Rob Jeffson is back

[Poupou Escobar]

It would have played a part certainly, but I don't think you should dismiss the fact that Robson/ McGuire halves combination turned out our best attacking performance over the past season and a half no matter how you look at it.

I think you're overstating the importance of a halves 'combination' in our structure.

It's left side-right side mate. The combinations are on either side of the field, not across it.

 

[yy_cheng]

Good effort but it was the Sharks from 2010

 

[B-Tron 3000]

I think you're overstating the importance of a halves 'combination' in our structure.

It's left side-right side mate. The combinations are on either side of the field, not across it.

Yeah but the quality of what is being organised by the half on the left and how his side of the pitch is getting on will affect the half on the right, and vice versa.

 

[bartman]

Maybe it's a L-D-R combination (left-dummy half-right), rather than a "halves" combination Pou Pou.

Either way - without Morts in there anywhere, it works a hell of a lot better!

 

[Twizzle]

back from where, he's never played that well before

good on him, nice bloke and deserves to get something back form the game

 

[IFR33K]

You don't think he had much longer than usual with the ball due to Cronulla (minus their 3 best forwards) being dominated up the middle?

Last night he showed us a few new tricks we haven't seen from him in a few years of footy to date. Regardless of the domination, he put on an excellcent display of a playmaker role. Well done

 

[Cocidius]

Last night he showed us a few new tricks we haven't seen from him in a few years of footy to date. Regardless of the domination, he put on an excellcent display of a playmaker role. Well done

IMO last night it looked like an in-form Scotty Prince was running around...very impressed with Robson, hopefully this gives him some confidence and plays like that for a while...

 

[barney gumble]

Is it a coincidence that Robson had his best game in a long time after his regular halves partner did not play? I think not.

Is it also coincidence that Robson played his best game in a long time against a reserve grade wooden spoon contender? I also think not.

 

[jayjayselmes]

Simple fact is Mortimer is garbage. Put a decent 5/8 along side robson and KAPOOF, robson plays awesome!! Always said Robson was way better than Mortimer. so long mortimer!!!

Kearney would be nuts to slot him back in next week.

 

[Delboy]

Good on Robbo, but he was playing against a side woth the slowest line speed in the comp by a long way.

Needs to back it up this week in Newcastle, not going to be easy and they are quick and tough

 

[Jake the snake]

Good on Robbo, but he was playing against a side woth the slowest line speed in the comp by a long way.

Needs to back it up this week in Newcastle, not going to be easy and they are quick and tough

He played well, 1st game in over a year. Unfortunately that does not cut it. I refuse to get excited after one game. Need more proof that he's got an idea.

 

[Delboy]

Jahe, agreed, but at least he showed something. I would still let him go and get on with a new life in 2012

 

[DeanPay98]

Lets just see how things go against Newcastle. But I don't think that its a coincidence that Robson's performance improved with a more experienced halves partner. The Eels can carry one of Mortz or Robson but not both.

 

[jono]

So does that mean next week Morts gets his chance with Case in the halves?

 

[hineyrulz]

Lets just see how things go against Newcastle. But I don't think that its a coincidence that Robson's performance improved with a more experienced halves partner. The Eels can carry one of Mortz or Robson but not both.

x2, and after Robbos game last night Morts should be the one to miss out.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Shouldnt change a winning team unless its a significant improvement like Mannah. Bench time for Mortimer.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Maybe it's a L-D-R combination (left-dummy half-right), rather than a "halves" combination Pou Pou.

Either way - without Morts in there anywhere, it works a hell of a lot better!

We'll see in the coming weeks I suppose.

I'm a big fan of McGuire's move to the halves, but Robson's been worse than Mortimer all year (less TAs, less LBAs) yet he was the one to have the blinder last night.

It really says more about the Sharks than it does about McGuire's move to the halves.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Lets just see how things go against Newcastle. But I don't think that its a coincidence that Robson's performance improved with a more experienced halves partner.

How could you know after one game against the Sharks' reserve grade side?

So far it's entirely down to coincidence.

Robson got 2 LBAs and 3 TAs last night; in the previous 10 weeks he got 1 TA and ZERO LBAs.

So you blame Mortimer for Robson's poor form prior to last night?

Mortimer has 2 LBAs and 3 TAs for the season. That's comparable to other NRL halves so far this year. Is it Robson's fault that Mortimer hasn't done more? Or is just Mortimer's fault that Robson has been shit the whole year except against the Sharks' reserve grade side?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

x2, and after Robbos game last night Morts should be the one to miss out.

I'd agee except Mortimer is still at the club next year while Robson won't be.

Bad luck for Robson that his contract runs out first but that's the way it is.

 

[DeanPay98]

The most likely outcome is that we will still lose Robson at the end of the year. If there has been a contract on the table for 8 weeks and Robson hasn't signed that suggests that he is holding out for more money. IMO thats nuts, but its his call. In the interim, we have signed Sandow and Roberts. We still have Mortimer on contract for 2012. We have re-signed Keating and, if we are smart, we'll re-sign both Anthony Mitchell and Casey McGuire.

So whilst Robson is likely to be our first grade half for the rest of this year he's pretty much surplus to requirements next year because the halves will be two of: Roberts, Sandow, McGuire and Mortimer; and the hookers will be two of; Keating, Mitchell and McGuire.

We can play a long game on Mortimer and see where he is at in 2012. Bear in mind that he is just 22 and came into first grade very early. He's shown a lot of improvement this year and half a season in Wenty, out of the spotlight, might do him good.

For my money I hope Robson does well for the rest of the year. But he shouldn't be a re-signing priority anymore not even after last night.