been a problem for him.

They aren't just building his size, the head of high performance spoke about this in one of those earlier vidoes, specifically about not pushing players to get bigger and stronger just for the sake of it and how that is not a good thing.

They are increasing his athletic ability, they have multiple physios and trainers and doctors who put together these training plans mate its not just some guy smashing weights so he can walk around with his shirt off.