It looks like hes going to Manly. But Him going to Manly would still be him playing 5/8 not half back. I dont dee his reaoning behind it.
Cronk is obviously going to be Roosters 7 and I heard nothing about Keary being moved from 6. All the talk was about Pearce making way and having to adjust
his game.
At Manly, they want him and there’s now a vacant halves spot. In today’s game, playing 6 or 7 is a blurred line with
most clubs incorporating left and right field halves. Essentially, there’s two 7’s on the field. What’s the definition of a halfback? First receiver. What’s the definition of a five-eighth? Second receiver. Obviously there’s more to it than that, but that’s the simplest of terms. Painting a picture with a broad brush here; most clubs have two first receivers on each side of the ruck with the sweeping fullback acting as the second receiver (ie. five-eighth). To add to that, most clubs have whatever half is on that side of the field feed the scrum, which often sees 6’s feeding the scrum. That’s not uncommon at all. The game has changed, just like how hookers routinely pack in at lock during the scrum to give service from there. There’s literally only a handful of clubs that allow their halves (or at least one) to roam the field and play both sides.
As for Pearce having to wear 6 for Manly, Green wore 6 last season and I can assure you he was more “halfback” than DCE was. He was the main organiser and first receiver more often than not. Majority of DCE’s try assists and line break assists came when he was playing second receiver outside Green. For the most part, Green would organise the team and the go forward while DCE would be off ball reading the defence and calling the shots when there was an opportunity present. Again, that was often two passes off the ruck, not him playing first reveiver / halfback / traditional 7.
People get too caught up in who wears 6 and 7 nowadays. It’s all about play style and team structure. I have little doubt Pearce and DCE could coexist and form a strong halves pairing. They’re two different halves who actually compliment each other well, irregardless of jersey numbers.