What Do We Do About Kurt?

[Johns Magic]

JM, he's probably lacking it because

a)whenever he plays first grade, they have generally lost and
b)he's not too sure when he wil be playing first grade because supercoach keeps on picking Kidley at five-eight

Well

a) He should probably try and go about changing that
b) When he's on the field in first-grade, he should probably realise he's in first-grade.

 

[Jobdog]

And how exactly is he going to change that when Bedsy keeps on passing the ball to Kidley, although he says during the week they'll let Mullen run the show?

 

[Johns Magic]

And how exactly is he going to change that when Bedsy keeps on passing the ball to Kidley, although he says during the week they'll let Mullen run the show?

You can see Mullen doesn't demand the ball, because he isn't hungry enough for it. He hasn't gotten to the stage yet where he'll do anything to make the grade.

 

[Roy]

how about every time kurt touches the ball we all yell " MULLEN"

 

[antonius]

You can see Mullen doesn't demand the ball, because he isn't hungry enough for it. He hasn't gotten to the stage yet where he'll do anything to make the grade.

I think maybe Mullen doesn't want to tread on the toes of established first graders. Remember he is basically the "new boy" on the block. If Kidley was calling for the ball on Saturday as some have said he was, then Bedsy should've had a word in golden boys shell like to butt out and play to the plan. Sure Mullen should be more asertive, but when your new it's pretty daunting telling a player with as many first grade appearances as Gidley to get out of the way. I think Mullen would benifit very much with a season at 5/8th with Johns, and in the meantime groom our future No 7 in premeir league for a year. Either that or get Walsh and Mullen together in the lower grade together for that time. As it is now we are just meandering along with no future purpose. It's very frustrating watching that happen.

 

[Jobdog]

I think maybe Mullen doesn't want to tread on the toes of established first graders. Remember he is basically the "new boy" on the block. If Kidley was calling for the ball on Saturday as some have said he was, then Bedsy should've had a word in golden boys shell like to butt out and play to the plan. Sure Mullen should be more asertive, but when your new it's pretty daunting telling a player with as many first grade appearances as Gidley to get out of the way. I think Mullen would benifit very much with a season at 5/8th with Johns, and in the meantime groom our future No 7 in premeir league for a year. Either that or get Walsh and Mullen together in the lower grade together for that time. As it is now we are just meandering along with no future purpose. It's very frustrating watching that happen.

Tony, thats pretty much what I was getting at. Just couldn't word it as well as you have there ;-)

 

[Johns Magic]

I think maybe Mullen doesn't want to tread on the toes of established first graders. Remember he is basically the "new boy" on the block. If Kidley was calling for the ball on Saturday as some have said he was, then Bedsy should've had a word in golden boys shell like to butt out and play to the plan. Sure Mullen should be more asertive, but when your new it's pretty daunting telling a player with as many first grade appearances as Gidley to get out of the way. I think Mullen would benifit very much with a season at 5/8th with Johns, and in the meantime groom our future No 7 in premeir league for a year. Either that or get Walsh and Mullen together in the lower grade together for that time. As it is now we are just meandering along with no future purpose. It's very frustrating watching that happen.

Playing alongside Johns he won't be allowed to hone his playmaking skills as Joey will take care care of the attack.

In Premier League he has the freedom to do what he wants.

 

[antonius]

Playing alongside Johns he won't be allowed to hone his playmaking skills as Joey will take care care of the attack.

In Premier League he has the freedom to do what he wants.

I'm thinking that Mullen will eventually be our 5/8th not halfback, I think that will end up being Walsh, my preferance would be to have both play in premier league, but if it came to the crunch I think Mullen is up to playing first grade especially with Johns there to guide him along. As for his playmaking skills, If he's good enough, that will eventually come through.

 

[Avenger]

Maybe Morris could end up being your 5/8th next year. Joey seems to rate him. Mullen could still be a little green.

PS The jury is out on whether we want Kurt at Parra.

 

[Johns Magic]

PS The jury is out on whether we want Kurt at Parra.

No it's not...Hagan loves him ;-)

 

[antonius]

Maybe Morris could end up being your 5/8th next year. Joey seems to rate him. Mullen could still be a little green.

