Promising young halves

[LittleDavey]

They are never going to move wallace or macca, never ever! Which sucks a lot. The best thing we could hope for is hunt in for prince. That's the most likely scenario if prince doesn't improve it's worth a shot.

Hell I'd even take that at this point. Give Prince a few more weeks to build combinations and then if he's still struggling, send him to Q-Cup. We're paying him bugger all so it's not a great loss. His experience MIGHT come in handy, he does seem to have a better attitude than he did at the Titans, but he needs to be playing better if he wants to keep his spot. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. But Hunt should get a chance either way.

 

[rnabokov]

Wallace is soooo inconsistent, so frustrating. He can be so good but it's so few and far between. For mine, his best role is to swap with Hunt

Hunt and Macca have been damaged IMO by being forced into hooker while originally halves, and Prince, well, he just needs a few more games and some confidence, and a bit of help?

 

[subsbligh]

It's not surprising that neither Hunt or Norman have progressed as quickly as the club want(ed) them to.

They've been kept in cotton wool. Wallace injury in 2009 - Hunt was not called up and we got caned by the Storm without a proper halfback. Lockyer in 2011, Norman sat on the sidelines.

On Hunt, that 2008 NYC year, Yow Yeh also had a break out year on the back of Hunt's cross field kicks. Perhaps he was made to look better by Yow Yeh.

 

[subsbligh]

Wallace is soooo inconsistent, so frustrating. He can be so good but it's so few and far between. For mine, his best role is to swap with Hunt

Hunt and Macca have been damaged IMO by being forced into hooker while originally halves, and Prince, well, he just needs a few more games and some confidence, and a bit of help?

Yeah but doesn't a 5/8 or halfback need to be even quicker with delivery than a hooker meaning Macca would be even worse there?

 

[rnabokov]

Yeah but doesn't a 5/8 or halfback need to be even quicker with delivery than a hooker meaning Macca would be even worse there?

I'd say quicker is more relevant to decision making which then flows onto passing the ball or running it or whatever, depending on the situation. In which case, the issue becomes one of options to choose from, which means support runners as one key option.

At the same time, there is always that indefinable "x" factor called instinct, a footballing brain, like say Locky or Cam Smith had/have where you don't actually think, it just all comes together and happens.

Even so, you still need options like support runners

I just don't see Macca or Wallace with anywhere near the instincts needed to make a top level hooker. Hunt in my book is NOT a hooker, but hey, what choice has this club given us?

 

[IBA]

If they're gonna stick with Macca starting hooker, I'd like to see Wallace to push into hooker when Macca comes off and Hunt going into the halves. They seem to be pushing Wallace there more often in the reshuffle this year. We'd at least be able to see Hunt consistently in the halves. Mind you, I still think options for our halves is more of an issue than the halves themselves.

 

[Kimlo]

I thought this was interesting.

"The NRL's new "code of engagement" laws will also help Brisbane. As of this year, clubs are not allowed to place talented kids on scholarships or provide them with equipment until they are 15.
The age of contact before was 13 so clubs could get in a child's ear before they could properly evaluate whether that team was best for them.
The best teenage playmaker in the country, Canberra Raiders prodigy Anthony Milford, was signed at 13.
Brisbane had barely seen Milford play before they found out he was under lock and key at the Raiders."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...uy-back-the-farm/story-e6frep76-1226609153630

Couriermail.

 

[tkday]

I like that, not that anyone would want to sign up for Brisbane anymore :)

 

[Coxy]

I think it's good that there's restrictions on what can be thrown at kids that young. However, again have to consider what the regulations are in other codes. If, say, Aussie Rules or Rugby Union have no such restrictions, you risk having kids sign with them instead of the NRL because they (their parents...) want to lock their future in earlier.

 

[nopatience101]

I think it's good that there's restrictions on what can be thrown at kids that young. However, again have to consider what the regulations are in other codes. If, say, Aussie Rules or Rugby Union have no such restrictions, you risk having kids sign with them instead of the NRL because they (their parents...) want to lock their future in earlier.

There are always ways around it and I wouldn't put a lot of faith in the NRL being able to regulate it.