Dragon Slayer said:
Who are these great football judges?
List them.
Where's your research on that statement?
- Coaching team at my club
- Fellow players
- Former players (professional and otherwise)
- Opposition players/coaches, etc
- Former coaches/trainers/managers of rep squads
Research? "The only people that I
know." I don't know you nor much of the Shire. Yes, I was exaggerating, there are people older than 15 that believe in the Kimmorley myth of world class status...but the most heated arguments I get into in regards to Kimmorley tend to be with people who haven't played the game for 30 years or are supporters of the game only. Obviously people under 15 haven't learnt to read into the media, so when they hear every television commentator spout out the crap about Cronulla being nothing without Kimmorley they tend to agree with them.
The statements I made weren't directed at anybody other than those that I know personally. I can add some excellent forum judges to the list, but I don't know them any more than through this forum so I won't list them.
Kimmorley is past it by a long shot. I can't think of any first grade halfback from the top of my head that plays the same style as Kimmorley. Running to the line can be a good move
occasionally for a halfback...it puts the opposition in two minds and opens up the option to make split second decisions when the opposition doesn't have time to think. However, it is only effective when done out of the blue with the defence on the back foot. If you run it every play like Kimmorley does, it has little effect other than the hospital pass which inevitably leaves his outside men with zero room to move. Kimmorley's style is suited only to certain occasions...it's a very effective surprise ploy to hit someone at the line whilst the defence is unsettled...a set defence moving forward completely nullifies everything Kimmorley does every single play.
Further, Kimmorley is far too structured...he is proactive in almost every move he makes, meaning if something changes in the defensive line, he'll make the same play anyway. E.g. winger rushes up in the line, he'll play his planned long ball = intercept. Plans to kick short behind the line, winger holds his position instead of dropping back = straight down the wingers throat.
I admire his dedication to the game and the effort he gives in each week. Dedication is vital in this sport, but his dedication and toughness is suited to a prop forward, not a halfback. As a halfback you have to be able to play what's in front of you as well as being a structured presence. You have to play with your outside players being your priority, you have to work your options in accordance to the defence, not what you have pictured in your mind three tackles prior.
Until he does this, I and the many people that support my stance among the footballing world will continue to believe that he is no longer at a first grade standard.
