Corey Norman??

[Gardenia]

I"m a Parra supporter (for over fifty years) but I reckon that's hillarious.
By the way, Norman will do very well with a solid forward pack in front of him and a steady halves partner in Ben Hunt. At Parra he's been hampered by a lousy pack and a succession of unreliable half backs. I reckon the next three years will see the best of Corey Norman.

Solid forward pack ...no one is talking about the elephant in the room here. We will most likely miss a senior member of this pack for most of the season . Hope I’m wrong

 

[nontime111]

No, many can take his place, my fave Frizz or Luch

 

[kit66]

From zero tackle , prediction number 8.

8. Worst buy
Corey Norman. He doesn’t have the spark or the defence required for a fullback, and if he plays five-eighth for the Dragons then expect a clunky partnership with Hunt. This is if the deal does finally go through.

He will be if we use him at 5/8, might be if we use him at fullback - he's a downgrade on Dufty in speed, line breaks, metres, and tries, an upgrade in short kicks.
I'd put him in the centres for Lafai ( other centre Lomax ) or on the bench for impact where he'd be more useful than Mann was.

 

[ALSGI]

He will be if we use him at 5/8, might be if we use him at fullback - he's a downgrade on Dufty in speed, line breaks, metres, and tries, an upgrade in short kicks.
I'd put him in the centres for Lafai ( other centre Lomax ) or on the bench for impact where he'd be more useful than Mann was.

1000% agree.

Downgrade at 5/8 over Widdop.
Downgrade at FB over Dufty in many areas, perhaps an upgrade in some.

Don’t care what coin he’s on he’s a huge risk on and off the field.

Bench utility to start, mix it up a bit with rotations and game plans to have him, Hunt, Widdop and Dufty on at the same time imo.

See how he goes before moving Widdop or droping Dufty.

 

[possm]

1000% agree.

Downgrade at 5/8 over Widdop.
Downgrade at FB over Dufty in many areas, perhaps an upgrade in some.

Don’t care what coin he’s on he’s a huge risk on and off the field.

Bench utility to start, mix it up a bit with rotations and game plans to have him, Hunt, Widdop and Dufty on at the same time imo.

See how he goes before moving Widdop or droping Dufty.

Norman is a game manager who has many great skills. He carved us up in 2018.

Widdop has played fullback at international level and had Bennett and many others singing his praises.

Dufty is a great attacking weapon however, he needs to sort out other parts of his game that really are not up to first grade standard. We tried to extend Dufty last year but the offer we made was way below Dufty's manager's expectations. So there is no guarantee that Dufty would stay beyond 2019 anyway. For the money Dufty is after we could sign Holmes (if available).

 

[ALSGI]

Norman is a game manager who has many great skills. He carved us up in 2018.

Widdop has played fullback at international level and had Bennett and many others singing his praises.

Dufty is a great attacking weapon however, he needs to sort out other parts of his game that really are not up to first grade standard. We tried to extend Dufty last year but the offer we made was way below Dufty's manager's expectations. So there is no guarantee that Dufty would stay beyond 2019 anyway. For the money Dufty is after we could sign Holmes (if available).

Seriously Possm,
‘Norman is a great game manager’
Hasn’t worked out to well in his last several seasons. Honestly, it hasn’t. Yes all sorts if reasons and excuses for it but he hasn’t been that $950k a year guy.

Widdop is a 5/8 despite any appearances elsewhere, so why the f**kc move him?

Do you seriously think you have any idea about Dufty or his Mangers dealings?

 

[avocado]

Seriously Possm,
‘Norman is a great game manager’
Hasn’t worked out to well in his last several seasons. Honestly, it hasn’t. Yes all sorts if reasons and excuses for it but he hasn’t been that $950k a year guy.

Widdop is a 5/8 despite any appearances elsewhere, so why the f**kc move him?

Do you seriously think you have any idea about Dufty or his Mangers dealings?

Have you wondered how Parra would have gone with Widdop at 5/8?

I’m keen to see how Norman goes at 6. Widdop has been ok but too much sideways running and confusion in our attack.

Having said that I blame the coach more than Widdop for this.

 

[kit66]

Norman is a game manager who has many great skills. He carved us up in 2018.

Widdop has played fullback at international level and had Bennett and many others singing his praises.

