For what it's worth I think in two years time he'll be rated by everyone. I think that after the trauma of losing his father and associated grieving process combined with greater maturity he'll come out the other side a complete package and at the top of his game. Yes, I know many things can prevent or impede but with luck he'll kick on to a great career.
Wonder if sharks would trade Bird for Johnson. An spine of
1. Isaako
6. Milford
7. Johnson
9. Turpin
will be exciting at least.
I'd still take him just not at a big price.Johnson is absolutely the opposite of what we need
SJ is 30 next year, he doesn't have much time left in the NRL.
Kind of anticipated someone would point out his father was still alive but thought you guys would know I knew. No matter. It's very likely he will pass in the coming months especially considering the published prognosis. I hope he survives long enough to fulfill his desire to see his boy play.His Dad is still alive for the record. He's never seen him play a Test match live, but is hoping to be well enough to make it to the NZ test in a couple of weeks in Christchurch to watch him play.
Please NO! couldn't think of anything worse.Wonder if sharks would trade Bird for Johnson. An spine of
1. Isaako
6. Milford
7. Johnson
9. Turpin
will be exciting at least.
I think the good thing about Isaako is you can't ever doubt his effort. He always tries very hard, and from memory the couple games he did play there had good kick returns and lurked around a bit for offloads. With our current forward pack, we need someone with the energy to sniff around for the offloads and run from that. Isaako is probably one of our better open field runners at the moment, so would be perfect for that. Decent pace, good feet, it would help a lot with people like Fifita, Haas and TPJ so good with offloads.Isaako at Fullback forces Milford back into the Halves which forces Boyd into a non-spine position (most likely Wing or Centre) so for me that alone is worth the risk.
Isaako may not set the world on fire, but as long as he turns up in January with all four limbs attached and working then he's basically guaranteed to be more effective in the role than Boyd.
Some players are just like that, in a blink of the eye they go from being the next big thing to being past their prime and looking down the end of their career, Johnson is no different.**** that career went quick. I’m sitting here waiting for him to reach his potential like 2011 was 2 years ago.
I think another thing Isaako could provide potentially is a general play kicking game which would be of huge benefit considering the lacklusture one our spine provided this season, injuries aside it's completely unacceptable to be in a position where your two halves can't even provide a satisfactory kicking game and the opposition need only pressure one player to outright kill their kicking game. (though you can argue bringing in a proper halfback would make this a non issue it certainly couldn't hurt to see the potential of this).I think the good thing about Isaako is you can't ever doubt his effort. He always tries very hard, and from memory the couple games he did play there had good kick returns and lurked around a bit for offloads. With our current forward pack, we need someone with the energy to sniff around for the offloads and run from that. Isaako is probably one of our better open field runners at the moment, so would be perfect for that. Decent pace, good feet, it would help a lot with people like Fifita, Haas and TPJ so good with offloads.
Sure, he might not have the best passing game in the comp, but that can improve over time, and it will allow milf to go back in to the halves where he belongs. Boyd is only good at the 2 on 1 / cut out pass at fullback, not like he is good with short balls or anything like that. Pretty easy skillset for Isaako to just really focus on over the off season in my opinion.
I've suggested this before, Isaako's kicking ability in general play that is but quite a few doubted his ability to do it effectively. My argument then and now is that (in my experience with foot and ball) anyone who has a fantastic kick also has that ability with the many and varied other kicks. It may not be as good as their specialty but good nonetheless.I think another thing Isaako could provide potentially is a general play kicking game which would be of huge benefit considering the lacklusture one our spine provided this season, injuries aside it's completely unacceptable to be in a position where your two halves can't even provide a satisfactory kicking game and the opposition need only pressure one player to outright kill their kicking game. (though you can argue bringing in a proper halfback would make this a non issue it certainly couldn't hurt to see the potential of this).
It's something worth at least exploring if he indeed does end up at fullback, we need more kicking options then Milford, it may work it may not. I just don't want to see us repeat this.I've suggested this before, Isaako's kicking ability in general play that is but quite a few doubted his ability to do it effectively. My argument then and now is that (in my experience with foot and ball) anyone who has a fantastic kick also has that ability with the many and varied other kicks. It may not be as good as their specialty but good nonetheless.
Even just using him for the long range kicks from in our own half. I think he has a lot of power with his kicks. If he c an learn to do a decent cheeky grubber like karmichael hunt used to do, he won't need to know how to pass.It's something worth at least exploring if he indeed does end up at fullback, we need more kicking options then Milford, it may work it may not. I just don't want to see us repeat this.