WANTED: First Grade Fullback

[Chachi]

The Canberra Raiders are seeking expressions of interest from any Rugby League player capable of playing fullback for their first grade team.

The Raiders are seeking somebody able to hold onto the football and is able to position themselves in a way that they can:
a) defend a short kick into the in-goal area,
b) take a long kick on the full,
c) return a kick with more vigour than a wet lettuce leaf, and
d) tackle oppostion players who are running at the aforementioned in-goal area.

An ability to threaten the line in attack is desirable but not neccessary.

A good remuneration package will be made available to the successful applicant.

 

[azza]

Don't give up your day job.


;-)

 

[Chachi]

Not intending on it Azza.

I would be happy for Goodwin to give up his though. That was a bloody awful showing (again) after Zillman got injured.

We're seriously screwed if that's the best we've got.

 

[azza]

I agree, I'd be going for Chalk at the back after that rubbish from Goodwin - geez he was disappointing. Let's see how bad the injury to Zillman is first though. It doesn't look good but fingers crossed.

 

[dolphinboy]

Superboot Josh Dugan

 

[Chachi]

Yeah, at least Zilly seemed to be walking after a few minutes off the field. Probably not great news but hopefully better than the last time he did it.

Chalk may be an option, but after making the transition he's a bit slow and his kick defence is quite suspect too.

Dunno what the answer is. Put Herbert under the bomb machine for a fortnight?

 

[Coraki_kid]

phil graham is our answer

 

[Timbo]

Goodwin is the answer.

Give him a full game back there, he'll be right.

 

[VictorTheViking]

I agree with Timbo, I think he needs the chance, what harm can it do so early in the season?

 

[Chachi]

I too would like to see Graham given a shot, but we all know Goodwin will be selected at FB next week if Zilly doesn't recover. I'm happy for Bronx to be on the wing but he has never really brought his premier league form into first grade. Very disappointing.

It was encouraging to see Zillman out on the bench with only ice on his knee during the second half. I'm hoping he'll be back sooner rather than later because we're a totally different team with him out there. I'm surprised he has been playing without any sort of strapping to be honest.

 

[steven_tiger]

Bronx will be right. Give him a chance.

 

[Chachi]

Yeah, I'm probably being a bit harsh on him. He'll have a home game next week to show us what he's made of.

 

[nickraider]

If Goodwin knows he's got an extended period at fullback with Zilly out injured, it might take the pressure off him a bit. He has obviously got the talent. I think he'll be right.

 

[Timbo]

I too would like to see Graham given a shot, but we all know Goodwin will be selected at FB next week if Zilly doesn't recover. I'm happy for Bronx to be on the wing but he has never really brought his premier league form into first grade. Very disappointing.

It was encouraging to see Zillman out on the bench with only ice on his knee during the second half. I'm hoping he'll be back sooner rather than later because we're a totally different team with him out there. I'm surprised he has been playing without any sort of strapping to be honest.

You can be encouraged all you want - the papers, plus wide world of sports, have confirmed he's done his ACL and needs a knee re-construction. It's his season.

Goodwin is the ONLY answer. Everybody seems to want some brilliant counter-attacking machine from the back, well, with the lack of Zillman, we simply don't have that.

Henry needs to sit young Bronx down and tell him, focus on the basics. Everyone who saw him play PL knows he has solid positional play and is safe in defence and under the high ball. He needs to focus on the basics - defence, defusing kicks and positional play.

The worst thing Goodwin can try to do is be Zillman mk.II; that will only lead to tears because he is NOT William Zillman. Goodwin is a fullback in the same style as Schifcofske, whereas Zillman is more of a Matt Bowen. Goodwin is the answer.

Failing Goodwin, I wouldn't put Graham back there either. Once again for the same reasons, whilst Phil may be able to do some damage in broken play on the counter-attack, his positional play and defence is questionable (remember when he had to fill in for Schif a few years back? Terrible). My second choice after Goodwin is Best, who is alright in defence, reads the play well and has a pretty good set of hands.

However, I remain convinced: If Goodwin gets the nod, and has a barry next week, the knives cannot come out. Fullback is one of the key positions on a field and we NEED to have it settled this season. The worst thing that could happen is a constant rotation of the #1 between Best, Goodwin, Monagahan, Graham etc...Henry needs to pick his man and back him to go the distance.

Goodwin has the goods, just show a little faith, results will follow.

 

[Chachi]

I agree with what you're saying Timbo and I have watched my fair share of Bronx Goodwin in first grade and reserves and I'm yet to be convinced.

I remain sure that he is the best alternative at fullback for this club and I am also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully our next game at home will see him firing.

He just seems to be one or two steps behind first grade standard in defence. Maybe it is a confidence thing and if Henry throws him the keys for the rest of the season then maybe that's all he needs.

And yes, I am resigned to losing Zilly for the season but it is Easter and miracles do happen.

 

[Timbo]

Chachi, the only reason I went on so long-windedly there is because suddenly, after one bad game - in which he wasn't even supposed to play fullback - everybody's suddenly decided he's rubbish.

Pre-season, there was almost a 50/50 split amongst those who wanted Goodwin or Zillman at fullback. He played fullback last night for barely half the game, admittedly it wasn't brilliant, but give the kid a break! He wasn't even in the first grade side yesterday morning!

It's something that seems to be pandemic amongst this clubs supporters - build up a player to the point where people will rave like we've found the next Andrew Johns, then after one or two average performances decide suddenly that the poor bloke's useless. It happened last year with Dobson (who's season was not that bad, yet you read on here you'd think we'd have done better recalling Brad Drew for halfback) and I see it happening now with Goodwin.

It's total bullsh*t, talk about going over the top.

 

[Chachi]

Yeah I know Timbo - and the fact is there are quite a few Goodwin supporters in our ranks too. I've just been death riding the dude since he started because I've seen a lot of inconsistency in his game since he came into grade and I felt the need to pour some cold water on yet another bandwagon that was gathering steam.

On reflection I see my initial post was more about massive disappointment for Zilly who I think is our clubs biggest asset. I desperately want Bronx to do well as I've seen him do some freakish things on the footy field and he's clearly got leadership qualities.

Much like Hinchcliffe I REALLY want the guy to prove me wrong. I know he can do it - he just has to give 110% in getting to that ball.

 

[Raider_69]

You'd go with Goodwin for sure, no doubt about it, with zillman gone, bronx is our best FB option
but geez, Dugan has really impressed me in U20's the last two weeks, could be pushing FG this time next year

 

[Mal Meninga]

I'm on the Dugan bandwagon.

Looks like he was born to play at the top grade.

 

[Raider_69]

As i said Goodwin should now play the year out in fullback, but if sh*t really happens, and Bronx goes down injured aswell... id rather throw dugan to the wolves then run with best, chalk or graham
hopefully it doesnt come to that and we arnt forced to blood Dugan early