First Thing a Fullback Must Do Is Catch the High Ball

[saint.nick]

Beale is too slow to be a fullback.

 

[saint.nick]

This habit players have of just letting the ball bounce disturbs me. It never used to happen, it's only come around in the last few years. The players need to understand that there's just as much (if not more) chance of conceding a try off a bad bounce, than a knock-on.

It also pisses me off when halves boot up attacking bombs, and then the chasers either let the ball bounce too, or they don't attempt to catch it and just wait to tackle the other player who catches it. It doesn't make sense, because what's the point of putting up a big attacking bomb if you're not going to attack the f**king ball? If you drop it, then it's not too bad because it's just a turnover, and if you actually catch it, then you have an advantage.

 

[BennyV]

This habit players have of just letting the ball bounce disturbs me. It never used to happen, it's only come around in the last few years. The players need to understand that there's just as much (if not more) chance of conceding a try off a bad bounce, than a knock-on.

It also pisses me off when halves boot up attacking bombs, and then the chasers either let the ball bounce too, or they don't attempt to catch it and just wait to tackle the other player who catches it. It doesn't make sense, because what's the point of putting up a big attacking bomb if you're not going to attack the f**king ball? If you drop it, then it's not too bad because it's just a turnover, and if you actually catch it, then you have an advantage.

I believe the idea is to.put pressure on the fullback or winger, make sure they know that if they catch it, they will get creamed. This makes them think twice while catching it, possibly forcing an error.

Good in theory, but if they actually catch it, you still need to clobber them!

 

[Highland Saint]

I believe the idea is to.put pressure on the fullback or winger, make sure they know that if they catch it, they will get creamed. This makes them think twice while catching it, possibly forcing an error.

Good in theory, but if they actually catch it, you still need to clobber them!

Enter the Thommo!

 

[BennyV]

Enter the Thommo!

Which is exactly what hes doing, hes just not looking to catch the bomb ;-)

 

[GT0007]

Enter the Thommo!

lol you can see it's his favourite part of the game. We should probably use the high ball a bit more as some of our kicks are ineffective. At least it gives you time to get your chasers down field

 

[TheRev]

You have to remember he is small too, 1 of the leaves he would never have gotten too, and if he did the opposition would have a huge leap advantage, it was spot on to let it bounce and rely on his speed to mop it up. It's all %'s, no worse result than stuffing it and giving the opposition 6 again and taking yourself out of play.

Some of the others were debatable, but its not the huge recurring issue being made out, he's certainly performing above his weight bracket, especially as he's so early in his development.

 

[SIR LANCELOT]

Let's fix the bomb and incessant kicking.Why not bring in the good old Rugby Union mark.Is it still in vogue in the gentlemans game?.That way the defender is rewarded by catching the ball before the goal line and then the team can kick for touch and restart were the ball goes out into touch. I am not taking into account the catch behind the goal line It will also force a team" to have a go" and try to score without the bloody bomb

Let's ''have a go lads",what have we to lose.

Lancelot:thumb

 

[GT0007]

Let's fix the bomb and incessant kicking.Why not bring in the good old Rugby Union mark.Is it still in vogue in the gentlemans game?.That way the defender is rewarded by catching the ball before the goal line and then the team can kick for touch and restart were the ball goes out into touch. I am not taking into account the catch behind the goal line It will also force a team" to have a go" and try to score without the bloody bomb

Let's ''have a go lads",what have we to lose.

Lancelot:thumb

I tend to agree with you, I hate to see 1 team score legitimate trys thru good footy and the other team win off the back of kicks. I hadnt heard about the rugby union mark and it seems like a good idea tho it doesnt stop teams using a grubber etc which I guess isnt as offensive to me. Maybe the other option is to make tries 5pts that dont involve kicks that way goal kicking becomes a little less important as well.

 

[GT0007]

