Trial vs. Sharks

[roopy]

Last nights game was pretty disapointing. Defence was really poor a few tries down Lulia's edge. In the central Newcastle game Scott played the first half and walshy the second. Scott played better, It looked like walsh was afraid to get tackled.

I agree that Scott was much better, but i saw a few things in Walshy's game that were pretty encourageing too. He played pretty much all of his firstgrade last year with an ankle injury and had lost his zip, but last night he made some very handy bursts, one which very nearly got him over the line, and he had a big second rower run at him on the line and he dropped him on his backside Johns like - the best tackle i've ever seen Walshy do.

Back to Scott - the try he set up by throwing a 20 metre bullet pass to cut out three guys and hit Warren on the chest for a simple jog to the line, and the grubber kick to the corner from 35 out that nearly saw Uate score were both top class moves, and nearly every touch he made was classy.

 

[Karmawave]

Its not about being better than Walsh, or Bailey, or whoever.

If Dureau is seen to be better than them, then none of them are first grade standard halves.

 

[Bicey_18]

Mate have you even seen Dureau play?

Whats your definition of "first grade standard"?

I dont think I have read a positive post since you signed up...

 

[Karmawave]

Mate have you even seen Dureau play?

Whats your definition of "first grade standard"?

I dont think I have read a positive post since you signed up...

Of course I've seen Dureau play.

I write positive posts on this team and this club when its warranted. As for being positive about the standard of our halves for 2008, there's not a lot to be positive about.

If you want a definition of first grade standard halves - read down the list of halves from other teams in this competition...

Cronk
Orford
Smith
Thurston
Marshall
Prince
Kimmorley
Wing
Pearce
Carney

Even players like Finch, Soward would be nice to have in Knights colours.

Thats just a few names that are miles away ahead of any half in this club that isn't named Jarrod Mullen.

Outside of Mullen, not having anyone of first grade quality is a major weakness for the Knights.

Im optimistic that the Knights have some quality backline players coming through the 20s, SG Ball and Harold Matts in coming years though...

 

[roopy]

Dureau was the best halfback in PL for any club last year.
If he isn't up to firstgrade there are no halves out there.

His only shortcoming is defence. I'd like to say i saw an improvement last night, but he kept as far out of it as he could and i didn't see him tested.

 

[Bicey_18]

Of course I've seen Dureau play.

I write positive posts on this team and this club when its warranted. As for being positive about the standard of our halves for 2008, there's not a lot to be positive about.

If you want a definition of first grade standard halves - read down the list of halves from other teams in this competition...

Cronk
Orford
Smith
Thurston
Marshall
Prince
Kimmorley
Wing
Pearce
Carney

Even players like Finch, Soward would be nice to have in Knights colours.

Thats just a few names that are miles away ahead of any half in this club that isn't named Jarrod Mullen.

Outside of Mullen, not having anyone of first grade quality is a major weakness for the Knights.

Im optimistic that the Knights have some quality backline players coming through the 20s, SG Ball and Harold Matts in coming years though...

Suggesting Mitchell Pearce is first grade standard ahead of a guy like Dureau is puzzling.. Kimmorley? No thanks.. Finch? Heck no..

I guess we will agree to disagree but I think we have alot to be excited about in 08..

 

[Karmawave]

Do you honestly believe Dureau is a better footballer than this list of halves I mentioned earlier - which was just off the top of my head.

Cronk
Orford
Smith
Thurston
Marshall
Prince
Kimmorley
Wing
Pearce
Carney
Finch
Soward

Even someone like Bulldogs youngster Aaron Groom, Panthers Jarrod Sammut, Souths Eddia Paea.

I believe they all are better than Durea and Bailey.

Imagine the strength of that same stock if Sherwin and Gower were added to the list.

Come on, take bias out of it, does anyone here REALLY believe Durea is potentially a better player than anyone on that list. Take away personal dislike of Kimmorly and Finch and whoever you personally dont like, and recognise that they are NSW or Australian rep standard players love them or not.

 

[Bicey_18]

Yes I do...

 

[Karmawave]

Suggesting Mitchell Pearce is first grade standard ahead of a guy like Dureau is puzzling.. Kimmorley? No thanks.. Finch? Heck no..

I guess we will agree to disagree but I think we have alot to be excited about in 08..

Mitchell Peace will play for NSW and Australia in coming years. Its not all that puzzling why I come to that belief. Mitchell Pearce played Australian Schoolboys and Junior Kangaroos - has Dureau?

You think Scott Dureau wil ever be of a standard to play for NSW and Australial?

I knew the personal dislike of Kimmorly and Finch would come into it. Ones played for Australia, the other for NSW - like em or hate em.

 

[Bicey_18]

BTW, what exactly has Pearce done in FG? Also Sammut, Paea and Groom (who hasnt even played first grade yet)..

 

[Frederick]

Do you honestly believe Dureau is a better footballer than this list of halves I mentioned earlier - which was just off the top of my head.

Cronk
Orford
Smith
Thurston
Marshall
Prince
Kimmorley
Wing
Pearce
Carney
Finch
Soward

Even someone like Bulldogs youngster Aaron Groom, Panthers Jarrod Sammut, Souths Eddia Paea.

I believe they all are better than Durea and Bailey.

