The Morgan Harper appreciation thread

[yy_cheng]

Both are not nrl centres.
Let Kelma have a crack at centre, big strong and not slow and his defence out there would be on a par with those two.
plus we have enough back rowers and it means we could keep Hands on the bench as a utility.

Actually, good idea. Why not Carty at Centre? Moses with Kelma outside him would be nice


Sivo Carty Lane Dyl ..... Moses Kelma Peni Russell

14. Hands - He played really well and kicked from dummy half as well
15. Matto
16. Greig
17. Offa

 

[84 Baby]

If he thought that Harper might be in for a running, wouldn't you want to see him at least defend on the lhs? Or am I overcomplicating it?

I can only remember him playing left centre once against us (he ran round Penisini) but every other time I can recall him playing right side. Players would definitely have sides they are better at. Perhaps he’ll get time on left next trial

 

[yy_cheng]

I can only remember him playing left centre once against us (he ran round Penisini) but every other time I can recall him playing right side. Players would definitely have sides they are better at. Perhaps he’ll get time on left next trial

I wonder if Will can play boths sides? Jennings could. However, Will defense and use of the side line and stepping i think favours the right side.

I remember Ben Smith and Grothe Jnr used to be on the left side then switched to the right side.

Is Talakai a left or right centre, I thought Right. So Harper should've defended on the left against him. Koula normally plays right centre from memory

 

[The Colonel]

Actually, good idea. Why not Carty at Centre? Moses with Kelma outside him would be nice


Sivo Carty Lane Dyl ..... Moses Kelma Peni Russell

14. Hands - He played really well and kicked from dummy half as well
15. Matto
16. Greig
17. Offa

Defensively Cartwright or Tuilagi are going to be shown up in the centre position by faster players. Could happen for a game or two but you don't necessarily want to go through a whole season with either of them as your full time centre. Cartwright has improved his defence but not to the point you would want him there on a regular basis.

 

[yy_cheng]

Defensively Cartwright or Tuilagi are going to be shown up in the centre position by faster players. Could happen for a game or two but you don't necessarily want to go through a whole season with either of them as your full time centre. Cartwright has improved his defence but not to the point you would want him there on a regular basis.

But, will it be better than what Bailey and his brain explosions are providing at the moment?

 

[JokerEel]

But, will it be better than what Bailey and his brain explosions are providing at the moment?

Yes defence wins matches

 

[The Colonel]

But, will it be better than what Bailey and his brain explosions are providing at the moment?

Possibly against some of the weaker sides but they will be found out eventually. It's why most clubs other than the Sharks rely on a big body with slow lateral movement in the centres. Talakai sure did a huge number on Harper for one game but more often than not is a liability defensively.

 

[yy_cheng]

Yes defence wins matches

that's not the question I am asking.

Is Bailey's speed and brain explosions better than Carty's solid defence (he was very very good in 2023) but weaker mobility.

Carty isn't that bad. Kelma i get as he really is big.

 

[yy_cheng]

Possibly against some of the weaker sides but they will be found out eventually. It's why most clubs other than the Sharks rely on a big body with slow lateral movement in the centres. Talakai sure did a huge number on Harper for one game but more often than not is a liability defensively.

I guess the trade off is also about what they bring when we do have the ball or not having that player there altogether. i.e. Kelma drops off the 17 to carry Hands.

The downside is we are another back down especially to cover wing and fullback.

Halves (if one goes down) would be covered by Hands if he is the 14.

I really liked what Kelma showed (albeit a trial and against a weak opposition) but I wouldn't drop Carty as he was awesome last year.

 

[JokerEel]

that's not the question I am asking.

Is Bailey's speed and brain explosions better than Carty's solid defence (he was very very good in 2023) but weaker mobility.

Carty isn't that bad. Kelma i get as he really is big.

He isnt that bad 3 or 4 in but he will be eaten up by faster centres and having to go for 80.

So Superman's defence over 80 2 men in is probably better than Carty's.

So yes defence wins matches

 

[Tmars]

He can look good when he runs straight and hits a hole

 

[TheCrowe]

He is very good when there is no one in front of him. Runs straight.

 

[JokerEel]

He can look good when he runs straight and hits a hole

The last 4 tries in that video were really good centre tries.

 

[Ness1500]

I can only remember him playing left centre once against us (he ran round Penisini) but every other time I can recall him playing right side. Players would definitely have sides they are better at. Perhaps he’ll get time on left next trial

Harper has played both sides of the field right from a young age, along with other positions. For manly he played both sides.

 

[Ness1500]

I'm sure he plays right centre for manly

He played both.

 

[the phantom menace]

He isnt that bad 3 or 4 in but he will be eaten up by faster centres and having to go for 80.

So Superman's defence over 80 2 men in is probably better than Carty's.

So yes defence wins matches

And Opacic's defence was better than either of them.

#goingbackwards

 

[84 Baby]

Harper has played both sides of the field right from a young age, along with other positions. For manly he played both sides.

Euphemism?

 

[the phantom menace]

Wouldn't have gone down well with the pride jersey seven...

 

[Avenger]

The journey begins this Saturday 9 March 2024.

 

[Gary Gutful]

The shit list continues Saturday 9 March 2024.