General Discussion Thread

[WestyLife]

My problem is neither are natural ball players, both are best in attack when running the ball. Aside from Cleary’s short bombs.

Yeah and Tedesco is a runner as well. Cook is most dangerous running. We don't have much natural playmaking.

 

[Abacus]

This is the next development for Nathan as a halfback: create under pressure, under fatigue, with his team on the back foot.”

I think this quote from Joey pretty much sums up Nathan's last few weeks of the year. Nathan's certainly looking tired which can contribute to players changing the way they've been playing (i.e. mentally off).

Still, I'm happy for Nathan to be getting these lessons at 22 - both games were his first on the biggest stages as the dominant half. He's got another 10 years (at least) ahead of him - plenty of time to learn from current experiences.

 

[franklin2323]

I think this quote from Joey pretty much sums up Nathan's last few weeks of the year. Nathan's certainly looking tired which can contribute to players changing the way they've been playing (i.e. mentally off).

Still, I'm happy for Nathan to be getting these lessons at 22 - both games were his first on the biggest stages as the dominant half. He's got another 10 years (at least) ahead of him - plenty of time to learn from current experiences.

The Question is are players better off playing through it or having a break, recharging then working on their game

 

[franklin2323]

Yeah and Tedesco is a runner as well. Cook is most dangerous running. We don't have much natural playmaking.

Keary should be the 5/8th. I think Reynolds should be the 7. Gives you combinations in the spine, Halves that know how to win big games and 2 good kicking options

 

[The_Frog]

So what do you expect from a half then?

If those numbers belonged to any other half everyone here would be questioning the selection

It's simple really. He's the centrepiece of the team. He's earned it, unopposed really. You don't drop him while the series is still alive. You put the right team around him and he will do well. I'm not so sure that has been accomplished here but maybe the likes of Haas and Frizell will show something they haven't all year. The bench is improved with Yeo and Brown, though. Luai would have been better for the combination I thought but Fittler wants Walker's wide running and realises he made a dreadful blunder wasting a bench spot on him last game.

 

[The_Frog]

Keary should be the 5/8th. I think Reynolds should be the 7. Gives you combinations in the spine, Halves that know how to win big games and 2 good kicking options

Reynolds isn't even in the bubble. Might as well bring Jimmy Maloney in.

 

[Abacus]

The Question is are players better off playing through it or having a break, recharging then working on their game

Development is getting acclimatised to going through long seasons. He'll handle it better at 24+ than he has at 22.

Another couple of weeks & he's got plenty of time off. Just hope he gives tik tok a miss over the preseason.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Isn't a halves role to create tries though?

Its one of many things they do.

You need to look at the way the team is attacking.

For instance, Cleary played a major role in the Fox’s try in the last game. He threw a nice pass to Teddy, put him in space, he drew and passed and put the fox in the corner.

Fox gets a try.
Teddy gets a TA
Cleary gets nothing (stats wise)

The blues have over the last 3 or so years, picked teams that are ball player heavy, this years team in particular.

Nathan’s main job in this team has to be directing where the attack goes.

I’m not saying he was great for the blues Wednesday night, but he certainly wasn’t the problem.

We had not much go forward and two centre’s that look far more interested in going sideways than actually running hard and hitting holes.

He’s the best half back in the comp, but that’s not worth squat if you aren’t surrounded by good cattle.

 

[Fangs]

Found out on both edges and we keep the same back 5.

Shocked Lomax doesn't enter right centre for Gutherson who is the best utility in our squad. Even Crichton at centre. Equally strange we now don't carry a bench utility and have a huge bench. Balance wasn't right in game 1 and it looks that way for game 2 as well.

Congrats to Yeo on the bench.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Its one of many things they do.

You need to look at the way the team is attacking.

For instance, Cleary played a major role in the Fox’s try in the last game. He threw a nice pass to Teddy, put him in space, he drew and passed and put the fox in the corner.

Fox gets a try.
Teddy gets a TA
Cleary gets nothing (stats wise)

The blues have over the last 3 or so years, picked teams that are ball player heavy, this years team in particular.

Nathan’s main job in this team has to be directing where the attack goes.

I’m not saying he was great for the blues Wednesday night, but he certainly wasn’t the problem.

We had not much go forward and two centre’s that look far more interested in going sideways than actually running hard and hitting holes.

He’s the best half back in the comp, but that’s not worth squat if you aren’t surrounded by good cattle.

