Post subject: Re: Rovers new boys v Hull FC new boys
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:46 pm
Mild Rover
Moderator
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12672 Location: Leicestershire.
I don't think Vella ever really had a frontline prop to complement him. Morgan had a few goes but none were more than very equivocal successes. And time caught up with MV himself. 2011's props look like the best blend we've had in SL, on paper at least. I doubt any will be as good as Vella was at the start of his Rovers career though.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Post subject: Re: Rovers new boys v Hull FC new boys
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:07 pm
barham red
Player Coach
Joined: Jul 12 2007 Posts: 5410
His Bobness wrote:Seems not many agree with you about Vella - but I do. I wouldn't call any Rugby League player soft and certainly not Vella but he did lack menace.
Vella's technique was to turn his back to opponents just before impact and then try to 'backpedal' a few more metres. It could work at times but it meant he avoided heavy collision and he certainly did not offer any aggression or menace that would make anyone fear to tackle him.
Also there was the lack of minutes on the pitch he could barely manage 40 minutes most of the time. And in the last couple of years with his powers declining he has looked a complete spent force. Ideally he should have been replaced 2 years ago. A fine player in the past definitely but I do mean the past.
I really disagree with you on most of that. The last year he has lacked the fitness and impact of previous years but prior to that he was consistently our best prop. The difference between him being on the pitch and him not was visible to the point that we knew when he was spelled we would ship points. He was the one player in our pack that throughout his time in the UK (barring last year) would have been wanted at most othe SL clubs by bith the teams and fans.
Great player, retirement was right for him but to say he lacked any menace is a bit insulting, judging by those standards I'd say Graham and Peacock both lack menace and I don;t mean that I think they do.
Rovers have lacked an impact prop (if thats what you mean by menace) since Mikali left, we haven't had a short spell scatter defences type player who'll come on after 20mins and lift the team. I'm hoping Paea can fit this role this year.
The above what is what some of roopy's mates think of Mika and McDonnel.
Consensus seems to be that Mika can hit hard, but is lazy and tends to disappear from games. SM is too small, but is brave and his handling has improved from rubbish. General feeling is that this stands them in good stead to do well in SL.
The above what is what some of roopy's mates think of Mika and McDonnel.
Consensus seems to be that Mika can hit hard, but is lazy and tends to disappear from games. SM is too small, but is brave and his handling has improved from rubbish. General feeling is that this stands them in good stead to do well in SL.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
The above what is what some of roopy's mates think of Mika and McDonnel.
Consensus seems to be that Mika can hit hard, but is lazy and tends to disappear from games. SM is too small, but is brave and his handling has improved from rubbish. General feeling is that this stands them in good stead to do well in SL.
I read that, but as we've already ascertained with an ongoing experiment (roopy apart) they're all idiots.
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle.
Post subject: Re: Rovers new boys v Hull FC new boys
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:49 pm
nick hkr
International Board Member
Joined: Jun 12 2003 Posts: 4022 Location: Kingston Upon Hull (East)
Firstly by soft I meant he didn't run at an opposition line and not stop until he was stopped. As was rightly said he'd back in to the defence and try and gain a few extra yards. Often teams would just let him fall over and then he'd instantly be on his back with no chance of fighting to land on his knees and elbows which would have lead to much quicker play the balls and a much quicker attack.
Yes I totally agree he has been our best prop since 2007 and while I think Tandy would have pushed him close had he stayed over here and Clinton's first season gave me plenty of hope that we'd replaced an ageing Vella I do think he was still our top prop.
In saying this his fatigue really told when other players were blamed for missing tackles that were actually Vella's to make. When players start doing this regularly it is time for their boots to be firmly hung up. It was the right time for him to leave and I am honoured to have seen him in a Rovers jersey but he was no hard hitting mean forward that struck fear in opponents eyes. That is what I mean by being soft and the whole team were stuck with that tag.
I get where you are all coming from and yes we signed Mason, Fozzard and Clinton to be that mean prop that wouldn't stand no nonsense. Up to now these have failed but under a new coach and now "play book" this fingers crossed will change.
The above what is what some of roopy's mates think of Mika and McDonnel.
Consensus seems to be that Mika can hit hard, but is lazy and tends to disappear from games. SM is too small, but is brave and his handling has improved from rubbish. General feeling is that this stands them in good stead to do well in SL.
That's impact players all over, Paea will be the same.
Australians don't have a very good opinion of SL.
Tarquin Fuego wrote: I love Jamie and have done since he was 10 years old.
The Reason wrote:Hi Andy
The Rugby Football League are in the process of reviewing the video that you are referring to. We do not condone behaviour of this nature and have contacted the player’s employer, Hull F.C., who have confirmed that they are dealing with the incident under their club rules.
The above what is what some of roopy's mates think of Mika and McDonnel.
Consensus seems to be that Mika can hit hard, but is lazy and tends to disappear from games. SM is too small, but is brave and his handling has improved from rubbish. General feeling is that this stands them in good stead to do well in SL.
Very few Knights fans watch reserve grade. I go to games and see maybe 50 Knights fans. Having said that, if you asked those guys what they think of Clint Newton they'd be much more critical, and they'd tell you that George Carmont and Scot Dureau are the worst two players to ever lace on a boot.
Post subject: Re: Rovers new boys v Hull FC new boys
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:54 pm
red al
Player Coach
Joined: Feb 11 2008 Posts: 1087 Location: east of east hull
Mrs Barista wrote:Do you get Eastenders over there? If so, I've got a lovely Newton avatar I could share with them.
was'nt funny over here, they won't find it funny down there.
east hull fc fan wrote: 1 major trophy in 18 years doesn't make us a big club. On the pitch is were it counts and by that theory were no bigger than Sheffield! tarquin fuego wrote: I wrote this 2 mins before the game finished , you know why Sheldon Maylord ? because I know about RL ! Hoss pot HOW on earth do you get NILLED at Wembley ? When your coach isn't a winner at heart and Gentle is not a winner at heart . We were a pub team I coached for a long time and we won 95% of games because winning is a mental state driven by a desire to CRUSH an opposition. Did FC look as though they wanted to Crush Wigan and strangle them until they screamed ? NO RL is a tough tough game and Maylord She-dong you have no clue In fact don't ever ever reply to any of my posts again
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