Round 6 - Titans v Broncos - Pre-Match Discussion

[Cult]

I see every ISC game every week so I consider myself pretty informed on the fact he can't do it.

You find yourself pretty informed of a fact about something that isn't actually a fact because it has never actually happened?

 

[Cult]

I see every ISC game every week so I consider myself pretty informed on the fact he can't do it.

I have watched every game in the NRL from this year and last year, and a lot before that. Does everyone still think Hook needs to be replaced because I know everything because I have watched it a lot and I would be perfect for the job.

 

[Splinter]

I agree. Reed needs to make way for Hoffman in a reshuffled backline. Nikorima goes into the halves. We cannot persevere with the same side - that much is clear.

When we have our strongest U20s side on the park, Nikorima cannot make the side as a half so how do you guys work out he is the one for first grade.
IMO you lot are delusional and desperate because Hoffman is our 1st grade 5/8. Picking Nikorima won't help us

 

[1910]

Because he was able to do those things in a competition that isn't predominantly attack based. How often do you see 50 points scored in the first half in the ISC. No, I am in fact arguing that the NYC doesn't show how good these guys actually are. Which is something that many people on here have stated, hence why it is often said that some players should play ISC so we can see how they can play at a higher level. You've completely misinterpreted what I said.

Yes I know what you're arguing. You want a reserve grade- to which I asked what doesn't the ISC provide that you're calling for?

Problem is you are confused between ISC and NYC.

 

[1910]

You find yourself pretty informed of a fact about something that isn't actually a fact because it has never actually happened?

Watching games makes you somewhat informed about what a player can do.

Cam Smith has never played fullback but through watching him I know I wouldn't move him there. Using your logic he might be a great fullback he's never been given a chance so move him.

 

[Cult]

Yes I know what you're arguing. You want a reserve grade- to which I asked what doesn't the ISC provide that you're calling for?

Problem is you are confused between ISC and NYC.

Please quote me where I have mistaken the ISC for the NYC.

 

[Cult]

Watching games makes you somewhat informed about what a player can do.

Cam Smith has never played fullback but through watching him I know I wouldn't move him there. Using your logic he might be a great fullback he's never been given a chance so move him.

No, that is just a massive over exaggeration of my statement, of which was thrown out there as a conversation starter. Not to be cut down by some guy who walks around this place like he knows everything and speaks rudely to people who are obviously have a lower level of rugby league knowledge than you. Just ask you.

 

[Smokin' Joe]

No, that is just a massive over exaggeration of my statement, of which was thrown out there as a conversation starter. Not to be cut down by some guy who walks around this place like he knows everything and speaks rudely to people who are obviously have a lower level of rugby league knowledge than you. Just ask you.

I understand what you are saying Cult, and I'm all for discussing options however your logic is a little flawed. Why would the NRL team throw a guy into 5/8 like Granville, whom has never played the position, not ISC, NYC level, let alone NRL level? If you actually watch closely, Granville's passing game is actually quite poor and he relies heavily on his speed, not passing skill, to make in roads into a tiring or retreating defence. His passing needs an enormous amount of work, hence him not playing NRL in his preferred position if hooker more regularly.

At this stage, Hoffman is our best option. Pains me to say it, but we need to suck it up and get on board because it won't be changing anytime soon I wouldn't think..... Unless of course Strasser or one of the others simply demand selection through strong form, which is looking unlikely at this point

 

[Old Mate]

Watching games makes you somewhat informed about what a player can do.

Cam Smith has never played fullback but through watching him I know I wouldn't move him there. Using your logic he might be a great fullback he's never been given a chance so move him.

I'd back Smith to have a better go at fullback than Hoffman has at 5/8.

 

[Ari Gold]

Personally I still think Hodges is a better option than Hoffman at five eight. He's not the most natural passer in the world but he does it more than Hoffman, and he at least looks to offload and draw players (such as Copley's try he set up), so I think as a ball runner would be more effective than Hoffman. It would also allow Reed to be left out and Maranta to continue without compromising the centre position as Hoffman could slot in there with Vidot on his outside.

Won't happen though.

 

[Porthoz]

Personally I still think Hodges is a better option than Hoffman at five eight. He's not the most natural passer in the world but he does it more than Hoffman, and he at least looks to offload and draw players (such as Copley's try he set up), so I think as a ball runner would be more effective than Hoffman. It would also allow Reed to be left out and Maranta to continue without compromising the centre position as Hoffman could slot in there with Vidot on his outside.

Won't happen though.

Seriously, how long would you think his hammies will last if he has to kick...?

 

[Porthoz]

@Porthoz the question is have we got any ISC halves on our books that are performing reasonably ... i don't watch enough ISC to know, but no one seems to be able to answer that question for me ... all i end up getting is "it doesn't matter how they are performing" and IMHO, that is a load of crap.