One of the many examples that stats are not the be end and end all.

Stats only tell a portion of the story.

 

[Kilkenny]

Really pleased for Yeo well deserved, he certainly won’t let the Blues down.

 

[Kilkenny]

Found out on both edges and we keep the same back 5.

Shocked Lomax doesn't enter right centre for Gutherson who is the best utility in our squad. Even Crichton at centre. Equally strange we now don't carry a bench utility and have a huge bench. Balance wasn't right in game 1 and it looks that way for game 2 as well.

Congrats to Yeo on the bench.

Laurie Daley was obsessed with picking fullbacks in the outside backs rather than specialists and it would seem Freddie is no different.

Dropping Luke Keary is strange even if he wasn’t great in game 1.

Queensland have a great opportunity to win this series and will be difficult to beat now they have confidence and there noses in front.

The Blues forwards will have to be far better in the remaining two games if we are going to come from behind and take out the series.

 

[franklin2323]

Reynolds isn't even in the bubble. Might as well bring Jimmy Maloney in.

While ever Freddy is coach. One certainty is Cleary will be 7 just what I would pick

 

[WestyLife]

While ever Freddy is coach. One certainty is Cleary will be 7 just what I would pick

Well he's the only 7 in camp

 

[Kilkenny]

Nathan was not the reason the Blues lost on Wednesday night.

I think he will be a lot better in game two but he will be relying on his 16 other team mates to be better as well.

He is not the immortal who can single handedly win a game on his own, he is just not at that level, fine player that he is.

 

[franklin2323]

Its one of many things they do.

You need to look at the way the team is attacking.

For instance, Cleary played a major role in the Fox’s try in the last game. He threw a nice pass to Teddy, put him in space, he drew and passed and put the fox in the corner.

Fox gets a try.
Teddy gets a TA
Cleary gets nothing (stats wise)

The blues have over the last 3 or so years, picked teams that are ball player heavy, this years team in particular.

Nathan’s main job in this team has to be directing where the attack goes.

I’m not saying he was great for the blues Wednesday night, but he certainly wasn’t the problem.

We had not much go forward and two centre’s that look far more interested in going sideways than actually running hard and hitting holes.

He’s the best half back in the comp, but that’s not worth squat if you aren’t surrounded by good cattle.

By that theory someone like Jake Turbo who can ball play should be half? The 7 should also manage the game to suit the occasion.

Take SOO 1. The conditions with the wind etc made it more a running game. Couldn't throw long passes or Kick.

DCE ran for 163m. As well as 35 tackles and GK both are similar style of players neither are what you would call elite but one can adjust to the conditions better.

He was a late bloomer on the rep scene granted

 

[franklin2323]

Well he's the only 7 in camp

Well Keary could be 7 but like with Cordner being captain the one thing you will get is Cleary in 7

 

[Kilkenny]

I think starting with Payne Haas is the right call.

Not sure about Tyson Frizzell seems to be getting picked on form from a season or two ago in my opinion.

At the end of the day I’m only really focussed on our players and how they perform.

If the Blues lose I’ll be over by 11pm Wednesday night still not over the pain of our GF loss and not sure how long it is gonna take. Maybe announcing some re-signings will help.

 

[Kilkenny]

Given the season Yeo had he should have played game 1 on form.

Tyson Frizzell has been average in my opinion for a season or two and if you compare the two players on form Yeo would be in front of him.

Yeo is a starter and 80 minute player si I hope he is not inconvenienced by having to come of the bench and do a 15 minute cameo because that is not what he does best.

 

[MTNPanther]

Might as well put my 2 cents in... Cleary definitely had an off game to go with a bad month. He has the potential to be a very dominant half but has had some stage fright the last couple of big games played but has showed the glimpses that he has it. I believe Cleary is the type of half that needs a off the cuff play what’s in front 5/8 to really get his groove on. For all the talk of Cleary failing in origin 1 I would be looking at Keary he is the multiple premiership winner big game player but it was meant to be Clearys team so the onus falls on him for the failure to get the basics done like repeat sets and kicking for for space but forwards need to aim up for that to happen. Cleary is 22 has 100 fg games played a gf and origin, will we be talking about this in 10+ years or will it be looked as his maturing years to be the complete half he has the potential to be.... I’m going with the second option purely on faith and a hunch. He’s young really young for a half most don’t hit there prime until 25 so we got time!