Half a report

[Kooly87]

Every time they write about Dearden he's put on more weight, it's six kilos not eight. Sattler's report is pretty much word for word I have written.

I don't agree about O'Sullivan's speed, never heard that before or thought it was an issue.

Would it be a fair assessment at this stage to say that IF they were going to move Niko into a Utility role that O'Sullivan would have his nose slightly in front just being a little older and slightly more experienced and probably a little more physically ready than Dearden?

If he can defend competently (which it sounds like you seem to think he could) and he can provide some structure and a kicking game to support Milford, I honestly think we could do worse than to give him a shot. The reason i'm warming to the idea actually isn't entirely to do with promoting O'Sullivan and dumping Niko, it's actually because I'm becoming more and more convinced that we really lack some dynamic Dummy Half running and energy and that I think Niko could in this sense potentially be a huge asset, perhaps more so than he is at Halfback.

It just seems like the modern blueprint these days is for your Halfback to be a competent Organiser who kicks well (none of which are Niko's strong suits) with a ball running 5/8 and that the stronger sides are using their Dummy Half's to run the ball and probe around the ruck more and more every year and this isn't really McCullough's strength either so with him and Niko sharing the Dummy Half role he could really ignite us around the ruck as the game wears on.

 

[Footy Fanatic]

Would it be a fair assessment at this stage to say that IF they were going to move Niko into a Utility role that O'Sullivan would have his nose slightly in front just being a little older and slightly more experienced and probably a little more physically ready than Dearden?

If he can defend competently (which it sounds like you seem to think he could) and he can provide some structure and a kicking game to support Milford, I honestly think we could do worse than to give him a shot. The reason i'm warming to the idea actually isn't entirely to do with promoting O'Sullivan and dumping Niko, it's actually because I'm becoming more and more convinced that we really lack some dynamic Dummy Half running and energy and that I think Niko could in this sense potentially be a huge asset, perhaps more so than he is at Halfback.

It just seems like the modern blueprint these days is for your Halfback to be a competent Organiser who kicks well (none of which are Niko's strong suits) with a ball running 5/8 and that the stronger sides are using their Dummy Half's to run the ball and probe around the ruck more and more every year and this isn't really McCullough's strength either so with him and Niko sharing the Dummy Half role he could really ignite us around the ruck as the game wears on.

I think Dearden is still the number 1 option to take over from Nikorima if he was to be dropped to the bench.

 

[Sproj]

I’d be aiming for a future spine of:

1. Ponga/Milf/KNik
6. Boyd
7. Dearden
9. Paix

In 24 months time that is.

 

[Footy Fanatic]

I’d be aiming for a future spine of:

1. Ponga/Milf/KNik
6. Boyd
7. Dearden
9. Paix

In 24 months time that is.

I don't rate Boyd highly enough to get rid of Milford for him.

 

[Sproj]

I don't rate Boyd highly enough to get rid of Milford for him.

Fair point but I am not sure we will be able to afford both Milf and Ponga (I hope we can have both obviously), so if I had to choose, I would be throwing the kitchen sink at Ponga. He is a once in a generation/lifetime talent and he should be playing for the biggest club in the world.

 

[BroncsFan]

Just wondering from those in the know, whether Deardon is a natural kicker.

I haven't had a chance to see Deardon yet, but we've previously had the best junior half coming through in Hunt and it turned out that he couldn't kick to save his life.

When I say natural kicker it's someone like Cleary, Norman, DCE, Cameron Smith, etc. The guys who just naturally hit the ball sweetly and have the touch/feel to get it to pull up exactly where they want it.

Years gone by it seemed like every half could kick (Joey, Lockyer, Kimmorley, Geyer, Dykes, Prince, etc.) basically every team had an elite kicker. Nowadays it seems to be a premium, but is so important as we've learnt over the last 8-9 years since Lockyer retired.

We've also learnt that it's not something you can learn all that easily (Hunt & Kodi), even Milf looks like he just heaves it down field with no general feel for where it's going.

It's all well and good being able to run and break tackles, but if you don't win the field position battle you won't win many games

 

[1910]

Dearden watch tonight v Pride from Cairns.

Again set up exclusively on the left. He shovelled it on too much. He threw a pass for Burns' first try on the short side. Scarlett is still the boss with kicking and play- Gibbie goes the right with Scarlett and he's their biggest weapon.

20 to go he steps through with a left foot step but got to the fullback, guys unmarked and went himself- came up with 0.

I'd like to see Dearden mix it up and get on the open with Gibbie and get a partnership going. Might come with confidence.

In defence he made a bad mistake just before half time, they came left and he came up timidly then planted his feet shuffled side ways and took no one really Murphy rolled it on and they scored in the corner.

Would have been good to see Clifford v Dearden- U18 half v U20 half but not to be tonight. Would have given a good reference point for Dearden.

In summary I'd like to see him own Wynnum- if he can't shark Scarlett and demand good ball then how is he going to do it in the NRL off Origin players?

 

[1910]

Just wondering from those in the know, whether Deardon is a natural kicker.

