Warriors sign Dane Nielsen

[vvvrulz]

Huge, with Nielson on board and Hurrell and Benry performing well, that's our centres covered. I smell a mid season transfer with Inu (or maybe he'll run off to ESL) while Ropati is surplus to requirements.

Meanwhile though, what are we doing about Maloney leaving, putting it in the hands of Leuluai?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Huge, with Nielson on board and Hurrell and Benry performing well, that's our centres covered. I smell a mid season transfer with Inu (or maybe he'll run off to ESL) while Ropati is surplus to requirements.

Meanwhile though, what are we doing about Maloney leaving, putting it in the hands of Leuluai?

No way Inu goes to the UK. He's home sick (reportedly) enough as it is over here. Can you imagine how mud he'd be over there?

At the moment it looks like Leuluai at 6, unless Locke makes a very unexpected move in there.

 

[hitman82]

Well the only other place TL is going to play is hooker. And we have Friend for another 1-2 seasons. So TL will be our 6, and will do a fine job in my opinion.
He's a very solid player with good vision and outstanding defense. No longer will we be hiding a half on that flank.
Johnson showed is yesterday's game that he can step up and dominate the short and long kicking game, so we don't NEED a superstar 6. Just someone who can do a solid job and adequately support our 7.

 

[vvvrulz]

Does raise the question though, who takes over the goal kicking in the absence the average but serviceable boot of Maloney? I don't remember, did TL do any goal kicking?

 

[SilentOne]

Johnson will kick goals, did for U20's.

 

[vvvrulz]

Johnson showed is yesterday's game that he can step up and dominate the short and long kicking game, so we don't NEED a superstar 6. Just someone who can do a solid job and adequately support our 7.

Maloney brings a lot of speed in his line breaks, seems to spot a gap and dart for it better than anyone else at the moment. I hope TL has the goods to make up for this.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Nice signing. Would've preferred O'Neil, that kids got some f**king wheels, but Neilsen is very solid, especially on defense.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Johnson will kick goals, did for U20's.

And was a very low percentage kicker....Locke may be a better option?

 

[ozbash]

I'm looking forward to the Oz-meister's argument as to why Jerome is a better player than Nielsen.

:roll: give me time, man. give me time ...

 

[blain]

I dont think Maloney has been doing too much for us this year. The games where Johnson has stepped up he's been a bit of a step back and watch role. He has a good boot on him though, TL has a decent long range kick from memory. I sure wont miss Maloneys defence! I think TL and SJ would be a nice fit. The solid and experienced head with the young and explosive.

 

[tangalife]

And was a very low percentage kicker....Locke may be a better option?

Locke is also quite low percentage (low 70's I think).

Someone mentioned TL's good defence? Definately a bonus considering our current halves.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Locke is also quite low percentage (low 70's I think).

Someone mentioned TL's good defence? Definately a bonus considering our current halves.

Low 70s isn't bad. Johnson was in the 50s in the 20s, from what I remember.

 

[vvvrulz]

We could do with a Michael Witt or a Cleary, adequate footballers with a great boot who added a good 4-8 points every game compared to an average kicker.

 

[Didgi]

Over two seasons of NYC Johnson kicked 148/211, 70.1%
Over three seasons Locke kicked 121/170, 71.2%

Leuluai has never kicked.

With a decent kicking coach (is Johns still working with the Warriors halves?) low 70s can turn into a respectable average.

 

[Warmess]

I believe we have Halligan as our kicking coach. Hopefully Johnson can develop his kicking a bit more and take over that role.

 

[Highflyers]

Over two seasons of NYC Johnson kicked 148/211, 70.1%
Over three seasons Locke kicked 121/170, 71.2%

Leuluai has never kicked.

With a decent kicking coach (is Johns still working with the Warriors halves?) low 70s can turn into a respectable average.

I agree... Also Johnson looks like a better kicking talent as he has a developed kicking game already (although its not goal kicking). I think he would be better then Locke....

 

[Rich102]

I dont think Maloney has been doing too much for us this year. The games where Johnson has stepped up he's been a bit of a step back and watch role. He has a good boot on him though, TL has a decent long range kick from memory. I sure wont miss Maloneys defence! I think TL and SJ would be a nice fit. The solid and experienced head with the young and explosive.

21 tackles last game. I reckon he is under rated.

 

[Rich102]

I favor Johnson as kicker - then he can rev the players up to score nearer the posts.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Over two seasons of NYC Johnson kicked 148/211, 70.1%
Over three seasons Locke kicked 121/170, 71.2%

Leuluai has never kicked.

With a decent kicking coach (is Johns still working with the Warriors halves?) low 70s can turn into a respectable average.

I stand corrected. Where do these stats come from, incidentally? Can never find anything I want.

 

[blain]

Maloney was the one who cost Jack Reeds (pretty sure it was Reeds?)try, came out of the line ten metres out on the right side, through the hole and try.