halves for next year?

[Djay]

I agree that Robson isn`t great, but I disagree that he isn`t first grade standard (listens for the sound of Dellboy`s boots running down the hall :sarcasm: ) I think he is infinitely better than the tripe that Mortimer dished up this year.

If he moved to another NRL team, name a half he would replace? None.

 

[CrazyEel]

I don't think Robbo is a first grade standard halfback.

However, he's the best option we've got atm because he will follow the gameplan and get the ball to the right people.

Can't argue with any of that YY, unfortunately that's just the way it is.

 

[Fifty Metre Line]

Well there were stories that they played against each other 1 on 1 in the back yard.

What else would you learn then? All they could do was dummy and pass in the backyard.

For mine, MK holds the ball too long in his hands. Fine if he does what Cam Smith and Robbie Farah does but he doesn't.

KK to me is damn selfish and he likes to prove how good he is so he dummies and runs and what I also hate is that he kicks to himself alot.

Why not kick it to team mates and try and get a repeat 6. Much better than a low percentage kick for yourself and then get knocked down by a defender just standing there.


Actually, I personally would change KK into a centre. He defends well enough and his jinky, dummy and run could be effective when his is one on one with the opposition centre.

Seeing as how he'll be playing for Canterbury next year, I hope he plays prop.

 

[Springs]

If he moved to another NRL team, name a half he would replace? None.

Really don't care, but I do care that those teams didn't make the Grand Final in 2009.

 

[Djay]

Really don't care, but I do care that those teams didn't make the Grand Final in 2009.

Don't remember asking you to care TBH....

 

[True EEL]

i have said very different to this recently, but if we do sign Orford, it will almost certainly be:

6. Mortimer
7. Orford

 

[boxhead]

i have said very different to this recently, but if we do sign Orford, it will almost certainly be:

6. Mortimer
7. Orford

Yeah I think that is how it will end up also, the club has invested in Mortimer to be the future of the Eels, I think it is unlikely they would place Humble or anyone else above him.

 

[True EEL]

Yeah I think that is how it will end up also, the club has invested in Mortimer to be the future of the Eels, I think it is unlikely they would place Humble or anyone else above him.

it almsot has to go this way unless Kearney (from his Melbourne days) still doesn't rate Morts....as you say the club has invested heavily in Morts and i think PO above all else will see to it that he is given another shot with an experienced halfback (other than Robbo) to mentor him, as they have been spouting for months now

other than that, i was ready (and still am to a large degree) for any number of combinations to be tried, but if Ordord signs i think that will be it

 

[lingard]

With all due respect, sir, the irony in your statement is rather strange - you refuse to think of Brad Murray as he has no First Grade experience, but praise a fellow in Tom Humble who has something like 5 First Grade games to his name.

I am one of the few who does not understand the Humbly hype. He seemed, to me, solid but unspectacular when he played First Grade. He has talent, undoubtedly, but I don't see where the comparisons and accolades come from.

But my point is, if you're willing to back Humble, then surely you must be willing to back Murray?

Please note I am not trying to come across as accusatory, but merely stimulating debate.

No worries, mate; that`s cool. Definitely I`d back Murray if he played first grade. I hope he becomes a star for us. The fact is I have never seen him play. So I`m refusing to consider him as an option on those grounds alone. However, I have seen Humble play. I have seen clips of some of his Queensland Cup performances; I have seen about seven of his Wenty games, and I saw his six NRL appearances. I don`t know; I saw a lot of potential in his NRL games. I believe he is a specialist five-eight. Reminds me a little of Adam Dykes in his running style. And of those six NRL games, he only played one of them at five-eight. (He played well, and we beat Manly) That was his NRL debut. Then Anderson put him at fullback, centre, wing, half and hooker. Out of position. Maybe I`m wrong, But I think if he was given the same luxury as Mortimer (i.e: allowed to play five-eight for a whole season) he would be a star.

 

[Eelementary]

No worries, mate; that`s cool. Definitely I`d back Murray if he played first grade. I hope he becomes a star for us. The fact is I have never seen him play. So I`m refusing to consider him as an option on those grounds alone. However, I have seen Humble play. I have seen clips of some of his Queensland Cup performances; I have seen about seven of his Wenty games, and I saw his six NRL appearances. I don`t know; I saw a lot of potential in his NRL games. I believe he is a specialist five-eight. Reminds me a little of Adam Dykes in his running style. And of those six NRL games, he only played one of them at five-eight. (He played well, and we beat Manly) That was his NRL debut. Then Anderson put him at fullback, centre, wing, half and hooker. Out of position. Maybe I`m wrong, But I think if he was given the same luxury as Mortimer (i.e: allowed to play five-eight for a whole season) he would be a star.

