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Should Peachey surrender Fullback position?

S

Shark

Bench
Messages
3,085
What does it say about the state of our club when an out-of-form (albeit ageing) star player can keep his place in the side on reputation alone, but a reasonably in-form, trained up and enthusiastic guy like Deano isn't even allowed to play for match payments?

It bloody stinks.

At least ET maintained a solid defence when father time began to take away a bit of speed and dulled the reflexes. I love Peach to bits, but he was a great player for maybe 2 or 3 seasons, and a fair first grader for the rest. Certainly no better than the likes of Mellor in recent years. ET, on the other hand, was at the top of his game for 10-12 years, and he remained bloody competitive in his final season or two. Also, he played on at Origin level for much longer that that big girl Fittler did age-wise. It's sad that Fittler will have a chance to pass him on the most number of 1st grade games. Being a Rooster though, he'll never take that 'One Club Man' title away!
 
Dragon Slayer

Dragon Slayer

Coach
Messages
15,516
Some interesting views here on this thread. All good!

My point with the Peachey switch to 5/8 is that I think thats where his greatest assets these days are going to be maximised. He is no sprint machine anymore......if he gets put through the gap he's not going to run a long distance for a try and finish off a set play. These days when you make a break out wide you have to finish it off especially against the better teams as they don't give you alot of opportunities. I see Peachey these days not as a runner in the play but the creator of these opportunities.

Peach always has the defence in two minds ,has a great step and is not afraid to chance his arm with a floating pass if he senses an opportunity is on. He reads a game extremely well and backs himself when others would pull back. Qualities of a great 5/8. He did play a fair bit of 5/8 in the Presidents Cup as well before cementing Fullback as his position. Alot of people have stated they are worried about him getting smashed in defence. 5/8's stand pretty wide and don't have a lot of the big boppers to worry about as in the middle of the park.

Sure theirs some great young guys who could serve an aprenticeship there this year but I feel they should be blooded more slowly and given short spells rather than putting too much pressure on them to come up with all the answers on one side of the ruck right from the word go. Experience is invaluable in the halves and I don't think there are two better people in the current Sharks side who read a game better than Kimmorley and Peachey and back their instincts.

I think it's worth a go early in the season. And if it doesn't work no harm is done but on the other hand it could give Peach a new lease of life and give opposition defences nightmares!
 
Macca

Macca

Coach
Messages
18,399
Dragon Slayer said:
Some interesting views here on this thread. All good!

My point with the Peachey switch to 5/8 is that I think thats where his greatest assets these days are going to be maximised. He is no sprint machine anymore......if he gets put through the gap he's not going to run a long distance for a try and finish off a set play. These days when you make a break out wide you have to finish it off especially against the better teams as they don't give you alot of opportunities. I see Peachey these days not as a runner in the play but the creator of these opportunities.

Peach always has the defence in two minds ,has a great step and is not afraid to chance his arm with a floating pass if he senses an opportunity is on. He reads a game extremely well and backs himself when others would pull back. Qualities of a great 5/8. He did play a fair bit of 5/8 in the Presidents Cup as well before cementing Fullback as his position. Alot of people have stated they are worried about him getting smashed in defence. 5/8's stand pretty wide and don't have a lot of the big boppers to worry about as in the middle of the park.

Sure theirs some great young guys who could serve an aprenticeship there this year but I feel they should be blooded more slowly and given short spells rather than putting too much pressure on them to come up with all the answers on one side of the ruck right from the word go. Experience is invaluable in the halves and I don't think there are two better people in the current Sharks side who read a game better than Kimmorley and Peachey and back their instincts.

I think it's worth a go early in the season. And if it doesn't work no harm is done but on the other hand it could give Peach a new lease of life and give opposition defences nightmares!
Click to expand...

I am sorry but I still think it is ridiculous.

Peachey is proven at fullback.

He is getting older but he won't get any more space to work with the ball at 5/8th than he does at fullback. In attack the Peach can slot in anywhere in the backline.

In defence he must aim up as a 5/8th. 5/8th's do alot of tackling. Dykes, for example, used to make 30 a game for us. No way will he make that many.

He is a great cover tackler at fullback aswell.

Let's face it, Ando's coaching style hampered the Peach. He will see a new lease of life this year under his old mentor.
 
Mr Angry

Mr Angry

Not a Referee
Messages
51,816
With Kimmorley half, we do not really need a traditional 5/8 IMO. Vagana I think will end up here as a hole runner more than a ball distributor, much like NSW last year with Timmins @ 5/8 he played like a centre and it worked. The peach will be required to do some ball playing but from fullback it will be, not 5/8. I hope he starts running into holes again, and I have faith in his defending. Let's face it for whatever reason the peach did not play well under Ando, lets hope he recaptures his form from 99, 00, 01 and the Sharks give it a shake.
 
A

Alan Shore

First Grade
Messages
9,390
You are crazy to move Peachey from 5/8th. We can't afford to have him in the frontline - it'd stuff him like it does Lockyer. Not to mention that he is one of the few who can tackle - he must've saved hundreds of tries!

He will revel under Raper and a coach who isn't as one-dimensional as Anderson. Watch and learn!
 
S

Shark

Bench
Messages
3,085
I am sure you mean TO 5/8 there Tamazoid??

And Rocky, I'm glad you like the sig. It's all about that cap.
 
Macca

Macca

Coach
Messages
18,399
We need a no frills tackler at 5/8th. Remember Speechley, nothing went through him. I'd like to see Hilder play 5/8th and Bailey play lock. That tightens up our defence in the middle of the park nicely.
 
Mr Angry

Mr Angry

Not a Referee
Messages
51,816
I remember Wally Lewis' speech when accepting Dally M 5/8 of the year in either the first or second season for the Broncos - he made special mention of Speechley as he had not heard of him and found him to be the touhest opponent of the year. Compliments do not come much higher.
Not a bad theory there Macca - Raper has many options should be interesting.
 
carinashark

carinashark

First Grade
Messages
5,584
Is Bailey fast enough at lock? I like Hilder there and Sullivan at 5/8. But Hilda is a good tackler. A good idea tho!
Carinashark
 
P

PJ

First Grade
Messages
6,067
Speechley was a great 5/8th.

His attack was always underated becasue his defence got so many wraps.

The service McGaw adn ET got was excellent.
 
cheese

cheese

Bench
Messages
4,013
test centre should have inverted comma's around it.........Im struggling to think of a less deserving Aus rep
 
Marduk

Marduk

Juniors
Messages
577
Long live the Peach! I'm hoping for a big year from him, so keep him at Fullback.

As for the rest, I.M.O.

6. Bird, 12, Bailey & 13. Hilder + Sullivan on the bench.
 
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