Official Briton Nikora

Gards said:
Billy Burns has turned out to be one of the best depth signings for the Sharks in recent memory

Kinda screwed without him IMO and couldn't even consider him depth anymore - he is a player you pick in your 17 every week and frankly it's up to Nikora to prove otherwise

Even then Burns brings good versatility and backup from the bench or as 18th man (worse case)

I still think Nikora from the bench (not playing 80 mins) has potential as him having more energy to put into his runs could be a game changer if we give it a chance. As it stands he is a tackling workhorse that musters the odd run and the fatigue hurts his game IMO.

Just because Burns is the "backup" or forward utility doesn't mean he can't start on the run on side. Can always do a reshuffle or bring on Nikora earlier in the game if need be
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100%. It's his spot to lose now IMO.
 
Gards said:
Billy Burns has turned out to be one of the best depth signings for the Sharks in recent memory

Kinda screwed without him IMO and couldn't even consider him depth anymore - he is a player you pick in your 17 every week and frankly it's up to Nikora to prove otherwise

Even then Burns brings good versatility and backup from the bench or as 18th man (worse case)

I still think Nikora from the bench (not playing 80 mins) has potential as him having more energy to put into his runs could be a game changer if we give it a chance. As it stands he is a tackling workhorse that musters the odd run and the fatigue hurts his game IMO.

Just because Burns is the "backup" or forward utility doesn't mean he can't start on the run on side. Can always do a reshuffle or bring on Nikora earlier in the game if need be
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I'd love to know what Dragons fans think of Burns now.
 
My only issue is the 6-700k we would be paying Brit to play off the bench for 30-40 minutes. It doesn't feel like a good ROI.

I'd be open to utilizing that cap in a better way if the option came up.
 
Proud Shark said:
My only issue is the 6-700k we would be paying Brit to play off the bench for 30-40 minutes. It doesn't feel like a good ROI.

I'd be open to utilizing that cap in a better way if the option came up.
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If we get to the end of the season and Burns still deserves starting spot then we can worry about that then.

For now let Brit earn his spot back.
 
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apezza said:
If we get to the end of the season and Burns still deserves stating spot then we can worry about that then.

For now let Brit earn his spot back.
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18 months ago Brit was arguably the 3rd best backrower in the NRL
Not sure what has happened but needs to re-find it, hopefully the benching inspires him

He'd been a good player off the same skills for 5 years before that too, so it's not like everyone all of a sudden figured him out

Yes he primarily attacks one line, as the best runner of it in the game on his day. But we also used him at times for trick plays like ending up with him breaking down the sideline

2024 v 2025
Games: 25 v 23
Tries: 10 v 7 (every 2.5 vs every 3.3)
Linebreaks: 11 v 9 (every 2.3 vs every 2.5)
Offloads: 25 v 19 (every game vs 1.2)
Tackles made: 942 v 680 (38 per game vs 30 per game)
Running meters: 2241 vs 1827 (average 89 v 79)

So statistically there was just a general slide
Minutes and run meters are down however offloads are ahead of 2024 numbers. Only 1 try in 4 games though. In 80 minutes tackle volume is nearly back up, and making them at a much better rate, currently almost 97% when 2024 was nearly 91 (and actually, his career low)
 
Said this for a while about Burns. The man can play, just needed to be given an opportunity. Also loved how we moved him into the middle when Nikora came on. I think that is the way forward for now until Nikora finds his best form. Burns would then turn into a middle full time until an injury happens to Nikora or Wilton.

This is the way.
 
Proud Shark said:
My only issue is the 6-700k we would be paying Brit to play off the bench for 30-40 minutes. It doesn't feel like a good ROI.

I'd be open to utilizing that cap in a better way if the option came up.
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Who's that in your avatar pic? Is that Manu lol
 
Proud Shark said:
My only issue is the 6-700k we would be paying Brit to play off the bench for 30-40 minutes. It doesn't feel like a good ROI.

I'd be open to utilizing that cap in a better way if the option came up.
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penrith dont care about using martin less than 80. quality over quanity
 
apezza said:
If we get to the end of the season and Burns still deserves starting spot then we can worry about that then.

For now let Brit earn his spot back.
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Yeah I'm certainly not advocating to get rid of him, and I don't think he was going anywhere near as bad as was made out. I just think spending up on the bench has been an issue for this squad for a while and that we should be looking to reduce that longer term to invest more into the spine/backs.
 
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Jasonstevenswedgie said:
penrith dont care about using martin less than 80. quality over quanity
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Penrith have Nathan Cleary and a seemingly unending production like of elite junior talent they can sign on peanuts to fill out their squad. I feel like they'd be he exception not the rule.
 
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