Mild mannered Janitor wrote:I used to think your posts were level headed and well thought out.
However, if you consider Kelly as injury prone, I'd like to know the basis of this.
Also, the head knock Talanoa got a few years back was a bad one, yet he's out most effective back on the try scoring charts.
Its my opinion that half back s cannot simply be created. There has to be a high level of natural skill already there to be polished.
I am being very level headed here - this season has proven difficult for Albert to get on the field and we're not sure when he's back. To me the recent injuries make him injury prone and I am more concerned with the bang on his head, as I am with all concussions. They are totally devastating years later and I am also very concerned for Talanoa and his well being. NFL is my other major sporting interest and concussions there are at an all time high.
There's also so much eveidence to point towards players taking jabs ala Carlos at Widnes and the long term damaging effects of taking jabs. Didn't Phil Clarke talk about this last year ?
I think we would be taking a massive gamble with Albert and I don't want to be proved right next season if he stays.
As far as the half backs are concerned then I'm concerned.
However I have so much faith in youth. We may have a half back now aged 18.5yrs and could be ready in 1 years time and be 3x the player he is now. Young kids can develop so quickly between 18-21 and I just can't understand why we can't seem to produce one or even have one on the cusp of the squad.
Horne played at 16 - Jamie Shaul was laying bricks and playing for Skirlaugh and a year later he's at Wembley going the full length. Kids can also surprise you when given a chance. They don't know their limits until someone tells them.
SO I would let Albert go and nurture a half back from the Academy/fast track him or buy a younger promising player from Aussie or the lower leagues.