Your team v Cowboys

[Bring it home Knights]

Anyone know when Roberts contract runs out?

It's getting to that point in time where a tough decision needs to be made. Out of his 80 or so games I'd be curious how many good games he's had. From memory he has had 1 or 2 outstanding games, 8-10 good games. Probably 20 or so mediocre games and the rest have been very poor.

 

[perverse]

Roberts is contracted through to the end of 2016.

 

[macavity]

I think someone said Randell struggled at NSW cup level in the halves.

He is like stocky Gids. All effort, not much talent.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Anyone know when Roberts contract runs out?

It's getting to that point in time where a tough decision needs to be made. Out of his 80 or so games I'd be curious how many good games he's had. From memory he has had 1 or 2 outstanding games, 8-10 good games. Probably 20 or so mediocre games and the rest have been very poor.

This is one of the instances it doesnt really matter....

Its not like he's taking up a huge chunk of the cap, so he could easily just be pushed back into reserves. If nothing else, he'd be a valuable clubman there.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

He is like stocky Gids. All effort, not much talent.

I dont think this is such a bad thing though, and the comparison to gidley is a little unfair...

If you watch any of his NSWCup games in the halves, he's obviously no superstar, but he is exactly wht you want out of a solid halfback;
- all the necessary skills (good passing, kicking, running),
- he's getting his hands on the ball at least once in most sets without actually hogging it,
- He takes the ball to the line and seems pretty good at creating time for himself
- he's no afraid to run the ball (which is obvious, sinces he plays lock now)
- AND, when he does tuck it and run, i runs forward (gidley and Roberts can take note)

At worst he could be a Robson-level halfback, but with Mullens talent (however sporatic that is) a solid, boring half is what we need....

 

[aqua_duck]

Not sure I'd describe his kicking and passing game as good

 

[aqua_duck]

The fact that they played him a lot in the backrow at NSW cup level probably tells you all that you need to know

 

[Nuffy]

I see via the knights app, Stone has made zero changes and again lauds the effort of the team only pointing to execution.

If anything will breed complacency, then that's it as Stone does have the stones to make necessary changes and the cozy insiders club rolls on.

What's the point of a NSW cup team if they aren't producing players ready to step up and keep the pressure on the top team.

If after 3 insipid performances, Stone is still happy to roll on with the same team, then we are officially screwed.

Stones recruitment has proved to be a huge mistake as he is determined to repeat the mistakes of the past. It's almost like Hagan is guiding him.

The only good news is that his weakness will ensure we have a diabolical year performance wise and hopefully his contract is not renewed.

The joint needs a strong independent board and a complete clean out.

 

[The Showstopper]

I hope we get the last sentence Nuffy. I live in hope WESTS take over and do exactly that. Great article by Kent on Taylor and McGregor making players account for performance.

 

[Nuffy]

Show, the issue remains that Newcastle is a small big place.

There's no desire to rock the boat and noisy minorities like the Knights Nannas exert undue influence.

I think that Wests would offer financial security but would they really push the envelope because their community standing is a key part of their business.

Would they be willing to pursue genuine change and shake things up, I fear not.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

The fact that they played him a lot in the backrow at NSW cup level probably tells you all that you need to know

I dont know....

Even when he is named in the back row, he spends most of his time playing like an extra 5/8. And the fact that he is being used at dummyhalf instead of the backrow indicates they have SOME faith in his playmaking abilities.

Anyway, doesnt matter. Probably wont happen (i guess i just enjoy the fantasy of a halves pairing without Roberts or Kidley)...

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

I see via the knights app, Stone has made zero changes and again lauds the effort of the team only pointing to execution.

If anything will breed complacency, then that's it as Stone does have the stones to make necessary changes and the cozy insiders club rolls on.

What's the point of a NSW cup team if they aren't producing players ready to step up and keep the pressure on the top team.

If after 3 insipid performances, Stone is still happy to roll on with the same team, then we are officially screwed.

Stones recruitment has proved to be a huge mistake as he is determined to repeat the mistakes of the past. It's almost like Hagan is guiding him.

The only good news is that his weakness will ensure we have a diabolical year performance wise and hopefully his contract is not renewed.

The joint needs a strong independent board and a complete clean out.

The fact that its TOTALLY cut and paste is the one thing that makes me hope he is still considering making changes...

He obviously hasnt even looked at it yet and probably wont finalise anything before fridayish.

 

[The Showstopper]

What Nuffy said about the wider community getting frustrated gives me hope that our generation are the one's asking the questions that the club will one day have no choice but to answer. Nuffy is completely correct in his statement we need a proper clean out from head to toe.

 

[aqua_duck]

I dont know....

Even when he is named in the back row, he spends most of his time playing like an extra 5/8. And the fact that he is being used at dummyhalf instead of the backrow indicates they have SOME faith in his playmaking abilities.

Anyway, doesnt matter. Probably wont happen (i guess i just enjoy the fantasy of a halves pairing without Roberts or Kidley)...

There's a big difference between playing as a part time 5/8th in NSW cup or bench utility to being a starting halfback at NRL level, does the guy have better playmaking ability than the average backrowers? Sure but I'd put his playmaking ability at average NSW cup standard, that's stratospheres below what's required for a first grade halfback

 

[perverse]

There's a big difference between playing as a part time 5/8th in NSW cup or bench utility to being a starting halfback at NRL level, does the guy have better playmaking ability than the average backrowers? Sure but I'd put his playmaking ability at average NSW cup standard, that's stratospheres below what's required for a first grade halfback

Yeah, but that's misrepresenting the choice were faced with. The choice st the moment is - is he a better option than Roberts right now? Even if it's to give him a wake up call? That's a genuine question, I'm not really sure... but something has to give.

 

[aqua_duck]

Obviously Tyrone needs to get the chop, but not for someone who is totally inadequate for the position. I'd go Carlos Tuimavave

 

[Joker's Wild]

Pretty much the crux of it pervy

Im not a big fan of dropping players just because a we want a change but something has to give.

Im not sold on Tui. Ive not watched him this year but what I saw of him at the Warrior he looked to be a 2nd rower/centre playing in the halves. Not sure thats any better than Randall

 

[aqua_duck]

Tuimavave was used as a utility in the top grade by the warriors but played all his junior footy at 5/8th in fact was one of the best 5/8ths in NYC for about 3 years, is take that over a bloke who's skill set was deemed not good enough to get a run in the halves at NYC level

 

[Allstar Knights]

Going off form in NSW Cup, it would be hard to go past Feeney. He's not much of an organier but he's a dangerous ball-runner with his size and his kicking game can be pretty good. I think he should be thereabouts to keep Roberts honest.

I wouldn't mind seeing Brock Lamb get a few FG games at the end of the year as well in preparation for next year.

 

[Joker's Wild]

A ball runner is not what our FG team needs though. An organiser with a cool head and a half decent kicking game is whats required imo