Hoffman in the halves

[CaptainHook]

Barba, Vidot, Kennedy and Lowrie have all been in the side since round 1. Which signings do you think are not getting a go? Mills? He was given many opportunities to shine during the trials. The new signings have created depth and are being used.

I can see that there is an argument to drop Reed for Maranta and if Reed stinks it up for another 2 or 3 weeks then I will be on board with him being dropped but lets be realistic, Maranta had a good round 1 and has been safe since, he still doesnt show enough in attack to be auto selected on the wing imo.

Mills wouldn't be a bad idea. He's got some speed. What about the Dragons game where Reed got it with some space to move. Any centre worth their salt would've pinned their ears back and made a beeline for the tryline. Reed steps and comes back infield?!? Very frustrating. We need some speed out wide. It would convert a lot half chances we've been getting.

I'd like to see a team picked on form. Going by that, Maranta deserves to be in there.

 

[Cult]

Does anyone know if Maranta will be playing fullback for Norths Devils this weekend?

 

[Big Pete]

A lot may change in the next few hours but I will say that I believe in terms of where the team was at in these opening five rounds, playing Hoffman turned out to be the right choice for everybody. For all the criticism and threats that he wouldn't produce any positives and that his selection was an utter embarrassment he sure has come up with some crucial plays which at the end of the day proved decisive in determining the result.

The way he's been criticised on here has often times been unfair. I don't think anybody perceives Hoffman to be a long term five eigth realistically but what he's brought to the team in the interim shouldn't be marginalised the way it has been either.

 

[Super Freak]

 

[Big Pete]

Looking at that footage again, while it was clearly a bombed opportunity, I reckon Barba may have been trying to play long to Vidot there but couldn't navigate the pass around Reed.

Still the wrong option and yet another exception...

 

[xratedrattice]

the nikorima brothers just scored five tries between them and tore the titans 20s apart... if thats not blowing the door down i dont know what is

 

[ivanhungryjak]

It should have been ruled a try if you ask me.

 

[Rally Towel]

A lot may change in the next few hours but I will say that I believe in terms of where the team was at in these opening five rounds, playing Hoffman turned out to be the right choice for everybody. For all the criticism and threats that he wouldn't produce any positives and that his selection was an utter embarrassment he sure has come up with some crucial plays which at the end of the day proved decisive in determining the result.

The way he's been criticised on here has often times been unfair. I don't think anybody perceives Hoffman to be a long term five eigth realistically but what he's brought to the team in the interim shouldn't be marginalised the way it has been either.

I'm with you on this one. It would be great if we had a more viable option, but he's making a good a fist of it as can be expected. He's playing to his strengths, putting in the effort, and isn't overplaying his hand. I doubt he will ever set the world on fire from this position, but he is improving, and likely will continue to do so.

Still wish he'd pass the ball a bit more though......

 

[Porthoz]

I'm not bagging Hoffy, because he's been doing his best, is gutsy and courageous, and has done well considering his ability.

What I'm saying is that he shouldn't be playing in that position. He just doesn't have the skills for it, and even if it takes a bit for him to adapt to the NRL, an actual playmaker should be there!

 

[Alec]

As I've said before, if Hoffman really IS our best option, then Gee and Griffin are clearly our worst for putting us in this position.

 

[Super Freak]

As I've said before, if Hoffman really IS our best option, then Gee and Griffin are clearly our worst for putting us in this position.

I don't think they should have relied on Milford coming so much. They should have always had a back up plan...

 

[Alec]

So what Hoffman apologists are saying is that every other half we have would offer LESS than this.

You might as well just terminate their contracts if that's the case, they would need to improve a bajillion times to even be FG standard.

 

[Harry Sack]

So what Hoffman apologists are saying is that every other half we have would offer LESS than this.

You might as well just terminate their contracts if that's the case, they would need to improve a bajillion times to even be FG standard.

This. I've asked and nobody has offered an answer....but surely in one of our feeder clubs, there is a 6 or 7 that would offer more than Hoffman.

 

[GCBRONCO]

The experiment is over and the excuse making for his continuation of being there needs to stop, it's in the clubs best interests to have even a young 5/8th or halfback in there then pretend Hoffman is something his not. Sadly with Griffin in charge I think its fair to say that won't happen. Hell play Barba at 5/8th and Maranta at fullback if u need to, but this can't continue.

 

[Kimlo]

If Griffin names Hoffman at 5/8 again then that's it for me, he's lost any support I have for him to stay on as coach.

Bit controversial, but I think Barba needs to be dumped to Qcup to regain form and confidence, it would send a strong message to the squad. Bring Maranta in at fullback.

 

[Brocko]

Well, 6 games is enough. Experiment over.

 

[Foordy]

So what Hoffman apologists are saying is that every other half we have would offer LESS than this.

You might as well just terminate their contracts if that's the case, they would need to improve a bajillion times to even be FG standard.

what i have been asking you for weeks, and what you refuse to answer is this:

Give me the name of a player in our squad that is not only first grade material (5/8) but also ready to play in the top grade.

we all know that Hoffman isn't a 5/8 and we all know he is a stop gap until Milford arrives. and we also know that we aren't serious premiership contenders this season.

so knowing these things, means we shouldn't rush our young halves into first grade until they are ready. and we certainly shouldn't pull them out of the useless defenseless under 20a. they need to come from the ISC, where they have a better chance of running into something that resembles defense.

I think Duncan P is the closest to being ready, and in a few weeks he may just be.

 

[Ari Gold]

what i have been asking you for weeks, and what you refuse to answer is this:

Give me the name of a player in our squad that is not only first grade material (5/8) but also ready to play in the top grade.

we all know that Hoffman isn't a 5/8 and we all know he is a stop gap until Milford arrives. and we also know that we aren't serious premiership contenders this season.

so knowing these things, means we shouldn't rush our young halves into first grade until they are ready. and we certainly shouldn't pull them out of the useless defenseless under 20a. they need to come from the ISC, where they have a better chance of running into something that resembles defense.

I think Duncan P is the closest to being ready, and in a few weeks he may just be.

I think you have contradicting statements there. If Milford is coming, why does it matter if we wait til our young halves are definitely ready? By the time Milford and Hunt have combined there won't be likely be a long term spot opening up for many years. Give the most talented one a shot now -- it will improve our playmaking options this year and give whoever gets the shot will have a chance to not sit behind Hunt and Milford for 5 years.