Rumours and Stuff

[Joshuatheeel]

I think it says a lot about the standard of halves in the NRL atm. There just aren’t that many good ones.

And your comment basically indicates why there isn’t a lot of good ones…..

Fans expect halves to perform at an elite level the min they debut but as Matty Johns said halves need 100 plus games just to learn and in those years it’s all about surviving……

but as per your comment no one / fans is prepared to give rookie halves this time …..

credit to BA giving Drown time like he did with Mahoney…

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I don’t think anyone expects him to be playing like a seasoned veteran. There was one stage a few weeks ago where he had a solo try assist after 16 NRL games. If he’s going to be an NRL half he needs to be better than that. I think he’s capable of much more than what he was showing (judging by his rookie season). I hope he continues his form from last nights game going into the finals.

Thurston / Cronk weren’t even regular starting halves at 20……

At 21 thurston couldn’t even defend on the edge and Cooper didn’t have a position….

but hey Drown needs to play like the 9th at 21…..or he is shit!!

 

[The Predictor]

What part of us being a semi finalist every year don’t you like ? Serious question.

My choice!

 

[emjaycee]

Games experience by current top teams 5/8ths

Player	Team	Games
Foran	Manly	233
Wighton	Canberrra	197
Munster	Melbourne	148
Walker	Souths	138
Luai	Penrith	59
Brown	Parramatta	51
Hutchison	Easts	29

 

[lucablight]

And your comment basically indicates why there isn’t a lot of good ones…..

Fans expect halves to perform at an elite level the min they debut but as Matty Johns said halves need 100 plus games just to learn and in those years it’s all about surviving……

but as per your comment no one / fans is prepared to give rookie halves this time …..

credit to BA giving Drown time like he did with Mahoney…

Thurston / Cronk weren’t even regular starting halves at 20……

At 21 thurston couldn’t even defend on the edge and Cooper didn’t have a position….

but hey Drown needs to play like the 9th at 21…..or he is shit!!

You’re putting words in my mouth. No one is asking him to perform at an elite level at this stage of his career. I’m saying he should be better than what he was contributing. 1 try assist after 16 games is not good enough for an NRL level half regardless of age. It’s not just the fans. Even Brad Fittler was critical of Brown and rightfully so. That Thurston/Cronk comparison isn’t very good btw. Thurston was stuck behind Anasta/Ashers in and Cronk was stuck behind Orford at the same age. Of course they wouldn’t be the starting halves. Brown doesn’t have any big name halves at the club in front of him.

 

[Twizzle]

Drown just turned 21, last year Mahoney couldn’t attack…..now he can….

Drown just needs time ….

I'm not really sure he needs much more time, his game last night was exceptional, getting his hands on the ball a lot more now but that defense.........

I counted about 4 or 5 try savers last night including his part in some gang tackles,

he is the best cover defender in the team

I've never seen a half that continually takes out wingers as this bloke does

 

[SneakyEel]

I reckon our best 1-7 in Round 1, 2022 (assuming no one is signed from outside) would be:
1. Drown
2. Dunster
3. Opacic
4. Penisini
5. Blake
6. Gutho
7. Moses

Drown gives a bit of size and speed out of the back and Gutho at 6 means we don't lose his ball playing and his lack of speed isn't as much of an issue. Drown also has the defence for a good FB.

I think I will call my inside contacts and or one of the players I have on speed dial and get them to sell the idea to Bea Arthur.

I don't see why people want to move Waqa on the wing. Has played some really good games this year on the left edge and last night he set up Dunster quite a bit.

 

[SneakyEel]

If true, gives an indication how we will attack next year..

I like it!!

Love the idea of signing Peachey. The funny thing is I thought he would be a good signing for us before hearing that we were interested. He'd add an extra dimension in attack with a third playmaker. The only thing that is negative about signing him is his occasional high tackle, which can be fixed. Plus, he would only demand max 300k contract.

 

[Eelementary]

I think it says a lot about the standard of halves in the NRL atm. There just aren’t that many good ones.

Not at Dylan's age, anyway - and I think that says more about Dylan Brown's ability, and mentality, than it does the NRL, imo.

