[Round 20, 2021] Broncos vs Cowboys

[Huge]

I look at the way issako plays and he plays similar to a touch player in attack and i think that's how league is in NZ juniors with alot of the backs, they can all cover multiple positions.
He won sharks under 20s player of the year at centre, fullback of the year in ISC, played 6 for junior kiwis he's got plenty of talent.
I've heard flannogan mention about his kicking in commentary (after he put one out on the full) that when he had him at the sharks he's got one of the best boots he'd seen he just doesn't have the accuracy which with plenty of training could be sorted out.
You only have to look at Jarome Hughes to see what you can do with Issako.

Of course your post will be dismissed as rubbish but I agree with both you and Flanagan.

 

[Super Freak]

I want to see more short balls for Bullemor close to the line.

 

[Wolfie]

It's impossible to convince most on here that there's still a good footballer in Isaako.In the past I've suggested Isaako might be better off in the thick of things at 5/8. That was not well received
I think Isaako is the perfect build for a modern 5/8. Strong enough to be as least as effective as most modern 5/8s, fast off the mark, light on his feet, good hands and good passing skills. I have no doubt he could also kick any sort of kick required. Bombs of all kinds, grubbers, whatever you'd ask for as coach I am sure Isaako could kick.

Of course we will now hear from the intellectual giants about how his kicks would all go out on the full yada yada yada

I just dont think he is a smart enough player to play in the halves. I look at him in terms of him evolving as a footballer. He is still the same player i watched in 2017 for Souths. He hasnt added anything to his repertoire. I think if he was playing wing exclusively he could get away with it tbh. Maybe even at center if he just did his job, but at 1 or 6 he really needs to add more to his game. If he has the kicking ability and passing ability he isnt really showing it as much as he needs to.

And his kicks probably would go out on the full a fair bit

 

[Huge]

I just dont think he is a smart enough player to play in the halves. I look at him in terms of him evolving as a footballer. He is still the same player i watched in 2017 for Souths. He hasnt added anything to his repertoire. I think if he was playing wing exclusively he could get away with it tbh. Maybe even at center if he just did his job, but at 1 or 6 he really needs to add more to his game. If he has the kicking ability and passing ability he isnt really showing it as much as he needs to.

And his kicks probably would go out on the full a fair bit

I respect your opinion even when you're wrong. At least you don't THINK he's smart enough and this is where we disagree. I don't think he needs to be, certainly not to provide more than the last two seasons worth of numptie 5/8ths.

I THINK he just needs to play what's in front and simply keep challenging the defence purely instinctively. I certainly wouldn't ask him to be this Master Puppeteer. No, I'd simply tell him get it out to Staggs or Farnworth whenever he felt like it or do whatever the hell he wants on his own. I'd couple him with Crofty who had a really decent game on the weekend.

I was surprised how well he played considering the comments I'd read but I realise now it was the old bhq/fan pain and bitterness talking. ****, Croft's first half was really good.

Back on Isaako I really think he'd be far better than Gamble who did try but just can't exploit half chances. I think there's where Isaako could be a better alternative, wherever tgere's a slight gap he's quick enough and slippery enough to make something of them.

Like I say, I really do respect posters right to disagree with me even when I'm convinced they have it wrong.

 

[Wolfie]

I respect your opinion even when you're wrong. At least you don't THINK he's smart enough and this is where we disagree. I don't think he needs to be, certainly not to provide more than the last two seasons worth of numptie 5/8ths.

I THINK he just needs to play what's in front and simply keep challenging the defence purely instinctively. I certainly wouldn't ask him to be this Master Puppeteer. No, I'd simply tell him get it out to Staggs or Farnworth whenever he felt like it or do whatever the hell he wants on his own. I'd couple him with Crofty who had a really decent game on the weekend.

I was surprised how well he played considering the comments I'd read but I realise now it was the old bhq/fan pain and bitterness talking. ****, Croft's first half was really good.

Back on Isaako I really think he'd be far better than Gamble who did try but just can't exploit half chances. I think there's where Isaako could be a better alternative, wherever tgere's a slight gap he's quick enough and slippery enough to make something of them.

Like I say, I really do respect posters right to disagree with me even when I'm convinced they have it wrong.

Cant disagree about our other 5/8 options they have been fairly mediocre in recent years, but i don't really see Isaako as being much different if he got a crack. Wouldn't be against us trying anything for the rest of this season, we don't really have anything to lose. I'm just a bit concerned he hasn't evolved the parts of his game that were a bit of a weakness for him in 2017. He's another though who may have just gone a bit stale at Brisbane and needs a change of scenery.

 

[theshed]

I just dont think he is a smart enough player to play in the halves. I look at him in terms of him evolving as a footballer. He is still the same player i watched in 2017 for Souths. He hasnt added anything to his repertoire. I think if he was playing wing exclusively he could get away with it tbh. Maybe even at center if he just did his job, but at 1 or 6 he really needs to add more to his game. If he has the kicking ability and passing ability he isnt really showing it as much as he needs to.