Dufty is a great attacking weapon however, he needs to sort out other parts of his game that really are not up to first grade standard. We tried to extend Dufty last year but the offer we made was way below Dufty's manager's expectations. So there is no guarantee that Dufty would stay beyond 2019 anyway. For the money Dufty is after we could sign Holmes (if available).

I don't remember a single game in the last 3 years where Norman did any managing or directing his team round the park, in fact I think he completely lacks that skill and is happy to let others take the managing role while he plays off that or off the cuff.
As for Widdop playing well at fullback under Bennett, so what. Truth is he's one of the games best 5/8's and is the reason we did so well early last year, why the hell would you move him to a position we have well covered already. If you think Norman is an upgrade at 5/8 then, well, no offence but you crazy. If Mary moves Widdop to full back ( and Norman to 5/8 ) he should be immediately promoted to Waterboy, 2nd class at Cronulla and never spoken of again.
I still don't know why we bought Norman.

 

[Frank Facer]

Have you wondered how Parra would have gone with Widdop at 5/8?

I’m keen to see how Norman goes at 6. Widdop has been ok but too much sideways running and confusion in our attack.

Having said that I blame the coach more than Widdop for this.

Your first sentence was a good point. I think Norman running the show playing behind our pack will be one of the best halves in the comp.

 

[Frank Facer]

I don't remember a single game in the last 3 years where Norman did any managing or directing his team round the park, in fact I think he completely lacks that skill and is happy to let others take the managing role while he plays off that or off the cuff.
As for Widdop playing well at fullback under Bennett, so what. Truth is he's one of the games best 5/8's and is the reason we did so well early last year, why the hell would you move him to a position we have well covered already. If you think Norman is an upgrade at 5/8 then, well, no offence but you crazy. If Mary moves Widdop to full back ( and Norman to 5/8 ) he should be immediately promoted to Waterboy, 2nd class at Cronulla and never spoken of again.
I still don't know why we bought Norman.

You must have missed seeing Norman playing halfback for Parra with Gutherson 5/8? Norman took full control of Parra. Everything was revolving around him. He was a great game manager. He was one of the form players in the whole comp. At the time, he was being spoken of as Qld's next halfback and got a 900K a year contract.

 

[kit66]

You must have missed seeing Norman playing halfback for Parra with Gutherson 5/8? Norman took full control of Parra. Everything was revolving around him. He was a great game manager. He was one of the form players in the whole comp. At the time, he was being spoken of as Qld's next halfback and got a 900K a year contract.

I must have missed that game. Didn't get near Origin that year either or any other year, or any rep team bar the PM's team on the bench as a late call up to cover an injury.

 

[Frank Facer]

I must have missed that game. Didn't get near Origin that year either or any other year, or any rep team bar the PM's team on the bench as a late call up to cover an injury.

It wasn't just one game. lol It was for a period of time that he was playing halfback with Gutho 5/8.

 

[DragonJ]

He will be if we use him at 5/8, might be if we use him at fullback - he's a downgrade on Dufty in speed, line breaks, metres, and tries, an upgrade in short kicks.
I'd put him in the centres for Lafai ( other centre Lomax ) or on the bench for impact where he'd be more useful than Mann was.

Parra have given us a flogging several times in the last few seasons. Even when they were/are one of the worst teams in the competition. If you watched those games I find it hard to believe you would be against us signing him and playing him at 5/8. And with that in mind, if Hayne is (likely) found not guilty, sign him as well!!!

I tortured myself by watching most of those games and am delighted with his signing!

 

[DragonJ]

You must have missed seeing Norman playing halfback for Parra with Gutherson 5/8? Norman took full control of Parra. Everything was revolving around him. He was a great game manager. He was one of the form players in the whole comp. At the time, he was being spoken of as Qld's next halfback and got a 900K a year contract.

He absolutely shredded us! With a good forward pack like ours, I believe he will go and take the team to another level!

 

[Old Timer]

Parra have given us a flogging several times in the last few seasons. Even when they were/are one of the worst teams in the competition. If you watched those games I find it hard to believe you would be against us signing him and playing him at 5/8. And with that in mind, if Hayne is (likely) found not guilty, sign him as well!!!

I tortured myself by watching most of those games and am delighted with his signing!

