Fletcher Sharpe discussion

I think he’s played 32 NRL games, like half of those at 6, and he’s not off contract until 28. Think will probably just wait and see how good he becomes over the next year or so first.

We really have no idea what his or even the team’s potential is at this stage because they never get the chance to play together.

Would like to see at least a full couple months together before worrying about out his long term value on the market. We also don’t even know what the salary cap will be lifted to with the next TV deal

Best case he genuinely becomes a top 10 player and its an actual problem we have to worry about
 
The bloke from the Knighted podcast made a good point… if you want guys like Hopwood and Lucas to stay on a reasonable salary, that’s way more likely to happen if we keep Kalyn.

Players stay for less money out of loyalty yes, but also because they think they have a real chance at competing. Players will feel less like that chance exists with Ponga elsewhere.

Also Ponga leaves and every player agent knows you have $1 million+ in free cap space… those players who might have stayed for $700K will now expect $900K+ or they’ll be jumping ship too.

That last point should have been more obvious to me I guess given I know a Broncos fan who’s complained a lot about how the Haas thing has ****ed the negotiations with Xavier Willison… why would he accept $5-600K to play without Payne Haas. Obviously he needs more than that now. Likewise Barnett’s agent knew he had the club bent over a barrel.
 
Also I’ll say this: A not insignificant part of my questioning of Sharpe @ 6 was assuming Kalyn would move on. Why waste so much time on developing something when Sharpe will be @ 1 soon anyway.

Now we know for sure Kalyn will play out his career here, sure, take a long crack at seeing if Sharpe @ 6 can work. If it doesn’t work we have a pretty good idea of what we have with Sandon as a starting half.

But yeah in the modern game, two robust ball running halves who defend at a very high level is a huge advantage. Small sample size but Brown & Ponga steering us around with Sharpe in a simplified complimentary role did look good. You can make up for some weakness in your pack if you are playing through your playmakers and outside backs early and often, if both halves can win you quick rucks, can offload, etc.

If Sharpe running shape comes unstuck too often against good defences then yes you give up and play with a more traditional half. But I’m optimistic Holbrook knows what he’s doing.

Bringing on a nippy running 9 has also worked great for us at times and Sandon is a much more dangerous & skilled player than Graham.
 
Yeah I’m fully converted, leave him at 6. The attacking style is so much more about opening up the field, principles over set structures, playing off the cuff, than it was last year. It plays to his strengths. He doesn’t have a lot of deception still and I’m not backing him to organise really intricate structure, but that’s not what this team is about. And his pass selection is improving and he can create advantages with his legs anyway. And he’s a sensational defender for a half. Not good. He’s fantastic.

I was wrong, Owey et al right, and I am delighted to have been wrong because Fletcher is such a great talent and it’s great to believe there’s a place for both him & Kalyn in the spine.

A 6 that rarely kicks and who is obviously the third banana is at most a $7-800K player, that’s Ethan Strange, Ezra Mam sort of salary. Manageable if we keep cheaping out at 9. But I see no reason to pay up for that position, Phoenix is very functional.

Kalyn was asked how he liked playing with Brown & Sharpe as his halves in the presser and he said straight away they were the reason he re-signed, before checking himself and saying they were merely a “big part” of it.

If Sharpe extends long term before November 2027 we’ll know he’s as excited & on board too.
 
Oh no….the curse of the Marty Johns Show. Still not forgotten how Miller was ripping it up early season but then his form dropped off a cliff after going on that show. Hope Sharpey doesn’t suffer the same fate. 🤞
 
Tell you what I’m sick of seeing though? The idiots of social media saying he’s a nothing player and he needs to step aside and let Ponga run the show in the halves! Like one guy today suggested he is a pointless pick and shouldn’t even be in the side! 🥴

You just want to shake some sense into them but something tells me their parents already tried that when quite young.
 
MBQLD said:
Tell you what I’m sick of seeing though? The idiots of social media saying he’s a nothing player and he needs to step aside and let Ponga run the show in the halves! Like one guy today suggested he is a pointless pick and shouldn’t even be in the side! 🥴

You just want to shake some sense into them but something tells me their parents already tried that when quite young.
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It's ok, you just have to remember that the guy who picks the team knows what he is bringing to the table.
 
MBQLD said:
Tell you what I’m sick of seeing though? The idiots of social media saying he’s a nothing player and he needs to step aside and let Ponga run the show in the halves! Like one guy today suggested he is a pointless pick and shouldn’t even be in the side! 🥴

You just want to shake some sense into them but something tells me their parents already tried that when quite young.
Click to expand...
Wish they’d make up their mind. Usually the same idiots are saying we don’t need KP when whenever he’s out injured. Funny how quickly they forget how good he actually is.

No doubt they will whinge about someone else (probably Brown) once Sharpe is back to 100% and killing it again.

Is there any other fan base that’s so vehemently against having a number or good players?
 
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