half back rumour #100

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

In my opinion, I can see why people say he doesn't have "it"; that he lacks what it takes to be a good halfback in First Grade rugby league in the NRL.

But to me, the few glimpses of class he has shown this year and last (and he hasn't shown very many this year, but they have been there sporadically) show me a player worth persevering with.

He has a great attitude, doesn't shirk the work and has a good kicking game. I'm not sold on his passing game. And, in my opinion anyway, his vision is OK - he has showed me some excellent glimpses of great vision (the try he set up for Burt last year against the Dogs; the try he scored this year against the Sharks).

Bottom line for me is he has the ability in there somewhere, but the issue is Anderson can't or won't drop him. I'm assuming he doesn't want to drop him for sheer lack of options. And before you start with the "Mateo at 5/8 and Robson at halfback/Keating at 5/8 and Robson at halfback" routines or any of their variants, consider that Mateo has mostly been horrendously inconsistent this year, and Kris Keating has barely been any better.

I think it would be best for him to get some form and confidence plying his trade at Wenty. But I can see why the coach can't/won't drop him. But to me, he does have what it takes - deep down there, somewhere.

It's more a matter of how long should we persist IMO...

My two cents...Bombs away!

I see it too and I agree.

Morts, IMO has the personality to be a dominant half, one that will take the game by the neck. Skill wise he......struggles, but its all about finding his own game and his own rhythm.

 

[TheRam]

Oh please Mr Ram, isn't ONE admission enough?

Suity

:lol: So true Suits, so true. :lol:

 

[ROGUE]

I, personally, don't think he's gone bad. Still learning the trade as far as I am concerned. You can't put old heads on inexperienced kids. He'll be fine...I love his toughness, and his willingness to put his body on the line. Good attributes for a young kid to have....

I believe your exact words were "he'll be excellent for parra in the future"

 

[Eelementary]

I see it too and I agree.

Morts, IMO has the personality to be a dominant half, one that will take the game by the neck. Skill wise he......struggles, but its all about finding his own game and his own rhythm.

I agree. Let's hope he can continue developing, although at a slightly quicker rate than this year!

 

[sarahk]

I see it too and I agree.

Morts, IMO has the personality to be a dominant half, one that will take the game by the neck. Skill wise he......struggles, but its all about finding his own game and his own rhythm.

Whats the bet that he struggles with us, we'll be the team that he 'learns' with and then when he does become a dominant half he'll sign with another team. SIGH!

 

[Eelementary]

Whats the bet that he struggles with us, we'll be the team that he 'learns' with and then when he does become a dominant half he'll sign with another team. SIGH!

Maybe. Maybe not - he's a good kid. He might say, "You guys stuck by me when I was struggling, and I owe you."

 

[benkustosgrandmother]

Whats the bet that he struggles with us, we'll be the team that he 'learns' with and then when he does become a dominant half he'll sign with another team. SIGH!

No fuggin doubt Sarah.

Won't be the first time either.

 

[Fifty Metre Line]

In my opinion, I can see why people say he doesn't have "it"; that he lacks what it takes to be a good halfback in First Grade rugby league in the NRL.

But to me, the few glimpses of class he has shown this year and last (and he hasn't shown very many this year, but they have been there sporadically) show me a player worth persevering with.

He has a great attitude, doesn't shirk the work and has a good kicking game. I'm not sold on his passing game. And, in my opinion anyway, his vision is OK - he has showed me some excellent glimpses of great vision (the try he set up for Burt last year against the Dogs; the try he scored this year against the Sharks).

Bottom line for me is he has the ability in there somewhere, but the issue is Anderson can't or won't drop him. I'm assuming he doesn't want to drop him for sheer lack of options. And before you start with the "Mateo at 5/8 and Robson at halfback/Keating at 5/8 and Robson at halfback" routines or any of their variants, consider that Mateo has mostly been horrendously inconsistent this year, and Kris Keating has barely been any better.

I think it would be best for him to get some form and confidence plying his trade at Wenty. But I can see why the coach can't/won't drop him. But to me, he does have what it takes - deep down there, somewhere.

It's more a matter of how long should we persist IMO...

My two cents...Bombs away!

Huh?

Sure about that?

 

[Fifty Metre Line]

Whats the bet that he struggles with us, we'll be the team that he 'learns' with and then when he does become a dominant half he'll sign with another team. SIGH!

Bulldogs are counting on it.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Whats the bet that he struggles with us, we'll be the team that he 'learns' with and then when he does become a dominant half he'll sign with another team. SIGH!

Thats a negative way of thinking. We are a club that players want to be apart of, Morts is one of them.

 

[84 Baby]

I've got a theory. Rumour's been stated in a few places that we have 90/95% signed up a halfback but it has to remain hush hush. The most likely reason for secrecy is to put undue pressure on our players or the signed player at the other club until after our respective seasons are done. So if there is an announcement at best it won't happen till finals period, or more likely (and hopefully because of our celebrating) late October.

However, in the case of Cronk, there's another directly interested party (Storm). Not announcing the deal now works in our favour as it doesn't pressure Morts or Robbo into trying to do the spectacular during this season to justify their position next season. Melbourne have been denouncing releasing Cronk... but does this work in their favour too if the rumoured player is Cronk? They keep sprouting 'we won't release this player because blah blah blah' then when the deal is announced they come out and say 'feel pity for us NRL, we released our halfback, if we lose anymore of our topline players we will struggle to field a contending team in the AFL heartland, please don't make us release Slater, Smith, Blair, White, Manu, Lima, etc, etc' therefore helping them in their probable attempt to get concessions for the majority of their illegal squad

 

[Djay]

I've got a theory. Rumour's been stated in a few places that we have 90/95% signed up a halfback but it has to remain hush hush. The most likely reason for secrecy is to put undue pressure on our players or the signed player at the other club until after our respective seasons are done. So if there is an announcement at best it won't happen till finals period, or more likely (and hopefully because of our celebrating) late October.

However, in the case of Cronk, there's another directly interested party (Storm). Not announcing the deal now works in our favour as it doesn't pressure Morts or Robbo into trying to do the spectacular during this season to justify their position next season. Melbourne have been denouncing releasing Cronk... but does this work in their favour too if the rumoured player is Cronk? They keep sprouting 'we won't release this player because blah blah blah' then when the deal is announced they come out and say 'feel pity for us NRL, we released our halfback, if we lose anymore of our topline players we will struggle to field a contending team in the AFL heartland, please don't make us release Slater, Smith, Blair, White, Manu, Lima, etc, etc' therefore helping them in their probable attempt to get concessions for the majority of their illegal squad

Logical and makes sense.

 

[cv8z]

Logical and makes sense.

Hard to keep something like that hush hush for that long. But I'm hoping your right.