SJ.

[sup42]

I was actually musing today about long kicking. Biomechanically there should probably be more forwards or centres with big boots on them- given that the amount of force imparted on the ball is a function of leg speed and weight, and someone with a long, heavy leg is going to be able to kick further if they have sufficient leg speed. But as you touch upon a specific skill like kicking requires a LOT of practice and largely it’s going to be halves that do that, especially in league where outside backs don’t tend to kick.

Yeah look at Cameron Smith.
It shows how far behind other sports the Rugby codes are in terms of building multi skilled players. League has obviously lagged behind union in this skill set. Which is why NZ Union goal kickers became a thing in the era of Halligan, Ridge, and Botica.

Before they came along, having a high percentage goal kicker was seen as a nice to have, not essential, those two Allblacks changed the NRL to what we see today, where kickers are essential.
I still remember the oldschool Aussie commentators being suspicious of Halligans worth since he was hardly a dynamic winger.

Of course they changed their minds and were in awe when he started smashing Winfield cup records.

There is no reason one guy in a set position should be the only player that can kick the ball.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Another guy I think of was Pat Richards, he was a big, tall winger and he had an absolute monster drop kick on him, he’d consistently hit it 60m on the fly which was a real asset for the Tigers at the time.

 

[sup42]

Another guy I think of was Pat Richards, he was a big, tall winger and he had an absolute monster drop kick on him, he’d consistently hit it 60m on the fly which was a real asset for the Tigers at the time.

Good one. He had that nasty spiraling bomb too. Bit of a Wigan legend, still well regarded up there after 200+ games for the Cherry and Whites.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

If you haven’t already seen, interesting to hear him talk about his injuries this season.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I really enjoyed the pod and the honesty that SJ spoke with. Given it's his venture, we can expect a fair bit of stuff revealed there that wouldn't make it through the media. I like it.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

These last 2 games have definitely worked in Shaun’s favour for a new deal, the 5th tackle execution and option taking has been awful

 

[Blair]

Come back, SJ. All is forgiven!

 

[Leber]

He's back next week, right?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

He's back next week, right?

I just hope they don’t panic and rush him back. We’ve seen what happens there already.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

NRL injury ward says SJ and Mai’u due back next week. Also says DWZ is out with a head knock?

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Due back this week apparently.
Does he play?

 

[Philip_Smith007]

NRL injury ward says SJ and Mai’u due back next week. Also says DWZ is out with a head knock?

Reading the same page!
No CNK listed with his calf.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Nah, the Achilles is such a tender and fragile thing in terms of coming back from. It's not like a broken hand. Even if it's 'healed' enough for you to come back, that's where your speed, your change of direction to a point etc comes from. If that's even slightly off, and mentally you're not quite there with it, you're not going to come back sharp. I reckon Achilles' are one of those things you say you are right this week, then you should wait a fortnight more. And to really give it the chance to heal, you need to stay off it...which is the issue we had with SJ playing and not training early in the year.

 

[Meth]

NRL injury ward says SJ and Mai’u due back next week. Also says DWZ is out with a head knock?

Maiu’u was playing NSW cup on the weekend

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Nah, the Achilles is such a tender and fragile thing in terms of coming back from. It's not like a broken hand. Even if it's 'healed' enough for you to come back, that's where your speed, your change of direction to a point etc comes from. If that's even slightly off, and mentally you're not quite there with it, you're not going to come back sharp. I reckon Achilles' are one of those things you say you are right this week, then you should wait a fortnight more. And to really give it the chance to heal, you need to stay off it...which is the issue we had with SJ playing and not training early in the year.

After seeing Alex Johnson go down on the weekend with his, I definitely wouldn’t be rushing it.

 

[JJ]

TMM is TMM again, it was strange that on a couple of performances people thought he was the answer. Same for CHT… and of course for SJ, who has more upside but not much time left…

 

[SpaceMonkey]

TMM is TMM again, it was strange that on a couple of performances people thought he was the answer. Same for CHT… and of course for SJ, who has more upside but not much time left…

I think CHT is going pretty well as long as he doesn’t have to kick from the left side. Kinda agree on TMM though.

 

[JJ]

I think CHT is going pretty well as long as he doesn’t have to kick from the left side. Kinda agree on TMM though.

Yep, both are serviceable, but far from elite…

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

It'll all be alright, we have the Jet remember

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Nah, the Achilles is such a tender and fragile thing in terms of coming back from. It's not like a broken hand. Even if it's 'healed' enough for you to come back, that's where your speed, your change of direction to a point etc comes from. If that's even slightly off, and mentally you're not quite there with it, you're not going to come back sharp. I reckon Achilles' are one of those things you say you are right this week, then you should wait a fortnight more. And to really give it the chance to heal, you need to stay off it...which is the issue we had with SJ playing and not training early in the year.

Try not to pretend you know a thing about medical practice, you muppet.