So by your analogy we should also sign some of the Dogs and Knights players as they have stitched us up nicely several times over the last few years whilst they were shit teams as well.
Over the last few years we have lost so many games to lowly sides and some of those by horrendous margins we actually don't have enough space to fit all the players who schooled us.
PS
In almost all of those games our forwards got smashed on the day so don't get too boisterous about our pack because whilst it is good it ain't invincible.

 

[Drag Queen]

Have you wondered how Parra would have gone with Widdop at 5/8?

I’m keen to see how Norman goes at 6. Widdop has been ok but too much sideways running and confusion in our attack.

Having said that I blame the coach more than Widdop for this.

Hi avocado. I had you on toast for lunch with an egg. Widdop is more than OK. Did anyone tell you he was our top point scorer in 18? They should have.

 

[kit66]

It wasn't just one game. lol It was for a period of time that he was playing halfback with Gutho 5/8.

I know, 2017, I was being facetious. Gutherson was the one creating most of the opportunities and the likes of Radradra and French were the ones capitalizing on that. When they lost Gutherson and French before the finals Norman was left to take charge and couldn't. They made the finals with 12 wins, 12 losses, not that impressive. Looked great at times but absolute rubbish in some games as well.
Norman had a pretty good year in 2017 but never went on with it. He has a record of not living up to expectations. The Broncos handed him Lockyer's jersey and he failed there ( I know - a hard act to follow but still, he couldn't keep the 6 jersey there and didn't really impress at fullback either ).
Last year he was pretty ordinary in the games I watched, touches of brilliance and some great kicks but I never saw anything to convince me he deserves our No. 6 jersey or even our No.1.

For all Dufty's faults, perceived or otherwise, you have to remember it was his first year in the top grade and he did an excellent job and you would think he learned a lot and will improve. Not only that he gave us a lot of excitement in a game that is as big on spectacle as it is anything else, skill, strength, athleticism etc. He's great to watch. He deserves to keep the No 1 jersey in 1st grade absolutely.

It would be great if Norman could step and fulfill his potential but I won't hold my breath. Stick him in the centres or on the bench, see how he goes.

 

[TruSaint]

I know, 2017, I was being facetious. Gutherson was the one creating most of the opportunities and the likes of Radradra and French were the ones capitalizing on that. When they lost Gutherson and French before the finals Norman was left to take charge and couldn't. They made the finals with 12 wins, 12 losses, not that impressive. Looked great at times but absolute rubbish in some games as well.
Norman had a pretty good year in 2017 but never went on with it. He has a record of not living up to expectations. The Broncos handed him Lockyer's jersey and he failed there ( I know - a hard act to follow but still, he couldn't keep the 6 jersey there and didn't really impress at fullback either ).
Last year he was pretty ordinary in the games I watched, touches of brilliance and some great kicks but I never saw anything to convince me he deserves our No. 6 jersey or even our No.1.

For all Dufty's faults, perceived or otherwise, you have to remember it was his first year in the top grade and he did an excellent job and you would think he learned a lot and will improve. Not only that he gave us a lot of excitement in a game that is as big on spectacle as it is anything else, skill, strength, athleticism etc. He's great to watch. He deserves to keep the No 1 jersey in 1st grade absolutely.

It would be great if Norman could step and fulfill his potential but I won't hold my breath. Stick him in the centres or on the bench, see how he goes.

Hi Kit,

Time will tell re Norman, I agree on that. I think most of us are hopeful that a new club, new environment may bring the best out of him, but where I disagree is your last paragraph.

My opinion on Dufty aside, there is no way Saints bought Corey as a centre, and certainly not a bench player.

He will either be 1 or 6.

Do you really think recruitment said to his manger, " look, we are not really sure where he fits in our squad, he may have to come off the interchange bench, play centre, or if Dufty fails play at fullback ... we will just see how it all pans out... ".

 

[avocado]

Hi avocado. I had you on toast for lunch with an egg. Widdop is more than OK. Did anyone tell you he was our top point scorer in 18? They should have.

So what? Goalkickers are top pointscorers for every team.

 

[slippery5]

I must have missed that game. Didn't get near Origin that year either or any other year, or any rep team bar the PM's team on the bench as a late call up to cover an injury.

I think he got injured pre origin selection but was definitely in the mix, I just hope you come on board when he helps us towel other sides up this year.