The pre-season thread - 2022

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player do so little and still be rated so highly as Dylan Brown.

Moses cops plenty of flak for underperforming in big games but at least he has a go.
 
Billy said:
Dylan Brown had a golden patch of form that lasted about 6 games a few years ago. It was basically because opposition teams were concentrating on his halves partner and forgot to cover him. As soon as they worked out he has a handy running game and changed their game plans to cover him, he just became a place holder.
The only thing he has that Crossland doesn't is a big paycheck.
Click to expand...

The thing with Dylan brown though is defensively he is in my opinion one of the top three defensive half's in the comp, is a great athlete and is only 21!

But honesty, Crossland has nothing on Brown. Chuck Crossland in that bull dogs squad he would be fifth choice behind Burton, averilo, wakeman and Flanagan.

I want Crossland to succeed, but let's be honest, the main thing he has going for him is he is a newcastle junior, so the fans want him to succeed because it would be a nice story (hope I am wrong).

Brown isn't the best option, but it is definitely a good one, especially when you see how dire halves depth is in the club and NRL.
 
Matty23 said:
So we should just chuck Crossland to the scrapheap because he’s only played 16 games and hasn’t shown he’s the second coming of Johns?

Sounds very Newcastle like.
Click to expand...
Never said to scrap him hahaha, and don't want him to be as good as joey, just good enough to make the worst team in the comp as a minimum, which I don't think he would.

We have a great squad with a terrible halves combo. I think if you chose what we have now to get us a prem instead of recruit with the money have, that's a little crazy.

Right girl at the wrong time is the wrong girl. In Crossland case, I think he is the wrong guy at the wrong time. We have clifford, which means the halves partner needs to be a gun to be a contender.

If he gets a chance I want him to kill it, just saying, don't think he is the guy, and yes he hasn't had a fair go.
 
ApperceptionJosh said:
Never said to scrap him hahaha, and don't want him to be as good as joey, just good enough to make the worst team in the comp as a minimum, which I don't think he would.
Click to expand...
Who's the worst team? You can't say anything about a teams halves/depth until they've played half a season at least. Last year has nothing to do with the upcoming one.
 
Well, the courier mail is suggesting we could be making a play for Milford. I can't read the article, not sure anyone is quoted.
 
I've seen those reports as well, that would be for 2023, making him available this year pending NRL approval. Has anyone seen the Tele article?
 
Yes mostly hearsay, knights denying any discussions, next court hearing next month and he has apparently said he will defend some of the charges meaning it could drag on for months and then NRL have to sanction his approval to play
 
Lord of the Skraelings said:
www.foxsports.com.au

Tigers’ shock surge; Reynolds brutal reality check: All 16 NRL halves pairings ranked

Tigers’ shock surge; Reynolds brutal reality check: All 16 NRL halves pairings ranked
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au

Been named as worst halves pairing in NRL, really can't argue aye.

Cows number 2, think its a line ball between the 2 to be honest.
Click to expand...
Honestly apart from the top 5 on this list so much uncertainty around the halve pairing at the rest of them we aren't far away
 
There's really not that many good halves in the comp is there?

There must be some kind of issue with junior development. It like they're taught to play in systems and to follow set plays and they're discouraged to play what they see Infront of them and use their natural playmaking ability.
 
Defences just keep getting better and better too, the athletes keep getting better and bringing more intense physicality (especially with the way the % of non-white players keeps increasing, most of the really scary athletes are Pasifika or Indigenous), and with the current rules the better sides can really grind opponents into the dirt more than ever before.

Cleary, Reynolds etc are definitely a lot better than the halves on the lower end, but also they get a better opportunity to showcase what they can do. But also the halves who can make plays which continue to put pressure on the opposition make things easier for their teammates.

It’s a feedback loop that isn’t getting short-circuited the way it used to with penalties.
 
So Clifford ( who i think is better than people seem to give him credit for) will play 6 and Clune to 7, im happy with that. Its a pity Brailey wont be there but i have confidence in Randall to do the job and i think Crossland would go well at 9 too.
If Clune plays a good halfbacks role ( he doesn't have to be A Johns) Just direct the team around the park then Clifford and Ponga will be deadly.
I cant wait i think we will do a lot better than people think or is being predicted. We have a hard start to the season and if were up for it (as i think we will be ) then we will be laughing for the rest of the season .
 
Baz loves a flat out no, so this was pretty unexpected.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220124_120447.jpg
    Screenshot_20220124_120447.jpg
    165.3 KB · Views: 224
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top