The Rumours Thread

[Parko1310]

Sullivan is not ready to play 7 week in week out in the NRL. Jock Madden is no answer, but Bud has shown no semblance of organisation in his game. Think he might be a 6

 

[Gardenia]

If Sloan & Feagai have shockers today (I hope not) then I wouldn't mind moving Lomax to fullback, keeping Moga & Suli in the centres with young Sione Finau on the wing. Figure out what we have to work with for next season, what combos show promise, where we need to focus on in the off-season/preseason.

The rest of the season should be about trialling different guys in different positions to see what works for them & the team. It's a crucial information gathering time right now imo. Flanno can then hit the ground running having some idea of areas of promise, strengths & weaknesses.

I hope Flanno has spoken with Carr about our lineups etc. Everything we're doing for the rest of this season is to build for next season. Everyone talks about speed, but even the good teams only have 1 or max 2 genuine speedsters in their back 5. Penrith - Turuva, Bronocs - Walsh, Storm - Coates?, Sharks - Katoa, Warriors - DWZ.

Look at the gun fullbacks in the comp, none of them apart from Walsh & Hammer are genuine speedsters. The majority of them are great kick returners, defensively solid & very good organiser. Yes you need speed but even just having 1 speedster in the backline is sufficient. The main role of the fullback is kick return, organisation in defence & attack & being defensively solid (just put your body on the line). Ball playing & possessing speed are added benefits but not crucial in being a gun fullback.

Sloan has shown glimpses of that defensive desperation at fullback & organisation but it hasn't been enough imo. I'm happy to persist with him or give someone else an opportunity. I believe the rest of this season is all about information gathering in preparation for next year.

Bring DUFTY back. Surely he has learnt something at Warrington Wolves. No one is as pretty as him to watch in full flight. He also has the confidence. Bring him back Flanno please. Love him - X Factor.

 

[Gardenia]

I am not sure how Flanagan turns this around. We have so few NRL standard players in our squad and it will not be easy to recruit new players into this mess.

1.
2.
3. Suli
4. Lomax
5.
6.
7. Sullivan
8. DeBelin
9. Liddle
10.
11. Sua
12.
13.

Even some of these guys are only just average. Some juniors might develop more before next season but hard to see how we can realistically fill these gaps.

This is why we really need Flanno now. And why the beep did we let Sims go

 

[Parko1310]

Sullivan is not ready to play 7 week in week out in the NRL. Jock Madden is no answer, but Bud has shown no semblance of organisation in his game. Think he might be a 6

Just to add to this, a swap deal of Fotuaika and Sexton for Ben Hunt would be an ideal scenario. Manly’s cap has to be tight, maybe Paseka who knows Flanno could shift over to the Dragons the year after. You’re then looking at an organising half in Sexton, Sullivan at 6, and two very damaging starting front rowers for them to play off of. We desperately need to do something about that left back-row position though as well

 

[since77]

Sullivan is not ready to play 7 week in week out in the NRL. Jock Madden is no answer, but Bud has shown no semblance of organisation in his game. Think he might be a 6

Um, yes he is. Needs to be the centre of the game plan, not thrown the scraps after being out called by Hunt every set. Put the 7 on his back and get rid of Hunt. Very simple.

 

[possm]

Its really a hard one with him. He scored that try which showed flashes of brilliance. He needs to back himself more. Maybe Hunt talks down to the young ones. But his defense - he lets in so many tries. Its not just him though Feagai is dismal.

I'm sure our new coach already knows who he wants to keep and who he wants to recruit.

 

[Parko1310]

Um, yes he is. Needs to be the centre of the game plan, not thrown the scraps after being out called by Hunt every set. Put the 7 on his back and get rid of Hunt. Very simple.

The 7 has been put on his back before, he hasn’t organised. Sure, only a couple of games, but for a supposedly extremely talented organiser, with his long term junior halves partner next to him, you’d think his play would resemble some form of organisation. In that respect, he has failed on 100% of his opportunities thus far. Not to mention in those games he was playing a Broncos team who had 10 of their starting 13 out, and a dolphins side that also had injuries and were a pretty average outfit on the night. In my view, right now at least, he is not ready. Too young, too much pressure. For now in my mind he’s a 6

 

[dannyt]

Bring DUFTY back. Surely he has learnt something at Warrington Wolves. No one is as pretty as him to watch in full flight. He also has the confidence. Bring him back Flanno please. Love him - X Factor.

How's his defence? Has it improved, or does he make those extra efforts when he doesn't have the ball? His attack was never in doubt.

 

[Gardenia]

How's his defence? Has it improved, or does he make those extra efforts when he doesn't have the ball? His attack was never in doubt.

WW Fans love him. Not sure if his defense has improved. Flanno should look into that.

 

[Gippsy]

You know we've hit rock bottom when we're suggesting we should get Dufty back.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

You know we've hit rock bottom when we're suggesting we should get Dufty back.

Better than bringing another Queenslander into the squad.

 

[Gardenia]

How's his defence? Has it improved, or does he make those extra efforts when he doesn't have the ball? His attack was never in doubt.

I just had a bit of a chat to some WW fans. Seems he is brilliant in attack but yes his defense is still average. He is also still not great under the high ball. He has played in the halves a bit over there lately. Vaughan is carving it up

 

[Gardenia]

You know we've hit rock bottom when we're suggesting we should get Dufty back.

I Take it back. Had a chat to WW Fans and his defense is still average

 

[Mojo]

You know we've hit rock bottom when we're suggesting we should get Dufty back.

I always thought Duff would be a great 5/8. There‘s an idea!

 

[Gardenia]

I always thought Duff would be a great 5/8. There‘s an idea!

Everyone was raving about Sloans try on Thursday. Duff did this with frequency. I always thought the same Mojo. Speed is wonderful.

 

[Illusion]

Sullivan is not ready to play 7 week in week out in the NRL. Jock Madden is no answer, but Bud has shown no semblance of organisation in his game. Think he might be a 6

Mate how can he organise anything when everything goes to Hunt , Hunt has had 6 years and still can't do it , give Sullivan time in the 7 not one game here and there ...... Give him as much time as Amone has had in his preferred position then we can make a true assumption ......

 

[Mojo]

The whole team‘s defence is shite! Has been for years. We need forwards and fitness to fix this problem.

 

[Mojo]

Mate how can he organise anything when everything goes to Hunt , Hunt has had 6 years and still can't do it , give Sullivan time in the 7 not one game here and there ...... Give him as much time as Amone has had in his preferred position then we can make a true assumption ......

100%

 

[Illusion]

Everyone was raving about Sloans try on Thursday. Duff did this with frequency. I always thought the same Mojo. Speed is wonderful.

Have said it many times the guy was our top try scorer , more try assists than our half , more line breaks than anyone else ....... I for one just don't know how Dufty the way the game is now can't be utilised coming of the bench when the opposition is tiring .......

 

[Illusion]

I Take it back. Had a chat to WW Fans and his defense is still average

But so is our whole team ..... Use Duff in short stints coming off the bench in around the ruck area .......