Rob Jeffson is back

[DeanPay98]

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?

Forget about LBA's and TA's. The major drama this season in the halves has been the kicking game. The inability of both halves to put in effective attacking kicks has nullified the advantage completed by our high completion rate (which coincidentally has occurred after Mateo left ...)

The poor kicking game has meant that opposition teams have received the ball in good positions and have moved into good attacking positions very quickly. This in turn has stressed our defence, resulted in tries because certain players (Reddy) get isolated in defence on the flanks, and, because points have been scored, means that we've had less possession.

Atm McGuire's kicking game is better than Mortimers. The kicking game was better last night and that was a factor in the team's performance. The better the kicking game the greater the share of possession the less then the pressure on Robson.

McGuire is also a more experienced player which adds composure. That is something Mortimer has lacked. I think a lot of pressure went off Robson last night because he played behind a dominant pack with a more experienced backline (consider also Walker's entry into the backline).

Mortimer is the better long term prospect. But for this season it looks like Robson will do better with McGuire. Thats way better than the blind leading the blind approach that we saw with Robson and Mortimer in the halves in 2010 and 2011.

Btw you said earlier that the halves play on different sides of the field. That is true some of the time in attack but there are other attacking plays in Parramatta's arsenal where the two halves combine as the team goes left to right and vice versa in attack.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

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.

Good post.

I'm still not sure Mitchell's big enough to be a first grade hooker but he's still pretty young himself.

 

[caylo]

Good post.

I'm still not sure Mitchell's big enough to be a first grade hooker but he's still pretty young himself.

Mitchell - 178cm, 85kg

Farah - 179kg, 88kg
Smith - 183cm, 90kg
Issac - 174cm, 84kg
MK - 177cm, 87kg
Ennis - 179cm, 87kg

These are some of the most accomplished hookers in the NRL compared to Mitchell in weight, he is genuinely 2-3kg lighter but that is weight he will normally develop as he plays NRL football and training with bigger & faster guys more regularly.

Mitchell is more then physically capable of handling the NR, but at 21 years of age he is still very very green and will not be close ready until his probably 23. Keating is 24 years old and just now we are starting to see some of his best work so why would you write him off so early but then turn around and say mortimer is only 22 and should be given 2 years to be physically ready, isnt that hypocritical?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

so why would you write him off so early but then turn around and say mortimer is only 22 and should be given 2 years to be physically ready, isnt that hypocritical?

If Mortimer was off contract this year I'd be happy to see him go.

Both these players will be better in a few years time but our first grade team isn't the place they should be learning thenir trade. Are they happy to play in Wenty on reserve grade money (NRL top 25 though)? If so why not keep them.

But if other clubs are happy to offer them more money and a first grade spot then we're better off not hoarding players just on potential.

If either Mitchell or Keating were going to be stars they would've shown it by now.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Mitchell - 178cm, 85kg

Like most nippy players, Anthony Mitchell has got big legs. That's where his weight is.

His upper body is much skinnier than all the other hookers you've mentioned.

 

[lingard]

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?

Another fine example of how studying stats can blind you from the truth! :lol:

 

[Noise]

If Mortimer was off contract this year I'd be happy to see him go.

Both these players will be better in a few years time but our first grade team isn't the place they should be learning thenir trade. Are they happy to play in Wenty on reserve grade money (NRL top 25 though)? If so why not keep them.

But if other clubs are happy to offer them more money and a first grade spot then we're better off not hoarding players just on potential.

If either Mitchell or Keating were going to be stars they would've shown it by now.

At the ripe old age of 21??

 

[caylo]

Like most nippy players, Anthony Mitchell has got big legs. That's where his weight is.

His upper body is much skinnier than all the other hookers you've mentioned.

You have an answer to everything. Issac Luck, Ennis and Farah all are similar build and all fairly nippy. Every football player is under sized when they first come into grade, you need to give them a chance to prove and accustome themselves to the speed and strength of player and they need an extended run because everyone will be up and down when they are young.

Luke - 23yrs debuted at 20yrs , Farah - 27 debuted 20, Smith - 27 Debuted 20

Mitchell - Debuted at 20yrs, now I'm not suggesting that Mitchell is as good or will ever be as good as any of these guys but he deserves a chance. While he has struggled for wenty recently he may play better around better players and lift his game, he is obviously talented. Instead of looking for a C.Smith, Farah or Luke maybe we should be happy with hard working and talented players that don't cost as much but support our play makers. Dragons won the comp with Fien and young rotating the hooking role and Priddus in there aswell. We can get the same sort of value out of MK and Mitch.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Another fine example of how studying stats can blind you from the truth! :lol:

You're right. Just because a bloke got a try assist doesn't mean he set up a try. :roll:

 

[Poupou Escobar]

At the ripe old age of 21??

What were Farah, Ennis, Isaac Luke and Cam Smith doing at 21?

A lot f**king more than Ant Mitchell.

 

[bartman]

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

Let's hope not! We should give the Maguire-Robson halves combo just as many weeks as the Morts-Robson combo had to try and come up with something.