Fair enough, mate. I hope you're right.

 

[jk13]

i don't buy into "kearney has to play morts cause of the investment" talk. kearney demanded full control and if he doesn't get it, he won't stick around. its a business nowadays, if morts can't cut it this year, i assume the usual offer of leaving or languishing in lower grades will be offered. personally i really hope the little fella suceeds.

 

[Wise Old Eel]

I don`t have any problems about slowly easing Robson out of the halves; but I refuse to even think about this Murray fellow. All I know about him is that he hasn`t played any NRL and people rave about him. We`ve been down that track before. :sarcasm: I think we both agree on Humble, though. I`m bravely predicting he`s going to be the messiah. The next Brett Kenny. (God, I hope I don`t make a fool of myself. Again.)

Mate, (dare I say it) but I see Tim Smith qualities in young Murray. He's a little bigger than Tim, so let's hope it means he will turn out to be tougher (physically & mentally). By the way, that was NOT a jibe at Tim's medical condition. More a comment on his [perceived] inability to cope with critisism in the media. Having said that, not many people could have endured what that poor kid had to. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now.

However, I'm with you on the Humble Bus...Train...whatever. Unfortunately, I fear he will be a star for another club because the people pulling the strings here have no idea. They have "invested" in Mortimer being Parra's future. God help us...

WOE

 

[Wise Old Eel]

With all due respect, that doesn't mean much. Ricky Stuart made three straight Grand Final appearances for one win - is he the messiah?

Anderson had a great record of getting teams to the Grand Final, but his record of actually winning it is not exactly great....In fact, in terms of NRL, Kearney and Anderson have the same amount of NRL Premierships to their names.

That it a ridiculous attempt at justifying an even more ridiculous decision. I would have expected that to come from a 3P propaganda release, not from you! Everyone's entitled to their opinion, I guess. We'll just have to agree to disagree on that one.

 

[84 Baby]

Really don't care, but I do care that those teams didn't make the Grand Final in 2009.

Unless 2009 was the pinnacle of being a halfback in rugby league, then I don't get the "he led us to the GF" argument. Cronk "led" his team to 3 grand finals and won 2 including 2009. Orford won a GF, so by your argument was better than every other half in 2008. Wait there's more, what was the name of the guy who was second string halfback behind Orford in 08?

Mate, (dare I say it) but I see Tim Smith qualities in young Murray. He's a little bigger than Tim, so let's hope it means he will turn out to be tougher (physically & mentally). By the way, that was NOT a jibe at Tim's medical condition. More a comment on his [perceived] inability to cope with critisism in the media. Having said that, not many people could have endured what that poor kid had to. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now.

However, I'm with you on the Humble Bus...Train...whatever. Unfortunately, I fear he will be a star for another club because the people pulling the strings here have no idea. They have "invested" in Mortimer being Parra's future. God help us...

WOE

I see some Smith qualities in Murray too. Main difference though Murray is a much better runner of the ball

 

[ParraFan09]

I see some Smith qualities in Murray too. Main difference though Murray is a much better runner of the ball

Do you think its possible that Murray may play 6. outside of Orford if signed, with his size and ball running do you think he would go good there?

 

[Springs]

Unless 2009 was the pinnacle of being a halfback in rugby league, then I don't get the "he led us to the GF" argument. Cronk "led" his team to 3 grand finals and won 2 including 2009. Orford won a GF, so by your argument was better than every other half in 2008. Wait there's more, what was the name of the guy who was second string halfback behind Orford in 08?


I see some Smith qualities in Murray too. Main difference though Murray is a much better runner of the ball

Oh yes cause I totally said all that crap in that one sentence...
My point was I don't care if he would not replace another half in the NRL. I dount Humble or Murray would either. Robson was our halfback in the Grand Final and he should be supported.

