halves for next year?

[mrpwnd]

But where do you draw the line? People wanked on and on about the try Hayne scored in round 25 last year - was he simply lucky the Tigers fullback screwed the bounce up? Was it class? A little of both?

He's shown me glimpses of talent. They have been few and far between, but they are there IMO.

I'm of a different school of thought.
It's true that about 20% of Hayne's brilliance is off the back of luck, however it's players like Hayne that have the ability to pounce on every single one of those opportunities when they come.
Unfortunately, I can't say that Morts has pure talent that you'd see in an exceptional 5/8 at this point in time. Maybe he does have it? Maybe he doesn't? Atm, he's really forcing himself to become a playmaker, tbh all his movements as a playmaker look very....awkward and out of place, again, I sincerely hope I am proven wrong in all of this next year, I was one of the first people to hope he'd stay here last year when it was alleged he'd go to the dogs, I won't deny that he was pivotal in our late charge last year. I do hope that he does find that spark and enthusiasm in his game once more, but from what I've seen this year it seems to me personally, that all his moments of brilliance were but complete flukes.
But hey, at least we can agree to disagree on this, at least until i'm proven wrong and we hit the grand final next year

 

[Wise Old Eel]

I'm of a different school of thought.
It's true that about 20% of Hayne's brilliance is off the back of luck, however it's players like Hayne that have the ability to pounce on every single one of those opportunities when they come.
Unfortunately, I can't say that Morts has pure talent that you'd see in an exceptional 5/8 at this point in time. Maybe he does have it? Maybe he doesn't? Atm, he's really forcing himself to become a playmaker, tbh all his movements as a playmaker look very....awkward and out of place, again, I sincerely hope I am proven wrong in all of this next year, I was one of the first people to hope he'd stay here last year when it was alleged he'd go to the dogs, I won't deny that he was pivotal in our late charge last year. I do hope that he does find that spark and enthusiasm in his game once more, but from what I've seen this year it seems to me personally, that all his moments of brilliance were but complete flukes.
But hey, at least we can agree to disagree on this, at least until i'm proven wrong and we hit the grand final next year

That's the bench mark isn't it? Surely, if Kearney can't get us to the GF in his first year, the knives would have to come out?? ;-)

It's a tough gig at Parramatta. Go the Eels!

WOE

 

[Eelementary]

I'm of a different school of thought.
It's true that about 20% of Hayne's brilliance is off the back of luck, however it's players like Hayne that have the ability to pounce on every single one of those opportunities when they come.
Unfortunately, I can't say that Morts has pure talent that you'd see in an exceptional 5/8 at this point in time. Maybe he does have it? Maybe he doesn't? Atm, he's really forcing himself to become a playmaker, tbh all his movements as a playmaker look very....awkward and out of place, again, I sincerely hope I am proven wrong in all of this next year, I was one of the first people to hope he'd stay here last year when it was alleged he'd go to the dogs, I won't deny that he was pivotal in our late charge last year. I do hope that he does find that spark and enthusiasm in his game once more, but from what I've seen this year it seems to me personally, that all his moments of brilliance were but complete flukes.
But hey, at least we can agree to disagree on this, at least until i'm proven wrong and we hit the grand final next year

Absolutely. And I, too, hope that if he doesn't improve that we remedy the situation properlyu - by playing Humble or someone.

 

[ParraFan09]

I think Mortimer has plenty of skill, and people who say that we carried him thourgh our late run in 09 are kidding themselves, if i recall correctly before he came into the team we were in the bottom 3,
and only losed 2 games once he came in at 6, Five-Eight is obviously his position. we just need a 7 but if we can't find one, i have no problems at all with Robson wearing that jersey next season. Give them 5 games to start the season if its not working then consider Humble.

 

[Wise Old Eel]

I think Mortimer has plenty of skill, and people who say that we carried him thourgh our late run in 09 are kidding themselves, if i recall correctly before he came into the team we were in the bottom 3,
and only losed 2 games once he came in at 6, Five-Eight is obviously his position. we just need a 7 but if we can't find one, i have no problems at all with Robson wearing that jersey next season. Give them 5 games to start the season if its not working then consider Humble.

Hi ParraFan09. I am one of those you speak of who is apparently "kidding themselves". A couple of things if I may. Firstly, I am pretty sure our golden run in the second half of the 2009 season was attributed to one Jarryd Hayne, not young Mr Mortimer. I will concede he was not the only one to be carried at the time but I believe the team did indeed carry him (and have had to ever since).

Secondly, and maybe my old memory is failing me here, but I cannot recall this "plenty of skill" you speak of. Could you please elaborate on this skill set you believe he possesses? And just for the record, "trying hard" & "toughness" (of which I would never accuse him of NOT doing or having) are not skills.

