Rumours and Stuff

[Redback71]

Stop talking sense, Hindy. It confuses me.

Some of you guys are way harsh on Gutho.
He was outstanding in the halves last season guven that he was a bloke filling in there.
Give him a dominant halves partner (ie Norman), and he will flourish this year. He has absolutely all the skills. I still remember the commentary team in disbelief at the things he could do.

As has been said, an off season learning how to play in thre halves and he has every tool necessary to be a solid first grade half. Potential wise he could be a rep half if he gets it all together.

Also, athletically he is like the fittest bloke in the squad, and one of the quickest over 100m. Good grief some of the experts in here....

i agree thought he was solid and pretty good last year so why is he copping so much flack?

 

[hineyrulz]

it's Folau ffs

no merkin ever get his name right

Nah it's Falonk.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Falou = athlete

Our recruitment as behind as it was become focussed on persisti g with these big hulking muscles balls in the juniors. Most others clubs had moved past the fact that these guys usually fizzle out. Of course some work out but i recall lavaka,falou,goodal all being part of the backline and all overhyped

Folau isn't in first grade because of his defence, not because he's 'not a footballer'. He actually has some ball skill - more than is required for an outside back. Michael Jennings isn't a footballer either but his defence is excellent, which is why he plays for NSW. Obviously his attack is good too but he relies on inside men creating opportunities, as do most outside backs.

The only place on the field you really need 'footballers' is in the spine and maybe the edge forwards (and plenty of great teams have edge forwards who are 'just' athletes). Anywhere else you have skilful players is a bonus. Because first and foremost your middle forwards and outside backs need to compete physically. If they have skill too it means you're probably paying more, and under a salary cap that's a risk.

 

[Gary Gutful]

There hasn't been a 'footballer' play in the NRL since at least 1977.

 

[hindy111]

You could say brett morris is more a footballer then athlete. Of course he is both.
Guys like toutai get as far as they do cause of physical side, the guys that excell in the sport are a combination of athlete and footballers.
You can get away with having a few pure athletes in your team in the forwards. You make it sound like your spine just runs the whole side. Thats a narrow minded view.
The more footballers you have in your team the better you go.A second rower like Manu who attacks, a centre like taka who creates a winger like semi who steps and offloads.
This is what makes it hard to defend. Not big guys who just run at you straight and hard.

 

[hindy111]

There hasn't been a 'footballer' play in the NRL since at least 1977.

The new players are athletes mixed with footballers. Exciting

 

[Dibs]

I'm against mixbreeding. Footballers should mate with footballers and athletes with athletes

 

[Soren Lorenson]

What they actually mean by 'footballers' is someone with half a brain.

 

[hineyrulz]

There hasn't been a 'footballer' play in the NRL since at least 1977.

Thanks for your input Rex Mossop.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

What they actually mean by 'footballers' is someone with half a brain.

When they go on a footy field at least.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Falou = athlete

Our recruitment as behind as it was become focussed on persisti g with these big hulking muscles balls in the juniors. Most others clubs had moved past the fact that these guys usually fizzle out. Of course some work out but i recall lavaka,falou,goodal all being part of the backline and all overhyped

Most other clubs have not moved past having huge players in their junior grades. Make it out to a few of the junior games and you will see this.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Thanks for your input Rex Mossop.

What did you say, Julian Clary?

 

[Gary Gutful]

What they actually mean by 'footballers' is someone with half a brain.

When they go on a footy field at least.

Pretty sure it is someone who moves the team around the park.

 

[Gary Gutful]

The new players are athletes mixed with footballers. Exciting

I'm excited Hindy. I've got half a Kit Kat in my pants.

 

[hindy111]

I'm excited Hindy. I've got half a Kit Kat in my pants.

You know i love kit kats.....Slide half in my mouth please gaz. I promise i wont bite i just wna taste it......

 

[El Diablo]

What did you say, Julian Clary?

wish they still had a show like that. not hosted by some try hard like Rove either

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I'm excited Hindy. I've got half a Kit Kat in my pants.

You snapped your cock in half?

 

[Forty20]

Most other clubs have not moved past having huge players in their junior grades. Make it out to a few of the junior games and you will see this.

As with most things in sport and life, it is all about balance. We have definitely moved away from fielding teams full of huge, athletic age group bullies but there are still a solid number sprinkled through our junior grades. To completely write them out of our recruitment profiles means we give ourselves no chance to find the next Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Fifita or Jason Taumalolo. You are willing to take the gambles on the likes of Junior Paulo, Pauli Pauli and Stefano Utoikamanu for that very reason because you are now offsetting it with surer bets elsewhere.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If you look at NRL players the two things most of them have in common are speed and strength. The defensive side of the game requires this. And if most NRL players are fast and strong there's a good chance they were fast and strong for their age groups too.

Recruiters know that the majority of kids they recruit won't become Origin stars. In fact the vast majority won't ever make their NRL debuts. There just aren't enough with the potential in each age group.

Therefore recruiters know they have to fill their squads with lesser players. It makes sense to pick the players who will play well at their age level. Only dopey fans who don't understand the percentages will care if most Harold Matthews stars never become first graders. Coaches and scouts know that most of these kids were never intended to become first graders. The handful that have genuine potential are in very high demand, and therefore scattered amongst the various NRL clubs.

Most NYC squads would have about three or four players taking up half the cap. The clubs know who the potential NRL players are, even if they tell every kid he's a chance. The kids should know though - are you on $25k with a club option for $100k the year after you graduate from under 20s? Or did you sign for $3k plus accomodation and uni fees paid for? That should tell you your NRL potential. And if you're big and fast the fans will whinge about your club's recruitment strategy when your career's over at 20.

 

[Gary Gutful]

You snapped your c**k in half?

Nah. Hindy bit it off.