And his kicks probably would go out on the full a fair bit

Didn’t his 1 bomb attempt go backwards?

 

[Wolfie]

Didn’t his 1 bomb attempt go backwards?

I honestly can't remember!

 

[Cult]

I'm not disagreeing with you here but I've seen what's been dished up by our visionary 5/8ths thus far. My take is that I believe Isaako could match that but he also an extra dimension the others lack. He has much greater ability to break tackles, scythe through, step and swerve than all the rest combined. In my mind I see Isaako shovelling the ball out, regulation style but every now and then suddenly exploding right through the defence.

It's okay though if you can't imagine the same thing but if I were coach I'd sit down with Isaako and see if he'd like to get more involved in playmaking. I just think we might not realise we've got a diamond in the muck.

You don't move someone that's failing at their position into the spine just because of how they're built. Maybe we should give Xavier Coates a go at 6 too? He can kick big but Pat Richards was never a 6 either. I get that you must defend him and you enjoy re-inventing the wheel in crazy ways but Isaako is not a 6. He's a bigger body who was evasive that one time against the Roosters a few years ago but he's not creative, reliable or skillful enough to pull off the move.

 

[Huge]

You don't move someone that's failing at their position into the spine just because of how they're built. Maybe we should give Xavier Coates a go at 6 too? He can kick big but Pat Richards was never a 6 either. I get that you must defend him and you enjoy re-inventing the wheel in crazy ways but Isaako is not a 6. He's a bigger body who was evasive that one time against the Roosters a few years ago but he's not creative, reliable or skillful enough to pull off the move.

I forgive you for being stupid. It's not your fault.

I listed at least four reasons why I'd move him. His build was just one.

 

[Cult]

If anything he could do a better job at centre. Wouldn't be able to come off his wing or drop kicks. Tell him to tackle and run and get into dummy half every once in a while but take away every single other responsibility he has that has a chance to set the team backwards, everything but goal kicking and you'd be onto something. But Isaako at 6 would be terrible.

 

[Cult]

I forgive you for being stupid. It's not your fault.

I listed at least four reasons why I'd move him. His build was just one.

And I gave you numerous reasons why it wouldn't work. 6 is a somewhat smart person position and your boy is dumb and folds under any pressure applied to him. You can call me stupid for disagreeing but I think your entire opinion of him is stupid and lacks any actual reasoning

 

[Sproj]

And I gave you numerous reasons why it wouldn't work. 6 is a somewhat smart person position and your boy is dumb and folds under any pressure applied to him. You can call me stupid for disagreeing but I think your entire opinion of him is stupid and lacks any actual reasoning

Oh your opinion has far more basis here than @Huge. The reality is, we currently have a number of dumb halves and @Huge wants to move one of our dumbest (in on field terms, not a comment on his general intelligence) into the halves to solve the problem. It doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[theshed]

Paix and Turps both looking like outs

Not too sad about Turpin but would’ve been nice for Paix and Hetherington to share the duties.

Dunno what to do now. Levi/Hetherington?

 

[BooKhaki]

Try him at left centre. See how he handles it defensively, and see if he is able to create some space for Oates to take advantage of.

 

[theshed]

Try him at left centre. See how he handles it defensively, and see if he is able to create some space for Oates to take advantage of.

I don’t hate the idea. I honestly just think his footy IQ is too low for any position other than wing, and even then it’s borderline.

 

[BooKhaki]

I don’t hate the idea. I honestly just think his footy IQ is too low for any position other than wing, and even then it’s borderline.

Wingers have to make as many defensive decision as centre, and wingers are possibly more important when they get fucked up. His only chance for a spot in the team next year is if Herbie/Oates are injured, or Staggs is at 6.

 

[Huge]

Cant disagree about our other 5/8 options they have been fairly mediocre in recent years, but i don't really see Isaako as being much different if he got a crack. Wouldn't be against us trying anything for the rest of this season, we don't really have anything to lose. I'm just a bit concerned he hasn't evolved the parts of his game that were a bit of a weakness for him in 2017. He's another though who may have just gone a bit stale at Brisbane and needs a change of scenery.

Totally fair. I don't agree that he hasn't progressed in some areas and realistically not everyone can be a superstar. I think his improvements are slight but hey, as long as you're not going backwards, right? We have him for another year I think so really, as we've both said, why not see if we've missed a trick. I think he'd kill it.

 

[Huge]

And I gave you numerous reasons why it wouldn't work. 6 is a somewhat smart person position and your boy is dumb and folds under any pressure applied to him. You can call me stupid for disagreeing but I think your entire opinion of him is stupid and lacks any actual reasoning

No, no, no ,no.

That's not what you did at all.

Try honesty. You said "you don't move someone that's failing at their position into the spine just because of how they're built"
see? I think you're being deliberately obtuse and frankly stupid because I didn't suggest moving him JUST BECAUSE of their build. That's what I'm objecting to. I never ever suggested it was the sole reason. If you cannot comprehend you've misrepresented my position there's no point talking on. If you recognize this, I'll move on.