The halves problem

[Tom Shines]

If AD has trained there all pre season then he deserves more then two games. On paper he seems to have all the attributes to be a good half but thats on paper.

If not give Madden a go, he is an out and out halfback but I can't be as confindent as others because of two trial games against reserve grade teams. He also will need to of improved a fair bit from when he was here last time, we hope so.

He may well have but he is obviously the second string halfback, he would be starting now if he wasn't

We’ll know soon ,.. but I’d be betting AD is out this week still,..

 

[innsaneink]

Crikey the trust in Jock has certainly shifted on here compared to when he was signed. I maintain few teams have their attack working atm with plenty of talented combos not clicking and the fatigue factor taking it's toll. And while Jock is a solid replacement any expectation that he will provide some significant improvement is premature imo

He looked good in the trials but that was mainly against reserve grade level oppositions...i hope he goes well, im confident the forwards can give him the time and space all.halves need

 

[Flippedy]

A bit harsh there.

He's not your typical halfback, but we have close to $3m invested in our 1,6 and 9. We are paying our back up half $500k a year, for what he's probably getting paid, he's providing enough so far.

Every team needs to adapt to the squad they have. AD has a good kicking game, can execute 3 on 2s and defends reasonably well. Are we going to win the comp with him there, probably not, but he's the best halfback at this club right now.

Luai and Api need to be the ones organising the team around and getting AD in a good kicking position. Yes, it's up to AD to put himself there, but getting the support runners, blockers etc ready should be Api and Luai's job as much as it's AD.

Is that the ideal way to do it? No. But based on the squad we have, that's what we need. Luai and Api have the runs and the brains on the board to carry out 4th and 5th tackle options whereas AD has the skill.

I would have agreed with you at the start of last year that AD has selfish plays in him, but off late, he has actually walked the talk and gotten rid of risky cut out balls or hospital passes. If he's doing the big play, it's usually at a time when we need something to happen, not in the first 20-30 minutes of each half.

If it wasn’t for Doueihi we hardly win any games last season.

 

[king_sirro]

If AD has trained there all pre season then he deserves more then two games. On paper he seems to have all the attributes to be a good half but thats on paper.

If not give Madden a go, he is an out and out halfback but I can't be as confindent as others because of two trial games against reserve grade teams. He also will need to of improved a fair bit from when he was here last time, we hope so.

He may well have but he is obviously the second string halfback, he would be starting now if he wasn't

He doesn't seem to have the key ingredients on paper, thats the thing. They key ingredients for a 7 are the ones he is lacking in

 

[king_sirro]

If it wasn’t for Doueihi we hardly win any games last season.

Playing centre and an odd cameo at 7, yes.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Just glad to see an actual halfback in Madden there this weekend.

 

[TIGERS]

What do you mean we got beat by Sullivan ? I’m confused by that ? Because he did noting . It’s like saying Alex Seyfarth beat the cowboys ../ actually Seyfarth has a way better case for that to be true .

Point is you can win games without having immortals in the halves - so long as you have a balanced side. Of course he didn’t do much… but souths could make things happen not just out of set plays and block moves from their halves.

We are going to need Taylan back and Makasini / Bula to fire otherwise we are just gonna see more usual WT frustrations in the opponenrs 20. Our halves aren’t going to call in 4 / 5 tries a game in opponents 20 week in week out, esp with Bula being read like the daily telegraph as of late.

 

[crazycat]

No thanks, Farah could start a fight in an empty room. Love the guy but he's too antagonistic for his own good and the good of our club.

Keeps a photo on his desk of him drinking alone up on the grandstand after a game we lost that he didn't even play in. I just find that weird to take pride in that when all that drama around that time did so much damage to our club that we still feel the effects of today.

Bit of a strange person and I am really happy he's out of the picture. Getting physical with with David Furner was where I drew the line with him as a coach or a leader.

Yea, look it is weird.

But I get the vibe that "game we lost that he didn't even play in" was due to Jason Taylor and the whole trying to push Farah out. So he may have reasons...

Or he may just be a psycho...


I still reckon he could teach an upcoming hooker a thing or two. Yet you may have a very good point that Farah and Api might not sync.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Just glad to see an actual halfback in Madden there this weekend.

Madden is the 5/8-----------but it is Tuesday.