Neil Henry

[Chachi]

Henry was on the ABC this morning stating he has had no contact from the Broncos and the only people he had spoken to about the situation were reporters. He also said that there have been a number of times where he refused to answer the phone because of all the attention, which probably equated to the "Henry had no comment" response in some articles. He reiterated the fact he had 2 years to go on his 3 year contract which he fully intends on completing. My gut feeling is he has absolutely no intention of going anywhere.

He also talked about Costigan being fit for the Titans trial, along side Joel Thompson (who has been training well at second row) and Marshall Chalk, who has been training at lock during the off season. Ben Jones is also apparently injured (hammy I think). Best and Goodwin will be given time at FB - but this is old news. Milne was going to get a go on the wing and Kelly was also going to be given time playing in the centres, which is his preferred position.

Henry said he is confident we'd do much better this season after a disappointing 2007. He felt that our young side will have benefited from playing a year together.

I'm still concerned about our stability in the halves, but it sounds like Herbie had put on a bit of size in the off season so he's right up there with a chance to partner TC at some stage. To me this is our biggest issue as I think Linc will have an improved season at 9.

With Zilly seemingly ready to go by the last trial I'm also wondering what the deal is with trying Best at FB. Is it just a backup plan? Does he want to trial Goodwin on the wing more as that is his best chance for making first grade? Is he maybe thinking of moving Zilly from FB at some stage in the future (like the Brumbies did with Larkham after he started his career at FB)? Interesting.

 

[Macko8]

Id say his planning a positional change imo.
Zillman sounds like his gunna play a role in the halves at some stage this season, with goodwin being preferred over best for the fullback role at some stage.

he'll probably swap and change quite a bit in the upcoming trials

 

[Raidersrawesome]

Story on the Canberra times to back up Chach bout Herbert

http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/rugby-league/herbert-plays-nicely-in-the-sandpit-with-the-other-raiders-halves/1179246.html



09 February 2008 - 9:23AMHerbert plays nicely in the sandpit with the other Raiders halves
David Jean

Canberra Raiders rookie Marc Herbert will use the club's opening trial game against the Gold Coast Titans next Saturday to push his claims for an NRL debut.
Herbert, 21, will rotate with Michael Dobson and Terry Campese in the halves as they battle for a round-one position alongside injured star Todd Carney.
After impressing coach Neil Henry with his enthusiasm during his first full pre-season with the Raiders' top squad, Herbert has emerged as a genuine threat to force his way into first grade.
He yesterday joined his teammates in a training session at Malua Bay as the Raiders continued their three-day camp on the south coast.
Henry said Herbert had shown rapid improvement over the past three months.
"I think he's been travelling really well, he's getting more confident and he's put on a bit of weight and size which is good," Henry said.
"He's set his goal to play in the NRL this year and at the moment that's a realistic goal for him."
Herbert looked full of confidence during yesterday's session, easily slotting in alongside his more seasoned teammates.
He is the next generation in a wealth of playmaking talent the Raiders have produced in recent years and hoped to follow Carney, Dobson and Campese as halves who have graduated from Canberra's junior programs to the NRL.
Herbert's former junior teammate Josh McCrone also appears set to make his NRL debut this season with Penrith after joining the Panthers midway through last year.
Herbert said he was looking forward to pushing his claims for an NRL debut against the Titans.
"I want to have a crack at first grade and I want to do that this year," Herbert said.
"If I can go alright in the trials and there's a couple of injuries I might get in there.
"I feel like I'm stronger and fitter so I'm not always lagging behind the boys."
Just four of the Raiders' top squad didn't travel to the south coast for the training camp, which finishes today.
Carney (quad) and prop Scott Logan (neck) are targeting Canberra's final trial game against North Queensland on March 1 for their return to the field.
Henry expected forwards Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Ben Jones to overcome hamstring strains in time to play against Brisbane in a trial on February 23.
Fullback William Zillman and back-rower Nigel Plum remained on restricted training programs yesterday as they recover from post-season surgery, while utility Marshall Chalk missed some of the session with a minor foot injury.
Carney suffered a setback in his return from a quad tear this week when his leg tightened up during a training drill.
Henry said the coast trip had given his players an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day training routine in Canberra.
"It's a little bit more of a relaxed atmosphere for us," he said.
"We're still doing enough training sessions but it's in a different environment.
"We also get to go out to the primary schools and help out with the local league sides.
"It's our local area and its a bit of relaxation for the boys."
RAIDERS TRIAL GAMES February 16 v Gold Coast at Ipswich; February 23 v Brisbane at Orange; March 1 v North Queensland at Mackay

 

[Chachi]

Well there you go. Herbie sounds like he's still impressing the right people. If he can keep himself involved throughout a the game he'll ge OK.

