First Grade Knights vs Rabbitohs

[randy chicken]

I'll add my 2 bobs worth Dureau has to be at 7 and Mullen 6 for the rest of this season (injury permiting) Mullen and Bailey in the halves just strangles our attack. With Dureau there we have another kicking option, and he is far more organised than either Mullen or Bailey.

Antonious..is is obvious from your comments that you actually watch the knight play football...your comments are spot on ...only wish a certain coach could see the obvious...newc knights at a better team with scotty at half and jarred at 5/8..if this happens we are a definte top 4 chance

 

[TooheysNew]

Antonious..is is obvious from your comments that you actually watch the knight play football...your comments are spot on ...only wish a certain coach could see the obvious...newc knights at a better team with scotty at half and jarred at 5/8..if this happens we are a definte top 4 chance

Um - it's the same thing everyone else, bar Karmawave, has been saying for 6 weeks...

 

[otori]

Maybe we should buy Todd Carney after he gets the sack...

Lol it'd be nice to sign a talented dickhead rather than just release them all the time.

But seriously yeah our halves are pretty dismal at the mo and both combinations are lacking that killer edge that teams fear from Lockyer/Wallace, Inglis/Cronk or Rogers/Prince. I agree with that Karma guy that we argue a lot about Bailey/Mullen v Mullen/Dureau but neither combination has exactly proved to be effective.

 

[K-Man]

In my opinion Dureau is nowhere near as bad as Karma thinks, but nowhere near as good as the rest of us hope he is.

The reason I can't understand Karma's opinion is because he clearly just doesn't rate him at all, whereas the rest of us can see that he could bring some genuine organisation and a kicking game to the side and basically get the whole team playing better football.

However, as much as I want Dureau in the side, and think he should be given every chance to settle into the role, I also don't think he is ever going to be one of the better halves in the game.

I want him in the team because he's the best we have, and Mullen is far more suited to 5/8th. But honestly, if people are thinking he will prove Karma wrong to the point where he becomes an elite playmaker and is sought after by other clubs willing to pay him a lot of money, then I doubt it will ever happen.

Dureau can work as a first grade halfback if he plays behind a good solid pack that can at least match their opposition, and has some speedy, talented backs outside him. He's not going to turn a game with sheer brilliance. But he can do the job, he can build solid field position with his kicking, he can throw a neat pass that puts someone over for a try in the opposition 20, he can get quality ball out to Mullen and the backline.

And at the moment I think that's exactly what we need. We need Scott Dureau in the team. But there are a lot of halfbacks that I'd prefer put it that way.

And at his age he should be the recognised first grade halfback very soon, 'development' time is over. In that sense Karma is correct.

 

[K-Man]

Also Karma, can I just get your opinion on some specific plays of Dureau earlier in the season?

The Manly game Round 2 when we scored those late tries - first he put (was it Houston?) over with a nice ball, then he threw an awesome flat ball to Fa'aoso who should've strolled over the line for the win but he dropped it.

THEN Mullen put Fa'aoso over with an inside ball, but Rich still had plenty of work to do whereas Dureau's 2 efforts both put it on a platter for easy tries.

THAT is the kind of play I haven't seen from the Knights ever since he was shafted out of the number 7.

I know it's a long time ago, and I know it's just a couple of good things, but it's more what they represent - a genuine halfback, a genuine playmaker who can hurt the opposition from close range with ball-playing skills.

We just look lost in attack when he's not there. I want the other team guessing a bit more:

One second the ball goes to Dureau, long ball to Mullen and onto a charging Paterson. Then it shifts back the other way finding Dureau at 5/8th who throws a short ball to Houston who nearly crashes over. Now Dureau is back at halfback, but Mullen is on the other side of the ruck.... which way will we go? The defence is uncertain.
Mullen is calling for the ball and the cross field bomb could be on here.... but it comes the blind to Dureau who grubbers in goal for a repeat set....

Do you see my point? Some variety! Asking some questions of the defence. That's what Dureau does, of course he makes mistakes and sometimes comes up with the wrong play, but so does everyone.

 

[Yosh]

I totally agree with Pers and I would definately make a play for Todd, will come cheap definately worth the gamble!!!

