2020 Round 1 Line up

[Marty Deutschmann]

We have halves that can do all of that and we have a half that has learnt from one of the best in the business and we have halves that are around one of the best halfbacks of all time. We've always had that. What we haven't had is a half that can manage a side, and that's not something Croft can do. We'll be paying for something we've already got.

How are you so sure Croft can't do that since he's never been allowed to??

He seems to be another Mitch Moses in my opinion.. just needs to be given the full reigns and off he goes.

At Melbourne, he has a legitimate excuse

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Croft is hugely overrated.

400k isn't overrated

900k for Bird is. 800k for Boyd is.
900k for Milford arguably is.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

When those halves were given a chance they actually did very well and we started looking like a better side, we were starting to build and as a result Milford was starting to get his form back. Anyone that watched those games and paid attention to the halves would have seen there was quite a bit of upside with how we were looking when they were playing.

The fact that I need to explain that is a bit worrying...

Confirmation bias 101

 

[Unbreakable]

How are you so sure Croft can't do that since he's never been allowed to??

He seems to be another Mitch Moses in my opinion.. just needs to be given the full reigns and off he goes.

At Melbourne, he has a legitimate excuse

Moses is significantly better, I could've told you that even when he was playing 3rd fiddle to Brooks and Farah.

Moses hasn't had a single season where he's finished with fewer than double digit try assists, except his rookie season in which he played 10 games (9 try assists).

Croft has 9 try assists.. in HIS ENTIRE CAREER.

 

[upthebroncs]

Do we still want him? Would be a nice swap with Boyd or Bird.

 

[Harry Sack]

The fact you need Croft's appeal explained to you...repeatedly...is far more worrying (though what this kind of silly argument is supposed to achieve is pretty petty). What is the harm in having competition for spots? Or would you prefer to just keep having players feel super comfortable and at no risk for their spots?

If Dearden is good enough, he will force his way in and I (like everyone else) absolutely hope he is and can also see his appeal. I (like most others) also really liked what I saw in Dearden. So this is no criticism of him.

The fact remains he is a kid and is coming back from a decent enough injury. So having another quality half on the books (for $400k!) is a no brainer, particularly if you are idiotic enough to mess up a contract for an unneeded has been to $400k at the same time.

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Do we still want him? Would be a nice swap with Boyd or Bird.

One time NSW Origin Star.....

That's fucking excellent and **** no we don't want that ****.

 

[FaithinHook]

When those halves were given a chance they actually did very well and we started looking like a better side, we were starting to build and as a result Milford was starting to get his form back. Anyone that watched those games and paid attention to the halves would have seen there was quite a bit of upside with how we were looking when they were playing.

The fact that I need to explain that is a bit worrying...

Freakie, I really enjoy reading your posts and you obviously know your footy, but please stop with this particular argument. I don't wanna be harsh, but Marty is absolutely demolishing you and your point of view over the Dearden v Croft matter with his well thought-out reasoning. This is a battle you have lost badly.

 

[Alec]

Croft and Dearden are still developing. Only difference is that in 2 years Dearden will only be at the stage Croft is now, he's got far more development to go through.
And as good as Locky and Langer were as players, you gotta start thinking that maybe they aren't good teachers. We have't had any good halves since them - the promising ones actually went backwards!

 

[upthebroncs]

If we’re talking about winning a premiership..

We’re actually just dreaming if we don’t buy a decent 7.

 

[Fernando]

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Do we still want him? Would be a nice swap with Boyd or Bird.

Big fat 'No' from me. He's getting on, he's a 5/8 and he'll be asking a lot. He did have a very good season, but that's what you'd be paying for and I don't think it's the type of season that's repeatable . The two things Brisbane need are an organising halfback (who preferably isn't 18) and to resign Fifita, and Walker doesn't help with either.

But there's been a few hints this year about him joining Brisbane and I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

 

[pagey]

Moses is significantly better, I could've told you that even when he was playing 3rd fiddle to Brooks and Farah.

Moses hasn't had a single season where he's finished with fewer than double digit try assists, except his rookie season in which he played 10 games (9 try assists).

Croft has 9 try assists.. in HIS ENTIRE CAREER.