Mate, I'm looking forward to Plum firing up after getting his shoulders fixed. If he's anywhere near 100% I think he'll give us what Crocker does for Melb. I can't believe some of the hits he put on last season with dud shoulders. I'd almost prefer him to start over Costigan if it comes to that.

 

[Chachi]

Id say his planning a positional change imo.
Zillman sounds like his gunna play a role in the halves at some stage this season, with goodwin being preferred over best for the fullback role at some stage.

he'll probably swap and change quite a bit in the upcoming trials

Wouldn't surprise me if he does a bit of the old Hodgson/Bowen style switcheroo between FB and 5/8 thoughout the game. Drop Best back to FB, push Campo/whoever out a bit wider and watch Zillman cut them to shreds and open up some gaps for the big fellas to run though, Picker, Campo, Best, TLL...just line the bastards up!!

 

[Bay56]

The Raiders have made it known to the Broncos that Henry will not be leaving the ACT until his contract has expired. They are absolutely adamant on the issue. Unless there is a huge change of heart brewing somewhere Henry will NOT be the Bronco's coach.

The Broncos are looking elsewhere, and there are some very radical options being floated.

T_R you normally criticise me for taking too much notice of what is read in the media, reading between the lines, not being privy to decisions made in the baord room, etc


so may I ask where your information was sourced?

 

[Raidersrawesome]

An article in todays Sunday paper has Henry saying he isnt going anywhere , and that he wants to extend his stay. He loves Canberra its his home.
Also he says he hopes to have TC signed before the start of the comp, and how the 14 players coming off contract have to perform to earn another.


I like the way this sounds.

 

[Tokyo_Raider]

T_R you normally criticise me for taking too much notice of what is read in the media, reading between the lines, not being privy to decisions made in the baord room, etc


so may I ask where your information was sourced?

You can ask, but I won't tell you. It's certainly no one currently involved with the Raiders, anyway.

The information however is first hand, is 100% accurate and cost me serious liver damage to receive.

I criticise you for taking too much notice of the media and reading too much in between the lines, as when I take the time to ask what's actually going on you're normally pretty far off the mark.

 

[Bay56]

so the guy was pure starkng out of his mind pissed when he devulged all .... mmmm, seems a pretty reliable source ...

I think I'll keep to reading between those lines :lol:

 

[dubby]

TR has alluded to me one of his sources before, and Bay it would surprise you who TR knows and affiliates with.

Trust me bay, TR is on the mark with this one. Has been before and will be again.

 

[Tokyo_Raider]

so the guy was pure starkng out of his mind pissed when he devulged all ....

No, I was pure starking out of my mind pissed. He may as well have been sipping lemonade.

As far as I can tell, the first qualifiying factor in a professional rugby league career is the ability to drink vast amounts of alcohol and then look slightly surprised when your dining companions fall, twitching and vomiting copiously, from their chairs.

 

[Bay56]

TR has alluded to me one of his sources before, and Bay it would surprise you who TR knows and affiliates with.

Trust me bay, TR is on the mark with this one. Has been before and will be again.

dubster you dont need to be a rhodes scholar to have been entertained us with T_R's evaluation of the matter ... any drunken footballer could have given us that info

 

[Tokyo_Raider]

dubster you dont need to be a rhodes scholar to have been entertained us with T_R's evaluation of the matter ... any drunken footballer could have given us that info

Yeah Bay, you're right....your baseless speculation was much more accurate.

 

[APRIL BELLE]

If Canberra show HENRY the door they are nuts. He will become a top notch coach. Insiders in the Qld State of Origin camp place a lot of credit with Henry.

 

[Chachi]

Canberra will not show Henry the door and Henry will honour his 3 year contract with the club. It's a non-issue and it never was, no matter how special the Broncos think they are.

Why would he jump our ship to captain the Titanic anyway? ;-)