Interchangable Hookers

[Pazza]

We all know that there is no chance of Riddell playing 80 minutes of football per game. So naturally there has to be a replacement hooker for Riddell.
Do you guys think that moving Morris from 5/8 to hooker half way during the first halve is a smart idea or would it screw with the flow and combinations of the team? Do you think that the differance of training required to play hooker and 5/8 will lower John's ability to play both positions effectively? Should parra use Morris or just go out and buy someone like Jason Death or Caysey Maquire?

 

[Parraren]

I don't like the idea but I think Smith is thinking to use Wagon off the bench to come on at 5/8 when Riddell goes off and Morris will move to hooker.

 

[Misty Bee]

Disagree. Convention suggests that you putyour ball players on second, your hard men on first.

I reckon Morris will go 5/8. Thorman will be hooker understudy.

 

[strider]

I don't think the game is really that strict these days - there are players that can go anywhere and change how they play during a game.

It shouldn't be an issue for someone to go from 5/8 to hooker during a game....they will train for it, they are smart boys they can cope.

 

[Suitman]

And most of them are built for the positional changes anyway - their bodies are reasonably flexible meaning they can cover many positions. Except Riddell - he's just a fat bastard.

Suity

 

[bartman]

There's not much "hooking" to being a hooker today. As long as you get someone who can pass out of dummy half, and who knows (or can be told) where to pass it, and someone that can tackle, that person will be an adequate "hooker". Of course the great hookers are so much more...

When Pig is off the field, we could end up with one of several players playing the basic dummy half role. Webster, Hopkins and Dunley have all managed it in the past. In 2005 I'd be thinking maybe Thorman, Burt, O'Dwyer or Webster/Hopkins (if retained) might pop up in that role?

 

[Utey]

We have plenty of players who at their best have great passing games. I would like to see Dykes at hooker seeing as Smith has already gone public aqbout Morris most likely going to 5/8. Dykes could be a great interchange player. Even if Morris was 5.8 he would still enter the hooking role. I want Thorman gone.

 

[fish eel]

What about......Riddell off, Morris to hooker, wags slots in at 5/8 after starting at lock and Mateo comes on and takes wags place at lock, so we'd still have two 'playmakers' on the field?

 

[Utey]

Hooker isnt really a specified position thes days. Except for Buderus most clubs have various dummy half runners at different times of the game. I thnk swappign and changing first and second recievers in the game will be to hard to adjust to and i think Smith has a plan by buying Riddell as he most likely alredy knows where to position him and how to use him.

 

[thedux]

I think that BS is trying to replicate the situation we had in 2001 where JT, Drew and PJ all rotated the half and hooking roles depending on what was in front of them. All were good ball-players and all read the game pretty well. That is what we have with Riddell, Morris and either Witt (to a point) or Dykes. I'm not sure that the number on their backs is going to dictate where they play. And remember that Pig will also do a lot of hitting the ball up off the ruck so someone is going to have to cover the dummy-half role anyway.

 

[Utey]

Yeh exaclty Pearson plays 5/8 but has the number 10. For sum reaosn his always 2nd reciever.

 

[bartman]

If you get a class hooker like Buderis, Riddell, then it's best to use them properly at dummy half. Morris goes OK there but also has abilities in the five-eighth role, which has been lacking more often the past few years.

Dykes if staying would also make a good bench player coming on for Riddell in that dummy half role. And with his injury rate and advancing age it might be the best spot for Dykes if he stays?

 

[thedux]

that's because he's too fat to get out of the way. Gotta love those front-rowers who played half once when they were ten and never got over it.

 

[mickdo]

that's because he's too fat to get out of the way.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Misty Bee]

Puttin Wagon on in place of Morris would rob us of a playmaker when the game is opening up. Stock Wagon at lock, and forget about him at 5/8!

 

[fish eel]

Puttin Wagon on in place of Morris would rob us of a playmaker when the game is opening up. Stock Wagon at lock, and forget about him at 5/8!

Not if Mateo is ready for first grade and comes on.

 

[True EEL]

convention says that your halves don't swap to another position throughout the game............at all.........

so whoever plays 5/8, Morris, Wagon whoever, i just hope they are allowed to stay there and develop a true combination with Witt

moving the 5/8 to hooker and the lock to 5/8.....all that sort of S#@t is part of the reason why BS should not get another chance with this squad next year as chances are he will F$@k that up too................

 

[Parraren]

Well Dennis said we aren't finished with buying players for next year so perhaps we have a hooker coming our way.

The Bronco's have 2 very good hookers in Berry Berrigan & Michael Ryan. I believe Michael Ryan is off contract. Worth a shot. I'm sure there are other good hookers on the market that could fill a bench spot for us but I can't find that list...

 

[Parraren]

My mistake. I think both Michael Ryan & Berrigan were recently re-signed but Casey McGuire is still off contract.

 

[yy_cheng]

I really doubt Wagon would be taken off the field unless Smith isn't the coach.

1. Wade
2. Grothe
3. Tahu
4. O'Dwyer
5. Petersen/Burt
6. Morris/Dykes
7. Witt

13. Wagon
12. Morrison
11. Hindy
10. Cayless
9. Riddell
8. Cannings

14. Widders
15. Jack/Chad
16. Vella/Tsoulos
17. Stringer

I reckon 11, 12, 13 won't come off.

When Riddell comes off, O'Dwyer should be groomed at Hooker coz he has the ball skills, lack of size and being a good defender then Wagon to centre and Widders to lock.