Ryan Wants Kidley At Fullback For Blues

[antonius]

Piece in todays Newcastle Herald by Warren Ryan saying that NSW should be looking to play Kidley at fullback in origin, NOT at halfback. He says the fact that he spent a bit of time at 7 on Sunday doesn't change what he's good at. and there's a big difference between being a fullback that comes up to first or second reciever occasionally, and being the guy picked at 7. At 7 he has to be the ring master, schemer on last play options, have a good long range kicking game, and a precision one at the money end of the tackle count. He goes on to say that Kidley is NOT a ball player that schemes and creates for those around him, rather he's a highly dangerous ball carrier that is generally to quick for those around him to keep up to anyway.

He's a smart man Ryan, and he hits the nail right on the head as far as Kidley is concerned IMO.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

Well I think it is fair to say kidley is regarded as the best allround player in the game right now by those in the know. I believe he is the world's premier player at the moment. Just my opinion.

 

[antonius]

Well I think it is fair to say kidley is regarded as the best allround player in the game right now by those in the know. I believe he is the world's premier player at the moment. Just my opinion.

Agree, but what Ryan is saying is don't mess with him, he isn't a halfback, and that fullback suits his game to a tee. Rather than have him sitting on the bench in origin, getting spliters in his arse, he should start as fullback.

 

[keeney]

Ryan has always been one of the better readers of the game, and this is no exception.

 

[macavity]

agree 100%

I am bewildered he isn't a walk-up start

the other contenders are no where near his class

Stewart? sure, if the game was being played at brookie....

 

[MC DUI]

Exactly I cannot understand why Kidley isn't being considered a contender for the fullback position, IMO he is outplaying all other fullbacks in the comp.

 

[DeeJ]

Exactly I cannot understand why Kidley isn't being considered a contender for the fullback position, IMO he is outplaying all other fullbacks in the comp.

I would suggest that his versatility is actually affecting his chances. He is a great player and one that is gifted enough to cover several positions very well.

 

[MC DUI]

I would suggest that his versatility is actually affecting his chances. He is a great player and one that is gifted enough to cover several positions very well.

I tend to agree, it really shouldn't blind people to the fact that he is outplaying every other fullback.

 

[sneaky_is_here]

Tbh i couldn't care where kurt plays for NSW, but i care where he plays for us. That should be fullback.

 

[perverse]

as usual the wok is 100% spot on. i've been trying to tell the "kidley at half brigade" those exact points all week.

 

[keeney]

I care where Kurt plays for NSW because he's a great member of our team, and seems to be a great guy too, he deserves better than a career of under-utilisation on the bench, or a career with a massive blemish on it (like being a terrible half in SOO).

 

[roopy]

I think his best chance for NSW is as the second hooker and cover for any backline injuries.
He would do his chances the world of good by going to hooker for 10 minutes in a game.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

I care where Kurt plays for NSW because he's a great member of our team, and seems to be a great guy too, he deserves better than a career of under-utilisation on the bench, or a career with a massive blemish on it (like being a terrible half in SOO).

Agreed.

If he is picked out of position for Origin and has a shocker. Who knows what sort of damage that could do to his confidence?

And at the moment we need Kurt to be firing on all cylinders week-in
week-out.

 

[antonius]

Agreed.

If he is picked out of position for Origin and has a shocker. Who knows what sort of damage that could do to his confidence?

And at the moment we need Kurt to be firing on all cylinders week-in
week-out.

Exactly, just look at Mullen, he hasn't been the same player since his origin debut last year. It's affected Mullen to the point where he is pleading for another go because he doesn't want to be remembered as a one game has been. It was a mistake to play him there last year, and it would be a mistake to play Kidley at half this year.

 

[keeney]

He didn't come back the same player for a number of weeks after Origin 1 last year, neither did Mullen. I can cop him being on the bench, just feel sorry for the guy is all.

 

[perverse]

Exactly, just look at Mullen, he hasn't been the same player since his origin debut last year. It's affected Mullen to the point where he is pleading for another go because he doesn't want to be remembered as a one game has been. It was a mistake to play him there last year, and it would be a mistake to play Kidley at half this year.

agree 100%. mullen hasn't been the same since then and he still hasn't recovered from it mentally. giving him a second shot could turn that around if he had a good game.. or if he had another poor performance it could really kill his confidence to the point where he may not ever totally recover.

putting gidley at half this year could do the same thing. maybe the selectors are having fun destroying our team? lol. :crazy:

 

[antonius]

agree 100%. mullen hasn't been the same since then and he still hasn't recovered from it mentally. giving him a second shot could turn that around if he had a good game.. or if he had another poor performance it could really kill his confidence to the point where he may not ever totally recover.

putting gidley at half this year could do the same thing. maybe the selectors are having fun destroying our team? lol. :crazy:

Seriously I don't see Mullen as a halfback either (never have) he is far better at 5/8th partnering either Walsh or Dureau (I prefer Dureau) you need your halfback to be man of all trades, Mullo and Kids are simply not that.

 

[perverse]

Seriously I don't see Mullen as a halfback either (never have) he is far better at 5/8th partnering either Walsh or Dureau (I prefer Dureau) you need your halfback to be man of all trades, Mullo and Kids are simply not that.

oh i agree 100% with that too. mullen is a classic running 5/8th with ball skills. for some reason a lot of people don't see it that way though - including the NSW selectors.

i mean it defies belief that people such as sticky ricky are coming out in the media saying gidley should be our state halfback... i mean ffs ricky you WERE a halfback. don't you think a kicking game is vital to the role??

the general rugby league community still seems to be stuck in an era where hagen is our coach and kidley is our 5/8th. thank god we've moved on since joeys retirement. the rest of the league community needs to catch up too.

 

[Spike]

IIRC Ennis did keep Farah out of the NSW Under 19 S.O.O match a few years ago and a few other rep games. Wouldn't see that way now, but Ennis does have the talent. I just don't know whether it's peaked to being a solid first grade hooker and nothing more. De Gois on the other hand is still young and is yet to reach his potential. Given the way he's been playing for the sharks this year and last, I can see him having a brighter future than Ennis based on what they were like at the same stage of their careers. All my opinion of course, I guess Ennis could find the form he once had if he's over his injuries and his head is in the right place.

 

[antonius]

IIRC Ennis did keep Farah out of the NSW Under 19 S.O.O match a few years ago and a few other rep games. Wouldn't see that way now, but Ennis does have the talent. I just don't know whether it's peaked to being a solid first grade hooker and nothing more. De Gois on the other hand is still young and is yet to reach his potential. Given the way he's been playing for the sharks this year and last, I can see him having a brighter future than Ennis based on what they were like at the same stage of their careers. All my opinion of course, I guess Ennis could find the form he once had if he's over his injuries and his head is in the right place.

I think you may have meant to post this in the Finch/Ennis thread.