Jock Madden #244

[balmain boy]

I'm surprised people are so gun ho about MAdden after one game playing a reserve grade team, he needs to show much more considering his past performances.

If Madden ends up being our halfback, I think we are stuffed. AD can be three times the footballer Madden can be.

So if AD fails and we are relying on Madden, we are struggling. I'd be hoping Latu has found his first grade leags before Madden.

Lets pray AD can finally reach his potential.

Madden can kick, AD cannot (other than an uncontrolled bomb).

In one match Madden found the grass with his kicks (even though our pack was struggling) more than we did in the entire 2025 season....

Madden was one of our best and AD going to lock is a distinct possibility if Madden can keep that level up

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I loved how deep Jock dug into the line before passing, split second before impact and his long passes in the red zone were bullets. It opened up our backline beautifully.

I loved seeing a kicking game that multiple times went into open space and ball for once actually bounce across the ground with the fullback chasing it.

That is rare at NRL level these days but is such a difference maker. Hope we see AD doing that this year.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I thought and was hoping Jock would play well on Saturday, but he was off the charts, a 10 out of 10 masterclass.
Since he was last with us he now looks much more comfortable in changing tempo, playing straight, digging further into the line and looks to now have a much smarter and improved kicking game.
All this as well as being a committed and decent defender for a smaller man.
I’m a fan of Doueihi at 7, I’m a big fan of Latu moreso as a 6, but geez our NRL halves will have to be right at their best to prevent Jock getting a start if he keeps playing like that.

It was a good game but he also played against a reserve grade / kid squad so let’s also put things into perspective. He had time. At NRL level he will get alot less time to execute. He was impressive with what he had infront of him but let’s also not forget the opposition level as well.

If he can execute week in week out in cup yes he applies pressure on the NRL halves but more importantly he sets the motions for our cup players up so much better as well formations/attitude/lines etc.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

It was a good game but he also played against a reserve grade / kid squad so let’s also put things into perspective. He had time. At NRL level he will get alot less time to execute. He was impressive with what he had infront of him but let’s also not forget the opposition level as well.

If he can execute week in week out in cup yes he applies pressure on the NRL halves but more importantly he sets the motions for our cup players up so much better as well formations/attitude/lines etc.

We get to see Doueihi and Madden strut their stuff Friday night.
1st half Doueihi, full strength WT and full-strength Panthers.
2nd half Madden the halfback. With Benji and Cleary making team changers?
Should be an interesting test and comments from the Forum experts.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

We get to see Doueihi and Madden strut their stuff Friday night.
1st half Doueihi, full strength WT and full-strength Panthers.
2nd half Madden the halfback. With Benji and Cleary making team changers?
Should be an interesting test and comments from the Forum experts.

would like to see madden get a run at 7 with Luai
woukd also like ti see AD get a run as a 13

 

[crazycat]

I hope it is a precursor for the start of the season seeing Doueihi start games at 7 before moving to 13 with Madden going to 7.

I really do think it could work well having Luai and AD running amok both sides while Madden plays the 7 'straight man' he did so well Saturday.

That's the structure I hope they at least experiment with.

In any case, I like that Madden looks to have been rewarded with the chance to show if he can play as well against a bona fide Penrith nrl team.

However limited it could be, it's still getting a shot and I think that's good coaching.

Honestly I hope we DONT do this.

Why?

You either have one Halfback or No halfback.

This may mean Jock doesn't get his chance for a bit. That would be far better then coming on and totally changing the game tempo.

Sure 2 halfback in a game may work for the Strom or Donkeys who are disciplined sides. Not us. Get the basics right.

 

[TurnStyle]

My personal opinion with a mid game change is the same: I'd just have madden at 7 and Doueihi at 13 from this weekend.

Just going by how things seem to have gone where Doueihi is concerned, and I feel like Marshall tends to hedge his bets until a new structure is established and working.

I like the idea of Luai one side, AD the other and Madden at 7. Okay to disagree.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Honestly I hope we DONT do this.

Why?

You either have one Halfback or No halfback.

This may mean Jock doesn't get his chance for a bit. That would be far better then coming on and totally changing the game tempo.

Sure 2 halfback in a game may work for the Strom or Donkeys who are disciplined sides. Not us. Get the basics right.

It's a TRIAL.
Let's compare the two in similar rolls.

 

[nrlsurvivor]

Madden needs to be an occasional running threat to be effective as a half in general play.

 

[supercoach]

Except for one absolute stinker against the Eels, AD played well in the halves when selected last year. Trying to fit Luai, Latu, AD and Maden into the 17 is going to be impossible and at least one will be playing reserve grade. Not sure our pack is strong enough to have a ball playing half fill the role as a 13.

Anyway with injuries they will all get a chance

 

[balmain boy]

My personal opinion with a mid game change is the same: I'd just have madden at 7 and Doueihi at 13 from this weekend.

Just going by how things seem to have gone where Doueihi is concerned, and I feel like Marshall tends to hedge his bets until a new structure is established and working.

I like the idea of Luai one side, AD the other and Madden at 7. Okay to disagree.

I like this, so long as AD is happy to make 25-30 tackles and make 100m a week

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Except for one absolute stinker against the Eels, AD played well in the halves when selected last year. Trying to fit Luai, Latu, AD and Maden into the 17 is going to be impossible and at least one will be playing reserve grade. Not sure our pack is strong enough to have a ball playing half fill the role as a 13.

Anyway with injuries they will all get a chance

Well, the AD Parra game was the post-Galvin reserve grade drop and the boys were just not pumped.

 

[bbobb]

Madden needs to be an occasional running threat to be effective as a half in general play.

Totally agree. The best halves have their running game as their main threat. Teams tend to stand off them and don’t target their runners.
I think that is the big difference between Douiehi and Madden. While not being overly quick off the mark, Douiehi is a much bigger body and will take the line on if given the opportunity. Jock was outstanding last week but his running game wasn’t a feature.