Boyd

[RABK]

Sooner than i may think if there is weight to the Josh Hoffman > Knights rumour that appeared this week. Though i think that's bullshit.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Interesting graph that really shows what the real strengths of some of the fullbacks we've been discussing are.

Looking at that graph you'd have to think Boyd will end up a 5/8, possibly during his time here.

Based on the "assists" stats? Well with Billy getting so many offloads maybe he has a future in the backrow ;-)

Seriously though, I think he is far more effective at the back working off a true 5/8. Having someone else there to handle the majority of the ballplay takes pressure off him and allows freedom to chime in when needed. Im not sure how he'd go if he was moved into the frontline and was relied apon to produce every attacking set, especially tactical kicking.

 

[K-Man]

Yeah Boyd has been awesome for us lately, just needs to get rid of his shit play-the-balls where he tries to milk a penalty, aka almost every single one.

I've got a theory on that which could be absolute pie in the sky and I'm happy for it to be called as such.

But anyway, could it be a deliberate ploy to get most of our team back onside and ready to take hitups at the start of sets deep in our own half?

The whole quick play the ball is always best theory is not necessarily always true. There are plenty of times where the defence can rush you and pin you down while all your forwards are struggling to get back.

Boyd comes across as a little bit annoying and lazy so it may well just be a trait of his, but it doesn't seem like something WB would look at not care to mention to him unless he was okay with it.

Similar to the way he never runs the ball back from a kick. At first it really bugged me, but then I noticed whenever he gave it one of our elusive wingers they would always do quite well making ground, Boyd would get into dummy half and have a really good scoot or do something else productive, and that little bit of 'time wasting' led to the team getting themselves into formation.

I suppose I'm pondering: is it better to eke out those extra 5 metres every time, or is better to build a set with structure and all hands on deck in the belief those 5 metres will be more than made up for by the end?

I have no doubts people are going to shoot this one down, but it's a theory.

Also, on at least one occasion against the Sharks Boyd was 100% within his rights to complain and should have got a penalty. And another time either that game or the one before he did get a penalty.

 

[Zoidberg]

Thinking way ahead, do you think, if Wayne is to leave after his 4 year contract, will Boyd go with him again if he goes to another club?

 

[Rod]

You would have to think so, but that would depend on a few things. Will Wayne continue coaching after his time with us? Although unlikely, a contract extension for Wayne might not be out of the question?

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Yeah Boyd has been awesome for us lately, just needs to get rid of his shit play-the-balls where he tries to milk a penalty, aka almost every single one.

Fugg that used to annoy the shite out of me.

He's heaps good enough to be forgiven for it though.

You'll know he's back to his best when he brings the ball back like a mad man straight and hard.

 

[broncos2010]

Dugan is better.

 

[Frederick]

Dugan misses games when he breaks a nail

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-dog-in-the-fullback-pack-20120815-2493b.html

Interesting graph that really shows what the real strengths of some of the fullbacks we've been discussing are.

Looking at that graph you'd have to think Boyd will end up a 5/8, possibly during his time here.

He's 24 this year. Mullen is the long term 6 at Newcastle.

He'd make an awesome 6, but his value as a fullback has been proven by what Saints lack and how far they've fallen off the pace with the ball this year.

We still have the 5th best defence in the comp - if e had Darbs still doing his thing, we'd be in the top 4 and contending again.

Thats how good he is.

 

[Noname36]

Looking at that graph you'd have to think Boyd will end up a 5/8, possibly during his time here.

I really doubt Boyd will ever play 5/8 for the Knights while Mullo is at the club (especially considering they're the same age). Bennett has made it very clear that Mullo won't play halfback again, so I don't see what the point would be of moving Boyd to 5/8 when he's a wonderful fullback and Mullo is killing it at 5/8. Who would do the kicking for us?

 

[aqua_duck]

I honestly don't think Darius realises how good a ball runner he is sometimes

 

[RABK]

I think sometimes you guys get too quickly wrapped in current events/form/proceedings.

