who is the junior?

[chewbacca]

From the Sun Herald yesterday:
"Dragons miss out. A change in the coaching box at one NRL club put an end to any chance of a St George Illawarra junior returning to the Red V next year. The Dragons were hopeful player unrest would lead to a welcome homecoming of sorts.

Instead, the incoming coach was quick to show the importance of the player to his side long-term. Meanwhile, Kyle Stanley impressed plenty at St George Illawarra as he made his return to the training paddock after his 2013 season was written off with a fourth knee reconstruction. If Stanley can’t cement himself as the club’s No.1 halfback, expect him to become a useful bench utility after spending plenty of time training at hooker, in a similar role to that of retired stalwart Nathan Fien.

LINK: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/asada-fallout-wont-sink-sharks-20131228-300w9.html

So there are four clubs with new coaches Canberra, Parramatta, Cronulla and Nth QLD. Is that right?
I have a feeling that it is Ashton Sims. that would be an interesting signing. Does anyone out there have any other info?

 

[juanfarkall]

Kane Linnett was suggested in Jubliee Ave

 

[patzz_]

I would take Ashton Sims, we just don't seem to have any out and out props at the moment

 

[grouch]

It'd be Tariq or Linnett. Ashton hardly seems worthy of mention.

 

[TheRev]

Stanley training at hooker.. definitely adds some merit to the idea of him as a utility and coverage for Rein.

Garvey might have to stick it out in the cutters and wait for injury.

 

[Cagey Mac]

Stanley training at hooker.. definitely adds some merit to the idea of him as a utility and coverage for Rein.

Garvey might have to stick it out in the cutters and wait for injury.

As I mentioned on several occasions Rev
The thinking is that bench dh will suit Kyle's rehab better than half or 5/8
Less fatigue, less lateral movement.
It's a good strategy
He's also a handy front on defender with a good kicking game
DH shorter pass requirements also mean less pressure on knee ligaments

 

[BrissyRedV]

Ashton would have been a great pick up as it could have potentially led to a renunion with his brothers at the Saints.

But from what I hear it was Kane Linnett.

 

[Outlaw Pete]

I thought Linnett resigned when Henry was still coach or no coach had been announced. Would suggest he wasn't leaving NQ.

 

[West coast dragon]

kyle spending plenty of time training at hooker tells me he ain't in the plans for halfback!bench utility sounds just fine

 

[watatank]

I thought Linnett resigned when Henry was still coach or no coach had been announced. Would suggest he wasn't leaving NQ.

Yeah, he signed before last season started. Don't think this is newsworthy.

 

[BrissyRedV]

It would not be like a news paper to drag something up from months ago to sell some news papers though would it?

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Would love Tariq at the Dragons

 

[watatank]

kyle spending plenty of time training at hooker tells me he ain't in the plans for halfback!bench utility sounds just fine

He's training there because we need the depth at hooker/utility and he's versatile enough. Just another reason why letting King go was a stupid decision. I'm sure he will be in the mix for a halves spot at some stage.

 

[hardbaby]

Stanley training at hooker.. definitely adds some merit to the idea of him as a utility and coverage for Rein.

Garvey might have to stick it out in the cutters and wait for injury.

And to think how much I was howled down when I suggested this months ago! It is a very astute move. I reckon style will be great in that position.

 

[West coast dragon]

He's training there because we need the depth at hooker/utility and he's versatile enough. Just another reason why letting King go was a stupid decision. I'm sure he will be in the mix for a halves spot at some stage.

maybe but if you read some of the comments on this forum anyone would think he's a lock for half back which i don't think he is,far from it.but i agree letting king go was rather stupid he'll probably come good now he's at the cows!

 

[Godz Illa]

As I mentioned on several occasions Rev
The thinking is that bench dh will suit Kyle's rehab better than half or 5/8
Less fatigue, less lateral movement.
It's a good strategy
He's also a handy front on defender with a good kicking game
DH shorter pass requirements also mean less pressure on knee ligaments

I think its a dud move and typical of Price's short sightedness. Kyle played some dummy half in early 2011 when he was lighter and quicker, and still looked too big and a tad cumbersome for the role. If a move to the middle is on the cards due to his knee problems then he'd be more suited to a John Sutton-style shift to lock given his size. If he's being considered as a bench utility to be used everywhere in the forwards and backs, then we face the grim prospect of Mitch Rein playing long minutes again. In addition, it means stunting the development of our only genuine alternate hooker, Craig Garvey. Not to mention it being yet another misuse of Kyle himself.

 

[Rex Terp]

Agreed Godz. Short sightedness is a consistent theme in a lot of the decision making.

I mean, why let Damien Cook go? While I strongly disagreed with King being released, I can at least see the salary cap side of that. But how much more would the Dogs have conceivably offered Cook, and how much cap space would we really have saved by not keeping him. Peanuts. And he's a guy who is excellent back up at hooker and other positions...and now we have Kyle Stanley ready to play dummy half off the bench. Just poor.

