How do our current halves rate?

[matchball]

We can't keep both halves. It's impossible if want to retain Tedesco and Woods.
A sacrifice needs to be made and the choice is clear.

Think you are totally on the wrong track Matchball (that is ok, your opinion).

After all the effort and money the Club has put into these guys I think it would be a real disaster to let either of these guys go. They have shown in the lower grades that they complement each other. They are at different levels since they have moved to the NRL. Moses seems to have settled quicker than Brooks now - where as Brooks was quicker off the mark.

They are at different levels and really different types of halves. Moses is an organiser and sometimes breaks the line - Brooks is more a take them on type. Together they will be dynamite when they get it together.

I don't think either need to be sacrificed to keep Teddy and Woods. With increased cap we should be able to keep everyone we want.

They do all want to play together.

Teams are only ever able to afford a big 3.
I find it hard to see how we can be paying 4 guys 700k plus each when other big money offers come from other clubs. Tedesco will be a million bucks a season next contract I assure you.
I'd be ok for Brooks to see out his contract but I think he isn't worth the money or worth keeping around from what I've seen so far.

 

[marzie]

We can't keep both halves. It's impossible if want to retain Tedesco and Woods.
A sacrifice needs to be made and the choice is clear.

Think you are totally on the wrong track Matchball (that is ok, your opinion).

After all the effort and money the Club has put into these guys I think it would be a real disaster to let either of these guys go. They have shown in the lower grades that they complement each other. They are at different levels since they have moved to the NRL. Moses seems to have settled quicker than Brooks now - where as Brooks was quicker off the mark.

They are at different levels and really different types of halves. Moses is an organiser and sometimes breaks the line - Brooks is more a take them on type. Together they will be dynamite when they get it together.

I don't think either need to be sacrificed to keep Teddy and Woods. With increased cap we should be able to keep everyone we want.

They do all want to play together.

Teams are only ever able to afford a big 3.
I find it hard to see how we can be paying 4 guys 700k plus each when other big money offers come from other clubs. Tedesco will be a million bucks a season next contract I assure you.
I'd be ok for Brooks to see out his contract but I think he isn't worth the money or worth keeping around from what I've seen so far.

Don't forget the salary cap increases about 4 million in 2018 and we will have an extra million after Robbie's contract expires. That's essentially 5 million extra to spend in 2018.

4 X 700k = $2.8 million on Teddy, Moses, Brooks, Woods. $7-8 million on the rest of the squad.

 

[matchball]

We can't keep both halves. It's impossible if want to retain Tedesco and Woods.
A sacrifice needs to be made and the choice is clear.

Think you are totally on the wrong track Matchball (that is ok, your opinion).

After all the effort and money the Club has put into these guys I think it would be a real disaster to let either of these guys go. They have shown in the lower grades that they complement each other. They are at different levels since they have moved to the NRL. Moses seems to have settled quicker than Brooks now - where as Brooks was quicker off the mark.

They are at different levels and really different types of halves. Moses is an organiser and sometimes breaks the line - Brooks is more a take them on type. Together they will be dynamite when they get it together.

I don't think either need to be sacrificed to keep Teddy and Woods. With increased cap we should be able to keep everyone we want.

They do all want to play together.

Teams are only ever able to afford a big 3.
I find it hard to see how we can be paying 4 guys 700k plus each when other big money offers come from other clubs. Tedesco will be a million bucks a season next contract I assure you.
I'd be ok for Brooks to see out his contract but I think he isn't worth the money or worth keeping around from what I've seen so far.

Don't forget the salary cap increases about 4 million in 2018 and we will have an extra million after Robbie's contract expires. That's essentially 5 million extra to spend in 2018.

4 X 700k = $2.8 million on Teddy, Moses, Brooks, Woods. $7-8 million on the rest of the squad.

700k was being conservative but who knows what the 4 of them ask come contract time. 1m each is possible when the cap goes up.
3 of the 4 are worth it is the point I'm trying to make.

I'm tired of having a few outstanding players and a bunch of Moltzen fitzhenry types.
Littlejohn did a good job on third of the money and can tackle.

 

[TigerSJ]

Great memories arising from that list - thanks Mashie!

The pairing of Prince and Marshall certainly worked fabulously well - let's hope that Brooks and Moses can achieve the same heights. They look on the right path, however very valid points from posters who wrote about the importance of a dominant forward pack in the outcome for our halves. While any team is not getting over the advantage line with the ball, on their heels in D, playing the ball too slowly or not winning the wrestle in the ruck, their halves are definitely going to struggle.

