stpatricks wrote:At the last nines series in Aus both Field and Dufty were talked up as future stars. Both similar attributes fast good skills to cover half’s or full back but both small in stature. Dufty got his chance and had some rave reviews last season, Field on the out went to Parra and had limited game time. When he was in the half’s as injury cover he played a simple game but he was ok in defence.
How they sort out the French, Tommy, Hastings, Smith, Field conundrum is an headache for Lam but he must have had an idea of where to fit Field in the squad when he was signed.
I wonder if in the short term he may play him at fullback and French on the wing. It seems a more natural fit than banging Field out on the wing, when by all accounts he’s never played there. It would be a huge call to move a man of steel contender from that fullback spot though but if the balance is better for the team, maybe he will, at least until Marshall is back.
MattyB wrote:I've always thought Joe Burgess was a confidence player, drops the ball in the first five minutes and it would affect his performance for the rest of the game. Score a try in the first five minutes of a game and would probably go on and get a hat-trick.
Like chalk and cheese.
I think it was last year he had about 5-6 poor (for him) games on the trot. Absolutely battered his confidence and got worse as each game went along. I kept saying to others that he just needed an early try in a match which he eventually got, instantly picked up. Everything was different about him until he had a dry spell and went back into his shell again.
Will probably have a blinder against us next year (they normally do).
Agree with this completely. He’s very similar to Greenwood in that regard. Both, in their day too class players and should be in contention for international honours.
Joined: Jan 25 2012 Posts: 3902 Location: In the sky with diamonds
Grimmy wrote:That's how I see it. Hanley Jr would look like a superstar from his academy highlights reel too but I'm not about to crown him better than French either. If someone with limited first team appearances becomes worth a regular spot then that is a win IMO.
Spot on & I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this.
If you listen to some people we'll either be moving last year's MOS (Hastings), this year's POTY (French) or a club legend who's in great form (Tommy) to accommodate a guy with 30 sporadic NRL appearances. Field will need to be given time and he'll need to earn his spot. Let's not overburden him with ridiculous comparisons, or set the bar too high.
Yet another example of how weird some of our fan base is when it comes to realistically evaluating players.
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Grimmy wrote:That's how I see it. Hanley Jr would look like a superstar from his academy highlights reel too but I'm not about to crown him better than French either. If someone with limited first team appearances becomes worth a regular spot then that is a win IMO.
he would but its not junior comp he was playing, looked good at both FB and stand off for both teams
NickyKiss wrote:I wonder if in the short term he may play him at fullback and French on the wing. It seems a more natural fit than banging Field out on the wing, when by all accounts he’s never played there. It would be a huge call to move a man of steel contender from that fullback spot though but if the balance is better for the team, maybe he will, at least until Marshall is back.
Some tough decisions add in Bobby’s form i was impressed with his form at the end of the season good yards at the start of sets and some big hits in defence. I’m hoping for a strong start, any early season slump could lead to chopping and changing of the backs.
Manfredi has been out with two long term injuries and since his return from those injuries has not produced the form he showed when he first got into the team and is again injured.
As Burgess has left and Marshall is also got a long term injury, we have no specialist wingers.
Please don't say we have any number of players who could fill the wing positions when outside Manfredi and Marshall, we have no specialist wingers like Makinson and Grace, Briscoe and Hanley, Davies and YaYa, Ben Jones Bishop and Johnstone or even Charnley and Lineham.
The likes of Bibby and Hankinson or players like French and Field moving from their more effective positions is not the answer for a club which over many years has been famous for having outstanding and famous wingers.
Joined: May 27 2003 Posts: 20226 Location: educating League Freak on all things rugby league
Ruddy Duck wrote:Manfredi has been out with two long term injuries and since his return from those injuries has not produced the form he showed when he first got into the team and is again injured.
As Burgess has left and Marshall is also got a long term injury, we have no specialist wingers.
Please don't say we have any number of players who could fill the wing positions when outside Manfredi and Marshall, we have no specialist wingers like Makinson and Grace, Briscoe and Hanley, Davies and YaYa, Ben Jones Bishop and Johnstone or even Charnley and Lineham.
The likes of Bibby and Hankinson or players like French and Field moving from their more effective positions is not the answer for a club which over many years has been famous for having outstanding and famous wingers.
Neither is stacking your squad out with specialist wingers in a sport which is salary capped.
You can carry 3 at the most, we have seen even with our injury issues on the wings 4 into 2 doesn’t work.
We have Marshall, Manfredi, Bibby, French who can all play on the wing to a good standard.
If we can bring in a prop and a winger fair enough but a quality prop has to be the priority which may prevent or limit our ability to recruit elsewhere.
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jonh wrote: if we can bring in a prop and a winger fair enough but a quality prop has to be the priority which may prevent or limit our ability to recruit elsewhere.
It is non negotiable. Props win you pots. We had the best backs in the league and looked the most dangerous v Saints when in their half. Trouble was we were never in their half. Their pack was better.
You can stick anyone on the wing with the backs we have.
Props props props. George Burgess is the key in all this.
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