snowman
Total gronk
^^ truer words have never been spoken mark.
slide rule
Jaws
Our outside backs have been absolute poo for the last couple of years though really. We've had 2nd rowers playing in the centres etc. I think we will have a more potent backline next year. While a good halfback is important, the guys outside them must also have some kind of attacking flair. A good halfback doesnt make a team (see NQLD). I don't think that any of our halves have had the benefit of having decent outside backs running off them. We have had some good halves over the last couple of years too, Kimmorley, Seymour, Bird and yet none of them have really excelled in comparison to what they went on to in other teams. That says something to me.
PS I rate Bird more of a Lock than a ball playing 5/8, but yeah.
PS I rate Bird more of a Lock than a ball playing 5/8, but yeah.
Blix
Great White
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This is exactly what I reckon.
I am happy with the rest of the team. Last year the 7 position was our weakest position, (also the most important) and we havent fixed it.
Yes AK, might come through, but he might not as well.
slide rule
Jaws
Then again, so can anyone. That's just the risk of the game. In fact, there's no reason why a great halfback such as a Thurston can't get injured or fall into an absolute heap for any number of reasons. Teams with those types of players can potentially have problems covering positions as well. Especially considering that they've usually put all their eggs in one basket by having a marquee half.
That's football. No-one is ever going to have every possible conceivable problem covered.
I'm quite fine with the fact that we have a number of people who can come in and do it. Actually, I think we probably have more 1st grade half options than most other teams.
Anyway, if you go through every team there is a certain top level of half- say Thurston, Cronk, Prince etc. Then there is a second tier where most other players sit. Our situation is no different to most other teams really.
Mark^Bastard
Great White
All of our halve options would be in a third tier. Graham I am very confident will be considered second tier almost straight away but will never be first tier in his entire career (in the halves anyway).
Kelly has potential to be upper-2nd or even first. Potential. Same way I have potential to win money if I bet on the races.
To be honest Smith, Porter and Morris (in the halves) range from just being NRL standard to not being NRL standard.
Porter is at least consistent, decent in defence, and with a great kicking game. Morris is similar without the kicking game but with more experience. Smith is woeful on a bad day and he has more bad days than good days.
Having these guys is certainly handy if you get a lot of injuries during the year. They represent great depth indeed, but none of them are good first choice options by any stretch.
andrew's_sharks
Great White
Graham will not be a 2nd tier half ever. had played 42 games at how old? can play both halfback and 5/8th. He will end up being one of the best halves in the comp if he does not get injured.
Great post. :good:
I think you'll find Mark said he won't be 1st tier.
goodbyepenrithhellosharks
Great White
fingers crossed that he does come good. the way i see is if he fails well have no quality halves at the moment till some one else puts up their hand
slide rule
Jaws
Did anyone buy today's telegraph? There was a tiny little write up about Wade. I don't think it would be big enough to be on the net.
It basically said that Penrith saw him as a long term backrower rather than a half as he has recently put on a lot more beef.
It basically said that Penrith saw him as a long term backrower rather than a half as he has recently put on a lot more beef.
Mark^Bastard
Great White
What I meant was using the tier system someone else said up above.
1st tier would be Thurston, Cronk, Prince
2nd tier would be guys that are quite decent but aren't right up there, so Noddy, Pearce, Barrett
3rd tier would be players that are genuine NRL but not that good. Mullen, Wallace etc.
So I'm not disrespecting Graham by saying he'll be lucky to be 2nd tier this year.
1st tier would be Thurston, Cronk, Prince
2nd tier would be guys that are quite decent but aren't right up there, so Noddy, Pearce, Barrett
3rd tier would be players that are genuine NRL but not that good. Mullen, Wallace etc.
So I'm not disrespecting Graham by saying he'll be lucky to be 2nd tier this year.
goodbyepenrithhellosharks
Great White
im ok with what your saying MB, ive watched the kid for a lot longer than most and in my own mind im confident he will give his all and shine for the sharkies. IM more concerned about finding him a partner in crime, e.g. pearce and carney. alot of people are looking for the answer outside the club but i hope a young fella puts his hand up.Someone the club can build on for years. while its great to buy a star, it is much better to unearth one.Look at the way the fans worship gards and gal.This is what the sharkys need to get them back on track:cheers
Mark^Bastard
Great White
I agree mate and I reckon Kelly could be the 5/8 equivalent of Gardner.
Breakthrough 20 year old and offensive weapon that brings the crowds back?
Cos that's what I hope. Kelly and Gardner forming an electric one-two attack is the best thing that could happen to our team. Better and more sustainable than signing any player. Two home-grown heros, excitement machines who bring the enterprise back to the Sharks style.
Watch the crowds come flooding back if that were to happen.
Which would mean Graham plays 7, at least for the moment.
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Mr Wright
Jaws
Kelly-Graham That's what we need for 2011. People complain that they have no experience, well there is only one way to fix that. It's to start them for day 1 and let them work through the struggles and come out on top. It's what makes a quality youngster turn into a fully fledged NRL quality player.
I think some of us guys are just too scared to give these two the reigns for next season. But their style of play (kelly especially) could possibly bring the best out of our lackluster backline. On the back of a massive go forward from our pack the should do ok.
I think some of us guys are just too scared to give these two the reigns for next season. But their style of play (kelly especially) could possibly bring the best out of our lackluster backline. On the back of a massive go forward from our pack the should do ok.
Nobby The Sharkyboy
Bronze Whaler
No quiet home grown, both gards & Kelly were taken from Parra's U20 side
Mark^Bastard
Great White
To be honest, as woeful as Kelly was at fullback he was VERY similar to Gardner in kick returns when he did catch the ball. His running game including speed off the mark and elusiveness is very similar to Gardner. I reckon from what we've seen of Kelly at NRL level he is basically Gardner but without the fullback experience.
That is why I want him at starting 5/8.
We have had two completely balls years in a row and with Ferguson gone we've only really got Gardner at the moment as a massive outcome from 'rebuilding'.
There are players in our team that are just rank average but are probably a bit better than some of the juniors, at least in expected round 1 form. But they'll never get much better and the juniors could get really better.
To me Kelly can be a Ben Barber this year, and maybe even be a Benji Marshall later on.
It's worth trying.
josh11223344
Jaws
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well said mark about AK I thought he showed glimpses of brilliance in kick returns but that obviously wasn't his natural position but i'd love to see him do that at 5/8.
Mr Wright
Jaws
I'd love to see Kelly in the halves with the roll on that our forward pack will get this year. He would be great when the defense think we are spreading it wide and AK take a step inside and carves them up the middle.
Yeah, I knew that but fair call.
My view on this is that we should at least give Kelly and Graham a shot. At the least. What's teh benefit in persisting with crap? Especially when you have another option, though unproven, that could be brilliant?
Give Kelly and Graham a crack together. Its far from ideal, but its the best option from what we have.
gosharkies
Bull Shark
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yes i read that too
i think it would be worth trying aiton at lock like he played for png, morris at hooker & toopu would drop back to the bench playing a impact role from the bench like he did at the roosters & when he was still playing rep footy. this would also mean we could have kelly on the bench & we could build his game time up gradually. this would also give us a lot more impact from the bench
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