 

[Adsy]

I totally agree with Pers and I would definately make a play for Todd, will come cheap definately worth the gamble!!!

Carney is on $400K a session with Canberra so I would hope they atleast pay $100K of that if they wanted to offload him otherwise I wouldn't call him a cheap buy.

Saying that the charges have been dropped and he will probs play FG again next week so we can stop dreaming.

I'm keen on Stig playing FG in 2010 anyway if Scotty lets us all down. (Excluding Karma)

 

[Jono078]

I really doubt Carney is on that much.

Remember he was in the headlines for wrong reasons and that would have kept his pay packet a tad lower than what it could have been.

I reckon he is on 280k tops.

Also, K-Man don't bother with it, i've already brought up that Dureau offers variety and keeps defences thinking lol.

It's best for us all to not talk about Dureau because we get nowhere, best to let his performances do the talking when selected.

 

[Johns Magic]

I really doubt Carney is on that much.

Remember he was in the headlines for wrong reasons and that would have kept his pay packet a tad lower than what it could have been.

I reckon he is on 280k tops.

Also, K-Man don't bother with it, i've already brought up that Dureau offers variety and keeps defences thinking lol.

It's best for us all to not talk about Dureau because we get nowhere, best to let his performances do the talking when selected.

No way he's only on 280K.

Don't you remember all the hysteria about him going to Manly earlier this year?

 

[Adsy]

I am REAL confident he is on $400K a season.

 

[antonius]

Um - it's the same thing everyone else, bar Karmawave, has been saying for 6 weeks...

Um-I've been pushing Dureaus' barrow for a lot longer than this season.

 

[Karmawave]

Also Karma, can I just get your opinion on some specific plays of Dureau earlier in the season?

The Manly game Round 2 when we scored those late tries - first he put (was it Houston?) over with a nice ball, then he threw an awesome flat ball to Fa'aoso who should've strolled over the line for the win but he dropped it.

THEN Mullen put Fa'aoso over with an inside ball, but Rich still had plenty of work to do whereas Dureau's 2 efforts both put it on a platter for easy tries.

THAT is the kind of play I haven't seen from the Knights ever since he was shafted out of the number 7.

I know it's a long time ago, and I know it's just a couple of good things, but it's more what they represent - a genuine halfback, a genuine playmaker who can hurt the opposition from close range with ball-playing skills.

100% spot on.

I thought we had found a halfback in the early rounds with Dureau.

I even came on here and started a post and said " Scott Dureau, you have made a believer out of me ".

But then his games against the Broncos happened. And the Tigers ( sure he played hooker that day but spent ALOT of time at first receiver, aptly kicking out on the full two times at key situations ).

I guess my bad memories are more recent than the glory days of Rounds 1 and 2.

As I have always said, I hope as much as anyone else in here Scott Dureau is the answer, and I'd have no problem with him being given the 7 for the rest of the year. I prefer Bailey personally, but we clearly need more spark, and if he is the best we have to replace Bailey with, so be it.

I am also not the only person in here who doesn't rate Dureau. I am just the most outspoken I guess.


It does not give me any personal enjoyment to see him play poorly just so I can say I told you so.

I'd rather he play awesome, the Knights win, and I be completely wrong.

Trust me on that.

 

[Joker's Wild]

And Chris Houston Dragons 2007 v Chris Houston Knights 2008?

How much of Housto did you see when he was at the Drags Karma? Im guessing not much if you think he has gone backwards or not improved.

I grew up in Wollongong and was pretty close to the Dragons lower grades at the time and I have seen Housto come through the Sth coast league and the Drags lower grades. Housto was one of those players who had tonnes of ability but just couldnt put his energy into the right areas of the game at the right time. He had pretty ordinary positional defence and was prone to trying a little to hard to come up with the winning play in a tight game, even when it was clearly not on. In 07 he was struggling to get a FG spot behind consistant forwards like Creagh, Sims and Scott and only got a shot when injuries hit (he was even behind "the fat one" in the pack).

This year his defence is lightyears ahead of last year and his workrate has lifted immensly due to him being able to direct himself into the play at the correct time. He is still prone to pushing the miricle pass but every other area of his game has progressed significantly under Smith this year there is no doubt.