I understand Duncan P, did some good things in his ISC debut on the weekend so if he gets a few more games under his belt in the ISC, the in a few weeks if he keeps showing good signs he may be an option for us.

Please don't get me wrong, i want Hoffman back in the 3/4 line as much as anyone, but i don't see the sense in throwing one of our youngsters to the wolves if they are not ready, IMO that will do us more harm than good in the long run.

I don't really have an answer to that question, because I don't watch enough of the ISC, but if there aren't any halves in ISC better than Hoffman, the comp has dropped pretty low, and I don't believe that for a moment.
In fact, I don't believe Hoffman could get a gig as a half in ISC, unless there is some really desperate club out there.

I know what you're saying about throwing a youngster in the deep, but as you said, no one really believes we're a contender this year, so I'd say it's worth to take a punt on a guy like Strasser (who has been going reasonably from the little I've seen and all I heard), as long as you persist with him and give him a real shot. Honestly, I don't want him there, but I'm sure Gillett would do a much better job in he halves than Josh ever will.

I do think Josh is actually doing quite well for his limitations, which he doesn't (want to) see, but his place is in the 3/4 line, preferably on the wing where he can be lethal, and rarely would need to PASS THE FUCKING BALL!

 

[rnabokov]

If Hoffman is going to stay at 5/8, and even if he doesn't, given this club screwed up its recruitment strategy by not dealing with Lockyer's retirement, then for mine, one answer is to coach a game plan where the forwards pass the ball consistently, as has been done before, from memory, to great effect.

 

[jarro65]

If Hoffman is going to stay at 5/8, and even if he doesn't, given this club screwed up its recruitment strategy by not dealing with Lockyer's retirement, then for mine, one answer is to coach a game plan where the forwards pass the ball consistently, as has been done before, from memory, to great effect.

Agreed.

Our forwards are all more than capable of playing like this, and as said, have done it before with good results.

 

[rnabokov]

Agreed.

Our forwards are all more than capable of playing like this, and as said, have done it before with good results.

The key is to keep the ball alive, and get it to our true attacking weapons: Gillett and Thaiday and Glenn on the edges, who then offload/pass to our outside backs.

As I see it, our pack is not one to dominate the middle but to hold it and keep it waterproof, and then exploit our real strengths which are on the edges and out wide.

Finally, to make up for Hoffman's lack of a kicking game, we need more of Gillett to chip and chase out wide, we need more of Hunt kicking across field to Vidot and Copley and maybe now is the time for Macca to step up and take on a 5/8's kicking role with Barba also taking on much more of a kicking game.

As the Eels showed so well, when the ball does the work, the opposition defence is stretched until it breaks. We have the size and speed on the edges and out wide to trouble every defence in this comp. Our forwards role ought to be to see that it happens.

That would be my game plan

 

[Sproj]

Read an interesting article this morning about the Titans taking over Toowoomba as a nursery as the Broncos have pulled out. It also said we rejected Thurston as a fifteen year old and never gave him another look. That surprised me as that would have been the Cyril Connell days.

 

[Morkel]

Personally I still think Hodges is a better option than Hoffman at five eight. He's not the most natural passer in the world but he does it more than Hoffman, and he at least looks to offload and draw players (such as Copley's try he set up), so I think as a ball runner would be more effective than Hoffman. It would also allow Reed to be left out and Maranta to continue without compromising the centre position as Hoffman could slot in there with Vidot on his outside.

Won't happen though.

Sounds great in theory, but the reality of the position just doesn't suit Hodges' strengths.

Firstly, as has been pointed out, he wouldn't handle the back & forth in defence. At centre, he just sort of ambles up & back, but as a half he'd have to do the full 10 metres at 80% pace constantly, all the while having to sharply change direction. Stretch & retract elastic enough times and it'll just snap, especially if it's mid 30's and dodgy to begin with.

Secondly, when he does his 'thing', it's awesome to watch. But as much as it looks like he can do it on demand, it's not really the case. He relies on certain deficiencies in the opposition defence, be it slow markers, poor decisions, retreating line etc. Most of the time he picks & chooses his moments out of dummy-half, which is when he's most dangerous. Even when they give him early ball through a passing game, he's only effective if the defence is on the back foot, he has space to move, or the opposition make an error in containing him. The point of all that is, as awesome as he is, even he has limitations for when he can boogy. Trying to force his mojo while having props bearing down on him will just smother his game.

 

[Morkel]

Read an interesting article this morning about the Titans taking over Toowoomba as a nursery as the Broncos have pulled out. It also said we rejected Thurston as a fifteen year old and never gave him another look. That surprised me as that would have been the Cyril Connell days.

Well publicised. "Too small".