Is Witt our first choice halfback?

[PB]

There is an article on nrl.com with interview with coach Smith.

http://www.nrl.com/news.cfm?ArticleID=7797 is the link. The article is full of positive stuff which we have all be talking about all off season but below is one grab which i found a little of a concern...

....It meant a player like halfback Michael Witt, then 19, was thrown into first grade before he was ready but he handled the pressure with aplomb.

"He did a pretty good job of it and it certainly was a good experience for him," said Smith.
"Whether he's ready for it this year or not, only time will tell."

Reading between the lines (maybe too far), but also noting that Witt is not starting on the weekend is that perhaps Dykes is now the preferred starting halfback at this stage? With Witt fighting for a 5/8th spot, or an alternative half should Dykes surcome to injury.....

 

[Freak]

Good on Smith for not bringing additional pressure onto Witty!
I read it as if Smithy was just looking after his younger players.

 

[The Colonel]

I think you are reading too much between the lines. Witt was thrown in to the mix earlier than was wanted - Green if fit would have played the majority of the year and we may have seen Witt at around rnd 18 or 19. Witty performed admirably and will take his place at No. 7 from the start of the season. Giving Dykes and Thorman time at 6 and 7 also gives them time to develop cohesion.

Witt, I believe is also unavailable due to injury.

 

[PB]

As long as Witt gets first crack at prooving himself as our half.

If he is under performing after a few weeks and he has been recieving good service from the forwards, then i don't have a problem with moving Dykes to half.

 

[SP]

even if witty doesnt play half, he can always play 5/8th, as was said before

 

[Paranoid]

Well, originally Dykes (ie to replace Taylor) was bought to play at half with the idea that Marsh will play 5/8th. Once Marsh made the worse mistake of his life, I think mcfadden came into the fold return Dykes to 5/8 (and there afterwards).

Witt deserves first crack at the 7, but if he fails or get injuried Dykes looks like the next in line with so many 5/8 possibilties.

 

[The Godfather]

This could be a good idea by Smith in starting Dykes as the half.

Michael is still developing and will be a real shot at Origin in a couple of seasons (even if it is for QLD).
Maybe give Witt a couple of runs at half and see how he handles it. If not quite up, take the pressure off him and let him develop

 

[booeycollector]

Witt will start no 7. I think Thorman will have a crack at the position coming off the bench. I know Thorman is a 5/8 but I think he will be given a run at half at some stage.

 

[half]

*sniff sniff* smells like dykes at half and thorman at 5/8th

 

[JessEel]

by god i hope you're wrong!! :shock: needing dykes in first grade is just willing an injured knee, or a strained shoulder......................... :roll:

 

[The Colonel]

I can actually see a three way rotation in the halves. Very confusing for oppositions not sure which one will line up at 5/8 or half or be on the bench at any given moment in the game. All three are capable of playing either position.

Given Morris can play 80 minutes or the fact that Hopkins versatility allows him to play hooker, lock or second row the need for a player on the bench to back up at hooker isn't needed.

 

[eelegant]

*sniff sniff* smells like dykes at half and thorman at 5/8th

By god.

 

[Agent Mulder]

Don't be too hard on Dykes...He is coming good at last.

 

[Pazza]

i can see that Thorman and Witt will be the halves combination for most of the season. Dykes wont last more than a few games before he is struck down with injury. Lets get some class younsters in the halves and develop a long term halves combination. We are building towards a premiership, we have youth and class all through the team but now we need experiance and leadership in the halves. We got a young talented halfback signed to a long term deal, let get him on the field. A talented youngster from england willing to give it his all. This is the future of the eels, lets not hold them back to accomodate Dykes.

 

[half]

i am hoping dykes comes good like gower

by god he's overdue for a good season

 

[Phillips]

i hope the halves end up being Witt & Thorman with maybe Dykes or Pai on the bench

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Witt will play number 7 for sure, I cant see Dykes playing a full season knowing how many times he's been injured.

 

[bartman]

I agree with Colonel, three way mix is the go.

Dykes owes the club a big year! I hope he's capable, but if he's not, get him out of the mix after the first six weeks. Pai or Morris could step in with Hopkins, Webster or someone else at hooker.

Let's just hope Wags is kept out of the playmaker mix, and is kept to lock and second row only.