The 5/8 Conundrum - Norman vs Hunt vs ??

[Kimlo]

I believe Norman is the better choice there.

 

[ningnangnong]

All things considered, Norman's doing a fine job. The only area of his game that hasn't really been up to standard is his defence, but that doesn't come as much of a surprise, and I'm sure it'll improve as the season progresses.

What I like is that we're starting to use his kicking game a lot more. I've got big raps on his kicking game, so it's pleasing that we're giving him more responsibility from that perspective. His long kicking game in particular has been impressive, and has already gotten us out of trouble a few times this season.

 

[Ari Gold]

I personally think Norman is a better combination choice than Hunt. Wallace is pinpoint when it comes to short kicking whereas Norman has better depth on his long kicks and his bombs get a lot more air than Wallace's, so for those mid range kicks he's ideally suited to put it up. He also attacks the line more than Hunt and with Wallace still primarily a passer I think he and Wallace form a more rounded combination with more facets as a duo than what a Wallace/Hunt combination would offer.

 

[ningnangnong]

Not to mention the left/right kicking combination.

 

[Professor47]

Has Hunt ever been given a proper chance? If he has I can't recall them.

 

[Browny]

The better question is has hunt ever been given a chance with a full strength team?

 

[Porthoz]

It's called trials... Norman won and unless he screws up or gets injured, Hunt will be the utility on the bench and hooker relief until Origin at least*, depending on whether Capewell gets a chance, given he's playing very well at Qcup level.

* In case Wallace gets a call.

 

[Mr Fourex]

I am very happy with Norman in the 6 so far this season. He is getting better each game and we are winning.

Yep.

Pleasantly surprised. I was half expecting by this stage that we may have had to shift Wallace to 5/8 and move Hunt to half. Doesn't look like we have to even think about while we are winning games.

I don't think our defence alone will lose us too many games.(forgetting NQ R2). So if we do start losing games I think it'll be more on the back of our sometimes inept attack.

Which brings about the Norman V Hunt scenario. In attack and in his overall game, Norman has the upper hand on Hunt. I do like Hunt and think he is wasted in his role as the utility. Hunt can pick the weakness in the opposing sides defence and capitalise well, I just think his is a tad one dimensional. Pairing Hunt up with Wallace will see our attack become even more predicable.......even more mundane. Wallace needs someone else to help with the creating, which is what Norman seems to be doing.....sometimes. Once Normans confidence grows more, I think we'll see it more often.

As a halves combination; Norman 6 & Wallace 7 >>> Wallace 6 & Hunt 7

Not even remotely wishing injury on any player but, I would like to see Norman 6 & Hunt 7 somehow get game time together in these positions and see how they gel. Have they played Q cup together....?

I thought Norman's size last year wasn't up to the constant grind of the NRL. He seems to have bulked up quite a bit this season.

 

[Coxy]

Not even remotely wishing injury on any player but, I would like to see Norman 6 & Hunt 7 somehow get game time together in these positions and see how they gel.

We get that tonight.

 

[Mr Fourex]

We get that tonight.

So Wallace has pulled out......?

edit:

yep.....(just read)

I'm looking forward to watching them, getting some real game time together will be interesting.......