Cooper cronk

[Slippery Morris]

Interested to see how McCorne would go with Benji or Widdop next to him if given the chance in the halves. It will be a fair step up to what he has had in the past. He hardly got much time last year when they had a decent 5/8.

 

[Cagey Mac]

Were Peter M and Aitken really that bad?? I would have thought say compared to Linnett and O'Neill, they would not be out of place.

Sure Aitken was a rookie but had a very good season, and was even recognised with a PM XIII jersey. And Peter M is vastly underrated as a centre IMO. Having said that, having Lafai and Dugan as our starters is a big upgrade.

Think there were other reasons why our attack stunk last year - formation and coaching primarily. The formation problem is being addressed, not sure where we are with the attacking coach however?

Limited speed and line-breaking ability (relatively) though Benji and Widdop feature highly in line break assists. Neither is particularly tall so kick receptions in goal not strong points. Both lack experience compared to Lafai.

They're both good players but Lafai is a significantly more potent option.

I'd say with a good left winger in place that it is a very good backline.

 

[kit66]

Were Peter M and Aitken really that bad?? I would have thought say compared to Linnett and O'Neill, they would not be out of place.

Sure Aitken was a rookie but had a very good season, and was even recognised with a PM XIII jersey. And Peter M is vastly underrated as a centre IMO. Having said that, having Lafai and Dugan as our starters is a big upgrade.

Think there were other reasons why our attack stunk last year - formation and coaching primarily. The formation problem is being addressed, not sure where we are with the attacking coach however?

No they weren't. Both were very serviceable at centre but as you say Dugan is a class above and Lafai has the potential to be also. I really feel for Aitken who had a superb first year for us, such a fearless defender, reminds me a bit of Shaun Timmins, such a shame he'll have to wait a while for his next opportunity. It's a pity also he can't play fullback or wing and is a bit young and inexperienced to compete for a spot in the back row ( not far off though you'd think ). Mata'utia would do well to take the offer from Titans where he'd walk straight into a centre spot I'd say.

I'm not as confident as some that adding yet another assistant coach, Hornby, is such a great idea, too many cooks and all. I'd rather they gave Mary more credit and more room, he was a damn good attacking player and with two talented centres at his disposal could weave a little magic this year.

 

[The Nick]

Interested to see how McCorne would go with Benji or Widdop next to him if given the chance in the halves. It will be a fair step up to what he has had in the past. He hardly got much time last year when they had a decent 5/8.

I think he would make a decent foil for Benji.

 

[Jubileeboy]

No they weren't. Both were very serviceable at centre but as you say Dugan is a class above and Lafai has the potential to be also. I really feel for Aitken who had a superb first year for us, such a fearless defender, reminds me a bit of Shaun Timmins, such a shame he'll have to wait a while for his next opportunity. It's a pity also he can't play fullback or wing and is a bit young and inexperienced to compete for a spot in the back row ( not far off though you'd think ). Mata'utia would do well to take the offer from Titans where he'd walk straight into a centre spot I'd say.

I'm not as confident as some that adding yet another assistant coach, Hornby, is such a great idea, too many cooks and all. I'd rather they gave Mary more credit and more room, he was a damn good attacking player and with two talented centres at his disposal could weave a little magic this year.

I thought Hornby was replacing Millward?
Hornby replaced by Matt Head as U 20's coach.
Millward to Cutters.

 

[Saintsified]

Actually Thurston was never "moved to 5/8" to accommodate Cronk, he actually pursued to the move to 5/8 following Lockyer's retirement.

Andrew Johns was pushed to hooker to accommodate others in 7 as well, none were better than Johns at 7..means little. Point is Benji is a better player than Cronk.

 

[Saintsified]

Difference is Benji achieved EVERYTHING too early in his career. He dominated the comp by 25 and then lost the desire as he has stated a few times. The Tigers won the comp when they were not even spoken about as a threat. I know Cronk has achieved a lot as has JT but they never won a comp and captained their country to a World Cup and Four Nations at 25? I don't know many in the whole history of the game that have? Pretty rare feat which does not get the credit it deserves. If Benji was an Aussie he would have won a stack of Origins as well and been spoken about as an immortal but because he is not an Aussie he isn't even thought off. How many KIWI's are talked about as immortals? Exactly? Not saying the NRL has an issue with KIWI's but because they don't play origin they don't get as much of a chance to get spoken about as immortals.

