halves for next year?

[Maroubra Eel]

No point trying to work out who is better out of Robson and Mortimer. They both stink!

Neither are up to first grade standard.

 

[caylo]

Do you think Mortimer would get a gig at any other club in the NRL in first grade? My point of course is that while you have continually stated that Robson is not a first grade half-back, you have never mentioned anything about Daniel Mortimer, who is one of the worst five-eight/half-backs I have ever seen in my life, judging on his 2010 performances. I was disappointed in Robson because I thought he would improve, even if only a little bit, on his 2009 season. He didn`t. But then again, he had a dreadful five-eight outside him. I still think if we had Robson at half and a really good five-eight, we would do better than if we had a really good half-back and Mortimer at five-eight. And please don`t try to tell me that Mortimer can tackle. Not one on one. He`s simply a speed hump who slows players down a bit so someone else can tackle them.

I agree, I think robson would do well with a dominate half because he distributes well while mortimer stifles the attack. Robson is better then mortimer but mortimer has more potential.

 

[Tony Bongo]

This year marked the end of a decade the Noughties , where we won just that. Next year marks the start of the new decade with new halves. No offence but Robson and Morts were like last decade.
What's the name of the new decade BTW?:-k

 

[Eelementary]

Look, I'm sorry, but anyone who claims Mortimer is the worst half/five-eight they have ever seen has zero credibility. Umm...Daniel Fitzhenry, anyone?

 

[Ladmate]

Look, I'm sorry, but anyone who claims Mortimer is the worst half/five-eight they have ever seen has zero credibility. Umm...Daniel Fitzhenry, anyone?

He is a primary winger, Mortimer is a specialist five-eighth.

I am watching the Wallabies game and Quade Cooper is playing really well, he would be a good fit in Parramatta.

 

[Eelementary]

He is a primary winger, Mortimer is a specialist five-eighth.

I am watching the Wallabies game and Quade Cooper is playing really well, he would be a good fit in Parramatta.

I know, mate. It was slightly tongue-in-cheek .

I WISH we'd sign Quade Cooper. I WISH!

 

[parra pete]

Look, I'm sorry, but anyone who claims Mortimer is the worst half/five-eight they have ever seen has zero credibility. Umm...Daniel Fitzhenry, anyone?

Signed to captain/coach SouthCity Bulls (Wagga Wagga) in Group 9 for next two seasons. Good investment for the Bulls.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/10/29/3051474.htm?site=riverina&section=sport

 

[Constraint]

Cooper showed flashed of brilliance, yes, but overall he had a pretty terrible night, in my opinion. Cracked under pressure on many occasions towards the end. Careful for what you wish for, especially for the $$ he'd command

 

[caylo]

So if orford signs with us as expected from most reports what would your halves/hooker paring be.

Considering the halves Orford has played, guys like Scott Hill and Jamie Lyon are both hole runners who ball play a bit (Hill is probably more then just a bit). I would love to have Humble start in the 6 and feed off Orford with Mitchell at 9, leaving the 14 avaliable for Robson, Magurie, Mortimer, MK amd Murray to fight over (would love to see Murray get a taste of Grade footy).

With an experianced and steady head in the 7, Mitchell would have less pressure on him knowing Orford is the main go to man and allow him pick and chose when to run rather then trying to organise to forwards aswell.

 

[Wise Old Eel]

So if orford signs with us as expected from most reports what would your halves/hooker paring be.

Considering the halves Orford has played, guys like Scott Hill and Jamie Lyon are both hole runners who ball play a bit (Hill is probably more then just a bit). I would love to have Humble start in the 6 and feed off Orford with Mitchell at 9, leaving the 14 avaliable for Robson, Magurie, Mortimer, MK amd Murray to fight over (would love to see Murray get a taste of Grade footy).

With an experianced and steady head in the 7, Mitchell would have less pressure on him knowing Orford is the main go to man and allow him pick and chose when to run rather then trying to organise to forwards aswell.

What you said makes perfect sense to me. I am not really a fan of Orford but if he is to come to Parramatta, then it should be 1. Hayne, 6. Humble, 7. Orford, 9. Mitchell, 14. Maguire/Robson. As much as I like the look of Murray, the better part of a season playing against men for Wenty could only help his development. I would drop him straight into the top grade should an opportunity or two present itself during the season though.

The usual Mortimer-worshipers will be jumping up & down here but (in my opinion) he has burnt his first chance & needs to earn his second one. Time to give Humble a fair crack at the 6 spot if we are serious about having a "consistent" season in 2011.

WOE

 

[Maroubra Eel]

The best thing about Mortimer is his surname.

 

[boxhead]

I like how you guys speak like your opinions on Mortimer are gospel.........no seriously, you say "in my opinion", not be a rude little terror.

Hai, how are u today? IMO, wee kick little Morty out of da side.

