Round 4 Vs Manly

[mxlegend99]

Nrl.com has Bizza leading the league in post contact metres with 351 so far. Next closest is fish with 259 post contact metres. To’o leads the comp for tackle breaks with 30. Second is David Fifita with 24 but he still has to play.

With the extra scoring opportunities he gets on the left and just his natural progression To’o will be widely recognised as the best soon.

Edit: Bizza will very likely finish the round leading the total running metres also.

Brian is so much better than our other backs in a strong backline it's not funny. He's an absolute beast. Others can go close. But nowhere near as consistently as Brian.

Edwards is next closest. He's not flashy... But he's a consistent workhorse that has made big attempts to add playmaking to his game.

We know Staines and Crichton can both be great..but Staines is not getting much good ball outside Momorosvki and Crichton I just don't get how in 4 games he hasn't really looked close to what we saw last year. Last night he made a lot of kick return metres but he was getting an easy 20 metres at a time from most runs. The hypothetical if he outplays Edwards thing certainly didn't eventuate.

Cant wait for Edwards and Api to return. They really add the polish to this team. Getting along pretty well without them. But our ceiling is much lower. Burton hopefully keeps his spot though once Edwards returns. The guy is just such a natural at everything he does.

 

[franklin2323]

Just put Crichton to the wing and leave Burton at centre as Ivan did in this game. If we're being realistic both Crichton and Staines should get a go while Edwards is forced to be out.

Not if it affects their development though

That should be the main aim

 

[WestyLife]

Whare hd experience at fullback at NRL level too. Why didn't you support him for fullback? Just because he (Staines) played their in his junior days, doesn't mean he will succeed at NRL level. 5 mins at fullback and some people want him named as fullback in the team of the century already. Get a grip..

Get a grip? Whare is no longer at the club so that's weird. Also I said pick a game and give the different options a go since Edwards is out no matter what due to injury. We literally have the perfect,if not unfortunate, opportunity to test things behind the best pack and halves in the comp. Naden is back next week and Crichton can play wing so there are options if required and Ivan said he moved Staines back there to get a look at him in the position so does he need to get a grip as well?

 

[betcats]

Brian is so much better than our other backs in a strong backline it's not funny. He's an absolute beast. Others can go close. But nowhere near as consistently as Brian.

Edwards is next closest. He's not flashy... But he's a consistent workhorse that has made big attempts to add playmaking to his game.

We know Staines and Crichton can both be great..but Staines is not getting much good ball outside Momorosvki and Crichton I just don't get how in 4 games he hasn't really looked close to what we saw last year. Last night he made a lot of kick return metres but he was getting an easy 20 metres at a time from most runs. The hypothetical if he outplays Edwards thing certainly didn't eventuate.

Cant wait for Edwards and Api to return. They really add the polish to this team. Getting along pretty well without them. But our ceiling is much lower. Burton hopefully keeps his spot though once Edwards returns. The guy is just such a natural at everything he does.

He is probably the form player in our whole side right now and that is saying something.

Critta has definitely started the year down on confidence and form but its not really unheard for guys to go through struggles like that early in their careers. His effort has been good and I actually his defence at centre to start the year has a big improvement on his defence last year. I think Critta will bounce back soon enough.

 

[WestyLife]

Not if it affects their development though

That should be the main aim

I can't argue against both caring about development and don't worry about that just focus on this year. Both things are being said in all this.

 

[Girds89]

Maybe death riding is harsh but the fact that you wanted to talk down his defensive plays on Kenny last week says to me you are not being realistic at all. He made a couple of great reads and stuck the tackle one v one on Kenny Bromwich. It was called out in the commentary and it was called out by Johns post game.

Haha mate you clearly haven't read the full conversation or if you have you have missed what that statement was in relation too. In fact I didn't make it, was in reply to something westy said.

Even westy admitted after that Burton would be better as a last line of defence which was the point I was making.

No negativity, just non biased opinion

 

[WestyLife]

Haha mate you clearly haven't read the full conversation or if you have you have missed what that statement was in relation too. In fact I didn't make it, was in reply to something westy said.

Even westy admitted after that Burton would be better as a last line of defence which was the point I was making.

No negativity, just non biased opinion

I didn't admit that at all I countered the strawman that I was saying Burton wouldn't be good at defence. Everyone seems to think saying one player is competent at something means they're saying another player must be bad which isn't true. We have a stacked roster with multiple options in multiple positions.

 

[betcats]

Haha mate you clearly haven't read the full conversation or if you have you have missed what that statement was in relation too. In fact I didn't make it, was in reply to something westy said.

Even westy admitted after that Burton would be better as a last line of defence which was the point I was making.

No negativity, just non biased opinion

I dont think anyone in their right minds would think Staines would be a better last line of defence than Burton, you dont need to talk down Staines' good defensive efforts to prove that.

 

[Girds89]

Haha mate you clearly haven't read the full conversation or if you have you have missed what that statement was in relation too. In fact I didn't make it, was in reply to something westy said.

Even westy admitted after that Burton would be better as a last line of defence which was the point I was making.

No negativity, just non biased opinion

Just to clarify, it was a good tackle on KB. Just nothing to do with making tackles as a fb. Was a completely different to what a fb would have to do

 

[betcats]

Just to clarify, it was a good tackle on KB. Just nothing to do with making tackles as a fb. Was a completely different to what a fb would have to do

Fair enough then if that is what you meant. Staines' one v one tackling ability probably going to be worst in the team purely based on his size, that isnt to say he wont get himself in front and put his body on the line but there is only so much a small guy can do. But his speed and reading of the game would help him shut down a lot of stuff that some fullbacks would not. Staines had some nice reads again last night, forced that edge back rower into more than mistake by reading the play and getting in his face.