Of all KIWI's to play the game Benji would be my pick if any are to become an immortal.

Exactly, I made a similar point earlier, Origin players get more accolades...ala Wally Lewis who did nothing in club land ie NSWRL/ARL etc.

Benji is and was a superstar and I firmly believe at some point in his career had if of chosen QLD over NZ he would've played and dominated. It's all theory but maybe Lockyer would've been forced to play fullback to accommodate Benji, like Johns was forced to play Hooker for the blues.

Then maybe JT and Cronk wouldn't have had their opportunity to show case themselves as much as they did. It's all theory's only but Benji would've played for QLD.

 

[BennyV]

No they weren't. Both were very serviceable at centre but as you say Dugan is a class above and Lafai has the potential to be also. I really feel for Aitken who had a superb first year for us, such a fearless defender, reminds me a bit of Shaun Timmins, such a shame he'll have to wait a while for his next opportunity. It's a pity also he can't play fullback or wing and is a bit young and inexperienced to compete for a spot in the back row ( not far off though you'd think ). Mata'utia would do well to take the offer from Titans where he'd walk straight into a centre spot I'd say.

I'm not as confident as some that adding yet another assistant coach, Hornby, is such a great idea, too many cooks and all. I'd rather they gave Mary more credit and more room, he was a damn good attacking player and with two talented centres at his disposal could weave a little magic this year.

He proved to be a shocking attacking coach under Price and his first full season as head coach didn't show much more! Definitely need an attacking coach...but regardless, Millward speed out of the coaching staff.

 

[BennyV]

Difference is Benji achieved EVERYTHING too early in his career. He dominated the comp by 25 and then lost the desire as he has stated a few times. The Tigers won the comp when they were not even spoken about as a threat. I know Cronk has achieved a lot as has JT but they never won a comp and captained their country to a World Cup and Four Nations at 25? I don't know many in the whole history of the game that have? Pretty rare feat which does not get the credit it deserves. If Benji was an Aussie he would have won a stack of Origins as well and been spoken about as an immortal but because he is not an Aussie he isn't even thought off. How many KIWI's are talked about as immortals? Exactly? Not saying the NRL has an issue with KIWI's but because they don't play origin they don't get as much of a chance to get spoken about as immortals.

Of all KIWI's to play the game Benji would be my pick if any are to become an immortal.

I dont think his issue was peaking too early. It was inconsistency over the years. On his day he was so damn exciting, definitely one of the best, but he could also be abysmal, even in his dominant years. Plus there was several years were his form was shocking. I imagine there'd be quite a few kiwis considered for immortality over him (even in terms of contributio to the NZ team) , and by the time Johnson and RTS retire they MAY surpass what Benji has done (considering longevity).

Exactly, I made a similar point earlier, Origin players get more accolades...ala Wally Lewis who did nothing in club land ie NSWRL/ARL etc.

Benji is and was a superstar and I firmly believe at some point in his career had if of chosen QLD over NZ he would've played and dominated. It's all theory but maybe Lockyer would've been forced to play fullback to accommodate Benji, like Johns was forced to play Hooker for the blues.

Then maybe JT and Cronk wouldn't have had their opportunity to show case themselves as much as they did. It's all theory's only but Benji would've played for QLD.

Yeah, as I already mentioned, history disagrees with your theory...

 

[possm]

I think the Cronk to Dragons rumour is just a story put up to exact a better deal for Cronk in for his last contract before retirement however, if it was true, I would swap Cronk for Benji any day.

The Cronk / Widdop comination in the halves is a proven one and would be far more effective than our current halves.

 

[kit66]

He proved to be a shocking attacking coach under Price and his first full season as head coach didn't show much more! Definitely need an attacking coach...but regardless, Millward speed out of the coaching staff.

No that's right, away from Price's terrible influence he only managed to get an injury ravaged team to the finals where we fell by a point after our chief playmaker was taken out with more than a quarter of the game to go.
He'll do even better this year.

 

[Vasilevsky]

No that's right, away from Price's terrible influence he only managed to get an injury ravaged team to the finals where we fell by a point after our chief playmaker was taken out with more than a quarter of the game to go.
He'll do even better this year.

Well said!

