Match Discussion: Round 4 vs Dragons @ WIN Stadium

[PhilGould]

At least Slade hasn't stunted attack by falling over a player who isn't in the ruck to try and get a cheap penalty.

Slade is an ultimate professional on the field, and his time as Smith's understudy shows in his pinpoint service, strong defense, and understanding of when to run and when to pass.

Levi is quick off the mark, yes, but his passing from dummy half isn't as accurate, he's not as strong defensively and, quite frankly, he's a bit stupid on the field.

Come off it. Slade is easily the better choice at the moment but his service is about as slow as they come.

 

[Frederick]

Come off it. Slade is easily the better choice at the moment but his service is about as slow as they come.

Never said it was fast, I said pinpoint, or accurate if you will.

 

[slotmachine]

No idea why everyone is in love with Levi, who does one thing at an nrl level, and want to bag our best player over the first three rounds?

 

[Knight Vision]

More than happy with Slade. Levi's time will come,he has to improve defense and become an 80 min player to reach his full potential though.Love Levi's speed out of dummy half, we do miss that spark.

 

[Glendale]

No idea why everyone is in love with Levi, who does one thing at an nrl level, and want to bag our best player over the first three rounds?

Lol. No one is bagging Slade and no one is in love with Levi. Slade is the one getting over the top love and no one has suggested dropping Slade for Levi, only wanting to see both of them in the side at some point.

 

[mozza91]

No idea why everyone is in love with Levi, who does one thing at an nrl level, and want to bag our best player over the first three rounds?

No reason we can’t pick both. Griffin can start and move into the back row when Levi comes on. Levi was great for us and New Zealand in 2017 and could have a massive impact off the bench for us, especially now that he’d be running off the back of a much better forward pack.

 

[PhilGould]

Never said it was fast, I said pinpoint, or accurate if you will.

No more accurate than Danny's passing, but Danny doesn't pause before he passes

 

[Swarzey]

Why are we complaining about a lack of creativity at hooker when we have immense creativity in the fullback, halfback and 5/8? I get that it's handy to have a creative hooker but it's not the end of the world when the rest of the spine aren't bland and basic. Slade is fine. He's a mile ahead of Levi in the areas where we need our hooker to be.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I'm fine with Slade's distribution, he's not the quickest but he's very accurate which in itself is a good substitute because you can't have the play breaking down due to passes not hitting their target player on the chest. Also he doesn't run from dummy half as often as Levi but he picks his moments which I like, I often found that Levi would just run for the sake of it and often did it on tackle 4 when there wasn't much to be gained which really bugged me, or he'd have a crack close to the line 4 or 5 times a game which to me just seems like a wasted play if you're trying it all the time. I'd rather see our hooker make less runs from dummy half with more quality about them as opposed to running all the time with less quality.

 

[perverse]

I like Levi and what he brings to the table, but it's up to him to earn that spot back. I'll back Brown's judgement on this one, Griffin has been great, although I agree that his service is a bit slow, he's more what the team needs right now. Levi needs to take notes, because a lot of it is simply effort plays.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Best of luck for this one gents! Looking forward to a cracking game in the Gong on Sunday.

Obviously i'll be disappointed if the Dragons lose, but it won't hurt so much against you blokes. You've been my second team for years. So pleasing to see such a passionate club on the rise again.

 

[Spot On]

I'm fine with Slade's distribution, he's not the quickest but he's very accurate which in itself is a good substitute because you can't have the play breaking down due to passes not hitting their target player on the chest. Also he doesn't run from dummy half as often as Levi but he picks his moments which I like, I often found that Levi would just run for the sake of it and often did it on tackle 4 when there wasn't much to be gained which really bugged me, or he'd have a crack close to the line 4 or 5 times a game which to me just seems like a wasted play if you're trying it all the time. I'd rather see our hooker make less runs from dummy half with more quality about them as opposed to running all the time with less quality.

This is a really good summation of both players. Add to that the obvious defensive advantage of Griffin over Levi and the possibilty of a decent kicking game from Griffin as well. Plus the fact that Griff can pump 80 mins out if needed and still be tackling his arse off at the end of it and missing bugger all.

 

[Burwood]

Griffin for 60 minutes and Watson for 20 is fine. Griffin for 60 minutes and Levi for 20 is fine. He has earned his place in the team and is rightfully the starting hooker.

But I get the feeling that after 2-3 weeks of a Griffin/Buhrer combination...

 

[Old dog]

Levi on the bench is better option than Buhrer, Griffin covered for injury or to 13 and keep tackling. Levi gives attacking options and forward pack covered by big 3 on bench.
Not looking for Levi to take over hooking role as Griffin is playing very well and deserves starting No. 9.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Why are we complaining about a lack of creativity at hooker when we have immense creativity in the fullback, halfback and 5/8? I get that it's handy to have a creative hooker but it's not the end of the world when the rest of the spine aren't bland and basic. Slade is fine. He's a mile ahead of Levi in the areas where we need our hooker to be.

As far as creativity goes, I'd much more prefer a creative hooker over any of the other positions that you mentioned. Over the last 10 years, the dummy half role is vital when it comes to teams scoring points. Buderus was the complete dummy half. He was tough, had an accurate passing game, strong in defense and was creative. In 2013 when he went off, we lost so much of our spark. Cam Smith is obviously another one. Jake friend a couple of years ago was creative and the Roosters played off the back of that. Look at how Cronulla went with Ennis.

The dummy half sets the precedence from the play the ball as they are the first to touch the ball, so if they can suck in players out of dummy half, it allows the other spine players to do their thing. Levi offers some creativity, however his defense needs to involve more hustle and impact.

 

[perverse]

Is Levi really that creative? He's quick off the mark to catch lazy markers and his service is quicker than Griffin, at least to my perception, but outside of that I'm not sure where he excels over Griffin?

I would say in just 3 games Griffin has shown us he has effort, fitness, judgement, defence and temperament over Levi. These are all areas where Levi really needs to have a look and go yeah ok, I can improve in those areas and compete. I would guess that's what Browny wants from him. Griffin isn't an insurmountable obstacle if he's good enough... but for now it doesn't even seem close to me.

Buhrer vs Levi on the bench is an interesting discussion to have... but being a co-captain, he's not going anywhere soon. I like Buhrer, I'm a fan, but I'm not really convinced Brown has tied his wagon to the right horse in this instance for our team makeup and the way the game has been evolving for a while now. Forward packs are getting massive and powerful across the board. I don't know how many small/mobile blokes you can carry there anymore.

 

[Old dog]

I think Levi's development has been held back by the very same reason a few of our players have had, thrown up into first grade before they have fully developed there skills, virtually from u/20 to 1st grade, we bought Kostyjen (sorry if misspelt) and he was ruled out injured for whole season during which Levi should have been learning and preparing. He will be much better after this year, striving to become a 1st grader and at same time learning whilst surrounded by many old hookers in the coaching staff.

 

[PhilGould]

Sio is a chance of replacing Ross this weekend.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/5313026/knights-wingers-in-dragons-shootout/?cs=306

 

[slotmachine]

Levi on the bench is better option than Buhrer

In what way?

Buhrer can play hooker, edge forward, lock, halves and even centre in a pinch.
Levi can cover hooker.

Levi ain't getting a game unless slade gets injured.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Sio is a chance of replacing Ross this weekend.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/5313026/knights-wingers-in-dragons-shootout/?cs=306

Moga should be dropped before Ross ffs