 

[Girds89]

I dont think anyone in their right minds would think Staines would be a better last line of defence than Burton, you dont need to talk down Staines' good defensive efforts to prove that.

It had nothing to do with fb tackles. Was in relation to a point i was making.

I will only be positive from here on out and completely biased. No need to worry about natural development or poor things a player is doing.

 

[Girds89]

Fair enough then if that is what you meant. Staines' one v one tackling ability probably going to be worst in the team purely based on his size, that isnt to say he wont get himself in front and put his body on the line but there is only so much a small guy can do. But his speed and reading of the game would help him shut down a lot of stuff that some fullbacks would not. Staines had some nice reads again last night, forced that edge back rower into more than mistake by reading the play and getting in his face.

Agreed

 

[betcats]

It had nothing to do with fb tackles. Was in relation to a point i was making.

I will only be positive from here on out and completely biased. No need to worry about natural development or poor things a player is doing.

I bring up poor things a player is doing all the time. I just dont think there is anything poor to bring up defensively with Staines besides his size, I have been impressed with his defensive work tbh that is why I am defending it so much. Personally I feel like he probably would've made the tackle on Cust last night. The only real concern I have for him at fullback is a good team isolating him back there with early kicks and belting him over and over. His one v one defence he would just need to put his body on the line.

 

[mxlegend99]

Get a grip? Whare is no longer at the club so that's weird. Also I said pick a game and give the different options a go since Edwards is out no matter what due to injury. We literally have the perfect,if not unfortunate, opportunity to test things behind the best pack and halves in the comp. Naden is back next week and Crichton can play wing so there are options if required and Ivan said he moved Staines back there to get a look at him in the position so does he need to get a grip as well?

Staines is definitely worth a shot at fullback. But not if it means Burton out of the side. 12 months ago I was begging for him to be given the other centre spot. Many on here were. He might be gone next season, but I feel he's our best shot at winning a competition this year.

The longer he gets at centre the more likely it is he keeps it and we move Crichton to right centre or wing when Edwards returns. Momorovski is solid but I want a centre who actually feeds the ball to Staines. Brian suffered with similar opportunities last year when Whare was his centre and Aekins was at fullback.

 

[franklin2323]

I wouldn’t start Staines at fullback this week simply because kick returns are his biggest weakness right now, the raiders would be looking to kick early chase hard and belt him keeping us on the back foot as much as possible. I’d switch him there in attack sometimes but if I was going to start him at fullback it would be the broncos game the week after. I’d prefer to just leave him on the wing and let him keep getting experience. Critta certainly was not good enough at fb to demand selection, but he also was no where bad enough that he has to be replaced.

For me it is what helps us long term. Crichton has struggled getting involved attack. So the 177m from him was good decent support play too.

I think Naden offers plenty but needs another injury before I'd move Staines for him to come in. Burton offers more and better for Staines development atm

 

[GoldCoastPather]

Brian is so much better than our other backs in a strong backline it's not funny. He's an absolute beast. Others can go close. But nowhere near as consistently as Brian.

Edwards is next closest. He's not flashy... But he's a consistent workhorse that has made big attempts to add playmaking to his game.

We know Staines and Crichton can both be great..but Staines is not getting much good ball outside Momorosvki and Crichton I just don't get how in 4 games he hasn't really looked close to what we saw last year. Last night he made a lot of kick return metres but he was getting an easy 20 metres at a time from most runs. The hypothetical if he outplays Edwards thing certainly didn't eventuate.

Cant wait for Edwards and Api to return. They really add the polish to this team. Getting along pretty well without them. But our ceiling is much lower. Burton hopefully keeps his spot though once Edwards returns. The guy is just such a natural at everything he does.

So proud of the Club and the professionalism on display. This team is working hard for each other and us supporters. Fantastic.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Wasn’t able to watch the game, how’d Crichton go at FB?

 

[betcats]

So proud of the Club and the professionalism on display. This team is working hard for each other and us supporters. Fantastic.

Yep and they are going hard the full 80 pretty much. Hearing a former coach like flanno gush about what a pleasure to watch we are and how hard we actually work for each other off the ball is so good to hear.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Staines is definitely worth a shot at fullback. But not if it means Burton out of the side. 12 months ago I was begging for him to be given the other centre spot. Many on here were. He might be gone next season, but I feel he's our best shot at winning a competition this year.

The longer he gets at centre the more likely it is he keeps it and we move Crichton to right centre or wing when Edwards returns. Momorovski is solid but I want a centre who actually feeds the ball to Staines. Brian suffered with similar opportunities last year when Whare was his centre and Aekins was at fullback.

Move Crichton to wing?! are you serious?!

Man, the recency bias on these boards can get very silly.

 

[betcats]

Wasn’t able to watch the game, how’d Crichton go at FB?

Not great, he was solid though. He dropped a bomb and really stuffed up trying to tackle the manly tryscorer, he kind of got his feet stuck under him and just fell over when the guy was running straight at him basically. Outside of that he was solid, he cleaned up some tough grubbers and bombs, made good metres and did have one try saving play. I am pretty confident he will be there next week.