re-signing players??

[Macca]

You can only advance so far in PL. He is becoming stale down there, put him up in firsts with guys like Vagana, Gallen, Stevo, and Bailey running of him. Then we'll see improvement.

 

[PJ]

A promotion should be earnt on performance, not potential.

And the games I've seen him play this year didn't make me think he was pushing for promotion.

 

[NthCronullaLocal]

I agree with McSharkies view on the 5/8 issue. We need one to take pressure off Kimmorley and give us another point of attack. Kimmorley doesnt always have to be in the thick of everything. Its not like he overruled Scott Hill in City/Country. He has no choice but to be in the thick of everything at the moment when it comes to our attack as there is no other ball disributing options besides Peach.
With regards to Aitken the bottom line is you dont know how he is going to perform in first grade until he gets there. As was alluded to being in the presence of Noddy, Peach, Vagana and co might be just what he needs. If he has a couple of games there and isnt up to scratch ill be the first calling for his demotion to PL. I just wanna see him given a fair crack at 5/8 before we go looking elsewhere for a 5/8.

 

[PJ]

Look I've got high hopes for Aitken but if he isn't performing in Reserves what makes you think he'll go better in Firsts?

At least last year when Bird was dropped to Reserves he carved them up there. Aitken is looking like a reserve grade player in reserves.

If he gets hungry enough he'll force a promotion. He has the ability so the ball is in his court.

 

[Macca]

Alot of blokes carve PL up and then do nothing in firsts. Then, alot of guys do nothing in PL and then grow an extra leg when they have better players around them. All I want if for him to get a go. The Dragons promote their young blokes when the have injuries or suspension, why don't we?

 

[PJ]

Last few years youngsters who've had a crack in firsts.
Dumas
Williams
Bird
Franze
Simmons
Newton
Youngquest
Aitken
Galloway
Hilder
Dallalana
and I'm sure there are others I've forgotten.

SO as to why don't we, we do.

Better question may be as to why we don't get them at the same quality?

All I want if for him to get a go

He'll gte it when they think he is ready. I don't think he is ready.

If he plays like he can he'll get it. What little exposure he got last year in first he hardly set the world on fire.

 

[Macca]

Last year PJ. I am talking about this year.

 

[PJ]

SO this year it is R Williams, Dumas, J Williams ans Simmons who've all, I think, made their first grade debutes for the Sharks.

McGoldrik's another semi-Junior being given a go this year.

If he pulls his finger out in reserves he'll force a change in firsts. I'm sure the club would love nothing more than for him to blossom into the player he could be. But GAllen is going OK and Aitken is playing pretty average in a lower grade.

Hardly send a good message to those who are really trying if AItken goes up just on potential.

 

[Macca]

R Williams and Simmo made their debut last year. J Williams was bought from another club to play in our top squad. McGoldrick played firsts years ago. I think Dumas is the only rookie this year from our juniors, but it's not about that.

Aitken needs to be trialled before June 30.

 

[Mr Angry]

Well if I was Sully I would be looking for opportunities elsewhere.
Never meet a halfback that likes being a part-time hooker.

Like Craig Wing?

What I saw of Sully last year - he's a better hooker than he is a half.

Exactly.
2002 GF Craig Wing 7
2003 GF Craig Wing 9

The difference?

Sully quite simply does not have the defence needed to play hooker.
But hey our defensive record does not reflect that.

Correction Wing played halfback in both games, Crocker was hooker for the second GF, not a dedicated hooker.

So I thought I would check the number 9's in GF winning teams for the last few years.

1998
Brisbane 38 df Canterbury 12
9. Philip Lee
9. Jason Hetherington

1999
Melbourne 20 df St.George Illawarra 18
9. Richard Swain
9. Nathan Brown

2000
Brisbane 14 df Sydney City 6
9. Luke Priddis
9. Simon Bonetti

2001
Newcastle 30 df Parramatta 24
9. Danny Buderus
9. Brad Drew

2002
Sydney City 30 df New Zealand 8
9. Simon Bonetti
9. PJ Marsh

2003
Penrith 18 df Sydney City 6
9. Luke Priddis
9. Micheal Croker

So for the last 6 years, the eventual winners had fulltime dedicated hookers.
Therefore I contend playing a 1/2 @ hooker has not proved to be a great strategy at all. Seems to help in attack, but open up the defence.

