a) shouldn't make Hayne immune from criticism if he was playing poorly - the criticism is directed at Hayne as a centre, not as a person, and is entirely valid...
b) if Hayne is so talented, then wouldn't he would have done a better job on Hodges? There was nothing special about when Hodges went sailing through him for a try. And I was more worried about Hayne's non-effort tracking back on the Stagg try - he directly cost us as many if not more tries than Grothe.
c) Isn't laming teammates for not getting Hayne ball really more a criticism of Hayne's attitude that he didn't get involved and look for it? Talented, creative type that he is and all...
Personally I think Hayne's performance smelt of a bit of a prima donna attitude, the moaning and carrying on when called back for forward passes etc, and I was especially disapppointed with his Stagg non-effort. Although since mine is a different POV to Ron Jeremy's it will probably earn me (like it did Parra Pete and Stagger) some pointless personal attacks from him in the future... ;-)
I don't think Hayne at fullback fixes any defensive problems or overlaps of the type we have been seeing this year? Unless analysing our defensive line up from the back and telling his teammates where to stand and slide has suddenly become part of Hayne's fullback talents? He can be a brilliant individual player in attack, and had a few good games at fullback last year, as did Burt if we put aside our biases and care to remember.
But I think this year with our halfback leaving mid-season we need to stick with more of a team player fullback rather than an unpredictable raw talent? We need someone who will communicate with those around him in attack and become a systematic option for the halfback, like Burt was starting to do last night.
Hayne had an absolutely shocking game at centre against Brisbane, and to be honest I've seen very little evidence that he is or will ever become a decent centre? So personally I'd get him out of the centres asap, put him on the wing where he does perform solidly and realiably, and then let him scare opposition teams with his talent from there - if he's good enough and care's about earning his increased money...
Also, the problem with Hayne is that by playing at centre he isn't given the luxery to roam, that has been given to Burt who imo is a terrible broken field runner particulary for a guy with his pace.
Burt at fb can be a liability, however he has more brains then Eric and a better defender so imo he should be wing.
Hayne needs to be given the fb spot, so many problems are occuring at the back, Burt isn't simply up to it imo and needs to be on the wing. Just watch Haynes games at fb last year, his best games were whilst playing full back and he probably was the form fullback of the comp in the later parts of last year.
And Stagger eel, get over your whinging about his pay packet, he's a deadset superstar playing out of position, not his preferred position. If you wont to see him justify his pay tell your mate Hagan to play him at full back, i guarentee we will see Hayne back to his best if this occurs.
