Could be, but then again why? There is a trend in some clubs - inspired by Joey Johns role with NSW last year - to have the half as sole playmaker. It's what we use when Wagon is 5/8. In reality, it makes the hooker and half our playmakers - the hooker organises the forwards and the ruck, and field position kicking, while the half does the backs, wide forwards and kicking close to the line. The traditional 5/8 role of running across the defensive line looking for holes for the backs, is now done by a straighter running backrower, using their strength to create them -eg Hindy, Tallis etc.
Fittler plays as much a wide runing backrowers role as he does a 5/8. Lockeyer is more a half - the play revolves around him rather than Casey Maguire.
Smith has earmarked Morris as 5/8 - something I'm not to flash on because Morris is not a classical 5/8. However, he has ball skills, and a very good boot. I suspect that he has duplicate skills to Witt, so maybe Smith's plan is to extend the 'ability' of our playmeker by having 2 of them operating either side of the ruck.
IF we get a new 5/8, they should be either of a standard that Witt would not have the playmaker pressure on him, or somehow sompliment him. IU don't think Witt has the ability to be our playmeker just yet -I'd love to see more variety from his kicking game, and less bloody out-on-the-full kick offs!
Colonel is right. Even with Morris, if we lose Dykes wse are short on 5/8s. Dykes is a 5/8, and that's why I'm baffled that Smith hasn't used Dykes (6) and Witt (7) yet, when together they were so promising in a few games late last year.
Yet, if we keep Dykes and do just that, what happens to Morris????
I know one thing, though. I used to think Lockyer played 5/8 anyway, but with him actually there, geez they can throw the ball around. Parra have not got that ability, and I'd give HJ's diaphragm to see 'em with it!
