1. Both Danny Buderus and Barry Toohey have said that we’re close to finalising a new deal with Sione. Both very well placed for Knights info. If the deal doesn’t end up being confirmed it isn’t confirmed but it’s clear that the club are wanting to re-sign him which they stopped wanting to do when he was playing in the forwards which tells me that they see him as a longer term option at centre now rather than a stop gap.
2. You seem to be fixated with the number on players backs. No there isn’t a big difference in how he would be playing at back row...but the massive difference is that him running at blokes 1 further position out has stopped him getting concussed every game, and to me that is a huge deal. I get that a lot of supporters don’t like him, but wanting him moved back to a position where he picked up regular concussions is too much. Like you said, he was able to come into the middle for his try last week and still be effective, so I don’t think switching to the left if that’s the best option for Ramien and the squad would be too difficult for him. Lots of players are able to switch and play on the other side of the field, none of which has played in more positions than Sione.
3. It’s not “clear” that he’s only played well in the last 2 weeks. That’s just your personal perception of the games you’ve seen. And others have their own...including the players who made him their players player a few weeks back.
4. You’re saying Sione is a no-go for centre next year because of his defence even though they’ve found a way to improve the situation significantly but to you Moga is the clear option? I don’t know if you saw Moga play much before he was injured but he wasn’t doing much better defensively than Sione and his effort was a real worry and now the poor bloke will be out for a year after his third ACL. Hugely optimistic to feel that he’ll be able to play again let alone be good enough to be the first pick over Sione, Ross and even Dennis at this stage.
5. This isn’t even my personal option talking but what I feel Brown is thinking. It’s been clear that Sione has trimmed down a lot to improve his speed and agility. Do you really think Brown has encouraged that if he thinks he’s back in the forwards next year where we weren’t going to re-sign him anyway? I really doubt it. He doesn’t strike me as a coach that’s that irresponsible by his players.
1. Yes, I understand the deal is imminent, I just read your comments as though you were saying it was confirmed. I hadn't heard anything official and was genuinely asking for clarification.
2. It isn't the number, it is the natural position of each individual player I am concentrating on. A generation ago, the centres played inside/outside and passed both ways, stepped both ways, fended both ways dependant on which way the play was going, (certainly players favoured one side, but got equal opportunity at both). The game hasn't been structured like that in these guys lifetime, and I don't agree "lots of players are able to switch". There are few outside backs, like Josh Morris for example, capable of playing either side at a comparable level. If he is capable of switching to the left, and is a better option there than Moga, etc, then I wish good luck to him, like I posted before.
3. Souths, Penrith, Gold Coast, Cronulla.
Ponga looked/looks like a star, as always.
Largely unnoticed performances from Guerra re tackle count, as always.
A few sparks here and there. Mostly abysmal, (the whole squad, Sione included).
My opinion, controversial I know.
4. In addition to #2, agree Moga is a worry health wise, hope he comes back strong and I do have reservations. But if he does, and manages to force his spot over other options, who misses out?
5. I agree with your assessment of Brown's responsibility towards his players. But this concussion issue I have always believed is a result of a flaw in his tackling technique. I don't think hit-ups were ever the problem. He doesn't get knocked out as much because he has been missing cold all year, rushing up and taking nobody. Now he has been moved in he is making contact, and does look much better for it. If he can do it from there, and now he seems fit, I think he can still play edge forward predominantly, and have the utility value if the backline needs to be reshuffled.
The Levi assisted try does show he can play closer in, why is it that he can do it from centre, yet the reverse situation (back row shifting wide) is not possible.
I am trying to find a spot for him that balances the team if everyone is available and in form. I really don't think this slimmer physique will hamper his attacking runs, especially if he learns to consistently run lines like Fitzgibbon. When you have guys like Ponga causing defensive lines to hesitate that much, the contact is against guys on the back foot. Moving him to the back row means you can have Levi on the bench with three boppers. At centre, I think we have to carry someone who can fill in the backline should someone go down, and as much as I rate Buhrer's heart, he is not the ideal centre replacement, and I would much rather carry the size than a Levi/Buhrer double.
