Jennings

[The Showstopper]

Jennings with Wayne to guide him means the sky is the limit. I think Jennings is torn between staying loyal to a club that he loves and pursuing greater success in the short term. The Black cats are rebuilding and should not expect too much for at least a copule of years. Jennings owes his club plenty and I think Gould deserves a pat on the back for not copping his s###.

 

[Rolla]

We don't have enough good backrowers.

Agreed, we will have Scott and a few ok/up and coming options.

 

[Yosh]

If bird comes, our backrow looks amazing next year:

11.Bird
12. Scott
13. House

Bench: Mckinnon

That backrow is up there with the best of em if you ask me.

 

[The Showstopper]

Will be interesting to see how Houston goes when Scott arrives given he is a predominantly right side defender. Maybe a shift to the left will do him good.

 

[Yosh]

Will be interesting to see how Houston goes when Scott arrives given he is a predominantly ride side defender. Maybe a shift to the left will do him good.

He started in the middle last week so hopefully that's a permanent move!

 

[aqua_duck]

I'd take Jennings if his brothers came as a package.

We could have a entire backline of blokes named either Jennings or Mata'utia

 

[Rolla]

Will be interesting to see how Houston goes when Scott arrives given he is a predominantly ride side defender. Maybe a shift to the left will do him good.

With any luck he won't be on the fringes at all. Stick him in the middle where he can tackle and clean up everything that moves without getting in the way out wide.

 

[Johns Magic]

Houston's attack out wide just isn't good enough unfortunately. The sooner he's playing a Hindmarsh role in the middle the better.

 

[The Showstopper]

Houston's attack out wide just isn't good enough unfortunately. The sooner he's playing a Hindmarsh role in the middle the better.

Hilder was supposed to be that player, but for me it is hard to see Hilder being in the 17 next year so it makes sense. Leave him in the 11 or shift him to 13? I think the Beau Scott doubters will be in for a massive shock in 2013. He will morph our pack. He is that good. I believe without him NSW cannot win. He was the most intimidating force we had in last year's origin. He had Inglis so off his game a few years back that he got Inglis to throw puches first and be penalised.

 

[macavity]

Is backrow the most over-valued position in the league?

The difference between the best and worst backrows in the league isn't much - lots of good backrowers running about. It is the one position I would feel most comfortable saving money.

Halves, Hookers, Props... not many of those worth feeding, meaning that is where you spend your coin (and yes I know there aren't many on the market worth going for, which proves my point).

 

[The Showstopper]

Good point Macca. It is really about knowing when to run straight and run wide isn't it. Mason can do both with ease.

 

[aqua_duck]

I personally feel if you have a backrower who can ball play he's worth his weight in gold. I think we have such a player in Ethan Cook, the bloke could be another Glenn Stewart if we can develop him

 

[Yosh]

Spot on Mac.

The sharks started playing alot better when they stopped pickig backrowers 1~17.

 

[voltron]

i was heard, i think it was on Twil (This week in league podcast), that our forward pack is lacking a ball playing forward.
i think thats pretty spot on.
cuthbertson was supposed to be that for us, but he hasnt done much unfortunately.
but while he offloads, he doesnt have any creativity

was it snowden to faas for a try?
i want to see more of that in our team. not always, but the possibility need to be there

 

[Joker's Wild]

Good backrowers are essential links between the forwards and the backs in the modern game. They need to pick when to run at the line, pass at the line or link with the outside men quickly. Guys like Thaiday, Lewis, Stewart and Bird excel at this type of decision making and bring fluency to a side. Unfortunately our BRers lack the skills.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Good backrowers are essential links between the forwards and the backs in the modern game. They need to pick when to run at the line, pass at the line or link with the outside men quickly. Guys like Thaiday, Lewis, Stewart and Bird excel at this type of decision making and bring fluency to a side. Unfortunately our BRers lack the skills.

You're making me miss Ben Kennedy even more!

 

[The Showstopper]

Anyone else think Darius gets the ball on the left far too late? It's like he goes looking for it but receives it to flat due to the fact we are so disjointed up the middle. At St George he made line breaks off the back of skilled forwards. He'd go with Creagh to the line plenty. To me though he looks like he is playing a lot straighter which makes him far more dangerous. He is strong on his feet. Courier mail tried to suggest to him he had an issue playing with The Knights. He refused to be baited. He has matured plenty. He actually said he loves it here and is happy to be patient cos we will get to where we should be. Maybe he is thinking he had found a home. Hope so.

 

[Hanscholo]

I really rate him. He cant be a fantastic weapon.

I doubt he would get 600k anywhere. I mean, is there a 3/4 in the last 20 years you would pay that for? Inglis, Gasnier in their prime perhaps. Not jennings, ridiculous money. 450k a season tops is all he will get at penrith with gould and cleary, or anywhere else for that matter for a strike centre that has drinking issues, and gets injured a lot. I even suspect that gould is shopping him around, they have major salary cap issues and i wouldnt be one bit surprised if the wanted to get a couple of top line forwards for that money.