7

[BurgoShark]

Porter is not a fg half-back, but he's a very good NSW cup half-back who we are expecting too much of. If he plays 2-3 games a year filling in for injury that's fine by me.

Smith shouldn't be back in first grade and shouldn't be re-signed.

Graham has been very dissappointing so far. He's done very little in attack other than putting on the Williams try late in the Warriors game. He's had some good defensive games but has had some terrible ones too. I think Flanno will stick with him, but from what I've seen of him so far this year I don't expect him to be the long term solution in the halves.

Kelly was looking better and better each week and I think he'll end up in 7 eventually. For now I'm happy to have him in 6 or 7.

Townsend should be the obvious choice to play first grade, but the down side would be weakening the NYC team.

 

[SHARKSTER]

Smith

 

[Blair]

Todays SMH flanno said that if the players don't aim up against Melbourne he will be giving the young guys a go. I reckon he is talking about THE CHAD.

 

[Gibs]

I think its about 90% of the first grade squad, not just bringing uo chad, who, IMO is nowhere near ready for firsts

 

[ABshark]

Todays SMH flanno said that if the players don't aim up against Melbourne he will be giving the young guys a go. I reckon he is talking about THE CHAD.

That was my take on it too.

Clayton, Stapleton and Frizell are the other obvious chances.

I'm not sure Chad is ready. I thought at the start of the year that he was probably 18 months away, but he's improved every game I've seen so far this year. The coaching staff are obviously working on improving his running game and encouraging him to run more which is good, but its the consistency and creativity of his kicking game that is his perhaps his best attribute- he reminds me of Brent Sherwin.

I reckon he's our best bet for a long-term NRL halfback, so there is a lot at stake if Flano bloods him too early. The important thing to note about Cherry-Evans and Hodkinson was that they debuted after a year of dominating the Qld Cup and developing physically (Foran is a bit of a freak and doesn't count- plus he had the benefit of playing outside Orford in his first season). On the other hand, someone like Mortimer debuted young (in his last year of NYC) and had the dream start , but has struggled to back it up since- possibly because he didn't have that extra time.

But above all else, a new halves combination can rejuvenate a season and provide the spark and balance that a team needs to turn close losses in to wins. A new, talented local halfback in the Mitch Healey mold plus the returns of Smith, Gardner and Kelly in coming weeks could turn our season around... there's so much to weigh up- I'm happy for Flano to make that call.

EDIT: One other thing- tomorrow night will be a good test for Chad and the other NYC boys anyway. The Storm u20s are leading the comp, their halves are quality and they have some big boys out on the fringes. If Chad can dominate this game my faith in his ability to dominate in 1st grade will be fortified.

 

[ben]

Jeff Rosbson??? Hope was cheap.

 

[Beejay]

Yeah I hope Robson was cheap and only on a 2 year deal. That way he can play half back and the Chad could be sent to NSW Cup and play with the men. After those two years Graham can be sent to lock, with De Gois at Hooker, Kelly and the Chad in the halves. Scotty Porter can remain as a back up.

How long is Tim Smith under contract for? We could definitely let him go.

Sharks Premiership in 2014!

 

[Blix]

I think its fair to say we are currently rooted for a 7.

Once again today Porter had a load of barry's as did Graham.

If we had had a good 7, we would of won that today for sure.

Dont get me wrong I am stoked with Graham but his' kicking isnt strong enough to be our main kicker on 5th tackle.

 

[Ibanez]

Robson is beginning to look pretty classy.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Porter seems to have issues with his knee today so maybe we might see Chad playing next week ?

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Townsend is the future. Those that disagree suck cock by choice.

 

[moore81]

Townsend kicking at over 95% too, i havent been to confident of anything going over since williams has been out. Would be nice next week to not have the fingers crossed for the ones just off centre.

 

[Harold Holt]

Is there a stat on how many drop outs we have forced from good kicks this year?
I am guessing that our numbers would be significantly lower than other teams that are winning games.
If a halve plays NRL level surely they need a solid kicking game, none of our halves can kick consistently inside attacking territory. All have failed; Graham, Kelly, Smith & Porter.
As some people have suggested, we need a Specialist kicking coach to help these guys. If I were Flanno I would be ringing Joey Johns and getting him ASAP.

 

[Fitzy2513]

Is there a stat on how many drop outs we have forced from good kicks this year?
I am guessing that our numbers would be significantly lower than other teams that are winning games.
If a halve plays NRL level surely they need a solid kicking game, none of our halves can kick consistently inside attacking territory. All have failed; Graham, Kelly, Smith & Porter.
As some people have suggested, we need a Specialist kicking coach to help these guys. If I were Flanno I would be ringing Joey Johns and getting him ASAP.

Mitch Healey

 

[josh11223344]

townsend needs a shot, I am not dissapointed in porter and think he has been solid but have only just realised his short kicking isn't that good chads is.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Its amazing how Townsends career average goal kicking was at about 63%, This never made sense to me because someone who can kick the ball so sweetly should be a decent goal kicker

Now this season he's at 95% so he's worked something out and I am glad to see it.

 

[Tatus]

Porter seems to have issues with his knee today so maybe we might see Chad playing next week ?

As soon as i saw him go down thats the first thing that sprung to mind lol