For the record, I would take Humble over Mortimer in a heartbeat. But I am interested in your response all the same.

Cheers
WOE

 

[Delboy]

Just as long as we don't let Robson play 7 on a regular basis, his ideal is to play at Wenty or go to Superleague.

Morts is backerup , and is good at it, tackled himself to a standstill last year playing inside Feleti, think a good 7 will bring out the best in him ( even playing a PJ role as an impact 9)

2009 was the year of follow Jarryd, that is how Morts came to the fore, Robson was catch and pass and not get in the way, we need a 7 to offset Jarryd getting spotted on every play

 

[Springs]

Hi ParraFan09. I am one of those you speak of who is apparently "kidding themselves". A couple of things if I may. Firstly, I am pretty sure our golden run in the second half of the 2009 season was attributed to one Jarryd Hayne, not young Mr Mortimer. I will concede he was not the only one to be carried at the time but I believe the team did indeed carry him (and have had to ever since).

Secondly, and maybe my old memory is failing me here, but I cannot recall this "plenty of skill" you speak of. Could you please elaborate on this skill set you believe he possesses? And just for the record, "trying hard" & "toughness" (of which I would never accuse him of NOT doing or having) are not skills.

For the record, I would take Humble over Mortimer in a heartbeat. But I am interested in your response all the same.

Cheers
WOE

Ah that's right, Jarryd Hayne did absolutely everything last year. Made every run and every tackle and scored every try. But yet when it comes to this year, it's all Mortimer and Robson's fault. I also forgot that Hayne was in terrific form before our golden run, ever since he was moved to fullback, it's not like he won NSW player of the series or anything. So someone else would have had to do something right, surely? What about when Mortimer grubbered through for Fui to score, oh that must have been Hayne. Or kicking ahead for Burt to score in R19? Oh, Hayne again. Robson running 50 to score against the Storm? Or who could forget Hayne's hat-trick against the Panthers where he wore number 6. Hmmm, what else? Oh yes when Mortimer set up Burt's try against the Dragons in week 1, or when he stepped through to score Parramatta's 2nd try. Not to mention scoring the winning try against the Dogs, and Robson getting Man of the Match. Mortimer must have scored all jis ten tries by a fluke.

 

[lingard]

Just as long as we don't let Robson play 7 on a regular basis, his ideal is to play at Wenty or go to Superleague.

Morts is backerup , and is good at it, tackled himself to a standstill last year playing inside Feleti, think a good 7 will bring out the best in him ( even playing a PJ role as an impact 9)

2009 was the year of follow Jarryd, that is how Morts came to the fore, Robson was catch and pass and not get in the way, we need a 7 to offset Jarryd getting spotted on every play

Morts 'tackled himself to a stand-still?' Why, he`s little more than a speed hump. I`ve never seen him stop somebody one on one. He slows them down a bit and someone else tackles them. And we don`t need a half-back so much as we need a good quality five-eight.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

I think a good 6 will bring out the best in Robson.

 

[caylo]

If we get a quality halfback then Humble will be the perfect fold to partner them at 5-8. If we get a quality 5-8 then Murray will be a good type of player bring up. Robson and Mortz can go to wenty and learn how to create points and until then nethier should see first grade. I would honestly prefer Burt at 5-8 with Murray at halfback over those two from what they showed last season.

On anyone who blames Hayne, in 2009 he played the best footy anyone has ever seen. Thus year he was still amoung the best fullbacks in the game and is up there with try assists and lb assists even though a attack was woeful. Hayne Can't do everything but he did more than can be expected from any fullback and no other fullback would have been able to do any better in that situation.

Boyd, Slater and Coote rely on their halves to create chances, Hayne does it through his visions, strength and skills. Our defence was very good (not perfect), we conceeded not many in most matches. Our attack let us down and that is the responsibilty of Mortz and Robson with MK and KK aswell. I still think that Murray and Humble couldnt do any worse then what Mortz and Robson did so they deserve a shot in round one.

 

[Wise Old Eel]

Ah that's right, Jarryd Hayne did absolutely everything last year. Made every run and every tackle and scored every try. But yet when it comes to this year, it's all Mortimer and Robson's fault. I also forgot that Hayne was in terrific form before our golden run, ever since he was moved to fullback, it's not like he won NSW player of the series or anything. So someone else would have had to do something right, surely? What about when Mortimer grubbered through for Fui to score, oh that must have been Hayne. Or kicking ahead for Burt to score in R19? Oh, Hayne again. Robson running 50 to score against the Storm? Or who could forget Hayne's hat-trick against the Panthers where he wore number 6. Hmmm, what else? Oh yes when Mortimer set up Burt's try against the Dragons in week 1, or when he stepped through to score Parramatta's 2nd try. Not to mention scoring the winning try against the Dogs, and Robson getting Man of the Match. Mortimer must have scored all jis ten tries by a fluke.

