It Takes More Than Just a Big Pack.

[Pazza]

So I think we need at least ONE good half, but we have two in Dykes and Witt, plus a great option in Morris and other ball-playing options at lock in O'Dwyer and Muspratt.

You think these guys are anywhere near the talent of Fittler, Wing, Campbell, Gower and Johns? No offence but your dreaming! All these halves are clearly head and shoulders over anything Parra have.

 

[Eelementary]

* No doubt, Fittler is good. BUT:

(1) He was very lucky in 2003 (I can't count how many times one of his sloppy passes or kicks actually ended in a try)

(2) He is not getting any better

* I already said that I think Gower is a DECENT half but not a GREAT one; and Campbell ... I don't rate him at all as an organiser

* Wing is a tad overrated. He is strong, quick, smart and has good skills. Just like Morris. Our hooker is not our issue

* Johns is the best. However, like Fittler he isn't getting better and he isn't unstoppabel. In round 3 in 2003, the reason we beat them is because (A) Joey had a schocker because (B) we frustrated the crap out of him.

My point is you don't need a Fittler/Johns combo. You need good halves supplemented by a good hooker and ball playing lock.

 

[The Worm]

I don't thing Wing is overrated, in fact, I rate him as one of the most exciting players in the game.

Gower is a great half also. You've got to hand it to the bloke for his tenacity alone.

Parra have threee potentially great, but unproven halves. One of them must be great for us to stand a chance.

 

[half]

wing will be along with hindy and lyon, the best player in the nrl this year

we don't NEED great halves. all we need is fast play of the balls and good ball distribution... you don't need stars to do that

 

[The Engineers Room]

I agree about the halves comments. I wrote an article about this in last years forum 7's.

Looking back over the last 10 years there is not one team that doesn't have a great half or 5/8. Well maybe Newcastle 2001

 

[Eelementary]

What's so great about Campbell/Gower?

I don't think they are tremendously talented. It's just that they are COMPETENT and know what to and when. Plus they were behind a dominant forward pack and everyone was enjoying themselves.

I really wouldn't personally rate Gower in my top 3 halfbacks.

My top 3 have to be:

1. Johns
2. Jones
3. Kimmorley/Orford

And in 5/8:

1. Barrett
2. Fittler
3. Anasta

 

[woodgers]

If Witt isn't starting Halfback you guys are kidding. He showed real spark and intelligence at the end of last year from what I saw, and he was only fresh into first grade. Persist with him, even if he makes the odd blunder and build the team around him. You will reap what you sow.

Excuse my ignorance, but who the hell is Fui Fui Moi Moi and where did you get him from?

 

[thedux]

Firstly, Wing is playing at hooker these days so his name is irrelevant in this discussion. Secondly, comparing the role of the halves to when Sterling and Kenny played is out-of-date. The halves don't even play on the same side of the field anymore and most teams have at least two first receiver options on both sides of the ruck (Newcastle are the exception). Looking at the top teams from the last few years and the consistency is that they all had big, mobile packs and lightning quick outside backs. When these elements work well, your halves only have to be competent to get the job done, which essentially makes them look brilliant because everyone else is doing their job better than the opposition. We have a big,mobile pack and probably the BEST outside back in the WORLD. Anyone on this forum could look like a genius at half is these elements get some synergy.

The KEY players:
Penrith - Puletua, Galavua, Lewis, Wesser
Easts - Fitzgibbon, Morley, Minichello, Hegarty
NZ - Lauititi, Villasanti, Meli, Webb
Dogs - Price, Mason, El Masri, Vagana(previously)
Newcastle - Kennedy, Perry, Tahu, Gidley
Broncos - Webcke, Tallis, Lockyer, De Vere
------------------------------------------------------------
Parra - Hindmarsh, Cayless, Lyon, Burt

 

[The Engineers Room]

I wholly agree that this is a reason why Johns gets so many wraps. I would look that good (or even better) if my forwards laid that kind of platform and my outside backs were that devistating.

 

[Parraren]

You guys are kidding aren't you!? :shock:

A. Johns, aka, bucket arse, as much as I hate to admit it is a freak and deserves all the accolades he gets. Have you guys not seen how pathetic a team the Knights can be without him?

I wholly agree that this is a reason why Johns gets so many wraps. I would look that good (or even better) if my forwards laid that kind of platform and my outside backs were that devistating.

:shock: :lol: Well we should sign you up for the Eels then mate!

Another hard dose of reality boys: Tahu = Massively Overated! Gidley = Turnstile! Kennedy & Parsons = Injury Prone! Even with these guys on the park, the Knights still struggle without bucket arse. The guy is a freak.

 

[The Engineers Room]

You guys are kidding aren't you!? :shock:

A. Johns, aka, bucket arse, as much as I hate to admit it is a freak and deserves all the accolades he gets. Have you guys not seen how pathetic a team the Knights can be without him?

I wholly agree that this is a reason why Johns gets so many wraps. I would look that good (or even better) if my forwards laid that kind of platform and my outside backs were that devistating.

:shock: :lol: Well we should sign you up for the Eels then mate!

Another hard dose of reality boys: Tahu = Massively Overated! Gidley = Turnstile! Kennedy & Parsons = Injury Prone! Even with these guys on the park, the Knights still struggle without bucket arse. The guy is a freak.

Johns isn't crap. But I'd say that his achievements although mundane are elevated to genious. He does something that luckily comes off and he is a genious. On the other hand he makes a fundamental mistake and it is "unlucky". He will never be considered by reasonable rugby league followers the greatest player of this or any other generation.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

If Witt isn't starting Halfback you guys are kidding. He showed real spark and intelligence at the end of last year from what I saw, and he was only fresh into first grade. Persist with him, even if he makes the odd blunder and build the team around him. You will reap what you sow.

Excuse my ignorance, but who the hell is Fui Fui Moi Moi and where did you get him from?

That is something I still cant understand. I mean Witt is a young halfback with big wraps on him. He played some good games towards the end of the season, and I think he handled the number 7 pretty well. I just dont understand why they are not starting him first grade but put him in PL. Either Smith has had discipline problems with him at training, or he has big wraps on Dykes as being a halfback. Personally Dykes is not a halfback, he is a playmaking five-eighth.

Now to Fui Fui Moi Moi. Smith, Fitzy and Co got him last year, when he was playing lower grades for Souths last year. They had big wraps on him because of his size, strength and ability to score tries (oh yeah and cause of his unusual name :lol: ). His problem was match fitness and his weight. I saw him play PL against Wests at Campbelltown a couple of weeks ago, this guy looks unfit and does nothing for me. Sure he's big, but he cant tackle and can't last more than 10 minutes. Why bother.

 

[Eelementary]

I agree thedux.

I don't think you need aa particularly great halves combo to win it. Great forwards and backs are what is needed.

Besides, we have Dykes, Witt and Thorman. Great talent potentially there.