Rd7: Eels v Knights GAME DAY THREAD in Newcastle 24/4/22

[The Predictor]

I would have liked to see BA wearing a suit on such a solemn occasion. Preferably one made from the same Anzac Jersey Material. One in all in.

He is definitely the bogan of all the coaches, never comes across, very professional

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I would think that the coaching staff are well aware that Matterson and Cartwright are both possible half candidates given they have both played in that position (Cartwright 24 FG games and Matterson 10 FG games). They must have other reasons for not selecting them in place of one of our only other 2 halves in the squad (the other one is Perham who is listed as a five-eighth).

Yes they'd have to be aware of those two but I'm also wondering if they get any practice at it and if we try to identify others that might have ability. I didn't know Perham was listed as a 6, that's interesting.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'll tell you what JA can do to improve his game immeasurably, and that's to stop that double pump when he's passing the ball. The NRL is a quicker game than he's used to and he needs to be quicker in his execution. He threw a couple of hospital passes yesterday. It might sound silly but those fractions of seconds count and can make all the difference...

I wonder if, like most things, there's pros and cons associated with it, and saying just don't do it is a bit simplistic.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I wonder if, like most things, there's pros and cons associated with it, and saying just don't do it is a bit simplistic.

Shock collar?

 

[Incorrect]

I wonder if, like most things, there's pros and cons associated with it, and saying just don't do it is a bit simplistic.

I'm saying he should shelve it and make that play the exception rather than the rule to the way he plays. There are times when it might serve a purpose, but getting your outside runners smashed when they catch the pass routinely is going to get old pretty fast ffs

 

[strider]

Hands looks a more natural player then JA

He's certainly more physical.

So he is a bit of a handful?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

For those that watch training, do non-halves get any training in the halves, even if it's just to identify likely candidates who can fill in if necessary, and maybe improve those skills? Because I'm thinking a proven NRL player is a pretty good chance to be better than a young, unproven half.
Yes I know we're currently down on backs.

One reason that spine players are generally lighter than everyone else isn't because there's some rule requiring it. The reason is that they make the most movement off the ball of every player on the field and this is extremely fatiguing for the bigger guys. These movements also require some vision and game smarts that aren't really a factor when forwards and outside backs are chosen for development as first graders. I mean, it's good if they have those attributes at a high level, but there's so much that is required physically from forwards and outside backs that their ability to play in the spine isn't prioritised, either in recruitment or training. Halves and fullbacks need these mental and technical skills, as well as work rate to keep moving and create overlaps. They only need enough speed and power to hold their own in defence.

Otherwise we would see a lot more centres and back rowers in the 6 jersey, like was common 20 years ago when defences weren't as good.

 

[Incorrect]

One reason that spine players are generally lighter than everyone else isn't because there's some rule requiring it. The reason is that they make the most movement off the ball of every player on the field and this is extremely fatiguing for the bigger guys. These movements also require some vision and game smarts that aren't really a factor when forwards and outside backs are chosen for development as first graders. I mean, it's good if they have those attributes at a high level, but there's so much that is required physically from forwards and outside backs that their ability to play in the spine isn't prioritised, either in recruitment or training. Halves and fullbacks need these mental and technical skills, as well as work rate to keep moving and create overlaps. They only need enough speed and power to hold their own in defence.

Otherwise we would see a lot more centres and back rowers in the 6 jersey, like was common 20 years ago when defences weren't as good.

He was clearly asking people who watch training sessions. I don't imagine you get to many training sessions given you reside a 5 hour flight away....Please delete your post.

 

[Gary Gutful]

I'll tell you what JA can do to improve his game immeasurably, and that's to stop that double pump when he's passing the ball. The NRL is a quicker game than he's used to and he needs to be quicker in his execution. He threw a couple of hospital passes yesterday. It might sound silly but those fractions of seconds count and can make all the difference...

Agree. Those double pumps might work OK in the backyard against Mrs BA and the dog but they have no place in first grade.

 

[Gary Gutful]

One reason that spine players are generally lighter than everyone else isn't because there's some rule requiring it. The reason is that they make the most movement off the ball of every player on the field and this is extremely fatiguing for the bigger guys. These movements also require some vision and game smarts that aren't really a factor when forwards and outside backs are chosen for development as first graders. I mean, it's good if they have those attributes at a high level, but there's so much that is required physically from forwards and outside backs that their ability to play in the spine isn't prioritised, either in recruitment or training. Halves and fullbacks need these mental and technical skills, as well as work rate to keep moving and create overlaps. They only need enough speed and power to hold their own in defence.

Otherwise we would see a lot more centres and back rowers in the 6 jersey, like was common 20 years ago when defences weren't as good.

Still doesn't explain why JA is dog shit.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

No amount of training sessions is going to turn a forward into an NRL quality half. Instead you'd just be wasting his strengths in a role that doesn't suit him.

 

[Gary Gutful]

That still doesn't explain why JA is dog shit either, FFS.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Agree. Those double pumps might work OK in the backyard against Mrs BA and the dog but they have no place in first grade.

They can force defenders to make an early decision. The trick is to read that and make the right pass.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

That still doesn't explain why JA is dog shit either, FFS.

f**ken dog shit?!? Have you seen our record with him playing 80 minutes this year ffs???

 

[Gary Gutful]

They can force defenders to make an early decision. The trick is to read that and make the right pass.

The trick is to use it judiciously as well. If its used with reckless abandon you just look like a spaz.

 

[Gary Gutful]

f**ken dog shit?!? Have you seen our record with him playing 80 minutes this year ffs???

Complete dog feces. Julian Clary has a crisper passing and kicking game than the gangly little inbred turd.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

One reason that spine players are generally lighter than everyone else isn't because there's some rule requiring it. The reason is that they make the most movement off the ball of every player on the field and this is extremely fatiguing for the bigger guys. These movements also require some vision and game smarts that aren't really a factor when forwards and outside backs are chosen for development as first graders. I mean, it's good if they have those attributes at a high level, but there's so much that is required physically from forwards and outside backs that their ability to play in the spine isn't prioritised, either in recruitment or training. Halves and fullbacks need these mental and technical skills, as well as work rate to keep moving and create overlaps. They only need enough speed and power to hold their own in defence.

Otherwise we would see a lot more centres and back rowers in the 6 jersey, like was common 20 years ago when defences weren't as good.

Well Aubusson was doing it regularly a couple of years ago. And they don't have to be a good half, or even last an entire game, they just have to be better than the alternative. And the alternative is unproven and the vast majority of those don't make it. I believe there are ways to improve skills like coordination that don't take forever and I'd be curious to hear how much of that stuff is done. I'd have them all playing soccer with a league ball.

 

[Incorrect]

They can force defenders to make an early decision. The trick is to read that and make the right pass.

Yes, and yesterday the defenders early decision was to keep going and f**king smash the outside runner JA telegraphed the pass to....

 

[yy_cheng]

I don't think it matters whether he starts. It's about minutes played. But he has played the vast majority starting on the edge. It was the Penrith final last year where he first came off the bench and played in the middle.

He would've played more minutes as a half

Tbh, he played a bit like Jason Smith yesterday

 

[Incorrect]

He would've played more minutes as a half

Tbh, he played a bit like Jason Smith yesterday

Jason Smith? Never heard of the f**ker...