That's cause he's a winger trying his best to be a 7

 

[NSW stables]

Big fat 'No' from me. He's getting on, he's a 5/8 and he'll be asking a lot. He did have a very good season, but that's what you'd be paying for and I don't think it's the type of season that's repeatable . The two things Brisbane need are an organising halfback (who preferably isn't 18) and to resign Fifita, and Walker doesn't help with either.

But there's been a few hints this year about him joining Brisbane and I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

Shit i hope not.

You also have to consider that he was playing next to adam reynolds who is a legit organising half. If u put milf next to reynolds, i think milf would be running riot too.

 

[winslow_wong]

Croft and Dearden are still developing. Only difference is that in 2 years Dearden will only be at the stage Croft is now, he's got far more development to go through.
And as good as Locky and Langer were as players, you gotta start thinking that maybe they aren't good teachers. We have't had any good halves since them - the promising ones actually went backwards!

I don’t think Lockyer and langer are ever down at training to teach. Especially Lockyer who is more interested in media commitments. It’s as though he took Milford’s rejection to heart and vowed to never pass on his knowledge ever again.

 

[NSW stables]

I don’t think Lockyer and langer are ever down at training to teach. Especially Lockyer who is more interested in media commitments. It’s as though he took Milford’s rejection to heart and vowed to never pass on his knowledge ever again.

Who knows why milford rejected locky's offer but dearden strikes me as a student of the game and would really take advantage of that opportunity. I really hope someone is trying to facilitate that mentor relationship.

It is no coincidence that our attack looked most potent when we had a specialist half (kevie) supporting our halves/team.

 

[winslow_wong]

Who knows why milford rejected locky's offer but dearden strikes me as a student of the game and would really take advantage of that opportunity. I really hope someone is trying to facilitate that mentor relationship.

It is no coincidence that our attack looked most potent when we had a specialist half (kevie) supporting our halves/team.

In an ideal situation you’d think there’d be a forwards coach, backs coach, halves coach and maybe even something for the dummy halves. This is probably too much to ask though or it could already be happening ..

 

[Super Freak]

The fact you need Croft's appeal explained to you...repeatedly...is far more worrying (though what this kind of silly argument is supposed to achieve is pretty petty). What is the harm in having competition for spots? Or would you prefer to just keep having players feel super comfortable and at no risk for their spots?

Yeah, the appeal isn't that great. People are just so desperate for a halfback signing.

For starters, we have several halves and only one spot available, all of them chomping at the bit to play first grade. There's the competition. They all fought for a spot in the side last season, it's not going to be any different next season and an extra body isn't going to make the slightest difference to that.

Brodie Croft for 400k isn't the bargain people make it out to be. He has no game management skills and cannot lead a side around on the field, not only that but in his 39 games he has shown no improvement in those areas nor has he shown any improvement in his other weaknesses. In his 39 games he has produced 9 try assists (1 in 2016, 1 in 2017, 2 in 2018, 5 in 2019). He produced less try assists in 2019 than Darius Boyd and he played in a side that finished 6 points clear on top of the ladder. He also could not crack the top 50 in linebreaks and linebreak assists and he came 38th in line engagement which isn't great. All of this in the Storm side. But he has a decent kicking game, though.

He has upside, so do our halves and they cost a lot less. When they were given a chance we started looking like a much better side and Milford went up another level. That's because he had a halfback that could take the pressure off him, someone to do the other shit while he just focused on coming up with the plays needed. When it comes to Croft, he cannot stick to the gameplan laid out for him and keep it simple, which is why he cannot keep the halfback spot in the Storm side. He tries to take control and ends up overplaying far too much which just hurts the team. That's not going to work with Milford.

The people that think there is appeal, go back and watch his games and watch him closely.

A halfback that won't give us what we haven't already got, a halfback that couldn't produce more than Darius Boyd and we want to give him 400k despite the fact we're apparently facing the battle of our lives to retain Fifita, who is going to be far more important.

The only appeal here is the PR.

 

[Broncapz]

If Walker is looking for money, he won't find it here. End of Story.

 

[Sirlee oldman]

So this is what I am thinking today.

1. Bird/Staggs
2. Oates
3. Staggs/Bird
4. Perese/Herbie/Arthars/Coates/Shiba
5. Isaako
6. Milford
7. Dearden
8. Haas
9. Turpin
10. Lodge
11. Fifita
12. Glenn (c)
13. Carrigan
14. Paix
15. TPJ
16. Flegler
17. Offa