No argument he’s earned a spot. We won’t be seeing finals with Madden at halfback. He can help though good player.
OFFICIAL Jock Madden #244
- Thread starter tigersfan
- Start date
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I feel like there should be more concern around Latu than the strap, but thats just me.
Depends what you are concerned about.
I am concerned if Madden is our first choice half we have little chance of making finals.
I am concerned that Latu’s injuries may stop him from having the career his talent should make him have.
However, I will take the risk with Latu because if the footy injury gods are kind he could really be a star and a better option of bringing success to the team. In saying that, I hope Latu is at 6.
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
Latu and Andrews are the future, but we need Madden for their development to go smoothly.
Firstly, those two can't have a free ride into first grade. They need someone to put pressure on them.
Second, he is a game manager, which the other two are nowhere near being (or may not ever be). Even if one of Latu or Andrews have a future as a game manager, it is unreasonable to ask someone of their age to do so. Players like Cleary, DCE, and Katoa who can do that in their early 20s pop up once in a blue moon.
Third, he is our best 7 currently at the club. Both Latu and Andrews will be better players, but they are not yet better halfbacks than Madden. While Jock has a lot of holes in his game, he generally does what you want your 7 to do. He is a loud voice, he directs the team around the park, and he chooses good kicking options. I also think he will do a better job without Luai and Doueihi overcalling him and killing our attacking shapes.
Firstly, those two can't have a free ride into first grade. They need someone to put pressure on them.
Second, he is a game manager, which the other two are nowhere near being (or may not ever be). Even if one of Latu or Andrews have a future as a game manager, it is unreasonable to ask someone of their age to do so. Players like Cleary, DCE, and Katoa who can do that in their early 20s pop up once in a blue moon.
Third, he is our best 7 currently at the club. Both Latu and Andrews will be better players, but they are not yet better halfbacks than Madden. While Jock has a lot of holes in his game, he generally does what you want your 7 to do. He is a loud voice, he directs the team around the park, and he chooses good kicking options. I also think he will do a better job without Luai and Doueihi overcalling him and killing our attacking shapes.
You Know Who
Well-known member
Couldn’t ask for a better back-up /depth halfback.
Can can come in for 4-6 games a year and do a solid job but if he’s our starter next season, we’re in even deeper shit than we think we are.
Can can come in for 4-6 games a year and do a solid job but if he’s our starter next season, we’re in even deeper shit than we think we are.
Is the presso on tonight?
magpies forever
Well-known member
Well done Jock and thanks.
twentyforty
Well-known member
Brooks had a great 2026 way outperforming Luai, and on half the salary. Had he not been injured, I reckon Manly would have been a real danger to any of the finals teams.
Another example of mismanagement by HBG.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Jock Madden in consideration for PMXIII v PNG (DT).
Great for him well done
orange&black
Well-known member
Only my opinion but I see the halves argument as simple as this:
1) AD is not a 7 and will never be in this lifetime. He doesn’t have the necessary skillset, never had. Personally I’d like to see him go.
2) Jock is a serviceable 7 and decent goal kicker. He makes a good back up but we’re not making the 8 with him as our full time half.
3) Latu looks better out wider, more of a running 6, and not sure if he has the finesse or the footy brain to manage the team and call the shots. Hope I’m wrong.
4) Javon has the best skills of the lot but his D is weak and needs to build confidence and consistency at NRL level. He’s probably a 6 as well but maybe could become a 7 for us.
I believe there’s a combination of 6&7 that both Javon and Latu could share alongside a good ball playing 13. Also input from our 9 and 1 would be required to take up some ball playing load. This would provide variation in A and make us less predictable.
Problem will be in D and we need a system that covers for this, along with a marked improvement in our first contact and one on one tackling (currently we are weak in these).
1) AD is not a 7 and will never be in this lifetime. He doesn’t have the necessary skillset, never had. Personally I’d like to see him go.
2) Jock is a serviceable 7 and decent goal kicker. He makes a good back up but we’re not making the 8 with him as our full time half.
3) Latu looks better out wider, more of a running 6, and not sure if he has the finesse or the footy brain to manage the team and call the shots. Hope I’m wrong.
4) Javon has the best skills of the lot but his D is weak and needs to build confidence and consistency at NRL level. He’s probably a 6 as well but maybe could become a 7 for us.
I believe there’s a combination of 6&7 that both Javon and Latu could share alongside a good ball playing 13. Also input from our 9 and 1 would be required to take up some ball playing load. This would provide variation in A and make us less predictable.
Problem will be in D and we need a system that covers for this, along with a marked improvement in our first contact and one on one tackling (currently we are weak in these).
