Spine - 2016 Edition

[Joel-22]

I like the idea of Gags at fullback, always thought it is his best suited position. The only problem is we have zero centre depth. I'd like us to go on the market for a genuine centre OR genuine fullback. If we bought a fullback I'd like to see Gags put on a bit of weight.

The point I was making about Dane's speed was for someone who isn't particularly heavy he isn't lightning like Matty Bowen, Ben Barba, Billy Slater, RTS, Stewart etc.

Boyd (96), Hayne (100), Inglis (106), Dugan (97) have been dominant fullbacks and they're 5-15kgs heavier than dane

 

[1qaz]

Dane's game was never based around speed. He's got the footwork to trouble defensive lines and hands to create and setup plays to go with all round football smarts.

 

[Shenry4]

Hopefully Gagai will be bigger next season. That would make all the difference.

 

[slotmachine]

Tedesco is lightning. Mamo is quick over like 30-40ms, beyond that appears to be nothing impressive. We need some speed in our side now that aku is slower than 34 year old ben cross. Gagai and sione are both quite slow for backs

Gagai has great pace. What game was it this year where he burst through the line and smoked the fullback. Can't remember now.

 

[The Showstopper]

i would much rather see a massive improvement in his defence cos if he gets that right his whole game will go to a new level.

 

[Seage]

Yeah anyone who thinks Gagai is not quick is kidding. He burned Mamo when chasing Rona the other night. You're watching another game if you don't see the speed he has. I'd be confident he is one of the quickest in the club over 100m

 

[League_God]

Yeah anyone who thinks Gagai is not quick is kidding. He burned Mamo when chasing Rona the other night. You're watching another game if you don't see the speed he has. I'd be confident he is one of the quickest in the club over 100m

He failed to make any ground on Jennings in origin. He would be the one of the quickest at the club but I agree with Joel, we haven't got a very fast backline. Mamo has looked a lot slower at times than what I thought he was

 

[League_God]

I like the idea of Gags at fullback, always thought it is his best suited position. The only problem is we have zero centre depth. I'd like us to go on the market for a genuine centre OR genuine fullback. If we bought a fullback I'd like to see Gags put on a bit of weight.

The point I was making about Dane's speed was for someone who isn't particularly heavy he isn't lightning like Matty Bowen, Ben Barba, Billy Slater, RTS, Stewart etc.

Boyd (96), Hayne (100), Inglis (106), Dugan (97) have been dominant fullbacks and they're 5-15kgs heavier than dane

That's true, additionally I would argue of the bigger fullbacks you've mentioned Dane would only be quicker than Dugan who is very slow for a fullback.
I'd like to see Dane stay at centre but just put on 5kgs or so and work on his defence

 

[Seage]

Failed to make ground on Jennings? Show me how many blokes would. Jennings is a freak and Dane is significantly faster than he is being given credited for. You fellas are making out like he's Todd Byrne.

 

[1qaz]

Dane is quick enough. Sure there are plenty of players out there that are quicker but he doesn't need to reply on speed to beat his man.
That's one of the issues I have with Mamo. Mamo is quick but he's not in the James Roberts quickness to able to run around his man all the time. He needs to develop some footwork among other things.
At the end of the day Dane would bring so much more to the Knights from fullback than Mamo would.

 

[1qaz]

Actually in that match Dane would've caught Jennings if the try line was another 20m away.
Jennings is lighting over 40 but I don't think he's super quick over the full 100.

 

[lafai]

Lamb
Feeney
Randall
Bedsy

 

[The Showstopper]

So Dane has gone from not having a game based around speed to nearly catching Jenko in one topic? Make your mind up 1qaz.

 

[Yosh]

I don't see all the Mamo hype to be honest. I hope he does develop and become a superstar but seems average to me. I really liked Gagai at fullback but if he wants to play in the centres that's cool. Perhaps he thinks there is more chance to keep playing Origin if he plays centre than fullback?

I'm also a big fan of Levi. I hope we see a lot more of him in the future

 

[Joker's Wild]

the thing with gags too, is that for someone who is so thin, he's not particularly fast or elusive.
He really needs to get stuck into it this pre-season

How is he not elusive? The guy is excellent at beating his opposite with footwork

 

[Still Nutty]

Yeah anyone who thinks Gagai is not quick is kidding. He burned Mamo when chasing Rona the other night. You're watching another game if you don't see the speed he has. I'd be confident he is one of the quickest in the club over 100m

And Tyrone burned both of them :lol:

 

[Still Nutty]

How is he not elusive? The guy is excellent at beating his opposite with footwork

Agreed...I think that is one of his key strengths but also one of his pitfalls when he tries to use his 'elusiveness' to crab across ground rather that step through the line - in fairness though, he has done less crabbing and more step through this year which is why we have seen his performances improve.

 

[Still Nutty]

Mamo will be fine. The kid is rocks and diamonds but doesn't have an ego that clouds his own perception. He's improving with every game, no doubt. Getting more involved, making better decisions; I see a lot of Tedesco in him. The club needs to persist with him at fullback, moving him to the wing won't do any good.

I think Mamo has potential but I think wing is the better option as I'd have Dane as 1st choice head and shoulders above him IMO. For mine Mamo's biggest problem is physicality - I don't think I have seen another player who is regularly picked up and carried back with interest when he hits the defensive line?

It is not just a weight issue alone because there are smaller players who don't receive the same defensive treatment that he regularly cops...it seems to be a combination of weight, strength and running style but it is a significant flaw at the moment that has been exploited by every defence in FG he has confronted so far.

 

[1qaz]

So Dane has gone from not having a game based around speed to nearly catching Jenko in one topic? Make your mind up 1qaz.

Trust you to miss the point.
I was just pointing out that particular game because someone brought it up.
Dane's game isn't based around speed because he beat his man with footwork
Players like James Roberts, Tedesco and even Mamo games are based around speed because that's how they beat their opponents.
When I think RTS I think footwork. When I think Inglis I think power etc...

 

[slotmachine]

It is not just a weight issue alone because there are smaller players who don't receive the same defensive treatment that he regularly cops...it seems to be a combination of weight, strength and running style but it is a significant flaw at the moment that has been exploited by every defence in FG he has confronted so far.

Body height is all wrong.