Ben Hunt vs Ash Taylor

[Unbreakable]

Meh. His head's going to start growing, and they'll be talking about how flat he is next year.

I mean, who was the talk about last year again? Another QLD halfback... what's his name again.... oh yeah, Ben Hunt.

He doesn't really come across as the type of kid who's going to stop working on his game because a few people give him some compliments.. Also, the difference between Hunt getting the praise last year and Taylor getting the praise this year is the age and experience difference. Not to mention Hunt was getting compliments for his running game and combination with Milford, Taylor is getting compliments for his game management and kicking game. I know which one I'd rather my Halfback have at that age.

 

[mitch222]

He doesn't really come across as the type of kid who's going to stop working on his game because a few people give him some compliments.. Also, the difference between Hunt getting the praise last year and Taylor getting the praise this year is the age and experience difference. Not to mention Hunt was getting compliments for his running game and combination with Milford, Taylor is getting compliments for his game management and kicking game. I know which one I'd rather my Halfback have at that age.

Just wait until teams starting paying specific attention to Taylors game and he is put under heavy pressure week in week out like Hunt is. Then we can compare the two

 

[Nashy]

He doesn't really come across as the type of kid who's going to stop working on his game because a few people give him some compliments.. Also, the difference between Hunt getting the praise last year and Taylor getting the praise this year is the age and experience difference. Not to mention Hunt was getting compliments for his running game and combination with Milford, Taylor is getting compliments for his game management and kicking game. I know which one I'd rather my Halfback have at that age.

Very good. But doesn't take away the fact that he's a first year NRL "Super star". He doesn't have heaps of clubs talking him up, working their game plans around him, or offering massive dollars.

Make or break next year for the kid.

 

[Tunza's Chin]

Ash Taylor has been very impressive in his debut season, and after watched him play I don't think Porthoz and co have been unjustified in talking him up as having great potential. His kicking game, and ability to control a match is exceptional for someone of his age and experience. His debut season reminds me a lot of Adam Reynolds', hopefully his running and passing game can come along at a better rate.

But that is the thing, at this stage it is potential only. As others have said there have been plenty of kids who've come on the scene and shown promise without kicking on. There is a long way to go yet, and any discussion about him being a future rep player is a bit silly at this stage. I wasn't around here in 2012 but I'd wager there was more than one person who had a certain B Barba locked in as the next QLD fullback...

I do agree that if Ash Taylor can continue to mature into a consistent first grade half, his game would likely be more suitable for the Broncos - partnering Mild. However, I am glad Bennett made the decision he did. There is now doubt that right now, I would prefer Hunt in our team. This season, and next, our premiership window will be wide open, and a more experienced halfback is needed to capitalise on it. Ash is still relatively unproven at first grade level, and completely untried in big games. Nor has he experienced the pressure of playing for a premiership contender, week in, week out. Backing Hunt over Taylor to win us a premiership in the next two years was the right call.

Bennett himself admitted he rates Taylor when he released him, earning a fair bit of goodwill from Ash in doing so. He had a hand in him going to a club just down the road, on a two year deal.* He's signed one Broncos half until 2017, and extended the other for longer. All things going to plan, in 2018 I would honestly be surprised if we didn't see a new and improved Ash Taylor, with two years FG experience under his belt, back at Red Hill to help keep the dynasty rolling!

* I have a vague memory of reading he was heading Titans way so he could stay based in Brissy - is anyone able to confirm this? If so, gets even better.

 

[Super Freak]

Now this is just getting ridiculous...

 

[Splinter]

Ash Taylor has been very impressive in his debut season, and after watched him play I don't think Porthoz and co have been unjustified in talking him up as having great potential. His kicking game, and ability to control a match is exceptional for someone of his age and experience. His debut season reminds me a lot of Adam Reynolds', hopefully his running and passing game can come along at a better rate.

But that is the thing, at this stage it is potential only. As others have said there have been plenty of kids who've come on the scene and shown promise without kicking on. There is a long way to go yet, and any discussion about him being a future rep player is a bit silly at this stage. I wasn't around here in 2012 but I'd wager there was more than one person who had a certain B Barba locked in as the next QLD fullback...

I do agree that if Ash Taylor can continue to mature into a consistent first grade half, his game would likely be more suitable for the Broncos - partnering Mild. However, I am glad Bennett made the decision he did. There is now doubt that right now, I would prefer Hunt in our team. This season, and next, our premiership window will be wide open, and a more experienced halfback is needed to capitalise on it. Ash is still relatively unproven at first grade level, and completely untried in big games. Nor has he experienced the pressure of playing for a premiership contender, week in, week out. Backing Hunt over Taylor to win us a premiership in the next two years was the right call.

