Morris the closet 5/8 - Half

[Freak]

Very interesting to see Morris play a part hooker part halves role over the first 2 rounds, and I'm not just talking about when Megsy come on on Sunday.
IMO this is tactical brilliance once again from Smith. The only problem it creates is lack of quality service from the ruck late in the tackle count when Morris moves into the halves.
I really do think you will see Morris play a lot more in the halves over the next couple of rounds. Especially with Webster showing fantastic service out of the ruck once again.
Did anyone else notice how much better our role on was once Webster moved into Hooker. His service out of the ruck to our "moving forwards" is 2nd to no-one!!

I would not be suprised to see Webster named at 5/8 this week, Wags either lock or centre, however Webster will play a hookers role and Morris a halves role. (Considering the likelyhood of No Hopkins and No Grothe)

 

[Parraren]

I think Hoppo might be OK. But yes, Webster did well and his service is very good from dummy half. I think alot of people choose to bag him becasue of his size but I have to say you couldn't argue with his form in First Grade. Whenever he's been called up he's got the job done. He's got a big heart for a little bloke.

 

[eloquentEEL]

Morris was a utility back at Newcastle. I'm pretty sure he debuted on the wing (either just before the finals or first week of the finals in 2002). He then replaced Johns at halfback for the 2nd week of the finals (after Johns got the back injury). So I'm not surprised to see him playing in the halves. I won't be surprised to see Wagon at lock, Webster at hooker and Morris at 5/8 against the Knights.

 

[Eels Dude]

I don't think Wagon is suited to 5'8th at the moment. Maybe move Morris there a the moment and put Wagon back at lock. As soon as Witty is playing well again he should get his halfback spot and Dykes should be no.6 though.

 

[Parraren]

Correction. Looks like Hoppo will miss at least one week. Wagon to lock finally! :?: Let's hope so. Based on current form our best option in the halves is 6. Morris & 7. Dykes. However this presents a problem with the starting hooker position. Webster could get a shot at it but he's far better utilised off the bench. Shane Muspratt? Thorman? Witt? Pai? There are alot of options

 

[Redback71]

wagon maybe no 5/8 and maybe best suited to lock but in my oppinion hes doing a pretty fine job at the moment.

wise is getting better but is still a bit of a liability in my books and same as vella just finished watching the game the way he fell off some of those tackles for a guy his size is bloody ridiculos. they should send vella to wee wa and have him catch some pigs so he can learn to tackle better, even put him in a chicken pen for half an hour each day and see how many chooks he can catch.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Webster was fantastic on Sunday. Deserves a start with Morris in the halves.

 

[Pazza]

I wouldnt think i would start webster in Hooker just because he is too small. I'd bring him in as a impact player after 25 minutes when the game tends to open up and when newcastles dodgy forwards are on the paddock. If you wanna have Morris at 5/8 then Muspratt would have to be Hooker. I would rather keep Morris at hooker, he has such a great game at hooker and in the halves against the Broncos. Why change that?

 

[The Colonel]

The set up that Smith has at the moment is ideal for this time of year. Morris is an eighty minute player and what has so far been the case he gets moved to the halves after about ten minutes with Hoppie in at hooker. With Wagon as an extra back rower in the starting side Smith doesn't have to use his interchange to re-adjust the team. When the opposition forwards tire then Webster is brought on to give one of the bigger forwards a rest allowing Cayless to move up front and Hopkins back into lock. The rotation allows the bench to be used to its full advantage especially when you have blokes like Wagon, Morris, Hindmarsh and Hopkins that can and most often do play the full eighty minutes. Quite smart really....

 

[Freak]

The set up that Smith has at the moment is ideal for this time of year. Morris is an eighty minute player and what has so far been the case he gets moved to the halves after about ten minutes with Hoppie in at hooker. With Wagon as an extra back rower in the starting side Smith doesn't have to use his interchange to re-adjust the team. When the opposition forwards tire then Webster is brought on to give one of the bigger forwards a rest allowing Cayless to move up front and Hopkins back into lock. The rotation allows the bench to be used to its full advantage especially when you have blokes like Wagon, Morris, Hindmarsh and Hopkins that can and most often do play the full eighty minutes. Quite smart really....

I glad someone understands whats going on!! :roll:

 

[roopy]

At Newcastle Morris was pushed out of 5/8 in the 2001 reserve grade team by Kurt Gidley. He went to lock, but was used as a halfback for the last two games of the season and was playing halfback when the Knights reserve grade side lost in double extra time to Saints in the qualifying semi. (saints went on to win the grandfinal by a million). The Knights backline that game included John Morris at half, Kurt Gidley at 5/8, Matt Petersen at fullback, Anthony Quinn and Paul Franze on the wings and Neil Sweeney and Gavin Quinn in the centres. Every one of those players has gone on to play firstgrade.
I can only remember Morris playing hooker half a dozen times at the knights - and i thought it was his least impessive position - he is best at 5/8 or half.