THATS how you say it politely, get it right people!

 

[ParraFan09]

Look, we can all agree to disagree on whether or not Mortimer & Robson were so fantastic in 2009. You all know my view on the matter.

My point is this. If Kearney thinks Mortimer (& to a lesser extent, Robson) is the man to guide the team, create opportunities in the opposition 20, win us enough games to get into the finals and then go on & win the comp in 2011, then he is deluded. It ain't gonna happen.

Someone mentioned a few posts ago (apologies, I forgot to look back at who that was before I started typing this post) that Tim Smith was terrific in 2005 but his game dropped in 2006 & people were calling for his head. Mortimer plays half a season of decent "back-up play" & then, when given more responsibility the next season, shows he simply does not have the skills to do the job. Why is it some people are STILL willing to say he is the answer for our future??? Much better players than Mortimer (or Robson for that matter) have been let go by this club. I just don't get it. Changes NEED to be made with our 6 & 7 or we will struggle again in 2011.

WOE

The remark you made about Tim Smith here is very correct 2006 was a bad year for him after playing so damn good in 2005.
But what happened in 2007 WOE? we were fantastic off the back of Tim Smith. so whats saying that Dan Mortimer cant do it? and i know your answer is going to be that he doesnt have the skill that Tim Smith possess?
I bet you thought he had the skill last year when he helped guide us to the Grand Final. WOE are you really ready to ride off a 21 year old half back? that hasnt even finished developing yet!

 

[caylo]

The remark you made about Tim Smith here is very correct 2006 was a bad year for him after playing so damn good in 2005.
But what happened in 2007 WOE? we were fantastic off the back of Tim Smith. so whats saying that Dan Mortimer cant do it? and i know your answer is going to be that he doesnt have the skill that Tim Smith possess?
I bet you thought he had the skill last year when he helped guide us to the Grand Final. WOE are you really ready to ride off a 21 year old half back? that hasnt even finished developing yet!

Tim Smith guided us to the GF in 2005 and he was 21 years old. Injury and stupidiy led to Timmys down fall not so much his skill level. Mortimer tried hard in 2010, off the back of good go forward and strong defence but he was found out. I think its a bigger risk to play Mortimer again without giving him time to tune his skills then it would be to play Murray, remembering Murray is only year younger then Mortimer and it isnt like Mortimer is a seasoned player... he has had one and a half season in the NRL, one of which was horrible.

 

[boxhead]

Tim Smith guided us to the GF in 2005 and he was 21 years old. Injury and stupidiy led to Timmys down fall not so much his skill level. Mortimer tried hard in 2010, off the back of good go forward and strong defence but he was found out. I think its a bigger risk to play Mortimer again without giving him time to tune his skills then it would be to play Murray, remembering Murray is only year younger then Mortimer and it isnt like Mortimer is a seasoned player... he has had one and a half season in the NRL, one of which was horrible.

Wait, are you seriously saying it is less of a risk to throw an untested NYC player into first grade at halfback with no first-grade experience? Any coach would look at the grand finalist five-eighth and what he did in 2009 first compared to a player who has never played first-grade and is new to the club. Whether I agree with you about Mortimer being dropped, sticking with Mortimer is far less risky than throwing Murray in the deep end.

Sorry if that comes off as rude....

 

[lingard]

The remark you made about Tim Smith here is very correct 2006 was a bad year for him after playing so damn good in 2005.
But what happened in 2007 WOE? we were fantastic off the back of Tim Smith. so whats saying that Dan Mortimer cant do it? and i know your answer is going to be that he doesnt have the skill that Tim Smith possess?
I bet you thought he had the skill last year when he helped guide us to the Grand Final. WOE are you really ready to ride off a 21 year old half back? that hasnt even finished developing yet!

Tim Smith had a hundred times the skill level and ability that Mortimer has.

 

[lingard]

The best thing about Mortimer is his surname.

It`s a real first grade surame.

 

[ParraFan09]

Tim Smith had a hundred times the skill level and ability that Mortimer has.

I never said he wasnt i just believe that Mortimer should get the chance to fully develop, escpecially now that we are expected to be signing Matt Orford for next year.

 

[mrpwnd]

I never said he wasnt i just believe that Mortimer should get the chance to fully develop, escpecially now that we are expected to be signing Matt Orford for next year.

Honestly, you'd think a whole year in first grade offered up on a nice clean plate would be long enough to develop into a solid half.

 

[boxhead]

Honestly, you'd think a whole year in first grade offered up on a nice clean plate would be long enough to develop into a solid half.

Honestly, you would think that is the case with most halves, but it isn't. The kid is 21, he has a sh*t load of improvement in him if he works hard.
If you are going to seriously argue, at least remember that most halves take a while to develop; hell, many halves are much older when they come into first-grade, especially halfbacks. One of the many reasons why putting Mortimer at 7 was a shocking move.