Also IMO Wing is not a specialist anything, he can play equally well at 1/2, 5/8 centre or hooker.
Sullivan from my observations is a half doing his best out of position and the team would be better off with him at 6, with an 80min hooker.
I do seem to be alone in this view, and will cheer reguardless.

 

[Special K]

Dumas made his debut in NZ last year

 

[Macca]

Correction Wing played halfback in both games, Crocker was hooker for the second GF, not a dedicated hooker.

So I thought I would check the number 9's in GF winning teams for the last few years.

1998
Brisbane 38 df Canterbury 12
9. Philip Lee
9. Jason Hetherington

1999
Melbourne 20 df St.George Illawarra 18
9. Richard Swain
9. Nathan Brown

2000
Brisbane 14 df Sydney City 6
9. Luke Priddis
9. Simon Bonetti

2001
Newcastle 30 df Parramatta 24
9. Danny Buderus
9. Brad Drew

2002
Sydney City 30 df New Zealand 8
9. Simon Bonetti
9. PJ Marsh

2003
Penrith 18 df Sydney City 6
9. Luke Priddis
9. Micheal Croker

So for the last 6 years, the eventual winners had fulltime dedicated hookers.
Therefore I contend playing a 1/2 @ hooker has not proved to be a great strategy at all. Seems to help in attack, but open up the defence.

Also IMO Wing is not a specialist anything, he can play equally well at 1/2, 5/8 centre or hooker.
Sullivan from my observations is a half doing his best out of position and the team would be better off with him at 6, with an 80min hooker.
I do seem to be alone in this view, and will cheer reguardless.

You are not alone Mr Angry. I totally agree that we need a dedicated hooker and a new number six. If Sully can handle the defensive work load then by all means. He doesn't have a great LONG kicking game but it isn't bad and his short kicking game and creativity is very good. Hilder to play hooker for 80 mins. Sully to six would probably work wonders. It has to happen soon though, or they must trial Aitken. I'd be happy for them to go with Sully though.

 

[madunit]

I have a feeling that Luke Covell is coming off contract this year from the Tigers.

I hope the Tigers re-sign him, but if he does go elsewhere the Sharks should put a bid in for him. He wouldn't be terribly expensive and has an 80 odd % goalkicking success rate.

He's played a lot of footy in the back row and in the centres for the Tigers in First grade and in PL with Wests.

I reckon he would be a great signing for the Sharks. Defensively strong, decent ball skills as well.

 

[Mr Angry]

I would be happy to see Aitken have a go also.
I rate Gallen highly, just not as a 5/8, cause he cannot kick.

 

[Macca]

Gallen doesn't set people up either, really.

Luke Covell would be a reasonable purchase, but why hasn't he been playing in the top grade until now?

 

[madunit]

Because he's being groomed as a centre/Lock/Second Rower.

The Tigers have a million players for these roles and Hodgson had been kicking ok, so he wasn't called up. The only place available for Covell in First Grade is on the wing. He was destined to play there all year until the late signing of Jason Moodie.

He is capable of being a great defensive winger as he's safe as houses under the high ball, but his lack of speed is his hinderance there.

His form in PL has definitely warranted a first grade spot, but with the likes of Sattler, O'Neill, Graham, Galea, Laffranchi all ahead of him for the forwards role and Fitzhenry, Elford, Wilson, Halatau and Marshall in the centres, his chances of game time have been limited.

 

[Macca]

Fair enough. We need a bustling safe kinda winger too. We need a left centre more though. Which side does he play on?

 

[madunit]

He's left handed/footed, he's covered both wings and both centre positions over the last year. He's pretty versatile, he even played a few games at 5/8 in PL, and by all accounts he did a top job.

 

[Macca]

Email Sludge QUICK!

 

[Craigshark]

Is Matt Rieck off-contract this year? If he is, add him to my list of players to re-sign..
Covell would be alright, it would certainly give us more depth, and a pretty good goalkicker.. Only thing is he doesnt have any speed what so ever and that is something you need in todays game..