Why is Robson a halfback??

[Eelementary]

So we pin our attack to a 19/20 year old kid who has to live up to the name "Mortimer" whilst being hinted as the next Peter Sterling? That is the pressure he does not need not now, thats why you need someone like KK to offload that responsibly. Hayne cannot be seen as the next attacking weapon, he picks and choose when he wants to come in, thats his biggest strength, he said it himself in the GF he tried to much instead of pick his moments.

Mate, what you say makes sense...But first you say, "We pin our attack to a 19/20 year old" as though his youth is a burden...And then you throw KK in the ring and omit Robson?

I'm not arguing on ability - on ability alone, Keating and Mortimer have it all over Jeff, unfortunately. But what Robson brings to the table is exactly what we need, at least to start the year.

 

[yy_cheng]

aren't we talking about Robson and KK?

 

[JoeyJoJo83]

I just want to also note this is not an attack against Robson, he has done extreamly well this year to be thrown in first grade and help take us on to a GF. I just don't think he should be our first option number 7 for next year, option 2 yes but not 1

 

[JoeyJoJo83]

Mate, what you say makes sense...But first you say, "We pin our attack to a 19/20 year old" as though his youth is a burden...And then you throw KK in the ring and omit Robson?

I'm not arguing on ability - on ability alone, Keating and Mortimer have it all over Jeff, unfortunately. But what Robson brings to the table is exactly what we need, at least to start the year.

Sorry I'll explain what I mean by pinning our attack on Morts. I think everyone can agree Robson attacking ability isn't his best attribute, thus putting the pressure on Morts. We bring in KK and then we are seen with two attacking halves on either side of the ruck.

What is it that Robson brings to the table at the start of the year? the only thing I can think of is his defense.

 

[yy_cheng]

Sorry I'll explain what I mean by pinning our attack on Morts. I think everyone can agree Robson attacking ability isn't his best attribute, thus putting the pressure on Morts. We bring in KK and then we are seen with two attacking halves on either side of the ruck.

What is it that Robson brings to the table at the start of the year? the only thing I can think of is his defense.

What he does really really really well is to get the ball as fast as he can to the guys who should get the ball.

He doesn't (well rarely) make a play but he'll distribute it to one of the playmakers QUICKLY.

You will hardly ever see him HOG the ball or go himself as he knows there are better players around him.

When Finch was around. Finch held it, dummied it, or switched it back inside to no effect.
But Robbo has managed to get the ball out and not starve or brilliant attacking players like we have in the past.

The only thing I really don't like about him is his kicking game.

 

[JoeyJoJo83]

True can't argue with that, but we don't think KK could do that? or even Morts in the number 7?

 

[yy_cheng]

True can't argue with that, but we don't think KK could do that? or even Morts in the number 7?

I am sure they could but Robson has not lost the position.

Tbh, I would like 6. KK 7. Mortz

But I just think Robbo will get first dibs from ANDO

 

[JoeyJoJo83]

Well as the saying goes, in DA we trust. I'm sure at the end of the day the decision he makes will be the right one.

 

[Eelementary]

Sorry I'll explain what I mean by pinning our attack on Morts. I think everyone can agree Robson attacking ability isn't his best attribute, thus putting the pressure on Morts. We bring in KK and then we are seen with two attacking halves on either side of the ruck.

What is it that Robson brings to the table at the start of the year? the only thing I can think of is his defense.

No problems - I misread it. My mistake!

Well, KK has been out injured a long time - at least for the start of the season, I think, for the sake of continuity, that we'd be better served with Robson starting at halfback and having KK off the bench.

It shouldn't last too long, though, because Mitchell will play First Grade next year imo and he will do very well.

 

[Jeremy_hindmarsh]

My 2010 side

1. Hayne
2.Burt
3.Tahu
4.Reddy
5.Grothe
6. Mortimer
7. Humble
8. Moi Moi
9. Keating
10. Poore
11.Hindmarsh
12.Smith
13. Mateo

14.Cayless
15. Mannah
16. KK/Robson
17. Shackleton

i think humble will start the season off to show what he has got in halfback, Mortz to start at 6 again and Moi Moi to start in 8, making hindmarsh captain and cayless Co Captain. once again guys only my prediction my im thinkin it starting to look like a good one!

 

[Casper The Ghost]

Some players are just late bloomers, nothing wrong about that!

It's possible Robson could continue to improve his attack and kicking game.

He has shown he has mental toughness, is disciplined, does not get scattered or unsettled and provides a calming influence over the team.

A good five months training in the off-season with DA, (Johns & Sterling when they can help) and with Daniel Mortimer, Hayne, Mateo, trainers/conditioners/sprinting coaches, etc, etc, and with the very successful last season resonating behind him, Robson's confidence and attitude could possibly have him improve another 50% or so.

Robson has also shown he tackles just as hard and passionate in the 78th minute as he does in the 1st minute... this is an attribute of great importance to DA and the team. Robson is a proven 80 minute player. Kris Keating has a way to go in this department (the power, intensity and the passion in defence etc).

I guess for next year that KK will be a 14 come back up 6 or 7. It's up to Robson to lose his position and I just don't think he will let this golden opportunity slip through his grasp.

Mortimer will improve in attack next year, as will a fitter, stronger, faster Mateo and Inu. Then we have Hayne & Tahu...... and there is the Keating brothers, Burt & Anthony Mitchell if he manages to break into the top 17.

The Eels won't be dependent on an attacking 7 next year but they really could do with Robson being an 80 minute perpetual motion machine cleaning up both sides of the ruck, up the middle and out wide.