Bennett himself admitted he rates Taylor when he released him, earning a fair bit of goodwill from Ash in doing so. He had a hand in him going to a club just down the road, on a two year deal.* He's signed one Broncos half until 2017, and extended the other for longer. All things going to plan, in 2018 I would honestly be surprised if we didn't see a new and improved Ash Taylor, with two years FG experience under his belt, back at Red Hill to help keep the dynasty rolling!

* I have a vague memory of reading he was heading Titans way so he could stay based in Brissy - is anyone able to confirm this? If so, gets even better.

The problem with Hunt is he has lost two GF's on the bell and has also failed to close out many NRL games. I am unconvinced we can win a GF with him in the seven. I may well be proved wrong but I do have concerns.

 

[Big Pete]

Unfortunately Taylor's GF record isn't much better.

Kata ate him for breakfast in 2014.

 

[teampjta]

Ah the beauty of Hindsight

This time last year the Hunt v Taylor was a non-topic (of serious discussion), fast forward 12 months and some fans wished we kept Taylor on (no early release). Bennett unlike 90% of NRL coaches granted him an early release. I for one admire him for looking out for the kid and keeping his best interest honest and genuine.

What i would liked to have seen and what i dont think we've ever seen with players released early to another NRL club is an "early release clause" subject to a "sign back clause", which would take effect at the end of an agreed period.

What we get from releasing Ash a year early ZERO
What we get for investing in a player from the age of 13 ZERO

Whilst i agree that you cant keep them all, its instances like this were a club whose clearly looking out for the player should have some sort of compensation, in this instance an option to re-sign

 

[Porthoz]

The problem with Hunt is he has lost two GF's on the bell and has also failed to close out many NRL games. I am unconvinced we can win a GF with him in the seven. I may well be proved wrong but I do have concerns.

That is definitely my main concern, especially the bold part.

Unfortunately Taylor's GF record isn't much better.

Kata ate him for breakfast in 2014.

Sure, although that was not because he didn't manage the game, but because he was left unprotected too often against the closest thing to a Hurrell the Warriors had at the time.

This is definitely not about hindsight for me, as most people know I have been singing his praises for ages.
He had me convinced as a 15 y/o, when his game was already way beyond his age. I couldn't believe and was so stoked when the Broncos poached him right from under the Tits noses!

I have absolutely no doubt that with his humility, work ethic, atitude and talent, he won't let this praise go to his head, and he will be a top halfback in the NRL, at least as long as serious injuries stay away.

Should Wayne have kept him over Hunt? No way... not at the time!
I just hope we won't regret doing the right thing by him, and we can get him back after these 2 years in the wilderness.

 

[Tunza's Chin]

Porthoz, this could be you:

Josh Hazlewood Test debut: Lucky punters make $50,000 on bet - Yahoo7

 

[Porthoz]

Porthoz, this could be you:

Josh Hazlewood Test debut: Lucky punters make $50,000 on bet - Yahoo7

Haha... I probably should've have!

I only have backed up 2 players to really make it at NRL level (albeit from a relatively small sample). One is already a rep (Kahu), and the other (Taylor) will probably and hopefully get there too.

 

[Big Pete]

Porthoz - It was just a strange comment to make in relation to Taylor. You would think on the flipside Taylor would have a grand final to his name, but instead his team was completely blown out and it took the Nikorimas to start something to even bring him into the game. This isn't anything new for Taylor either. I can't recall him ever having a star game in a final, U20s Origin or Junior Kangaroos clash.

Round 13 2016 was a nice start but it's premature to act like he's a clutch or big-time player. Especially when he's got more knocks on him then plusses.

Outside of that game, the only instance where he came up with the big play that I recall is the Round 22 NYC clash against Canterbury. He wasn't exactly well known for that type of play.

Hopefully he matures into it, but at the same time, hopefully Ben Hunt stands up and makes himself counted for.

 

[mrslong]

Does anyone else think the threat of Taylor and JNik being taken away has made Hunt more relaxed this season? Last season he had to play well because those guys were coming to get him. Now there's no obvious threat to his position and he's a bit more comfortable.

 

[Battler]

Porthoz - It was just a strange comment to make in relation to Taylor. You would think on the flipside Taylor would have a grand final to his name, but instead his team was completely blown out and it took the Nikorimas to start something to even bring him into the game. This isn't anything new for Taylor either. I can't recall him ever having a star game in a final, U20s Origin or Junior Kangaroos clash.

Round 13 2016 was a nice start but it's premature to act like he's a clutch or big-time player. Especially when he's got more knocks on him then plusses.

Outside of that game, the only instance where he came up with the big play that I recall is the Round 22 NYC clash against Canterbury. He wasn't exactly well known for that type of play.

Hopefully he matures into it, but at the same time, hopefully Ben Hunt stands up and makes himself counted for.

