Fullback discussions in the wake of the Nathan Gardner knee injury

[Tatus]

If he has signed with us is it safe to assume he will play fullback.
I honestly didn't think he would sign with us because of his love for the eels, but I guess if this is going to be his last year he would want to get as much first grade time as possible. Something he isn't getting at the eels

 

[Mark^Bastard]

He's 30. He could play the rest of the year with us and probably next year as well. Or he could play this year with us then play 2 years at least in the ESL.

 

[MattyShArk]

It's been posted on Luke's wiki that he has signed with us for the remainder of the season...unreliable at best

but the news seems to pop up everywhere

 

[sharks2010]

He's 30. He could play the rest of the year with us and probably next year as well. Or he could play this year with us then play 2 years at least in the ESL.

Agreed. But if we can't buy some quality backs for next year we can also let him run around for another year

 

[sharks2010]

It's been posted on Luke's wiki that he has signed with us for the remainder of the season...unreliable at best

but the news seems to pop up everywhere

yeah seems to be getting stronger and stronger

 

[Born&bred]

Dunny, Slippery & johnnyschlong collectively blew him to sign with us.

 

[sharky7]

He has been training with the squad all week (Ike that is)

is ike, isaac gordan? the guy that bashed his girl?

 

[teflon77]

is ike, isaac gordan? the guy that bashed his girl?

That's him. Prepare for backlash though for mentioning it.

 

[sharks4ever]

Its a bluff, if all goes well when the Sharks take on the NRL, Ike should be named there

id rather him at the back then wright

 

[Wilson]

How can anyone say Wright is good under the highball?

 

[SharkShocked]

Probably in the hope that no one can be as bad as Gardz?

 

[BurgoShark]

He is named there, officially, good under the high ball, hopefully he brings the ball back hard like Stapo and hopefully we see him in some space.

Wright has played some fullback before (2009 for Ricky Stuart). Not ideal but an OK stop-gap until one of the other guys is ready.

 

[snowman]

apart from round 1 last year, i cant think of any other games matt wright has been a disaster under the highball

infact, he took a brilliant highball over a much more athletic daniel vidot last week, just a shame it was a perfect kick and he was forced in goal.

 

[sharky94]

yep he has improved dramatically i also remember he took a great take against the roosters and that was opposing lueilua he will be good for us

 

[Opeth]

Hopefully we will be able to see more of his skill set

 

[Tiger Shark]

When I think of Wright - not being good under the highball isn't a weakness that really comes to mind, to me his biggest weakness is his acceleration and his ability to turn and chase. I think his strenghts are ball playing and defensive technigue so really interested to see how he goes this weekend.

 

[A.Snowden]

When I think of Wright - not being good under the highball isn't a weakness that really comes to mind, to me his biggest weakness is his acceleration and his ability to turn and chase. I think his strenghts are ball playing and defensive technigue so really interested to see how he goes this weekend.

Which makes me question why so many people seem to say he is so good on his feet

 

[85Sharkie]

I think Wright will be good defensively especially with kicks. The only problem defensively i think will be communication with his wingers. A couple of times this year weve had two people going for the ball and getting in each others way or no one going up for the ball at all. Hopefully this gets addressed soon but its up to all of the back three to fix this. My main concern with Wright is in attack. A lot of our gameplan is built around Gardners speed and support play, two attributes Wright doesnt really show, although being on the wing doesnt really allow for Wright to run off the forwards looking for offloads.
I dont know what Flannos going to do but im thinking we may see a bit of a change in our gameplan with Wright at fb. Maybe have Carney and Robson looking for offloads off the forwards more and using more second man plays rather than using Gardner off inside balls. I just dont see our current gameplan working with Wright at fb instead of Gardner.

 

[SF]

Big write-up on Pickerd in rugby league today, saying he was the only player who could get close to Carney in fitness/speed drills.

 

[Matty C of the Shire]

The eels forum are going a little strange ,mapparently 2UE announced it with Burt coming to us, nd s few of them are not surprised . I am happy to give wrighta go at FB , he had a good game last week at winger