A few of those guys that IMO rate special mention are: Scott Gale and Gary Freeman - both great halves. Also who could forget Ellery Hanley's stint with the Tigers in the late eighties.

 

[matchball]

Great memories arising from that list - thanks Mashie!

The pairing of Prince and Marshall certainly worked fabulously well - let's hope that Brooks and Moses can achieve the same heights. They look on the right path, however very valid points from posters who wrote about the importance of a dominant forward pack in the outcome for our halves. While any team is not getting over the advantage line with the ball, on their heels in D, playing the ball too slowly or not winning the wrestle in the ruck, their halves are definitely going to struggle.

A few of those guys that IMO rate special mention are: Scott Gale and Gary Freeman - both great halves. Also who could forget Ellery Hanley's stint with the Tigers in the late eighties.

Don't forget Lui/Marshall. That pairing was so much more dangerous than Prince/Marshall.
Lui threw away something great it's beyond words.

 

[TigerSJ]

Yeah Matchball… but there was something about Prince's game that seemed to allow Marshall the latitude to play what he saw. Lui did have some great moments but he had some rubbish as well. Also I thought Prince was a great captain, a fierce competitor, drove the team hard even when they were winning by heaps he still wanted more - they racked up some big wins in those seasons if I remember.

 

[pHyR3]

you can teach a half to defend over time.

dogs let JT go cuz he was too small and missed out on a possible imortal.

ive said for years they'll both come good and that moses is the better of the two. give brooks next year and i think he'll show us enough to be a solid 2nd half in our team with moses leading the team.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

We can't keep both halves. It's impossible if want to retain Tedesco and Woods.
A sacrifice needs to be made and the choice is clear.

Think you are totally on the wrong track Matchball (that is ok, your opinion).

After all the effort and money the Club has put into these guys I think it would be a real disaster to let either of these guys go. They have shown in the lower grades that they complement each other. They are at different levels since they have moved to the NRL. Moses seems to have settled quicker than Brooks now - where as Brooks was quicker off the mark.

They are at different levels and really different types of halves. Moses is an organiser and sometimes breaks the line - Brooks is more a take them on type. Together they will be dynamite when they get it together.

I don't think either need to be sacrificed to keep Teddy and Woods. With increased cap we should be able to keep everyone we want.

They do all want to play together.

Teams are only ever able to afford a big 3.
I find it hard to see how we can be paying 4 guys 700k plus each when other big money offers come from other clubs. Tedesco will be a million bucks a season next contract I assure you.
I'd be ok for Brooks to see out his contract but I think he isn't worth the money or worth keeping around from what I've seen so far.

Melbourne has J Bronwich, Slater, Smith and Cronk (some would include Munster),
so if tere is such a rule it was not been inforced :wink:

 

[matchball]

We can't keep both halves. It's impossible if want to retain Tedesco and Woods.
A sacrifice needs to be made and the choice is clear.

Think you are totally on the wrong track Matchball (that is ok, your opinion).

After all the effort and money the Club has put into these guys I think it would be a real disaster to let either of these guys go. They have shown in the lower grades that they complement each other. They are at different levels since they have moved to the NRL. Moses seems to have settled quicker than Brooks now - where as Brooks was quicker off the mark.

They are at different levels and really different types of halves. Moses is an organiser and sometimes breaks the line - Brooks is more a take them on type. Together they will be dynamite when they get it together.

I don't think either need to be sacrificed to keep Teddy and Woods. With increased cap we should be able to keep everyone we want.

They do all want to play together.

Teams are only ever able to afford a big 3.
I find it hard to see how we can be paying 4 guys 700k plus each when other big money offers come from other clubs. Tedesco will be a million bucks a season next contract I assure you.
I'd be ok for Brooks to see out his contract but I think he isn't worth the money or worth keeping around from what I've seen so far.

Melbourne has J Bronwich, Slater, Smith and Cronk (some would include Munster),
so if tere is such a rule it was not been inforced :wink:

Ah Yes the trustworthy Storm.
Convicted cap cheaters. These old media owned super league clubs get free reign and play under a different set of rules than the others. It's well documented.

 

[851]

Brooks shows flashes, but isn't consistent enough. The Warriors game for example, besides one great kick early that got us out of trouble, he was hardly seen till the final 10.

Agree, Moses has been in good form, but Brooks is on big dollars playing like a back up player not a leader, and this after 65 games, not good enough in my opinion.
Nathan Cleary has shown more in 12 games then Brooks has in 65 games, plus his defence is light years ahead of Brooks, his general kicking game and game management is way ahead of Brooks also, and he kicks goals at a high percentage as well.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I rate both very highly,

They are a good foil for each other and will be the NSW and AUS reps in years to come.

