alexwilliams
Mark Hughes
Bloke is averaging over 40 tackles a game... What a unit
Phoenix Crossland discussion
- Thread starter Joshhh
- Start date
ApperceptionJosh
Max Chapman
The guy deserves his props. Tough as hell, NZ number 9, was killing it in the 23 run.
This guy imo is already going to be a club great, which 9 will have accomplished as much as him since bedsy?.May play for NSW too if the team stays injury free and we perform to our potential the next couple years
This guy imo is already going to be a club great, which 9 will have accomplished as much as him since bedsy?.May play for NSW too if the team stays injury free and we perform to our potential the next couple years
KPGreatness
Justin Ryder
NSW? Look I love the guy and I even said imo he is the real face of Newcastle but Robson and Brailey are about 20 levels above Crossland.
I suppose his versatility could get him a spot in case for injury but that’s about that
Depends on so many things with how they want to structure the team, what sort of team they want and what sort of game they want to play, etc ... his defence and engine might be a pretty big positive with the state of the game atm?
But he definitely wouldn't let anyone down, that's for sure.
alexwilliams
Mark Hughes
I've actually seen quite a fair few people on social media calling for Phoenix to play Origin surprisingly
frankLauda
Ben Kennedy
We need him on the field for his defence. But you can see how more potent in attack we are when Graham come on. And I reckon Sandon will also be the same with more creativity from dummy half. Phoniex has little to no deception. Great pass, and defender.
Mclovin
Todd Bates
I think he would look quite dashing is the sky blue.
He wouldnt look to out of place if he played Origin, he is a great defender who can play big minutes which is what is required to play in that arena. If we go with Cleary which we will the blues dont need a crafty 9 just someone who has a good passing game. He definitely has a better kicking game then the other choices which would also go a long way. He just isn't as creative like Robson and Brailey.
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I remember Bedsy did an interview just after he retired where he said he didn't run at all in his last few years of playing because he didn't have the stamina to play 80 minutes, make 30 or 40 tackles and run as well, which was a pity, because he was fantastic at reading the ruck and knowing when to run.
Bedsy and Holbrook seem to have got together and worked out how to turn Crossland into a hooker who can go for 80 minutes and make 50 tackles, and not running from Dummy half is the big change I can see. Graham comes on and looks to run at every opportunity, which is his job for 20 or 30 minutes. I assume that will be Smith's job as well.
Crossland was OK at running from Dummy half, but not fantastic - just OK.
I have noticed Sharpe goes to dummy half a fair bit, and he's looking to run if he sees a chance - which I assume is something they have worked on to make up for Crossland not running now.
Bedsy and Holbrook seem to have got together and worked out how to turn Crossland into a hooker who can go for 80 minutes and make 50 tackles, and not running from Dummy half is the big change I can see. Graham comes on and looks to run at every opportunity, which is his job for 20 or 30 minutes. I assume that will be Smith's job as well.
Crossland was OK at running from Dummy half, but not fantastic - just OK.
I have noticed Sharpe goes to dummy half a fair bit, and he's looking to run if he sees a chance - which I assume is something they have worked on to make up for Crossland not running now.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He has a four year deal, I'm sure that wasn't pursued lightly.
If what I'm assuming is the plan with Crossland/Smith does end up being the case, filling all your first choice hooker minutes + 40-50 of your minutes at lock forward for a cumulative $1 million is actually perfectly good cap management, if it works well.
Also don't think you can totally rule out Phoenix transitioning to a full time 13 with a Sandon/Graham tandem at 9. Or this being an option to go to if we have injuries in the forwards. Might be waiting to see how Sandon goes there.
Lynchyknight
Clint Newton
I still would not be surprised if over the next 12 months if Crossland moves to permanent 13 with Smith and Graham sharing the hooker duties
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
It's about balancing the impact on defence vs the impact on attack. Honestly doesn't look like we need much more than Phoenix gives us out of 9 when the Big Three (yep this is a thing now) blow teams away the way they did on the weekend. But maybe teams start to figure us out and it looks necessary to get a bit more running threat out of 9. Conversely, starting Smith or Graham may hurt the defence too much for that to be tenable. Maybe starting Phoenix at 9 then moving him to 13 turns out to be the perfect balance. Good to have options either way and Sandon being great cover for either halves spot is just gravy. I don't think this is wasteful cap allocation at all tbh.
I suspect starting him 13 and then switching him into prop gives good balance and still takes advantage of his ability to hold his gloves up for long minutes.
I’m more concerned about finding the money to re-sign Lucas and Best. I’m also not sure Smith would be happy playing 9 for the next four years either. Clubs like Perth, PNG or the Bulldogs could offer him the 7 jersey full time.
Beatell
Darren Albert
The big thing ive noticed, although yes the big 3 are creating space, DB digging into the line well and KP/FS out the back nicely - non of it works without the forwards running decoys and shapes on the inside to collapse the defensive line. We never had players in motion in previous years this year everyone knows their role. Mooney and Saulo are constantly doing this off the ball.
Can definitely see Smith angling for a release if he’s stuck as a bench hooker here.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He seems pretty happy and settled and recently talked about how he's excited by the challenge to come on in various roles and help the team. I don't know that we need to speculate about him going anywhere or how it would be smart to move him on when in reality - pending how it looks in practice - it looks like there's a real chance our recruitment guy has squared the circle of having expensive, elite top liners in the spine while also having quality in depth.
$500K sounds like a big salary but it really isn't these days. Unless he's literally only giving you 20-30 mins at hooker and otherwise just waiting for an injury, but I suspect the plan will be for him to build to a bigger role than that.
$500K sounds like a big salary but it really isn't these days. Unless he's literally only giving you 20-30 mins at hooker and otherwise just waiting for an injury, but I suspect the plan will be for him to build to a bigger role than that.