Rumours and Stuff

[Poupou Escobar]

No, what you have done is realised you have been corrected and have then changed your point of view to try and construct an argument that allows you to believe you weren't wrong in your own mind.

Like I said, I knew Melbourne got Green from Wigan, but that was two years ago. I really don't think there are any NRL quality halves remaining in the ESL, other than Carney, whom I already mentioned yesterday:

If they're not playing in Australia already do we even want them? Players go to the Super League because they're not good enough for the NRL (or in Carney's case, banned). If we need a backup we can surely find one in Australia. And if we need a top 17 player Australia is the only place where they exist.

Green is an outlier from two years ago who doesn't invalidate my claim that there are no NRL quality halves in the ESL (besides Carney, who I will mention yet again for those pointscoring merkins trying to prove me wrong). The rest of the Aussies and Kiwis over there are utter gash, and the only good Pommies are forwards.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

What's to say that halves who weren't good enough to play in the NRL, went to the UK Super League to develop their game in a more halves conducive environment, enabling them to become good enough to be halves of an NRL standard, as Blake Green has proven is possible.

Do you have any evidence to back up your claim that it is not possible? Because Blake Green is evidence that what I suggest above is more than possible.

I'd rather look at what is likely rather than the pie-in-the-sky stuff of what is possible. Look, of course it's possible that one of these English backs could come here and kill it. There must have been halves outperforming Green when he was there, at least in attack. The best thing about him (from a halves point of view) is his defence. That is what has enabled him to come back to the NRL and play a (limited) role at Melbourne. How often do ESL teams recruit halves on this basis? I've had a look at video of the top halves over there and they're all speedy players with footwork, and generally short skinny merkins as well. It seems like a pretty dry well.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Mortimer may well be an option. Good defender, inexpensive, experienced, not too old and can cover half and hooker. Also a goal kicker. Worth a punt I reckon.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I thought he would be a great top 25 option, if not top 17.

 

[Happy MEel]

Like I said, I knew Melbourne got Green from Wigan, but that was two years ago. I really don't think there are any NRL quality halves remaining in the ESL, other than Carney, whom I already mentioned yesterday:



Green is an outlier from two years ago who doesn't invalidate my claim that there are no NRL quality halves in the ESL (besides Carney, who I will mention yet again for those pointscoring merkins trying to prove me wrong). The rest of the Aussies and Kiwis over there are utter gash, and the only good Pommies are forwards.

These are all valid points and I don't watch ESL so I can't comment on whether there are any players (or halves specifically) that are NRL quality.

However, the comment stating that "if they're not playing in Australia already do we even want them" assumes that players (or halves) in the ESL will never be NRL standard.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

These are all valid points and I don't watch ESL so I can't comment on whether there are any players (or halves specifically) that are NRL quality.

However, the comment stating that "if they're not playing in Australia already do we even want them" assumes that players (or halves) in the ESL will never be NRL standard.

Really, I was only talking about right now, in relation to our recruiting for next year.

 

[hineyrulz]

Mortimer may well be an option. Good defender, inexpensive, experienced, not too old and can cover half and hooker. Also a goal kicker. Worth a punt I reckon.

Please god no!!

Haven't us Eels fans suffered enough this season???

 

[yy_cheng]

Would Josh Hoffman be a good buy? Probably could get him at a good price. Did Hayne bump in from playing 6?

 

[Noise]

Mortimer? f**k me dead. We are dealing with Robson , don't make us endure a 2nd round of Mortz. The talk is the Tigers are keen on him - hopefully

 

[Noise]

Would Josh Hoffman be a good buy? Probably could get him at a good price. Did Hayne bump in from playing 6?

Hoffman has been playing centre all year. He went off for a concussion test and Hayne came on to replace him at centre, not 6. Cullen went off and then Hayne moved to 6

 

[Joely01]

Would Josh Hoffman be a good buy? Probably could get him at a good price. Did Hayne bump in from playing 6?

I reckon he would be a good option to get

 

[Pazza]

Hoffman would be a good option as a hard running physical winger outside of Taka or Gutho. Shouldn't cost a bomb either.

 

[lingard]

Hoffman would be a good option as a hard running physical winger outside of Taka or Gutho. Shouldn't cost a bomb either.

Hoffman sees himself as a fullback. Several years ago he was playing five-eight for Brisbane while Corey Norman played fullback. He wanted to play fullback and Norman wanted to play five-eight. But Griffen kept them where they were. I think that was a factor in both of them leaving Brisbane. Short story is - I don't think Hoffman would sign with us to play wing.

 

[phantom eel]

Well we need a fullbac, so we could accomodate Hoffman...

1. Hoffman
2. Semi
3. Jennings
4. Taka
5. French
6. Gutherson... or ?
7. Norman

BA said he's looking for an extra half signing, so until our first backline injury Gutherson could take French's wing spot, and French could take Semi's spot if his court case doesn't go well (or if Semi isn't happy with his upgrade offer and disappears).

Still have money left over for a first choice hooker better than De Gois or Pritchard...

 

[Happy MEel]

Really, I was only talking about right now, in relation to our recruiting for next year.

Fair enough. I'm not going to presume to know what you meant, but the wording certainly suggests you were speaking generally about ESL halves.

 

[hineyrulz]

Hoffman doesn't have the play making skills to be a fullback, whoops thats right fullbacks can't be playmakers

 

[Gronk]

I'd take Hoffman in a heartbeat.

 

[Pazza]

Hoffman sees himself as a fullback. Several years ago he was playing five-eight for Brisbane while Corey Norman played fullback. He wanted to play fullback and Norman wanted to play five-eight. But Griffen kept them where they were. I think that was a factor in both of them leaving Brisbane. Short story is - I don't think Hoffman would sign with us to play wing.

So does Gerald Beale, doesn't mean it's gonna happen.

I don't think Hoffman has the ball skills to be an NRL fullback. Plus we got French and Gutherson primed for FB.

All you can do is offer him an opportunity, it's up to him if he want to be flexible and have a long career in first grade.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Fair enough. I'm not going to presume to know what you meant, but the wording certainly suggests you were speaking generally about ESL halves.

I was speaking generally about ESL halves. Of course there are exceptions. Maybe Albert Kelly has learnt to tackle and is no longer a f**kwit? Anything's possible.

 

[Avenger]

Just got some info that we are looking at Kodi Nikorima from the Broncos to play halfback for us next year. The Storm are also apparently gunning for him. To be honest I haven't seen him play much.
Do you guys rate him?