Andrew Johns questions Dragons' recruitment of Ben Hunt as pressure rises

[_Johnsy]

OK tell me why Hunt would get a starting role at the Storm over Croft.

Croft or Hunt?

I'm glad we went for Hunt.

Remember one very important thing & also a modicum of perspective re: ha;lfbacks in the modern era. Coaches have more of an impact on the development of a player than you'd think.

Cronk has said publicly that Sullivan & Maguire (asst coach - attacking coach at that time ) along with Bellamy turned him into a halfback. Cronk was a was a manufactured halfback, who played fullback, centre, five-eighth, hooker or in the back row before Storm coach Craig Bellamy settled on him as the club's long-term replacement for Matt Orford in 2006. Cronk only played halfback just once and was mostly used as a bench utility in his first 2 years at the Storm.

Give Hunt time under Bellamy & i'm sure we'd see a completely different player to the one we're seeing under McGregor.

 

[_Johnsy]

So what you are telling me that Bellamy never new Cronk was contemplating retiring or leaving and therefore did no preparation.

Ummm Jehrome Hughes, Munster & Papenhuyzen all wanted to say hi, more than enough cover there.Croft was dropped September last year & never saw the light again, until that point he looked like the Storm long term 1/2. The reality is he just didn't develop as bellyache had hoped. It was the reason he was released early to join Brisbane. Believe me, he didn't come cheaply, it was no bargain for Brisbane.

 

[Blood&Bandage]

I’d like to see Hunt and Norman swap.
Norman seems to talk a lot. Perhaps organising might be Norman’s strength?
Hunt is opportunistic and 5/8 would seem a better fit?

 

[Blood&Bandage]

Hunt to 5/8, Norman to fullback, Lomax to centre. I’d like to see Dufty as an impact player (hooker) to come on late in the halves. Running out of dummy half, off a quick play would be exciting.

 

[RufusRex]

Dufty is trash .. the weaknesses will always outnumber the strengths ...
stop trying to jam a square peg in a round hole .. Recruit/develop the round peg.

Playing him from dummy half will get you one or two decent runs from DumHalf but will make us worse in the middle .. the 70m runs will be 90m sets and bombs grubbers and so forth.

 

[possm]

I’d like to see Hunt and Norman swap.
Norman seems to talk a lot. Perhaps organising might be Norman’s strength?
Hunt is opportunistic and 5/8 would seem a better fit?

I'd very much welcome news that Norman wanted out and our new coach sees Hunt as a hooker. Clune for Norman would give us some much-needed salary cap space. McInnes to lock ensures our middle is equipment with the defence required. Add to this a dynamic 6 and we have all the attacking flair we need in the 17.

 

[SBD82]

Ummm Jehrome Hughes, Munster & Papenhuyzen all wanted to say hi, more than enough cover there.Croft was dropped September last year & never saw the light again, until that point he looked like the Storm long term 1/2. The reality is he just didn't develop as bellyache had hoped. It was the reason he was released early to join Brisbane. Believe me, he didn't come cheaply, it was no bargain for Brisbane.

I thought Croft played his best NRL game so far last week.

It’s interesting you say it’s because he didn’t develop the way Bellamy wanted. I had a theory that Cam Smith’s absolute dominance of the team was holding him back, because Croft is a proper organising halfback who needs to be in charge to flourish.

Of course, it could have been a one off, and his next game could be trash, but I’m very curious to watch. If he excels at Brisbane he will be one of few that have left Melbourne and become better players.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Well, Norman has taken on that role to the extent he doesn't have to make anything happen almost every play. Hunt has his value but Norman is sooo disappointing, particularly considering the money we are paying him.

Agree.
If you look at his stats you would be forgiven to think that he is a running 5/8.
So we have 2 halves that like to run the ball and neither are proficient game managers.
Our halves have been a long term problem.

 

[SaintPauli]

I'd very much welcome news that Norman wanted out and our new coach sees Hunt as a hooker. Clune for Norman would give us some much-needed salary cap space. McInnes to lock ensures our middle is equipment with the defence required. Add to this a dynamic 6 and we have all the attacking flair we need in the 17.

Last week Norman did not look interested in the pre game talk by Mary.
Possm where did you hear or read Norman wanted out?

 

[Father Ted]

Hunt is a side issue, McGregor is the central problem. Fix that first, then look at the rest.

What about removing the people that sign these people i.e Mary , Price etc against all logic and retain them when anyone can see it's failed . The people that have not enabled players to develop all their skills and frustrated supporters beyond reason ?

 

[Wily Ole Dog]

Hunts the problem. He offers nothing aside from getting in the way and making errors. You looked a lot better whenever Norman was first receiver

lomax needs to go back to reserve grade as well

 

[blue bags]

why could.nt benji have stayed at dragons, why did he leave, if only he stayed, could have been good

 

[denis preston]

why could.nt benji have stayed at dragons, why did he leave, if only he stayed, could have been good

He played well the for the first year but the next two were bloody awful.Perhaps it was the systems ( or lack of it ) he was playing under.

 

[Warabrook saint]

why could.nt benji have stayed at dragons, why did he leave, if only he stayed, could have been good

He was offered 300k ,he laughed at it, in the end he was offered nothing. Three years later he kicks our a*#e

 

[Wily Ole Dog]

He was offered 300k ,he laughed at it, in the end he was offered nothing. Three years later he kicks our a*#e

Yep, he got greedy and paid the price, financially and football wise

 

[blue bags]

losing benji from the team, was like a domino effect

 

[possm]

losing benji from the team, was like a domino effect

Benji will shine under the right coaching instructions. Even Frizell, on of the best in the business finds it hard to shine under Mary's instructions.

 

[SBD82]

Hunts the problem. He offers nothing aside from getting in the way and making errors. You looked a lot better whenever Norman was first receiver

lomax needs to go back to reserve grade as well

I’d rather Lomax at fullback over Latrell.

 

[Wily Ole Dog]

I’d rather Lomax at fullback to Latrell.

Oh, I know you would and that says it all

 

[SBD82]

Oh, I know you would and that says it all

Are you here to impose upon us this phenomenal Rugby League knowledge that I’ve heard so much about?