Imagine the strength of that same stock if Sherwin and Gower were added to the list.

Come on, take bias out of it, does anyone here REALLY believe Durea is potentially a better player than anyone on that list. Take away personal dislike of Kimmorly and Finch and whoever you personally dont like, and recognise that they are NSW or Australian rep standard players love them or not.

The only player who is greater than everyone on that list is now retired due to a neck injury. Of course Dureau isn't greater than all of them because they've all been playing FG for much longer, and have far more experience. Dureau is ready for FG, and with experience will quickly rise to a level that is on par with many of those that you mentioned.

 

[Karmawave]

Yes I do...

Based on what though? His performance in a couple of trials? Standing out in Reserve Grade?

I just don't get the Dureau love - especially when compared to the other halves in the competition.

Just because I take an unbiased viewpoint on things with the Knights, don't mistake it with being a pessismist.

There's a big difference between pessimism and realism.

 

[Bicey_18]

Who says I dislike Finch and Kimmorley? Fact is they arent great halves.. Apart from one field goal in Origin.. what has he done?

Kimmorley is hopeless.. Just ask Sharks supporters, they'll tell you.

Just because someone plays Junior Schoolboys doesn't mean they will kill it in the NRL...

 

[Karmawave]

Dureau is ready for FG, and with experience will quickly rise to a level that is on par with many of those that you mentioned.

I hope so!

I really do!

I hope people here don't misinterpret my comments as a sign of being anti Dureau. Nothing of a sort.

I hope he reaches the level of other players on that list as much as the next bloke.

I'm just not sure he can.

 

[Frederick]

There's a big difference between pessimism and realism.

No, you're being pessimistic. If you were being realistic, then you wouldn't be comparing a very inexperienced player who has only played 1 game of first grade (and did absolutely nothing wrong in that game), to players like Thurston, Cronk, and Prince who have all been around for years and have accomplished just about everything there is to in the game. It's an unfair comparison and one that is obviously going to produce biased and skewed results

 

[Karmawave]

Who says I dislike Finch and Kimmorley? Fact is they arent great halves.. Apart from one field goal in Origin.. what has he done?

Kimmorley is hopeless.. Just ask Sharks supporters, they'll tell you.

Just because someone plays Junior Schoolboys doesn't mean they will kill it in the NRL...

Finch made the NSW team to have the opportunity to kick that one field goal.

Do you think Dureau will ever get the opportunity?

Kimmorley is an ageing halfback that has had an incredible career - facts don't lie.

And obviously you didn't watch the way Mitch Pearce played in the NRL last year or trials this year?

I'd take the potential of M. Pearce as our Knights half any day of the week in front of any half in our team , including Jarrod Mullen.

 

[Bicey_18]

Based on what though? His performance in a couple of trials? Standing out in Reserve Grade?

I just don't get the Dureau love - especially when compared to the other halves in the competition.

Just because I take an unbiased viewpoint on things with the Knights, don't mistake it with being a pessismist.

There's a big difference between pessimism and realism.

I have watched this kid for a few years now.... He is skillful and extremely talented.
He has a brilliant football mind and can win a game on his own. His passing and kicking games are top notch and as i said before.. he will eventually establish himself into a top half in the NRL, maybe not a rep player but he doesn't have to be. As Fred said.. Given more experience he will up there with the other halves you mentioned.

 

[Special K]

anyone from the sharks do anything of note?

 

[Bicey_18]

Finch made the NSW team to have the opportunity to kick that one field goal.

Do you think Dureau will ever get the opportunity?

Kimmorley is an ageing halfback that has had an incredible career - facts don't lie.

And obviously you didn't watch the way Mitch Pearce played in the NRL last year or trials this year?

I'd take the potential of M. Pearce as our Knights half any day of the week in front of any half in our team , including Jarrod Mullen.

Now you have got to be kidding? Pearce over Mullen now? Seriously that will do me..and yes, I did watch Pearce play this year.. He he hasnt done anything special, nothing Mullen hasnt already done..

On Finch, wasnt he a 2nd or 3rd resort because of injuries to Orford and Gower?

And Dureau getting a NSW chance.. who knows? No one knows what will happen in the next few years,

 

[Karmawave]

No, you're being pessimistic. If you were being realistic, then you wouldn't be comparing a very inexperienced player who has only played 1 game of first grade (and did absolutely nothing wrong in that game), to players like Thurston, Cronk, and Prince who have all been around for years and have accomplished just about everything there is to in the game. It's an unfair comparison and one that is obviously going to produce biased and skewed results

That is bullsh*t Frederick.

I was asked what I defined as first grade standard halfbacks. I listed first grade standard halfbacks as my response.

I mentioned Mitch Pearce, Jarrod Sammut and other " inexperienced " halves who I believe are all better than Scott Dureau.

Simple.

The bottom line is mate, if Scott Dureau is to play first grade, then he WILL be compared to Thurston and Prince and Cronk - because frankly, that is the opposition he will be facing week in and week out.

If you are going to play with the big boys, you need to compete with the big boys.

If its unfair to compare him to them because of his inexperience, and if there is any doubts at all that he cannot match his standards with those players - which there obviously is - then he doesn't belong in first grade, and isn't first grade standard.