Kearney

[half]

good luck beating three weeks with this one

 

[boxhead]

Did not want this to descend inot a name calling smart arse commentary . . . Dick head. This forum is an open one for opinions - I have my one and I am pretty sure we will be here in the same position next year talking about how great the coach is and we are coming 4th last.

Give yourself a tripple.

Name-calling? The only one here guilty of name-calling is you dear Mr Rabbit.
I never said you can't or shouldn't express your opinion. I disagree because it is an inferior, prejudiced argument.
:lol: Your call, not mine. What kind of a fan expects us to be coming fourth last?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

What kind of a fan expects us to be coming fourth last?

One that would rather be right than happy.

 

[HevyDevy]

We do run the risk though, if Kearney is as good as the league world says he is, of getting to the end of 2012 and having him field huge offers from other clubs, for the 2014 season. Supposing he decides to sign with somebody else (in a package deal with Nolan), would we really want him hanging around for the final year of his contract?

Well it's about getting the timing right. If 2012 is a disaster then I don't think too many clubs will be chasing him. If it's a quality season I would expect that we will be on the ball in regards to extending his contract.

But extending it at this particular moment really doesn't make any sense other than for the fact that the board had Kearney in their sights from day one and are trying to push the fact that they have made the right decision (even though none of us have any idea if they've made the right decision or not).

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Well it's about getting the timing right. If 2012 is a disaster then I don't think too many clubs will be chasing him. If it's a quality season I would expect that we will be on the ball in regards to extending his contract.

What's the likelihood of 2012 being a disaster? Our issue this year was lack of playing talent, and that has been solved well into the future.

But extending it at this particular moment really doesn't make any sense other than for the fact that the board had Kearney in their sights from day one and are trying to push the fact that they have made the right decision

They must be confident that Kearney's the right man for the job. Maybe that's why they pushed for him in the first place?

You really believe seven guys would stick with a coach just to prove themselves right? I'm sure they're aware they'll be judged by Kearney's on-field results rather than on how long they can sign him up for.

(even though none of us have any idea if they've made the right decision or not).

To be honest, a lot of people see the changes already worked to the football club pointing to an inevitability of future success.

Most of us are only going off recruiting/retention and what we've heard about the work done behind the scenes. How much more confident should those people on the inside of the club be?

If they think he's the right one they would know. It's not like they have any reason to lie about it.

To say they would refuse to admit they were wrong is a bit of a stretch. They're not children, and they'd be aware that if they are wrong it will be borne out by the team's results on the field. Having signed Kearney long-term wouldn't change that.

 

[BigErn]

What's the likelihood of 2012 being a disaster? Our issue this year was lack of playing talent, and that has been solved well into the future.



They must be confident that Kearney's the right man for the job. Maybe that's why they pushed for him in the first place?

You really believe seven guys would stick with a coach just to prove themselves right? I'm sure they're aware they'll be judged by Kearney's on-field results rather than on how long they can sign him up for.



To be honest, a lot of people see the changes already worked to the football club pointing to an inevitability of future success.

Most of us are only going off recruiting/retention and what we've heard about the work done behind the scenes. How much more confident should those people on the inside of the club be?

If they think he's the right one they would know. It's not like they have any reason to lie about it.

To say they would refuse to admit they were wrong is a bit of a stretch. They're not children, and they'd be aware that if they are wrong it will be borne out by the team's results on the field. Having signed Kearney long-term wouldn't change that.

Are you that confident that we're going places this year?
I mean, are you that willing to throw your dignity on the line for this?

I hope we make the eight
But I just really have no idea
The comp has been that wide open for about 6 or 7 years now.
Nothing is certain

Apart from Sandow, I don't think we recruited all that well. And even then, how do you know what Sandow will do? He could easily flop. Just don't know. What if he gets injured? We'll be in a worse position than this year.

You're talking like we're a 100% chance of making the eight

I'm more along the lines of 50%.
I honestly believe its a genuine toss of the coin whether we make the eight or not, based on our squad, our history and the coach's tactics and strategy to date.
And at 1.90 to make the eight and 15.00 in the premiership betting, I'd say that the majority think likewise.

