We need a halfback...

[Bazal]

Look...I know there will be no end of bitching and moaning threads, telling players to FOAD etc. There are already ones about KK, Inu, Wright and whoever else. It's always the way after a big loss. But this, for me anyway, is meant to be a rational thread.

Put simply, we need a halfback. We have for a long time. Robson did well there when no one really knew who he was, but he was worked out very quickly this year. We haven't really had one since he who shall not be named to be totally honest. But as it stands, we have no genuine seven, no one to lead us around the park. KK and Mortimer are both very talented, but both show the signs of being very good five-eighths. Neither is a general, neither will lead a side around the park. Both are happier playing off others and injecting themselves into a movement than controlling it. Of course, under one Michael Hagan, we had two players who have shown themselves to be very good halfbacks...they were let go and we now find ourselves having two 6's controlling the side. Trent Hodkinson stings particularly badly; the kid is a star and we could have had him in the seven.

I won't pretend I know the solution. In fact, this season, I don't think there is one. There isn't a genuine 7 in the club, through no fault of the current coach. I do think, though, that a 7 needs to be high on our list of targets and I'd love for us to look at Hodkinson. I know for a fact the kid would be back at Parra after the first two words of an offer...and while I trust Ando for the most part I'm not sure he shares the opinion of our halves that I do...

 

[belmoreeel]

why not do what alot of othe rteams do and get a past star like sterlo on in one of those bright shirts to steer us around the park during attack?

 

[fish eel]

Look...I know there will be no end of bitching and moaning threads, telling players to FOAD etc. There are already ones about KK, Inu, Wright and whoever else. It's always the way after a big loss. But this, for me anyway, is meant to be a rational thread.

Put simply, we need a halfback. We have for a long time. Robson did well there when no one really knew who he was, but he was worked out very quickly this year. We haven't really had one since he who shall not be named to be totally honest. But as it stands, we have no genuine seven, no one to lead us around the park. KK and Mortimer are both very talented, but both show the signs of being very good five-eighths. Neither is a general, neither will lead a side around the park. Both are happier playing off others and injecting themselves into a movement than controlling it. Of course, under one Michael Hagan, we had two players who have shown themselves to be very good halfbacks...they were let go and we now find ourselves having two 6's controlling the side. Trent Hodkinson stings particularly badly; the kid is a star and we could have had him in the seven.

I won't pretend I know the solution. In fact, this season, I don't think there is one. There isn't a genuine 7 in the club, through no fault of the current coach. I do think, though, that a 7 needs to be high on our list of targets and I'd love for us to look at Hodkinson. I know for a fact the kid would be back at Parra after the first two words of an offer...and while I trust Ando for the most part I'm not sure he shares the opinion of our halves that I do...

Thanks, scoop. ;-)

And well done for not mentioning the moanly half back until atleast halfway through.

I'd be going for Cooper Cronk big time.

 

[Parraletic]

we need a hooker as well but this isn't the english premier league, we just can't go buy a player when we want. Just have to do with what we got & I still think we can win it. Let's not over react people, still plenty of footy to be played.

 

[strider]

yep - go hard for cronk!

 

[fish eel]

if we cant get Cooper Cronk I'd go for copper cronk

 

[yy_cheng]

why not do what alot of othe rteams do and get a past star like sterlo on in one of those bright shirts to steer us around the park during attack?

coz he makes more money being on TV

 

[Bazal]

Mate, I'd love Cooper Cronk at Parramatta so much that I'd sacrifice anyone but Hayne and Hindy to have him. I just don't think we can afford him....hence my mention of Hodkinson, who is off contract and still cheap enough.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Let's just spend the big dollars on wingers and centres. Halfbacks are over-rated.

 

[Someone]

Eels havent had a decent halfback since Taylor to be fair. Thats 9 years ago.

Witts wasnt anything special.

Smith was good, but irrational and had mental issues

Finch, no need to explain really.

Now we have Mortimer.

 

[Bazal]

we need a hooker as well but this isn't the english premier league, we just can't go buy a player when we want. Just have to do with what we got & I still think we can win it. Let's not over react people, still plenty of footy to be played.

I did say that I don't see much that we can do about it this year. In fact, that's why I for one have always said I believe 2011 is more our year than 2010. I'm simply worried that Ando, as much as I think he's a cracking coach, might not see the halves issue in the same light that we do...

 

[Parraletic]

frig me listen to you guys. You wanted to root morts at the end of last year now you want him out! FMD!

 

[Someone]

Reality is: Morts is a great little player when the fowards are going well.

Downfall: Cant take control of the team when the fowards are failing.

 

[TheParraboy]

Let's just spend the big dollars on wingers and centres. Halfbacks are over-rated.

Bring back Pat Richards and Scott Donald?

 

[fish eel]

frig me listen to you guys. You wanted to root morts at the end of last year now you want him out! FMD!

reality is our 6 & 7 are both 5/8s.

Neither is a half who will take control whe we need it, and thats compounded by neither playing well this season.

Mortimer has just been a passenger, tbh.

 

[Bazal]

frig me listen to you guys. You wanted to root morts at the end of last year now you want him out! FMD!

Well I can only speak for myself, but that's not it at all. Morts is a very promising five-eighth...but so is KK, probably even more so. The point is that neither is a 7, they're both supporters to a dominant general...and that's the player we lack.

 

[Parraletic]

Give em a chance, they'll come good. You'll see.

 

[parra pete]

Give Pearce a chance. That's all I am saying.

Mortimer is still learning the trade. He'll be a handy player. He is tough, but still young and inexperienced - yeah and I know, that is stating the obvious. Maybe he needs time in Wenty to get a bit of confidence back, with KK into half back and Tom Humble into pivot..?????
The kicking game indicates that opposition players must have an X marked on their throats..because as I posted elsewhere that is where last kick options usually end up...Is the Eels team the only one that has poorly directed kickers...

 

[yy_cheng]

I just think Mortimer was put in the deep end too early without working out the basics of being a halfback in the NRL.

Now he is trying to develop this in 1st grade.

 

[Bigfella]

My worry about cronk is that without melbournes structure, smiths control of the ruck, and the options slater and inflow offer, he will be nowhere near as effective.

I would go for smith before any of the Melbourne guys.