I am going to disagree with you here Girds89. Bennett's two latest Premierships were with Berrigan and Hornby as halfbacks. He prefers his halfbacks to simply be 'competent' and play their role whilst play with his teams has revolved around the 5/8.
Disagree also with the point you make about Melbourne. Hughes looks great in the Storm SYSTEM. So did Croft (at halfback) and Drinkwater (Fullback and 5/8) How did they turn out? Melbourne without Hughes wouldn't really miss a beat. IS he a competent, even very good - Yes.
Bellamy as a coach unlike Bennett is quite accommodating to having a single dominant half - and the other being simply competent. ATM Bellamy seems to be a Hooker>Fullback>5/8>Halfback coach with 5/8 and 1/2 being interchangeable and one could argue at times fullback is more important than Hooker for him.
There are some top coaches where I would argue Hooker would be 3rd or 4th most important player. They would be Robinson and Hasler I would consider both of these coaches as being fullback 1st, Halfback 2nd though they always seems to have a more than servicable (underratted) hooker in their good sides.
Overall I think it is an interesting debate - but the fact is that compared to 15 + years ago, the Halfbacks role has become less prominent - and the fullbacks roll has become far more prominent with the value of hookers also rising.
I guess part of the reason that halfbacks are less important now is the fact that they aren't always the 'dominant' half.
Just some food for thought in this debate. For the record our team is definitely Halfback>Hooker>5/8>Fullback where you could debate the No 2/3 spots.
6 or 7 doesnt matter. You need a great organising half to be there at the back end of the year. Some 6s really play a 7 role and those bennett teams you mention are slightly different to the rabbits at the moment.
Rabbits atm reynolds is a brilliant organiser with a great kicking game. Cody tends to be average without him.
Brisbane in 06 had locky in the 6 and he was probably the best in the game at that point in time and was very much a 7 in the way he played. He got into first reciever for them alot and did the majority of their kicking. He was there organiser and the key factor in them winning.
No coincidence soward played the same way for the dragons in 2010. Hornsby played 2nd fiddle to him and sowie was the organiser and key kicker.
No real difference if its 6 or 7 but you need an organiser in at least one of those jerseys. Hence why luai has been average without cleary. He doesnt have a organiser and he isnt one. He just adds x factor.
Haha anyone downplaying hughes clearly hasnt watched him enough this year. He is capable of individual brilliance completley off his own back and he inspires the storm with his little plays. He can tear a team apart. Comparing hughes to croft and drinkwater is ridiculous. Theres a reason bellamy let those two go but went hard to extend hughes. Bellamy is the best coach ever and know how important he is to their success. Munster isnt an organiser. Hes just similiar to luai and produces moments if x factor. Munster needs hughes.
Really not sure what your on about re bellamy and player importance. Go watch his press conferences mate. Hes pretty vocal about hughes, how important he is to their team and the fact hughes has got them through tough periods this year.
The role of an organising great half is just as important as ever. Look at the players commentators bag most for poor performances... its not the fullback or hooker. Its your halfs. Who cops it when they lose... the halfs.
Drags- ben hunt and norman
Dogs- their halfs
Cows- halfs
I could go on. Literally commentators, like joey, gould, etc who know the game better than anyone always talk about the halves not taking control of the game.
Fb and hooker help and no doubt can produce individual brilliance to help out but you need a 6 or 7 to steer the team around.
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