Would you play that gamble to re-sign based on a 50/50 chance?
I'd like the odds a little more heavily stacked in my favour.

 

[boxhead]

So Willie Tonga, Ben Roberts, John Mannah and so on are all bad buys?
The fact we are signing a host of juniors and re-signing our best young players isn't worthy of mention for you?
:lol:
If our recruitment for next year wasn't all that good, then tell me what constitutes a good recruitment phase.
:lol:
The crap that gets posted here.....

 

[BigErn]

So Willie Tonga, Ben Roberts, John Mannah and so on are all bad buys?
The fact we are signing a host of juniors and re-signing our best young players isntvworthybof mention for you?
:lol:
If our recruitment for next year wasn't all that good, then tell me what constitutes a good recruitment phase.
:lol:
The crap that gets posted here.....

They're not exactly world beaters

Tonga is a good buy if he can stay on the park and injury free

Ben Roberts is NOT a first grader. You'll swear about him in due time next year. He couldn't crack it at dogs. I don't know why people are jumping up and down about this.

Johnny Mannah I'm very happy about. He's probably the best of the buys, which is funny because he probably was the cheapest.

I notice that you didn't write about Esi, or Tautai... hmmm?

Are you considering the re-signing of Lasalo as a great recruitment?

I never once said it was bad recruitment
i just said it wasn't THAT good.
People on here are talking like it's the second coming of Christ or something.

It is not on the same level as the recruitment in '96
Tell me I'm wrong.

 

[HevyDevy]

I actually quite like Ben Roberts. Can't believe Kris Keating was ever picked ahead of him at the Dogs.

 

[BigErn]

Boxhead, Poupou? Would you consider next year a failure if we don't make the eight? Would you re-sign Kearney for 2014 if we don't make the eight next year?

 

[Eels Dude]

I hope we make the eight
But I just really have no idea
The comp has been that wide open for about 6 or 7 years now.
Nothing is certain

I'm more along the lines of 50%.
I honestly believe its a genuine toss of the coin whether we make the eight or not, based on our squad, our history and the coach's tactics and strategy to date.
And at 1.90 to make the eight and 15.00 in the premiership betting, I'd say that the majority think likewise.

Would you play that gamble to re-sign based on a 50/50 chance?
I'd like the odds a little more heavily stacked in my favour.

I agree with this somewhat. While we have the potential to improve so do a number of other sides who missed the top 8 last season.

Gold Coast have recruited better than any other side in the comp. Canberra were missing their 3 best players in Josh Dugan, Terry Campese and Tom Leyroyd Lahrs for the majority of the season. Add those guys in and they're a completely different football side. Cronulla have a very good forward pack and solid finishers, add Carney to their side and who knows. I think they could be a dark horse.

Then you've got the Bulldogs and Souths with much needed and improved coaching changes. If Souths can keep their forward pack on the field for once they should be in the mix for the 8 too. Phil Gould is trying to at Penrith what SK's doing here with the emphasis on keeping and devoping juniors and having him involved and assisting Cleary is a massive coup.

Basically every club who's missed the 8 this season just gone have put changes in place to have a much improved 2012 so their fans are probably feeling confident too. Not all those sides are going to make the 8 though so I also put us in the 50/50 basket.

 

[hindy111]

If we dont make the 8 it would be a huge failure.Id epxect us too finish in the top 5 with our squad and signings

 

[Bigfella]

Johnny Mannah I'm very happy about. He's probably the best of the buys

Yes the reserve grader from Cronulla easily trumps the Qld Origin and Australian centre for example.

 

[jason taylor]

Mannah couldn't get ahead of Cordoba or Tautai at the Sharks.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Boxhead, Poupou? Would you consider next year a failure if we don't make the eight?

Definitely.

Would you re-sign Kearney for 2014 if we don't make the eight next year?

Definitely not.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Basically every club who's missed the 8 this season just gone have put changes in place to have a much improved 2012 so their fans are probably feeling confident too. Not all those sides are going to make the 8 though so I also put us in the 50/50 basket.