Dugan: I don't know what best position is



What started as an experiment for Josh Dugan might just become permanent.
The St George Illawarra and NSW star admits he has no idea what his preferred position is after his shock switch from fullback to centre last month.
Dugan's NRL coach Paul McGregor has indicated he'll move his biggest strikeweapon back to the No.1 jersey after the State of Origin period.
But the man himself isn't so sure he wants that to happen.
It's an incredible change in mindset for a player considered an out-and-out-fullback until McGregor instigated the bold move back in round 12.
The Dragons were struggling for continuity in attack and Dugan decided to put his hand up.
That the injury-hit Blues were looking for a new right centre at the same time was just a happy coincidence, according to the 24-year-old.
"Mary (McGregor) asked me if I thought Adam Quinlan should be playing first grade and I said yes," said Dugan.
"And he said, 'well to do that you'd have to play centre.'
"I said, 'yeah throw me there.'
"It was always solely about the (Dragons) and it just so happened there was an opportunity that opened up for me there for NSW."
Dugan has come a long way since he was sacked by Canberra last year.
He admits his younger, more head-strong self wouldn't have been so keen on making a sacrifice for the good of the team.
"In the early days of my career, I was a bit younger and I wanted to play where I wanted to play. But as you grow up you learn the team environment and you always want to do the best by them," he said.
"Over the last 18 months I've developed that mentality."
Now that injured Dragons centre Dylan Farrell is back on deck, it would seem Dugan can return to fullback in place of Quinlan if he chooses.
But Dugan is in two minds.
His second ever outing in the front line came in NSW's most important Origin match, game two in Sydney.
Dugan defied the critics to shut down Queensland superstar Greg Inglis.
For the Dragons, Dugan's powerful ball-carrying has formed a promising combination on the right-side, with veteran playmaker Benji Marshall and winger Jason Nightingale.
The factor which might tilt Dugan towards saying at centre is that NSW's current fullback Jarryd Hayne - at just 26 years of age - is now in the conversation as the best player in the NRL.
Dugan's best chance of becoming a regular fixture at Origin level may be at centre.
"At the moment I can't pick one," he said.
"I'm really loving playing centre. I'm a bit surprised how well I've made that transition.
"I see myself as a utility now and I feel I can play both.
"I think centre suits me with the lines I run and I can get a lot more one-on-ones with players.
"In Origin I've said I'd play anywhere to pull that blue jersey on. At the moment it's centre but you never know what the future holds."
http://www.nrl.com/dugan-i-dont-know-what-best-position-is/tabid/10874/newsid/80011/default.aspx

 

[jenninga]

Keep the Duges at centre please Mary.I f Adam struggles then shift Beale back that 1.

 

[Farrquarr]

I actually think Quinlan would make a great dummy half if he can cope with the defensive work load imagine him with his hands on the ball and fresh legs last 15 mins of each half dangerous

 

[giboz71]

I actually think Quinlan would make a great dummy half if he can cope with the defensive work load imagine him with his hands on the ball and fresh legs last 15 mins of each half dangerous

Yep...good call. Hopefully Mary can work his magic and turn him into a utility much like Fien did for us under Bennett.

I just think he needs to be in the side, and if not at FB, then a utility off the bench is a good option. At least he can be injected if the team needs a spark from then bench.

 

[jenninga]

Yep...good call. Hopefully Mary can work his magic and turn him into a utility much like Fien did for us under Bennett.

I just think he needs to be in the side, and if not at FB, then a utility off the bench is a good option. At least he can be injected if the team needs a spark from then bench.

yes

 

[God-King Dean]

His reluctance in kick returns is a bigger issue.

It's no coincidence that our backline plays look a lot better with him chiming in. Because he can, you know, pass.

That said, I still think Dugan should be fullback.

 

[mickeylane]

Adam Quinlan is too unpredictable ....hes a very good support player but hes not our fullback!!

I must admit Dugan is more dangerous at Centre than when he was at FB...hence a problem...but Quinlan is NOT the solution...maybe Beale to FB and Farrell , Runciman Centres...not sure..

I wasnt aware till this week that Gasnier and Cooper were training Dugan the centre position....plus u have Mcgregor...OMG 3 of the best centres in the past 15 years have been tutoring Duges- hence his amazing positional sense and fantastic line running....

 

[BennyV]

Adam Quinlan is too unpredictable ....hes a very good support player but hes not our fullback!!

I must admit Dugan is more dangerous at Centre than when he was at FB...hence a problem...but Quinlan is NOT the solution...maybe Beale to FB and Farrell , Runciman Centres...not sure..

I wasnt aware till this week that Gasnier and Cooper were training Dugan the centre position....plus u have Mcgregor...OMG 3 of the best centres in the past 15 years have been tutoring Duges- hence his amazing positional sense and fantastic line running....

I would hope they are mentoring all our centres, not just Dugan!

 

[smi962]

No way!!!

I blame Prior.

Its a much longer term issue, its Ryle's fault.

 

[j0nesy]

If Beale scored would have gone back to video ref to check for possible knock on so better to take the tackle one of my friends picked that up at the game

The ABC grandstand commentators said that the other dragons players were calling for him to pull up as soon as he made the break.

 

[j0nesy]

I actually think Quinlan would make a great dummy half if he can cope with the defensive work load imagine him with his hands on the ball and fresh legs last 15 mins of each half dangerous

Worth a try to keep him in the side. Rotate with Rein and could cover, fb, halves as well. not sure about his ability to cope with the extra defense, but fein did it...