I'm reluctant to pin the GF loss on Hunt, but he did play woefully throughout that game (the knock on was the icing on the cake). Going to water as a mature HB in a GF is very different to a teenager playing poorly.

EDIT: I hope Taylor and Wayne came to an agreement in terms of a possible return in a couple of seasons.

 

[Tunza's Chin]

[h=1]Wayne Bennett says Titans halfback Ashley Taylor could return to the Broncos one day[/h]

BRONCOS coach Wayne Bennett has no regrets about releasing Ashley Taylor and has left the door open for the Titans playmaker to return to Red Hill.


Bennett put Taylor’s NRL ambitions ahead of Brisbane’s playmaking stocks last August when he reluctantly agreed to farewell a young halfback who had been groomed for big things at the Broncos.
Brisbane’s loss has been the Titans’ gain, with Taylor underlining his enormous potential with his booming extra-time field goal to sink the Rabbitohs in Perth last week.
Taylor’s steep learning curve will continue when the 21-year-old plays his 15th top-grade game for the Titans against Parramatta on Saturday night in Darwin.
The Broncos invested heavily in Taylor after signing him as a teenager but Bennett has not given up hope of one day luring the Toowoomba product away from the Titans.
“Hopefully one day Ash will come back here,” Bennett said.
“There’s no mixed emotions for me (watching Taylor thriving at the Titans).
“If kids come to the Broncos but we can’t accommodate them, I want them to play rugby league at the highest level and be the players that they can be.
“In five or six years’ time Ashley may benefit from what he has done in the interim.
“The club has always been about that. We never stop kids from getting opportunities somewhere else. The club is important but so is the game.’’
The Broncos influence even spreads across the codes, with former Brisbane players Ben Te’o, Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau featuring in Saturday night’s rugby union Test between the Wallabies and England at Suncorp Stadium.
Bennett is not surprised by Taylor’s ability to handle the NRL in his rookie season because he rates Brisbane’s development systems among the best in the NRL.
“I see Ash Taylor getting some wonderful wraps and so he should, he was recruited here, he was trained here,” Bennett said.
“Melbourne and ourselves do it better than anyone else at churning out kids with the right attitudes to play the game.
“It’s always been a wonderful club, the Broncos, it has produced a lot of wonderful men. There are guys (Folau, Hunt and Te’o) off playing in another code. The groundings in this organisation have always bode well for players’ futures.

“It’s really important for 17, 18 and 19 year-olds where they are at and what clubs they are at.
“If you have the talent, you will always have the opportunity, but if the talent is wasted because you are in a bad system, you may never get the opportunity.
“Sometimes they have to leave and find out it wasn’t as good as it was at the Broncos. But we are always happy to have them back.”
Taylor said he has fully recovered from his mystery stomach complaint six weeks ago and is primed for the Eels clash in Darwin.
“The docs thought it might have a bit a small muscle tear near my ribs. I did all the tests and they still can’t work it out, it’s a bit of a mystery but it feels fine now. It might have been a bump to my ribs,” Taylor said.
“I put up while I had the pain but it’s gone away now. The doctors thought it may have been appendicitis because I was showing symptoms of it but the tests cleared me of that thankfully.”

No Cookies | The Courier Mail

That was convenient timing.

 

[GCBRONCO]

I wonder how Gordy will take it?

 

[Tunza's Chin]

Does anyone else think the threat of Taylor and JNik being taken away has made Hunt more relaxed this season? Last season he had to play well because those guys were coming to get him. Now there's no obvious threat to his position and he's a bit more comfortable.

I was actually thinking about this the other day, but I get the impression Hunt puts enough pressure on himself as is to be honest. I don't think J Niko would have been putting any pressure on, clearly isn't ready for NRL let alone as a Halfback. Maybe Hunt would have got a game or two in reserve grade for Taylor, but I think for now he's more in need of faith shown him by the coach anyway.

We we're thirty seconds away from a premiership. I'm backing Hunt to get back to the form that took us there. Our strength isn't going to be a Cronk or JT like kicking game, a marginal improvement on last year should do the trick. I think Milf's kicking game looked to be improving significantly at the start of the season, that will help.

Hunt's vision is clearly still excellent, he is leading the comp in try assists. I am hoping all it will take is one close win where he kicks well for him to find his mojo again, and once he's got some confidence in his kicking game, he will back himself in the other facets of his game and the rest will flow from there.

 

[Old Mate]

Does anyone else think the threat of Taylor and JNik being taken away has made Hunt more relaxed this season? Last season he had to play well because those guys were coming to get him. Now there's no obvious threat to his position and he's a bit more comfortable.

Nah I don't think his spot was ever threatened last year. If anything Milford was under pressure especially early on.