Nathan Cleary

[herbert henry1908]

Last year they told him to concentrate on his defence and steer the team around the park.

This year they told him to concentrate on his defence, his kicking and steering the team around the park. Freddy said that he also expected him to up his involvements.

I don’t think they expected the right side to offer as much as they did on attack. I get the impression that Joey saw a lot more than he expected and I think he will give Nathan more responsibility this time round.

Johns specifically said during yesterday’s broadcast that Clearly needs to be more creative.

Fittler said last year that Cleary needs to learn how to play what’s in front of him.


Concentrate on defence doesn’t mean do nothing in attack.

Plus I don’t understand how you expect his attack to improve this year when you’re saying they’ve told him to concentrate on his defence again?

If they’re teaching him better attacking techniques, wouldn’t they expect him to use them?

 

[herbert henry1908]

So we are comparing a 21 year old kid to a seasoned veteran who leads the whole comp on forced drop outs?

I’m comparing the current NSW no.7, also our highest paid player with a seasoned veteran.

Doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.

 

[herbert henry1908]

And he would of won the dally m in 2003 as a halfback if the awards weren’t cancelled

My point was Gower had the attributes of a hooker, just like many of us say Cleary does.

Your comparison in style was apt.

It’s also possible playing at hooker improved Gowers game.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Johns specifically said during yesterday’s broadcast that Clearly needs to be more creative.

Fittler said last year that Cleary needs to learn how to play what’s in front of him.


Concentrate on defence doesn’t mean do nothing in attack.

Plus I don’t understand how you expect his attack to improve this year when you’re saying they’ve told him to concentrate on his defence again?

If they’re teaching him better attacking techniques, wouldn’t they expect him to use them?

I expect it to improve because I believe that the game plan was to attack down the left. Nathan would have trained the whole week with that in mind.

The left offered nothing. I suspect that they will give him a greater responsibility in game 2. Unless they pick a more dominant 6.

I firmly believe that we would have won that game with Maloney or Pearce on the left hand side.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I expect it to improve because I believe that the game plan was to attack down the left. Nathan would have trained the whole week with that in mind.

The left offered nothing. I suspect that they will give him a greater responsibility in game 2. Unless they pick a more dominant 6.

I firmly believe that we would have won that game with Maloney or Pearce on the left hand side.

When Walker was hooked, Cleary didn’t step up. That was the time to take control. Not only that, he admitted after the game he didn’t even know Walker had been hooked.

That’s what we’re talking about with vision and game smarts.



Anyway I find it hard to believe they wouldn't have expected their no.7 to produce anything in attack after 4 origin games. Not even a line break assist.

 

[OldPanther]

When Walker was hooked, Cleary didn’t step up. That was the time to take control. Not only that, he admitted after the game he didn’t even know Walker had been hooked.

That’s what we’re talking about with vision and game smarts.



Anyway I find it hard to believe they wouldn't have expected their no.7 to produce anything in attack after 4 origin games. Not even a line break assist.

I'm in the middle on Cleary but there's no way an origin halfback is not expected to be a weapon in attack.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I’ve got to say, that Craig Gower comparison is bang on the more I think about it. Not in terms of talent, we don’t know the full story there yet, but in terms of style it’s the closest I think you can compare Nathan to.

But interestingly, Gower never had much success at rep level as a halfback.

Gower got better when he had Campbell come in to be the creative force in the team, but after Campbell left, things fell apart.

 

[Marky Mark]

I'm in the middle on Cleary but there's no way an origin halfback is not expected to be a weapon in attack.

Exactly, he currently doesn't have the goods in attack for Origin, or to warrant such a huge proportion of the cap. Maybe someday but not at the moment.

 

[Dave's mate]

I’ve got to say, that Craig Gower comparison is bang on the more I think about it. Not in terms of talent, we don’t know the full story there yet, but in terms of style it’s the closest I think you can compare Nathan to.

But interestingly, Gower never had much success at rep level as a halfback.

Gower got better when he had Campbell come in to be the creative force in the team, but after Campbell left, things fell apart.

This is bang on. Although Gower also had off field issues that I dont expect Nathan will

 

[Dave's mate]

Exactly, he currently doesn't have the goods in attack for Origin, or to warrant such a huge proportion of the cap. Maybe someday but not at the moment.

Its the going rate for a 7

 

[Marky Mark]

Its the going rate for a 7

That's right, a 7 - he's not a 7.

 

[OldPanther]

That's right, a 7 - he's not a 7.

Technically he is.

 

[Marky Mark]

Technically he is.

You know he's not though?

 

[OldPanther]

You know he's not though?

Do I? It's people on here who insist he's a 9 not a 7. That's debatable and won't ever happen as the club see him as a 7. Therefore he is a halfback and being paid as such.

I think his problem is coaching not ability at 7.

 

[Dave's mate]

Technically he is.

Origin winning 7 who's never missed the finals

 

[rem286]

Maybe this year it has been a case of "it's hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys"

 

[OldPanther]

Maybe this year it has been a case of "it's hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys"

That definitely applies to a degree. They've been better with Katoa out.

 

[Dave's mate]

That definitely applies to a degree. They've been better with Katoa out.

Yeah Katoa tries but he can't pass the ball off the ground. The improvement without him is the main improvement in the side

 

[Marky Mark]

Do I? It's people on here who insist he's a 9 not a 7. That's debatable and won't ever happen as the club see him as a 7. Therefore he is a halfback and being paid as such.

I think his problem is coaching not ability at 7.

Yeah but you have to work with what you've got (bad coaching at club level), so with that bad coaching he is probably suited to 9. Unfortunately his vision & creativity hasn't improved with all the coaching staff at his disposal including Joey & Freddy.

If I see another bomb that rarely has results I'll scream.

I hope it happens for him at 7 soon but at the moment it's stifling opportunities for points.

I think the other Mark would agree.

 

[Dave's mate]

I think Nathan made first grade earlier than he should have due to how hard he works. Simply no quit in him and it covers/covered some flaws but i truly believe he will make it