Tyson Gamble

[Danny Blanco]

From what I saw in reserve grade, he looked a good young player.

Very good kicking game. Very good in attack when he had an older head (Drinkwater) next to him.

Defence needs work and overplayed his hand when asked to run the side. By that point our ISP side was threadbare and had no go forward and limited threats.

You've pretty much summed it up for me. When Drinkwater left, Gamble's game took a downturn and never recovered so he is obviously more of a running half than an organising half. Problem is, we already have a couple of those in Brooks and Reynolds… and Benji's management is questionable at times.

So while his game does have its upsides I doubt Gamble will realise his potential as a half with us unless he somehow gets another organising #7 alongside him.

Fine points, agree on most.

Madge could realistically view him as a centre given his game/frame.
Stylistically a bit like Jarrod Croker.

 

[Nelson]

From what I saw in reserve grade, he looked a good young player.

Very good kicking game. Very good in attack when he had an older head (Drinkwater) next to him.

Defence needs work and overplayed his hand when asked to run the side. By that point our ISP side was threadbare and had no go forward and limited threats.

You've pretty much summed it up for me. When Drinkwater left, Gamble's game took a downturn and never recovered so he is obviously more of a running half than an organising half. Problem is, we already have a couple of those in Brooks and Reynolds… and Benji's management is questionable at times.

So while his game does have its upsides I doubt Gamble will realise his potential as a half with us unless he somehow gets another organising #7 alongside him.

He should have Marshall alongside him in the halves this season in ISP and if Marshall plays a traditional halfback role then I think Gamble will go well at 5/8\. He's obviously got things to work on but he's got a good attacking skill set that would best be used at 5/8.

Marshall did well in 2015 playing a traditional halfback role (2nd in the Dally M's that year). Behind Brooks we have no halfback depth so I think it would be best for the squad if the focus for Marshall this year was on playing the organiser in ISP (and NRL if/when Brooks is out) and helping to develop Gamble. That would be more useful than playing a weird impact role off the bench just for the sake of having he and Reynolds in the 17.

 

[Geo]

Gamble is a six..can't see him defending in the back row and centre is one of the most difficult positions in the game to defend at NRL level..there are 2 sides to rugby league…his attacking attributes are worth persisting with...

Hard working kid..

 

[The_Patriot]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

 

[TheDaBoss]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

he did work hard to make that 1st grade debut tho, it is just a shame that the team went crap that game

 

[innsaneink]

Im sure I read before hes only played fullback & 5/8

 

[Nelson]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

It's not a utility bench spot unless and until we have a genuine 80 minute option at hooker week in week out. If we had the luxury of a 4th bench spot I would prefer to see it used on a 4th forward rather than a back line utility when we have guys like Matterson and MCK who can cover the backs in the event of injury.

If he's going to make it then it'll be as a 5/8 and he just needs to focus all his attention on that (in my view).

 

[The_Patriot]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

It's not a utility bench spot unless and until we have a genuine 80 minute option at hooker week in week out. If we had the luxury of a 4th bench spot I would prefer to see it used on a 4th forward rather than a back line utility when we have guys like Matterson and MCK who can cover the backs in the event of injury.

If he's going to make it then it'll be as a 5/8 and he just needs to focus all his attention on that (in my view).

And what about Josh Reynolds?

A Gamble type player could easily fill in at 5/8 while Reynolds slots to hooker to give Farah a rest yeah?

 

[The_Patriot]

Only speaking hypothetically but if Gamble did enough to be back in the NRL picture i cant see why he couldnt play the utility role. Could cover Fullback, Centre, Halves and Back Row. A shuffle with Reynolds and we have the hooking role covered as well.

On most occasions he could be used as a left edge back row interchange.

Its not all about versatility however, he would have to be killing and causing damage when in his own right. All bench positions need to bring impact these days.

 

[Nelson]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

It's not a utility bench spot unless and until we have a genuine 80 minute option at hooker week in week out. If we had the luxury of a 4th bench spot I would prefer to see it used on a 4th forward rather than a back line utility when we have guys like Matterson and MCK who can cover the backs in the event of injury.

