Rumours and Stuff

[King-Gutho94]

Yep. I was a little suprised that he was shut down in so many games and only managed 2 x TA's against top 8 sides.
His skill against weak sides who we dominate shines but needs to do it against the top sides more often.

What about the Souths game.

I think he set up a few that night.

Yeah they missed the 8 but they were flying inform on top of the ladder when we beat them. We probably triggered there slide tbh they weren't the same after that game.

And we know how horrible our record is against them.

 

[hindy111]

What about the Souths game.

I think he set up a few that night.

Yeah they missed the 8 but they were flying inform on top of the ladder when we beat them. We probably triggered there slide tbh they weren't the same after that game.

And we know how horrible our record is against them.

They didn't make the top 8. They where hot and cold. We got them on an off day I'd say.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It will be interesting .... BA has traditionally liked a 80 minute dummy half who will just defend and not overplay in attack ..... a fit Lussick seems to be able to do that. It was interesting he got the start late in the season - so they seem to rate him over Hands ..... Hands seems, well handy - was reliable when first came in last year (maybe anyone but broken Hodgson was gonna look good?), but never really went to another level

Hands stood out because he has a running game. But in our system we don’t need the dummy half making ten carries per game so his best feature is wasted and his decision making (inexperience) is highlighted.

 

[the phantom menace]

How does that make them less predictable

Because then even Brown or Moses probably won't be able to tell which way our hooker is going to pass on any given tackle

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I not a huge fan of Moses.

Very talented, but he will never be able to do what Cleary did in the 2023 Grand Final - take the game by the scruff of the neck when your team needs you to.

He's happy to beat up on bottom 8 teams, but is inconsistent against top 8 teams.

How many players don’t perform better against the shit teams?

 

[TheCrowe]

Hands came from nowhere, not even playing hooker in reserves. He was instantly more reliable then Hodgson.
Lussick will of course get better from getting an pre season training with the team.
Was a big ask for both of them to step up immediately in a role as crucial as hooker.
Lussick better in defence. Hands better in attack. Watch him close. He has subtle deception and generally makes the correct decisions. Hands has more upside. He is highly intelligent and one of the fittest in the team. He was a halfback so of course he can kick. He was given a limited game plan and fulfilled it pretty well for a rookie.
Remember everyone complaining about Reed taking the wrong options? Used to shit me to tears. Have them shot and Reed calls a crash play. Such a dumb little Merkin.
I don't think hooker will be our problem. Both grandfinalists had average hookers that have improved each year they spend in first grade.

 

[hindy111]

Do you like Hands?

For me he played out of his skin initially, and the early games we had enough possession not to notice his defensive woes. But he made more mistakes as time went on - regression to the mean?


Personally I feel safer with Lussick. And we know BA doesn't encourage a lot of running anyway, so he ticks all the boxes

I'd go with Lussick and Hands off bench.
Give Hands 30mins a game. We don't need 4 forwards and Lussick and Hands are both big e lnough to play lock anyhows if needed.

 

[hindy111]

How many players don’t perform better against the shit teams?

Did you watch the grand final. Jeff Rosbon 2.

Walsh , Ezra......

Hands stood out because he has a running game. But in our system we don’t need the dummy half making ten carries per game so his best feature is wasted and his decision making (inexperience) is highlighted.

He averaged 25mtrs a game. Hardly a great run game. Hands has upside but I'd go with Lussick for now.

 

[TheCrowe]

I'd go with Lussick and Hands off bench.
Give Hands 30mins a game. We don't need 4 forwards and Lussick and Hands are both big e lnough to play lock anyhows if needed.

Im thinking something like that as well. Hands can fill in the halves as well if we lose one.

 

[Tmars]

Hands stood out because he has a running game. But in our system we don’t need the dummy half making ten carries per game so his best feature is wasted and his decision making (inexperience) is highlighted.

Hands has a running game??
Not from what I saw.
A good pass for sure and crafty with his dummy half play and sound in defence

 

[TheCrowe]

Reed rarely ran early on and took seasons to get a kicking game.
I thinks its at least partially due to BA instructions.
Id say he likes his hookers to play a simple role but then we bought Hodgson. Go figure!

 

[hindy111]

Reed rarely ran early on and took seasons to get a kicking game.
I thinks its at least partially due to BA instructions.
Id say he likes his hookers to play a simple role but then we bought Hodgson. Go figure!

I wonder if he will give MA free reign

 

[TheCrowe]

MA will do what the F he is told or he will be sent to his room without dinner.

 

[IFR33K]

MA will do what the F he is told or he will be sent to his room without dinner.

Or worse. Manly

 

[JokerEel]

Because then even Brown or Moses probably won't be able to tell which way our hooker is going to pass on any given tackle

That's a top call

 

[Eelementary]

Yep. I was a little suprised that he was shut down in so many games and only managed 2 x TA's against top 8 sides.
His skill against weak sides who we dominate shines but needs to do it against the top sides more often.

I was just watching the replay of our round 4 Golden Point win over Penrith last year.

That 40m field goal Cleary kicked with 10 seconds left...

I'm not sure Moses would ever be capable of something like that.

Moses has the talent - I'm not sure he has the temperament.

 

[Eelementary]

Haha not sure we’ll see anyone do what Cleary done in the 2023 gf. I think you’re being a little harsh

True. Cleary is a freak.

I'd just like to see Mitch dominate more against quality sides.

 

[Eelementary]

How many players don’t perform better against the shit teams?

Oh, I'm sure they all do.

But I don't recall too many times where Moses was the difference against a quality side.

He's not a bad player - far, far from it.

I just question his temperament, and his ability to ice a game under pressure.

 

[Eelementary]

Some called him a potential G.O.A.T while others seen Jeff Robson 2. This is why recruiting officers matter.

I thought Cleary was a very, very talented player, but did not consider him a GOAT-calibre player yet.

After his Grand Final heroics, he's definitely entered the conversation in my eyes.

I still think that a GOAT needs to dominate at rep level, which Nathan has not yet done; it's why I think Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, and Darren Lockyer are just above him right now in the GOAT stakes.

But Cleary is young, and has plenty of time left to show he is a dominant rep halfback.

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

I thought Cleary was a very, very talented player, but did not consider him a GOAT-calibre player yet.

After his Grand Final heroics, he's definitely entered the conversation in my eyes.

I still think that a GOAT needs to dominate at rep level, which Nathan has not yet done; it's why I think Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, and Darren Lockyer are just above him right now in the GOAT stakes.

But Cleary is young, and has plenty of time left to show he is a dominant rep halfback.

I still don't classify Cleary as a GOAT.....never will...just cause I can't hack his head