You can't just look at it as this or that club has improved or not improved.

That's a qualitative judgement and it's far too simplistic. Have a look at how the clubs have improved (or not) and by how much.

Our recruitment is streets ahead of the next best team, and that includes the Titans who actually bought better players. The reason ours is better is because we have perfectly addressed our weaknesses (we don't have a star hooker, but honestly, I don't think we need one).

On top of this we have poached the absolute cream of the off-contract opposition juniors, as well as retaining all of our own.

We actually had some serious strengths this year - areas where we as good as any team in the comp - but as always you're only as strong as your weakest link. So what let us down this year was our weaknesses (duh), and those weaknesses happened to not even be up to NRL standard - our edge defence was woeful, as was our kicking game.

Next year we should see massive improvements in both areas, while our strengths (go forward, ruck defence, Hayne) will still be just as strong.

 

[NorthShoreEel]

Maybe some people are not reading the whole form guide? Sometimes, people look at one contestant in a competition & do not consider the opponents.

Whilst my heart says top 8, my mind says - wait and see what happens early in the season first. Comps are not won in April, but a fair guide can be taken.

I am hoping that Sandow can continue his form from this year. I am hoping that he didnt just play with so much conviction because it was contract year.

It is the first time in a long time that Parra have purchased a quality 1/2 - for that I am happy. I just hope for all of us, that it pays off.

 

[BigErn]

Yes the reserve grader from Cronulla easily trumps the Qld Origin and Australian centre for example.

Don't be smart.
I'm talking value-wise. Of course Willie Tonga is a better player than John Mannah.

I'm just saying lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Re-signing a coach based on who he's brought to the club BEFORE seeing if who he's brought actually fits in and can win us games is suicidal.

 

[HevyDevy]

I agree NorthShore, however I do feel there are reasons to be optimistic.

1) Our forward pack is potentially one of the best in the NRL (other than hooker).
2) We now have halves
3) We now have outside backs other than Hayne.

Depth out wide is still questionable but hey, you've got to start somewhere. Of course, things can go wrong and the team could play like shit but they could also prove surprisingly strong. Time will tell.

 

[Eels Dude]

You can't just look at it as this or that club has improved or not improved.

That's a qualitative judgement and it's far too simplistic. Have a look at how the clubs have improved (or not) and by how much.

Our recruitment is streets ahead of the next best team, and that includes the Titans who actually bought better players. The reason ours is better is because we have perfectly addressed our weaknesses (we don't have a star hooker, but honestly, I don't think we need one).

On top of this we have poached the absolute cream of the off-contract opposition juniors, as well as retaining all of our own.

We actually had some serious strengths this year - areas where we as good as any team in the comp - but as always you're only as strong as your weakest link. So what let us down this year was our weaknesses (duh), and those weaknesses happened to not even be up to NRL standard - our edge defence was woeful, as was our kicking game.

Next year we should see massive improvements in both areas, while our strengths (go forward, ruck defence, Hayne) will still be just as strong.

I don't agree with your assessment on the Titans. I think they've recruited the exact players they've needed. Their problem season just gone was they had too many old heads slowing them down and they've addressed that by replacing a few over the hill forwards with Nate Myles and Luke Douglas who are both in the prime of their careers. They've also lacked a bit of strike power in the outside backs and that's where Beau Champion and Jamal Idris. They're not really lacking in any position in the spine bar hooker but even they've got a few options so they've really recruited in the positions they required too.

When it comes down to who has the potential to improve it should be looked at simplistically because there is only a few variables between all the clubs and how much room they have for improvement. It'll only be until next year until we can assess how much each club has improved, if at all, and how affective they've been in addressing their weaknesses when it comes to recruitment (Eels, Sharks and Titans), what influence a new coach has and the new culture and systems they install (Panthers, Souths, Knights, Bulldogs) or how much potential these is to improve by sides getting key players back who were missing last year (Souths, Raiders). You cannot really compare one club against the other because as long as they all have the potential to improve nobody really knows to what extent the lacking of those key aspects affected how those clubs performed this year.