Maybe, but there's a few young halves that might disagree with you.
Barring injuries and second year syndrome, Cleary is way ahead of the lot of them .
But there's some good ones around

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Interestingly just read that Benji says playing half hurt his career.
Thats why I hope that the club pares back Moses role. No goal kicking less kicking in general and less organization leaving him free to inject himself and support play.
Believe Brooks will come good and is one of a few genuine halfbacks and he must do most of the organization of the team for best results.
Anything less than both Brooks and Moses becoming decent players with the money and time the club has invested will be a failure.

 

[vlad]

Interestingly just read that Benji says playing half hurt his career.
Thats why I hope that the club pares back Moses role. No goal kicking less kicking in general and less organization leaving him free to inject himself and support play.
Believe Brooks will come good and is one of a few genuine halfbacks and he must do most of the organization of the team for best results.
Anything less than both Brooks and Moses becoming decent players with the money and time the club has invested will be a failure.

Benji is in denial . He plays the same regardless of the number on his back .

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

We can't keep both halves. It's impossible if want to retain Tedesco and Woods.
A sacrifice needs to be made and the choice is clear.

Think you are totally on the wrong track Matchball (that is ok, your opinion).

After all the effort and money the Club has put into these guys I think it would be a real disaster to let either of these guys go. They have shown in the lower grades that they complement each other. They are at different levels since they have moved to the NRL. Moses seems to have settled quicker than Brooks now - where as Brooks was quicker off the mark.

They are at different levels and really different types of halves. Moses is an organiser and sometimes breaks the line - Brooks is more a take them on type. Together they will be dynamite when they get it together.

I don't think either need to be sacrificed to keep Teddy and Woods. With increased cap we should be able to keep everyone we want.

They do all want to play together.

Problem is that the cap is just going to raise the cost of all players.
There's so many off contract when that happens, that they are all going to get their bite, and as all clubs will have more money, nothing much will change

 

[stevetiger]

Interestingly just read that Benji says playing half hurt his career.
Thats why I hope that the club pares back Moses role. No goal kicking less kicking in general and less organization leaving him free to inject himself and support play.
Believe Brooks will come good and is one of a few genuine halfbacks and he must do most of the organization of the team for best results.
Anything less than both Brooks and Moses becoming decent players with the money and time the club has invested will be a failure.

Benji is in denial . He plays the same regardless of the number on his back .

Exactly. Benji lacks the pace to be that elusive runner of the footy now. He just hasn't added enough to his game to compete once he has lost that speed.

The 7 or 6 make no difference at all. Moses even plays like a 7 but wears the 6 jersey.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Thing is we only made top 4 and won it when Benji was at 6.
Didn't work whe he was at 7.

 

[notarealtiger]

Interestingly just read that Benji says playing half hurt his career.
Thats why I hope that the club pares back Moses role. No goal kicking less kicking in general and less organization leaving him free to inject himself and support play.
Believe Brooks will come good and is one of a few genuine halfbacks and he must do most of the organization of the team for best results.
Anything less than both Brooks and Moses becoming decent players with the money and time the club has invested will be a failure.

I strongly disagree. Moses has taken his game to another level when he's shouldered the majority of the playmaking duty. He seems to thrive off the extra responsibility so I wouldn't be trying to limit his involvment in any way.

 

[TCL]

Thing is we only made top 4 and won it when Benji was at 6.
Didn't work whe he was at 7.

I think Benjis half's partners had a fair bit to do with the success as well. Prince was great, Lui was good when he was good, just a shame he wasn't good off the field.

Salary cap increases and the desire to win together will give us a shot at keeping them and building a team around them. I've said it before these boys as a unit could possibly be next SOO and Kangaroo combinations.(there are those ratbags from Penrith who will challenge them and i bet that Gould is in their ears selling them the same dream????)

 

[Masterton]

Thing is we only made top 4 and won it when Benji was at 6.
Didn't work whe he was at 7.

Lui often played outside Benji. The way I look at it, we only made the semis when Benji had a decent halves partner.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

There are many good points but all I'm trying to say is you don't want to give these guys to much to do.
Moves looks like a good organiser but isn't really and his strength should be off the cuff and support play. Notice when Farah no longer there and Halatau off the field we can look lost.
Reckon push Brooks to be the main general play kicker and organiser and have Moses picking his moments.
They have to get teddy better involved also running off offloads through middle as was the case with Potter.
These guys have to come off big time because of the time and money they get as a group .
Otherwise we do have choices for their kind of money.