NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2015

[Socnorb]

McCullough is a better defender than Friend.

 

[Unbreakable]

McCullough is a better defender than Friend.

Debatable. They're similar defensively, McCullough just makes more tackles overall, which may also be one of the reasons why Friend has more energy in attack than McCullough. As nice as making 60 tackles a game is, if it means you're more or less useless in attack because you're exhausted from making every tackle in a set, I doubt the trade-off is worth it.

 

[Big Pete]

Friend has certainly had more career highs than McCullough but based on last year, there's nothing separating them. Give McCullough a back three of RTS, SKD and Tupou who can get the dummy half rolling and watch him achieve as much if not more than what Friend did. As a Queenslander, hopefully it was just the injury which hampered Friend, but he had a real coach killing aspect to his game in 2015 that needs to be eradicated moving forward to 2016.

Re-sitting for his kicking licence would be a good start.

As for Farah, can't the NRL just let him go to a club that needs him like Newcastle? Or just for the LOLs send him to Melbourne where he can play Queensland Cup?

 

[tommy]

If the Roosters get Farah and keep Friend then what happens to Jikorima ? Didn't he go there on the understanding that he would play first grade .

 

[Morkel]

If the Roosters get Farah and keep Friend then what happens to Jikorima ? Didn't he go there on the understanding that he would play first grade .

Well well well.

 

[Alec]

JNik will probably just be a bench player there, if he's lucky.

 

[Socnorb]

Debatable. They're similar defensively, McCullough just makes more tackles overall, which may also be one of the reasons why Friend has more energy in attack than McCullough. As nice as making 60 tackles a game is, if it means you're more or less useless in attack because you're exhausted from making every tackle in a set, I doubt the trade-off is worth it.

Friend is often pushed off in defence. Macca hits and sticks . In short he has great stopping power. In a team you need those who attack and those who are capable to defend. Macca excels in the second category , and although it's not as sexy as being s potent attacker it is no less necessary.. The question is do we gave enough attaciking power without him. I think we do, and I think he is the best defensive 9 in the comp.

 

[Unbreakable]

Well well well.

Mork = Josh Hoffman

 

[Unbreakable]

Peta Hiku to the Dragons apparently, moving Dugan to Centre to accommodate him.

1. Hiku
2. Nightingale
3. Aitken / Mann
4. Dugan
5. Mann / Aitken

Pretty decent back line I guess, I do like Aitken & Mann as future prospects.

 

[broncos4life]

Friend is often pushed off in defence. Macca hits and sticks . In short he has great stopping power. In a team you need those who attack and those who are capable to defend. Macca excels in the second category , and although it's not as sexy as being s potent attacker it is no less necessary.. The question is do we gave enough attaciking power without him. I think we do, and I think he is the best defensive 9 in the comp.

Well put. Unfortunately most people just see flash and think that makes them elite. I'm resigned to the fact that Macca will never get the credit he deserves, I'm just glad that the people that make the decisions at the Broncos can see his value.

 

[broncos4life]

World of difference. Friend is on another level. McCullough is average, Friend is good, even very good.

He isn't on another level. That is just untrue. You're entitled to your opinion but that is the only place those statements are factual.

 

[Sproj]

How is Friend flashy? He is just a better all-round package than Macca. Macca has improved a lot and his defense is as good as anyone in the comp, but that is only half a hooker's job. His service is adequate but Friend's is better. Imagine our halves and forwards working off quick service, we'd be almost unstoppable. I think Friend is easily a better all-round package than Macca even though Macca is a better defender. The only thing I think saves Macca in offense is that he has such a good understanding with Hunt and that does help cover his attacking deficiencies at times.

 

[broncos4life]

How is Friend flashy? He is just a better all-round package than Macca. Macca has improved a lot and his defense is as good as anyone in the comp, but that is only half a hooker's job. His service is adequate but Friend's is better. Imagine our halves and forwards working off quick service, we'd be almost unstoppable. I think Friend is easily a better all-round package than Macca even though Macca is a better defender. The only thing I think saves Macca in offense is that he has such a good understanding with Hunt and that does help cover his attacking deficiencies at times.

I can only assume you don't watch as many roosters games as you do broncos

 

[Morkel]

Peta Hiku to the Dragons apparently, moving Dugan to Centre to accommodate him.

1. Hiku
2. Nightingale
3. Aitken / Mann
4. Dugan
5. Mann / Aitken

Pretty decent back line I guess, I do like Aitken & Mann as future prospects.

That's just silly. Dugan is a better FB by far. Keep him there.

 

[Morkel]

Don't forget tunnel-ball = the appearance of the hooker giving fast service.

 

[Sproj]

I can only assume you don't watch as many roosters games as you do broncos

Come on, that's your answer? I watch as many games as the next bloke with the exception of Big Pete. I honestly don't see how he is flashy? Is it because he's reasonable quick with his service? He's reasonably quick over 20 meters? Is anyone quick at anything considered flashy? Smith's service is very quick and accurate although he is relatively slow over 20m, so is he flashy?

 

[broncos4life]

Come on, that's your answer? I watch as many games as the next bloke with the exception of Big Pete. I honestly don't see how he is flashy? Is it because he's reasonable quick with his service? He's reasonably quick over 20 meters? Is anyone quick at anything considered flashy? Smith's service is very quick and accurate although he is relatively slow over 20m, so is he flashy?

My flashy comment was meant for another thread, I think I confused myself sorry. My exception to all this is the perceived notion that friend is far superior to Macca.

 

[Alec]

At their best, I'd say Friend has been substantially better than McCullough. This was pretty much McCullough's best year, and he wasn't even outstanding. He's just servicable (which is ironic, since his service is still one of the slower in the comp).