We will all know by the 6th round if the Eels have upt the anti to much greater hights than the ones they achieved late this season.... with the unpredicatable style of turning/passing at the line launching 2nd phase plays being the undoing of all defences before them. They will most definately be mentally tougher than this year. And then there is Poore & Shackleton, both will become internationals.

 

[Eelementary]

Well said, Casper.

I think Jeff Robson deserves a spot somewhere in the team, whether it's at halfback or hooker or wherever. But he proved he deserves his spot - he may not be the world's most talented player, but he is as determined as anyone else in the side, easily coachable (I recall an interview earlier this year where Daniel Anderson reflected on how easy it was to coach Jeff because he listens intently and is eager to get better and take it all in) and has many positive attributes. I think a player like Robson - always giving 100% and well-liked by his peers - is crucial to any side. Just ask Melbourne and Brett Finch. In fact, if Mortimer/Keating/Humble can develop into a dominant player, then Robson just may well become our 2009 Grand Final Brett Finch (go on, admit it - Finchy had a good game against us in the decider, largely due to the fact he didn't have to do everything himself).

My two cents, anyway.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

Well said, Casper.

I think Jeff Robson deserves a spot somewhere in the team, whether it's at halfback or hooker or wherever. But he proved he deserves his spot - he may not be the world's most talented player, but he is as determined as anyone else in the side, easily coachable (I recall an interview earlier this year where Daniel Anderson reflected on how easy it was to coach Jeff because he listens intently and is eager to get better and take it all in) and has many positive attributes. I think a player like Robson - always giving 100% and well-liked by his peers - is crucial to any side. Just ask Melbourne and Brett Finch. In fact, if Mortimer/Keating/Humble can develop into a dominant player, then Robson just may well become our 2009 Grand Final Brett Finch (go on, admit it - Finchy had a good game against us in the decider, largely due to the fact he didn't have to do everything himself).

My two cents, anyway.

Well said Eelementary.

Robson overworked himself in the 2009 GF. He knew/felt some of his team mates were off their game having wobbles. This won't happen next year. Robson will have a bunch of greatly improved players around him and he will no longer have to think/feel he has to do everything. Finchy had a good game. And yet, he had to go for the Eels to bloom..... and they will continue blooming next year. Its exciting witnessing the unfoldment of Another Eels Golden Age. They will win the 2010 GF.

Also, DA will tap in to that 2009 passion/enthusiasm of Robson's to help it expand more in 2010. Dropping him from the 7 for the beginning of the 2010 season will only effect the whole team energy/passion/dynamics etc. If I was coach I would not want to be messing with the brains of the players so early in the season. It will be up to the 2009 players to lose their spots.

 

[Eelementary]

Well said Eelementary.

Robson overworked himself in the 2009 GF. He knew/felt some of his team mates were off their game having wobbles. This won't happen next year. Robson will have a bunch of greatly improved players around him and he will no longer have to think/feel he has to do everything. Finchy had a good game. And yet, he had to go for the Eels to bloom..... and they will continue blooming next year. Its exciting witnessing the unfoldment of Another Eels Golden Age. They will win the 2010 GF.

Also, DA will tap in to that 2009 passion/enthusiasm of Robson's to help it expand more in 2010. Dropping him from the 7 for the beginning of the 2010 season will only effect the whole team energy/passion/dynamics etc. If I was coach I would not want to be messing with the brains of the players so early in the season. It will be up to the 2009 players to lose their spots.

Interesting points.

Personally, what really relaxes me about having a guy at halfback who isn't a world-beater in Robbo is the fact that once Mateo came on we looked like world beaters - Feleti came on and single-handedly tore Melbourne a new one imo.

Now, add in Mortimer, Hayne and Burty and you have loads of creativity around the park - even add in Anthony Mitchell. This means Robbo can do what he does best and we're no worse off.

I am happy to have Robson at halfback because we have the luxury of having a few freaks in Mortimer, Hayne and Mateo to do the attacking work while he can focus on his job.

 

[Casper The Ghost]

Interesting points.

Personally, what really relaxes me about having a guy at halfback who isn't a world-beater in Robbo is the fact that once Mateo came on we looked like world beaters - Feleti came on and single-handedly tore Melbourne a new one imo.

Now, add in Mortimer, Hayne and Burty and you have loads of creativity around the park - even add in Anthony Mitchell. This means Robbo can do what he does best and we're no worse off.

I am happy to have Robson at halfback because we have the luxury of having a few freaks in Mortimer, Hayne and Mateo to do the attacking work while he can focus on his job.

And what if Robson improves his attack another 50% or more?????

 

[84 Baby]

Dropping him from the 7 for the beginning of the 2010 season will only effect the whole team energy/passion/dynamics etc. If I was coach I would not want to be messing with the brains of the players so early in the season. It will be up to the 2009 players to lose their spots.

I like this point. The person who gets the position is not going to be the one with the best physical ability but the one who is best mentally capable of being the first grade halfback as well as fending off the other contenders. Keating could go to representative level ability of a halfback but would mean SFA if he couldn't run the plays needed for us to win games.

 

[Eelementary]

And what if Robson improves his attack another 50% or more?????

Then we'll be sitting sweet!

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I prefer Keating, but it has been debated enough in this thread.

Does anyone think Robson could be playing a bit of lock next year ?

 

[Stagger eel]

I prefer Keating, but it has been debated enough in this thread.

Does anyone think Robson could be playing a bit of lock next year ?

i can honestly see Robo playing Kingas role..and I can see him doing an outstanding job.

 

[Bigfella]

Fair point, although I can also see KK doing it Stags. I think KK would have a bit more nip about him than Robbo too.