PS The jury is out on whether we want Kurt at Parra.

How's the jury on Hagan?

 

[Medievalknight]

How's the jury on Hagan?

After Saturday night I believe they have gone behind LOCKED doors :lol:

 

[ArturiusX]

Next year he will be 20 and if he's not ready next when will he be ?

22 is a good age.

I'm not saying he can't sub in to first grade every now and again to replace Johns (which is becoming half a season anyway... grumble grumble), but we should be nurturing our talent.

Mullen does not have blinding pace to rely on, nor a massive frame or a freakish ability like huge 40/20 kicks. But what he does have is the foundations of a good player. If he had one of the above attributes, like a Marshall, like a Tim Smith, I'd be more inclined to first grade him. But, lets face it, he's not a super natural freak, just a player with a lot of potential and a bright future if developed right.

This season, another in PL, and some guidance from some club great will be enough for me and should see him have a stellar "debut" season.

 

[ArturiusX]

Also, Johns magic, I don't think Mullen not wanting the ball is about hunger, more inexperience.

Even the great Andrew Johns was a quiet little kid at one stage when he first made his debut. It takes a little bit of time before one has the confidence to call the shots in professional unit. Hell, Tim Smith pushes himself, constantly talking, getting himself in position, and he's not even in a whisker of the Johns/Gower/Orford/Kimmorely level of controlling the game.

Its experience, which comes from confidence, which takes time.

 

[Alex28]

Johns is a good enough player to make up for what Mullen might miss in experience/pace/whatever. Heck - he's carried 2 deadset hacks in Rudder and Kidley as 5/8 since Matthew Johns has left.

What experience we give him now will be the making of him once Johns goes. How do people not see that playing him next to Johns as much as we can is beneficial to him?

 

[ArturiusX]

Johns is a good enough player to make up for what Mullen might miss in experience/pace/whatever. Heck - he's carried 2 deadset hacks in Rudder and Kidley as 5/8 since Matthew Johns has left.

What experience we give him now will be the making of him once Johns goes. How do people not see that playing him next to Johns as much as we can is beneficial to him?

I'd rather K.Gidley at 5"8 when Johns is in the side then Mullen, at this stage.

He's a good tackler, fit, quite big, and a good hole runner. Mullen probably has more natural creativity, but if John's is in the side, its Gidley all the way. If you can't believe that, you're too one eyed towards hating Gidley.

 

[Alex28]

so you want him to play First Division in 2006 and 2007 - then have the two of them (Mullen and Walsh) who will have a combined total of bugger all games in First Grade take over when Johns retires at the end of 2007?

I see the wolves circling...

 

[Ben]

I think Mullen should be given a go with Joey alonside him. The more first grade games he gets under his belt, the faster he will develop when he is controlling the attack. Mullen has yet been given a chance to showcase his talent in first grade because basically every time he has played, the forwards have not been getting the metres to set up the platform. The forwards just don't seem capable without Johns steering the side.

I think Mullen will be a great player with minor things that he does during a football game. Firstly, he is very composed when put under pressure. He may not have a very sound long kicking game at this stage in his career, but his short kicking game has been very effective. This is something that Kurt Gidley doesn't offer. Mullen has the ability to sum up the situation and then put in the right play to set up the try. Just take a look at the try against the Storm. He slowed his running down, let the line come to him, before kicking it into the space between defensive line and fullback.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

Brian Smith is said to be bringing Widders, Delaney and Morris to our club if he gets his way, and I am reckoning on reduced contracts with increases once Joey leaves. The thought of Morris and Widders off the bench is a very exciting prospect. Widders can play anywhere really except fullback, And Johnny can cover the halves and hooker.

 

[Jobdog]

Personally I thought the handful of first grade games Mullen had alongside Joey last year offered more to the team as a whole, then Kidley has ever done. The good thing about that being that the longer Mullen plays alongside Joey, the more he's going to improve. Joey has made no secret about the fact he has huge raps on Mullo, which can only be a good thing. If Mullen is in the side alongside Joey, obviously Joey will still run the show, but maybe not as much??