The Ridell/Morris/Dykes saga

[Misty Bee]

Like most of you, I'm happy that we have signed Pig. He's a great old fashioed hooker - plenty of ticker. He can find the line, and has a handy boot. A future skipper maybe.

I'm more than miffed at the knock on effects however. John Morris has been great for us - his mobility and drive have been at time a godsend for us. He loves playing hooker - he left Newcastle because he was behind Danny Bedueris. Smith, in his wisdom, sees Morris as our 5/8. We wen't OK with him there last year. Sort of.

Morris moving to 5/8 seems to be the catalyst for Adam Dykes to return to the Sharks. Despite Dykes being a half at Parramatta, I guess the writing is on the wall. If Smith wanted Dykes/Morris at the scrumbase, he would have done it, and moved the green Witt, and not Morris, when Dykes returned late last year. And he wouldn't have used the sloth-like Wagon at pivot this year, with the hooker possy covered by Webster, Owen or possibly Thorman (injuries notwithstanding).

I'm actually wondering wht we gain with Ridell/Morris that we didn't have with Morris/Dykes. The latter combo has all the kicking options covered. Dykes has a great long boot and a wonderful bomb. Morris is almost there, but not quite.

The way I see it, if Dykes goes, we gain very little.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

The way i see it, Thorman has been made out to be the worst player we have when in reality he's been one of our best when in first grade!!!

 

[Utey]

I still think we will see Dykes and Witt pairing next year and my team goes like this on most likely smiths plan not on mine.
6-Dykes
7-Witt
9-Riddell/Morris
14-Ridell Morris
This all pends on Dykes leaving but Morris is utility and is exciting all over the park

 

[parra_princess]

DYKES dosn't know how to set up a try. He's hopeless. Morris looks more threatening when in control deep in opposition half. I welcome the Piggy to Parra, because IMO you need to have all 3 Morris, Witt and Riddell in the starting side which would once and for all put Wagon out of the dam halves!!!

If for some unusual reason we did not make any new signings i'd see our 2005 team looking like this:

1. McKinnon
2. Anderson
3. Graham
4. Burt
5. Grothe Jnr

6. Morris
7. Witt

8. Cannings
9. Riddell
10. Vella
11. Hindmarsh
12. Cayless
13. Wagon

 

[Hurriflatch]

Dykes leads the Eels with (from memory) 8 try assists.

 

[parra_princess]

Compared to top teams main play makers...
ROOSTERS: Brett Finch (22)
BRONCOS: Darren Lockyer (14)
STORM: Matt Orford (16)

 

[Phillips]

i'd like the combination of

#6. Morris
#7. Witt

#9. Riddell

#14. Thorman ( or Muspratt) if Thorman does not stay

 

[Avenger]

Phillips I like that combo too. The jury is still out on Thorman. I would prefer Sullivan at 14.

 

[Phillips]

Sullivan would be great, but according to 2GB he has already re-signed with the sharks #-o

 

[Utey]

Riddell might even end up playin a back rowers role.

 

[Misty Bee]

Witt/Moriss offers nothing that Dykes doesn't have. Dykes has to be there - he is our only top notch playmaker. Witt isn't capable of doing the same, and Morris isn't the answer.

Maybe the answer is:
6 Dykes
7 Morris
9 Ridell
14 Thorman.

After tonight, I'm not too sure re Witt. The kid tries hard, but just isn't up there in class. Dykes and Morris are the best playmakers we have. And, in one foul swoop, Brian Smith has alienated both of them for 2005.

 

[wittyz chick]

I heard somewhere that Riddell will play hooker with Morris moving to 5/8

 

[fish eel]

As much as I think Dykes is a great player, there just seems to be a lack of 'chemistry' there, perhaps its fate, but I just cant see him offering more than he has already.

Time to move on, free up that cap money and let him go.

 

[Phillips]

Dykes is no good anymore, flashes of brilliance just doesn't make up for the stupid mistakes he makes....injuries have ruined his career, i would rather he's not here next season...with Witt, Thorman (hopefully), T. Smith, Morris & Riddell, Possibly Muspratt i dont think Dykes is needed nexy yr

 

[WA Eel]

Maybe the answer is:
6 Dykes
7 Morris
9 Ridell
14 Thorman.

I don't think Morris at 7 is the answer either.

I took a particular interest in his play (replacing Johns) after we signed him at Newcastle. I those games, it was Kurt Gidley (named at fullback) who played more a halfback role than Morris.

Similarly, last week when he replaced Dykes, he didn't look comfortable. Maybe I'm just looking at some "dropped in the deep end" type situation, but he looks more like a player who likes to chose his moments than one who wants the ball all the time.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Riddell might even end up playin a back rowers role.

I think he plays in the backrow half the time at the Dragons so you could be on the money. ;-)

 

[ParraMatt]

i'd like the combination of

#6. Morris
#7. Witt

#9. Riddell

#14. Thorman ( or Muspratt) if Thorman does not stay

Brilliant. That is what i want.

 

[1eyedeel]

I'm sorry but Witt/Morris was the combination last year and it was just not premiership material. I realise both are a couple years older, but Witt still needs to improvie mightily before he can lead the team around and Morris is only an average five-eighth. We are not going to win a premiership with an inexperienced half and an average five-eighth.

After seeing the weekend's game I'd like to see:
6. Roberts
7. Smith
9. Morris
11. Riddell

Smith has a natural instinct for organisation while Amos Roberts has natural brilliance. Yes, this is a risky unproven combination but if it worked it could be sensational. Morris is just getting better and better at hooker and I think is the next Buderus. Riddell can switch between back rown and hooker.

 

[Suitman]

I'm sorry but Witt/Morris was the combination last year and it was just not premiership material. I realise both are a couple years older,

Can you count??

Suity

 

[eeelectroshooting?]

:lol: