Phoenix Crossland

[slotmachine]

He was lively at least. Some really poor decision making at times though

 

[Jono078]

Mann should go back to 14 now and I think Croker may be worth persisting with at 13. Mann to come on at 9 or 13 and could really do damage against tired middles.

 

[aqua_duck]

Service out of dummy half was pretty ordinary but at least he asked some questions off quick PTB, I think Randall has slightly better service out of dummy half (splitting peas) but literally has no running game

 

[slotmachine]

crossland is just so passive at half, hooker forces his hand which is a good thing

 

[Old dog]

crossland is just so passive at half, hooker forces his hand which is a good thing

That would have hurt

 

[Yosh]

Watching something like this, it makes me realize that the people in the jerseys are actual people. You guys reckon we were too harsh on the likes of Mann and Crossland?

I don't think Crossland will go on to become anything special but perhaps he will become a good first grader? Just enough to make the top 30 on minimum wage?

 

[perverse]

Watching something like this, it makes me realize that the people in the jerseys are actual people. You guys reckon we were too harsh on the likes of Mann and Crossland?

I don't think Crossland will go on to become anything special but perhaps he will become a good first grader? Just enough to make the top 30 on minimum wage?

When people make personal attacks against them, absolutely it's going too far and pretty pathetic. When people question or criticize their value to the organisation as a football player then it's obviously fair game. Crossland being a human being worthy of basic human decency and respect doesn't mean we should be paying him to be not good enough at football for us.

I would wish him all the best in life, but ask that he ply his trade elsewhere as he's not good enough and his ceiling is low enough that it's not worth wasting a roster spot on. You can't hand out jerseys because someone is a good bloke.

It's business, and if you're no good at your job, you get moved on.

 

[aqua_duck]

The question i originally asked regarding Crossland still hasn't really been answered and that is, what does he actually do well?

 

[perverse]

The question i originally asked regarding Crossland still hasn't really been answered and that is, what does he actually do well?

Oh I feel like it's been answered. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. If you want to be generous, he tackles well for his size and lack of athleticism.

 

[Yosh]

Alright... Who resigned Crossland because good work mate. He is turning into a serviceable backup half/hooker. Good defender and has scored good effort tries two weeks in a row. Last season he missed one of them to lose us a game from memory. Good work lad.

It has also allowed Mann to move into a more natural running role and Mann is also playing well due to the move.

Anyway, I've been super harsh for a couple of seasons on both Mann and Crossland but it's good to see them become solid players and helping us win games.

 

[Zoidberg]

I’d still rather we try to sign someone else to cover Brailey for the rest of the year if there’s any good options.

 

[mozza91]

Mann is fine if as long as he’s not in the centres and he was great last night.

Fair play to Crossland he’s a decent dummy half and an excellent defender. He was huge last night with line speed and first contact. Good to see he’s improved so much.

 

[slotmachine]

I don't know if he's improved so much as hooker suits what he's good at.

 

[perverse]

He's done some good things yes... but god his service has been really bad at times too. I think we're all getting a bit carried away because he's actually FINALLY doing some good things. His defence is sound and he's a hard worker. His service from dummy half has been diabolical at crucial moments too. He takes a moment too long to "cock" the ball before passing from the ground that good hookers just don't.

But, what I will say is that at least he's out there contributing now - laid on a crucial try for himself yesterday and tackled his backside off. I still don't think it's a given that he's suddenly a first grader after a couple of good games and ~40 awful ones - but if he continues to improve and kick on for the rest of the year then maybe we've somehow squeezed a first grader out of a plodder.

 

[mozza91]

I don't know if he's improved so much as hooker suits what he's good at.

I don’t know he’s gone from trash to ok in the off season.

 

[aqua_duck]

I’d still rather we try to sign someone else to cover Brailey for the rest of the year if there’s any good options.

2 options in Qld cup would be Kyle Schneider from the Mackay Cutters, ex Central coast kid, represented NSW at under 16 and under 18 level. Tyson Smoothy would be my top choice, ex Qld under 18 captain, played a handful of 1st games for the storm back in 2021 and was Qld cup hooker of the year last year, also kicked goals at 78%, currently on a one year development deal at the broncos but well down the pecking order. Both of them are only 23 so have the potential to be more than just stop gap options

 

[Nuke]

Gamble and Frizell have both been going great guns in recent times when on the field.

Could be the year of the Tyson.

Why not add another in Smoothy?!

 

[Old dog]

Ponga and Smoothy, let’s SHAKE on it, Strawberries anyone?