Former Panthers in the NRL

[Dave's mate]

The problem is Naden isn’t good enough (yet) to be a first grade centre, so we very likely have to sign another one. Our depth at centre is poor.

He's a winger though right?

 

[age.s]

I think people massively overlook Blakes defensive contribution when talking about whether he's a loss or not. He was a rock on that edge, very rarely made a bad read & very rarely missed a tackle that led directly to a try or linebreak etc.

Made a couple of very good reads yesterday which don't really show up in the stats.

That said, they could have dominated with me on the right edge yesterday. The whole team was in a mood against a team who weren't interested.

 

[herbert henry1908]

He's a winger though right?

Possibly, but we need to see him there.

Right now Naden’s defensive reads are terrible. As a swap for Blake it’s a massive downgrade, and we very likely need to strengthen the position via recruitment.

 

[betcats]

Possibly, but we need to see him there.

Right now Naden’s defensive reads are terrible. As a swap for Blake it’s a massive downgrade, and we very likely need to strengthen the position via recruitment.

Defensively its a down grade, offensively its a massive upgrade. I think people are forgetting some of Nadens performances this season, he was the difference in some games I doubt we win with Blake there.

 

[mxlegend99]

Naden would likely look like a better player in a top four side also.

Naden couldnt crack their side... and Eels finished 5th. Not top 4.

Blake looked fantastic in 2016, 2017 and 2018 at centre for us. Hes playing finals footy for the 4th season in a row now too... and fits into good sides very well.

I like Naden. But I dont see him having a longterm career at centre. He needs the Blake Ferguson treatment.

 

[mxlegend99]

Defensively its a down grade, offensively its a massive upgrade. I think people are forgetting some of Nadens performances this season, he was the difference in some games I doubt we win with Blake there.

I think youre forgetting Blakes previous 3 seasons.

Massive upgrade offensively? Lay of the drugs. Naden had a few good games but his flaws were quickly exposed and he probably finished off the season having bombed more tries than he scored ffs.

 

[betcats]

I think youre forgetting Blakes previous 3 seasons.

Massive upgrade offensively? Lay of the drugs. Naden had a few good games but his flaws were quickly exposed and he probably finished off the season having bombed more tries than he scored ffs.

In terms of tries scored its a massive upgrade for sure.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Defensively its a down grade, offensively its a massive upgrade. I think people are forgetting some of Nadens performances this season, he was the difference in some games I doubt we win with Blake there.

Im not forgetting, he was great under the high ball & chasing kicks. But his defence became such an issue that it’s clear he’s not up to centre yet, he also refuses to pass the ball.

He can be good under the high ball from the wing until his defence improves.

 

[franklin2323]

But we aren't stacked in the second row already? It's our strongest position.

Not that can ball play though. A few can play prop

 

[betcats]

In his rookie season vs waqas 4th NRL season Naden socred double the tries, made more linebreaks and averaged more metres per game all while playing less games then Waqa. Naden wasn't even on an NRL contract to start the year so whatever excuses Waqa has for his poor start to the year he had a better chance than Naden.

 

[age.s]

Defensively its a down grade, offensively its a massive upgrade. I think people are forgetting some of Nadens performances this season, he was the difference in some games I doubt we win with Blake there.

Upgrade maybe. Definitely not a massive one though.

Naden is one of the most potent attacking kick chasers I've seen. Very quick over short distances with a fantastic leap and very good instincts. He had no right to be anywhere near some of the tries he's scored. While it's a great asset, I feel it's one that opposition teams will work out if he's a regular fixture in our team, sort of like Walsh to Coote was in 2011. He's also got some technique problems as a finisher. He doesn't get low enough when attempting to score and he's been bundled off his feet pretty easily in dangerous positions. He's bombed several tries this way. His running game is ok (that try against the Warriors was a ridiculous moment) but Blake at his best is much better in that area. It gets talked about a lot, but he doesn't appear to have the ability to shift the ball quickly either.

Maybe those flaws get sorted with time (he's still very new to NRL level), but to me he looks like a talented but limited player, at least at centre. Exactly the kind of guy you want filling in on the fringes of your 17.

 

[betcats]

Im not forgetting, he was great under the high ball & chasing kicks. But his defence became such an issue that it’s clear he’s not up to centre yet, he also refuses to pass the ball.

He can be good under the high ball from the wing until his defence improves.

I don't mind moving him to the wing. Waqa is a terrible passer also, the only areas he clearly has it over Naden is spped and defence.

 

[mxlegend99]

In terms of tries scored its a massive upgrade for sure.

Brent Naden (2019) - 8 tries in 12 games. Bombed atleast half a dozen more

Last year Blake scored 13 tries in 16 games. A better strike rate. But more importantly his winger actually saw the ball too. Our attack had more with him in the team as 2 positions were better.

But hey... nothing wrong with a centre who would rather go it on his own and bomb a try then pass it to his winger.

 

[franklin2323]

Defensively its a down grade, offensively its a massive upgrade. I think people are forgetting some of Nadens performances this season, he was the difference in some games I doubt we win with Blake there.

He had 8 tries. Bombed about the same was bad in defence but can’t remember any games we lost just because of him

 

[betcats]

Brent Naden (2019) - 8 tries in 12 games. Bombed atleast a dozen more

Last year Blake scored 13 tries in 16 games. A better strike rate. But more importantly his winger actually saw the balltoo.

But hey... nothing wrong with a centre who would rather go it on his own and bomb a try then pass it to his winger.

Blake had two try assists all year you idiot

 

[franklin2323]

I don't mind moving him to the wing. Waqa is a terrible passer also, the only areas he clearly has it over Naden is spped and defence.

Speed would be close too but Waqa was bad at defence early on too. So for the price and the stage in their career need to be taken into it

 

[herbert henry1908]

I don't mind moving him to the wing. Waqa is a terrible passer also, the only areas he clearly has it over Naden is spped and defence.

Defence is huge issue, though. It’s not something you can hide in the centres when you’re often by yourself.

Overall it’s a downgrade, and people at the time were acting like he was already better or equal to Blake.

 

[franklin2323]

He's a winger though right?

That and bench backrower was where he was in NSW Cup

 

[herbert henry1908]

Speed would be close too but Waqa was bad at defence early on too. So for the price and the stage in their career need to be taken into it

The price is meaningless if he’s not good enough to play defensively in the centres.

By all rights he should be a winger next year if he can’t dramatically improve his defence.

 

[franklin2323]

The price is meaningless if he’s not good enough to play defensively in the centres.

By all rights he should be a winger next year if he can’t dramatically improve his defence.

I doubt very much he starts centre round 1 next year.