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S

Suitman

Post Whore
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55,922
Gronk said:
TBH I'm surprised the Hoff found us an attractive proposition. Yes we are on the up and a 3 year deal provides job security, but there is no guarantee that he will be playing FG or if he is, in his preferred FB position.

Gee he provides us with wonderful 1,2,3,4,5 depth though.
Click to expand...

That was my first thought too.
He is but nothing else, a GREAT depth signing.
Better than a Morgan or Folau jnr etc....
I'm quite happy with this purchase, if true.
 
Joshuatheeel

Joshuatheeel

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Staff member
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20,161
Bazal said:
Really?

Barba, Gallen, Maloney, Fifita, Graham, Bird are rep quality players. Valentine Holmes is a superstar of the future and pretty close now.

Hodgson is a rep player, the best hooker in the game on form, absolute superstar. Leilua, Croker, and Rapana are in superstar form and could easily play rep football. Papalii is a rep player, so is Whitehead.

The thing both these sides did is build sides that may not have an absolute "best in the game" in their position, but five or six guys who could be talked about as being in the second best tier of players, many of them identified early. I think BA is taking a similar approach.
Click to expand...

Apart from Gallen / Hodgson neither side has any other player that is a definite rep starter.

But I agree they are bloody good players. And both sides have plenty of players on the fringe of rep footy / do get picked at times.

Was just trying to make the point but neither side has a "superstar" ( like a smith, Thurston, cooper, Inglis etc etc), but have a bunch of top quality players - they have a lot of players of similar quality rather then 2-3 really good ones then some not as good.

I also think BA is building our side similar to what Canberra / sharks have done.
 
hineyrulz

hineyrulz

Post Whore
Messages
153,502
He's the sort of player you want on reasonable coin, tough, safe and reliable and can cover 3 backline spots.

Knowing BA doesn't pay over's for players I think he will prove to be another smart pick up.
 
Bazal

Bazal

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Messages
102,916
Hoffman is a fantastic signing if the money is right (and it usually is with BA). Very safe under the high ball, quick, strong, good footwork, solid enough defender for a back. Walk up start on the wing for us and he can cover all of the backline spots and even 6 in a real pinch (although he'd be a running 6, obviously)
 
Gronk

Gronk

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Staff member
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77,510
P

Parra47

Juniors
Messages
1,252
Hoffman is a solid pick up and actually had one of his best seasons in years this year. He is solid in defence and attack. Has some ball skills, played a bit of 6 at the Broncos I think. Best position these days is centre. So possibly:
1. Gutherson
2. Radradra
3. Hoffman
4. Jennings
5. French.
6. Norman
7. ?
 
Bazal

Bazal

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Messages
102,916
Parra47 said:
Hoffman is a solid pick up and actually had one of his best seasons in years this year. He is solid in defence and attack. Has some ball skills, played a bit of 6 at the Broncos I think. Best position these days is centre. So possibly:
1. Gutherson
2. Radradra
3. Hoffman
4. Jennings
5. French.
6. Norman
7. ?
Click to expand...

Taka will play centre, Hoffman wing. We didn't extend Taka to play for Wenty and there's no spot for him on the bench when you think our 8-17 needs to include Mannah, Wicks, Brown, Vave, De Gois, Pritchard, Ma'u, Scott, Edwards, Moeroa, with Alvaro and Gower in the mix as well.
 
Gronk

Gronk

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Staff member
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77,510
Bazal said:
Taka will play centre, Hoffman wing. We didn't extend Taka to play for Wenty and there's no spot for him on the bench when you think our 8-17 needs to include Mannah, Wicks, Brown, Vave, De Gois, Pritchard, Ma'u, Scott, Edwards, Moeroa, with Alvaro and Gower in the mix as well.
Click to expand...

Agree unless BA thinks that with the further reduced interchange that Taka on the bench can play 3,4,6,7,11,12,13.
 
Pazza

Pazza

First Grade
Messages
9,761
French
Hoffman
Takarangi
Jennings
Radradra
Gutherson
Norman
Mannah
De Gois
Brown
Mau
Moeroa
Scott

Pritchard
Edwards
Wicks
Vave
 
Stevie

Stevie

Bench
Messages
3,154
I think Hoffman will be in wing. But have to say that clip shows some pretty good tries from the wing where he had a lot of work to do.
At the end of the day he has committed for 3 years, he has played plenty of positions and has a lot to offer. With a full off season under BA he could just become an Eels favourite next year.
 
Obscene Assassin

Obscene Assassin

First Grade
Messages
6,320
ash411 said:
He could fill the open wing spot we currently have...
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That's it. He's a big player and without looking at the stats I'd say that he makes a fair few metres. Will help out our kick returns instead of French only passing to Semi he will now also be able to pass to the Hoff.
 
Bazal

Bazal

Post Whore
Messages
102,916
Gronk said:
Agree unless BA thinks that with the further reduced interchange that Taka on the bench can play 3,4,6,7,11,12,13.
Click to expand...

Potentially, but with a reduced interchange both props will need a break. We have two 80 minute backrowers already in Ma'u and Scott, which helps with the rotation and IMO means we will carry two props on the bench, but also means we probably only carry one backrower. Manu can also play centre. Edwards for mine is a guaranteed top 17 player, and he can fill in at centre, hooker or 6 if needed. BA has shown when he has two hookers fit he likes to play them, and I don't see him leaving out Tepai. We have enough versatility off the bench already.

Even without all that, Taka is a better centre than Hoffman. His ball skills on the edge are a huge advantage. Hoffman can't pass.
 
Stagger eel

Stagger eel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
65,785
Here's the conundrum ....

Hoff doesn't have a passing game therefore I don't think he's a great fullback and he is predominantly a left side player ... So whilst BA wants him at the club I'd be interested to see how he compliments the line up.
 
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