Official Daniel Atkinson

[Wizard]

Atko stresses me out in passing situations sometimes.

He would be a similar fullback to Tracey, abit more slippery but with half the work rate because Tracey’s work rate is

 

[Sharkfox]

For me Atko goes 14 roaming lock. He can help out Brailey and go at dummy half during game also while he's lock, allowing Brailey to have short breathers while still playing 80.
Have 3 impact middles on the bench.
For next year, have 14.Atkinson 15.Hunt 16.Williams (if re-signed) 17.Rudolf/Tapuha. BHU and AFB starting, Talakai on the edge.
Oregan and Tommy did a good job start of season, but lack impact, Wilton can be 18th man.
As for fullback, give Will K next year and if he hasnt gone up another level then look for an upgrade for 2026

 

[Proud Shark]

For me Atko goes 14 roaming lock. He can help out Brailey and go at dummy half during game also while he's lock, allowing Brailey to have short breathers while still playing 80.
Have 3 impact middles on the bench.
For next year, have 14.Atkinson 15.Hunt 16.Williams (if re-signed) 17.Rudolf/Tapuha. BHU and AFB starting, Talakai on the edge.
Oregan and Tommy did a good job start of season, but lack impact, Wilton can be 18th man.
As for fullback, give Will K next year and if he hasnt gone up another level then look for an upgrade for 2026

Yeah I like the idea of having a utility. I think most of our bench middles play slightly less minutes on average than they could anyway. If Atko is there it gives us a point of difference and flexibility.

Also, it sets the team up with a format in which young players in spine positions can get a taste of firstgrade off the bench. I think this would be great for the likes of Dykes or similar players in the future to see how they go.

 

[Sharkfox]

The way things are looking, Tricky will get the halfback spot, Hynes will shift to 5-8. All we need in the spine to give us that next level is to upgrade fullback for 2026 onwards.

 

[Proud Shark]

The way things are looking, Tricky will get the halfback spot, Hynes will shift to 5-8. All we need in the spine to give us that next level is to upgrade fullback for 2026 onwards.

It's such a shame Dykes is injured again. Having him and Ison pushing each other to take Kennedy's jersey for 2026 would have been great.

 

[HaroldBishop]

The way things are looking, Tricky will get the halfback spot, Hynes will shift to 5-8. All we need in the spine to give us that next level is to upgrade fullback for 2026 onwards.

I bet it doesn't

 

[Sharkfox]

I bet it doesn't

If he continues to step up and start showing he can manage games rest of the year, i think Fitz will finally see the light. He was already getting Trindall to share more of game management before Hynes got injured

 

[bort]

If he continues to step up and start showing he can manage games rest of the year, i think Fitz will finally see the light. He was already getting Trindall to share more of game management before Hynes got injured

Was that because he’s a genuine halfback and Fitz was starting to see the light?
Or because he is a young developing half who was willing and able to take on more responsibility?

If he has more responsibility at the end of this season, or the start of next, it absolutely doesn’t mean he should have had it at the start of this season, or last season.
Maybe Fitz would have ‘seen the light’ earlier if Trindall worried more about impressing him than cocaine and not trying at cup level because it’s beneath him.

Does Kayal Iro going okay (but actually, not super popular) this season mean people who wanted to start him two years ago were correct and we should have done that?
He’d probably be better now than he is, but at the expense of previous seasons.

 

[Sir Chadley]

The way things are looking, Tricky will get the halfback spot, Hynes will shift to 5-8. All we need in the spine to give us that next level is to upgrade fullback for 2026 onwards.

I bet it doesn't

Yeah I won't be sure of this happening until I see it in a team list Tuesday when Nicho returns. Even then I won't be sure until I actually see them run out on the field and play those roles.

 

[Sharkfox]

Was that because he’s a genuine halfback and Fitz was starting to see the light?
Or because he is a young developing half who was willing and able to take on more responsibility?

If he has more responsibility at the end of this season, or the start of next, it absolutely doesn’t mean he should have had it at the start of this season, or last season.
Maybe Fitz would have ‘seen the light’ earlier if Trindall worried more about impressing him than cocaine and not trying at cup level because it’s beneath him.

Does Kayal Iro going okay (but actually, not super popular) this season mean people who wanted to start him two years ago were correct and we should have done that?
He’d probably be better now than he is, but at the expense of previous seasons.

Yes, see the light, you have a genuine halfback thats been sitting there since losing Chad and SJ, shouldve been built up in that position a year ago instead of extending Moylan, which the wheels fell off mid season last year.
As for Iro we dont know how he wouldve gone if he played earlier, because he never played all he had was a debut on the wing which he went good. Wasnt playing any different in cup also before getting called up to play centre, but has been solid since being promoted to top grade.
You want to develop our own players then you give them time to play and build their games getting experience

 

[Milkshark]

I think the Atkinson to fullback talk is purely to get him in the team. However, not sure I would move Kennedy unless he is being replaced by an upgrade, which Atkinson is not.

