Hookers. (9)

[TIGERS]

I'm curious.

Is it really worth having a 'marquee hooker' anymore? - We've had the best hooker in NSW more often than not in the last 20 years and what difference has it made for us? Not so much the position but the way the role is played?

I can remember there being a lot of conjecture over Robbie Farah's style of play when Brooks and Moses were coming through. Like that all that trickery out of dummy half had it's time, and you're better off just getting the ball into the halves asap. I feel like it might be an out of date style of play like playing with a sweeper or a 10 in Football. What team has really changed their fortunes around by buying a hooker lately? Look at the roosters go without Brandon Smith.

I don't want to turn this into an Api vs TDS story. It's more about the modern style of play. What do people think?

 

[Needaname]

I'm curious.

Is it really worth having a 'marquee hooker' anymore? - We've had the best hooker in NSW more often than not in the last 20 years and what difference has it made for us? Not so much the position but the way the role is played?

I can remember there being a lot of conjecture over Robbie Farah's style of play when Brooks and Moses were coming through. Like that all that trickery out of dummy half had it's time, and you're better off just getting the ball into the halves asap. I feel like it might be an out of date style of play like playing with a sweeper or a 10 in Football. What team has really changed their fortunes around by buying a hooker lately? Look at the roosters go without Brandon Smith.

I don't want to turn this into an Api vs TDS story. It's more about the modern style of play. What do people think?

It’s the old Taylor Farah v Halatal debate actually was working out really well until he did his Bicep. Remember in 2019 when Marshall went to Hooker vs the Dragons at the end of the year without Farah for the game?
I think you’re on to something in a way, Grant isn’t a great hooker due to his skill around the ruck but moreso his service and speed of play, noticing when to take advantage of a tired defender.
Brailey another great one at that as well.
Remember when Korisou was at Manly. Manly used to do too much around the ruck that they were losing out on the momentum of having AFB and Tapau run onto the ball.
When he went to Penrith I feel Ivan simplified his game as such to be more about delivery and defence.
Do he hold the ball too long around the ruck and it’s affecting us? I wonder.

 

[Demps]

Rather have a hooker like Farah & Koroisau,
over a hooker like Chad Randall or Peter Mamazoules.

Api is one of my favourite players and he's important to our team, a lot revolves around him.

Our issues are elsewhere on the field & they have somewhat improved, more work is needed.

 

[gallagher]

If your halves are good enough then I'd prefer a no frills hooker. This is why Robson is the best choice for origin.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Doueihi gets the credit but without Api the first try doesn't happen. Look and shape right, switch left and go out the back. Just a small piece of deception which impacts the entire defensive line. Sometimes I watch us and think he should be more involved, even though he is already taking charge of a majority of our sets.