 

[Saintsified]

I dont think his issue was peaking too early. It was inconsistency over the years. On his day he was so damn exciting, definitely one of the best, but he could also be abysmal, even in his dominant years. Plus there was several years were his form was shocking. I imagine there'd be quite a few kiwis considered for immortality over him (even in terms of contributio to the NZ team) , and by the time Johnson and RTS retire they MAY surpass what Benji has done (considering longevity).



Yeah, as I already mentioned, history disagrees with your theory...

It disagrees cause it didn't happen. Doesn't mean it couldn't have.

 

[Old Timer]

For all the Benji fans please look at his career stats.

People note all his outstanding individual achievements (not to be lightly dismissed) because we all remember the dazzle dazzle, the show and go the step the this and that.

Then look at the overall achievement of the teams he was part of and that shows a different lot of statistics which highlights the individual nature of his style of football and note that the very best of his individual achievements were some time ago.

Then go and look at Cronk's statistics as part of a team environment the answers are chalk and cheese.

Cronk can be individually brilliant (not as high a level as Benji) but he certainly assists in teams being highly successful. This is the role of the No 7.

Some people love it when a players name is called 5 times as he scores an individual try for mine I like it when 5 different names are called in the scoring of a try.

Benji's aura was built on the former Cronk's status was formed on the later.

Some are saying Benji will change his style as he has lost a yard of pace etc I do not believe the leopard will change its spots.

No doubt the leopard would greatly benefit if he didn't play half just a simple case of is he good enough to hold the 5/8 spot because Cronk is light years ahead as an organising unselfish half.

 

[Saintsified]

For all the Benji fans please look at his career stats.

People note all his outstanding individual achievements (not to be lightly dismissed) because we all remember the dazzle dazzle, the show and go the step the this and that.

Then look at the overall achievement of the teams he was part of and that shows a different lot of statistics which highlights the individual nature of his style of football and note that the very best of his individual achievements were some time ago.

Then go and look at Cronk's statistics as part of a team environment the answers are chalk and cheese.

Cronk can be individually brilliant (not as high a level as Benji) but he certainly assists in teams being highly successful. This is the role of the No 7.

Some people love it when a players name is called 5 times as he scores an individual try for mine I like it when 5 different names are called in the scoring of a try.

Benji's aura was built on the former Cronk's status was formed on the later.

Some are saying Benji will change his style as he has lost a yard of pace etc I do not believe the leopard will change its spots.

No doubt the leopard would greatly benefit if he didn't play half just a simple case of is he good enough to hold the 5/8 spot because Cronk is light years ahead as an organising unselfish half.

Put Cronk in Parramatta, does nothing lol

 

[BrissyRedV]

Benji can piss further...

No, cronk can piss further...

I love a good pissing contest. Always great for a laugh.

 

[Saintsified]

Benji can piss further...

No, cronk can piss further...

I love a good pissing contest. Always great for a laugh.

But if they have a foreskin then we all get sprayed:crazy:

 

[Old Timer]

Put Cronk in Parramatta, does nothing lol

It is not about Parramatta it's about getting the best out of our squad which by all accounts has great potential just need to tap into it.

Are you trying to tell me that if you put Benji in Parramatta he would do something?

 

[Vasilevsky]

Put Cronk in Parramatta, does nothing lol

Poor "Old Timer" is in a terrible state of nervous irritation. Someone other than me is talking well of our main playmaker:x! I don't like using cliches but.... go figure:?.

 

[GaryW]

For all the Benji fans please look at his career stats.

People note all his outstanding individual achievements (not to be lightly dismissed) because we all remember the dazzle dazzle, the show and go the step the this and that.

Then look at the overall achievement of the teams he was part of and that shows a different lot of statistics which highlights the individual nature of his style of football and note that the very best of his individual achievements were some time ago.

Then go and look at Cronk's statistics as part of a team environment the answers are chalk and cheese.

Cronk can be individually brilliant (not as high a level as Benji) but he certainly assists in teams being highly successful. This is the role of the No 7.

Some people love it when a players name is called 5 times as he scores an individual try for mine I like it when 5 different names are called in the scoring of a try.

Benji's aura was built on the former Cronk's status was formed on the later.


Some are saying Benji will change his style as he has lost a yard of pace etc I do not believe the leopard will change its spots.

No doubt the leopard would greatly benefit if he didn't play half just a simple case of is he good enough to hold the 5/8 spot because Cronk is light years ahead as an organising unselfish half.

Well said old boy 👍