OFFICIAL Blake Austin [Discussion]

[innsaneink]

Hard to judge him over 80 against the premiers and one of the better defensive teams

Like Rowe, more game time will wee an improvement imo
It will all revert back to what youre happy about when all are fit

His defense lets him down at times and thats where Anasta has it on him, but Blake has a bit of spark and zip that were lacking in attack, something Anasta doesnt have

 

[Tim Sheens]

I.agree for the time being, but hope to see the youngsters together later in the year when we are not decimated by injury.

If Teddy decides to go, I would give Moses a run at fullback after the SOO series.

 

[Snake]

You can not judge to much on last nights game, defiantly gives a bit of spark and can find a gap , would like to see him at 5/8 at least for several games for a good Accecment. The team is to disjointed at the moment all over the park.

 

[happy_tiger]

Just putting it out there

He adds heaps of enthusiasm and can play anywhere really

What are others thoughts , or will we be covered when Sironen is back

Dean Halatau doesn't even make the picture in comparison with Austin , Austin offers far more

 

[Demps]

He's our best option at the moment.
Future star so give him another chance.

Top class caliber player and worth sticking with.
Better than Benji as well.

 

[king_sirro]

With everyone fit i think he's at 6 or not in the team at all.

I like the idea of adding his spark like you are suggesting, but i just couldnt justify dropping any of the impact forwards to fit Blake in. And remember, Sirro is back soon too, and once he gets fit he has to be in the 17 somewhere.

Very hard to pick a top 17 for us this year, very hard.

 

[Moh]

He's a must to persist with at 5/8 when we have some of our good players back. Too early to say he's not the answer for us there.

 

[king_sirro]

Anasta has had a few chances to show his stuff with Farah and Teddy in the team. Blake has come in without those guys which is very significant. Having Teddy could make Blake.

IMO Austin comes up with the same errors Anasta does which is frustrating, but at least he keeps the opposition guessing always probing. Adds a lot more than Anasta without being a star.

 

[happy_tiger]

Anasta has had a few chances to show his stuff with Farah and Teddy in the team. Blake has come in without those guys which is very significant. Having Teddy could make Blake.

IMO Austin comes up with the same errors Anasta does which is frustrating, but at least he keeps the opposition guessing always probing. Adds a lot more than Anasta without being a star.

Any chance we do a transplant and give Anasta Austins legs or vice versa

Because that's the exact combination we need at the moment

 

[Milky]

He must be our 5/8\. We lacked direction yesterday and Farah will bring that.

 

[TIGER]

Without teddy our attack is pretty stock. Blake creates half chances he just doesn't get any support, be nice to see some strike power outside him in the form of simona and teddy. At least with blake we don't have to put up shitty bombs that the opposition usually take with ease and almost score a run away try off every time.

 

[tig_prmz]

The point of having a bench is to have impact. Austin brings impact.

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[southerntiger]

Blake played fine in a depleted side. Our problem last night, apart from a disjointed distribution from DH, was that our outside backs are incredibly slow without Simona.

Blake will look good in a side that has more attacking options.

I would like to see us move to a more traditional 7 and 6 role. I would like to see Brooks playing both sides of the ruck.

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[Demps]

#6 AUSTIN

He'll come good.

 

[greatodensraven]

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[Goose]

There is certainly an argument to have him in the 17, thought he had a poor game last night, not that that means he is no good.
I think our best side is Anasta at 6, and an argument can be made for Austin on the benvh.
A side that includes Siro probably rules Austin off the bench

 

[stevetiger]

I see him as starting 6 or nothing. I'd have him there ahead of Anasta but I want to see Moses get a chance.

 

[softlaw]

Dean Halatau doesn't even make the picture in comparison with Austin

I think Austin's future with us is to do what Halatau was bought to do. Austin should be 9 when Robbie is unavailable and the impact utility on the bench every other game.
Based on the games I watched with him at Penrith late last year and at 6 for us this year he drifts in and out of the game mentally far too much in that position. When he's been put at 9 he has to be involved almost every play so can't drift out and is far more consistent and effective. He's very sharp out of dummy half at a retreating defence and has good vision. Also a good kick. He needs to work on fitness and defence to be the backup 9 but he seems to be a good trainer and have a good off field attitude so that shouldn;t be an issue. & unfortunately Robbie is not getting any younger :frowning:

As the bench utility Blake offers that running spark that Halatau gave us in 2005 (think the saints final) as well as a quality playmaking option and cover for just about everything bar prop in case of injury/ concussion.

Long term that gives us playmakers of 6 - Moses, 7 - Brooks, 9 Robbie, 14 Austin. A devastating set up with someone like Teddy at 1 and forwards who run hard and straight.

It depends to some extent on what Potter wants to do with his bench. He obviously likes 4 forwards and it has worked very well when we've had a fit side but I really like the look of:
1 Teddy, 2 Nofo, 3 Simona, 4 Lawrence (or someone else), 5 Richards, 6 Moses, 7 Brooks, 13 Blair, 12 Sirro, 11 Fulton (maybe getting close to the end :frowning: ), 8 Woods, 9 Farah, 10 Ava (or Keefy) 14 Austin, 15 Tapau, 16 Gavet, 17 Thompson (with variations of Galloway, Sue, Akauola, Brown etc.)

Austin makes a lot of sense in that side I think.

 

[Oxygen]

I would personally like to see him start at 5/8 with our full strength team available with Teddy and Farah playing just to see what he can do.

Last night was not a good indication of what he can do , but I like to have four forwards on the Bench as we will dominate most teams with our Forward pack with Robby , Brooks Teddy and Austin running riot with all the go forward and space provided.

 

[hobbo]

I would personally like to see him start at 5/8 with our full strength team available with Teddy and Farah playing just to see what he can do.

Last night was not a good indication of what he can do , but I like to have four forwards on the Bench as we will dominate most teams with our Forward pack with Robby , Brooks Teddy and Austin running riot with all the go forward and space provided.

100 % agree …. Austin is young , energetic and seems creative .Braith should just run the drinks and nothing else

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