Rumours and Stuff

[Soren Lorenson]

I reckon if we get rid of Norman the half to replace him is already at the club, we wouldn't bring in another young half.

Fair enough. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a really young team next year, even if they aren't all quite ready. Brown, Salmon, Marata, Mahoney, Stone. Get them in there.

 

[emjaycee]

I see three big issues that are lacking in our ability to attack and to me they have been evident for at least 6-8 years.
1. Our edges (centres and edge forwards) don't stand deep enough in attack to actually attack the line and force opposing players to come forward creating gaps to be run at or exploited by our halves
2. We have no movement "off the ball" in our attack - again we are not creating confusion or doubt in the opposition defensive lines so we are easy to mark up on
3. With no movement off the ball or no "players in motion" around the ball, our offloading has effectively stopped as there is no confidence in someone being there and "switched on" to take the offload. When we do offload, it is to a player standing still who either isn't expecting the ball (so drops it) or gets smashed by the defence before he can make any ground.

Personally I reckon we are missing the skills that Hindmarsh and B Smith brought to the team - that wide runner who actually had some speed, had some strength and could hit a line. I haven't seen that in Manu, Tepai or Edwards consistently for the last 4-5 years. Hopefully Marata stays and can develop it and more hopefully we grab another decent edge forward like a Shaun Lane who took it to Melbourne's outside men on the weekend and scored two meatpies.

 

[hindy111]

If Norman goes, I wonder if making a play at Tyrone May might be an option for us. His career is pretty well stalled at the panthers. He would be a better option alongside Moses than Austin would have been imo

LOVE it

 

[Gazzamatta]

I see three big issues that are lacking in our ability to attack and to me they have been evident for at least 6-8 years.
1. Our edges (centres and edge forwards) don't stand deep enough in attack to actually attack the line and force opposing players to come forward creating gaps to be run at or exploited by our halves
2. We have no movement "off the ball" in our attack - again we are not creating confusion or doubt in the opposition defensive lines so we are easy to mark up on
3. With no movement off the ball or no "players in motion" around the ball, our offloading has effectively stopped as there is no confidence in someone being there and "switched on" to take the offload. When we do offload, it is to a player standing still who either isn't expecting the ball (so drops it) or gets smashed by the defence before he can make any ground.

Personally I reckon we are missing the skills that Hindmarsh and B Smith brought to the team - that wide runner who actually had some speed, had some strength and could hit a line. I haven't seen that in Manu, Tepai or Edwards consistently for the last 4-5 years. Hopefully Marata stays and can develop it and more hopefully we grab another decent edge forward like a Shaun Lane who took it to Melbourne's outside men on the weekend and scored two meatpies.

Do you believe BA would introduce such tactics?
Do you subscribe to the theory that teams are better prepared to defend our current tactics. Eg they know exactly how to defend our current plays?
My thoughts are No and Yes.

 

[Stevie]

I reckon if we get rid of Norman the half to replace him is already at the club, we wouldn't bring in another young half.

Its very exciting.

 

[hineyrulz]

I reckon if we get rid of Norman the half to replace him is already at the club, we wouldn't bring in another young half.

Guth??? Or will Brown be ready by next season???

 

[Happy MEel]

Guth??? Or will Brown be ready by next season???

Or the one rich in omega 3s???

 

[Bazal]

Guth??? Or will Brown be ready by next season???

Personally, I reckon if we do f**k Normy off and we don't sign a replacement, I'd give Brown a sniff first up and see what he has to offer.

He really is quality

 

[Noise]

Guth??? Or will Brown be ready by next season???

It would not surprise me if BA went with Will Smith

 

[hineyrulz]

Or the one rich in omega 3s???

Salmon doesn't look like a 6 to me from the tiny bit I have seen of him, Guth we know is not a 6 so maybe it's Dylan Brown come on down???

 

[hineyrulz]

It would not surprise me if BA went with Will Smith

Surely Smith has the dummy half job wrapped up for next season???

 

[Gronk]

It would not surprise me if BA went with Will Smith

Surely Smith has the dummy half job wrapped up for next season???

Oh you guys !

 

[Bazal]

Oh you guys !

View attachment 21523

Pffft.

Merkins aren't anywhere near subtle enough to get involved in such a high-level event

 

[emjaycee]

Do you believe BA would introduce such tactics?
Do you subscribe to the theory that teams are better prepared to defend our current tactics. Eg they know exactly how to defend our current plays?
My thoughts are No and Yes.

I don't subscribe to the theory that BA would or wouldn't try certain tactics. I am of the belief that he actually knows and understands the limitations of his players and to be brutally honest, I reckon most of them are actually shit (and I reckon he knows it too). Therefore his game plan and tactics are more around working to the limits of the player he has until such time as he can replace them.

If you look at the tactics we have employed over the last 2-3 years, then signings like Evans and Williams don't make sense - they are players that don't fit in the style we have been playing, therefore I think BA is/was honestly trying to introduce a new style to our play. I just think form and injuries have cruelled it this year (not saying I know what caused the loss of form).

As far as whether teams are better prepared to defend against us - if we don't offer anything different and unexpected then of course they will be.

There are reasons BA has been chasing Marty Taupou, Keegan Hipgrove, and even Blake Austin. They all bring a running game, variety and potentially surprise into our attack. This is what our forwards have been missing and what N Brown added last year but seems to have lost this year.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

It would not surprise me if BA went with Will Smith

He has been here nearly 2 years and basically BA hasn’t given him a started yet unless someone has been injured. I doubt that is going to change.

 

[84 Baby]

Oh you guys !

View attachment 21523

Shit. They were being sarcastic? Thanks for the warning. I was about to call into question their manhood and sexual preference. That would've been embarrassing

 

[hindy111]

I love the Tyrone May option.
He wont cost heaps and can play multiple positions. May even be suited as a utility.
Panthers have Katoa and Egan with Cleary,Luai and Maloney.

This is the type of signing id love.

 

[gaffer]

if norman is gone give French a go at 6 at least he wouldn't get dragged into touch from the middle of the field

 

[hineyrulz]

Shit. They were being sarcastic? Thanks for the warning. I was about to call into question their manhood and sexual preference. That would've been embarrassing

Will Smith playing a game at dummy half for 80mins was embarrassing.

 

[hindy111]

W. Smith was a back up at panthers when there was multiple injuries. As a 20yld he showed promise and why was given some extra time to develop and a contract. Showed enough to suggest he may turn into a reliable first grader.
But after a few years he never progressed. At his best he is a top 17 player in the NRL. But at his worse a NSW cup level guy.
His form in 2017 made it seem like he was perhaps a late bloomer but 2018 shows Gould was right. He is what he is. Handy back up if have a few injuries.

Tyrone May could be exactly the same as W.Smith but hasnt had enough game time yet to rule put becoming a genuine NRL player. Would be a nice pick up with potential high reward.