If he's going to make it then it'll be as a 5/8 and he just needs to focus all his attention on that (in my view).

And what about Josh Reynolds?

A Gamble type player could easily fill in at 5/8 while Reynolds slots to hooker to give Farah a rest yeah?

Yeah you could do that but then you're disrupting two positions instead of one and you're not using the fresh player where they're needed most - at hooker. A game-worn Reynolds isn't going to have much sudden impact out of dummy half whereas a fresh Liddle would (hopefully).

 

[The_Patriot]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

It's not a utility bench spot unless and until we have a genuine 80 minute option at hooker week in week out. If we had the luxury of a 4th bench spot I would prefer to see it used on a 4th forward rather than a back line utility when we have guys like Matterson and MCK who can cover the backs in the event of injury.

If he's going to make it then it'll be as a 5/8 and he just needs to focus all his attention on that (in my view).

And what about Josh Reynolds?

A Gamble type player could easily fill in at 5/8 while Reynolds slots to hooker to give Farah a rest yeah?

Yeah you could do that but then you're disrupting two positions instead of one and you're not using the fresh player where they're needed most - at hooker. A game-worn Reynolds isn't going to have much sudden impact out of dummy half whereas a fresh Liddle would (hopefully).

Yeah i agree its not ideal. Just proposing a role for Gamble that he could realistically achieve in 2019.

I like Liddle but i think Farah is a class above and rather have him on the field.

 

[Silentio]

The bloke is talented but is still young and inexperienced. He struggled a bit in reggies after Drinkwater left (and won the Challenge Cup).

He'll be better in 2019, but I can't see him getting much game time. Even as a utility.

 

[jadtiger]

He has youth on his side and judging by the latest photos he is working hard to give himself his best chance of success.He may not make it but his attitude is good

 

[momo_amp_medo]

More I think about his best position would be this utility bench spot we all seem to be giving Liddle or Marshall.

He has a hell of a lot of work to do to earn that position though.

He needs to spend the per-season with the focus on getting his defensive game off the ground.

 

[Tigerdon]

With Benji and Reynolds getting on he is best concentrating on 5/8 for 2019 given there could be multiple injuries in that position.

 

[Strider]

Haven't seen enough to see he is (currently) up to a regular NRL gig. Perhaps 2020, keep working hard.

 

[fergiefurr]

People who want to throw someone into the back row that's never played there before make me want to scream. This isn't 30 years ago where the second rower tucked the ball under the arm. The role of the edge forward has totally changed in the past 15 years.

They are now an integral part of either the left/right side structure. Their role in attack is to take late pass hit ups into a gap, draw in 2/3 defenders and get a quick play the ball for the next play. In defence the edge starts with them. They have to cover the half and make sure the inside stays shut.

The game is way too structured these days, it would him a good 2-3 years to transition his body and style before it would work. His strength is his running game, leave him where he can use it.

 

[Geo]

People who want to throw someone into the back row that's never played there before make me want to scream. This isn't 30 years ago where the second rower tucked the ball under the arm. The role of the edge forward has totally changed in the past 15 years.

They are now an integral part of either the left/right side structure. Their role in attack is to take late pass hit ups into a gap, draw in 2/3 defenders and get a quick play the ball for the next play. In defence the edge starts with them. They have to cover the half and make sure the inside stays shut.

The game is way too structured these days, it would him a good 2-3 years to transition his body and style before it would work. His strength is his running game, leave him where he can use it.

but he;s bigger now

 

[balmain boy]

His size should sure help his defence. Too often he was shrugged off. Hopefully his new strength will enable him to be more effective in defence

 

[Guest]

His size should sure help his defence. Too often he was shrugged off. Hopefully his new strength will enable him to be more effective in defence

It won't help him if he still arm grabs. That's his major deficiency - you can't go in with just with your arms and expect to put a guy on his back - use the shoulder and follow with the leg drive - Gamble had one of the worst defensive techniques I'd ever seen - if he fixes that he'll go alright.