Warren Smith compares Bunji to Cliffy

[simon says]

Dunno if anyone else saw this on fox footy but when Wazza said that Bunji reminded him of Cliffy Lyons(but with extra zing) a light bulb went off over my head.

The way that Bunji goes crossfield and shows the ball is sooooo like Lyons it isnt funny.

And like Lyons Bunji creates space for runners to go into.

The difference is that Bunji is super fit and really fast to boot.

Thoughts???

 

[mulvihill]

Except Benji is quicker, fitter, smarter, steps off both feet and can actually tackle. Lyons was an appalling defender

 

[Mr Saab]

Smarter than Cliff Lyons? I dont think so.
Benji can tackle? Since when?

 

[mulvihill]

Please tell me where Cliffy was at 21 ? Norths or Cronulla resrve grade. Benji is winning comps and playing for his country. Ask Simmons and Sheens about Benji's defence. Best technique in the club and I dare say they have a little more idea than you on these things

 

[Mr Saab]

Comparing them both at 21 then you have a point, but overall, Lyons is a master and Benji is still a student. In 10 yrs we shall see.

As for his technique, he might have that, but he doesnt have the size.
What are you expecting Sheens and Royce going to say?

 

[mulvihill]

Benji has the vision at 21. That is the point though isn't it. When Cliffy was 21 his vision was such he was plying his trade for Norths or Cronulla in reserve grade. Benji is a once in a generation player, Lyons was a late developer who stood out as he was the only one with any flair in those manly sides (look at their 1,7 and 9 ... Ridge, Toovey and Serdaris)

 

[Mr Saab]

I think you are underestimating the eagles, but each to their own.

 

[Eddie.]

Sabb your predictions are in alot better shape this season.

 

[mulvihill]

They tried for 10 yrs to buy a comp with Lowe and the like and succeeded once in 96 with their method of chequebook teambuilding. Ridge was a goalkicker end of story and toovey was a poor man's craig gower. Serdaris was a Joe Thomas clone. In terms of creativity Lyons was it in that Manly side in the 90s. 1 comp for their maassive investment was a paltry return

 

[Mr Saab]

And the Tigers might not win another in Benji's time, will that be a paltry return?
Toovey is alot better than Gower. What is Scott Prince? Without Benji, Prince looks rather lost.
As much as the eagles bought players, they also had alot of jnrs in the team also.

 

[mulvihill]

They had juniors ?? Like whom apart from toovey and Menzies ??
The Wests Tigers didn't poach other team's stars. The bulk were juniors (from 1 side or the other) with a few signings of unwanted players like Elfford, Fats, Payten and to an extent Prince who was deemed behind seymour by Bennett.

As for Prince the Gold Coast forwards will be loving the opposition having tackle 1 of their 40 after each and every kick finds a fullback on the full. They can have him.

 

[Vicious]

And the Tigers might not win another in Benji's time, will that be a paltry return?
Toovey is alot better than Gower. What is Scott Prince? Without Benji, Prince looks rather lost.
As much as the eagles bought players, they also had alot of jnrs in the team also.

The Wests Tigers are at the start of a dynasty brother, and the sooner you wake up and realise this the better. Joey and Lockyer are on their last legs, Benji is about to take over as the games undistputed number one player, we`ll recruit another top quality halfback and other than that our nursery is overflowing with quality players in every other position.
Only 3 Bronco`s contracted players in the Qld U/19`s, i`d be much more worried about that if i was you ???

 

[Mr Saab]

I dont want to get into "who had more jnrs" debate..but for the record from their 1996 team off the top of my head
Kosef, Gartner, Hancock, Hoppa, Toovey, Menzies, Cunningham, and Moore.
Some came from QLD yes, (just like Benji) but none were bought from other clubs.

 

[Mr Saab]

The Wests Tigers are at the start of a dynasty brother, and the sooner you wake up and realise this the better. Joey and Lockyer are on their last legs, Benji is about to take over as the games undistputed number one player, we`ll recruit another top quality halfback and other than that our nursery is overflowing with quality players in every other position.
Only 3 Bronco`s contracted players in the Qld U/19`s, i`d be much more worried about that if i was you ???

Yeah whatever. Dynasty hey? In this day and age that word doesnt exist.

 

[mulvihill]

Saab:
Danny Moore is from FNQ
OWen Cunningham a queenslander
Kosef was from the country and played for country
Hoppa a campbelltown junior
Craig Hancock was woeful - we had him at Balmain and abject would be too kind

 

[Mr Saab]

Yes i am aware of all that, but they were not bought from other clubs. Thus not "poached"
The Tigers got Hancock at the tail end of his career. Dont judge his last 2 yrs on his previous 8-9.
Sure he was no superstar, but he wasnt a Daniel Fitzhenry

 

[mulvihill]

He was even better at fullback.
A forerunner to the great Robert Miles

 

[Eddie.]

He was even better at fullback.
A forerunner to the great Robert Miles

Or Mick Doreen

Perhaps Greg Barwick

Theres always Joel Caine

Greg no 4 point Dougnuts

Thank god for Hodgo.

 

[Vicious]

What about that great Balmain recruit, Shannon Nevin ???
Just to think they virtually mortgaged the leagues club to buy the peanut. And then that genius Junior Pearce decided he wanted Joel Caine instead of Hodgo. Right up there with the decision to keep Mark O`Neill instead of Luke O`Donnell.

 

[mulvihill]

Balmain never recovered from moving Mick Gillette to 5/8