 

[mrpwnd]

Oh yes cause I totally said all that crap in that one sentence...
My point was I don't care if he would not replace another half in the NRL. I dount Humble or Murray would either. Robson was our halfback in the Grand Final and he should be supported.

I do hope you can differentiate between blind optimism and realism.
If Robson should be supported as our halfback simply because he was the halfback we used during our 2009 season then your dead set kidding yourself. Little fairytales like that doesn't mean he has the mortgage on the no. 7, especially considering his skills...or lack thereof.

 

[mrpwnd]

Do you think its possible that Murray may play 6. outside of Orford if signed, with his size and ball running do you think he would go good there?

I'd rather Humble at the no.6, since he's got experience outside of NYC.

 

[caylo]

i don't buy into "kearney has to play morts cause of the investment" talk. kearney demanded full control and if he doesn't get it, he won't stick around. its a business nowadays, if morts can't cut it this year, i assume the usual offer of leaving or languishing in lower grades will be offered. personally i really hope the little fella suceeds.

I am of the opinnion that Kearney will come in and try and distance himself from the typical and expected parramatta team. I doubt (and hope) that he will pick mortimer because of 2009 and the same is to be said with Robson. Hagan came in and didnt change the team, Anderson came in and changed it slightly but there were not obvious changes outside of playing Hayne at 6.

I expect one of Humble or Murray to step up if we do not get the services of an experianced halfback they both could (assuming they perform in trial etc). I also expect the likes of Filinga, OHanalan, Sio and Loko to get some experiance and push for spots, Kearney doesn't seam like the type to shy away from picking jnrs and leaving out old head (Asotasi not being picked in the NZ squad).

Next year if we cant get the services of anyone else i think we will start with a very inexperianced core 1 Hayne, 6 Humble, 7 Murray and 9 Mitchell. Now most people would question that sort of move but you have to look at the experiance they have around them, they are in the best situation to perform. They will have 3 of the best props in the game carting the ball forward, they will have a very strong backrow, experiance off the bench and a backline that has the likes of Tahu and Grothe who both can beat players one on one and will require attention. Then there is Hayne who was able to turn it on at any time and is the best hole runner in the NRL IMO.

If these guys can play a simple role and do what they know then they can do very well. It isnt like Humble, Murray or Mitchell are 17 or 18 like Mitchell Pearce or Jamie Soward when they hit grade, they are 20-22 years old, the same age as Tim Smith when he made his debu.
People have questioned Murrays skills but tbh if he can kick and pass then he has already surpassed Mortimer or Robson who he is going up against. Humble has played a year of Wenty and has proved that he is a cut above that level and need more regular first grade in the NRL. He scored two tries in his first two matches from his support play, which means he could play Mortimers role but also a more creative role and allow Hayne to follow the ball more.

 

[mrpwnd]

I expect one of Humble or Murray to step up if we do not get the services of an experianced halfback they both could (assuming they perform in trial etc). I also expect the likes of Filinga, OHanalan, Sio and Loko to get some experiance and push for spots, Kearney doesn't seam like the type to shy away from picking jnrs and leaving out old head (Asotasi not being picked in the NZ squad).

I'm quite baffled over Asotasi being excluded, I thought he was one of the better NZ forwards this year. I hope Mooks doesn't put too much faith into our jnrs to the point that he's not playing some of our more reliable senior players.

If these guys can play a simple role and do what they know then they can do very well. It isnt like Humble, Murray or Mitchell are 17 or 18 like Mitchell Pearce or Jamie Soward when they hit grade, they are 20-22 years old, the same age as Tim Smith when he made his debu.
People have questioned Murrays skills but tbh if he can kick and pass then he has already surpassed Mortimer or Robson who he is going up against. Humble has played a year of Wenty and has proved that he is a cut above that level and need more regular first grade in the NRL. He scored two tries in his first two matches from his support play, which means he could play Mortimers role but also a more creative role and allow Hayne to follow the ball more.

As usual, we'll probably have a real slow start to the season. But as you said, those rookies can probably pass and kick better than Robson and Morts, although i'm more worried as to how they combine with Hayne. We saw many times this year when Hayne had to come in at 1st and 2nd reciever, sorta put Morts and Robson in abit of confusion at their role, I wonder if Humble, Murray and Mitch have what it takes to steer Hayne and the rest of the pack around, ideally i'd like them to work through the middle of the ruck and have Hayne link up with our outside backs.