Official Daniel Atkinson

[Proud Shark]

Are there any exceptions to the halfback plays (defends) on the right side rule? Seems bizarre with the way halves play these days.

 

[Wizard]

Half back gives more prestige and greater personal sponsorship revenue.

I hope we’re not appeasing to Hynes for that.

That would be strange

 

[Sevshark]

Are there any exceptions to the halfback plays (defends) on the right side rule? Seems bizarre with the way halves play these days.

Young Katoa at Dolphins plays mainly on the left in games I've seen.

 

[Sparkles]

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.

Where are you looking?
Everything I can see (real stuff, not forum stuff) says the opposite

 

[Gumby]

Use Hynes how the storm use Munster. Same as how souths are now using Wighton. Give him a licence to pop up wherever he wants and let the 7 (trindall) do all the organising and 'boring' plays.

 

[Sparkles]

Use Hynes how the storm use Munster. Same as how souths are now using Wighton. Give him a licence to pop up wherever he wants and let the 7 (trindall) do all the organising and 'boring' plays.

I hear you mate, I'd love to see Nicho back in full flight. But we're talking Munster+Hughes(+Pappy) and Wighton+Walker (+Mitchell). Or duo/trio aren't really on par

 

[Proud Shark]

I hear you mate, I'd love to see Nicho back in full flight. But we're talking Munster+Hughes(+Pappy) and Wighton+Walker (+Mitchell). Or duo/trio aren't really on par

Agreed. It's a real shame we're going to end up going through the whole season with only 8-10 games playing our first choice halves pairing. This really should have been a season to develop that combination significantly.

 

[Gumby]

I hear you mate, I'd love to see Nicho back in full flight. But we're talking Munster+Hughes(+Pappy) and Wighton+Walker (+Mitchell). Or duo/trio aren't really on par

Good point mate.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Good point mate.

It's rare hey

 

[Deleted member 2543]

Young Katoa at Dolphins plays mainly on the left in games I've seen.

Yeah - there is no rule. It's just moreso than the younger/newer player makes way for the older/experienced player.

E.g. Townsend played right side for Maloney then moved to the left for SJ.

You'll also find that left-footed players often prefer the left (likely because of kicking and/or because they have a dominant left shoulder). E.g. Brooks and Luai play left side no matter what number you put on them. Munster another lefty who plays left.

 

[Proud Shark]

Yeah - there is no rule. It's just moreso than the younger/newer player makes way for the older/experienced player.

E.g. Townsend played right side for Maloney then moved to the left for SJ.

You'll also find that left-footed players often prefer the left (likely because of kicking or because they have a dominant left shoulder). E.g. Brooks plays left side no matter what number you put on him. Munster another lefty who plays left.

Yeah, rule was the wrong word. It's just odd that the majority of 7's seem to play on the right.

 

[Deleted member 2543]

Yeah, rule was the wrong word. It's just odd that the majority of 7's seem to play on the right.

I think the “lefties on the left” thing is definitely real. A lot of junior and lower grades coaches would salivate over having left and right footed kickers plonked in their correct spots, and if you’ve got a lefty it makes sense to use him that way. Puru and O’Sullivan are two more who come to mind. Also Wade back when he played as a half.

It could be as simple as that for righties. Coach puts them on the right side at 15 because they do the majority of kicking and miss less tackles on their good side, and that’s where they develop. By the time they hit grade that is where they feel way more comfortable.

I always did the opposite for defence. Kid tackles great on his right shoulder = put him on the left because that is where he needs the practice, and being able to play either side and tackle on either shoulder serves him better long term. It’s different when results matter more though obviously.

 

[bort]

I think the “lefties on the left” thing is definitely real. A lot of junior and lower grades coaches would salivate over having left and right footed kickers plonked in their correct spots, and if you’ve got a lefty it makes sense to use him that way. Puru and O’Sullivan are two more who come to mind. Also Wade back when he played as a half.

It could be as simple as that for righties. Coach puts them on the right side at 15 because they do the majority of kicking and miss less tackles on their good side, and that’s where they develop. By the time they hit grade that is where they feel way more comfortable.

I always did the opposite for defence. Kid tackles great on his right shoulder = put him on the left because that is where he needs the practice, and being able to play either side and tackle on either shoulder serves him better long term. It’s different when results matter more though obviously.

And I think throw in the kid you want* passing more develops a better left to right pass, the ‘weaker’ half gets the easier right to left passes

*rightly or wrongly

 

[Deleted member 2543]

And I think throw in the kid you want* passing more develops a better left to right pass, the ‘weaker’ half gets the easier right to left passes

*rightly or wrongly

That one depends on the player and the rest of the team imo. There are plenty of junior teams getting around with a 6 who can't pass well on either side so the 7 does both sides.

Definitely a good way to go in principal if you have two "equal" halves though.

Having one lefty is also great if you want to play really simple structure on good-ball sets. Get to the far right post, lefty on the short side, the other two on the open for the long shift with the easier pass. That one is a park league staple.

 

[Gards]

Would love to see Hynes lollipop kicks from the other side of the field

I heard Chad is leaving the Cows because they wanted to shift him to the other side and turn him into a gun 5/8 but his talking game and inside balls are not effective down that edge so it's not his go

 

[Sharkfox]

Dan the man, thought he was great tonight, kicking game was good, played with composure and confidence and helped steer the team being involved. His defense was good, him, Ramien and Nikora looked fired up, Fifi had nothing

 

[WAR]

Dan the man, thought he was great tonight, kicking game was good, played with composure and confidence and helped steer the team being involved. His defense was good, him, Ramien and Nikora looked fired up, Fifi had nothing

I think you said it perfectly here love the way the edge played

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

I love his Bombs!

 

[HaroldBishop]

Dan the man, thought he was great tonight, kicking game was good, played with composure and confidence and helped steer the team being involved. His defense was good, him, Ramien and Nikora looked fired up, Fifi had nothing

Yeah I was really impressed with his kicking game

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

Daniel has earned a day at the Greyhound’s after tonight’s performance.