Final Thoughts

[Coxy]

:rolleyes: Comparing speed alone they're similar. Of course Hunt isn't in their class, he's still a rookie.

 

[Big Pete]

Cronk is in the top three at the Storms over the first 40. Not as quick as Beale though.

This news surprises me.

Watching him on-field he doesn't stike me as being that fast.

 

[Coxy]

Off the mark he may not be, but the number of times he's in support of a Billy Slater break shows he's quick over a reasonable distance (like 40m).

 

[Porthoz]

:rolleyes: Comparing speed alone they're similar. Of course Hunt isn't in their class, he's still a rookie.

Nah, that was speed comparison alone, otherwise I would've put a F1 car there. Cronk and Langer were so much faster it's not funny!
Johns is probably a fair enough comparison, but if Hunt ever reaches his level, I'll eat my hat with a smile on my face!

Regardless, we're comparing Hunt with the 2 best half-backs ever in Johns and Langer, and with a very quick and level headed Cooper Cronk.
I maintain my opinion, unless Hunt demonstrates the abilities of the 2 masters named in this thread, he needs speed to cut the mustard at HB, and he hasn't got it imo...

 

[Coxy]

Granted he may lack a bit of speed off the mark at this stage, but Corey Norman lacks decent passing game, decent kicking game, ability to read the play, ability to defend, heart and courage.

Other than that, yeah, Norman's ready to go :P

 

[Big Pete]

You could compare him to plenty of other halves, I just chose the best.

Hunt really reminds me of Cronk in how he runs. And I've seen plenty of both to make that judgement.

 

[Clintos]

Norman isn't ready. We might be in some trouble next year unless we can find another star from bribie.

 

[Porthoz]

Granted he may lack a bit of speed off the mark at this stage, but Corey Norman lacks decent passing game, decent kicking game, ability to read the play, ability to defend, heart and courage.

Other than that, yeah, Norman's ready to go :P

Norman has one of the best kicking games I've seen. His natural ability is way above average, quite superior to Wallace and Hunt. And I haven't seen any lack of heart or courage in any of this games.

He does sometimes switch off from the game though, and he is admittedly very green still, but I have faith in Hook to mold him into a very good 5/8.

 

[Porthoz]

Norman isn't ready. We might be in some trouble next year unless we can find another star from bribie.

By that logic, DCE wouldn't have been ready either this year either, with no experience whatsoever in the NRL.

 

[noisetheory]

in my opinion if wallace is going to be one half then norman has to be the other. i dont see much coming from hunt/wallace together.

this forum has had major doubts over pretty much every other young bloke who's now (at least gone a long way to) proved us wrong

 

[Big Pete]

Different strengths and weaknesses

For instance
Ben Hunt has the better short distance kicking game
Corey Norman has a better long distance kick
Ben Hunt is a stronger runner and can actually run direct
Corey Norman is more agile and is faster
Ben Hunt is a better defender
In terms of passing game I'd also take Hunt. Better cut-out and short distance pass.

Lucky to have both at the club and prepared to be patient with both.

EDIT - That's another good point too noisetheory and based on what we've seen, the Norman/Wallace combo seemed the best.

 

[ningnangnong]

Porthoz, I would say Wallace is one of the slowest halfbacks in the NRL, yet you seem to rate him pretty highly?

 

[Porthoz]

Porthoz, I would say Wallace is one of the slowest halfbacks in the NRL, yet you seem to rate him pretty highly?

He's not that slow mate, I know he's not a top player in his position, but he does the job, works as hard as any forward and has improved massively this year.
If we can't get Thurston or Cronk, who else is there really at the moment? DCE looks the goods, but then again, so did Mortimer in 2009!

I do rank him above most halfbacks in the comp, which is not a compliment to the players beneath him!

He needs a partner to bring his best out, and I don't think Hunt is that player...
Norman, if Hook gets his head right and works on his defense, can be a revelation imo, and would form a great partnership with Wallace.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I heard from a little birdie that the broncos just don't rate Norman in the big games and that is why he wasn't picked for the game. They don't think he is up to it

 

[shadow]

6. Norman
7. Hunt
9. Macca

15. Wallace (hooker rotation)

 

[shadow]

let the young guys develop...its not like we'll re-sign wallace when his contract runs out

 

[Bucking Beads]

let the young guys develop...its not like we'll re-sign wallace when his contract runs out

:confused:

 

[rnabokov]

has hunt shown much this year to say he's a worthy 7? or is it largely because he hasnt even been given the opportunity.

to me if he was being groomed to be the 7 he should of been playing Q cup or something.

Has Hunt shown anything as half back in NRL? He may be the answer, or Norman or Beale. I am keen to see how Thaiday captains the side, how the huge leadership hole left by Locky's departure will be filled.

That, and some set attacking plays which will see Hodges used properly as a centre. Honestly, with his ability to make a break yet he was so rarely given the ball on the run. It's either dummy half running or he gets it flat footed with 4 defenders to beat.

We should also sign Manly's top 2 assets in getting great field position: Shayne Hayne and Jared Maxwell