Rumours and Stuff

[Twizzle]

True but that is something that you practise under game conditions like trials, rather than at training. If thats the case then it will be undecided till he has a few runs in the trials perhaps.

 

[hindy111]

If Semi is able to play in 2017 is there any chance he moves to Fullback? If signed long term we could afford to pay him a fullbacks coin. He would be more involved in a game and is by FAR our best attacking weapon.
Everyone says Bevan is to good to play wing. And he is. But why isn't Semi considered? There is a chance he could become the best fullback in the game. Bevan can become a very good fullback, but if he was able to be in the top half of fullback in the game it would be an effort. Like Holmes is there a rush to move him from the wing?

 

[strider]

While i get that players who get their hands on the ball more are likely to make more of a contribution and probably end up with bigger salaries, i reckon the role of wingers has changed massively - and i have no problem with paying big coin to a winger if they genuinely offer game breaking ability ... Wingers dont just stand on the side all game these days

 

[Ivor]

Semi is the best winger in the world - by a long way. Why move him? And who do you replace him with?
I reckon Hoffman at fullback will be better than anyone we've had since Hayne - better than Hoppa, better than Reece Robinson, better than Michael Gordon and - at this stage - probably better than French. I also think our other fullback option, Gutherson, is a better centre than fullback (though he probably hasn't had enough games at fullback for me to say that). IF I was coach (and presuming Semi is clear to play this year) my backline would be:
1. Hoffman
2. Radradra
3. Gutherson
4. Jennings
5. French
6. Norman
7. ?????
with perhaps Hoffman and French interchanging during games.
Now all we need is a steady halfback who won't overplay his hand.

 

[Ivor]

While i get that players who get their hands on the ball more are likely to make more of a contribution and probably end up with bigger salaries, i reckon the role of wingers has changed massively - and i have no problem with paying big coin to a winger if they genuinely offer game breaking ability ... Wingers dont just stand on the side all game these days

Yep. And Semi is the best winger in the world - by far.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Yep semi is probably the best winger in the game.

Anyhow while bringing the ball back / rucking it out is a big role for a fullback, being a play maker is just as important if not more.

BA has already shown he will use the wingers to take pressure of French in this aspect of the game of bringing the ball back.

And French seems to be ok under the high ball.

But French has a lot more (and more potential) playing skills then both semi / Hoffman combined!!

Think of how many times last year the play broke down once Gordon got it. French has the skills to add another layer to our attack which was missing last year.

 

[Stagger eel]

Yep. And Semi is the best winger in the world - by far.

And apart from all that he's also an extra forward... he's probably the only winger in the comp who could command close to a million a year in the NRL

 

[emjaycee]

Semi is the best winger in the world - by a long way. Why move him? And who do you replace him with?
I reckon Hoffman at fullback will be better than anyone we've had since Hayne - better than Hoppa, better than Reece Robinson, better than Michael Gordon and - at this stage - probably better than French. I also think our other fullback option, Gutherson, is a better centre than fullback (though he probably hasn't had enough games at fullback for me to say that). IF I was coach (and presuming Semi is clear to play this year) my backline would be:
1. Hoffman
2. Radradra
3. Gutherson
4. Jennings
5. French
6. Norman
7. ?????
with perhaps Hoffman and French interchanging during games.
Now all we need is a steady halfback who won't overplay his hand.

No room for Taka?

 

[Chipmunk]

I predict king won't play NRL over De gois, Pritchard or Nelson while he is at the eels.

Yeah it was a weird prediction. All based on a 26 year old becoming a completely different type of defender over the off season. People are thinking it's about whether or not he can tackle. From what I've seen it's about whether he can maintain the required line speed for consecutive tackles, much less doing it for 80 minutes.

I also find it hard to believe that King would be in contention to play before both De Gois and Pritchard and potentially Nelson, so why would the club put its supposed 4th string dummy half up for an interview indicating that he's in contention to get a game?

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I also find it hard to believe that King would be in contention to play before both De Gois and Pritchard and potentially Nelson, so why would the club put its supposed 4th string dummy half up for an interview indicating that he's in contention to get a game?

Where is this interview ?

Anyhow do you think BA tells his players they are no f**ken chance of getting a game? Of course not, I reckon he told king he is in contention for a game if he fixes X,Y and Z in his game ....

 

[Chipmunk]

Where is this interview ?

Anyhow do you think BA tells his players they are no f**ken chance of getting a game? Of course not, I reckon he told king he is in contention for a game if he fixes X,Y and Z in his game ....