The big arguments on replacing Kennedy centre's around getting more involved with the ball and also his defence.

I agree Atkinson would likely be more involved with the ball, and in defence might be more willing to put his body on the line, but Atkinson is going to be less safe at the back under the high ball and kick returns in general.

I also think Atkinson is not fleet footed enough for a fullback.

For now, take the safe option in Kennedy until an upgrade is ready.

 

[Wizard]

Was that because he’s a genuine halfback and Fitz was starting to see the light?
Or because he is a young developing half who was willing and able to take on more responsibility?

If he has more responsibility at the end of this season, or the start of next, it absolutely doesn’t mean he should have had it at the start of this season, or last season.
Maybe Fitz would have ‘seen the light’ earlier if Trindall worried more about impressing him than cocaine and not trying at cup level because it’s beneath him.

Does Kayal Iro going okay (but actually, not super popular) this season mean people who wanted to start him two years ago were correct and we should have done that?
He’d probably be better now than he is, but at the expense of previous seasons.

Your post basically is leaning into Fitz is always right and his timing on things is always perfect. it’s not accurate, you were saying Iro mustn’t be good enough for first grade in defence because Fitz wasn’t picking him, did that change automatically overnight ?

The answer is somewhere in between both, give them a shot but not too early. Tricky having the 7 at this point is a natural course of events (should’ve had it at the start of the year tbh)

If he gets the 7 any later or doesn’t ever get it at all then your above post looks even more silly

 

[Gards]

The way our defense isn't reliable defending mistakes we cannot afford anymore pressure inside our 20 from a dropped ball or whatever. Will basically never drops it.

A roaming lock/bench sub has questionable value to our team outside of injury cover especially if they are given cameo type minutes like Tricky/Moylan were.

Our last genuine bench / super sub (outside of fowards like Seggy or Capewell) was probably Barba back in 2015 but even then it was a mixed bag at times.

Atko has shown some promise in that bench role though mainly down to his energy and running game around the ruck.

 

[Thresher]

Fitz said in a recent interview that earlier in the year, when Trindall and Hynes were stringing games together, Trindall had been transitioning into the one being the main organiser.

It sounded like that's the way Fitz wanted things to keep evolving.

So, the way I read it, Hynes gets to call himself half back - but play the more traditional 5/8 role.

 

[Wizard]

Fitz said in a recent interview that earlier in the year, when Trindall and Hynes were stringing games together, Trindall had been transitioning into the one being the main organiser.

It sounded like that's the way Fitz wanted things to keep evolving.

So, the way I read it, Hynes gets to call himself half back - but play the more traditional 5/8 role.

Thanks @Thresher As the roles should be…

I don’t know if I’m reading it right but why would Fitz or anyone other than Hynes care that Hynes gets to call himself halfback.

We would be one of the only clubs if not the only club that has their “7” play more like a five eighth but let’s them keep the jersey just so they stay happy..

 

[Sharkfox]

Fitz said in a recent interview that earlier in the year, when Trindall and Hynes were stringing games together, Trindall had been transitioning into the one being the main organiser.

It sounded like that's the way Fitz wanted things to keep evolving.

So, the way I read it, Hynes gets to call himself half back - but play the more traditional 5/8 role.

Saw that also, hence why i think he will eventually move into halfback

 

[Thresher]

Saw that also, hence why i think he will eventually move into halfback

Half back gives more prestige and greater personal sponsorship revenue.

 

[Sharkfox]

Half back gives more prestige and greater personal sponsorship revenue.

Change their numbers and sides, and we have a gun 5-8 origin star that will partner either Moses or Cleary.
Luai is incumbent but if they move him to 7 on the right at Tigers, Nicho may have a shot at taking that blues 6 jersey off him.
I want to see him go next level and excel in the origin arena, he could do that at 5-8

 

[Thresher]

Change their numbers and sides, and we have a gun 5-8 origin star that will partner either Moses or Cleary.
Luai is incumbent but if they move him to 7 on the right at Tigers, Nicho may have a shot at taking that blues 6 jersey off him.
I want to see him go next level and excel in the origin arena, he could do that at 5-8

It doesn't matter what numbers they have on the backs. Hynes can have a 7 on his back but play the traditional 6 role.

 

[Sharkfox]

It doesn't matter what numbers they have on the backs. Hynes can have a 7 on his back but play the traditional 6 role.

He can, but If we want him to make rep i think his best chances and position to excel in is 5-8, and majority of 5-8s wear the 6 and play on the left. So thats why it should happen. If he stays on the right he wont be picked as a 5-8.
Some may not want him to make rep, but you need our star player to excel and mature at the highest levels.