Witt is not the answer.

[Avenger]

Let me first say that I like Michael Witt. He has on at least 3 occasions won games for us from his goal kicking alone. I'm assuming that he is not showing form because he is out of position. I just analysed the game on tape. He had a shocker in my opinion. Dykes to me looked more dangerous then Witt. Witt to me has no organisational ability and looks a little slow to play number 7. I know our greatest ever in Sterling lacked pace but he had vision, a great kicking and passing game.Witt in my opinion (so far) has none of these attributes.

I saw Tim Smith play in reserve grade. The thing with this kid is that he looks like a 7. He runs like a 7. He kicks like a 7. His build is like a 7 should be. Which brings me to the latest signings that we may make. I think we should sign Riddell and make him our hooker. Assuming I'm right about Witt I would put Morris at 6, especially if we have a dominating number 7 in Tim Smith or a purchased one in Matt Orford.

Sorry M. Witt I just don't think you have it. Please prove me wrong.

 

[Jake the snake]

Avenger your spot on mate. I have said what you have just said on many occasions. But we cant rush Tim SMith at the moment as he needs time in the lower grades to come on. We will have to persevere with Witt for the time being untill we get Smith up to 1st grade standard.

M Witt just cant lead a team around the park.

 

[Eelementary]

I'm sure that was not Mick's best game.

But when it came down to it, he made those important tackles and played OK.

He'll get better.

Plus I think we are grooming him as a 5/8. He would suit that position better.

RE: Witt's skills - last year he set-up numerous tries through kicks and good vision. And his passing game is damned decent.

I think it will take him a few weeks more to get his game up to par, but it's not as if he's playing horribly.

 

[strider]

Yeah, Witty isn't a brilliant half-5/8, but he does some good stuff....give him a little time to improve, he's still a kid

 

[Eels Dude]

I think you guys are being too critical on the young bloke. Most young halfbacks and 5'8ths take time adjusting and need working on their games. He hasn't even played 20 first grade games yet. Witt's got a long way to go as a player, i'm sure he can improve a lot and be a great attacking player.

 

[WA Eel]

Lets not forget that Matt Orford was ordinary enough to get sacked by the Northern Eagles when he first came into first grade. In fact, I wouldn't have rated him as a "top" halfback until last year, at the age of 25.

 

[Avenger]

Orford left because of Jason Taylor, not because he was ordinary. Orfors always had huge potential.

 

[Pazza]

Orford forced JT into PL. Orford left the Eagles cause they were hell bent on getting Brett Kimmorley.

 

[The Colonel]

Let me first say that I like Michael Witt. He has on at least 3 occasions won games for us from his goal kicking alone. I'm assuming that he is not showing form because he is out of position. I just analysed the game on tape. He had a shocker in my opinion. Dykes to me looked more dangerous then Witt. Witt to me has no organisational ability and looks a little slow to play number 7. I know our greatest ever in Sterling lacked pace but he had vision, a great kicking and passing game.Witt in my opinion (so far) has none of these attributes.

I saw Tim Smith play in reserve grade. The thing with this kid is that he looks like a 7. He runs like a 7. He kicks like a 7. His build is like a 7 should be. Which brings me to the latest signings that we may make. I think we should sign Riddell and make him our hooker. Assuming I'm right about Witt I would put Morris at 6, especially if we have a dominating number 7 in Tim Smith or a purchased one in Matt Orford.

Let me just say that firstly both Smith and Witt were playing out of position at five eight. Having not seen the game I cannot comment on Smith. I do know however that the kid is a very exciting prospect.

Secondly, Dykes did very little organising from first receiver. He picked up the runners that he hasn't picked up for much of the season. Witt at second receiver had to play off Dykes and not the other way about which would have been more natural to a halfback. It helped make what Dykes did do look even better because those around him did the job they were asked of.

Thirdly, better judges than yourself and many others have seen fit to place the kid on a four year deal so obviously they see room for improvement and class.

Lastly, there is a huge gap between Premier League and first grade which has been proven again and again in the past. Witt has runs on the board in first grade while Tim Smith does not. Thats not to say that Tim won't makeit however as a long term option who is still only quite young its a bit early to pin all our hopes on one kid who may or may not stay if someone decides to sign big names that may hinder his process.

 

[Parraren]

Avenger, I think the key thing with these young kids is confidence. At the moment Witty doesn't have alot of it. Remember how Tonga played for us last year in First Grade? He was ordinary and that's being pretty kind. Now that's not to say the kid didn't have talent because we saw what he was capable of in Premier League but when he was brought into First Grade he struggled with confidence and naturally enough so did his form. Willie has his confidence in First Grade now (unfortunately with another club) and he's being considered for Qld Origin.

It's far too early to be writing Witty off and i'm 100% positive his performances will improve drammatically as his confidence grows in First Grade.