Here's the interview.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ee...lSF&utm_source=News.com.au&utm_medium=Twitter

Indicates the only reason he didn't get a game in 2016 was due to salary cap setup.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Thanks

 

[strider]

No room for Taka?

I think ????? Is overhyped tbh .... move Gutho to the halves and fit Taka in at centre

 

[hindy111]

Id argue that Josh Mansour is close to Semi. His general go forward when hitting it up is better. He has more mongrel and a superior attitude. He pumps his team mates up.
I am basing this on 2016 form where Mansour average more meters- Far more tackle breaks-More line breaks-More tackles. Less missed tackles.
Semi won in try assists.And offloads. I threw in Ropana also who would by far be the best winger for $$$

http://www.nrl.com/stats/telstrapremiership/playercomparison/tabid/12694/default.aspx

 

[The Engineers Room]

We went out and bought a lot of outside backs and I think we were already strong there. The recruitment for next year perplexes me to be honest.

Our centres last year Taka and Jennings were in good form (especially Taka). We are deficient in the halves. When Norman played without Foran last year, he seemed to be trying too hard and his game suffered. Norman needs a foil and who will that be? Options are Robson (average), Gutherson (awkward) ow Will Smith/Fogarty (not at NRL level). And yet we sign Hoffman and pass on any decent half that came up.

This makes me think that we are waiting for someone next year...

Possible we play Hoffman at fullback and French on the wing with Semi the other winger and Taka and Jennings in the centres, Gutherson at 5/8 and Norman at half. Not sure about this lineup. Awful lot of pressure on Norman. Due to the utility value of some of these guys it could be re-shuffled.

 

[hindy111]

On the wing I doubt you would lose a lot in Mansour if it was a straight swap as far as winning or losing a game goes.
However if asked to play fullback Mansour would have no chance. Semi could be Dynamite. A few games when he roamed in the middle and took an offload from a forward with just half a gap he was almost no chance of being stopped. And if he was it would be still a damaging run. Bevan would be effective on your sweeping plays or going thru large gaps. Semi would bust thru half a gap with his brut power and once in the open good luck stopping him.
Playing Bevan on the wing mean if he does get outside someone its lights out. Any overlap - Lights out. He is just that quick. I am happy for Bevan to play fullback but I would be excited to see what Semi could do from there.

 

[Avenger]

I hear we are trying to get Nathan Peats back for season 2018. Shame it can't be this season.

 

[strider]

Id argue that Josh Mansour is close to Semi. His general go forward when hitting it up is better. He has more mongrel and a superior attitude. He pumps his team mates up.
I am basing this on 2016 form where Mansour average more meters- Far more tackle breaks-More line breaks-More tackles. Less missed tackles.
Semi won in try assists.And offloads. I threw in Ropana also who would by far be the best winger for $$$

http://www.nrl.com/stats/telstrapremiership/playercomparison/tabid/12694/default.aspx

I think Semi is the best winger if just on simple playing ability ... he is f**kin high maintenance
I think Mansour is probably near best when inclusing attitude and other less tangibles
I think Rapana is now playing union, so f**k him ... but prior to that he was probably the best nrl winger all round

 

[strider]

On the wing I doubt you would lose a lot in Mansour if it was a straight swap as far as winning or losing a game goes.
However if asked to play fullback Mansour would have no chance. Semi could be Dynamite. A few games when he roamed in the middle and took an offload from a forward with just half a gap he was almost no chance of being stopped. And if he was it would be still a damaging run. Bevan would be effective on your sweeping plays or going thru large gaps. Semi would bust thru half a gap with his brut power and once in the open good luck stopping him.
Playing Bevan on the wing mean if he does get outside someone its lights out. Any overlap - Lights out. He is just that quick. I am happy for Bevan to play fullback but I would be excited to see what Semi could do from there.

The problem i see with Semi at fullback is he is still prone to the odd brain fart .... nrl coaches demand fullbacks who are really switched on 100%

 

[Twizzle]

If Semi is able to play in 2017 is there any chance he moves to Fullback? If signed long term we could afford to pay him a fullbacks coin. He would be more involved in a game and is by FAR our best attacking weapon.
Everyone says Bevan is to good to play wing. And he is. But why isn't Semi considered? There is a chance he could become the best fullback in the game. Bevan can become a very good fullback, but if he was able to be in the top half of fullback in the game it would be an effort. Like Holmes is there a rush to move him from the wing?

he is one of the best wingers in the world

if it aint broke....................