Speed of the backs

[Jake the snake]

Anyone think that this may be a problem for us this year?

While our backline isn't slow, I don't think we would be the top teams for raw speed in the backs.

One thing I noticed from the trial against the Panthers was the actual speed of our backline, we looked so slow. INU, Hayne have lost considerable mobility. Burt is quick but not like he used to be while Reddy is a cruiser. Grothe needs a 100m runway to start powering up.

Tahu is quick but not express.

Mortimer has average speed.

KK is probably the quickest of all of them off the mark.

If anything, our backline this year will be more muscle than speed.

Getting back to Hayne and INU they have baulked up so much. Hayne looks like he can play in the forwards he is massive. I think he should lay off the weights for a while.

 

[BissyB]

Still pretty fast...

But I agreee... Are they gonna bulk up till we have a backline of Dave Taylors?!

 

[caylo]

i dont know, i think generally they are still very quick compared to most backlines. Inu would probably be our slowest and he is still pretty quick for his size

 

[Twizzle]

probably too early to tell

surely our trainers aren't amateurs and should know what they are doing to our players

 

[EelsFan05]

From memory Hayne was huge to start last season as well. I think as the first month of the season comes and goes the extra kilos will start falling off and players will get back to there optimum playing weight. Without Haynes strength last year he wouldn't have broken as many tackles.

I take your point though they are big players. Hayne is no where near as quick as he was in his rookie season but I think that may have more to do with the Eels trying to turn him into a 5/8.

 

[strider]

i didn't really like the bulk hayne was carrying in the allstars game .... altho I got in trouble from pete the new commander of the opinion police when I stated that I thought it might be an issue

 

[Phillips]

i think Hayne has gotten faster since his rookie year.

 

[Gronk]

i didn't really like the bulk hayne was carrying in the allstars game .... altho I got in trouble from pete the new commander of the opinion police when I stated that I thought it might be an issue

I would hope that the back office staff and Ando would not allow Hayne to roids up if it meant that it would slow him down. Ando is on record saying that he has come back from last year a man compared to the boy in 09. Hope that's the case anyway.

 

[yy_cheng]

but it might've helped his 80m drop kicks.

He could do drop kicks for clearing kicks as well

 

[mickdo]

I don't think Saturday's game was a particularly good indicator of speed

 

[strider]

he was in unbelievable form last year ... they should have just put him in a bottle and only opened it when we were ready to play again

 

[Gronk]

he was in unbelievable form last year ... they should have just put him in a bottle and only opened it when we were ready to play again

Should have cloned him in the back lab.

 

[yy_cheng]

Should have cloned him in the back lab.

LOL, bring clone 2 on at half time and save an interchange.

 

[planeteels]

i think people are reading too much into things.

Yes, the Panthers game was only 2 games away from Round 1.. but it is still only the trial period and only Hayne's 2nd game back after a decent layoff.

 

[84 Baby]

Lee Oudenryn and Shane Whereat didn't win premierships

 

[born an eel]

i think people are reading too much into things.

Yes, the Panthers game was only 2 games away from Round 1.. but it is still only the trial period and only Hayne's 2nd game back after a decent layoff.

that's right if history tells us anything we have another 7 weeks of "trials" before we start our season campaign in earnest. :sarcasm:

 

[yy_cheng]

We don't really need the speed, what's there is enough as all of them link well to support. And we have good backeruppers (if that's a word).

We need speed around the ruck to catch the lazy markers or when Grothe or Fui bends them backwards, alah Kingston last year.

However, a Jennings would also be nice but not worth it.

 

[yy_cheng]

that's right if history tells us anything we have another 7 weeks of "trials" before we start our season campaign in earnest. :sarcasm:

I am not too fussed about attack in the opening rounds.

However, I would like to see strong, committed defense with a good kicking game.

Once that's established, the offloads will come.

 

[The EELiminator]

i didn't really like the bulk hayne was carrying in the allstars game .... altho I got in trouble from pete the new commander of the opinion police when I stated that I thought it might be an issue

thats ironic seeing pete is the first to cry foul whenever anyone dismisses his lofty thoughts :sarcasm:

 

[Jake the snake]

My comments were not only for the trial that we just had but what I have noticed in general. Inu and Hayne have slowed down heaps since their debut season. Their is no use putting players that are quick but don't know how to play, they obviously need some talent as well.

Maybe Tom Humble will become an option form us.