I haven't had a chance to see Deardon yet, but we've previously had the best junior half coming through in Hunt and it turned out that he couldn't kick to save his life.

When I say natural kicker it's someone like Cleary, Norman, DCE, Cameron Smith, etc. The guys who just naturally hit the ball sweetly and have the touch/feel to get it to pull up exactly where they want it.

Years gone by it seemed like every half could kick (Joey, Lockyer, Kimmorley, Geyer, Dykes, Prince, etc.) basically every team had an elite kicker. Nowadays it seems to be a premium, but is so important as we've learnt over the last 8-9 years since Lockyer retired.

We've also learnt that it's not something you can learn all that easily (Hunt & Kodi), even Milf looks like he just heaves it down field with no general feel for where it's going.

It's all well and good being able to run and break tackles, but if you don't win the field position battle you won't win many games

When he does kick he kicks well, just put in a beautiful kick tonight for touch. Kicked a 50m penalty goal two weeks ago.

Doesn't kick enough.

Scarlett 74 kicks
Dearden 16

 

[Porthoz]

How dominant is Scarlett though. it might be part of the game plan to let Scarlett dictate terms (yay, I found a way to emulate the King)? Neither Kodi nor Milford are the type to demand ball, so it may make a difference.

 

[1910]

How dominant is Scarlett though. it might be part of the game plan to let Scarlett dictate terms (yay, I found a way to emulate the King)? Neither Kodi nor Milford are the type to demand ball, so it may make a difference.

I am thinking it's a bit of Wynnum's set up and Scarlett being the dominate half and Dearden being 18 and timid.

Not including tonight Scarlett has touched the ball 318 times in six game- 53 a game.

Dearden 98 from 3. 32 game.

Watching him last week and this week, it's just a thought I had- he needs to own Wynnum and be demanding ball and actions. It's going to be harder to do it under the pressure of NRL and I just like to see him take more ownership at ISC level.

I know he's 18 and that's a massive step but it's pretty important for a half to do- if you want to play NRL right now.

 

[1910]

Would it be a fair assessment at this stage to say that IF they were going to move Niko into a Utility role that O'Sullivan would have his nose slightly in front just being a little older and slightly more experienced and probably a little more physically ready than Dearden?

If he can defend competently (which it sounds like you seem to think he could) and he can provide some structure and a kicking game to support Milford, I honestly think we could do worse than to give him a shot. The reason i'm warming to the idea actually isn't entirely to do with promoting O'Sullivan and dumping Niko, it's actually because I'm becoming more and more convinced that we really lack some dynamic Dummy Half running and energy and that I think Niko could in this sense potentially be a huge asset, perhaps more so than he is at Halfback.

It just seems like the modern blueprint these days is for your Halfback to be a competent Organiser who kicks well (none of which are Niko's strong suits) with a ball running 5/8 and that the stronger sides are using their Dummy Half's to run the ball and probe around the ruck more and more every year and this isn't really McCullough's strength either so with him and Niko sharing the Dummy Half role he could really ignite us around the ruck as the game wears on.

If I had to make a call right now I would go O'Sullivan. On current form and skill set.

 

[1910]

As I write, Boyd goes open, demands the ball, kicks perfectly for Port to score in the corner- right on his chest.

Easts kick off out on the full, Souths go down and score again.

28-16 now, looked dead five minutes ago and Boyd has got them back.

 

[Alec]

Maybe Dearden is just another instinctive 5/8th type, like Ben Hunt.

 

[1910]

Huge difference in Boyd's body language and confidence and Dearden's but Boyd is in his team and is just going through the grades. Dearden is learning whole new team on limited prep every week.

Boyd also has Dennis who would be encouraging and letting him get the ball and have a role. Boyd is demanding the ball on the right from Dennis on the left and getting it.

Touch of just have a crack too when you're down by a lot. Giving him some confidence.

 

[Allo]

How dominant is Scarlett though. it might be part of the game plan to let Scarlett dictate terms (yay, I found a way to emulate the King)? Neither Kodi nor Milford are the type to demand ball, so it may make a difference.

@1910

Is Scarlett worth looking at again? He's only 24 (25) and has a number of seasons in QCup under his belt. Something none our past halves since before Bennett-v2 have had.

 

[teampjta]

@1910

Is Scarlett worth looking at again? He's only 24 (25) and has a number of seasons in QCup under his belt. Something none our past halves since before Bennett-v2 have had.

Could be our version of Cody Walker

 

[Footy Fanatic]

Maybe Dearden is just another instinctive 5/8th type, like Ben Hunt.

Instinctive yes, but he has a great kicking game and generally plays direct.

 

[1910]

Last night.

Scarlett 9 kicks- 274m
Dearden 2 kicks- 65m

Scarlett touched the ball 53 times
Dearden 24 times

Got to rotate the strike, no point watching from the other end.

Up side Dearden made 20 tackles and 0 misses- 15 of those would have been on Hola which is a good test- he broke five tackles and made 173m and isn't far off an NRL backrower.