Consistently since Mortimer made the grade, Robson has been the better performed of the pair. That applies whether Robson was wearing the #6 jersey (so Morts could have an unsuccessful try at #7), or this year when they reverted back to their late 2009 original positions (and Morts couldn't recapture his form from those days). We shouldn't let Pou Pou's selective stats cloud the issue, Mortimer will be a bench option at best next season, and (marketing aside) I think retaining Robson and on-selling Morts would be much better value.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Maguire-Robson halves combo

lol @ "combo"

How about the Loko-Walker centre combo? Old Chris Walker is giving young Jacob some quality ball out in the centres isn't he? :lol:

 

[Poupou Escobar]

f**k. lol

 

[bartman]

Positions, titles of positions, jerseys, first choice as first receiver on key plays...

Why did they bother swapping positions/jerseys for so long in the first place to have Morts in 7 last year, if there was meant to be no difference? It was a move designed to allow Morts to shine, but he wasn't up to it no matter what side of the field he went to. Shifting back positions/jerseys this year was an acknowledgement of that, and shifting Morts to Wenty now should be all the acknowledgement you need to accept that a couple of isolated stats doesn't make a case.

Robson has more to contribute to the team on a consistent basis, Morts has some individual skills that he's struggled to consistently fit into the team's play, imo.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Positions, titles of positions, jerseys, first choice as first receiver on key plays...

Why did they bother swapping positions/jerseys for so long in the first place to have Morts in 7 last year, if there was meant to be no difference?

Marketing.

It was a move designed to allow Morts to shine, but he wasn't up to it no matter what side of the field he went to. Shifting back positions/jerseys this year was an acknowledgement of that

Media pressure led to the jersey swap. Otherwise what is the f**king difference?

Whatever you can do on the right side of the field you can do on the left. The only reason it would matter is if you had a left footed kicker (like Kris Keating or Ben Roberts). Otherwise there's little subtleties like most players passing better from right to left and most defences jamming better on the defence's left side and sliding better on the right.

and shifting Morts to Wenty now should be all the acknowledgement you need to accept that a couple of isolated stats doesn't make a case.

Robson has more to contribute to the team on a consistent basis, Morts has some individual skills that he's struggled to consistently fit into the team's play, imo.

Isolated stats have nothing to do with it - until last night Jeff Robson had not put a player through a gap all year. He had set up one try in 10 games. If it's because he was worried about Mortimer then he's not the sort of bloke who should be playing first grade.

 

[Eels Dude]

lol @ "combo"

How about the Loko-Walker centre combo? Old Chris Walker is giving young Jacob some quality ball out in the centres isn't he? :lol:

While that may be true. They are still a combination in that they need to communicate between each to direct the attack around and have an understanding as to who gets the ball when called for it in certain attacking situations.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

Just like the stint Hayne had at 6 for a few rounds helped him immensely at 1 as the 2009 season unfolded it seems Casey Maguire playing at 9 as helped him to develop an 80 minute game while getting used to the standard of playing NRL again. Casey could become a fantastic 6 as this season unfolds. Buckle in your seat belts and get ready for a dramatic Eels acceleration up the ladder and well into the top 8.

Copied from another post..........

If this club was to get in the top 8 this year one of the main factors I feel that will bring this about will be the powerful resurgence of Reni Maitua during the last 10 rounds or so of this season. It is in the backs that we struggle the most so I wonder if he will be given the opportunity to play in the centers?

1. Hayne
2. Burt
3. Maitua
4. Loko
5. Filiga (surprise packet if he now stays uninjured) otherwise a pick of a bunch of oldies or youngies
6. Maguire
7. Robson
8. Mannah
9. Keating
10. Moi Moi
11. Hindmarsh
12. Shack or Lasalo or Horo or Allgood? (Allgood seems to be getting better with each match and has good speed - could be used as a wide running backrower punching holes or as a prop up the middle of the ruck.)
13. Smith

14. Mortimer or Mitchell
15. Poore
16. Webb
17. Shack or Lasalo or Horo or Allgood

 

[Hindyscrack]

Did the sharks defensive line move up at all last night?

We werent great, they were very, very average...

Rob Jeffson was allowed to play well last night... I freakin love that name

 

[lingard]

Marketing.



Media pressure led to the jersey swap. Otherwise what is the f**king difference?

Whatever you can do on the right side of the field you can do on the left. The only reason it would matter is if you had a left footed kicker (like Kris Keating or Ben Roberts). Otherwise there's little subtleties like most players passing better from right to left and most defences jamming better on the defence's left side and sliding better on the right.



Isolated stats have nothing to do with it - until last night Jeff Robson had not put a player through a gap all year. He had set up one try in 10 games. If it's because he was worried about Mortimer then he's not the sort of bloke who should be playing first grade.

That must be a rhetorical question - seeing as you don`t know, and you won`t listen to anyone else.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Yep Robson is back to his normal form. The guy is crap, he can't kick the ball for sh*t. The forwards make the yards the our half back then f**ks up the set. The guy has got nothing. Yep maybe I am a little pissed of at our losss but can't believe this guy has been our half back for the last 3 years. He tries hard but should have been moved on a long time ago