Hoffa's stats and undoubtedly positive contribution to our performance v Roosters is all well and good, yet I am unconvinced that we need what is for mine, essentially another centre playing 5/8. That is how I see Hoffman atm. We are really playing with one half, not not 2 halves.
At the same time, he has started to look at his support runners more, and gave some good final passes. But my issue is that he doesn't read the play like a 5/8. His first instinct seems to me always to run first and try to break a tackle ... and get tackled and die with the ball. Sometimes, I feel he underestimates his speed off the mark and backs himself too often instead of looking to set up a play instead of run. He is certainly no Milford here.
He doesn't direct the play. He doesn't look to create opportunities, which means the burden is more on Hunt and maybe Macca, and it leaves one side of our attack lacking options and possibilities. He keeps compressing the outside corridor with his angled runs.
Yes, he is getting into his newfound position with a mindset that has to change, and it isn't easy, but I am still unconvinced he has it in him.
For mine, he didn't show much creativity when he played FB, so I find it hard to believe he will be the 5/8 we really need, if for no other reason than to balance our attack with options on both sides instead of mostly, one side.
I guess each game will show whether he is developing into a real 5/8 or not. Fingers crossed.
