Rumours and Stuff

[hineyrulz]

Well, I agree with him this time. Only time will tell, and I'll be right behind Gutherson, but I do agree that Norman could do with a 'Hunt-style' partner.

Is Hunt style average long kicking game, shit game management and choking in the big moments??? Sterlo is on crack if he wanted us to shell out the money the Dragons did to get Hunt.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Melbourne let Maloney go too. Though to be fair, they have a slightly better record than us over the last few years

25% of NRL clubs have let him go.

 

[hindy111]

Brisbane let Norman go
Souths cut Mansour

These things happen. It only get noticed more when your team recruit badly

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I reckon if we sign a top 13 quality half we will have to release a back or we will be paying a player to much to play NSW cup.

Yeah Semi is leaving but Jennings / Mr T / Gutherson aren't really wingers - so we would have 3 centres.

Mr T could play off the bench, but not sure we really need another forward.

Interesting times !!

BTW, I reckon Widdop could be a good valued option if we actually go looking for a half.

Anyhow, I think Gutherson may go ok!!

 

[hineyrulz]

Foran was only on $1.2M after his TPAs were added. We've been through this before. It's the only reason we were happy to push him out. Plenty of players would be on massive overs if their TPAs were included under the cap. Maloney would probably be one of them.

Maloney helped win the Sharks the comp, I doubt they think he was on overs. And if Foran helped us win a comp last year I doubt we would of thought he was on overs as well.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

No but if Maloney's TPAs were added to the cap Cronulla wouldn't have been playing for points so it's irrelevant.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Is Hunt style average long kicking game, shit game management and choking in the big moments??? Sterlo is on crack if he wanted us to shell out the money the Dragons did to get Hunt.

Hunt's best asset in attack is his running game. He struggles at being elite at the rest. I don't see how shelling out that sort of money benefits us in any way to an incomplete player.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I reckon the Sharks showed last year, that you don't need top quality rep halves to win the Comp. It's the quality of the top 17 that really matters.

Oh course you need decent halves but not elite ones. Maloney is a good player but I don't rate him any better then Norman. And Townsend does his job but won't ever play rep footy. Gee he was even hooked in the Canberra game.

 

[hindy111]

Hunt's best asset in attack is his running game. He struggles at being elite at the rest. I don't see how shelling out that sort of money benefits us in any way to an incomplete player.

Did you see Dargans ball in the trial against Titans? That was some ball. Plenty of NRL havles could and wouldn't attempt this pass. He also has a nice step and quick off the mark.
Unsure of his defense-Kicking game and game management. Attack wise he has the tools. Hope he gets time in NSW cup.

 

[hindy111]

I reckon the Sharks showed last year, that you don't need top quality rep halves to win the Comp. It's the quality of the top 17 that really matters.

Oh course you need decent halves but not elite ones. Maloney is a good player but I don't rate him any better then Norman. And Townsend does his job but won't ever play rep footy. Gee he was even hooked in the Canberra game.

Norman > Maloney. Id even take an untried Gutherson over Townsend.

But there pack along with Holmes and Barba meant they could wear teams down. Also a smart hooker in Ennis.

I see the sharks struggling. A bit of fire out of there bellies-The loss of Ennis + Barba . Wont surpise if didn't make the top 8.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Norman > Maloney. Id even take an untried Gutherson over Townsend.

But there pack along with Holmes and Barba meant they could wear teams down. Also a smart hooker in Ennis.

I see the sharks struggling. A bit of fire out of there bellies-The loss of Ennis + Barba . Wont surpise if didn't make the top 8.

Plus doubts over whether Gal can see out the season. And you never know what you'll end up with from Fifita. They're a very interesting team.

 

[Forty20]

Did you see Dargans ball in the trial against Titans? That was some ball. Plenty of NRL havles could and wouldn't attempt this pass. He also has a nice step and quick off the mark.
Unsure of his defense-Kicking game and game management. Attack wise he has the tools. Hope he gets time in NSW cup.

Defence was by far and large the biggest knock I personally had against him at the end of 2016. He really struggled in that department. Partial blame could be attributed to the young edge players we had in the NYC that contributed to a brittle defensive line out wide in general but from the eye-test there were a few commitment issues you could lay personally on Dargan.

Fortunately, he has responded positively through this pre-season and dialled up the effort in defence - which as we all know by now is a huge aspect of what BA wants in any first grade player.

For a Holden Cup half I am extremely comfortable with his kicking game. One of the better balanced kickers you will see this year in both his long and short options. In fact, as an attacking half Dargan is a legitimate triple threat with the run, pass and kick so from a pure talent perspective he has everything he needs there.

Game management is what will make or break him ultimately (if his defence is anywhere near average I mean). In 2016 it felt like at times he was prone to roll the dice on risky boom-or-bust plays that were pure brilliance if they came off but costly if they missed. At the risk of invoking the wrath of Parra Pete, it was Tim Smith-esque at times. With that said, through his District Reps career he played a more composed hand so perhaps it was just the pressure that came with the responsibility as the only major play-maker in the team (Dean Matterson gradually establishing himself and French injured or in NRL)?

One thing I do really enjoy about his game, and admittedly he did force it at times, is that he has no hesitation in playing a shortside if he sees the opportunity. Really fun player to watch when he is in form and it will be really interesting to see how he progresses this season.

 

[hindy111]

Lewis - 33
Heington 34
Gallen - 35

Maloney had his golden year. Will he back up?
No Barba + Ennis

Still a team capable of winning comp. But certainly question marks

 

[hindy111]

Game management I think will come with age. And is something you can coach into someone if they have a decent IQ.
Problem with holden cup is its about points. Seems to be not a lot of thought in game management or defense. But you would have a better idea how young halves approach a game.
Is it a bad thing if in under 20s they use their chances to polish attacking skills ?

 

[Forty20]

Is it a bad thing if in under 20s they use their chances to polish attacking skills ?

Potentially yes. You can afford to take risks in the NYC that you simply can not in the NRL. That can lead to the development of bad habits relative to first grade football. Some people can shed bad habits without too much trouble while it can cripple others.

 

[Glenneel]

Absolutely. Hard to see how the $$ would work out, unless he gets amorous again....but even then most other clubs have the same capacity to pay him. I think the Roosters will be pretty keen to keep him.

Roosters love stockpiling halves, apparently have 5 in their top 25 (recently lost 1 so would have had 6). Bit of overkill there.

 

[Glenneel]

They have watson and Kodi Nikorima who are both talented and cheaper the Pierce.

Ryan Matterson is an interesting player. Just seems to be in right spot and the right time. I reckon the coach likes him and will make some odd role for him.He hasnt the skills of a half and lacks the power of a backrower and not the foot works or speed of a back but theres something about him. He is one of those guys in an odd spot. I will take great interest in how the coach uses him.

To me he is a backrower. Big body with skills would kill it there I reckon.

 

[Stevie]

What about Widdop? I think he'd be a great pick up for 600k and he is a kicker! He has played in an absolute plodder of a team and have Bunji as his halves partner!
I'd take him, kicking game, goal kicker, defends decent and wont break the bank to chase a top hooker!

 

[Noise]

Widdop seems to be a left side player. Cronk and Benji always played on the right.

 

[El Diablo]

has any club ever had left foot kickers at halfback and 5/8?