5/8's - Where the Bloody Hell are you?

[Bring back John Fifita]

What's with the current drought of quality 5/8's in the competition??

Benji Marshall (when fit) and Trent Barrett (when not suspended and/or injured) are the only two full-breed 5/8's of high quality in the game.

For example, Darren Lockyer & Gasnier played 6 in the 3rd SOO. Lockyer is a former fullback (agruably the best #1 in his day, and for a long time) who moved to 6 to fill the void in the Broncos side at the time. Yes, he has proved many critics wrong recently, but struggled for a long time. Similarly, Gasnier is one of the best centres in League, and it looks as though he'll fill the void when Barrett leaves for Pommyland. To date, he's got a long way to go to fill these shoes.

There is a major talent shortage in this area at present, and in looking for depth of talent coming up through the ranks in this area, there are some potentials (Daniel Holdsworth comes to mind) but not at great quantity. And not nearly enough to cover 15 - soon to be 16 - teams adequately.

Its a serious concern.

 

[sooperdooper]

Thurston?
fills the 7 or 6 great

 

[reptar]

I think Todd Carney makes a much better 5/8 than half. I know everyone's sick of hearing Raiders supporters talk him up, but watch him when he plays second receiver. He's definitely got the skills, just needs to develop the brains.

The demise of 5/8 has come about with the tactic of using two first receivers either side of the ruck, the 5/8 is usually used as a second half. This will turn around eventually, I think.

 

[Pierced Soul]

agreed. the problem as i see it is that the game has changed to an extent that 'footballers' are being bred out in favour of athletes. most teams have a similar gameplan now, complete your sets and kcik, dont take risks. gone are the days where you see halves terrorising the opposition with chips and grubbers (ala langer), players would prob be hauled off these days for attempting things like that.

players arnt being able to eb creative and the 5/8 role now is being eradicated by some clubs as they use backrowers tehre and get the halfback to do most of the work (i.e. cowboys)

 

[Mr Saab]

Sad lack of 5/8s running around.
Early/mid 90s you had Baa Baa, Walters, Daley, Florimo, Fittler, M Johns.
Today there is nothing.
Thousand outside backs of high standard, but the 6s are lost in space

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Dykes and Campbell are aging although they're still decent.

Smith is rapidly waning.

Anasta is a lock.

John Morris will be a halfback as of next year.

Beau Champion

Scott Hill/ Matt Geyer

Travis Burns

Jarrod Mullen

Jerome Ropati

You're right. There is a scarcity of talented 5/8s at the moment.

 

[NK Arsenal]

Dykes is a Lesbian

 

[Vicious]

Well Braith`s 5/8 days appear to be behind him unless he can get off the smokes, occasionally get home before 5am in the morning, get fit and lose atleast 5kgs and get stuck into sprint training.
Apart from that John Sutton could take the next step and fulfill his potential next season with some class players around him ?
Todd Carney is another who has the talent, Jarrod Mullen is now starting to become a permanent 1st grader and you`d assume that Parramatta young gun Blake Green will get the chance to show his ability on a permanent basis next season also ?

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Saab's hit the nail on the head, it was an embarrassment of riches in days gone past. And Reptars, Psoul's comments have a lot of merit about the way the game is played. I fear that the 5/8 position could become the new hooker - a bastardised role of lesser & lesser importance in the modern game.

 

[Frederick]

Dunno what you guys are on about...it's obvious that Kurt Gidley is the most naturally talented 5/8 since Laurie Daley...


:lol::lol::lol:
Oh god it was hard to say that with a straight face

 

[Mr Saab]

Add to that Choc Mundine..he was pretty good also...he might even tell you so

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

agreed. the problem as i see it is that the game has changed to an extent that 'footballers' are being bred out in favour of athletes. most teams have a similar gameplan now, complete your sets and kcik, dont take risks. gone are the days where you see halves terrorising the opposition with chips and grubbers (ala langer), players would prob be hauled off these days for attempting things like that.

players arnt being able to eb creative and the 5/8 role now is being eradicated by some clubs as they use backrowers tehre and get the halfback to do most of the work (i.e. cowboys)

As god awful as the Tigers have been this year, Im glad that they're still playing that style. It's obviously great to watch and its a shame that basically every other side has conformed to the approach that you just mentioned.

 

[aqua_duck]

Mullen will be the nsw and aust 5/8th in a few years time IMO, though I rate John Sutton very highly, if only he played for another team.

 

[Sea_Eagles_Rock]

Don't forget old Cliff Lyons, Saab. He was still running around last year too.

I always though Daley was a better centre before the injuries...

 

[petetheileet]

no mention of hornby...he's been probably our most consistent performer over the last 3 yrs....Barrett is a waste of time and money, id have Hornby in the No. 6 ahead of him any day, i do realise he does play a lot at 1st reciever when in the halves however he looks very impressive when taking the ball to the line.

 

[petetheileet]

In addition to this i cannot believe the morons who are trying to make Gasnier into a 5/8 has has neither the brain or the skills to be successful in the halves, he is a world calss centre... LEAVE HIM THERE!!! Im tired of people f**king around with things which are prefect the way they are! it was obvious with Lockyer's ball playing skills and kicking game he would make a good 5/8 the selectors who think that Gasnier is goin to be as successful as Lockyer have gta lay off the crack!

 

[aids]

Add to that Choc Mundine..he was pretty good also...he might even tell you so

Modest Mundino


as for 5/8's
whats the best job description for the role?

i always thought a 5/8 was very similar role as a lock, but a more of an emphasis on attack.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

no mention of hornby...he's been probably our most consistent performer over the last 3 yrs....

Hornby is an awesome player, who's utility value can sometimes compromise his potential as a great fullback - his natural position.

But yet again, he's been put at 6 because of necessity, not a natural pivot.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

The only decent so called "five eighth" atm is Scott Hill. How they didnt pick him is beyond a joke.

Whilst he hasnt been in great form, he's had a good combination with Cooper Cronk. He's been playin alright since he came back into the team from PL Norths.

I agree with the lack of 5/8's. Ive seen some great 5/8's over the years, Kevin Walters, Cliff Lyons, Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley. None of the ones going around, are as good as the ones mentioned and will never be as good.

 

[elyod138]

Thurston prefers to play 5/8 and he plays better there.