So what happened to this "brilliance" in 2010 then???

I see it differently mate. In 2009, on the back of the HAYNE TRAIN (whether you care to pay him the cudos he deserves or not, the fact is pretty much ALL our attack started with him), Mortimer (& others) was able to pick up a few opportunistic tries. But, in 2010, when given more responsibility Mortimer showed he was simply not up to the task. In my opinion, Humble showed more in his 6 or so games - playing different positions in a side NOT on a roll - than Mortimer did the whole 2010 season.

Look, I am not here to bag out the kid. He plays for my beloved Eels, so I will continue to support the team and if Mortimer is in that team, I will cheer him on. I just do not believe he is of first grade standard at this stage in his career & we have a better option in Tom Humble. I sincerely hopes he proves me wrong in 2011 & will be happy to admit it if & when it happens.

Go the Eels!
WOE

 

[Wise Old Eel]

If we get a quality halfback then Humble will be the perfect fold to partner them at 5-8. If we get a quality 5-8 then Murray will be a good type of player bring up. Robson and Mortz can go to wenty and learn how to create points and until then nethier should see first grade. I would honestly prefer Burt at 5-8 with Murray at halfback over those two from what they showed last season.

On anyone who blames Hayne, in 2009 he played the best footy anyone has ever seen. Thus year he was still amoung the best fullbacks in the game and is up there with try assists and lb assists even though a attack was woeful. Hayne Can't do everything but he did more than can be expected from any fullback and no other fullback would have been able to do any better in that situation.

Boyd, Slater and Coote rely on their halves to create chances, Hayne does it through his visions, strength and skills. Our defence was very good (not perfect), we conceeded not many in most matches. Our attack let us down and that is the responsibilty of Mortz and Robson with MK and KK aswell. I still think that Murray and Humble couldnt do any worse then what Mortz and Robson did so they deserve a shot in round one.

Very well put Caylo. I concur.

WOE

 

[bartman]

And if we don't get a quality half or five-eighth in (which looks increasingly likely at this stage, and can't be blamed on DA now that he's gone :lol, then it will be Robson and Mortimer again in 2011.

They were good enough in 2009 during the run home, so long as the rest of the players lift similarly there should be no problem, right? But it's easier to blame 2010 on the halves and coach without looking behind the scenes at what might have been affecting the squad cohesiveness...

Anyway I agree re Humble, he really had a go and should be better for the runs this coming season. At worst he should be first reserve for any backline position 1-7 when injury strikes.

 

[84 Baby]

Anyway I agree re Humble, he really had a go and should be better for the runs this coming season. At worst he should be first reserve for any backline position 1-7 when injury strikes.

Or he could go like Mortimer and not be better for last years runs.

Also I don't think he could be first reserve for 3 or 4. Not big enough. Actually on that name our third string centre (currently signed, so no Phil Grahams) assuming Reddy & Tahu are top 2.

 

[SeftonBoy]

Or he could go like Mortimer and not be better for last years runs.

Also I don't think he could be first reserve for 3 or 4. Not big enough. Actually on that name our third string centre (currently signed, so no Phil Grahams) assuming Reddy & Tahu are top 2.

Luke Burt is not big enough either but you'll pick him.

 

[84 Baby]

Luke Burt is not big enough either but you'll pick him.

Not big enough... for centre. Atkins isn't big enough for prop but you'd pick him

 

[SeftonBoy]

Ahead of Burt on the wing for sure.
Luke Burt is too small for wing too. Commentators were saying during the PNG Test Match the other day about the short winger they had & were trying to compare him to wingers who'd played NRL - they mentioned Bousted, Morris - I was screaming at the TV what about the little non-powerful little shoulders chicken legged Burt.
Imagine him up against Tuquiri, Vatavei

 

[84 Baby]

Imagine him up against Tuquiri, Vatavei

I totally agree. Imagine Luke Burt playing in the NRL...

 

[SeftonBoy]

Burt, Tiquiri, Vatavei all play left wing so they don't clash really. But you wouldn't know that hey 84 Baby.

 

[boxhead]

Burt, Tiquiri, Vatavei all play left wing so they don't clash really. But you wouldn't know that hey 84 Baby.

Seriously, do you listen to yourself regularly? There seems to be a chronic lack of politeness in your posts. Maybe we will listen to you when you stop flaming everyone.