Dylan is far from the polished product, but he is a brilliant player. And he's only 21.

 

[Wally21]

Let’s not get carried away. Dylan Brown has plenty left to prove. He deserves all the praise he received for last night but he also deserved a lot of the criticism he received for his performances earlier this season.

I’ve criticised the kid this year a number of times. His defence is outstanding, no question. The problem has been his attack.
He seemed to get it all right last night. D was next level outstanding. No question. Saved us a number of times.
however what was far better than his D was his passing at the line, rather than 5 metres before the line which has been his go all year it seems. He kept the scum guessing all night. Outstanding game

 

[Gronk]

Love the idea of signing Peachey. The funny thing is I thought he would be a good signing for us before hearing that we were interested. He'd add an extra dimension in attack with a third playmaker. The only thing that is negative about signing him is his occasional high tackle, which can be fixed. Plus, he would only demand max 300k contract.

I see that Will Smith is unsigned and maybe with Jake Arthur in the top 30 now and Russell who can play wing or fullback, maybe his time is done ? Peachy would be a great 14 and I hope we make it happen.

Edit: Hayze Perham is going around in 22 as well.

 

[lucablight]

Not at Dylan's age, anyway - and I think that says more about Dylan Brown's ability, and mentality, than it does the NRL, imo.

Dylan is far from the polished product, but he is a brilliant player. And he's only 21.

I’m extremely happy with last nights victory and it’s hard not to get carried away with the emotion of it all but I think calling him brilliant at this stage might be being a tad generous. I think he needs to consistently demonstrate that he can be a threat with ball in hand and set up tries before we can start calling him that.

 

[The Eel]

Is that confirmed or still just talk?

I think it is comfirmed. Someone on here might be able to confirm the comfirmation

 

[The Eel]

I see that Will Smith is unsigned and maybe with Jake Arthur in the top 30 now and Russell who can play wing or fullback, maybe his time is done ? Peachy would be a great 14 and I hope we make it happen.

Edit: Hayze Perham is going around in 22 as well.

Yeah, I think Smith is done, although personally, I would sign him over Stone

 

[Eelementary]

I’m extremely happy with last nights victory and it’s hard not to get carried away with the emotion of it all but I think calling him brilliant at this stage might be being a tad generous. I think he needs to consistently demonstrate that he can be a threat with ball in hand and set up tries before we can start calling him that.

He could develop more consistency, true.

But he defends better than most forwards already - that alone makes him invaluable, imo.

Watching the replay, he saved 3 tries that I counted. That's very impressive in a high-stakes game.

He has plenty of improvement left in him - that's what excites me.

He is only 21, and is already a very good First Grader imo.

Imagine how good he will be with 100 games under his belt?

 

[Eelementary]

Also a note on Makatoa - after watching the replay, gee I'm impressed with him.

Willing to take the hard runs, but his communication in defence is invaluable.

 

[SneakyEel]

I’ve criticised the kid this year a number of times. His defence is outstanding, no question. The problem has been his attack.
He seemed to get it all right last night. D was next level outstanding. No question. Saved us a number of times.
however what was far better than his D was his passing at the line, rather than 5 metres before the line which has been his go all year it seems. He kept the scum guessing all night. Outstanding game

I think part of the reason he's struggled in attack is the move to the right edge. You could tell that he wasn't enjoying it. He's a gun on the left and that was shown last night.

 

[emjaycee]

I don't see why people want to move Waqa on the wing. Has played some really good games this year on the left edge and last night he set up Dunster quite a bit.

Agree, but I am worried without Fergo and Sivo for Round 1 we would lack some size coming out of the backfield. At least Waqa is a bigger body. There may be some one in reggies that steps up, in which case Opa goes back to being a backup and Waqa keeps his spot in the centres.

 

[hindy111]

I guess when opacic was there and we were winning heaps of games, you wouldn't put in a rookie

And we also have that expensive other centre

Penrith where winning and still dropped Staines. If you can I prove a side you do it winning or not.

 

[lingard]

Gone to SL

Really? He's the first decent back-up hooker we've had in years.