I just don't see Hornby getting dropped. Maybe a tap on the shoulder at the end of the year. But I'd be stunned if it happened any earlier.
Looking really good. I'm am keen to see what King can do as a bench hooker. Will add a lot to our attack hopefully when he comes on.
Asside, next year will it be more like
1. Beale
2. Morris
3. C Stanley
4. Cooper / Green
5. Nightingale
6. K Stanley
7. Soward
8. Hunt
9. Rein
10. Weyman
11. Creagh
12. Prior
13. DeBelin
14. King
15. Merrin
16. Latimore
17.
Or do we continue with Style at centre and look for a 7? Seems we need either a centre or halfback if Beale is sorted at fullback.
Why is there Slash next to Coopers name?
We NEED him for at least 2 more seasons.
I understand why so many Saints supporters are so keen to have Kyle in the halves he looks very capable but I think Hornby will know when his time is up and when to call it quits. He is still the captain, has plenty to offer and a great leader and clubman.
I am not disputing that JDB should be in the team if he is 100% fit mate, I'm just saying after seeing his injury last game he *could* have a niggle and it wouldn't be worth risking him *if* he does. In which case resting him for a week wouldn't be a bad option considering the depth we have in the 2nd row this year. I think we are agreeing?
I understand why so many Saints supporters are so keen to have Kyle in the halves he looks very capable but I think Hornby will know when his time is up and when to call it quits. He is still the captain, has plenty to offer and a great leader and clubman.
I understand why so many Saints supporters are so keen to have Kyle in the halves he looks very capable but I think Hornby will know when his time is up and when to call it quits. He is still the captain, has plenty to offer and a great leader and clubman.
I dont know the kids situation well enough, but if the kid cant find a starting spot (fullback is out, Chase possibly takes his centre spot), the last thing I want to do is risk losing him (ala Beau Henry) because Hornby wants to hang around an extra season.
Its no disrespect to Hornby who can certainly play and is a legend, but "if" it comes to a choice of investing time and money in the next generation or the one about to check out, I want to spend it on securing the youth.
but he's a local junior BBC, and we all know what you think of them
I think out of Hornby, Kyle and Soward Hornby is the only player that takes the ball to the line and puts the defence in two minds/creates room for his outside men. Kyle runs the ball more than the other two, and Soward probably has the best passing/kicking game but it doesn't matter how well you can pass or run the ball if the defence always knows that you are about to do it. We need at least one half taking the ball to the line, and at this point I think Hornby is the best at doing it.
I think out of Hornby, Kyle and Soward Hornby is the only player that takes the ball to the line and puts the defence in two minds/creates room for his outside men. Kyle runs the ball more than the other two, and Soward probably has the best passing/kicking game but it doesn't matter how well you can pass or run the ball if the defence always knows that you are about to do it. We need at least one half taking the ball to the line, and at this point I think Hornby is the best at doing it.
Hornby is a good player. He doesn't worry the opposition defence at all. I have seen 2 games where Stanley played in the halves. Against the Cowboys last year and Souths 2 years ago. In both games he did take the ball to the line and until last Friday, they were the best attacking displays the Dragons had put on in 3 years. In both they probably should have gone on with it but for Bennett's penchant for conservative football.
I don't think any real Dragons fans are going to criticize Hornby. All we are saying is that he has been great for many years but now there is a better option and the Dragons winning is more important than Hornby keeping his position. I'm not saying he should be dropped and retire immediately but I think Stanley should be given a chance in the halves ASAP. If he and Soward don't play well together (both their preferred positions are 5/8), maybe Soward should be dropped. If Stanley isn't as good in the halves as I and many other believe he is, go back to Hornby and Soward.
It's not like the Dragons would be simply betraying Hornby. He has been paid a large amount and I know many are talking about him becoming a coach. He probably has a job for life at the Dragons if he wants it.