On top of that, we still don't have the backrower/dummy half forward utility that pretty much every club in the comp has in their squad. So it all comes down to Mitch Rein (solid at best), Crag Garvey (who needs at least another year before becoming experienced enough) and Kyle Stanley somehow playing dummy half...not a great outcome.

 

[jenninga]

Agreed Godz. Short sightedness is a consistent theme in a lot of the decision making.

I mean, why let Damien Cook go? While I strongly disagreed with King being released, I can at least see the salary cap side of that. But how much more would the Dogs have conceivably offered Cook, and how much cap space would we really have saved by not keeping him. Peanuts. And he's a guy who is excellent back up at hooker and other positions...and now we have Kyle Stanley ready to play dummy half off the bench. Just poor.

On top of that, we still don't have the backrower/dummy half forward utility that pretty much every club in the comp has in their squad. So it all comes down to Mitch Rein (solid at best), Crag Garvey (who needs at least another year before becoming experienced enough) and Kyle Stanley somehow playing dummy half...not a great outcome.

Agree about Cook and pretty much what you have said.Kyle however is a smart player who could adapt,but I reckon Quinlan is also in the mix and would be great coming on as he is a busy player,tough and good backing up play.

 

[hardbaby]

I think its a dud move and typical of Price's short sightedness. Kyle played some dummy half in early 2011 when he was lighter and quicker, and still looked too big and a tad cumbersome for the role. If a move to the middle is on the cards due to his knee problems then he'd be more suited to a John Sutton-style shift to lock given his size. If he's being considered as a bench utility to be used everywhere in the forwards and backs, then we face the grim prospect of Mitch Rein playing long minutes again. In addition, it means stunting the development of our only genuine alternate hooker, Craig Garvey. Not to mention it being yet another misuse of Kyle himself.

I see your points but can't agree with (most of) that. You think Style is too cumbersome for dummy half yet most people think he will go well in the halves. He didn't really shine in the handful of minutes he played in that position but understandably so. It was new to him. He didn't shine at centre or fullback either. FYI, Isaac Luke played last year at 93 kgs (listed at 89 but was heavier) so a hooker can be a touch heavier if he has the talent. I think Style is immensely talented.

Re potential lock, yeah I reckon that might work as well. That's why he is a utility. He can gain some minutes in that position as well.

Selecting him as back up hooker only really impacts Rein's minutes in the case of an injury in one of a handful of positions. And if we do have an injury there (e.g. half) thank god we have Style not Garvey on the bench. Style should see almost as many minutes at hooker as Garvey would have.

Does it stunt the development of Garvey? Yes that is the downside. But I would expect injury or rep duties to affect one of Williams, Widdop, Rein or Style. Garvey will get plenty of game time. If he's good enough, he'll take a spot. Hopefully Rein's. Garvey may well turn into our starting hooker.

A "misuse of Kyle himself". Rubbish. He has missed most of the last two years and needs to make a position his own. But which position? He has played so many positions who knows where he best suits the team? But it's about the team, not the individual. You are placing him on a pedestal with a comment like that.

 

[Godz Illa]

I see your points but can't agree with (most of) that. You think Style is too cumbersome for dummy half yet most people think he will go well in the halves.

Are you saying hooker and the halves have identical requirements in terms of size? How would players like Terry Campese, Sutton, Anasta, Curtis Sironen, Corey Norman go at hooker?

He didn't really shine in the handful of minutes he played in that position but understandably so. It was new to him. He didn't shine at centre or fullback either.

Good point. Maybe we stop trying to fit the square peg in a round hole and let him develop in his best position then huh?

FYI, Isaac Luke played last year at 93 kgs (listed at 89 but was heavier) so a hooker can be a touch heavier if he has the talent.

See the Campese et al point. Weight is not the (only) issue. Height is another - the simple act of bending down quickly to distribute the ball. Also Stanley, like Campese, is more of the subtle skill and strength variety rather than the explosive acceleration variety of Luke (and Garvey)

I think Style is immensely talented.

Putting him on a pedestal much

Selecting him as back up hooker only really impacts Rein's minutes in the case of an injury in one of a handful of positions. And if we do have an injury there (e.g. half) thank god we have Style not Garvey on the bench.

As Rex Terp noted, this is an error of Price and co. Should have kept King and/or Cook who can both play in the halves. However, given what we have I'd still prefer Garvey used. In case of a halves injury a reshuffle can be made - Farrell has played some five-eighth and Dugan could for one game as well.

A "misuse of Kyle himself". Rubbish. He has missed most of the last two years and needs to make a position his own. But which position? He has played so many positions who knows where he best suits the team? But it's about the team, not the individual.

Putting him at hooker is bad for both.