John Morris - the sensible thread

[Misty Bee]

No, this is not about his chances of winning the CLive Churchill medal in 6 weeks time!

Rather, I have been thinking of his worth to the team. I havebeen a fan of his - his dummy half work is crisp - the meters we gain from his dummy half running is valuable, and, behind Dykes, he is far and away the best general play kicker in the club.

And Parra have gone a lot ebetter since he has been injured!

Now, I know it was only last week when Brian Smith, after 400 games as a first grade coach, suddenly realised what a 5/8 was for. IMHO, that discovery has allowed our attack to flow - full credit to Witt and Thorman. However, attack starts at Dummy HAlf, and Hopkins has been doing a credible job in that area. Webster has been a breath of frest air - a pocket dynamo who plays not dissimilar to Dennis Moran did. Our dummy half service - while not gaining meters out of dummy half, has set our forwards and halfback up a lot better in attack. This has overcompensated for the lack of kicking game we have had.

The other point is the great NRL paradox of 2004 (apart from why Brian SMith is still employed!). That is, how the most penalised player in the NRL (Morris) coud play in the least penalised team. OUr lack of ruck penalties had given our oponents sweet FA to work with - no piggy backs means better field position and less defence for us.

I's wondering whether we have seen the last of Morris at hooker. Brian Smith has him earmarked at 5/8, and now we have wasted Thorman for 2005, maybe the incoming coach will do the same.

Anyway, the question is - are we better or worse with Morris at hooker?

 

[William Hung]

Worse- I've been saying it for 2 yrs-

How you can say 'his service is crisp' is beyond me. He jinks and passes back into the ruck giving our forwards next to no chance of making the advantage line. He always runs off the back of a Hindmarsh hit up even when passing is the better option. He gives away 8000 penalties...I think he belongs in the halves or as a permanent number 14... I wouldn't have him as the permanent number 9. Thank god we got Riddell.

 

[True EEL]

think the halves have always been his more suited position, hopefully we will get to find out next season

and yes Thorman has been watsed, well done supercoach

 

[Eelectrica]

Since we're losing our best 5/8th's next year in Dykes and Thorman that leaves us with a choice of Wagon and Morris. Given those two choices I'll choose Morris at 5/8th.
Riddell starts at hooker and Webster or PJ Marsh comes off the bench.

Speaking of Webster, I really don't understand why Webster hasn't been coming off the bench all year. I still remember him starting the break from dummy half in the round 2 game against the Broncos leading to the match winning try. I guess starting in premier league is the reward for good work :?
Sorry to go off on a tangent ;-)

 

[The Colonel]

He started his career as a five eight and only moved into hooker when Buderus was injured originally I believe. Most of his football at Newcastle was played as a utility back. I am a fan but his absence has highlighted his "deficiencies" in the number 9 role.

I do believe that he and Witt or Marsh can create a more than stable halves combination that will be effective on the back of good go forward.

Personally I think Marsh would be the more effective "14" out of dummy half when Riddell rests.

 

[JessEel]

i always feel that morris needs to come off the bench in case of any injuries because he can play anywhere. i know im probly wrong but i never did see the purpose in kicking out specific hookers to replace them with a utility! utility's belong in either #14 #15 #16 or #17 so that they can go anywhere

 

[Utey]

His always been a better 5/8 than hooker.He gives away penalties and they usually lead to tries. That game where dykes got injured against broncos Morris was poor in his kicking but i like his running game.
6 Morris
7 Witt
9 Riddel
14 Marsh/Webster

 

[Eelementary]

I say worse, but only because he lacks penetration.

I can count the number of effective dummy half runs he has made on one hand. The rest of the time he passes, kicks, tackles. Nothing special.

This is where Riddell's signing was an act of genius. A potent and penetrating hooker that is extremely dangerous close to the line and will get us on the front foot more often than Morris.

 

[Utey]

Yep thats about right about Riddel. I think we are going to be a lot more mobile around the ruck next year.

 

[Eelementary]

I'm very excited about Riddell's stint at Parra.

He'll add an extra dimension to our attack. Plus he is solid in defence too.

 

[JessEel]

Riddell's leg power is so good to watch. he can have three defenders on him and still be pumping away to pick up metres

 

[Avenger]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Morris reminds me of a young Matt Johns and that is why he should play 5/8th.

 

[N.Hindmarsh_Fan]

I reckon Webster should be our no. 14 next year, he and Riddell will run a muck on the opposition markers for 80 minutes week in week out. Do not under estimate Webster, if he leaves Parra, I will bet my left nut he will be one of those that we would be spewing at BS for letting him go. Trust me guys, he is an Excellent hooker, he has a strong heart and isn't scared of putting his body on the line, we need more Webster Hearts in our team. 8)

 

[True EEL]

whatever happens in the halves next year............

for god's sake BS - just give whoever it is a fair go to form a stable and effective combination and please please don't be rotating one of them into hooker when Pggy goes off the field, because if you do that i will cry

 

[BlueNGoldBlood]

BS could start off by playing them all in their correct positions next year #-o

 

[Misty Bee]

Now that's a bit of a fantasy, init B&GB?

 

[True EEL]

BS could start off by playing them all in their correct positions next year #-o

come on now.....it isn't going to start snowing at Parramatta Stadium, while pigs fly past the ground, with a blue moon shining down over the ground......... ;-)

 

[The Colonel]

There was a moon shown at the ground the other week, a pig will be running around on the field next year though I don't know how well he will fly and as for the snow - let me get back to ya..... :lol:

 

[Misty Bee]

There was a moon shown at the ground the other week, a pig will be running around on the field next year though I don't know how well he will fly and as for the snow - let me get back to ya..... :lol:

Craig Coleman -first grade coach 2005.

 

[True EEL]

anybody but BS - again just my opinion