Darius Boyd, where art thou?

[Morepudding]

So last weeks huge loss was the tip of the ice berg for me. Darius Boyd is grossly overrated in my opinion and hasn't had a great season as captain. Against the eels there were several times where he essentially opted to not even try and tackle the opponent. One of these instances was when Semi made one of his many breaks, the other being when Jennings went down the side and even though Darius was there, he just didn't tackle him.

My question is, how is the team supposed to get motivated when your captain has no heart? He hardly did a hit up, threw the ball to Oates under pressure for no reason on a kick return which lead to a knock on. He just refuses to get involved. He is often out of position for kicks close to the line, and is never there in support when someone like Milford, Roberts or Moga make a break.

Surely other people are fed up with his efforts lately as well? Demanding around $800k a season seems ridiculous. Would much rather throw Bird at fullback and splash that cash on Ash Taylor or something.

 

[winslow_wong]

Not much we can do when his biological dad is the coach.

 

[Sproj]

Surely other people are fed up with his efforts lately

Yep we are, you aren't the first to mention it funnily enough but I think all of us are willing to cut him a bit of slack given his career record but yeah, last week was absolutely pathetic from a guy who is the captain and a bloke wanting a million a year or something.

 

[Alec]

He was our best player last year, guess he's still got some credit.

 

[Morepudding]

He was our best player last year, guess he's still got some credit.

I honestly don't think he was. He is very average but has always had good job security, and usually played for decent teams (Broncos, Dragons, QLD, Australia (not knights obviously)). I just hate how often he gets the ball, freaks out like a deer in headlights and just stands still and gets tackled. I honestly don't know where his praise comes from. He's decent catching bombs, pretty terrible with grubbers, terrible as last line defense and has no running game...

 

[lynx000]

You have to wonder if there is something going on in the background again? Has he got the shits because they are playing hardball re his contract? Are there issues away from football that are impacting on his mindset and approach to games?

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Boyd is among the best fullbacks in the attacking 20 metres in the game. He can sum up any 3-on-2, 2-on-1 situation.
BUT, his problem is when he is out of form the things that make him one of the "safest" fb's in the game (eg not attacking kicks, non-risk taking hit ups, thinking about the sideline 20 metres away from it and succumbing to the tackle) become highlighted, and his defence drops off massively. Other things he gets away with also become more obvious to us fans like any player out of form (getting up and whinging after every tackle)

 

[Mr Fourex]

I honestly don't think he was. He is very average but has always had good job security, and usually played for decent teams (Broncos, Dragons, QLD, Australia (not knights obviously)). I just hate how often he gets the ball, freaks out like a deer in headlights and just stands still and gets tackled. I honestly don't know where his praise comes from. He's decent catching bombs, pretty terrible with grubbers, terrible as last line defense and has no running game...

A strongly worded email to Darius's coach is definitely in order.

 

[lynx000]

A strongly worded email to Darius's coach is definitely in order.

Dear Darius' Dad

...

 

[winslow_wong]

Every time he tries to accelerate to run his feet look sooo heavy. Those boots he wears look so restrictive too for some reason.

 

[Morepudding]

It's so frustrating knowing that there is no way he will ever get dropped as well... Like honestly his performance on Thursday as one of the worst performances by an experienced player / captain I have seen. There was just no heart at all.

 

[Thelmus]

I think his performance was average to poor against the eels, but I think the weight of expectation on his performances is a little harsh given he was far from alone out there. He remains a pivotal part of our attack, but the way he defends in the line must take its toll. Add to that he has played constantly without break and is no longer a young man but a veteran player (a young man by any other definition though), its understandable his performance might wain.
I think a rest for this last game might do wonders to re-energise him, along with a few others (thaiday) with that the stated reason. It would also test some potential repacement players before the finals.

 

[Thelmus]

I would also address the mental issues with the senior leadership one on one, with a professional sports psychologist, playmakers included. Plans and strategies put in play with the leadership group to fall back on when fatigue and skill failure becomes a problem.

 

[Harry Sack]

Honestly, I just want to see him bring the ball back with some venom. He's not a small man by any means, but you'd swear he was 4ft and 50kg.

 

[Allo]

Every time he tries to accelerate to run his feet look sooo heavy. Those boots he wears look so restrictive too for some reason.

I don't think he has any natural sprinting movement. His knees stay bent and his ankles are locked. Reminds me of a guy I went to school with. Gumby-looking as **** but he was actually pretty quick

 

[winslow_wong]

Honestly, I just want to see him bring the ball back with some venom. He's not a small man by any means, but you'd swear he was 4ft and 50kg.

And it's not like he ever gets smashed or pushed back when he does take a hit up. Just don't get it. He can easily kick start our sets if he wanted.

 

[Morepudding]

And it's not like he ever gets smashed or pushed back when he does take a hit up. Just don't get it. He can easily kick start our sets if he wanted.

I remember a couple weeks back against maybe the sharks? or something, he returned the ball hard (almost karmichael hunt like) and I think we either scored off the set or got a repeat set or something, but it was definitely his strong carry that got it started. As said above, he is a pretty big guy, just doesn't bring it back with any intensity. I used to think Dugan was soft, boyd makes him look like he's made of cement :p

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

I think his performance was average to poor against the eels, but I think the weight of expectation on his performances is a little harsh given he was far from alone out there. He remains a pivotal part of our attack, but the way he defends in the line must take its toll. Add to that he has played constantly without break and is no longer a young man but a veteran player (a young man by any other definition though), its understandable his performance might wain.
I think a rest for this last game might do wonders to re-energise him, along with a few others (thaiday) with that the stated reason. It would also test some potential repacement players before the finals.

I was thinking the same thing with Boyd except maybe resting Roberts, Blair and/or Gillett instead of Thaiday. They need a rest by the looks of it and if 2 or 3 of them hit form (with milfords form) after a rest it could deliver us a premiership