In RL two seasons is a lifetime for a league team and 4 years is a lifetime for a league player. Things can change very quickly.

Now Boyd going to 5/8 is madness so you think it will be forever. Open your eyes a bit - one towards the future and the other to actually carefully read the post you're too quick to bluntly reply too. I said possibly.

Darren Lockyer going to 5/8 would have been considered madness at one time too. Boyd has a very good short kicking game, terrific passing game, good support and running game. His long kicking has never been needed because of Mullen and Soward but he does practice it at training.

Perhaps in the future Boyd might make a successful move to 5/8, possibly in his time here and Mullen will magically be able to play good football with Boyd regardless of what numeral is on his back.

 

[RHCP]

I think sometimes you guys get too quickly wrapped in current events/form/proceedings.

In RL two seasons is a lifetime for a league team and 4 years is a lifetime for a league player. Things can change very quickly.

Now Boyd going to 5/8 is madness so you think it will be forever. Open your eyes a bit - one towards the future and the other to actually carefully read the post you're too quick to bluntly reply too. I said possibly.

Darren Lockyer going to 5/8 would have been considered madness at one time too. Boyd has a very good short kicking game, terrific passing game, good support and running game. His long kicking has never been needed because of Mullen and Soward but he does practice it at training.

Perhaps in the future Boyd might make a successful move to 5/8, possibly in his time here and Mullen will magically be able to play good football with Boyd regardless of what numeral is on his back.

So this is what happens when Aku goes to fullback, right?

He has many of the attributes of a top 5/8, the shift is 100% possible. Only thing I disagree with is I don't think we can assume he has a first grade level long kicking game just because he does it at training. From what he's shown in game is all we can base it on imo - all the props in my team practiced dropkicks before training, doesn't mean they were good at it in game.

The defence is what would really challenge him. After defending his whole career on the wing and fullback it will be a big shift defending 2 in, or even 1 in. And he would be a big target for opposition attackers, making it even tougher than it is on regular halves.

 

[RABK]

No assumption made about the quality of his long kicking game, just noting that he does infact practice it. I'd wage a large bet it's a better long kick than Gidley has though.

Defence, i don't think so. Lockyer moved to 5/8 at about 86kg and with some noted questions on his strength in one on one tackling. Boyd is 97kg and seems to have no problems bringing down run away second rowers. The size and strength is there. He is a very smart footballer so i think he'd adapt to the frontline positionally. The thing i'd question is his heart, as perverse put it he is a bit of a princess. Whilst physically he'd be capable of making 15-25 tackles on 105kg blokes would he have the heart to do it week in, week out? Questionable.

Anyway, it's all pretty moot... it was a throwaway line about it happening soon as i mentioned there was a rumour Hoffman was been offloaded, probably to clear the decks for Thurston > Broncos.

 

[Joker's Wild]

I think sometimes you guys get too quickly wrapped in current events/form/proceedings.

In RL two seasons is a lifetime for a league team and 4 years is a lifetime for a league player. Things can change very quickly.

Now Boyd going to 5/8 is madness so you think it will be forever. Open your eyes a bit - one towards the future and the other to actually carefully read the post you're too quick to bluntly reply too. I said possibly.

Darren Lockyer going to 5/8 would have been considered madness at one time too. Boyd has a very good short kicking game, terrific passing game, good support and running game. His long kicking has never been needed because of Mullen and Soward but he does practice it at training.

Perhaps in the future Boyd might make a successful move to 5/8, possibly in his time here and Mullen will magically be able to play good football with Boyd regardless of what numeral is on his back.

I think sometimes you get too far ahead of yourself ;-)

You do make a point re :Lockyer and how his move was viewed back then and it is a possibility that he might make the transition to 5/8 but I cant see it happening within the next 3 seasons. 5/8 is the one area where the Knights are well served, unlike the Broncos back in the day.