 

[black knight]

I'm with Karmawave.... Not a Dureau hater, but a Dureau non-believer. I don't believe he is the future 7 for the Knights. I don't believe he can win the tough games in the dieing minutes, ball in hand looking for the game winning try. I don't believe that Dureau is more outstanding than Walsh. I don't believe Dureau offers more than Bailey....

Sadly I don't believe he will ever change my mind. Like everybody else, earlier this season I thought he could have been the one, but some small things recently have showed his true limited capabilities. Namely 5th tackle options.

If Walsh was the man for the job preseason, he obviously proved himself to the coaching staff. Dureau only maintained his selection in the early rounds due to decent form at the time. I believe Walsh is the man for the job and I will rue the day he walks away from the club because of Dureau standing in his way....

 

[TooheysNew]

Um-I've been pushing Dureaus' barrow for a lot longer than this season.

...and with that post, you've missed the point. Again.

 

[MC DUI]

Shouldn't all this Dureau discussion be contained to a single thread.

I mean, I know I don't contribute that much so maybe my opinion won't count, but seems like all the topics on this board degenerate into discussions around Dureau with Karmawave...

 

[roopy]

Dureau has two qualities that set him apart.
Intelligence and self belief.
He has always been the smart one of the Mullen/Walsh/Dureau trio. Between them they have worked out some great plays over the years and Mullen and Walsh have been great at carrying them out, but you always got the feeling that Dureau was behind them.
On self belief - i've never seen Scott have a slump caused by a lack of confidence. I've seen him slack off because he was finding it all too easy, but when challenged he always lifts a gear. Last year he was dropped from PL early in the season and faught back to be our player of the year - this year he was dropped to NSW cup and responded by lifting that bunch of deadbeats to their only decent win of the season and getting straight back into firstgrade.
He is only getting limited game time, but every time he sets foot on the field he gets straight down to the business of organising the team.

I did a thread earlier in the year comparing Scotty to Tim Smith, and I still feel the two will fill similar roles. Scotty will be the brains and not-so-athletic playmaker of the side.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Houston's defence towards the end of last year was comparable to Walsh's. Slipping off tackles left right and centre.

Who cares if we have a few 'rejects'. Look what Perry is doing at Manly. We need to do that to Houston, Wicks, Fa'oaso and Taia.

I really think we can follow what the sharks have done the last two years. Just missed the 8 but put up a fight in every game last year then top 4 the next year. Hopefully we never become as boring as they are though.

In all seriousness, Perry's ability was never doubted and I rate it higher than the 4 players you mentioned. Perrys problem here was that he had no heart resulting from the hagan factor! :roll:

 

[Adsy]

In all seriousness, Perry's ability was never doubted and I rate it higher than the 4 players you mentioned. Perrys problem here was that he had no heart resulting from the hagan factor! :roll:

Sorry mate might not of made myself all that clear when i wrote that. I was at work.

I was referring to some of our buys from the off season being called 'rejects' and wanted to use Perry as an example of how it can work out.

I never doubted Perry had ability either. But sometimes he would play up to it and other times not so much. He has gone from being not wanted by us to being a star, quality forward in a very strong Manly team this year.

I'm hoping the players we picked up that weren't wanted by their previous clubs can lift like Perry has and continue to improve.

 

[Karmawave]

Sorry mate might not of made myself all that clear when i wrote that. I was at work.

I was referring to some of our buys from the off season being called 'rejects' and wanted to use Perry as an example of how it can work out.

I never doubted Perry had ability either. But sometimes he would play up to it and other times not so much. He has gone from being not wanted by us to being a star, quality forward in a very strong Manly team this year.

I'm hoping the players we picked up that weren't wanted by their previous clubs can lift like Perry has and continue to improve.

Josh Perry was playing regular first grade. Albeit it underachieving and way below his potential.

Many of the " rejects " we signed were playing reserve grade at other clubs, and not deemed good enough to play first grade by their coaches at the time.

Let me ask, out of our offseason signings from last year ( not including Matt Hilder ), which players have taken your attention and made you thought " wow that was a great buy "?

I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm left with the queasy feeling of thinking we are spending too much on them :lol: Especially certain ex Dragons forwards that we paid overs for.

To be frank, there's quite a few of them who are playing first grade at the Knights right now who still have the jury out on them if they are even first grade standard players.